JP5121003B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines.

  As one of the above-mentioned gaming machines, for example, in a pachinko machine, a program built in the gaming machine at the time of starting winning a ball to a starting winning opening provided on the gaming board is generally a big hit (also referred to as “special prize”) / defeat. A lottery process is performed, and in the case of a big win, a gaming state advantageous to the player is provided. The gaming machine includes a special symbol display device that displays a special symbol that notifies the actual lottery result, and an effect symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays the effect symbol. The special symbol is a simple symbol composed of a plurality of numbers, figures, and the like, while the effect symbol is a variety of symbols in which human characters, animation characters, and the like are combined with numbers. The reason why the special symbol display and the production symbol display are performed separately is because their roles are different. In other words, the role of the special symbol is to inform the player of the lottery result (big hit or miss), whereas the role of the staging symbol is to provide fun content that the player can enjoy in the game. It is. Therefore, the gaming machine synchronizes the production pattern with music, sound effects, etc., or presents changes in the gaming state using the production design, so that the player can be thrilled and excited. provide. Players generally tend to select a model to play on the basis of the fun of production, so whether a product hits depends largely on the fun of the production.

  The control of the effect design described above is performed by a control unit inside the gaming machine, and the configuration of the control unit will be briefly described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 200 inside the gaming machine 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit mainly includes three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370.

  The main control unit 310 performs determination processing such as reach, jackpot, probability variation, loss, etc. according to a random number generated internally based on detection of a game ball by winning at the start winning opening, and various types of control to the sub-control unit 340. The command transmission process and the entire gaming machine are controlled. The main control unit 310 also controls the special symbol display device 102 that displays special symbols. Here, “reach” means, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, on the effect symbol display device, two of the plurality of symbol rows (generally, three rows) are the same symbol first. And the remaining one symbol row (final stop symbol) is changing. When the final stop symbol stops at the same symbol as the already stopped symbol, a jackpot action occurs. This reach is an effect that gives the player the expectation that it may be a big hit.

  The sub control unit 340 creates a command for controlling the display control unit 370 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 310 and transmits the command to the display control unit 370. In addition, the sub-control unit 340 controls the blinking of lamps provided in the game area, etc., controls the sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and controls the rotation of the motor, and controls the character figure installed in the game area. The movable object for production, such as, is controlled.

  The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 which is a liquid crystal display device or the like according to the command transmitted by the sub control unit 340.

  The variation pattern of the effect symbol displayed by the effect symbol display device 103 is determined according to the content of the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340. The variation pattern command is a command for instructing a variation mode of the effect symbol displayed on the display screen of the effect symbol display device 103 at the time of reach, jackpot, or losing. The main control unit 310 transmits this variation pattern command and other commands to the sub-control unit 340, and the sub-control unit 340 transmits the received variation pattern command and the like to the display control unit 370.

  Receiving the variation pattern command, the display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 to perform the designated effect operation for the variation time specified by the variation pattern command. Further, the display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 to stop at the designated symbol.

  The gaming machine performs transmission / reception processing of various commands and execution processing of various commands based on the above configuration, and provides various effects to the player.

  Now, as described above, whether or not a big win is won for a gaming machine is determined by a lottery performed at the time of winning a game ball to the start winning opening, but the player participates in the effect displayed on the effect symbol display device There is also a gaming machine that provides an effect that a player can expect to win a jackpot depending on his skill. For example, in Patent Document 1, a push button (effect button) that can be directly operated by the player is provided outside the game board, and the player moves the effect screen on the effect screen by operating the switch (ostrich). A gaming machine is disclosed in which a player can participate in the production by providing an optional game (shooting wind game). In this gaming machine, when the player presses the switch at an appropriate timing, an effect that makes the player feel that it may be a big hit is added.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-87769

  However, as described above, whether or not the jackpot is established (hit or miss) is determined by a lottery performed at the time of winning the game ball to the start winning opening, so the lottery result and the game In most cases, the result does not match the user's operation result. Therefore, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a control that adds an effect afterwards so that the lottery result matches the player's operation result in order to convince the player even in such a case. I do. Specifically, if the lottery result is out of place, even if the player thinks that the player can press the staged button in a timely manner, the stage will be forcibly performed so that the target will not be captured. In such a case, even if the player does not press the effect button in a timely manner, an effect that forcibly captures the target is performed. Therefore, in such a gaming machine, the player feels a difference between pressing the effect button at an accurate timing and the result obtained thereby. In addition, since it is impossible to realize whether or not the timing of pressing the button was correct, there was a problem that the effect of the effect button was not fully exhibited without feeling much incentive to press the effect button.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an effect function that informs the player whether or not the effect button is pressed at an accurate timing in a gaming machine in which the effect changes when the player operates the effect button. It is to provide a gaming machine with a lot of entertainment by giving the enjoyment of operating a production button to a person.

