JP5177635B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly, to an effect control technique in a ball game machine.

  Various types of pachinko machines are popular as bullet ball machines. Among conventional pachinko gaming machines, when a game ball enters a start port formed on a game board, a lottery value is randomly acquired as a result. The acquired lottery values are temporarily stored, for example, up to four as reserved balls. The reserved balls are sequentially read one by one. The read lottery value is determined whether or not the winning symbol is determined, and a symbol called a special symbol is variably displayed.

When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the winning mode, the gaming state shifts to a special game as a so-called “big hit”. A special game is composed of a plurality of unit games. The big prize opening formed on the game board is opened at the start of the unit game. The unit game ends when a predetermined period, for example, 30 seconds elapses from the start of the unit game, or when nine or more game balls are won in the big prize opening during the unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is also closed. During a unit game, if the game ball passes through a specific area called a V zone provided in the special winning opening, the unit game is continued to the next unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is opened again. The unit game can be continued up to a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times. When the game balls fall into the big prize opening, more game balls than usual are paid out as prize balls.
A general player plays a game for the purpose of opening a special winning opening in order to obtain a lot of prize balls, that is, shifting the gaming state to a special game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such a pachinko gaming machine, a plurality of substrates are electrically connected by signal lines. This signal line transmits a control command for each board as an electrical signal (hereinafter, such commands and data relating to the control of game contents are referred to as “game control data”). Usually, a main control device called a main board is in charge of a game ball winning determination, lottery, payout and the like. On the other hand, a sub-control device called a sub-board mainly takes charge of audiovisual user interface processing such as display of effect images and sound output. Depending on the game situation, the main board transmits various game control data to the sub-board. The sub board performs an effect process and the like based on the game control data from the main board.
JP 2003-230714 A JP 2006-149531 A

  Currently, Pachinko manufacturers are faced with the need to develop new models one after another using limited resources. For this reason, it is not realistic to change the part related to the basic control of the game, that is, the main board for each new model. Rather, there is a tendency to concentrate development resources on the part related to the user interface, that is, the sub-board while using the architecture of the main board as a platform.

The main board holds an ID (hereinafter referred to as “main pattern information”) that identifies a special symbol variation pattern. The main board selects a special symbol variation pattern when determining whether or not it is correct. Then, main pattern information indicating which variation pattern is selected as a part of the game control data is notified to the sub-board. The sub-board selects a variation pattern of the effect symbol associated with the main pattern information in advance. The effect symbol is a symbol that is variably displayed mainly for the effect purpose in conjunction with the variation display of the special symbol. For example, three effect symbols are variably displayed, and three effect symbols of the same pattern are displayed side by side and displayed in succession when a big hit is made. In this case, the player is urged to expect the jackpot depending on whether or not three effect symbols having the same pattern are stopped and displayed side by side.
As described above, the main board often holds the main pattern information, and graphics data to be actually displayed on the liquid crystal screen is often held by the sub board.

  In recent years, variations in production are expanding, and along with this, the memory capacity required for the sub-board is also rapidly increasing. As an example, after temporarily stopping the display of the effect symbol in an out-of-progress manner, arousing the player's disappointment, the variable display of the effect symbol is resumed, and the “re-variation effect” that definitely indicates the success or failure is displayed. Can be mentioned. In the re-variation effect, it is necessary to determine an effect symbol (hereinafter, referred to as “provisional loss symbol”) that should be temporarily stopped in the detachment mode. For example, if there are seven types of production symbols “1-7”, when the reach symbol is “1” and the provisional loss is indicated, the provisional failure symbol candidate is other than “1”, that is, “2-7”. There are 6 types. Therefore, as the types of effect symbols increase, the combinations of reach symbols and provisionally dismissed symbols increase in terms of multipliers.

  However, there is a development situation that the memory capacity of the main board is not easily changed like the memory capacity of the sub board for the above-described reason. If the memory capacity of the main board is expanded, the addressing range is expanded, and as a result, the basic control portion of the game is affected. Although the amount of data per variation pattern of the special symbol is much smaller than the amount of data per variation pattern of the production symbol, the amount of variation pattern, in other words, the amount of information of the main pattern information At present, the expansion is pressing the memory capacity of the main board.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems recognized in this way, and the main purpose thereof is a technique for expanding the variation of production while suppressing the memory capacity required for the main control device, more specifically. Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique for realizing a re-variation effect rich in variations while suppressing the memory capacity required for the main control device.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ball game machine.
This ball game machine is provided at a predetermined position in the game area with a game board formed with a game area, a start winning opening through which a game ball can enter, and a predetermined position in the game area. A winning prize opening that can be entered into a state where it is possible to enter a ball, a symbol display device in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner, a main control device that controls the game content, and the control content of the main control device to the player through the variable display of symbols. A sub-control device shown.
The main control device has a lottery means for executing a lottery decision when a game ball has entered the starting prize opening, and when the result of the lottery is a win, the main control unit opens the big prize opening. A special game control means for executing a special game advantageous to the user, a pattern information holding means for holding a plurality of types of pattern information for specifying a fluctuation pattern that defines a fluctuation process from the start to the stop of the fluctuation of the symbol, and execution of the lottery determination As a trigger, pattern information selection means for selecting any pattern information, and instruction transmission means for transmitting the result of the lottery determination and the pattern information to the sub-control device are included.
The sub-control device has an instruction receiving means for receiving the result of the lottery determination and the pattern information, a pattern holding means for holding a plurality of fluctuation patterns, and an effect determination for selecting any fluctuation pattern according to the received pattern information. And a display control means for deterministically stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the received result of the lottery after the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device in accordance with the selected variation pattern.
The pattern holding means of the sub-control device, as part of a plurality of variation patterns, temporarily displays the symbols in a disengaged manner during the variation display of the symbols, displays the symbols again in a variable manner, and then determines whether or not the lottery The re-variation pattern that determines the variation process for deterministically stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the result of the pattern is held, and the pattern information holding means of the main control device identifies the re-variation pattern as part of a plurality of types of pattern information. When the re-variation pattern information is received, the effect determination means of the sub-control device selects the provisional out symbol to be temporarily stopped and displayed in a disengagement manner during the symbol variation display.

