JP4634983B2 - Method and apparatus for controlling symbol display in gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  According to the present invention, a lottery is executed by winning a start opening, and a result of the lottery is displayed to a player in a state of a variation pattern of symbols in a plurality of rows for a predetermined time and the symbol arrangement in which the variation pattern is stopped after the predetermined time. A symbol display control method in a gaming machine provided with a symbol variation display device for notifying and notifying the player of an advantageous state by making the variation pattern of the plurality of rows into a predetermined symbol array determined in advance And the apparatus.

  Currently, when a pachinko ball is won at a start winning opening in a gaming machine, particularly a pachinko machine, the winning is detected and a lottery is made, and a lottery result is notified by a display effect on a liquid crystal display unit arranged at the center of the game board surface is doing.

  The display effect screen is composed of three symbol variation screens and a background screen.

  In the symbol variation screen, symbols are arranged in a strip-like regular arrangement, and the lottery results can be understood from the arrangement of the three symbols when the symbols are sequentially moved and stopped. In general, if the three symbols are the same, they will come off if they are irregular. Note that when two of the three symbols are aligned, so-called reach is reached, and reach mode symbol variation is started.

Here, conventionally, if an almighty symbol is provided in advance in a collection of symbols in a specific row, and this almighty symbol stops, it can become another stop symbol, reach state (See Patent Document 1 as an example). In this prior art, the display device is provided with three symbol display portions, one of which is equipped with an almighty symbol, and the almighty symbol is stopped via a predetermined notice symbol, thereby achieving a big hit. A variety of symbol variation patterns that stimulate the sense of expectation are generated.
JP 7-136325 A

  However, in the above prior art, since the almighty symbol is held in the symbol aggregate in advance and the order is displayed without changing, the expectation during the period from the change to the stop is low. In addition, when the almighty symbol stops, reach is fixed, and especially if this almighty symbol is provided in the column where it stops first, the player will need a pachinko ball to eliminate wasted balls at that point. Will stop firing (stopping). If repetition of firing and stopping is frequently performed for this stopping, the amount of operation of the operation unit that operates firing and stopping increases, and the life is shortened. In addition, for the store side, the above-mentioned stoppage leads to a decrease in the operation rate.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can maintain the player's expectation from the start to the end of the change of the symbol, and by eliminating a predictable display state in which a stop is made in the middle of the change, It is an object to obtain a symbol display control method and apparatus for a gaming machine that can reduce the frequency of operation such as launching and stopping of a game ball and improve the operating rate.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a lottery is executed by winning a start opening, and a lottery result is obtained from a variation pattern of a plurality of rows of symbols for a predetermined time and the symbol arrangement of the symbol pattern in which the variation pattern is stopped after the predetermined time. A gaming machine equipped with a symbol variation display device for notifying a player in a state and notifying the player of a favorable state by making the plurality of rows of variation patterns into a predetermined symbol arrangement. The symbol display control method according to claim 1, wherein, in the variation pattern of the plurality of columns, if the symbol array of the temporary stop does not constitute the predetermined symbol array during the temporary stop of the symbols other than the final stop column, the final stop The symbol of one column of the plurality of temporarily stopped columns other than the column is hidden, and the hidden symbol can be combined with the symbol of the final stop column that is still changing to be the predetermined symbol array. It is displayed in the state changed to the symbol of the above, or in the state of maintaining the symbol arrangement of the temporary stop before concealing, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, stop symbols are identified by stopping the variation of all symbols, the plurality of columns In the variation pattern, when the symbol array of the temporary stop constitutes the predetermined symbol array during the temporary stop of the symbols other than the final stop column, the temporary stop of the multiple columns other than the final stop column it hide symbols of one column, the hidden symbols, while still changing another to symbols by a combination of symbols on the last stop sequence is in fluctuation not a predetermined symbol sequence, or the temporary stop before hiding Is displayed in a state where the symbol arrangement is maintained, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the variation of all symbols is stopped and the stopped symbol is specified .

