JP5057532B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having an operation button that can be manually operated by a player, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of inspecting the operation state of the operation button.

  Conventionally, in a ball game machine such as a first type pachinko machine, in addition to a normal winning means, a normal symbol starting means (so-called gate means) and a special symbol starting means (so-called electric tulip) are added to the game board. 1) a normal symbol display means capable of variably displaying one or more normal symbols; a special symbol display means capable of variably displaying a plurality of special symbols; and a large prize opening means called an attacker (opening and closing type prize means). When the game ball launched into the game area of the game board by the launching means wins the special symbol starting means, a plurality of special symbols on the special symbol display means change for a predetermined variation time.

  At this time, if the result of lottery at the time of winning the special symbol starting means of the game ball is a big win, the stop symbol after the change becomes a specific symbol mode (a so-called “77” big hit symbol mode), The special winning opening means repeats the opening / closing operation up to a set number of times (for example, 16 rounds) based on a predetermined condition, and a special game that is in a profit state advantageous to the player is generated. In this case, a plurality of game balls can be won while the special winning opening means is opened, and a great profit is returned to the player.

  Recently, some ball game machines have an operation button that can be manually operated by a player, and when a predetermined reach change is executed, the operation button can be operated to display on the display. Players can participate in the game, such as acting as if the characters that appear are crushing the symbols that obstruct the jackpot, or changing the contents of the effects displayed each time the operation button is operated Some of them are designed to excite the ball game.

  By the way, each of the normal symbol starting means and the special symbol starting means is provided with a detection sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball, and various inspection techniques for checking (inspecting) the operation state of the detection sensor during the game are various. Proposed. For example, the game control device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-42228 is provided with a winning sensor # 1 and an LED # 1 corresponding to the first type starting port # 1, and corresponding to the first type starting port # 2. The winning sensor # 2 and the LED # 2 are provided, the LED is provided corresponding to the special symbol display device, and the LED is provided corresponding to the first type special electric accessory.

  LED # 1 is lit for 0.5 seconds when winning ball # 1 is detected by winning sensor # 1, and LED # 2 is lit for 0.5 seconds when winning ball # 2 is detected by winning sensor # 2. When the special symbol display device is in operation, the corresponding LED blinks in a cycle of 0.5 seconds, and when the first type special electric accessory is in operation, the corresponding LED blinks in a cycle of 0.5 seconds. Therefore, the pachinko hall employee compares the lighting or blinking state of the LED with the gaming state to determine whether or not these winning sensors # 1 and # 2 are operating normally, and a special symbol display device or Whether or not the operating state of the first-type special electric accessory is normal can be easily confirmed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-42228 A

  In the game control device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-42228 described above, the detection signals from the winning sensors # 1 and # 2 can be always input during the game, and the special symbol display device and the first type are also provided. Since the special electric accessory is always operable, it is possible to easily check (inspect) the operating state of the winning sensors # 1, # 2 and the special symbol display device and the first type special electric accessory. The above-described operation buttons that can be operated by the player are enabled only when a predetermined reach change is made. Therefore, such a manual operation type operation button is used so as not to disturb the button operation by the player. It is impossible to inspect whether or not the operation state is normal with such an operation state inspection technique.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably and accurately detect an operation state of an operation button in which button operation is not always validated without hindering a player's game.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 is provided with operating means capable of manual operation at a predetermined location of the gaming machine, and in a gaming machine capable of being involved in a game based on the operation of the operating means, a predetermined state determined in advance. A predetermined state detecting means for detecting the establishment of the predetermined state, an operating state detecting means for detecting the operating state of the operating means, and an operation possible time of the operating means based on the fact that the predetermined state detecting means detects the establishment of the predetermined state. Based on the detection result of the operation state detection means when the operation means is operated in the state in which the operation check mode is set in the state where the operation check mode is set. A notification control unit for causing the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification, the operation unit includes an operation display lamp capable of emitting light, and the notification control unit is configured to operate the operation check mode by the operation check mode setting unit. The operation display lamp is caused to emit light based on the setting of the operation mode, and when it is determined that there is a detection based on the detection result received from the operation state detection means, the operation display lamp is stopped and the operation means is operated. Regardless of the presence or absence of light, when the operable time has elapsed, the operation display lamp stops emitting light.

  When the predetermined state detection unit detects the establishment of a predetermined state, the operation confirmation mode setting unit detects the operation state of the operation unit by the operation state detection unit and sets the operation confirmation mode. In the operation confirmation mode setting process, the operable time of the operating means is set in the operation timer.

  The notification control means causes the operation display lamp to emit light in a state in which the operation confirmation mode is set, and when operation of the operation means is detected by the operation state detection means, the operation display lamp is stopped and the operation means lamp is operated. Regardless of the presence or absence of, if the operable time has elapsed, the operation display lamp stops emitting light.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with display means capable of displaying predetermined information, and the notification control means displays the predetermined information on the display means based on the detection result of the operation state detecting means. It is characterized by performing control.

  According to the gaming machine of the present application, it is provided with a predetermined state detection means, an operation state detection means, an operation confirmation mode setting means, and a notification control means, and the notification control means sets the operation confirmation mode by the operation confirmation mode setting means. The operation display lamp is caused to emit light based on the detection result, and when it is determined that there is a detection based on the detection result received from the operation state detection means, the operation display lamp is stopped and whether or not the operation means is operated. Regardless, since the operation indicator lamp stops emitting light when the operable time has elapsed, it can be easily confirmed (inspected) whether the operation means is operating normally, and the operation is performed based on the inspection result. Since the notification by the display lamp is made, it can be surely determined from the notification contents whether or not the operation state of the operation means is normal.

1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine (ball game machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a side view of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram of the control system of a pachinko machine. It is a functional block diagram of the control system of the main control means. It is a functional block diagram of a control system of the sound lamp control means and the symbol control means. Is a one-screen image of effect image information having effect pattern number “1”. Is a one-screen image of effect image information having effect pattern number “2”. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8-1 displayed during the game. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8-2 displayed during the game. It is a flowchart of operation check preparation control. It is a flowchart of operation check control. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 according to a modified embodiment.