  The “pattern information” here may be information that can identify the variation pattern of the special symbol by using numbers, letters, symbols, or a combination thereof. According to such an aspect, when the main control device side selects the re-variation pattern information, the temporary losing symbol can be selected on the sub control device side. For this reason, the main controller does not have to prepare a plurality of re-variation pattern information corresponding to a plurality of provisional out-of-sequence symbols, and therefore, the re-variation rich in variations while suppressing the memory capacity required for the main control device. It becomes easy to realize the production.

  The pattern information holding means of the main control device holds a plurality of types of re-variation pattern information, and the pattern control means of the sub-control device further converts a plurality of types of re-variation pattern information into a plurality of types of temporary out-of-line symbols. Accordingly, a plurality of types of re-variation patterns are stored in association with each other, and when the re-variation pattern information is received, the effect determination means of the sub-control device includes a plurality of types of re-variation patterns. A re-variation pattern corresponding to the selected provisionally out-of-design may be selected.

  According to such an aspect, a plurality of types of re-variation patterns held on the sub-control device side are associated with one re-variation pattern information held on the main control device side. The sub-control device simply selects one of a plurality of re-variation patterns associated with one re-variation pattern information specified by the main control device, and a plurality of re-variation effects corresponding to a plurality of provisional out-of-sequence symbols. Can be realized.

  The effect determination means of the sub-control device refers to the symbol selection table in which the selection probability of each temporary out symbol is set so that the selection tendency of the temporary out symbol changes according to the gaming state at the time of receiving the re-variation pattern information. Any temporary off symbol may be selected with a selection probability corresponding to the result of the lottery determination.

  The game state here is a game state that is distinguished depending on whether it is during a specific game such as so-called probability change or short time, or whether or not the result of the lottery executed before selecting the re-variation pattern is a win. It may be. According to such an aspect, since the current gaming state can be estimated by the provisional losing symbol, it is easy to increase the player's attention to the provisional losing symbol. For example, in a type of bullet ball game machine that does not notify whether or not a probability change is in progress, it is assumed that a predetermined provisional off symbol is more easily selected during probability change than during non-probability change. In this case, it is possible to realize a gameability in which it is possible to infer whether or not the current probability change is in progress by paying attention to the temporary off-line symbol.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, in a ball game machine, various re-variation effects can be easily realized while suppressing the memory capacity required for the main control device.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine.
Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output. The operation button 82 is a button that the player operates to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Further, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expanding mechanism of the start port 62. When the start port 62 is expanded, the game ball easily enters the start port 62. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened when the special symbol 192 is stopped in a mode indicating “big hit”. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect display device 60 provided substantially in the center of the game area 52 have a variation of the special symbol 192 on each screen and an effect linked to the special symbol 192. The variation of the effect image including the symbol 190 is displayed (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variation display”). A lottery (hereinafter referred to as “winning lottery”) is executed in response to the entry of the game ball into the start port 62. After the winning / losing lottery, the variable symbol 192 starts to be displayed. The special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the success / failure lottery, and shows the result of the success / failure lottery in a mode when the variable display is stopped. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The special symbol display device 61 circulates numbers in the range of 0 to 9 as a variation display of the special symbol 192. When the special symbol 192 is stopped in a manner showing a win, a “big win” is generated, and the big winning opening 66 is opened.
The special symbol 192 is stopped and displayed as a stop symbol of 0 at the time of winning and 1-9 at the time of losing.

  The result of the winning / failing lottery is either a big hit or a failure, but the big hit can be further divided into two types of “normal win” and “probable win”. When the probability change wins, the subsequent winning lottery is executed with a higher win probability than usual. A gaming state that is advantageous to a player for which the winning probability of winning / failing lottery is set higher than usual is called “probability varying game”. The probability variation game continues until a big hit occurs again. In other words, it will continue until a normal win occurs.

  The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the effect symbol 190 in a manner interlocked with the variable symbol display of the special symbol 192. The production symbol 190 is a symbol for visually producing the result display of the success / failure lottery. On the screen of the effect display device 60, an effect image including a variation display mode of the effect symbol 190 is reproduced and displayed as a moving image. The variation display of the effect symbol 190 is linked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. That is, the variation display of the effect symbol 190 is started when the variation of the special symbol 192 is started, and the variation display of the effect symbol 190 is also stopped when the variation of the special symbol 192 is stopped. Further, the stop symbol of the effect symbol 190 is also determined according to the result of the lottery determination. The screen of the effect display device 60 is provided with three symbol areas, an upper variable row 210, a middle variable row 212, and a lower variable row 214. In each variable row, the effect symbol 190 is displayed in a horizontal direction from right to left. Is done. The effect is just like a reel in a slot machine. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 5 (c).