The invention according to claim 2 is that the lottery is executed by winning the start opening, and the result of the lottery is the state of the symbol variation pattern of a plurality of columns for a predetermined time and the symbol arrangement in which the variation pattern is stopped after the predetermined time. In a gaming machine equipped with a symbol variation display device that informs a player that the state is advantageous by making the variation pattern of the plurality of rows into a predetermined symbol arrangement in advance. A symbol display control device,
In the variation pattern of the plurality of columns, a special symbol that can be displayed overlaid on one column of the plurality of columns temporarily stopped other than the final stop column, and that hides the symbol on the lower layer side, and Special symbol display means to be extinguished,
The time of appearance of the special symbol by the special symbol display means, when the symbol is temporarily stopped during the temporary stop of the symbol other than the final stop column, and the predetermined symbol array does not constitute the predetermined symbol array The symbol of the final stop sequence when the special symbol that appears when the symbol array is configured and when the predetermined symbol array is not configured and when the predetermined symbol array is configured A synchronization control means before stopping
Another symbol that can be the predetermined sequence by combining the symbol concealed by the special symbol when the predetermined symbol sequence is not configured, with the symbol of the final stop column while the final stop column is changing The design at the time of the temporary stop before changing to or concealing is maintained , the design concealed by the special design when the predetermined design array is configured, the final stop row is changing A symbol changing means for changing to another symbol that does not become the predetermined arrangement by a combination with the symbol of the final stop row or maintaining the symbol at the time of the temporary stop before concealing .

  As described above, in the present invention, the player can maintain a sense of expectation from the start to the end of the change of the symbol, and the game is eliminated by eliminating a predictable display state in which a stop is made in the middle of the change. It has an excellent effect of reducing the frequency of operations such as launching and stopping the sphere and improving the operating rate.

  FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine 110 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko machine 110 is configured by a rectangular frame 113 and is supported by a store-side base surface 115. The frame 113 is provided with a decorative plate 113A, a speaker 162, a key cylinder 113B, and the like.

  A transparent glass plate 110A is disposed on the inner front surface of the frame 113 in a state of being fitted into the glass frame 110B. A game board 111 is disposed in an inner area partitioned by the transparent glass plate 110A. In addition, an area surrounded by the arc-shaped rail 112 in the game board 111 is a gauge portion 114 that is a game area.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of nails 116 are driven over the entire surface of the gauge portion 114, and pachinko balls launched through the rails 112 bounce against the nails 116 and are guided by the nails 116. It is going to fall while being guided by the road. In addition to this nail 116, a windmill 118 is attached at a symmetrical position toward the gauge portion 114 so as to change the direction of the pachinko ball in an unexpected direction.

  Further, the gauge portion 114 is provided with a winning opening 120 at a plurality of positions, and when a pachinko ball enters the winning opening 120, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out to the player.

  Such a gauge part 114 is a substantially symmetrical system, and an electric accessory unit 122 as a special symbol changing device is arranged in the center part, and its display part 124 (LCD panel) is exposed. . A special symbol start winning port 126 for starting the electric accessory unit 122 is provided below the display unit 124.

  A special prize opening 128 is arranged further below the special symbol starting prize opening 126, and an opening / closing member 129 for opening and closing the special prize opening 128 is opened for a predetermined time in a so-called display state in the electric accessory unit 122. It is configured to win a large number of pachinko balls.

  In addition, the pachinko ball which won the special symbol start winning opening 126 is held for a maximum of four balls, and when the guidance of the lottery result by the electric accessory unit 122 is finished, the held portion is digested. ing.

  In addition, the gauge part 114 is provided with a normal symbol start winning opening 130, and when a pachinko ball wins a prize in the normal symbol start winning opening 130, the display of the normal symbol display part (not shown) fluctuates and becomes a predetermined unit number. An electric tulip 134 as a movable part provided in the special symbol start winning opening 126 is opened for a predetermined time. By opening the electric tulip 134, the probability of winning the special symbol start winning opening 126 is physically increased.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the gauge part 114, that is, the lower part of the transparent glass plate 110A is a panel part 140, the upper panel 140A is provided with an upper plate 141, and the lower panel 140B is fired. A handle 136 as an operation unit of the apparatus and a lower plate 138 for receiving a pachinko ball falling from the upper plate 141 are provided. Note that an ashtray 143 is also provided on the lower panel 140B.

  The handle 136 is attached to a rotating shaft protruding from the inside of the panel 140, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft. That is, when the player holds and rotates the handle 136, the launching device is operated, and the firing strength is set based on the rotation angle. Note that a return biasing force is applied to the rotation, and the structure automatically returns to the original rotation position when the player releases his / her hand. A stop switch 137 is provided around the handle 136. The stop switch 136 has a function of stopping the launching device while maintaining the state where the handle 136 is rotated.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of a control system for controlling the pachinko machine 110. The control system is classified for each function such as the payout control board 152, the sound control board 154, the lamp control board 156, the launch control board 158, the symbol display control board 160, etc. with the main control board 150 as the center (hereinafter referred to as “the control system”). These are collectively referred to as the sub-control board 151).

