JP4214135B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that effects and displays the reliability of occurrence of a big hit state.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine that reports the probability of occurrence of a big hit state (so-called “reliability”) in a step-by-step manner using an image different from the special symbol at the time of displaying the variation of the special symbol. In addition, in the case where the effect display in the reach state is developed to a stage with a high degree of reliability, a gaming machine has been proposed in which advance notice is given to that effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The player can recognize in advance from this advance notice image that there is a high probability that the effect display will develop to a highly reliable effect display, and has a high expectation that it will develop to a stage with high reliability. You can enjoy the production display.
JP 2002-113194 A

  However, even if a reach state occurs, the player cannot have a sense of expectation for the effect display that does not develop. Therefore, even if reach is a scene where the interest is originally improved, the display is not developed and the interest is reduced rather than the expectation is increased and the interest is improved by the development of the display. This has had a greater impact on players.

  On the other hand, since it is not possible for a player to play a game machine for the first time, it is impossible to evaluate how reliable the effect display is even if the effect display that has been diversified recently is suddenly expanded in multiple stages. . Rather, if a variety of effect displays appear suddenly, the player may feel that the subsequent effect display is mediocre, reducing the interest of the game.

  However, it is difficult to let the player know the full picture of the diversified production display in a short game time. Therefore, there is a problem of how to attract a player who has not yet grasped the full picture of the effect display to the game for a long time without lowering interest.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that produces and displays an advance notice that increases the player's expectation according to the amount of operation.

The first invention comprises game control means for comprehensively controlling a game, and display control means for controlling display of a display device based on a display control command signal from the game control means, and establishment of a start condition In a gaming machine in which a special game state is generated in which an auxiliary game is executed in which display information is variably displayed on the display device, and a game value is given in connection with the auxiliary game deriving a specific result mode The display control means includes a game ball detection means for detecting a game ball flowing down the game area, an operation amount storage means for storing an operation amount quantified based on the detected game ball, and the auxiliary game Based on the display control command signal receiving means for receiving the display control command signal for instructing the display mode in the display device being executed from the game control means at the start of the auxiliary game, and the display control command signal The advance control notification means for notifying the high degree of reliability that the result mode derived from the auxiliary game to be executed becomes the specific result mode by changing the notification mode in a plurality of stages, and the display control command Based on the signal and the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means, the number of stages of advance notice executed by the advance notice information means is determined, and the display mode on the display device during execution of the auxiliary game Is generated in a time series, and the game ball detecting means includes a rotatable windmill having a disk portion and a substantially cylindrical shaft portion formed on the back surface of the disk portion, and A rolling surface that is positioned below the windmill and rolls the game ball; and a proximity sensor that detects a game ball that passes between the rolling surface and the shaft portion, and the windmill includes the shaft Between the outer peripheral surface of the part and the rolling surface The game balls are spaced apart from each other so that they can flow down and are arranged on the game board, and the shaft portion is formed with a diameter that is within the detection range of the proximity sensor when the game balls are in contact with the outer peripheral surface. A plurality of upright walls standing upright with respect to the outer peripheral surface are provided, and the upright walls are formed such that a distance between a tip thereof and the rolling surface is larger than a diameter of the game ball.

According to a second invention, in the first invention, based on the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage unit, the development stage provisional determination means that provisionally determines the stage of the notification mode from the plurality of stages, and Based on the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means, it is determined whether or not to limit the provisionally determined notification mode, and if it is determined not to restrict, the provisionally determined stage is determined, If it is determined to be limited, the stage of provisional determination is corrected to a stage having a lower reliability than the stage, and the stage of the notification mode determined or corrected by the stage of development limiting means And an operation amount subtracting unit that subtracts a predetermined amount of operation amount from the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage unit, and the generation of the display control sequence is corrected by the development stage limiting unit. Characterized in that it is performed based on the phase.

According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the display control means displays an operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means on the display device, and the operation amount storage means includes a game ball. Random lottery is performed every time one is detected, the operation amount is weighted based on the lottery result, and the weighted operation amount is stored.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is provided with game control means for comprehensively controlling a game, and display control means for controlling display of a display device based on a display control command signal from the game control means, and a start condition A game in which a special game state in which an auxiliary game in which identification information is variably displayed on the display device is executed based on the establishment of the game, and a game value is given in connection with the auxiliary game deriving a specific result mode is generated. In the machine, the display control means includes a game ball detection means for detecting a game ball flowing down the game area, an operation amount storage means for storing an operation amount quantified based on the detected game ball, and the auxiliary A display control command signal receiving means for receiving a display control command signal for instructing a display mode in the display device during execution of a game from the game control means at the start of the auxiliary game, and a display control command signal Development notice means for notifying the high degree of reliability that the result form derived from the auxiliary game executed based on the specific result form becomes different in a plurality of stages in the notice form, and the display Based on the control command signal and the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means, the number of stages of advance notice executed by the advance notice notification means is determined, and the display device during execution of the auxiliary game is determined. A display control sequence that defines a display mode in time series is generated, and the game ball detecting means includes a rotatable windmill having a disk portion and a substantially cylindrical shaft portion formed on the back surface of the disk portion. A rolling surface that is positioned below the windmill and rolls the game ball, and a proximity sensor that detects a game ball that passes between the rolling surface and the shaft portion. Between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and the rolling surface The game balls are arranged on the game board so as to be spaced apart at intervals that allow the game balls to flow down, and the shaft portion is formed with a diameter that is within the detection range of the proximity sensor when the game balls are in contact with the outer peripheral surface. In addition, a plurality of upright walls standing upright with respect to the outer peripheral surface are provided, and the upright wall is formed so that the distance between the tip and the rolling surface is larger than the diameter of the game ball. Accordingly, it is possible to produce and display an advance notice that increases the player's expectation. And when providing the proximity sensor which detects a game ball in order to quantify an operating amount, the game ball which passes on a proximity sensor can be detected one by one with sufficient precision. Further, by configuring the standing wall to be small, it is possible to prevent the ball of the game ball from stopping and the game ball from jumping up by the standing wall.

According to the second invention, based on the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage unit, the development stage temporary determination unit that temporarily determines the stage of the notification mode from the plurality of stages, and the operation amount storage unit It is determined whether or not to limit the provisionally determined notification mode based on the operation amount stored in the storage, and if it is determined not to restrict, the provisionally determined stage is determined and determined to be restricted. In some cases, the provisionally determined stage is corrected to a stage of development stage restriction that corrects the stage with lower reliability than the stage, and the stage of the notification mode determined or corrected by the stage of development stage restriction, Operating amount subtracting means for subtracting a predetermined amount of operating amount from the operating amount stored in the operating amount storage means, and the generation of the display control sequence is based on the stage corrected by the development stage limiting means. Therefore, if the notice notification stage is limited because the amount of operation is small, the player may be limited in stage by the amount of operation even if the notification mode does not reach a highly reliable stage. Therefore, it is possible to increase the expectation for occurrence of a special gaming state. In addition, in a state where the amount of operation at the beginning of the game where the player cannot yet evaluate the reliability is small, it is possible to limit the notice notification being expanded and displayed in multiple stages. You can improve your interest. In addition, by limiting the stage of the notice notification according to the amount of operation, the player is motivated to continue the game in order to confirm a new effect, and the operating rate of the gaming machine is improved. Further, in performing the above-described restrictions, the game control means only transmits a display control command signal to the display control means, so that the processing load on the game control means is small, and an operation is performed by inputting a signal from the outside. It is possible to prevent fraudulent conduct.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the display control means displays the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means on the display device, and the operation amount storage means is not provided every time one game ball is detected. Information corresponding to the number of game balls that have passed through the game ball detecting means is displayed by performing a random lottery, weighting the operation amount based on the lottery result, and storing the weighted operation amount. Therefore, the player can know the standard of the state of the nail adjustment in the game hall.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board 1 of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  On the surface of the game board 1, a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by the guide rail 2 is formed. The game area 3 is constituted by resin side cases 4 provided on each side of the guide rail 2 and the game board 1.