  The variation display of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is stopped after the lapse of the variation time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the effect symbol 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three symbols are matched. In the special game, the grand prize winning slot 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball is dropped while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated up to a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one game ball is dropped while the big prize opening 66 is opened once.

  The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passing of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol lottery”) for expanding the start port 62.

  When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, the normal symbol lottery is executed, and the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 for a predetermined time. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect display device 60. The normal symbol display device 59 includes two lamps. The operation in which the respective lamps alternately flash is an operation corresponding to “ordinary symbol variation display”. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%, and the game ball easily enters the start port 62. At this time, one of the two lamps of the normal symbol display device 59 is lit up.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. The effect display device 60 includes a plurality of movable accessories 140 that operate in accordance with the gaming state. A lottery hold lamp 20 is provided at the lower left of the effect display device 60, and an operation hold lamp 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right of the game area 52, which is a symmetrical position. Yes. The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. In other words, the lottery value can be stored up to four. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. In this way, it is possible to store a lottery value of normal symbols with an upper limit of four. The game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of effect by blinking.

  In the case of a normal win, a variable time-reduced game (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction” as appropriate) is started in the normal game after the special game ends. In the variation time shortening game, the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is shortened from the normal time. The variation time of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is returned to the original variation time after a predetermined number of variations are displayed. In the following, when the probability variation game and the variation time shortening game are collectively referred to as “specific game”. The specific game is a form in the normal game, and is more likely to shift to the special game than in the normal game. In general, the probability variation game is often more advantageous for the player than the variation time shortening game.

FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine.
The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 104 includes the liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable objects 140, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90, and in particular, display contents according to the lottery result by the main board 102. And the lighting of the movable accessory 140 and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment.
In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and operation buttons 82. The speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the movable accessory 140 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory 140, and the electric decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

The main board 102 includes a ball entering determination means 110, a winning / failing lottery means 112, a symbol determining means 114, a holding control means 116, a main display control means 118, a special game control means 120, a specific game execution means 122, an opening / closing control means 124 and instructions. A transmission means 200 is provided. The sub board 104 includes a pattern storage unit 130, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, an accessory control unit 136, and an instruction receiving unit 202.
Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

The main board 102 controls the basic flow of the game, and the processing result is transmitted to the sub-board 104 as game control data by the instruction transmission means 200. The instruction receiving unit 202 of the sub board 104 receives various game control data from the main board 102. The sub-board 104 executes an effect process corresponding to the game control data. The variation display of the special symbol 192 is controlled by the main substrate 102, and the variation display of the effect symbol 190 is controlled by the sub substrate 104. The main board 102 executes a lottery determination and selects a variation pattern that defines a variation process from the variation start to the variation end of the special symbol 192. Then, the sub board 104 is notified of the success / failure and the variation pattern. On the other hand, the sub-board 104 corresponds to the change pattern selected by the main board 102, and the change pattern that defines the change process from the start of change of the effect symbol 190 to the end of change (hereinafter referred to as the change pattern of the effect symbol 190). In particular, it is referred to as “production pattern”. At this time, an effect pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the variation time of the effect symbol 190 coincide is selected. After the effect symbol 190 is variably displayed according to the effect pattern, the effect symbol 190 indicating the success or failure is stopped and displayed on the effect display device 60.
In addition to the information indicating success / failure and the main pattern information specifying the variation pattern, the main board 102 also separately transmits information indicating the probability variation and the normal variation to the sub board 104. When the probability variation is reached, the sub-board 104 executes a predetermined effect indicating the probability variation transition.

1. Main board 102
The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 obtains a random number value as a “win / fail lottery value” in order to determine whether or not to shift from the normal game to the special game when the game ball enters the start port 62. One winning / failing lottery value is acquired from the range of 0 to 65535. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting.

  The winning / failing lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure determination table (hereinafter referred to as “non-probability variation appropriateness / prohibition table”) for determination of success / failure with a low probability except when the probability variation game is being executed. Reference is made to a success / failure table (hereinafter, referred to as a “probability change success / failure table”) for determination of success / failure by probability. In the non-probability change acceptance / rejection table, a success / failure lottery value in the range of 0 to 255 is determined to be winning. In the probability variation success / failure table, it is determined that the success / failure lottery value in the range of 0 to 2550 is a win. The success / failure lottery means 112 executes the success / failure lottery by referring to any of the success / failure tables and determining whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the winning / failing lottery means 112, that is, whether or not the winning / non-winning lottery means 112 is determined, is indicated by a special symbol 192 on the special symbol display device 61. The success / failure is transmitted from the instruction transmission unit 200 to the instruction reception unit 202. Thereby, the sub-board 104 can know the result of the lottery determination on the main board 102.

  The symbol determining means 114 determines the stop symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol 192 to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 according to the result of the lottery determination. Further, the symbol determining means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol to be displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 according to the result of the normal symbol lottery. The stop symbol is a symbol indicating whether or not to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. When the winning / losing lottery is won, the stop symbol of the special symbol is “0”, and when it is off, it is “1-9”.