  The main control board 150 and the sub control board 151 can also manage the operation status of the pachinko machine by connecting to the hall computer 208 on the pachinko shop side via the management control board 206.

  The main control board 150 stores a basic program relating to the game, and the other sub-control boards 151 execute independently based on the command signal from the main control board 150. That is, the main control board 150 basically outputs only a command and does not receive feedback of the result or the like.

  The payout control board 152 controls the number of payouts of pachinko balls, and the sound control board 154 controls the output of sound effects and the like from the speaker 162 provided in the pachinko machine 110. In addition, the lamp control board 156 controls turning on / off of the electric decoration member (game board state display lamp) 164 attached to the pachinko machine 110, and the launch control board 158 controls the launch of the pachinko ball by the player. .

  The symbol display control board 160 is connected to the display unit 124 via a display driver 166, and executes display that provides a predetermined effect based on a command signal from the main control board 150. The symbol display control board 160 also controls the normal symbol display unit.

  The main control board 150 includes a special symbol winning sensor 168 provided at the special symbol starting winning port 126, a normal symbol winning sensor 170 provided at the normal symbol starting winning port 130, and a winning sensor provided at each winning port 120. 172 and a special winning opening sensor 173 that detects a pachinko ball that has won the special winning opening 128 is connected. The special winning opening 128 is provided with a V zone for continuing the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening, and a V zone sensor 171 is also provided in this V zone.

  Also connected to the main control board 150 are a solenoid 174 for opening and closing the electric tulip 134, a solenoid 175 for opening and closing the opening / closing member 129 of the special prize opening 128, and a special symbol holding lamp 200.

  In addition, the main control board 150 draws special symbols and normal symbols, selects display contents on the display unit 124 based on the lottery result, and outputs a command signal to the symbol display control board 160. That is, in the symbol display control board 160, data of different display contents based on a plurality of types of command signals are stored in advance, and the data is selected based on the command signals and activated.

  In the main control board 150, when the special symbol start winning hole 126 is won, a winning lottery is made, and when the winning is made, the big winning hole 128 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, so that the pachinko ball The player is in an advantageous state that greatly increases the winning probability.

  Here, the symbol display control board 160 performs control to select a variation pattern based on the command signal from the main control substrate 150 and display it on the display unit 124. In this embodiment, the symbol display control board 160 performs selection based on this variation pattern. It has a function of performing control to add the character 10 (see FIG. 5) to the changed pattern. Although it is possible to store in advance the variation pattern in which the character 10 appears, here, the addition of the character 10 is performed by another control. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram relating to the addition of the character 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the command signal from the main control board 150 is received by the command signal recognition unit 12, and when the command signal is recognized as an instruction of the variation pattern, it is transmitted to the variation pattern selection unit 14.

  The variation pattern selection unit 14 selects a predetermined variation pattern from the variation pattern memory 16 and sends it to the display control unit 18. At this time, if a command appearance instruction is given in the command signal, the synchronization control unit 20. A signal is sent to instruct the appearance of the character 10 (see FIG. 5).

  The synchronization control unit 20 reads a predetermined character 10 from the character image memory 22 and sends it to the display control unit 18 at a predetermined timing. The display control unit 18 transmits the variation pattern and the character 10 to the display driver 166, whereby display on the display unit 124 is executed.

  FIG. 5 shows a pattern variation pattern to which the character 10 as one display effect is added. As shown in FIG. 5A, the left symbol is first stopped after the symbol variation starts. In FIG. 5A, the numeral “3” is stopped. Here, the character 10 is controlled to appear at random on the screen of the display unit 124. The character 10 appears randomly regardless of the variation of each symbol.

  The appearance of the character 10 is made immediately before the middle symbol stops for the second time after the left symbol stops, as shown in FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5B, the numeral “7” is stopped.

  At this point, since there is no possibility of reach in the prior art, the probability of winning becomes 0 before the right symbol stops, and the player's expectation is lost.

  However, in the present embodiment, the character 10 appears on the screen of the display unit 124 immediately before the second symbol that stops the second stop (see FIG. 5C), so-called floating and the left symbol. Overlap. At this time, although the character 10 is smaller than the symbol, the character 10 is enlarged and displayed by overlapping, and as a result, the overlapping symbol is hidden (see FIG. 5D).

  In this case, for the player, only one symbol is confirmed, and the hidden symbol is left just before the stop or waits for the final symbol (right symbol) to stop with the expectation of changing. It will be. That is, as shown in FIG. 5E, the hidden left symbol may be changed to the same symbol as the middle symbol (here, the number “7”) after the character 10 disappears. In this case, reach. Thereafter, the right symbol is stopped to determine the symbol arrangement.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  First, when a pachinko ball is launched, it is guided by the rail 112 and falls while making unpredictable movement while abutting against the nail 116, the windmill 118, etc. of the gauge part 114. Here, when winning a prize at the winning opening 120, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out (prize balls). When the normal symbol start winning opening 130 is won, the normal symbol winning sensor 170 detects this.