  In the first type pachinko machine installed in the pachinko hall, it is an operation button that switches the image for production by manual operation, and the operation state of the operation button that does not always activate the button operation obstructs the player's game It was made possible to confirm without any problem.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This is an example of the case where the present invention is applied to a so-called card-type ball game machine, which is installed in an island structure of a pachinko hall, and the island structure provided in the pachinko hall includes: A plurality of card-type ball lending machines 1 and a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are alternately arranged in the length direction, and the card-type ball lending machine 1 is electrically connected to the pachinko machine 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pachinko machine 2 that is a card-type ball game machine has a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 3 and a front frame 4 pivotally attached to the outer frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The outer frame 3 is detachably fixed to the island structure (not shown) in a state where the card-type ball lending machine 1 is sandwiched. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the back side, and a glass door 6 having a window portion 6a and a ball tray 8 for storing game balls for launching are provided corresponding to the front side of the game board 5. The front plate 7 is pivotally attached via hinges so as to be freely opened and closed.

  Below the front frame 4, there are provided a lower tray 9 for storing game balls overflowing or extracted from the ball receiving tray 8 and a firing handle 11 of the launching means 10. This launching means 10 includes a launching handle 11 that can be rotated, and a launching motor 13 that launches a game ball with a striking gutter 12 with a striking force corresponding to the pivoting angle of the launching handle 11 (see FIG. 3). Etc.). On the right side of the ball tray 8, an operation panel 14 for lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine 1 is provided.

  The operation panel 14 has a card remaining amount display portion 14a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, a ball lending switch 14b for instructing ball lending for a predetermined amount of game balls, and a command for returning the card at the end of the game. Return switch 14c is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation button 15 is provided at the central portion of the ball tray 8 in the left-right direction to switch the effect content to be displayed with the background image by manual operation.

  The operation button 15 includes an operation switch 15a and an operation display lamp 15b capable of emitting light indicating an operable state. When the operation display lamp 15b is in a light emission state (lighting state), the player can The operation of the operation button 15 is validated. Here, when the operation button 15 is not operated, the operation switch signal of “L” level is output from the operation switch 15a. However, when the operation button 15 is operated, the operation switch 15a outputs “H”. "Level operation switch signal is output.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 16 for guiding a game ball is provided in a substantially annular shape on the outer peripheral portion of the game board 5, which is composed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail. In the game area 5a on the inner side of the guide rail 16, a center case 20 located substantially in the center, a liquid crystal display 21 provided in the center case 20, and a plurality of normal winning means 22 (in this case, for example, 7), left and right normal symbol starting means (gate means or passing means) 23, special symbol starting means (symbol starting and winning means) 24, big prize opening means (opening / closing type winning means) 25, etc. are respectively predetermined. It is arranged at the position.

  Further, the center case 20 is provided with four holding ball lamps 26 for normal symbols at the lower part thereof and four holding ball lamps 27 for special symbols at the upper part thereof. Here, although a plurality of game nails, windmills, and the like are provided in the game area 5a, illustration is omitted. The special symbol starting means 24 includes a pair of left and right open / close claws 24a that can be opened and closed, and the pair of open / close claws 24a can be driven to open and close synchronously by an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 28. The special winning opening means 25 includes an opening / closing plate 25a that can be opened forward, and can be opened and closed in the front-rear direction by a special electric accessory solenoid 29. Therefore, when the opening / closing plate 25a is opened forward, it becomes easy for the game ball to win, and a special game state advantageous to the player occurs.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a gate-shaped game board holding body (so-called three-way frame) 35 is fixed to the outer periphery of the front frame 4, and the game board 5 and the back located on the rear side thereof. A mechanism board 36 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 by a game board holder 35. On the upper side of the back mechanism plate 36, a substrate cover 37 accommodating an external output substrate 38, a sphere tank 39, and a tank rail 40 connected to a sphere discharge port of the sphere tank 39 are provided. A payout / ball lending mechanism 41 connected to the downstream end is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 36, and a payout connected to the downstream side of the payout / ball lending mechanism 41 is provided below the back mechanism plate 36. A ball guiding path 42 is provided.

  Therefore, the game balls or game balls for lending that are paid out as prize balls from the payout / ball lending mechanism 41 are paid out to the ball tray 8 via the payout ball guide path 42. A back cover 43 mounted on the back side of the game board 5 is fitted into a rectangular opening 36 a formed at a substantially central portion of the back mechanism plate 36. Inside the substrate case 44 mounted on the rear surface of the back cover 43, a main control substrate 45 is disposed on the rear side, and a symbol control substrate 46 is disposed on the front side. From the external output board 38, various game information, such as the number of fluctuations related to the special symbol and information on the stop symbol, are transmitted and output to an island computer (not shown) provided in the pachinko hall.

  The liquid crystal display 21 disposed on the front side of the symbol control board 46 is electrically connected to the symbol control board 46 via a liquid crystal driver 98 (see FIG. 5). An audio lamp control board 48 is provided inside a board case 47 attached to the back cover 43 below the board case 44. A power supply board 50, a payout control board 51, and an external interface (I / F) control board (see FIG. 5) 52 are provided in a board case 49 mounted on the back mechanism plate 36 below the board case 47. Are provided.

  Further, a launch control board 54 is provided inside the substrate case 53 mounted on the rear side of the launching means 10. These control boards 45 to 46, 48, 50 to 51, 54 are respectively formed of independent printed boards, and each of the other control boards 45, 46, 48, 51 excluding the power supply board 50 and the launch control board 54 includes A microcomputer composed of a one-chip integrated circuit is provided.

  The main control board 45 and the other control boards 46, 48, 51 are electrically connected via a connector with a plurality of signal lines, and a predetermined number is sent from the main control board 45 to each control board 48 (46), 51. Various control commands for executing the game operation can be basically transmitted by one-way communication. As described above, by adopting the one-way communication of the control command, it is possible to reliably prevent fraud related to the symbol stop of the normal symbol or the special symbol.