The gaming machine according to the present invention transitions to an advantageous state for the player or presents it to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied by winning the game ball at the symbol start opening by the player's operation. In the gaming machine that controls the production, a first control unit (310 in FIG. 3) that outputs different production control information (variation pattern command shown in FIG. 9) based on the lottery result, and an instruction from the player (FIG. 3), and a second control unit (340 in FIG. 3) capable of changing the production in accordance with the instruction. The second control unit is configured to reach based on the information for production control. A means (see FIG. 13) for obtaining a predetermined time zone (see FIG. 12) during which the final stop symbol passes the jackpot active line during the change, and validating an instruction from the player only in the time zone, The final stop symbol is a big hit Depending on the means for setting the effective time of the effect button (120 in FIG. 3) as the effective timing immediately before passing the in, and the information for effect control when receiving an instruction from the player during the predetermined time period Te, that it has received the instruction to strip the predetermined time, wherein said predetermined condition is a means for performing whether to effect inform the player regardless of incorporation (see Figure 13).

  In addition, in the gaming machine of the present invention, when the second control unit receives an instruction from the player during a predetermined time zone, when the information for effect control indicates a jackpot, the predetermined time zone. And a means (see FIG. 13) for selectively performing an effect informing the player that the instruction has been received and an effect informing the player that the jackpot has been won.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is characterized in that the second control unit further performs an effect (see FIG. 13) that prompts the player to issue an instruction during reach fluctuation.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention has an effect that informs the player that an instruction has been received in a predetermined time period, the generation of sound effects, the image displayed on the effect symbol display device, the lighting of the lamp, or the moving object This is performed by movement (see FIG. 14).

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a gaming machine in which a player performs a predetermined effect by pressing an effect button during the reach operation, the final stop symbol passes slightly over the effective line of the jackpot during the reach operation. If the production button is pressed during a limited time period (hereinafter referred to as “effective timing”), even if the lottery result is out of play, the timing that the production button was pressed is accurate. Production function to inform the person. Examples of means for notifying the player of this include sound effects, images displayed on the effect symbol display device, lighting of lamps, movement of movable objects, and the like.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game machine that gives the player the pleasure of operating the effect button and is rich in entertainment. The reason is that an effect function is provided that informs the player by means of sound effects or the like whether or not the effect button has been pressed at the effective timing.

  According to the present invention, it is also possible to provide an effect that makes the player feel that the jackpot has been won by operating the effect button. The reason for this is that when the information for effect control indicates a jackpot, an effect that informs the player that the instruction has been received in a predetermined time zone and an effect that notifies the player that the jackpot has been won are selectively performed. This is because means are provided.

  According to the present invention, the player can be informed of the pleasure of pressing the effect button. The reason is that during the reach change, an effect (notification) for prompting the player to participate in the game is performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which has the same function in each drawing.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a gaming board 101 for installing a game machine character on the board, a special symbol display device 102, a production symbol display device 103, a first start winning opening 104, a normal symbol display device. The operation gate (left) 105, the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal electric accessory (tulip) 108 which is also the second start winning port (hereinafter referred to as the second start winning port 108) ), A variable winning ball device 109 having a big winning opening, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, a normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 113, particularly related to the present embodiment. A production switch 120 and the like are provided.

  The special symbol display device 102 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, etc., and variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. To do. The jackpot display is performed by making the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 a predetermined combination of symbols. The special symbol display device 102 is, for example, a two-digit 7-segment LED.

  The production symbol display device 103 is a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Display fluctuating. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 11, the effect symbol display device 103 includes one column of effect symbol display areas for displaying numbers, and the jackpot effective line is one horizontal line.