  A side case 4 provided at the lower right of the game area 3 is covered with a certificate plate 5 for attaching a certificate. The side cases 4 provided at the upper right and lower right of the game area 3 are provided with attachment portions 6 for fixing the game board 1 to a front frame (not shown) of the game machine.

  In the game area 3, a center case 11 provided with an image display device (display device) 10 is arranged substantially in the center. The image display device 10 is attached to a recess provided in the center case 11 at a position deeper than the front surface of the center case 11. That is, the center case 11 surrounds the periphery of the image display device 10 and is provided so as to protrude forward from the display area 60 (FIG. 5) of the image display device 10.

  The image display device 10 has a display screen formed by, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), a CRT (CRT), or the like. A plurality of special figure display areas 601 to 603 (FIG. 5) are provided in an area (display area 60) in which an image of the display screen can be displayed. Identification information (special symbols) is provided in each special figure display area 601 to 603. ) And a special drawing variation display game (auxiliary game) are displayed. That is, special symbols (for example, numbers “0” to “9” and “A”, “A”, “0” to “9”) assigned to the special figure display areas 601 to 603 provided on the left, middle, and right of the display screen. 12 types of symbols by “B” English characters) are variably displayed and a special variability display game is performed.

  In addition, the display screen displays a notice effect for notifying the player of the probability (reliability) that a big hit state (special game state) will occur as a result of the special figure variation display game. The display area 60 is provided with an advance notice display area 604 for displaying a predetermined notice effect.

  In addition, the display area 60 is provided with a special figure storage display area 605 for displaying the number of special symbol winning memories, and a point display area 606 for displaying the number of points acquired by the player according to the amount of operation. Yes. In addition, an image based on the progress of the game (for example, jackpot display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) is displayed on the display screen. The display screen will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the upper right side of the image display device 10, a decoration device 12 such as a decoration lamp or LED is provided. The decoration device 12 emits light according to the progress of the game when an event such as a big hit occurs.

  A warp inlet 13 is provided on the left side of the image display device 10 on the frame of the center case 11. The game ball that has flowed down to the warp inlet 13 is discharged from the warp outlet 14, rolls on a rolling surface (stage) 15 provided on the lower side of the image display device 10, and is provided immediately below the center of the image display device 10. It flows downward from the perforated hole 16. The game ball that has flowed down to the hole 16 is discharged from the communication port 17 provided immediately above the start port 24A, and the winning possibility to the start port 24A is increased.

  A normal symbol starting gate 20 and a direction changing member 21 are arranged on the left side of the center case 11. Further, below the center case 11, general winning ports 22A and 22B are provided on the left side, and general winning ports 22C and 22D are provided on the right side. A start port 24A is provided immediately below the center of the center case 11, and a start port 24B having an ordinary variable winning device (ordinary electric accessory) 23 is provided immediately below the start port 24A. The starting opening 24B is normally prevented from winning a game ball by the starting opening 24A and the closed normal variation winning device 23.

  A ball passage detection unit 25 is attached below the start port 24B. The ball passing detection unit 25 is provided with general winning ports 22B and 22D at the upper left and right. In addition, the ball passage detection unit 25 is provided with a special variable winning device 26 having a large winning opening (not shown).

  On the left side of the special variation winning device 26, there is provided a special symbol display 30 for displaying the variation display of the special symbol and the special symbol winning memory number of the special symbol variation display game. The special figure display unit 30 is provided with a special figure display unit 30A, a special figure storage display unit 30B, and a game state display unit 30C. Also, on the right side of the special variable winning device 26, a general symbol display game 31 is executed, or a general symbol display 31 for displaying a normal symbol winning memory number is provided. The universal map display 31 is provided with a universal map display unit 31A and a universal map storage display unit 31B.

  A direction changing member (windmill) 40 is provided in the vicinity of the general winning opening 22B in the upper left of the special figure indicator 30. The windmill 40 is provided so that only one game ball can pass between the shaft portion 402 (FIG. 7) provided at the center and the general winning opening 22 </ b> B.

  In addition, a ball passage detection sensor 41 including a flat proximity sensor is provided at the lower left of the windmill 40. The ball passage detection sensor 41 is provided such that only one game ball can pass between the upper surface of the ball passage detection sensor 41 and the shaft portion 402 of the windmill 40. The windmill 40 and the ball passage detection sensor 41 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In the gaming machine, a game is played by launching a game ball (pachinko ball) toward the game area 3 from a ball hitting device (not shown). The launched game ball flows down the game area 3 while changing the rolling direction by a direction changing member such as a nail or a windmill arranged at various locations in the game area 3. Then, the game is won in the general winning ports 22A to 22D, the starting ports 24A and 24B, or the special variable winning device 26, or is discharged from the out port 32 provided at the bottom of the gaming area 3.

  The winning of game balls to the general winning ports 22A and 22B arranged on the left side of the game area 3 is detected by a winning port sensor L53 (FIG. 2) provided in the general winning ports 22A and 22B. Also, the winning of game balls to the general winning ports 22C and 22D arranged on the right side of the game area 3 is detected by a winning port sensor R54 (FIG. 2) provided in the general winning ports 22C and 22D.

  A game ball that has flowed between the general winning opening 22B and the windmill 40 is detected by a ball passage detection sensor 41. The flow down path of the game ball flowing down to the vicinity of the general winning opening 22B will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The winning of the game ball to the start port 24A or 24B is detected by the special-purpose start port sensor 50 (FIG. 2). The special symbol random number counter value extracted by the passing timing of the game ball is limited to a predetermined number of times (for example, up to four times) as a special symbol winning memory in the special symbol storage area in the game control device 100 (FIG. 2). Remembered. The stored number of special symbol winning memories is displayed on the special symbol memory display unit 30B and the display screen. The game control device 100 plays a special figure variation display game in the special figure display unit 30A based on the special symbol winning memory.

  When there is a winning game ball at the start opening 24A or 24B, the image display device 10 displays the special symbol composed of the above-mentioned numbers in order and displays an image related to the special-figure display game. That is, in the image display device 10, the special symbol variation display corresponding to the display of the special figure display unit 30A is performed. The special figure display unit 30A has a role of accurately informing the player of the variable display state and the variable display result, and the image display device 10 has a role of producing various displays in order to improve interest.

  When a winning at the start port 24A or 24B is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the special symbol random number counter value at the time of winning detection is a winning value), a big hit state occurs, and the display symbol has a specific result. An aspect is derived. Specifically, the special symbol display unit 30A stops at a single-digit special symbol that is a winning symbol, and the image display device 10 stops when three special symbols are aligned (big hit symbol).

  At this time, the special variable winning device 26 is in an open state in which the game ball is easily received from the closed state in which the game ball is not received for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) by energizing the large winning opening solenoid 26A (FIG. 2). Is converted to In other words, since the special variable winning device 26 opens greatly for a predetermined time, the player is given a game value that can acquire many game balls during this time.

  The winning of the game ball to the special variation winning device 26 is detected by the count sensor 51 (FIG. 2).

  The passage of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 20 is detected by a normal diagram start gate sensor 52 (FIG. 2). The normal symbol random number counter value extracted based on the passing timing of the game ball is stored in the normal symbol storage area in the game control device 100 as a normal symbol winning memory for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of four times). Then, the stored number of the normal symbol winning memory is displayed on the general symbol memory display unit 31B.

  When the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 20, the game control device 100 starts the normal symbol display game on the general symbol display 31 based on the normal symbol winning memory. That is, when the passage detection to the normal symbol start gate 20 is performed at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the normal symbol random number counter value at the time of passage detection is a winning value), the hit state is established and the normal symbol display is performed. The normal symbol displayed on the part 31A stops in the hit state.

  At this time, the normal variation winning device 23 provided at the upper part of the start port 24B is energized to the normal electric accessory solenoid 23A (FIG. 2) so that the entrance to the start port 24B is expanded for a predetermined time. Converted. By converting the normal variation winning device 23 in this way, the winning of the game ball to the start port 24B is permitted.

  The opening time of the normal variation winning device 23 is, for example, 2.9 seconds in the specific gaming state (probability variation state and variation time shortening state) and 0.5 seconds in the normal gaming state, depending on the gaming state. Should change.