  The symbol determining unit 114 includes a pattern information holding unit 204 and a pattern information selecting unit 206. The pattern information holding unit 204 holds a pattern determination table for determining a variation pattern of the special symbol 192. The pattern information selection means 206 acquires the “pattern determination lottery value” at the start of the variation of the special symbol 192. The pattern determination lottery value is a random number generated in the range of “0 to 255”. In the pattern determination table, the main pattern information and the pattern determination lottery value are associated with the variation pattern of the special symbol 192. The data structure of the pattern determination table will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The variation pattern of the special symbol 192 is determined from the pattern determination lottery value and the pattern determination table. The main pattern information regarding the determined variation pattern is transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit 200 to the instruction receiving unit 202.

  When the winning / losing lottery value is a win, it is determined according to the pattern determination lottery value whether it is a normal hit or a probable change. The difference between the normal hit and the probability change is also transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit 200 to the instruction receiving unit 202 as part of the game control data.

  When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, the symbol determination means 114 acquires a lottery value for determining a normal symbol, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery value. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 widens the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The hold control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4. The hold control means 116 holds the upper limit of four as a result of the normal symbol lottery.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to variably display the special symbol 192. The instruction transmission unit 200 transmits the variation start command and the variation stop command to the instruction reception unit 202 of the sub-board 104 at the timing of starting and stopping the variation display of the special symbol 192. Thus, the special symbol 192 by the main display control means 118 and the variation display of the effect symbol 190 by the effect display control means 134 are synchronized, and the interlock is maintained. The variation start command is a type of game control data in which parameters of whether or not and main pattern information and, if necessary, probability variation per unit and normal per unit are used as parameters. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution of the special game when the winning lottery is a win. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously continued a plurality of times, and is constituted by one or a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. If the number of continuations of the unit game has not reached the upper limit number, the special game control means 120 starts the next unit game after the end of the current unit game. When the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game is terminated.

  The specific game execution means 122 executes control for shifting the game state from the normal state to the specific game state, and control for returning the specific game state to the normal state. The specific game according to the present embodiment includes a probability change in which the winning probability of winning / failing lottery is switched from a normal probability state to a high probability state and a short time in which the symbol variation time is switched from a normal time to a short time.

The specific game execution means 122 executes the probability variation game by setting the normal game after the special game to a high probability state when the probability change has occurred. At this time, the specific game executing means 122 sets a probability change success / failure table as a success / failure table to be referenced by the success / failure lottery means 112 for the success / failure lottery. In principle, the high probability state is continued until the next jackpot is generated, and during that time, the winning probability by the success / failure lottery means 112 is maintained at a high value. If the normal win occurs in the high probability state, the normal game after the end of the special game is in the low probability state. In other words, the specific game execution means 122 sets a non-probability change success / failure table as a success / failure table to be referenced by the success / failure lottery means 112 for the success / failure lottery.
In addition, when a normal win occurs, the specific game executing means 122 executes the game with a reduced variation time by setting the normal game to the time-saving state after the special game. The short time is continued until the number of changes in the special symbol after the special game reaches a predetermined number, for example, 100 times.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

2. Sub-board 104
The sub board 104 executes a game effect based on various game control data sent from the main board 102.
The pattern storage unit 130 of the sub-board 104 holds an effect pattern indicating the moving image reproduction process of the effect image including the change display of the effect symbol 190. The production pattern includes the fluctuation pattern of the production symbol 190 when displaying a normal out symbol, the fluctuation pattern when displaying a symbol out of a reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and the reach state. The variation pattern when displaying the jackpot symbol is included. In particular, the variation pattern that passes through the reach state includes a variation pattern having various variation times.
The pattern storage unit 130 also holds a “revariation pattern” as a kind of pattern that reaches the reach state. The re-variation pattern will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 5 (c).
For each effect pattern, a change time is defined as an end condition of the symbol change, and the change display of the effect symbol 190 is stopped when the change time elapses. The effect determining unit 132 selects an effect pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is equal to the variation time according to the main pattern information received by the instruction receiving unit 202.

  The effect determining means 132 determines the combination of stop symbols of the effect symbols 190, their arrangement, and the effect pattern according to the probability variation and the normal win as a result of the success / failure lottery. The stop mode of the effect symbol 190 is formed as a combination of three effect symbols 190. In the case of a big hit, that is, a transition to a special game, three identical effect symbols 190 such as “7, 7, 7” and “4, 4, 4” are stopped and displayed side by side. At the odd hit, three same odd numbers such as “1, 1, 1” and “7, 7, 7” are stopped and displayed, and at the normal hit, “2, 2, 2” and “6” The same even number of 3 is stopped and displayed like “6, 6”.

  When the determination result by the winning / failing lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have the three effect symbols 190 such as “3.1, 2” and “9,4,6” is selected. The In the moving image reproduction process by the effect pattern, a moving image other than the fluctuation display of the effect symbol 190 is also reproduced. For example, the player's sense of expectation for the jackpot may be aroused by playing a special video that suggests the possibility that the change is a hit variation. In an effect mode called so-called super reach or the like, various animations and live-action moving image reproduction are often performed in addition to the change display of the effect symbol 190.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the effect symbol 190 is displayed so as to be more conspicuous than the special symbol 192. For this reason, the player recognizes whether or not the effect symbols 190 having the same numbers are arranged. The effect determining unit 132 sends information on the stop symbol and the effect pattern of the effect symbol 190 to the effect display control unit 134.