  The first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 detects the winning by turning on the internal special symbol start switch when the game ball launched by the player wins, and the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is detected. Give an opportunity to change. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 pass when the game ball launched by the player passes and the normal symbol operation switch inside is turned ON. A sphere is detected, and a normal symbol change trigger of the normal symbol display device 107 is given.

  The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays a normal symbol with a 7-segment LED or the like. The second start winning port 108 is opened when the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying a specific normal symbol, and facilitates winning in the second start winning port 108. The first start winning opening 104 is always open.

  When the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a combination of specific symbols that are determined in advance, that is, when the big winning game is a big hit, An opening / closing member 114 attached to the front performs opening and closing operations.

  During the jackpot game, the opening / closing member 114 opens almost horizontally, and the variable winning ball device 109 that receives a winning game ball is opened, and a large number of winning game balls are received. When a game ball wins the variable winning ball device 109, a large winning opening switch inside the variable winning ball device 109 is turned ON. Thereby, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the variable winning ball device 109, and pays out the winning balls (out balls, safe balls) accompanying the winning. The opening of the variable winning ball device 109 is continued until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number (a predetermined number of winning prize winning prizes) of game balls wins the variable winning ball device 109. Normally, this opening is performed 16 times. One opening is called one round. Therefore, jackpot games are typically played over 16 rounds.

  The gaming machine handle 111 includes a touch sensor and a stop button (stop firing) 116. The touch sensor detects that the player has gripped the gaming machine handle 111, and then the variable resistor inside the gaming machine handle 111 indicates that the gaming machine handle 111 has been rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118. When detected, a ball launcher (not shown) continuously launches game balls. The player can turn the gaming machine handle 111 in the right direction 117 or the left direction 118 to adjust the launch of the game ball to be launched onto the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the ball launcher stops launching the game ball.

  The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 is turned on when winning the first start winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 during the variation of the special symbol (hereinafter referred to as holding of the ball), Special symbol) Announces the number of possible fluctuations. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103.

  The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 lights up when the normal symbol operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol operation gate (right) 106 passes during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and the number of times the symbol (ordinary symbol) can be continuously varied is changed. Is notified. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103.

  The objects, nails, and the like installed on the game board 101 are covered with a glass plate, and a game ball that has been launched from the space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 falls.

  The gaming machine 100 includes an effect switch 120 particularly related to the present embodiment. The player can change the effect provided by the gaming machine by operating the effect switch 120.

(Configuration of control unit of gaming machine)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100.

  The control unit 300 mainly includes three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370. In order to prevent illegal acts and to restrict legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function, and is connected directly or indirectly so that communication is possible. When the main control unit 310 detects a winning to the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108, the main control unit 310 performs transmission of various commands and overall control of the gaming machine according to a random number generated inside. The main control unit 310 further controls the special symbol display device 102. The command includes a “command ID” section for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and an “event” for identifying a specific control information type in the identified gaming state. It consists of parts.

  The main control unit 310 transmits various commands such as a variation pattern command to the sub control unit 340.

  In order to provide various effects while reducing the processing load on the main control unit 310, the main control unit 310 may perform the process without the stop symbol determination process. In other words, the sub-control unit 340 may perform the variation control of the effect symbol based on the variation pattern command received from the main control unit 310, and may determine the stop symbol by itself.

  When the sub control unit 340 receives the variation pattern command or the like, the sub control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command or the like to the display control unit 370. When the sub-control unit 340 receives the variation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 controls the blinking of the lamps provided in the gaming area, controls the sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and controls the rotation of the motor to enter the gaming area. Control of moving objects for production such as provided character figures is also performed.

  In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 340 receives a signal accompanying the pressing of the effect button 120 and detects that the effect button 120 has been pressed. Further, the sub-control unit 340 grasps the effective timing based on the variation pattern command received from the main control unit 310, determines whether or not the effect button 120 is pressed at the effective timing, Production control is performed to produce a sound effect. That is, although details will be described later, if the player presses the effect button 120 at the effective timing during the reach change, the timing at which the effect button 120 is pressed is accurate even if the lottery result is off. Is notified to the player by sound effects.

  The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 based on a variation pattern command or the like transmitted from the sub control unit 340.

  In addition, you may grasp | ascertain the sub control part 340 and the display control part 370 as one production | generation control part which cooperates and controls regarding the production of a game machine, without considering it as a separate separate control part.

  Next, each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

(Configuration and function of main controller)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the main control unit 310.