  Next, the control device of the pachinko machine 2 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The main control board 45 is provided with a CPU 45a, a ROM 45b, a RAM 45c, input / output interfaces 45d and 45e, etc. constituting a single-chip microcomputer. The input / output interface 45d has a normal symbol start switch 23a for detecting the passage of the game ball to each normal symbol start means 23 and a special symbol start switch 24b for detecting the winning of the game ball to the special symbol start means 24. Connected.

  The input / output interface 45d further detects a plurality of normal winning switch groups 22a for detecting the winning of the game balls to the plurality of normal winning means 22 and the winning of the game balls to the normal winning area 25b of the big winning opening means 25. The normal winning area switch 25c, the specific winning area switch 25e for detecting the winning of the game ball in the specific winning area 25d (so-called V zone) of the big winning opening means 25, the normal electric accessory solenoid 28, and the special electric An accessory solenoid 29 is connected to each other.

  The payout control board 51 is provided with a CPU 51a, a ROM 51b, a RAM 51c, an input / output interface 51d, etc. constituting a single-chip microcomputer. The payout control board 51 is directly connected to the external I / F control board 52, and the external I / F control board 52 is electrically connected to the payout / ball lending mechanism 41. The payout / ball lending mechanism 41 includes a switching solenoid 41a for selectively switching a game ball payout path between a prize ball side and a ball lending side, a payout motor 41b, a ball lending count switch 41c, and a prize ball counting switch. 41d etc. are connected.

  In this way, the payout control board 51 can directly receive various payout control commands relating to the payout transmitted from the main control board 45. Further, the operation panel 14, the card-type ball lending machine 1, and the launch control board 54 are electrically connected to the external I / F control board 52, respectively. The launch control board 54 is provided with a motor drive circuit 54 a, and the launch motor 13 is driven and controlled by the launch control board 54. The sound lamp control board 48 is provided with a CPU 48a, a ROM 48b, a RAM 48c, an input / output interface 48d, and the like constituting a single-chip microcomputer.

  The sound lamp control board 48 includes a speaker 55 provided on the back side of the ball tray 8, a probability change state display lamp 56 for displaying that the probability change state is set, a plurality of decorative lamp groups 57, An ordinary symbol holding ball lamp 26, a special symbol holding ball lamp 27, and an operation display lamp 15b are connected. The sound lamp control board 48 can directly receive various sound control commands related to sound output transmitted from the main control board 45 and various lamp control commands related to lamp lighting.

  The symbol control board 46 includes a CPU 46a, a ROM 46b, a RAM 46c, an input / output interface 46d, and the like constituting a single-chip microcomputer. A liquid crystal display 21 is connected to the symbol control board 46 via a liquid crystal driver 97. Here, the liquid crystal display 21 displays three special symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) on the left display portion 21a, the middle display portion 21b, and the right display portion 21c, and two small normal symbols (left symbol). In addition to displaying the symbols (right symbols) on the small left display portion 21d and the right display portion 21e, it is possible to display the motions of various characters such as moving images and balloons.

  The power board 50 includes control boards 45 to 46, 48, 50 to 52, 54, a special electric accessory solenoid 28 provided in the special symbol starting means 24, and a special electric accessory solenoid provided in the special prize opening means 25. In addition to providing a plurality of power supply circuits (not shown) for supplying a plurality of types of direct current voltages to electronic components such as 29, all the game information stored in the RAMs 45c and 51c after power-on is erased. A clear switch 50b and a backup power source 50c for when a power failure occurs are provided.

  Next, various functions achieved as the main control means 60 (which corresponds to the game control means) by various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 45b of the main control board 45 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. .

  The main control means 60 configured on the main control board 45 is provided in various winning means 22, 24, 25 provided on the game board 5 for controlling the game operation according to the game mode and the behavior of the game ball. The game control of the game board 5 related to input / output of switch signals to the winning symbol switches 22a, 24b, 25c, 25e and the normal symbol starting switch 23a provided in the normal symbol starting means 23, etc. Various control commands are sequentially transmitted and output to the lamp control means 80, the symbol control means 90, the payout control means 100, etc. as necessary.

  The main control means 60 includes a random number generation means 61, a random number extraction means 62, a hold information storage means 63, a random number determination means 64, a symbol variation determination means 65, a probability variation means 66, and a normal profit state generation means 67. And a special profit state generating means 68, a command control means 69, a winning counting means 70, and the like. However, the random number generation means 61, the random number extraction means 62, the hold information storage means 63, the random number determination means 64, and the symbol variation determination means 65 have both functions for special symbols and normal symbols. .

  The random number generating means 61 has both a random number generating function for a normal symbol winning lottery and a random number generating function for a special symbol big winning lottery. This random number generating means 61 cyclically generates a random value of “0-9” as a hit determination random number, for example, for a regular symbol at a predetermined minute update cycle (for example, 4 msec), and for a special symbol. For example, a random value of “0 to 299” is cyclically repeatedly generated as a jackpot determination random number. In addition to the jackpot determination random number (win determination random number), the random number generator 61 generates various random numbers such as a jackpot symbol random number (win symbol random number), a variation pattern selection random number, and the like.

  The random number extraction means 62 has a control random number extraction function for random drawing of normal symbols and a control random number extraction function for random drawing of special symbols. Therefore, the random number extraction means 62 is one disturbance when the game ball passes through the normal symbol starting means 23 on either the left or right of a plurality of control random numbers for the normal symbol generated cyclically by the random number generation means 61. A numerical value is extracted as a hit determination random number value, and one random number value when a game ball is won in the special symbol starting means 24 among a plurality of special control random numbers generated cyclically by the random number generating means 61 is obtained. Extracted as a jackpot random number.

  The holding information storage means 63 has a special symbol holding information storage unit and a normal symbol holding information storage unit. The special symbol hold information storage unit is composed of various programs such as a special symbol hold information storage memory of the RAM 45c and a special symbol hold information storage control program. Among the game balls detected by the special symbol start switch 24b, the special symbol hold information storage unit is still subject to fluctuations. Special symbol holding ball information related to the holding ball that is not provided is sequentially stored. That is, the special symbol hold information storage unit temporarily stores up to four sets of the reserved ball information and the number of held balls for the special symbol generated when the game ball passes through the special symbol starting means 24 until it is subject to change. By storing it, the symbol variation of the special symbol is suspended.