  In this way, when the game balls win the general winning ports 22A to 22D, the start ports 24A and 24B, and the special variable winning device 26, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning port that is won is a payout unit (discharge device). Are discharged to an upper plate or a lower plate provided on the front frame of the gaming machine.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of a control system centering on the game control device 100 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The game control device (game control means) 100 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and stores a CPU that controls the game and invariant information (program, data, etc.) for the game control. It comprises a gaming microcomputer 101 having a ROM and a RAM used as a work area during game control, an input interface 102, and an output interface 103.

  The gaming microcomputer 101 is provided with an external communication terminal 104. The external communication terminal 104 can output an identification number uniquely set in the gaming microcomputer 101. By connecting an inspection device or a management computer (so-called hall control) to the external communication terminal 104, the management computer can identify the gaming machine.

  The gaming microcomputer 101 receives detection signals from various detection devices (special start port sensor 50, count sensor 51, general start gate sensor 52 and winning port sensors L53 and R54) via the input interface 102. Various processes such as lottery lottery are performed.

  In addition, the gaming microcomputer 101 has a special figure display 30 (a special figure display unit 30A, a special figure storage display unit 30B, a gaming state display 30C) provided in the game area 3 via the output interface 103, and a general figure. Various types of information are output to the display 31 (general map display unit 31A, general diagram storage display unit 31B).

  The special figure display unit 30A outputs the fluctuation display mode of the special figure fluctuation display game. Further, a special symbol winning memory number display is output to the special symbol memory display unit 30B.

  A variation display mode of the variation map display game is output to the map display unit 31A. In addition, a normal symbol winning memory number display is output to the common symbol memory display unit 31B.

  The game state display 30C outputs the probability variation state and variation time shortened state of the special figure variation display game.

  In addition, the gaming microcomputer 101 transmits command signals to each subordinate control device (the display control device 150 and the discharge control device 200), the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 23A, the big prize opening solenoid 26A, etc. via the output interface 103. And overall control of the game.

  The gaming microcomputer 101 outputs information related to the gaming machine to the management computer via the board external information 56.

  The discharge control device 200 controls the operation of the payout unit based on the prize ball command signal from the game control device 100 and discharges the prize ball. Further, based on a ball rental request signal from a card ball rental unit provided in the gaming machine, the operation of the payout unit is controlled to discharge the ball rental.

  A special figure change start command, a change display command, an identification information command, a confirmation command, a demo display command, a fanfare command, a jackpot command, an error command, etc. are transmitted from the game control device 100 to the display control device 150 as display control command signals. The Further, a command signal for changing the display mode according to a difference in the gaming state such as the normal gaming state, the special gaming state, the probability variation state, or the variation time shortening state is also transmitted.

  Note that the normal game state is a state in which no special game is executed and neither the probability variation state nor the variation time reduction state. The special game state is a state in which a big hit is generated as a result of the special figure variation display game and a special game (big hit game) is being executed. The probability variation state is a specific gaming state in which a special prize occurrence probability is higher than that in the normal gaming state and favors the player with respect to the occurrence of the special gaming state. The variation time reduction state is a state in which the time for which the identification information is variably displayed is reduced.

  The special figure change start command instructs the start of the special figure change display game. The variation display command indicates a variation display mode of the identification information. The identification information command indicates identification information to be stopped and displayed as a result of the special figure variation display game. The confirmation command instructs the stop of the variation display of the identification information. The demonstration display command instructs a display to be performed when the special figure variation display game is not played for a predetermined time. The fanfare command instructs display of the state before the transition to the special gaming state. The jackpot command instructs display during a special game state such as a round display during a special game state, an interval display, or a display between rounds during a special game state. The error command instructs display when there is an abnormality.

  The display control device (display control means) 150 can grasp the transition of the game state managed by the game control device 100 based on these display control command signals (commands).

  The display control device 150 is provided with a CPU 151 for display control, a ROM 152 that stores programs and data, a work area when the CPU 151 operates, and a frame buffer that temporarily stores image data displayed on the image display device 10. RAM 153, GDP (Graphic Display Processor) 154, image ROM 155 storing image data (symbol data, background image data, moving image character data, texture data, etc.), and the like.

  The CPU 151 executes a program stored in the ROM 152 and, based on a signal from the game control device 100, is configured with image control information (sprite data, polygon data, etc.) for a special figure variation display game according to the game state. The graphic display information, background screen information, moving picture object screen information, etc.) are calculated to instruct the GDP 154 to generate an image signal to be displayed on the image display device 10.

  The RAM 153 includes a storage area for temporarily storing various data (for example, the number of points given to the player) and a work area for temporarily storing data necessary for the operation of the CPU 151.

  The GDP 154 performs, for example, polygon drawing (or normal bitmap drawing) of an image based on the image data stored in the image ROM 155 and the content calculated by the CPU 151, and a predetermined texture for each polygon. Is pasted and stored in the frame buffer of the RAM 153.

  The GDP 154 also performs drawing processing such as point drawing, line drawing, triangle drawing, texture mapping, alpha blending, shading processing (such as glow shading), and hidden surface removal (such as Z buffer processing). The image signal subjected to these drawing processes is stored in the frame buffer of the RAM 153.

  The GDP 154 transmits the image stored in the frame buffer of the RAM 153 to the image display device 10 at a predetermined timing (timing of the vertical synchronization signal V_SYNC and the horizontal synchronization signal H_SYNC).

  A plurality of frame buffers can be set in predetermined storage areas of the RAM 153, and the GDP 154 can be superimposed on an arbitrary image and output.

  An oscillator (not shown) that supplies a clock signal is connected to the GDP 154. The clock signal generated by the oscillator defines the operating period of the GDP 154, and a vertical synchronization signal (V_SYNC) and a horizontal synchronization signal (H_SYNC) are generated based on the clock signal output from the oscillator, and the image display device 10 It is output as a timing signal.

  The communication interface 156 that connects the display control device 150 and the game control device 100 is provided with a buffer that regulates the signal transmission direction. Therefore, in the communication between the game control device 100 and the display control device 150, only signal input from the game control device 100 to the display control device 150 is allowed, and signal output from the display control device 150 to the game control device 100 is not allowed. prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized signal from being input to the game control device 100 from the display control device 150. When bidirectional communication is performed between the game control device 100 and the display control device 150, a bidirectional buffer can be used as the buffer.

  In addition, the sound control device 250 and the decoration control device 300 are connected to the communication interface 156.

  Based on the sound control command signal from the display control device 150, the sound control device 250 controls the sound effect output from the speaker provided in the gaming machine.

  Based on the decoration control command signal from the display control device 150, the decoration control device 300 controls the decoration lamps and LED decoration light emitting devices provided on the front frame, and the decoration device 12 in the game area 3. .

  The display control device 150 is provided with an output interface 157. The output interface 157 is connected to the image display device 10 and the information output terminal 57, and outputs a signal to the image display device 10 and the information output terminal 57 via the output interface 157.

  The image display device 10 displays an image corresponding to the display area 60 based on the image display signal from the display control device 150.

  The information output terminal 57 outputs information related to the operating state of the gaming machine. By connecting a management computer to the information output terminal 57, the management computer can identify the operating status of the gaming machine.

  The display control device 150 is provided with an input interface 158. A ball passage detection sensor 41 is connected to the input interface 158, and a signal from the ball passage detection sensor 41 is input via the input interface 158. Note that the ball passage detection sensor 41 may be directly connected to the game control device 100 instead of the display control device 150 and a signal may be input to the game control device 100. In this case, the game control device 100 performs a corresponding process.

  A power supply device (not shown) of the gaming machine includes a backup power supply unit and a power failure monitoring circuit in addition to the power supply circuit. When the power failure monitoring circuit detects a voltage drop of the power supply device, the power failure monitoring circuit sequentially outputs a power failure detection signal and a reset signal to the game control device 100 and the like. When the game control device 100 receives a power failure detection signal, the game control device 100 performs a predetermined power failure process, and when it receives a reset signal, stops the operation of the CPU. The backup power supply unit supplies backup power to a RAM such as the game control device 100 to back up game data (game information, game control information (including special figure variation display game information)) and the like.