  The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, a special winning opening solenoid output port 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a special symbol operation memory display. It includes a lamp port 436, a normal symbol operation memory display lamp port 438, a sub-control command output port (sends a variation pattern command, etc.) 440, a payout control command output port 442, an external information output port 444, and an input port 426. .

  The main control unit 310 inputs data from various switches (special symbol start switch 410, normal symbol operation switch 412, big prize opening switch 414, and other switches 418) via the input port 426 and processes them.

  The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 102, the special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) via the output ports 428 to 438, 444. ) 113, the special prize opening solenoid 446, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448, and the external information output unit 454 are directly controlled. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 controls the sub control unit 340 by transmitting a sub control command (variation pattern command or the like) to the sub control unit 340. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls.

  Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail.

  The special symbol start switch 410 is turned on when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 passes through this switch, and the special symbol start switch 410 is triggered by this. The display device 102 starts changing the special symbol.

  The normal symbol operation switch 412 is turned on when a game ball that has been launched by the player and passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. In response to this, the normal symbol display device 107 starts changing the normal symbol.

  The big winning opening switch 414 is turned on when a game ball that has won the variable winning ball device 109 during the big hit game passes this switch, and the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball as a trigger.

  The other switches 418 are turned on when a game ball that has won a winning opening other than the first starting winning opening 104, the second starting winning opening 108, and the variable winning ball apparatus 109 passes through this switch. In addition, the main control unit 310 detects a winning game ball.

  The CPU 422 controls the entire main control unit.

  The ROM 420 stores a program for the main control unit 310 and various parameter values for controlling the gaming machine.

  The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and a holding memory for storing information of each holding ball. Have.

  The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The special symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times the special symbol is scheduled to change. The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the normal symbol variation scheduled number of times.

  The big winning opening solenoid 446 is one of the components inside the variable winning ball device 109, and the opening / closing member 114 disposed on the front surface of the variable winning ball device 109 during the big hit game is based on an instruction from the main control unit 310. Open.

  When the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying the normal symbol, the normal electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the normal electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310.

  The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310, and when a winning is detected by the special symbol start switch 410, the big prize opening switch 414, other switches 418, etc., the payout ball payout device 452 Instruct the payout of prize balls.

  The external information output unit 454 provides information from the CPU 422 to the information display device 201. The information display device 201 is connected to the gaming machine via the external information output unit 454 of the gaming machine. The CPU 422 outputs, to the information display device 201, a signal that indicates the stop of symbol variation, the big hit state, and the like via the external information output unit 454. The signals are, for example, a jackpot signal, a winning number signal, a start signal, a time reduction signal, and a door opening signal.

(Configuration and function of sub-control unit)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the sub control unit 340.

  Similar to the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340 includes a CPU 514, a RAM 512, a ROM 510, various input ports 516, and various output ports 518. The CPU 514 controls the entire sub control unit. The ROM 510 stores a program for the sub-control unit 340 and various parameter values for controlling the gaming machine.

  The sub control unit 340 receives a sub control command (variation pattern command or the like) transmitted by the main control unit 310.

  The sub control unit 340 transmits the received variation pattern command or the like to the display control unit 370. Further, the sub control unit 340 transmits a variation pattern command or the like to the display control unit 370. Further, the sub-control unit 340 performs blinking control of the lamp display device 520, generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the effect movable object 524, and the like. As described above, the sub-control unit 340 centrally controls effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, sound effect generation, and control of the movable object for effect, thereby reducing the load on the main control unit 310.

  The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the sub-control unit 340. The effect movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

  As described above, the sub-control unit 340 receives the signal from the effect button 120 and detects that the effect button 120 has been pressed.

  The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sound effect generator 522 generates a sound effect described later when the effect button 120 is pressed by the player at a predetermined timing.

(Configuration and function of display control unit)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the display control unit 370.

  The display control unit 370 includes an input port 618 for receiving various commands (variation pattern commands and the like), a CPU 620, a program ROM 610, a RAM 612, an image processing LSI (VDP) 622, a character ROM 616, a video RAM 614, and an output port 624.

  The CPU 620 performs image display control according to the received various commands and the image processing program stored in the program ROM 610. The RAM 612 stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing. The VDP 622 displays image data in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 620. The video RAM 614 stores image data to be displayed in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like.