  The effect display control means 134 causes the effect display device 60 to display an effect image including the effect symbol 190 as a moving image in accordance with the selected effect pattern. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 causes the movable accessory 140 to act in an effect manner in accordance with the effect contents in the effect display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90.

  When main pattern information, whether or not, etc. are notified from the main board 102 as parameters of the variation start command, and an effect pattern is selected, the effect symbol 190 also starts to change in accordance with the start of the change of the special symbol 192. Further, the variation display of the effect symbol 190 is also terminated in accordance with the variation end of the special symbol 192. At this time, the three effect symbols 190 are stopped and displayed in a manner indicating whether or not they are correct. When a player normally starts to display the variation of the effect symbol 190, the stop pattern of the effect symbol 190 is changed to a “hit” mode such as “7/7/7” or “2.2.2”. Expect.

4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c), 5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c) are screen views showing the production process in the re-variation pattern.
The pattern storage means 130 holds a “revariation pattern” as a kind of effect pattern, in particular, an effect pattern that undergoes reach. In the process of the re-variation effect by the re-variation pattern, the effect symbol 190 is temporarily stopped and displayed in a disengagement manner once during the change process. In the present embodiment, once reach is established, the display is stopped and displayed in a temporary disengagement manner. After the player's feeling of disappointment is aroused by this provisional disengagement aspect, the effect design 190 is variably displayed again, and the aspect indicating the actual success / failure is definitely shown.

FIG. 4A is a screen diagram illustrating a first process in the re-variation effect.
On the display, the screen of the effect display device 60 is divided into three symbol areas: an upper fluctuation line 210, a middle fluctuation line 212, and a lower fluctuation line 214. Regardless of which effect pattern is selected by the effect determining means 132, the effect display control means 134 displays the effect symbols in a horizontal scroll manner on the upper variable line 210, the middle variable line 212, and the lower variable line 214. From the player's point of view, it appears that a reel to which a plurality of effect symbols are connected is rotating in each variable row. Hereinafter, an effect pattern other than the re-variation pattern is referred to as a “normal pattern” in order to distinguish it from the re-variation pattern. Regardless of whether the normal pattern is selected or the re-variation pattern is selected, the first process shown in FIG. 4A is the same.
The effect display control means 134 stops and displays the symbol fluctuation in the order of the upper fluctuation line 210, the lower fluctuation line 214, and the middle fluctuation line 212.

FIG.4 (b) is a screen figure which shows the 2nd process of a re-change effect.
The effect display control means 134 first stops the symbol variation in the upper variation row 210. In FIG. 4B, the stop display is made in the order of “2, B, 3” from the left. Here, “B” represents a so-called blank design other than a numbered effect design (hereinafter referred to as “win / fail design”) indicating the result of the success / failure lottery. A blank symbol is set between adjacent winning / failing symbols such as “1” and “2”, “2” and “3”. Since there are seven types of rejected designs, there are also seven types of blank designs. Next, the symbol variation in the lower variation row 214 is stopped and displayed. In FIG. 4B, the stop display is made in the order of “2.B.1” from the left. In this embodiment, in the upper fluctuation row 210 and the middle fluctuation row 212, the right and wrong designs and the blank symbols are alternately arranged in the ascending order of “1 · B · 2 · B ... 7 · B · 1 ...” from the left. It is connected. On the other hand, in the lower fluctuation row 214, the winning / failing symbols and the blank symbols are alternately connected in descending order of “7 · B · 6 · B... 1 · B · 7.

  In a total of nine regions of 3 rows × 3 columns in the effect display device 60, five effective lines 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d, and 216e are virtually formed. If three identical success / failure symbols are arranged on any of the five effective lines 216, a big hit is obtained. In the case of FIG. 4B, the reach of “2” is established in the effective line 216a at the stage where the symbol fluctuations in the upper fluctuation line 210 and the lower fluctuation line 214 are stopped. For this reason, the player expects that “2” also stops in the left region of the middle row fluctuating row 212 and the big hit mode is completed.

FIG.4 (c) is a screen figure which shows the 3rd process of a re-change effect.
After the reach is established, the effect display control means 134 stops and displays the temporarily off symbol on the middle fluctuation line 212 according to the definition of the re-variation pattern. The stop display here is a provisional stop display. In FIG. 4C, the effect symbols “4, B, and 5” are temporarily retained while slightly moving in the middle row 212. In FIG. 4C, since “4” is stopped on the effective line 216a, the detachment is temporarily indicated. Here, the effect symbol “4” located on the effective line 216a in the middle stage fluctuation row 212 is a provisionally out of symbol.

Fig.5 (a) is a screen figure which shows the 4th process of a re-change effect.
The middle fluctuation line 212 temporarily fluctuates and then fluctuates again. Due to the re-variation, the player recognizes that the outlier of “2, 4, 2” shown on the active line 216a in FIG. 4 (c) does not definitely show the result of the lottery, Would expect again.

FIG.5 (b) is a screen figure when a jackpot is shown as a result of a re-change effect.
In the case of a big hit, the middle stage variable row 212 is stopped and displayed, and “2”, which is the same as the reach symbol, is stopped and displayed on the effective line 216a. Three "2" s are arranged on the active line 216a to indicate a jackpot.