  Thus, the special symbol hold information storage unit sequentially stores the hold ball information up to the operation hold number 1, the operation hold number 2,... The operation hold number 4 every time the hold ball information is received, and the operation hold number. Increment by one. If not changing, the stored ball information of the operation hold number 1 is shifted to the operation hold number 0 for determination, and each piece of hold ball information after the operation hold number 2 is 1 The number of stored ball information is reduced and a free space is provided by overwriting by shifting to the younger operation hold number side, that is, the lower number (2 → 1, 3 → 2, 4 → 3) respectively. .

  On the other hand, the normal symbol hold information storage unit is composed of a normal symbol hold information storage memory of the RAM 45c, a normal symbol hold information storage control program, etc., and is still used for fluctuations in normal symbols among the game balls detected by the normal symbol start switch 23a. Normal symbol holding ball information related to no holding ball is stored. That is, the normal symbol holding information storage unit temporarily stores four sets of the holding ball information for the normal symbol generated when the game ball passes through the normal symbol starting means 23 and the number of the operation holding balls until it is changed. By storing up to, normal symbol variation of the symbol is suspended.

  As described above, the normal symbol hold information storage unit sequentially stores the hold ball information up to the operation hold number 1, the operation hold number 2,... The operation hold number 4 every time the hold ball information is received and the operation hold number. Increment by one. If not changing, the stored ball information of the operation hold number 1 is shifted to the operation hold number 0 for determination, and each piece of hold ball information after the operation hold number 2 is 1 The number of stored ball information is reduced and a free space is provided by overwriting by shifting to the younger operation hold number side, that is, the lower number (2 → 1, 3 → 2, 4 → 3) respectively. .

  The random number determination means 64 has both a normal symbol determination function and a special symbol determination function. In this case, the random number determination means 64 sets “0-8” among the plurality of control random numbers “0-9” for the normal symbol as a predetermined winning determination value, and also controls a plurality of controls for the special symbol. Among the random numbers “0 to 299”, when the jackpot lottery probability is low, only one control random number (for example, “211”) is set as a predetermined jackpot determination value.

  Therefore, the random number determination means 64 matches any one of a plurality of preset hit determination values for the normal symbol hit determination random value supplied from the hold information storage means 63 before the change of the normal symbol. It is determined whether it is “win” or “out” that does not match. The random number determination means 64 further matches the jackpot determination value set in advance with respect to the jackpot determination random number value for the special symbol supplied from the hold information storage means 63 before the change of the special symbol. , Or “displacement (including outreach reach)” that does not match.

  The symbol variation determining means 65 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol and the special stop symbol, and also determines the variation pattern of the normal symbol and the normal stop symbol. Therefore, the symbol variation determining means 65 includes a stop symbol determining means and a variation pattern determining means in addition to the control program for the special variation stop mode determining control. It is determined every time the symbol changes.

  By the way, the random number determination means 64 described above also determines the probability variation type jackpot based on the jackpot symbol random number value supplied from the hold information storage means 63. If it is determined that the probability variation type, the special game that is in the profit state ends, and until the next or next big hit, or until the special symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) The number of specific random numbers (big hit judgment values) to be increased is larger than usual (for example, seven) to increase the big hit probability more than usual, and the probability fluctuation state is set to the probability fluctuation means 66. Command.

  As described above, the probability changing unit 66 instructs the ordinary profit state generating unit 67 to give a predetermined profit when the probability changing state is set. This is also a special gaming state advantageous to the player. When the ordinary profit state generating means 67 receives the above-described probability variation instruction from the probability variation means 66, the ordinary profit state generating means 67 turns the ordinary electric means 20a of the special symbol starting means 24 to the normal condition on condition that the ordinary symbol is “winning”. The player is given a profit state in which the game ball is likely to enter, for example, by opening it for a longer time (for example, about 3 seconds) than the opening time (for example, about 0.5 seconds).

  The special profit state generating unit 68 receives a jackpot determination result from the random number determination unit 64, or the predetermined profit included in the game control is provided on the condition that the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display unit 31 becomes a jackpot symbol. As described above, the opening / closing plate 25a of the special winning opening means 25 is opened / closed by the profit state generation routine. The command control unit 69 sequentially transmits various control commands such as a variation designating command for normal symbols and special symbols and a designating command to the sound lamp control unit 80 as necessary.

  By the way, when the game ball no longer wins the special symbol starting means 24, and when a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 6 minutes) has passed since the special symbols in the special symbol display means 21a to 21c no longer fluctuate. The command control means 69 transmits a demonstration display command for displaying a demonstration for waiting for a customer to the symbol control means 90.

  The winning counting means 70 counts the number of game balls to be won in the specific winning area 21b and the normal winning area 21c in the normal winning means 22, the special symbol starting means 24, and the big winning opening means 25. Therefore, the command control means 69 transmits to the payout control means 100 a payout command command for instructing payout of game balls based on the number of winning game balls counted by the winning counting means 70. The command control means 69 further sends output to the control means 80, 90, 100 to which various control commands such as a hold ball display command relating to the number of held balls of a game ball and a probability change information command indicating a probability change state should be sent. To do.

  Next, various functions achieved as the sound lamp control means 80 as the effect control means by the control program stored in advance in the ROM 48b of the sound lamp control board 48 will be described with reference to the functional blocks of FIG.

  The sound lamp control means 80 configured on the sound lamp control board 48 receives various control commands such as a fluctuation pattern designation command from the main control means 60, and based on the effect pattern information corresponding to the received fluctuation pattern designation command. In addition to controlling the light emission of the decorative lamp group 57 including a large number of decorative lamps and effect lamps provided on the game board 5 and the front frame 4 and the operation display lamp 15b, it is provided on the back side of the ball tray 8. The speaker 55 is driven to control voice.