  The display control unit 370 performs display control of the effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the variation pattern command or the like.

(Processing content of main control unit 310)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing command transmission processing by the main control unit 310.

  When the main control unit 310 detects that a game ball has won the first start winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108 (S700), the start winning hold process (S702) determines whether the symbol is changing. After the process (S704) and the determination process of presence / absence of a reserved ball (S706), a lottery process for winning / losing a jackpot is performed (S708).

  Next, the main control unit 310 determines whether the lottery result is a big hit or miss (S710). If the lottery result is a big hit, the process proceeds to S712, and if not, the process proceeds to S714. Specifically, the main control unit 310 subtracts a random number value from the jackpot random number counter at the timing when the start winning is detected, compares the random number value with a predetermined jackpot determination value, and if both match, Start the process.

  When the jackpot is lottery, the main control unit 310 selects a variation pattern for jackpot and an effect symbol (stop symbol) for jackpot (S712). On the other hand, in the case of detachment, the main control unit 310 selects a variation pattern for detachment and an effect design (stop symbol) for detachment (S714).

  Next, the main control unit 310 transmits a variation pattern command corresponding to the selected variation pattern and an effect symbol designation command corresponding to the effect symbol to the sub-control unit 340 (S716). In order to reduce the processing burden on the main control unit 310 and provide a variety of effect symbols, the main control unit 310 does not perform the effect symbol lottery process / effect symbol command transmission process, and the sub-control unit 340 does not generate the effect symbols. A determination process may be performed. That is, the sub-control unit 340 may determine the effect design itself based on the received variation pattern command.

  Next, in the case of a jackpot, the main control unit 310 transmits an opening command instructing the start of the jackpot game to the sub-control unit 340 (S718, S720). Then, when the jackpot game of a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) ends, the main control unit 310 transmits an ending command instructing the end of the jackpot game to the sub-control unit 340 (S722).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the variation pattern command selection process by the main control unit 310 in particular.

  In FIG. 8, the main control unit 310 performs a lottery process for jackpot / losing (S800). Next, the main control unit 310 determines whether the lottery result is a big hit or miss (S802). If the lottery result is a big win, the process proceeds to S804, and if not, the process proceeds to S810.

  The main control unit 310 refers to the variation pattern command table at the time of jackpot (S804). Next, the main control unit 310 selects one variation pattern command from the referenced variation pattern command table (S806). The main control unit 310 transmits the selected variation pattern command to the sub control unit 340 (S808). On the other hand, when it is determined in S802 that it is out, the main control unit 310 refers to the fluctuation pattern command table at the time of out (S810). Next, as in the case of jackpot, one variation pattern command is selected from the referenced variation pattern command table (S806), and the variation pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340 (S808).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a list of variation pattern commands that the main control unit 310 transmits to the sub control unit 340.

  The main control unit 310 transmits any one of the variation pattern commands corresponding to the variation pattern numbers (1 to 36) at the time of disconnection. On the other hand, at the time of a big hit, any one of the variation pattern commands corresponding to the variation pattern numbers (37 to 114) is transmitted. This table will be described in more detail. The command ID value of the variation pattern command is common to “A0” H, and the EVENT values are “01” H to “04” H, “05” H to “14” H, “15”. “H” to “24” H, “25” H to “44” H, and “45” H to “72” H. Fluctuation pattern numbers 1 to 4 (variation pattern commands: “A0” H + “01” H to “04” H) are normal fluctuations (non-reach fluctuation patterns with no reach), and each symbol scrolls monotonously. Then, the fluctuation pattern that stops at the deviated symbol after the fluctuation) is shown. Fluctuation pattern numbers 5 to 20 (variation pattern commands: “A0” H + “05” H to “14” H) indicate a variation pattern that stops at a deviated symbol through normal reach variation. Fluctuation pattern numbers 21 to 36 (fluctuation pattern commands: “A0” H + “15” H to “24” H) indicate a variation pattern that stops at a deviated symbol through a super reach variation. Fluctuation pattern numbers 37 to 68 (variation pattern commands: “A0” H + “25” H to “44” H) indicate a variation pattern that stops at a jackpot symbol through normal reach variation. Fluctuation pattern numbers 69 to 114 (variation pattern commands: “A0” H + “45” H to “72” H) indicate a variation pattern that stops at the jackpot symbol through the super reach variation. Here, the normal reach indicates a state in which the final stop symbol changes with normal rotation, and the super reach indicates a state in which the final stop symbol changes in the order of normal rotation, high speed rotation, and low speed rotation.