  With this detection, the main control board 150 starts drawing a normal symbol. That is, a random number counter is used to draw numbers from 0 to 9 with a predetermined probability. As a result of the lottery, there is no particular change in the gaming state in the case of losing. On the other hand, if the result of the lottery is a win (for example, a win number of 7 is drawn), the main control board 150 sets the electric tulip 134 provided in the special symbol start winning opening 126 to an open state. Energize the solenoid 174. Thereby, it can be set as the high probability state in which the pachinko ball is easy to enter the special symbol start winning opening.

  When a pachinko ball wins the special symbol start winning opening 126, the main control board 150 starts a big win lottery with a predetermined probability using a random number counter. When winning / losing is determined as a result of the big hit lottery, a symbol variation pattern prepared in advance is selected (or may be selected by a random number counter), and a control board related to effects including the symbol display control board 160 is selected. Send command signal to.

  The symbol display control board 160 displays a symbol variation pattern on the display unit 124 via the display driver 166 based on the received command signal. In this symbol variation pattern, there are various effects such as hitting via reach, missed reach, and missed via reach, and the player can wait for the lottery result with a sense of expectation.

  Here, in the case of winning, the opening / closing member 129 of the special winning opening 128 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, so that the probability of winning a pachinko ball becomes extremely large, and the player is in an advantageous state. Can do.

  If a pachinko ball wins the special symbol start winning opening 126 during the symbol variation display, the lottery is performed at that time, but the symbol variation display is waited until the currently displayed symbol variation display is finished. This is notified to the player when the hold lamp 200 is turned on.

  Here, in this embodiment, in addition to the normal pattern variation pattern, a variation pattern in which the character 10 appears is prepared. Hereinafter, according to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the production procedure of the variation pattern in which the character 10 appears will be described.

  In step 250, the change of the symbol is started, and at this time, all of the three rows of symbols change rapidly. In the next step 252, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to stop the left symbol. If an affirmative determination is made, the left symbol is temporarily stopped in step 254 (see FIG. 5A). Note that this temporary stop is not a complete stop, but a state where the player swings slightly to the left or right or up and down with a small amplitude. is there.

  Next, in step 256, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to stop the middle symbol. If an affirmative determination is made, the middle symbol is temporarily stopped in step 258 (see FIG. 5B).

  In the next step 260, the character 10 appears (see FIG. 5C). In step 262, the character 10 is arranged so as to overlap the temporarily stopped left symbol in a predetermined trajectory, and gradually enlarged and displayed. And completely hide the left design (see FIG. 5D).

  In the next step 264, the left symbol concealed by the character 10 is changed while the character 10 is displayed superimposed.

  That is, unless the character 10 hides the left symbol, there is no possibility of reaching at this point in the past.

  However, because the character 10 overlaps the left symbol, for the player, only one symbol has been confirmed, and the hidden symbol remains in the final state with the expectation that it will remain just before the stop or change. It will wait for the symbol (right symbol) to stop.

  In step 266, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 268, and the character 10 that overlaps the left symbol is extinguished (see FIG. 5E). As a result, the left symbol is again displayed and is changed to the same symbol as the middle symbol (here, the numeral “7”). In FIG. 5E, the symbol is the same as the middle symbol, but it may not be the case.

  In step 270, the left symbol and the middle symbol are confirmed (completely stopped), and the reach state can be obtained.

  Thereafter, when there is a right symbol stop instruction in step 272, right symbol stop control is started in step 274. In this case, a reach effect or the like may be interposed.

  When the right symbol stop control (including the reach effect) in step 274 is completed and the three symbols stop, the process proceeds to step 276 where it is determined whether it is a hit or miss. Is executed, and in the case of deviation, this routine ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the character 10 is caused to appear during the temporary stop of the two almost fixed symbols, and one of the symbols (here, the left symbol) is concealed. It is possible to give a possibility of changing a symbol arrangement that does not become a symbol arrangement that can be reached, and to give a player more expectation.