  The sound lamp control means 80 further receives a holding ball display command from the main control means 60 and controls the light emission of the holding ball lamp 26 for the normal symbol and the holding ball lamp 27 for the special symbol provided in the center case 20. Therefore, the sound lamp control means 80 includes command control means 81, effect pattern storage means 82, effect pattern determination means 83, random number generation means 84, light emission control means 85, sound control means 86, and the like. Yes.

  The command control means 81 receives various control commands such as a fluctuation pattern designation command and a symbol designation command from the command control means 69 of the main control means 60 and also sends a fluctuation pattern to the command control means 91 of the symbol control means 90. A control command related to symbol variation, such as a designation command and a symbol designation command, can be transmitted.

  The effect pattern storage means 82 mainly includes a plurality of types of light emission effect pattern information for effecting light emission by lighting or blinking of each lamp of the decorative lamp group 57 and a plurality of sound effects by the speaker 55 for each of the variation pattern designation commands. Various kinds of sound effect pattern information are stored in advance.

  The effect pattern determining means 83 selects the light emission effect pattern information and the sound effect pattern information corresponding to the variation pattern designation command, and a plurality of information options are provided in the light emission effect pattern information and the sound effect pattern information. Extracts one of a predetermined number of control random numbers generated by the random number generation means 84 as a random number value, and determines one information option based on the extracted random number value.

  The light emission control means 85 controls the light emission of each decoration lamp of the decoration lamp group 57 based on the light emission control signal obtained from the light emission effect pattern information determined by the effect pattern determination means 83, and also holds the normal ball holding ball lamp 26 and The holding ball lamp 27 for special symbols and the operation display lamp 15b are controlled to emit light. Further, the sound control means 86 drives and controls the speaker 55 based on the sound control signal obtained from the sound effect pattern information determined by the effect pattern determination means 83.

Next, various functions achieved as the symbol control means 90 as the effect control means by the control program stored in advance in the ROM 46b of the symbol control board 46 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The symbol control means 90 configured on the symbol control board 46 is configured to display each of the display units 21d, 21d, based on a normal pattern variation pattern designation command transmitted from the main control means 60 via the voice lamp control means 80. Fluctuation control of the normal symbol 21e is controlled, and the variable stop is controlled to display the instructed normal symbol mode.

  The symbol control means 90 further displays the special symbols of the display units 21a to 21c based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command and symbol designation command received from the main control means 60 via the sound lamp control means 80. Fluctuation control is performed to control the change stop so as to display the instructed special symbol form, or effect display control is performed to display the background, character, etc. on substantially the entire screen of the symbol display means 30. Therefore, the symbol control means 90 includes command control means 91, variation pattern storage means 92, effect image storage means 93, random number generation means 94, effect control means 95, liquid crystal driver 96, and the like.

  The command control means 91 can receive a variation pattern designation command and a symbol designation command via the command control means 81 of the sound lamp control means 80, and includes a switch signal detection means 91a, a button operation confirmation control means 91b, A notification control unit 91c, a fluctuation pattern switching unit 91d, and the like are provided.

  The variation pattern storage unit 92 stores variation pattern information related to symbol variation in which variation contents (including variation time) are associated with each of a plurality of variation pattern designation commands for normal symbols and special symbols. In some of these fluctuation pattern information, various kinds of effect information due to symbol fluctuations such as normal reach and super reach are stored.

  The fluctuation pattern switching means 91d reads the fluctuation pattern information corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designation command from the fluctuation pattern storage means 92, and selects and switches to predetermined information that can be directly controlled by the symbol. When a plurality of information options are provided, one random number value is extracted from a predetermined number of control random numbers generated by the random number generation means 94, and one information option is determined based on the extracted random value. To do.

  The effect image storage means 93 stores a large number of effect image information for effect display produced by background images using various characters in association with effect pattern numbers (1, 2, 3,...). Yes. For example, the effect pattern number “1” is an effect related to volleyball starting from “drive serve” as shown in FIG. 8-1, and the effect pattern number “2” is as shown in FIG. It is an effect related to volleyball starting from "Jump Serve". Therefore, the effect control means 95 creates symbol effect image data based on the various symbol display signals related to the symbol variation received from the variation pattern switching means 91d and the effect image signal received from the effect image storage means 93, and the liquid crystal The data is transmitted to the driver 96.

  The switch signal detecting means 91a instructs the effect control means 95 to create a new effect pattern (image) based on this switch detection every time an “H” level operation switch signal is received from the operation switch 15a. . In this case, the effect control means 95 validates and accepts the “H” level operation switch signal from the operation switch 15a only when performing a specific reach effect or a super reach effect.

  The button operation confirmation control unit 91b confirms (inspects) whether or not the operation switch 15a operates normally based on the operation switch signal received from the operation switch 15a, and outputs the inspection result to the notification control unit 91c. Therefore, the notification control unit 91 c supplies notification data corresponding to the inspection result to the effect control unit 95, while creating a light emission command to be notified by the light emission of the operation display lamp 15 b and transmits it to the sound lamp control unit 80. Therefore, the test result is notified by the symbol display means 30 and also by a specific light emission mode of the operation display lamp 15b.

  The liquid crystal display 21 includes special symbol display means 31 having display portions 21a to 21c that variably display three special symbols, and normal symbol display means 32 having display portions 21d and 21e that variably display two normal symbols. The symbol display means 30 that realizes both of the display functions is also an effect display means for displaying various effects on substantially the entire display screen of the liquid crystal display 21. Therefore, in addition to the special symbols being variably displayed on the display portions 21 a to 21 c of the special symbol display means 31 and the normal symbols being variably displayed on the display portions 21 d and 21 e of the normal symbol display means 32, the liquid crystal display 21. Various effects are displayed on substantially the entire display screen.

  Here, when the symbol control means 90 receives a demonstration display command from the main control means 60, a predetermined demonstration image for waiting for a customer is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the payout control means 100 configured on the payout control board 51 receives a payout control command from the main control means 60 and manages payout control of game balls by the payout / ball lending mechanism 41. The payout control means 100 includes a command control means 101, a payout / ball lending control means 102, etc., and is based on a payout command command received from the main control means 60 via the command control means 101. The mechanism 41 is instructed to pay out the game ball.