  Although the sound control device 250 and the decoration control device 300 are provided separately from the display control device 150, the display control device 150 includes the sound control device 250 and the decoration control device 300 among the subordinate control devices. The control device 250 and / or the decoration control device 300 may be configured integrally with the display control device 150.

  Further, the sound control device 250 and the decoration control device 300 may be directly connected to the game control device 100 without being connected to the display control device 150.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main process of game control according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the game control apparatus 100.

  When the power of the gaming machine is turned on, the gaming microcomputer 101 executes an initialization process for setting initial values for various control parameters (S11), and sets the gaming machine to an initial state. Subsequently, a stirring random number update process (S12) is performed. Thereafter, this random number update process for stirring is repeated.

  The stirring random number update process in step S12 is a process for updating the initial value of the random number update process in step S25 of FIG. 4 described later. That is, in the processing executed by the game control device 100, when the game ball passes the normal symbol start gate 20 or when the game ball wins the start port 24A or 24B, the corresponding game result mode is displayed. Some random number processing is performed to perform a lottery for deriving, or to give a randomness to an effect or decoration when a special figure variation display game is advanced based on the lottery result. As an example of these random number processes, the value of the counter is incremented by 1 in a predetermined time period (for example, 1 millisecond period) between 0 and 316, and returned to 0 again when the value exceeds 316 There is. This random number update process corresponds to the random number update process in step S25.

  As the counter value, the random number value at that time is extracted when the game control device 100 detects the above-described winning of a game ball or the like. However, although it is a random number, it is a counter that is updated at a predetermined timing, and is merely a random number that uses the randomness of the timing extracted as a random value. Therefore, the regularity as a counter is eliminated by stirring the counter value in the random number update process for stirring.

  In the above-described example, the counter value is not updated by adding a predetermined value (for example, 1) every time, but every time the value obtained by the random number update process for stirring is updated for one cycle, the counter value is initialized. As a value, a new value obtained by the random number updating process for stirring is set as an initial value of the next counter. Since the random number update cycle in the random number update processing for agitation is shorter than the random number update cycle in the random number update processing in step S25, it is possible to make estimation of the counter value from the outside difficult.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the game control timer interrupt process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the game control apparatus 100.

  When the gaming machine is powered on, the game control main process is executed. When a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined time period (for example, 1 millisecond period), the timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed. However, these processes (S21 to S31) are not necessarily performed every time an interrupt occurs. For example, the input process (S22) monitors the input signal every time, but the output process (S23) may be executed every other occurrence of an interrupt. That is, instead of completing all the processes in one interrupt process, this interrupt process may be repeatedly executed a plurality of times to complete a series of game control processes.

  First, interrupt prohibition setting and register saving processing are performed (S21).

  Thereafter, processing such as chattering removal is performed on signals from various sensors and switches input via the input interface 102, and input processing for determining input information is performed (S22).

  Thereafter, an output process is performed for outputting data related to game control to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 23A, the special winning opening solenoid 26A, the board external information 56, and the like via the output interface 103. In this output process, the special figure display unit 30A, the special figure storage display unit 30B, and the game state display unit 30C are set based on the parameters set in the special figure game process (S28) and the general figure game process (S29). Then, parameters are output to the general map display unit 31A and the general map storage display unit 31B (S23).

  Next, command transmission processing for outputting a display control command signal to the display control device 150 or outputting a prize ball command signal to the discharge control device 200 is performed (S24).

  After that, each random number counter for determining whether or not the normal figure fluctuation display game is hit, and the effects or decorations when the special figure fluctuation display game is advanced (fluctuation display pattern, stop pattern, etc.) The random number update process for incrementing the value of each random number counter for imparting randomness by one is performed (S25).

  Thereafter, an error monitoring process is performed to monitor the clogging of the discharged balls and abnormalities of various switches and sensors (S26).

  Thereafter, the presence / absence of input from the special figure start sensor 50, the count sensor 51, the general figure start gate sensor 52, etc. is detected, and according to the result, the special symbol winning memory, the normal symbol winning memory, and the special variable winning device 26 are input. A switch monitoring process for updating the winning count is performed (S27). At this time, if the special figure starting port sensor 50 detects a game ball, a special figure random number counter value (random number relating to the result mode of the special figure variation display game) is stored in the special figure storage area, and the normal figure starting gate sensor 52 is stored. If the game ball is detected by the above, the usual random number counter value (random number relating to the result mode of the usual fluctuation display game) is stored in the usual figure storage area.

  After that, special figure game processing (S28) for controlling the progress of the special figure variation display game and general drawing game processing (S29) are performed.

  In the special symbol game process (S28), the special symbol random number counter value (S27) extracted based on the winning of the game ball to the starting port 24A or 24B detected by the special symbol start sensor 50 and stored in the special symbol start memory. It is determined whether or not the random number relating to the result mode of the special figure variation display game extracted and stored in step S1 is hit, and the special figure display unit 30A executes the special figure variation display game. In addition, the image display device 26 is subjected to processing for variable display of special symbols corresponding to the display of the special figure display unit 30A. If the special figure random number counter value is a predetermined value, it becomes a hit state related to the special symbol, and the variation display of the identification information stops at the hit symbol. Further, when the winning state is reached, the special winning opening solenoid 26A is driven to open the special variable winning device 26, so that the game ball is easily received.

  The normal game process (S29) is extracted based on the passing of the game ball to the general chart start gate 20 detected by the general chart start gate sensor 52, and is stored in the normal symbol random number counter value (normal symbol start memory). It is determined whether or not the random number related to the result mode of the general map change display game extracted and stored in S27 is hit, and the general map display unit 31A executes the general map display game. If the common random number counter value is a predetermined value, a hit state related to the common figure is set, and a parameter is set for stopping the fluctuation display of the normal symbol in the hit state.

  Further, in the ordinary game process, when the ordinary figure display game 31 is executed on the ordinary figure display device 31, the number of normal symbol winning memory obtained by subtracting the number of executions of the ordinary figure changing display game executed this time is the game control device 100. To set the parameters for output to the common map storage display unit 31B.

  Thereafter, external information editing processing for editing the board external information for outputting the state of the gaming machine to the management computer connected via the board external information 56 is performed (S30). The board external information includes information related to the progress state of the special figure change display game, such as whether the symbol is confirmed, whether it is a big hit, whether the probability is changing, or whether the changing time is being shortened.

  Thereafter, the process of restoring the temporarily saved register and the process of setting the permission of the interrupt that has been prohibited are performed (S31), the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 3). Then, the random number update process for stirring (step S12 in FIG. 3) is repeated until the next timer interruption occurs.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the display area 60 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 5A is a configuration diagram of the display area 60.

  In the display area 60 of the display screen, a special figure display area 601, a special figure display area 602, and a special figure display area 603 are provided in order from the left. A first special symbol is displayed in the special figure display area 601, a third special symbol is displayed in the special figure display area 602, and a second special symbol is displayed in the special figure display area 603.

  When there is a winning game ball at the start opening 24A or 24B, the special symbol composed of the numbers and the like described above is left (first special symbol), right (second special symbol), middle (third) in the display area 60. Variation display is started in the order of (special symbol), and an image relating to the special symbol variation display game is displayed.

  When a predetermined time elapses, the first special symbol stops changing display, and then the second special symbol stops changing display. At this time, if the first special symbol and the second special symbol are stopped in a combination that has the same content, a notification is made that a big hit state may occur while the third special symbol continues to display the variation. A reach condition occurs. When the third special symbol stops changing display, but the big hit state does not occur, the next special symbol changing display game is started based on the special symbol winning memory.

  An advance notice display area 604 is provided between the special figure display area 601 and the special figure display area 602. In the advance notice display area 604, during the execution of the special figure fluctuation display game, the possibility of occurrence of a big hit state (reliability) as a result of the special figure fluctuation display game is changed in a plurality of stages. The symbol to be notified (development notice symbol) is displayed.