  On the other hand, in the case of a temporary stop, if one of the symbols is hidden by the character 10 in the temporary stop, it is possible to have a reverse expectation that the reach will not disappear. Can be prevented. Since the frequency of operation of the handle 136 and the stop switch 137 can be reduced by preventing the stop, the life of such mechanical parts can be extended. In addition, for the store side, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operation rate of the pachinko machine.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the character 10 overlaps the left symbol as shown in FIG. 5, but it may be overlapped with the middle symbol as shown in FIG. 7 (particularly FIG. 7). (See (C) and (D)). Moreover, you may set two variations, the case where it overlaps with a left symbol, and the case where it overlaps with a middle symbol, at random. This is not possible if the character 10 is preliminarily provided in the symbol group of each column, and the appearance of the character 10 is different from that of the present embodiment. By using the control, it can be easily executed.

  5 and 7, the character 10 is represented by a star shape. However, the character 10 is not limited to this shape, and is not limited to this shape, but a round shape, a rectangle, a polygon, a nonlinear shape, an outline of an animal or a plant, a mark, a coin Anything can be used as long as it can hide the isometric pattern.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning this embodiment. It is a front view of the game board surface of the pachinko machine concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the pachinko machine which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram for a character appearance variation pattern. It is a front view of the display part which shows the flow of the production | presentation in which a character appears. It is a control flowchart of the character appearance variation pattern which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a front view of the display part which shows the flow of the production where the character which concerns on a modification appears.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Character 12 Command recognition part 14 Fluctuation pattern selection part 16 Fluctuation pattern memory 18 Display control part 20 Synchronization control part 22 Character image memory 110 Pachinko machine (game machine)
150 Main Control Board 152 Discharge Control Board 154 Voice Control Board 156 Lamp Control Board 158 Launch Control Board 160 Symbol Display Control Board

Claims (2)

The lottery is executed by winning the starting opening, and the result of the lottery is notified to the player in the state of the symbol variation pattern of a plurality of columns for a predetermined time and the symbol arrangement in which the variation pattern is stopped after the predetermined time, A symbol display control method in a gaming machine provided with a symbol variation display device for notifying that a player is in an advantageous state by setting the plurality of rows of variation patterns to a predetermined symbol arrangement,
In the variation pattern of the plurality of columns, when the symbol array of the temporary stop does not constitute the predetermined symbol array during the temporary stop of the symbols other than the final stop column, a plurality of temporarily stopped other than the final stop column Hiding one of the symbols in the row,
In a state where the hidden symbol is changed to another symbol that can be the predetermined symbol arrangement by combining with the symbol of the final stop row that is still changing, or the temporary stop symbol arrangement before hiding is maintained Display
After a certain period of time has elapsed, stop the change of all symbols to identify the stopped symbol,
In the variation pattern of the plurality of columns, when the symbol array of the temporary stop constitutes the predetermined symbol array during the temporary stop of the symbols other than the final stop column, a plurality of temporarily stopped other than the final stop column it hide one column design of of the column, the hidden symbols, while still changed to another symbol which is not the predetermined symbol arrangement in combination with the symbols of the last stop sequence is being varied, or hides prior to A display control method for a gaming machine , wherein the display is maintained in a state in which the temporary stop symbol arrangement is maintained, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, all symbols are stopped changing and the stop symbol is specified. . The lottery is executed by winning the starting opening, and the result of the lottery is notified to the player in the state of the symbol variation pattern of a plurality of columns for a predetermined time and the symbol arrangement in which the variation pattern is stopped after the predetermined time, A symbol display control device in a gaming machine provided with a symbol variation display device for notifying that a player is in an advantageous state by setting the variation patterns of the plurality of columns to a predetermined symbol arrangement,
In the variation pattern of the plurality of columns, a special symbol that can be displayed overlaid on one column of the plurality of columns temporarily stopped other than the final stop column, and that hides the symbol on the lower layer side, and Special symbol display means to be extinguished,
The time of appearance of the special symbol by the special symbol display means, when the symbol is temporarily stopped during the temporary stop of the symbol other than the final stop column, and the predetermined symbol array does not constitute the predetermined symbol array The symbol of the final stop sequence when the special symbol that appears when the symbol array is configured and when the predetermined symbol array is not configured and when the predetermined symbol array is configured A synchronization control means before stopping
Another symbol that can be the predetermined sequence by combining the symbol concealed by the special symbol when the predetermined symbol sequence is not configured, with the symbol of the final stop column while the final stop column is changing The design at the time of the temporary stop before changing to or concealing is maintained , the design concealed by the special design when the predetermined design array is configured, the final stop row is changing The symbol change means for changing to another symbol that does not become the predetermined arrangement by combining with the symbol of the final stop row, or maintaining the symbol at the time of the temporary stop before concealing ,
A display control apparatus for a gaming machine having the above.

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