  Here, when the payout / ball lending control means 102 has not received any error relating to payout from the payout / ball lending mechanism 41, the player controls the operation handle to transmit a fire permission signal to the fire control means 106. 11 is operated, the launch motor 13 is driven by the launch control means 106 so that a game ball can be launched. An external interface control board 52 is further accommodated inside the board case 49, and external interface means 105 is configured on the external interface control board 52.

  The launch control means 106 configured on the launch control board 54 controls the launch of the game ball by driving the launch motor 13. Here, from the external output board 38, the number of fluctuations related to the special symbol, information on the stop symbol, and the like are transmitted and output to an island computer (not shown) provided in the pachinko hall.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 2 configured as described above will be described.
The player operates the launch handle 11 to launch game balls that are sequentially sent from the ball tray 8 to the game area 5 a of the game board 5. When a game ball that falls along the game board 5 wins the symbol starting means 23, 24 or the winning means 22, 25, the payout / ball lending mechanism 41 is activated and the number of game balls according to the winning type is reached. Is dispensed to the ball tray 8.

  On the other hand, if the game ball is won by the special symbol starter 24 and the special symbol starts to fluctuate, and the specific reach effect is determined based on the random number lottery when the game ball wins the special symbol starter 24, this time The effect image information of the effect pattern number determined on the basis of the variation pattern for the symbol variation is effect-displayed on the entire symbol display means 30. For example, when the production pattern number “1” is determined, as shown in FIG. 9A, during the change of the special symbol, the production related to the volleyball starting from “drive serve” is executed.

  By the way, when a specific reach effect is determined and a volleyball effect starting from “drive serve” with the effect pattern number “1” is being executed, the operation display lamp 15b is lit, so the player operates the operation button 15 Is possible. Here, manual operation of the operation button 15 is effective only when a specific gaming state in which a specific reach effect is executed is generated.

  Therefore, when the player operates the operation button 15 only once, the effect pattern number is switched from “1” to “2”, and therefore, based on the effect pattern number “2”, as shown in FIG. , Volleyball production starting from “Jump Serve” is continuously executed from the middle. In this way, in a state where the operation display lamp 15b is lit, the player can switch to the content of his / her favorite performance by operating the operation button 15.

  Next, button operation state confirmation control for inspecting whether the operation of the operation button 15 is normal will be described. This button operation state confirmation control includes an operation confirmation preparation control (see FIG. 10) executed on the main control means 60 side, and an operation confirmation control (see FIG. 11) executed by the button action confirmation control means 91b of the symbol control means 90. First, the operation confirmation preparation control executed by the main control means 60 will be described. However, this control is repeatedly executed every minute time. Here, reference sign Si (i = 11, 12, 13,...) In the figure represents each step. However, the display command flag described later is reset when the power is turned on.

  When this control is started, first, it is determined whether or not the big hit is being executed. When the big hit is not being made (S11: No), the number of held balls in the hold information storage means 63 is retrieved and the held ball is stored. If not (S12: No), the demonstration screen is being displayed (S13: Yes), and only if the value of the display command flag is “0” and reset (S14). : Yes), display processing is executed (S15). In this display process, in addition to the display timer setting process for a predetermined time, the display command setting process for a message prompting a winning game ball, and the transmission process of the set display command being executed, An initial value “0” is set in the release count counter.

  As a result, since the display command is transmitted to the symbol control means 90 via the sound lamp control means 80, the symbol display means 30 may display a message such as “Please play a game ball in a specific winning area”, for example. Is displayed. Here, the display command flag is provided so that the display process is executed only once, and the display release number counter is provided so that the display release process is executed only once. Next, the display command flag is set (rewritten to 1 data) (S16).

  Next, when there is no input of a specific switch signal (S17: No), when the remaining time of the display timer is not “0” (S23: No), the value of the display timer is decremented by 1 (S27). This control is terminated and the process returns. Here, when the display time of the message prompting the winning of the game ball is, for example, “5 minutes” and this control is periodically executed every 4 msec, “75000” is set in the display timer. .

  The employee of the hall sees the message, opens the glass door 6, and wins a game ball in the specific winning area 25 b in the big winning opening means 25. As a result, when a switch signal is input from the specific winning area switch 25e, that is, when a specific switch signal is input (S17: Yes), the value of the display cancellation number counter is incremented by one (S18). . Next, when the value of the display cancellation number counter is “1” (S19: Yes), display cancellation processing is executed (S20). In this display cancellation process, the operation of the display timer is stopped (reset), and the display cancellation command creation process for canceling the message display displayed in S15 and the created display cancellation command transmission process are executed.

  As a result, the message “Please play a game ball in the specific winning area” displayed on the symbol display means 30 is deleted. Next, a button operation confirmation command for confirming the operation of the operation button 15 is created (S21), the button operation confirmation command is transmitted to the symbol control means 90 (S22), and this control is finished.

  By the way, even if a message prompting the winning of a game ball is displayed, if there is no input of a specific switch signal and the remaining time of the display timer becomes “0” (S23: Yes), the display cancellation number counter When the value is incremented by 1 (S24) and the value of the display cancellation number counter is “1” (S25: Yes), the display cancellation process is executed (S26) and the process returns in the same manner.

  Here, when this control is started, when it is a big hit (S11: Yes), there is a holding ball (S12: Yes), or when the demonstration screen is not displayed (S13: No), If the display command flag is “1” and set (S28: Yes), the display canceling process similar to S20 is executed (S29). However, a message prompting the player to win a game ball may be displayed until a predetermined condition that the released game ball wins one of the winning means 22, 24, 25 is established.

Next, the operation confirmation control executed by the button operation confirmation control means 91b will be described with reference to FIG. However, this control is repeatedly executed every minute time.
When this control is started, if a control command is first received from the main control means 60 via the sound lamp control means 80 (S31: Yes), the confirmation mode flag KMF is not set and the button operation confirmation is performed. If the mode is not set (S32: No) and the received control command is a button operation confirmation command (S33: Yes), an operation confirmation mode setting process is executed (S34).