  The advance notice symbol is displayed with a predetermined probability every time the special figure variation display game is executed. That is, the advance notice symbol is not always displayed every time the special figure variation display game is executed. Whether or not to display the advance notice symbol in the advance notice display area 604 during the execution of the special figure change display game, and to what level the advance notice symbol is to be developed is displayed. It is determined by processing (FIG. 13).

  Hereinafter, the notice effect that displays the advance notice symbol in the advance notice display area 604 is referred to as a step-up notice.

  In the lower left of the display area 60, a special figure storage display area 605 is provided. The special figure storage display area 605 includes four display areas, and the number of special symbol winning memories stored in the special figure storage area is displayed up to four. When one game ball wins the start opening 24A or 24B, the number of special symbol winning memories displayed in the special memory display area 605 increases by one at the timing of the winning. On the other hand, when one special figure fluctuation display game is finished and the next special figure fluctuation display game is started, the number of special symbol winning memories displayed in the special memory display area 605 at the start timing. Decreases by one.

  A point display area 606 is provided at the lower right of the display area 60. In the point display area 606, the number of points acquired by the player according to the amount of operation is displayed with a limit of 1000 points. Note that the operating amount in the present embodiment is quantified by the number of game balls detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41. In other words, by detecting a game ball flowing down the ball passage detection flow path 45, it is possible to grasp how much the player is playing and to give a bonus to the player according to the amount (operating amount). (Points). Since the number of given points is displayed in the display area 60, information corresponding to the number of game balls that have passed on the ball passage detection sensor 41 is displayed, so that the player can play the game to the ball passage detection sensor 41. It is possible to grasp the state of the nail for guiding the ball, the winning probability at each winning opening with respect to the operation amount, and the like, and it is possible to know the standard of the state of the nail adjustment in the game hall.

  When a game ball passes through the ball passage detection flow path 45, a predetermined number of points are given to the player. Then, when points are awarded to the player, the given points are added and displayed in the point number display area 606. The addition of the number of points will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when the advance notice symbol is displayed during the execution of the special figure change display game and the advance notice symbol is developed and displayed, a predetermined number of points are consumed. Then, the number of points displayed in the point number display area 606 is subtracted and displayed by the number of consumptions. Note that the number of points consumed will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5B is a configuration diagram of the advance notice symbol.

  In the advance notice display area 604, no symbol is initially displayed. When the step-up notice is selected in the notice lottery process, a triangle symbol is displayed in the advance notice display area 604 as step 1. Next, as a step 2, a diamond symbol is displayed in the advance notice display area 604. Next, a single circle symbol is displayed in the advance notice display area 604 as step 3. Next, as a step 4, a double circle symbol is displayed in the advance notice display area 604. When the step-up notice is given, the reliability of occurrence of the big hit state is the lowest in step 1 and the highest in step 4.

  Note that the reliability of the occurrence of the big hit state is determined by increasing the selection probability of the upper step (eg, step 4) compared to the lower step (eg, step 1) in the special figure variation display game that is a big hit. In the special figure change display game, the selection probability of the upper step is set lower than that of the lower step, so that the reliability of the upper step can be increased compared to the lower step.

  The reliability is not limited to symbols as shown in the figure, and the height may be notified by changing the image stepwise.

  FIG. 6 is a front view of the ball passage detection unit 25 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the ball passage detection unit 25, a grass-shaped lens member 70 including a ball passage detection sensor 41 and a windmill 40 are attached from the front to an attacker base 65 including the special variation winning device 26, and on the rear side of the windmill 40. A windmill board 80 (FIG. 7B) to be provided and a back box 90 (FIG. 7B) that houses the windmill board 80 are attached from behind. For convenience, the front-rear direction of each member is shown with the player playing the game board 1 in front.

  The ball passage detection unit 25 is provided with a special variation winning device 26 on the right side. When the ball passage detection unit 25 is attached to the game board 1, the out port 32 is positioned in a flat cutout portion 67 formed immediately below the special variation winning device 26.

  In addition, a windmill 40 is provided on the upper left side of the special variable winning device 26. A ball passage detection sensor 41 is provided on the lower left side of the windmill 40. That is, the special variation winning device 26 is located on the right side with respect to the windmill 40, and the ball passage detection sensor 41 is located on the lower left. Therefore, the game ball that has flowed down from the top of the windmill 40 is either on the side on which the special variation winning device 26 is disposed (right side) or on the side on which the ball passage detection sensor 41 is disposed (left side). To flow down. Thus, by providing the special variation winning device 26 on the opposite side of the rolling surface 46 with respect to the windmill 40 and effectively utilizing the game area 3, the ball passage detection unit 25 is made compact, and the game area 3 It is possible to secure the inner nail planting area.

  The ball passage detection unit 25 is provided with general winning ports 22B and 22D at the upper left and right. The general winning ports 22B and 22D are provided on the front surface of the ball passage detection unit 25 so as to protrude in a substantially cylindrical shape.

  A game ball won in the general winning opening 22B or 22D is detected as a winning ball by the winning opening sensor L53 or R54. On the other hand, the game balls that have not flowed into the general winning opening 22B or 22D flow down after losing the winning opportunity to the general winning opening 22B or 22D. Among these, the game ball that has flowed down the general winning opening 22B side and lost the winning opportunity flows down to any of the following flow paths A to D.

  The game ball that has flowed down to the left side of the general winning opening 22B flows down the flow path A. And it falls on the guide rail 2 provided below the game board 1. Since the guide rail 2 is inclined so as to descend from the lower side of the general winning opening 22B toward the out port 32, the dropped game ball is guided to the upper surface of the guide rail 2 and flows down to the out port 32, and the out It is discharged from the mouth 32.

  The game ball that has flowed down between the general winning opening 22B and the windmill 40 flows down the flow path B (the ball passage detection flow path 45). Then, while abutting against the right side surface of the general winning opening 22 </ b> B and the left side surface of the shaft portion 402 of the windmill 40, it flows down between the two.

  The general winning opening 22B and the ball passage detection sensor 41 are connected by a rolling surface 46. The rolling surface 46 covers the upper surface of the ball passage detection sensor 41, and further inclines and extends so as to descend from the ball passage detection sensor 41 toward the guide rail 2.

  In the present embodiment, the ball passage detection sensor 41 is provided on the back surface side of the rolling surface 46. However, the ball passage detection sensor 41 may be a flat proximity sensor 41 that is extremely thin so as not to block the flow path of the game ball. For example, it may be provided on the upper surface of the rolling surface 46. Further, the ball passage detection sensor 41 may be provided between the shaft portion 402 of the windmill 40 and the rolling surface 46 and on the back surface side of the base 61 of the ball passage detection unit 25.

  The game ball that has flowed down between the general winning opening 22 </ b> B and the shaft portion 402 of the windmill 40 passes over the ball passage detection sensor 41 while being guided by the rolling surface 46. Then, it is guided by the rolling surface 46 extending so as to descend from the ball passage detection sensor 41 and falls onto the guide rail 2. The dropped game ball is guided to the upper surface of the guide rail 2, flows down to the out port 32, and is discharged from the out port 32.

  Thus, by providing the ball passage detection sensor 41 on the rolling surface 46 and providing the windmill 40 at a position facing the rolling surface 46, the game ball flowing down the game area 3 is suitable for the ball passage detection sensor 41. The game ball passing through the ball passage detection flow path 45 can be detected with high accuracy.

  A game ball detecting means is configured by the windmill 40 and the rolling surface 46 including the ball passage detection sensor 41.

  The game ball that has flowed to the right side of the windmill 40 through the right side of the general winning opening 22B flows down the flow path C. Then, it flows down the right side of the shaft portion 402 and falls onto the guide rail 2. The dropped game ball is guided to the upper surface of the guide rail 2, flows down to the out port 32, and is discharged from the out port 32.

  The game ball that abuts on the shaft portion 402 of the windmill 40 and rolls further to the right flows down the flow path D. Then, it flows down in the direction of the special fluctuation winning device 26 provided in the approximate center of the ball passage detection unit 25. At this time, if the special variable winning device 26 is in the open state, the game ball has a possibility of winning the special variable winning device 26. On the other hand, when the special variable winning device 26 is closed, the game ball falls on the guide rail 2 without winning the special variable winning device 26 and is guided to the upper surface of the guide rail 2 and flows down to the out port 32. And discharged from the outlet 32.