  After receiving the above variation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 performs effects described below according to the type of the variation pattern command.

(Processing contents of sub-control unit 340)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the variation pattern command by the sub-control unit 340. The sub-control unit 340 receives the above-described variation pattern command from the main control unit 310 (S1000), and performs the following effects based on the received variation pattern command (S1002).

  When the sub-control unit 340 receives the fluctuation pattern command instructing the reach (normal reach and super reach) fluctuation, based on the type of the fluctuation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 determines the effective timing (the final stop symbol on the effective line during the reach operation) For a few hours). That is, every time the sub-control unit 340 receives a variation pattern command instructing reach variation, the number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) the final stop symbol passes on the effective line after the variation starts. The passage timing is obtained. Specifically, when the sub-control unit 340 receives the variation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 refers to a table held by the sub-control unit 340 and acquires the number of times that the final stop symbol passes on the active line and the passage timing. In this table, a correspondence table between the variation pattern command and the passage timing time information is stored in advance. For example, by referring to the table, the sub-control unit 340 acquires information that the final stop symbol passes once on the active line after 4 seconds when the variation pattern command is A005H, or varies When the pattern command is A015H, information is acquired that the final stop symbol passes through the effective line twice after 4 seconds and after 10 seconds.

  Further, the sub-control unit 340 determines a time for enabling the function of the effect button 120, that is, an effective timing based on the acquired passage timing.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the timing when the function of the effect button 120 becomes effective.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, 0.3 seconds immediately before passing the effective line is set as the effective timing of the effect button 120. The reason why the effective timing is 0.3 seconds is that when the effect button 120 can be pressed at this timing, the player can feel that the button has been pressed at an accurate timing (referred to as a “feeling of pressing”). It is. Here, “to push” is an act of identifying a symbol that fluctuates with the eyes and attempting to stop the symbol aiming at a specific symbol, and is an action generally performed in pachislot games.

  When the effect button 120 is pressed at the effective timing, the sub-control unit 340 performs a predetermined effect. That is, when the production button 120 is pressed in a short time of 0.3 seconds, the sub-control unit 340 presses the production button 120 accurately regardless of whether the lottery result is a hit or not. This is notified to the player by sound effects. Further, the sub-control unit 340 provides a notification function for notifying the player of the effectiveness of the effect button 120 by displaying a message such as “Aim and press the button” on the effect symbol display device 103 according to the type of reach. Also good. Further, the sub-control unit 340 may provide the player with a sense of the effective timing of the effect button 120 by further providing a mechanism that illuminates the effect button 120 at the effective timing of the effect button 120.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a timing chart for explaining an effect in the case where a jackpot or loss is reached through reach. In the figure, the horizontal line shows how the final stop symbol changes after receiving the change pattern command. In this figure, there are 20 horizontal lines, which correspond to 20 types of variation pattern commands. The vertical line shows how the final stop symbol changes one symbol at a time. The change time of one pattern is 0.5 seconds. The effective timing of the effect button 120 is 0.3 seconds.

  FIG. 13A is a timing chart for explaining an effect in the case of a big win through reach. In this reach, regardless of whether or not the effect button 120 is pressed, the symbols are finally aligned and the jackpot operation is started, but if the effect button 120 is pressed at an effective timing, an effect that produces a sound effect is made. As can be seen from the figure, the contents of the reach operation differ depending on the type of the variation pattern command.

  When the fluctuation pattern command of normal reach (per 1st round) is received, the final stop symbol stops at the time of passing the first effective line (1) after starting the fluctuation, and starts the jackpot operation. That is, the effective timing in this case is once. When the production button 120 is pressed at this effective timing, the sub-control unit 340 emits a first sound effect (for example, an explosion sound like “Dokan”) that informs that a big hit has occurred, Make players realize that they have hit the jackpot. When the effect button 120 is not pressed at the effective timing, the jackpot operation is started without generating a sound effect.