  In this operation confirmation mode setting process, the confirmation mode flag KMF is set, a predetermined time (for example, a value “15000” corresponding to 60 seconds) is set in the operation timer for measuring the operable time, and the operation timer Is started. Therefore, the button operation confirmation mode is set by this operation confirmation mode setting process. Next, a light emission control command for causing the operation display lamp 15b to emit light is generated and transmitted to the sound lamp control means 80, whereby the operation display lamp 15b is instructed to emit light (S35).

  Next, a message prompting the operation of the operation button 15 is displayed on the symbol display means 30 by “Please operate the operation button” or the like (S36). Next, when the operation switch signal at the “H” level from the operation switch 15a is not input (S37: No) and the remaining time of the operation timer is not “0” (S38: No), the value of the operation timer Is decremented by 1 (S39), this control is terminated, and the process returns.

  By the way, when the operation button 15 is operated and the operation switch signal of “H” level is input from the operation switch 15a before the remaining time of the operation timer becomes “0” (S37: Yes), it is OK. The flag OKF is set (S40). Next, at this point in time, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality in the operation of the operation button 15, and since confirmation (inspection) is completed, the message “operation button: normal” is displayed on the liquid crystal for a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds). It is displayed on the display 21 (S41) and commanded to turn off the operation display lamp 15b (S42).

  Next, an operation confirmation mode release process is executed (S43). In this operation confirmation mode release processing, the confirmation mode flag KMF is reset and the operation confirmation mode is released. At this time, the message displayed in S36 or S41 is deleted (S44). Next, when the OK flag OKF is set (S45: Yes), the OK flag OKF is reset (S48), and this control is finished.

  On the other hand, even if the operation button 15 is operated, even if the remaining time of the operation timer becomes “0”, the operation switch signal of “H” level is not input, that is, the operation button 15 is broken or the like. Thus, when the operation switch signal is at the “L” level (S37: No, S38: Yes), S42 to S44 are executed, the operation display lamp 15b is turned off, and the operation confirmation mode is released. The message prompting the operation of the operation button 15 is deleted. In this case, since the OK flag OKF is not set, that is, an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the operation button 15 (S45: No), the message “operation button: abnormal” is displayed (S46). This control is terminated.

  By the way, when the received control command is a control command other than the button operation confirmation command (S33: No), a predetermined process corresponding to the received control command is executed (S47). To do. Here, S11 to S17 of the operation confirmation preparation control shown in FIG. 10 correspond to the predetermined state detection means. In the operation confirmation control shown in FIG. 11, S34 corresponds to the operation confirmation mode setting means, and S37 corresponds to the operation state detection means. The symbol display means 30 corresponds to the notification means.

  As described above, when a predetermined state is established by S11 to S17 of the operation confirmation preparation control, the operation confirmation mode is set in S34 of the operation confirmation control, and the operation confirmation mode is set. By simply operating the operation button 15, whether or not the operation button 15 is operating normally can be easily confirmed (inspection) based on whether or not the operation switch signal input from the operation switch 15a is at "H" level. Since “normal” or “abnormal” is displayed with respect to the operation button 15 based on the inspection result, it can be surely determined whether or not the operation state of the operation button 15 is normal by the display content.

  Predetermined state detection means composed of S11 to S17 for operation confirmation preparation control is provided in the main control means 60, and operation confirmation mode setting means (S34) and operation state detection means (S37) are provided in the symbol control means 90. Even in this case, a button operation confirmation command for instructing to set the operation confirmation mode is created in S21, and the created button operation confirmation command is transmitted to the symbol control means 90 in S22. The preparation control and the operation confirmation control can be executed quickly and accurately as a series of button operation state confirmation control.

  The operation button 15 is provided with an operation display lamp 15b capable of integrally emitting light, and the notification control unit 91c causes the operation display lamp 15b to emit light based on the setting of the operation confirmation mode, so that the operation button 15 can be operated. Accordingly, when the operation switch signal of “H” level is input from the operation switch 15a and it is determined that the operation has been detected, the operation display lamp 15b stops emitting light. It can be easily recognized by the light emission state of the display lamp 15b.

  Furthermore, in this case, if the operation switch signal from the operation switch 15a remains at “L” level even though the operation switch 15a is operated, “operation button: abnormal” is displayed. It is possible to quickly investigate a defective part where the operation button 15 does not operate normally, such as whether the switch 15a itself is damaged or the wiring of the operation switch 15a is broken.

Next, a modified embodiment in which the embodiment is partially modified will be described.
1] As shown in FIG. 12, the operation confirmation control of FIG. 11 is partially changed, and even when the operation button 15 is not operated within a predetermined time, the state in which the operation confirmation mode is set is maintained, and then the operation switch The operation confirmation mode may be canceled when a normal operation switch signal is input from 15a. Therefore, control different from that in FIG. 11 will be described.

  That is, if a normal operation switch signal of “H” level is input from the operation switch 15a within a predetermined time set by the operation timer (S37: Yes), the OK flag OKF is set by S40 to S43. Then, the operation display lamp 15b is turned off and the operation confirmation mode is canceled.

  However, if the operation switch signal of “H” level is not input from the operation switch 15a within the predetermined time set by the operation timer (S37: No, S38: Yes), these S40 to S43 are skipped. The operation display lamp 15b is in a light emitting state, and a message prompting the operation of the operation button 15 is in a display state. However, if the light emission state and the display state continue despite the operation button 15 being operated, it can be confirmed that the operation of the operation button 15 is abnormal.

  However, even in such an abnormal case, the operation confirmation mode is set. In such a state, after repairing, etc., the operation check is performed again to take a measure such as returning to the normal state (the state where the operation check mode has been reset). It is necessary not to.

  On the other hand, when a normal “H” level operation switch signal is input from the operation switch 15a by operating the operation button 15 after the predetermined time set by the operation timer is exceeded, the operation confirmation mode is set (KMF). = 1), the OK flag OKF is set in S40 to S43, the operation display lamp 15b is turned off, and the operation confirmation mode is released.