  In this way, the game ball flowing down the flow path D has a possibility of winning a prize to the special variation winning device 26. On the other hand, the game balls flowing down the flow paths A to C have lost the winning opportunity to any winning opening. In this embodiment, the ball passage detection sensor 41 is provided in the flow path B (the ball passage detection flow path 45), and the passage of the game ball that has lost the winning opportunity is detected. Then, when the passage of the game ball is detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41, a predetermined number of points are given to the player by the point addition process (FIG. 12).

  Note that the game ball flowing down the ball passage detection flow path 45 loses the winning opportunity for any winning opening. Further, the above-mentioned points given to the player are not lost to the game hall. Therefore, even if the game ball is detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41 and the amount of operation increases, there is no loss for the game hall. Therefore, providing the game ball detection means does not affect the nail adjustment work for the entire game area 3. Moreover, since it is not worthwhile to intentionally aim at the position where the game ball detecting means is provided, the player is not allowed to play a wrong game and suffers no disadvantage.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the windmill 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a game ball flowing down the ball passage detection flow path 45.

  FIG. 7A is a front view of the vicinity of the windmill 40 and the ball passage detection sensor 41. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  The windmill 40 includes a disk portion 401 provided on the front surface, a substantially cylindrical shaft portion 402 provided rearward from the center of the back surface of the disk portion 401, and a substantially cylindrical shaft provided in the cylinder of the shaft portion 402. The mounting portion 400 is used.

  Three standing walls 404 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 402 at equal intervals toward the outside. The number of standing walls 404 is not limited to three, and the standing walls 404 may not be provided at equal intervals with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 402.

  The height of the standing wall 404 is configured to be small. Therefore, even if the game ball passes in the vicinity of the shaft portion 402, the game ball is unlikely to come into contact with the side surface of the standing wall 404. Therefore, the urging | biasing to the rotation direction of the windmill 40 by a game ball contact | abutting on the side surface of the standing wall 404 is few.

  However, as in the case of a conventional windmill, when the standing wall has a height up to the circumference of the disk portion, for example, the game ball flowing down the rolling surface 46 is blocked by the standing wall from the flow path and passes through the ball. There is a possibility that a plurality of game balls stay in the detection flow path 45 and a ball stop occurs.

  In addition, the game ball that has flowed down to the right side of the shaft portion (the side on which the special variation winning device 26 is provided) abuts on the standing wall, and urges the standing wall downward on the right side of the shaft portion. There is a possibility that the game ball flowing down the left side (the ball passage detection flow path 45) is bounced up by the upright wall biased upward, and the flow into the ball passage detection flow path 45 may be prevented.

  When the game ball is bounced up by the standing wall on the detection surface 461, the game ball once detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41 flows down to the detection surface 461 again after being bounced up. Then, the passage is detected again by the ball passage detection sensor 41. Thus, it is not preferable that one game ball travels on the detection surface 461 and is detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41 a plurality of times because the detection accuracy of the game ball is lowered.

  On the other hand, since the standing wall 404 of the present embodiment is sufficiently small with respect to the diameter of the game ball, the efficiency of the falling force of the game ball acting to rotate the windmill 40 is remarkably low. The efficiency of the standing wall 404 acting on the game ball due to the rotational force of 40 is also extremely low. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ball of the game ball from stopping and the game ball from jumping up by the standing wall 404.

  The standing wall 404 and the rolling surface 46 are separated so as to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. Specifically, the height of the standing wall 404 is configured such that the distance between the tip of the standing wall 404 and the detection surface 461 is larger than the diameter of the game ball (about 11.0 mm). For example, when the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 402 and the detection surface 461 is 12.8 mm, the height of the standing wall 404 is set to 0.5 mm. In this case, the distance between the tip of the standing wall 404 and the detection surface 461 is 12.3 mm, which is larger than the diameter of the game ball (about 11.0 mm).

  Thus, by configuring the height of the standing wall 404 so that the distance between the tip of the standing wall 404 and the rolling surface 46 is larger than the diameter of the game ball, the game ball passes through the ball passage detection flow path 45. Since it can pass without being blocked by the standing wall 404, it is possible to prevent the ball from stopping. In addition, the game ball does not jump up in the ball passage detection flow path 45 when the game ball comes into contact with the standing wall 404 on the right side of the shaft portion 402.

  Behind the windmill 40, a windmill mounting portion 75 provided at the upper part of the lens member 70, a bearing 650 protruding from the rear of the attacker base 65, a windmill board 80, and a back box 90 are disposed. A rotating shaft 47 is inserted through the shaft mounting portion 400 of the windmill 40 from the front to the rear. The rotating shaft 47 is inserted into the wind turbine mounting portion 75, the bearing 650, the wind turbine board 80, and the back box 90 in a state of being inserted through the shaft mounting portion 400 of the wind turbine 40, and attaches the wind turbine 40 to these members.

  An E-ring mounting portion 470 is provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 47. By attaching the E-ring to the E-ring attachment portion 470, the windmill 40 is fixed so as not to be detached in the front-rear direction.

  The attacker base 65 is provided with a sensor fixing portion 66 for fixing the ball passage detection sensor 41. The ball passage detection sensor 41 is fitted and fixed to the sensor fixing portion 66, and the front surface and the upper surface are covered and fixed by the rolling surface 46.

  The lowermost portion of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 402 and the rolling surface 46 are separated so that one game ball can pass through. When the shaft portion 402 and the rolling surface 46 are not sufficiently separated due to the arrangement restriction, the shaft portion 402 having a small diameter is used so that the lowermost portion of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 402 and the rolling surface 46 are separated. A space slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball is provided between them.

  The sphere passage detection sensor 41 used in the present embodiment uses a range of about 5 mm in radius from the upper surface of the sphere passage detection sensor 41 as a detection region. When a game ball passes through this detection area, the game ball is detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41. The ball passage detection sensor 41 outputs a detection signal to the display control device 150 when the passage of the game ball is detected.

  The rolling surface 46 that covers the upper surface of the ball passage detection sensor 41 is configured to have a small thickness (for example, 1.0 to 1.5 mm). As a result, the area above the ball passage detection sensor 41 and having a radius of about several millimeters from the rolling surface 46 becomes the detection area of the game ball. That is, when the game ball flows down to the ball passage detection flow path 45 and passes over the ball passage detection sensor 41, the game ball always passes through the detection region, and therefore is always detected by the ball passage detection sensor 41. In this way, by setting the distance between the shaft portion 402 and the rolling surface 46 to such an extent that one game ball can pass, the game balls passing through the ball passage detection flow path 45 can be detected one by one with high accuracy.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the main process of display control according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the CPU 151 of the display control device 150.

  First, the CPU 151 performs a received data analysis process for developing a display control sequence from a variable display command received as a display command signal from the game control device 100 (S41). Specifically, since a variation number (FIG. 11) for specifying the type of variation display mode is designated by the variation display command, the variation time and the number of frames of the special symbol are determined according to the variation number.

  Next, the CPU 151 performs a notice lottery process for selecting the presence / absence of the notice effect in the special figure variation display game and the type of the notice effect (S42). The notice lottery process will be described with reference to FIG.

  Then, based on the analysis result of the command for the special symbol variation display game in step S41, display sequence generation processing for generating a display control sequence related to the special symbol variation display and the notice effect is performed (S43).

  Thereafter, a sub-board communication process for transmitting a sound command signal to the sound control device 250 and a decoration command signal to the decoration control device 300 is performed (S44).

  Thereafter, according to the display control sequence, character data to be displayed (for example, character data represented as sprite data having a predetermined pixel size and development advance symbol data) and attribute data (enlarging / reducing or moving character data to be displayed) Sprite control processing is performed to determine the direction / moving speed and which data is to be displayed on the front side when a plurality of characters are overlapped (S45).