FIG.5 (c) is a screen figure when a deviation is shown as a result of a re-change effect.
At the time of detachment, the middle fluctuation line 212 is stopped and displayed again, and the effect symbols other than the reach symbol “2” are stopped and displayed on the effective line 216a. In FIG. 5C, “7” is stopped and displayed, but any effect symbol other than “2” may be used. Of course, it may be a blank design. Therefore, the number of re-variation patterns when the reach symbol is “2” is 13 types, “1, 3 to 7, 7 types of B”. Since there are seven types of reach symbols “1-7”, there are 13 × 7 = 91 types of re-variation patterns. Furthermore, if the type of variation time of the effect design 190 by the re-variation pattern is increased, the number of re-variation patterns further increases.
In addition, when it comes off, temporary provisional symbol “4” in the mode of FIG. 4C may be stopped as it is without changing again. Such a variation mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In the following, as shown in the second process of FIG. 4B, the timing at which reach is established in the re-variation effect is referred to as “reach timing”. As shown in the third process of FIG. 4C, the timing at which the effect symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed in a mode that once shows a deviation in the re-variation effect is referred to as “temporary stop timing”.

FIG. 6 is an example of a time chart showing an effect process of a re-variation effect.
The upper part of the figure shows a time chart of the re-variation effect corresponding to the jackpot (hereinafter referred to as “hit-re-change effect”), and the lower part of the figure shows the re-change effect corresponding to the loss (hereinafter, “out-re-change effect”). ") Is shown. In the case of the jackpot re-change effect shown in the same figure, the change time of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is (t ₅ -t ₀ ). In the case of the outlier re-change effect shown in the figure, the change time of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is shorter (t ₄ −t ₀ ). In either case, the time t ₁ is a reach timing. Here, as in the case of FIG. 4B, the description will be made assuming that reach is established at “2”.

After the reach timing, the effect symbol in the middle row variable row 212 continues to scroll horizontally at a constant speed. Suppose that “4” is selected as a temporary off symbol in the jackpot re-variation effect. At this time, the effect symbols in the middle row 212 continue to scroll horizontally, and the effect symbols pass in the order of “B · 5 · B · 6... . At time t ₄ , “7” has just passed over the effective line 216 a, and at time t ₅ , which is the hit fluctuation stop timing, “2”, which is the same as the reach symbol, just reaches the effective line 216 a. The production symbol “2” is definitely stopped and displayed on the active line 216a as it is, and a big hit is shown to the player in the mode of FIG. 5B.
That is, at time t _5, as to reach the effective line 216a the same performance symbols "2" and reach symbol, the provisional off the symbol "4" provisional stop timing t ₂ is determined that.

If “5” is selected as a temporary off symbol in the jackpot re-variation effect, the temporary stop timing is time t ₃ . After time t _3, the effect symbols in the middle row 212 continue to scroll horizontally at a constant speed, and the effect symbols pass in the order of “B · 6 · B · 7...” On the effective line 216a. Similarly, "7" is passed over activated line 216a at time t _4, at time t ₅ is a per change stop timing, also reach the same "2" on the pay line 216a and reach symbols, jackpot is shown.

The same applies to the off-shift redirection effect. If you are a pattern out interim "4", time t ₂ becomes the provisional stop timing in accordance with the jackpot re-change performance. The effect symbols in the middle row 212 continue to scroll horizontally, and the effect symbols pass in the order of “B · 5 · B · 6...” On the effective line 216a. At time t ₄ is deviated change stop timing, and reaches the different "7" is enabled lines 216a and Reach symbol "2", is directly definitively stopped and displayed, the game in a manner shown in FIG. 5 (c) One is shown off.
According to such an aspect, the content of the re-variation effect from time t ₀ to time t ₄ can be made the same regardless of whether or not it is, so that until the time t ₄ , the player cannot know the success or failure in advance.

  In a case where the horizontal scroll speed of the middle row 212 is fixed and the reach timing is fixed, first, it is necessary to determine the temporary stop timing after determining the reach symbol and the temporary off symbol. For example, when “2” is a reach symbol, the provisional loss symbol is any one of “1, 3-7, and 7 types of B”, and therefore the number of provisional loss symbols is 13. Temporary stop timing is also obtained according to the type of provisional losing symbol.

FIG. 7 is another example of a time chart showing an effect process of a re-variation effect.
The “hit A” at the top of the figure and the “hit B” at the third from the top of the figure show a time chart of the jackpot re-variation effect. In any case, the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the effect symbol 190 is (t ₅ -t ₀ ). In the figure, “displacement A” at the second level from the top and “disconnection B” at the bottom level indicate a time chart at the time of disconnection. The fluctuation time of “off A” is shorter than the hit fluctuation time (t ₆ −t ₀ ). The fluctuation time of “off B” is even shorter (t ₇ −t ₀ ). In the example shown in FIG. In any case of “winning A”, “winning B”, “outgoing A”, and “outgoing B”, it is assumed that the time t ₁ is the reach timing and the reach is established at “2”.