2] In S41 shown in FIG. 11, the message “Check completed” may be displayed, while the display process shown in S46 may be omitted.
3] In S17 of the operation confirmation preparation control shown in FIG. 10, the normal winning area switch 25c, the normal symbol starting switch 23a, the special symbol starting switch 24b, or any of the normal winning switches 22a may be used as a ball detection switch for detecting a winning. .

  4) A separate operation confirmation preparation switch is provided, and when the operation confirmation preparation switch is manually operated, the switch signal of the operation confirmation preparation switch is sent to the symbol control means 90 or the voice lamp control. The operation button may be enabled during the period when the input signal is detected by inputting to the means 80. In this case, it is not necessary for the main control means 60 to create and send a button operation confirmation command, and the control on the main control means 60 side can be simplified.

5] An operation switch signal from the operation switch 15a may be input to the main control means 60. In this case, the control operation of the symbol control means 90 or the sound lamp control means 80 can be simplified.
6] In S13 of the operation check preparation control shown in FIG. 10, it may be within a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) after the power is turned on in addition to the demonstration state.

7] In S11 of the operation confirmation preparation control shown in FIG. 10, a normal state other than the special game state due to the jackpot may be used other than the special symbol fluctuation state.
8] In S41 of the operation confirmation control shown in FIG. 11, instead of displaying “operation button: normal”, an image image (mark) such as a character dedicated to operation confirmation, a background image, or an icon may be displayed. Good. In addition, when the game board 5 or the front frame 4 is provided with a dot display for effect display, the dot display displays an image image (such as a character dedicated to operation confirmation, a background image, an icon) Mark) may be displayed.

  Further, a sound used for production or a special sound dedicated to operation confirmation may be output from the speaker 55. Further, the decorative lamp 57 may be controlled to emit light by a lamp lighting mode used for production or a special lamp lighting mode dedicated to operation confirmation. Furthermore, when a movable object such as a rotating body or a movable accessory is provided on the game board 5, these movable objects may be driven for a predetermined time.

  9] A dedicated operation confirmation display for confirming the operation state of the operation button 15 is separately provided, and “operation button: normal”, an image (mark), etc. are displayed on the operation confirmation display. May be. In this case, even if the use of the operation button 15 is not enabled, the player can check the operation of the operation button 15 by forcibly enabling it. Here, dedicated operation confirmation means may be provided separately. In this case, the operation confirmation means may be constituted by display means, sound generation means, light emitting means, movable means, and the like.

  10] In S43 of the operation confirmation control shown in FIG. 11, the operation confirmation mode may be automatically canceled after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation confirmation mode was set, and the operation button 15 is operated again. The operation confirmation mode may be canceled.

  11] In S46 of the operation confirmation control shown in FIG. 11, the operation display lamp 15b blinks at high speed, vibrates, generates heat, generates odor, etc., visually, tactilely, audibly, olfactory You may make it alert | report an abnormal state with the various alerting | reporting form which can be recognized to.

  12] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the operation button 15 for changing the contents of the production. However, the player can operate such as a firing stop button, a variation shortening button for forcibly shortening the variation time of the special symbol. Of course, the present invention can be applied to various operation buttons.

  13] The operation display lamp 15b is turned on when no operation switch signal is received from the operation switch 15a for a predetermined time after the operation confirmation lamp 15b is turned off and the operation confirmation mode is set. Also good.

14] When a specific gaming state detecting means for detecting a specific gaming state in which manual operation of the operation button 15 is effective when a specific reach effect is executed is provided in the sub-control means 90, The predetermined state detecting means may be provided in the sub-control means 90.
15] The operation state detection means, the operation confirmation mode setting means, and the notification control means 91c may be provided in the main control means 60.

16] Notification may be performed based on the operation button 15 being operated for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times. In this case, it is not necessary to set the operation confirmation mode. Further, the operation may be confirmed based on the detection by the predetermined state detection unit or the operation state detection unit.
17] When the predetermined state is detected by the predetermined state detection means while the operation button 15 has been operated for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, a notification may be given.

18] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be added and the present invention can be applied without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko machines but also to various ball game machines such as an arrange ball machine and a sparrow ball game machine that use various game media such as game balls and coins.
19] In particular, when the present invention is applied to a slot machine, the operation buttons may be a start lever, a stop button, a bet button, various operation buttons for effects, and the like.

Applicable to inspection of operation state of various operation buttons used in various game machines such as a ball game machine, a slot machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball game machine using various game media such as game balls and coins. .

2 Pachinko machines (ball game machines)
60 Main control means 15 Operation button 15a Operation switch 15b Operation display lamp 90 Symbol control means 91c Notification control means 22 Normal winning means 23 Normal symbol starting means 24 Special symbol starting means 25 Extra prize opening means 30 Symbol display means

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine that is equipped with operating means (15) that can be manually operated at a predetermined location of the gaming machine, and that can be involved in gaming based on the operation of the operating means (15),
Predetermined state detecting means (S11 to S17) for detecting that a predetermined state is established;
Operation state detection means (S37) for detecting the operation state of the operation means (15);
An operation for setting an operation confirmation mode including a process for setting an operable time of the operation means (15) in an operation timer based on the establishment of the predetermined state by the predetermined state detection means (S11 to S17). Confirmation mode setting means (S34),
Based on the detection result of the operation state detection means (S37) when the operation means (15) is operated in the state in which the operation check mode is set, the notification means (30, 15b, 55) has a predetermined value. A notification control means (91c) for informing,
The operation means (15) has an operation indicator lamp (15b) capable of emitting light, and the notification control means (91c) is based on the fact that the operation confirmation mode is set by the operation confirmation mode setting means (S34). The operation display lamp (15b) is caused to emit light, and when it is determined that there is a detection based on the detection result received from the operation state detection means (S37), the operation display lamp (15b) is stopped emitting light, and the operation means Regardless of whether or not the operation of (15), if the operable time has elapsed, the operation display lamp (15b) is turned off.
A gaming machine characterized by that. A display means (30) capable of displaying predetermined information is provided,
The said notification control means (91c) performs control which displays a predetermined information on the said display means (30) based on the detection result of the said operation state detection means (S37). Gaming machine.

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