  Thereafter, the CPU 151 transfers display data to the GDP 154 (S46), and transfers attribute data (S47). Upon receiving these data, the GDP 154 develops the image data in the frame buffer of the RAM 153 described above.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the vertical synchronization flag is set (S48). If the vertical synchronization flag is set, the process proceeds to step S49. If the vertical synchronization flag is not set, the process waits until the flag is set.

  When a vertical synchronization signal is issued from the image display device 10 and the vertical synchronization flag is set, a drawing command is transmitted to the GDP 154 (S49). The GDP 154 receives this drawing command and outputs the display image data stored in the frame buffer to the image display device 10.

  Thereafter, the CPU 151 clears the drawing end flag (S50), and clears the vertical synchronization flag (S51).

  Thereafter, the CPU 151 executes a point addition process for giving points to the player based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the ball passage detection flow path 45 (S52). The point addition process will be described with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S41.

  9 to 11 are flowcharts of various interrupt processes that are executed in response to an interrupt signal generated during the execution of the main process (FIG. 8) of the display control according to the present embodiment. It is executed by the CPU 151.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the drawing end interrupt process.

  When the drawing on the image display device 10 is finished, the GDP 154 issues a drawing end interrupt signal. When the CPU 151 receives this drawing end interrupt signal, it sets a drawing end flag (S61) and ends the drawing end interrupt processing.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the vertical synchronization interrupt process.

  When a vertical synchronization signal is issued from the image display device 10 and a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs, the CPU 151 sets a vertical synchronization flag (S71). When this vertical synchronization flag is set, it is possible to proceed to the next step by the determination in step S48 of FIG. 8, and a drawing command is transmitted to the GDP 154 (S49). That is, the CPU 151 performs processing (S41 to S47) for displaying an image, and repeatedly performs processing for transmitting a drawing command to the GDP 154 in response to the generation of the vertical synchronization signal from the image display device 10. A special figure variation display game and a special figure start memory are displayed on the image display device 10.

  Thereafter, based on the state of the drawing end flag, it is confirmed that drawing on the image display device 10 by the GDP 154 has ended (S72). When the drawing process is not completed, the previously drawn image data stored in the frame buffer is output to the image display device 10 to prevent the image data during the drawing process from being output. Then, the vertical synchronization interrupt process ends.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the communication interrupt process.

  When the CPU 151 receives the change display command transmitted from the game control device 100 (S81), the CPU 151 determines whether the received data is valid data, not data mixed with noise or the like (S82). If the received data is valid data, the received data is saved (S83), and the communication interrupt process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the received data is invalid data, the received data is discarded without being saved, and the communication interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the point addition processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 12A is a flowchart of the point addition process, which is executed by the CPU 151 of the display control device 150.

  The CPU 151 determines whether or not a game ball has passed through the ball passage detection flow path 45 depending on whether or not a detection signal is input from the ball passage detection sensor 41 (S91). If there is no detection signal input from the ball passage detection sensor 41, it can be determined that the game ball has not passed through the ball passage detection flow path 45, so the process of step S91 is repeatedly executed until a detection signal is input. To do.

  When there is an input of a detection signal from the ball passage detection sensor 41, a random number is extracted and the number of points to be given to the player is drawn (S92). The number of points given to the player (increase points) is weighted, and a random number is extracted each time one game ball is detected, and determined according to the distribution table of FIG.

  Here, one point is selected as an increase point with a probability of 160/256, two points are selected with a probability of 72/256, and three points are selected with a probability of 24/256.

  As described above, each time a game ball passes through the ball passage detection flow path 45, points are awarded to the player. However, the number of points to be given varies stochastically every time and is not necessarily constant. Thus, the interest of the game is improved by varying the probability of the number of points to be given each time.

  Further, when the number of points increases at a certain rate, the player can objectively evaluate the nail adjustment of the game hall based on the number of points. However, it is not preferable for the game hall to easily evaluate the state of nail adjustment by the player. Therefore, by changing the probability of the number of points to be given each time and consuming the given points at an indefinite timing (the timing of the step-up notice occurrence), the game hall can objectively adjust the number of points by the player. It can be hindered from being used as an objective index.

  Next, the number of points selected by the lottery result in step S92 is added to the number of points stored in the point number storage area (operating amount storage means) of the RAM 153 (S93).

  Then, the addition result is corrected within the range of 1000 points which is the upper limit value (S94). For example, when the number of points stored in the point number storage area is 999 points and 3 points are added in step S93, the addition result of 1002 points is corrected to the upper limit value of 1000 points.

  Next, the CPU 151 edits the image display signal according to the number of points after addition and correction, and transmits the image display signal to the image display device 10. Then, the display of the number of points displayed in the point display area 606 of the image display device 10 is updated (S95).

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S91.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the advance notice lottery process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the CPU 151 of the display control device 150.

  When the CPU 151 receives the variable display command from the game control device 100, the CPU 151 extracts a random number and selects the presence / absence of the notice effect and the type of the notice effect (S101). For example, when the change number instructed by the change display command is 6, the special figure change display game is executed with an effect display of “normal reach off 1 (long)” (FIG. 14). In this “normal reach deviation 1 (long)”, “no notice” is selected with a probability of 8/256. “Notice 1” is selected with a probability of 56/256. “Notice 2” is selected with a probability of 64/256. The “step-up notice” is selected with a probability of 128/256.

  When “No notice” is selected, no notice effect is given during the execution of the special figure variation display game. When “notice 1” or “notice 2” is selected, a predetermined advance notice effect (for example, an effect that a predetermined character moves) is displayed during the execution of the special figure variation display game. When “step-up notice” is selected, an advance notice symbol is displayed in the advance notice display area 604 during execution of the special figure change display game.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a notice effect is given during the execution of the special figure variation display game, that is, whether or not “no notice” is selected in step S101 (S102). If “no notice” is selected in step S101, the notice lottery process is terminated because no notice effect is given during the execution of the special figure variation display game.

  If “no notice” is not selected in step S101, it is determined whether or not the type of the notice effect selected is “step up notice” (S103). If the selected notice effect is not “step-up notice”, that is, if the selected notice effect is “notice 1” or “notice 2”, the display control sequence of the relevant notice effect is generated in step S43. Various data (for example, a breakdown of frames) are set for this purpose (S104).

  On the other hand, if the type of the notice effect selected in step S101 is “step-up notice”, it is selected as a development stage provisional decision means to which stage of the advance notice symbol is developed in steps 1 to 4 ( S105).

  Specifically, in the development stage selection table (FIG. 15), the step selected by the random number extracted in step S101 or the random number extracted separately in the data including the number of points currently possessed by the player. However, this is the development stage in this step-up notice.

  For example, when the number of points currently possessed by the player is 100 points, data of “100 pt to 199 pt” in the development stage selection table of FIG. 15 is used. According to the data, “Step 1” is selected with a probability of 4/256, “Step 2” is selected with a probability of 16/256, and “Step 3” is selected with a probability of 84/256. “Step 4” is selected with a probability of 24/256.

  Here, when “step 4” is selected by the random number extracted in step S101 or a random number extracted separately, it is determined that the developed display symbol is developed and displayed up to the stage of step 4 in this step-up notice. Is done. Since the development stage selected here may be corrected in step S106, it is determined temporarily.

  Next, as the development stage limiting means, the development stage selected in step S105 is corrected according to the number of points possessed by the player (S106).

  As shown in FIG. 16, 5 points are consumed to display the advance notice symbol of Step 1, 10 points (15 points in total) are consumed to display the advance notice symbol of Step 2, and Step 3 50 points (65 points in total) are consumed for displaying the advance notice symbol of 100, and 100 points (165 points in total) are consumed for displaying the advance notice symbol of step 4.

  Therefore, in order to develop the development notice symbol from the stage where no symbol is displayed in the development notice display area 604 to the stage of step 4, 165 points are consumed in total. On the other hand, for example, even if “Step 4” is selected in Step S105 even though the current possession point of the player is 100 points, the player possession point is actually insufficient by 65 points. Therefore, it cannot be developed to step 4. Therefore, in such a case, even if “Step 4” is selected by the random number extracted in Step S101, it is possible to develop within the range of 100 points possessed by the player (for example, a total of 65 points) The development stage is corrected to "Step 3") which can be developed from Step 1.