For hit A and miss A:
After the reach timing, the effect symbol in the middle row variable row 212 continues to scroll horizontally at a constant speed. Suppose that “5” is selected as a temporary off symbol. At the timing when “5” appears on the effective line 216a, the middle row 212 is temporarily stopped. "5" will remain on the active line 216a until the time _{t 6.} Time t ₆ is a deviation fluctuation stop timing of the deviation A.
In the case of per A, the middle change line 212 from time t ₆ is re-change at a high speed, the effective line 216a, performance symbols in the order of "B · 6 · B · 7 ···" as a continuation of the "5" Will pass by. At time t ₅ a per change stop timing, to reach the same "2" is just active line on 216a Leach symbol. The effect symbol “2” is definitely stopped and displayed on the active line 216a as it is, and a big hit is shown to the player.
On the other hand, in the case of off-A is "5" at time t ₆ is out fluctuations stop timing is as definitively stopped and displayed, out is indicated to the player.
Effect determination unit 132 will be selected for the symbol out interim performance symbol "5" appearing on enable line 216a at somewhat close timing t ₃ on the edge variation end timing t ₆ of off A.

For hit B and miss B:
After the reach timing, the effect symbol in the middle row variable row 212 continues to scroll horizontally at a constant speed. Suppose that “4” is selected as a temporary off symbol. At the timing when “4” appears on the effective line 216a, the middle fluctuation row 212 is temporarily stopped. "4" will remain on the active line 216a until time _{t 7.} Time t ₇ is a deviation fluctuation stop timing of the deviation B.
In the case of per B, the middle change line 212 from time t ₇ is re-change at a high speed, the effective line 216a, performance symbols in the order of "B · 5 · B · 6 ···" as a continuation of the "4" Will pass by. At time t ₅ a per change stop timing, to reach the same "2" is just active line on 216a Leach symbol. The effect symbol “2” is definitely stopped and displayed on the active line 216a as it is, and a big hit is shown to the player.
On the other hand, in the case of out-B is "4" at time t ₇ is out fluctuations stop timing is as definitively stopped and displayed, out is indicated to the player.
Effect determination unit 132 will be selected for the symbol out interim performance symbol "4" appearing on enable line 216a at somewhat close timing t ₂ to deviate variation end timing t ₇ of out-B.

On the main board 102 side, it is only necessary to prepare three fluctuation patterns: a hit fluctuation time (t ₅ -t ₀ ), a deviation fluctuation time (t ₆ -t ₀ ), and a deviation fluctuation time (t ₇ -t ₀ ). . In contrast, in the sub-substrate 104 side, it selects the provisional out symbol and the stop timing corresponding to the out-change time _(t 6 -t ₀₎ or off variation time _(t 7 -t _0). As a result, with respect to the same hit fluctuation time (t ₅ -t ₀ ), two kinds of fluctuation processes can be expressed as shown in hit A and hit B.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a general method (hereinafter referred to as “main selection type”) for uniquely identifying a re-variation pattern based on main pattern information and its problems will be pointed out. Thereafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the method (hereinafter referred to as “joint type”) employed in the present embodiment in which the sub-board 104 selects the re-variation pattern based on the main pattern information and the benefits of the joint type. explain.

FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of a pattern determination table in the main selection type.
Here, it is assumed that there are (p + n) types of variation patterns of the special symbol 192 (p and n are natural numbers). In the main selection type, the variation pattern of the special symbol 192 and the effect pattern of the effect symbol 190 have a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, there are (p + n) types of effect patterns. Here, it is assumed that there are p types of normal patterns other than the re-variation pattern and n types of re-variation patterns.

  The pattern information selection unit 206 refers to the pattern determination table 220 and selects a variation pattern of the special symbol 192. The main pattern information column 226 shows main pattern information. A lottery value column 224 indicates a range of pattern determination lottery values corresponding to each main pattern information. First, any one of (p + n) types of main pattern information (ID) is selected by the pattern determination lottery value. According to the figure, when the pattern determination lottery value is “15”, the main pattern information “2a” corresponding to the normal pattern is selected.

  The effect determining unit 132 refers to the effect selection table 222 and selects an effect pattern. The sub-pattern information column 228 shows sub-pattern information that is an ID for uniquely specifying the effect pattern. In the effect selection table 222 of FIG. 8, the main pattern information and the sub pattern information are substantially associated one-to-one. The main pattern information “2a” is transmitted to the sub-board 104 as a part of the game control data, and the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 is associated with the main pattern information “2a” on a one-to-one basis. Select the pattern information “2A”. The effect display control means 134 variably displays the effect symbol 190 in accordance with the normal pattern associated with the sub pattern information “2A”.

  When the pattern determination lottery value is “227”, the main pattern information “2b” corresponding to the re-variation pattern is selected. The effect determining unit 132 selects the sub pattern information “2B” that is associated with the main pattern information “2b” on a one-to-one basis. The effect display control means 134 variably displays the effect symbol 190 in accordance with the re-variation pattern associated with the sub-pattern information “2B”.

  In the case of such a main selection type, it is necessary to prepare main pattern information as many as the types of effect patterns. In particular, the types of re-variation patterns will be expanded in a multiplier manner depending on the types of reach symbols and provisional outlier symbols. However, managing the same number of main pattern information as this has a large memory capacity limitation. The burden on the substrate 102 is large. For example, in this embodiment, a total of 14 types of productions of “1-7, 7 types of B” are prepared, but if all these combinations are considered, 91 types of revariation patterns are supported. 91 types of main pattern information are required. If revariation patterns with various variation times are prepared, the number of revariation patterns further increases.