  When the fluctuation pattern command of normal reach (per second round) is received, the final stop symbol stops at the time of passing the second effective line (3) after starting the fluctuation, and starts the jackpot operation. In other words, the effective timing in this case is a maximum of 2 times (2 and 3). When the effect button 120 is pressed at the first effective timing (2), the sub-control unit 340 draws a sound effect to be emitted. The sound effects include a first sound effect (for example, explosive sound generation) for notifying that the above-mentioned jackpot has been reached, and a second sound effect (for example, “Peep” for notifying that the production button 120 has been pressed at an effective timing. Electronic sound). When the first sound effect is selected, the sub-control unit 340 emits the first sound effect, stops the final stop symbol, and enters a jackpot operation. On the other hand, when the second sound effect is selected, the sub-control unit 340 emits the second sound effect and continues the variation of the final stop symbol. A player who hears the second sound effect can know that the timing of pressing the effect button 120 was accurate. Subsequently, when the player presses the effect button 120 at the second effective timing (3), the sub-control unit 340 emits the first sound effect, stops the final stop symbol, and enters the jackpot operation.

  When a super-reach variation pattern command is received, the final stop symbol is rotated in a normal rotation, high-speed rotation, and low-speed rotation. The effective timing in this case is a maximum of 3 times (4, 5, 8). When the effect button 120 is pressed at the first (4) or second (5) effective timing, the sub-control unit 340 draws out the sound effects to be emitted. Therefore, the sub-control unit 340 may emit the second sound effect at the first (4) and second (5) effective timings and may emit the first sound effect at the third effective timing (8). . Further, the sub-control unit 340 may display a message such as “Press the button aiming” on the effect symbol display device 103 while the final stop symbol is rotating at high speed or low speed.

  FIG. 13 (b) is a timing chart for explaining the effects in the case of being out of reach through reach. In this reach, the effect button 120 is finally released regardless of whether or not the effect button 120 is pressed in a timely manner, but if the effect button 120 is pressed at an effective timing, an effect of generating the second sound effect is performed. In the case of normal reach, the effective timing is once (6), and in the case of super reach, the effective timing is three times (6, 7, 9). Even if the effect button 120 is pressed at any effective timing, the player is released. However, the player can know that the timing of pressing the effect button 120 was accurate by listening to the second sound effect.

  In the above example, there is an effect that informs the player through the sound effect that the timing at which the effect button 120 is pressed is accurate, but as shown in FIG. It may be an effect that informs the player to that effect through an image displayed on the device 103, lighting of a lamp, special movement of a movable object, or the like.

It is a figure which shows an example of the front view of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the conventional control part of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the control part of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the main control part of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the sub-control part of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the display control part of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the command transmission process by the main control part of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the selection process of the change pattern command by the main control part of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the list of the fluctuation pattern commands which the main control part of a game machine transmits to a sub-control part. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process of the fluctuation pattern command by the sub-control part of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol displayed on the effect symbol display apparatus of a gaming machine during reach change. It is a figure for demonstrating the timing when the function of an effect button becomes effective. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart for demonstrating the production | presentation in the case where it becomes a jackpot or loses through reach. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

103 Effect Symbol Display Device 120 Effect Button 310 Main Control Unit 340 Sub Control Unit 370 Display Control Unit

Claims (4)

When the game ball wins the symbol starting port by the player's operation,
In a gaming machine that controls an effect presented to a player, or transitions to a state advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is established,
A first control unit for outputting different production control information based on the lottery result;
A second control unit capable of receiving an instruction from the player and changing the effect according to the instruction;
The second controller is
Based on the information for the effect control, a means for obtaining a predetermined time zone during which the final stop symbol passes the jackpot active line during reach fluctuation and validating an instruction from the player only in the time zone, Means for setting a predetermined time immediately before the final stop symbol passes the jackpot effective line as an effective timing of the effect button;
Whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, when the instruction is received from the player during the predetermined time period, the instruction is received during the predetermined time period according to the information for the effect control. game machine characterized by comprising a means for performing an effect informing the player regardless.   When the second control unit receives an instruction from the player during the predetermined time period and the information for effect control indicates a big hit, the second control unit receives the instruction during the predetermined time period. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively performing an effect informing the player of the fact and an effect informing that the player has won the jackpot.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit further performs an effect of prompting the player to issue the instruction during a reach change.   The effect of notifying the player that the instruction has been received in the predetermined time period is performed by generating a sound effect, an image to be displayed on the effect symbol display device, lighting of a lamp, or movement of a movable object. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images