  Next, as the operation amount subtraction means, the number of points consumed according to the development stage determined in steps S105 and S106 is updated by subtracting from the number of points stored in the point number storage area (S107). Further, the image display signal is edited in accordance with the number of points after subtraction and transmitted to the image display device 10. Then, the display of the number of points displayed in the point display area 606 of the image display device 10 is updated. The number of consumption points will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, various data (for example, a breakdown of frames) for generating a display control sequence for a step-up notice corresponding to the determined development stage is set (S108).

  Then, it returns to step S101.

  In this way, by restricting the development stage of the development notice symbol according to the number of points possessed by the player, even if the development notice sign does not reach a highly reliable stage, the player can Therefore, it can be considered that there is a possibility of being restricted, so that the expectation for occurrence of a big hit state can be increased. In addition, in a state where the amount of operation at the beginning of the game where the player cannot yet evaluate the reliability is small, it is possible to restrict the display of the notice effect in multiple stages, so that the game can be performed in the subsequent effect as well. You can improve your interest. Further, by limiting the development stage according to the amount of operation, the player is motivated to continue the game in order to confirm a new performance, and the operating rate of the gaming machine is improved. Further, in performing the above limitation, since the game control device 100 only transmits a variable display command to the display control device 150, the processing load on the game control device 100 is small, and a signal is input from the outside. To prevent unauthorized actions.

  FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of the notice selection table according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is stored in the ROM of the display control device 150.

  The effect displayed on the image display device 10 during the special figure variation display game is determined by the variation number included in the variation display command. For example, when the variation number is 1, the special figure variation display game is executed by the effect display of “super short variation”. When the variation number is 2, the special figure variation display game is executed by the effect display of “temporal variation”. When the variation number is 3, the special figure variation display game is executed by the effect display of “normal variation 1”. When the change number is 4, the special figure change display game is executed by the effect display of “normal change 2”. When the change number is 5, the special figure change display game is executed with the effect display of “normal reach off 1 (long)”. When the change number is 6, the special figure change display game is executed by the effect display of “Normal reach out 1 (short)”.

  For each effect, a variation time (a special symbol variation display time) and the number of frames are determined in advance. The display control device 150 generates a display control sequence based on the variation time and the number of frames.

  In addition, for each effect, the probability of selecting the presence / absence of the notice effect and the type of the notice effect is determined. In the case of “Very short time variation” of variation number 1 and “short time variation” of variation number 2, since the variation display time of the special symbol is short, the notice effect is not performed.

  FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the development stage selection table according to the embodiment of this invention, and is stored in the ROM of the display control device 150.

  In the development stage selection table, a corresponding table is generated for each effect (each effect shown in the notice selection table) for which the step-up notice is executed. However, in the case of the “super short variation” of the variation number 1 and the “short variation” of the variation number 2, since the step-up notice is not executed, the development stage selection table corresponding to these effects is not generated.

  The development stage selection table stores the probability that each development stage (steps 1 to 4) is selected corresponding to the player's possession points. Note that the total probability of selecting each development stage is equal to the probability of selecting the step-up notice in the notice selection table. In FIG. 15, as an example, a development stage selection table of “normal reach deviation 1 (long)” with a variable number 6 is shown. In other words, the probability that the step-up notice is selected at variation number 6 in the notice selection table is 128/256, and the total probability that each development stage in the development stage selection table shown here is selected is 128/256. is there.

  The level at which the advance notice symbol is developed is selected using the random number extracted to select the presence / absence of the notice effect in the notice selection table and the type of the notice effect.

  As will be described later, in order to develop the advance notice symbol up to step 4, a total of 165 points are consumed. Therefore, when the player has 0 to 99 points, the probability that Step 4 is selected is zero.

  FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of the consumption point table according to the embodiment of this invention, and is stored in the ROM of the display control device 150.

  The consumption point table stores the number of possessed points of the player consumed each time the advance notice symbol is developed.

  In order to develop the advance notice symbol into step 1, 5 points are consumed. To develop the advance notice symbol from step 1 to step 2, 10 points are consumed. In order to develop the advance notice symbol from step 2 to step 3, 50 points are consumed. In order to develop the advance notice symbol from step 3 to step 4, 100 points are consumed.

  When the advance notice symbol develops to step 1, the reliability of occurrence of the big hit state is low. When the advance notice symbol develops to step 2, the reliability of occurrence of the big hit state is slightly low. When the advance notice symbol develops to step 3, the reliability of occurrence of the big hit state is somewhat high. When the advance notice symbol develops to step 4, the reliability of occurrence of the big hit state is high.

  That is, as the advance notice symbol develops, the reliability increases, but the consumption points also increase. When the player increases the amount of operation due to the continuation of the game, the possessed points increase, and accordingly, a highly reliable advance notice symbol can be displayed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines.

It is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows a part of control system centering on the game control apparatus of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of game control of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of game control of an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the display area of embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the ball passage detection unit of an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the windmill vicinity of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the display control of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the drawing end interruption process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the vertical synchronous interruption process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the communication interruption process of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the point addition process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the notice lottery process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the notice selection table of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the development stage selection table of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the consumption point table of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image display apparatus 22A-22D General winning opening 24A, 24B Start opening 26 Fluctuating winning apparatus 40 Windmill 41 Ball passage detection sensor 46 Rolling surface 60 Display area 100 Game control apparatus 150 Discharge control apparatus 401 Disc part 402 Shaft part 606 Point display region

Claims (3)

Game control means for overall control of the game;
Display control means for controlling display of a display device based on a display control command signal from the game control means,
Based on the establishment of the start condition, a special game state is generated in which an auxiliary game in which identification information is variably displayed on the display device is executed, and a game value is given in connection with the auxiliary game deriving a specific result mode In the gaming machine to
The display control means includes
Game ball detecting means for detecting a game ball flowing down the game area;
An operation amount storage means for storing an operation amount quantified based on the detected game ball;
A display control command signal receiving means for receiving a display control command signal for instructing a display mode on the display device during execution of the auxiliary game from the game control means at the start of the auxiliary game;
An advance notice notifying means for notifying the high degree of reliability that the result mode derived from the auxiliary game executed based on the display control command signal becomes the specific result mode by changing the notification mode in a plurality of stages; ,
With
Based on the display control command signal and the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means, the number of stages of advance notice executed by the advance notice notification means is determined, and the display during execution of the auxiliary game is performed. A display control sequence that defines the display mode in the device in time series is generated,
The game ball detecting means includes
A rotatable windmill having a disk portion and a substantially cylindrical shaft portion formed on the back surface of the disk portion;
A rolling surface located below the windmill for rolling the game ball;
A proximity sensor for detecting a game ball passing between the rolling surface and the shaft portion,
The windmill is disposed on the game board with an interval between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and the rolling surface separated by an interval at which one game ball can flow down,
The shaft portion is formed with a diameter that is within a detection range of the proximity sensor when the game ball is in contact with the outer peripheral surface, and includes a plurality of upright walls that stand upright with respect to the outer peripheral surface.
The upright wall is formed so that a distance between a tip thereof and the rolling surface is larger than a diameter of the game ball . Development stage provisional determination means for provisionally determining the stage of the notification mode from the plurality of stages based on the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means;
Based on the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means, it is determined whether or not to limit the stage of the provisionally determined notification mode, and if it is determined not to limit, the provisionally determined stage is determined. A development stage limiting means for correcting the provisionally determined stage to a stage having a lower reliability than the stage when it is determined to limit,
An operation amount subtracting means for subtracting a predetermined amount of operation amount from the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means according to the stage of the notification mode determined or corrected by the development stage restriction means;
With
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control sequence is generated based on a stage corrected by the development stage limiting means . The display control means displays the operation amount stored in the operation amount storage means on the display device,
The operating amount storage means performs random lottery every time one game ball is detected, weights the operating amount based on the lottery result, and stores the weighted operating amount. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 .

Images