  Further, the main board 102 usually determines main pattern information with reference to a plurality of pattern determination tables 220. For example, the pattern determination table 220 to be referred to when there is one reservation ball and the pattern determination table 220 to be referred to when there are two reservation balls are often separate. This is because the main pattern information “2b” is easily selected when there is one holding ball, but the selection tendency that it is difficult to select when there are two holding balls is changed according to the gaming state. Furthermore, a pattern determination table is prepared according to various gaming states such as during probability variation games and during variation shortening games.

  The first countermeasure against such a difficulty is to limit the types of reach symbols and provisional off symbols in the re-variation pattern. For example, if the temporary variation of the re-variation pattern with the reach symbol “2” is limited to three types “1, 3, 5”, seven types “1, 3-7, B” are prepared. Compared to the number of main pattern information, it can be reduced. The type of reach symbol in the re-variation pattern may be limited, or both the type of reach symbol and the type of provisional off symbol may be limited. However, when the player gets used to the re-variation effect, there is a possibility that it will be known in advance whether there is a possibility of re-variation depending on the type of reach symbol or provisional off-design.

  A second countermeasure is to limit the types of normal patterns. However, it is practically essential for modern pachinko machines 10 to have a variety of performance patterns in addition to the re-variation pattern. Is not preferred.

FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram of a joint type pattern determination table.
In this embodiment, in order to solve the difficulty of the main selection type described with reference to FIG. 8, a joint type re-variation effect determination method is proposed. Also here, it is assumed that there are (p + n) types of variation patterns of the special symbol 192. In the case of the joint type, the variation pattern of the special symbol 192 and the effect pattern of the effect symbol 190 do not correspond one-to-one. There are (p + m) types of performance patterns (m is a natural number larger than n). Here, it is assumed that the normal patterns other than the re-variation pattern are p types and the re-variation patterns are m types.

  The pattern information selection unit 206 refers to the pattern determination table 220 and selects a variation pattern of the special symbol 192. One of (p + n) types of main pattern information (ID) is selected by the pattern determination lottery value. Here, it is assumed that main pattern information “1b” corresponding to the re-variation pattern is selected. The main pattern information “1b” is associated with a re-variation pattern having a variation time of 30 seconds, but a reach symbol, a provisional losing symbol, or the like is not associated. For this reason, with only the main pattern information “1b”, it is undecided which reach symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed. Here, it is assumed that the main pattern information “1b” indicates “a re-variation effect that is probable for a variation time of 30 seconds”.

The effect determination means 132 selects any one of the sub pattern information “1B to qB” associated with the main pattern information “1b” in a pair q (q is a natural number greater than 1). Each of the sub-pattern information “1B to qB” is associated with a re-variation pattern that is a probability variation per variation time of 30 seconds. However, each sub-pattern information is associated with a set of different reach symbols and provisional outlier symbols. The effect determining unit 132 selects the sub pattern information based on the following criteria.
1. The reach design is determined by whether or not it is a probability change. If it is a probable change, one of odd production symbols “1, 3, 5, and 7” is randomly selected. If it is a normal hit, one of the even-numbered production symbols of “2, 4, 6” is selected at random. Suppose that “7” is selected.
2. Based on the reach design, a temporary out of design is determined. If the reach symbol is “7”, any one of the seven effect symbols “1-6, B” is selected. Suppose that “4” is selected. The sub-pattern information of the re-variation pattern associated with the set of the reach symbol “7” and the provisional outlier symbol “4” is specified from “1B to qB”. In this re-variation pattern, the variation process is defined so that the reach symbol “7” is established at a predetermined reach timing, and the provisionally dismissed symbol “4” is temporarily stopped and displayed at a predetermined temporary stop timing. ing.

  In the case of such a joint type, it is not necessary to prepare the same number of main pattern information as the production pattern. This is because the reach symbol and the temporary detachment symbol are determined not on the main board 102 side but on the sub board 104 side. In the joint type, the main board 102 is freed from management of information that is deeply related to the production contents such as reach symbols and provisional loss symbols. For this reason, the variation of the re-variation pattern can be sufficiently secured while suppressing the memory capacity required for the main board 102.

  The effect determining unit 132 may select the provisional losing symbols at random, but may select the provisional losing symbols with different probabilities depending on the gaming state. For example, the probability that a temporary out-of-sequence symbol indicating an odd number is selected in the re-variation effect at the time of a probable change is 50%, and the probability that a temporary out-of-sequence symbol indicating an odd number is selected in the re-variation effect at the time of a normal hit is 20%. %, It is assumed that the probability that a temporary out-of-order symbol indicating an odd number is selected in the re-variation effect when it is out of place is set to 5%. According to such an aspect, when a player shifts from a temporary out-of-order symbol indicating an odd number to re-variation, the player is urged to expect a big hit, in particular, a probable big hit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine 10.
The process shown in the figure is a process repeatedly executed as a loop process. First, a winning process is executed when a game ball wins the starting port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, etc., or when the game ball passes through the operation port 68 (S10), and it must be in a special game. If the special game lottery is executed (S14), the special game control process is executed (S14). If the special game is in progress (Y of S12), the special game control process is executed (S16). Award ball payout according to various winnings in the processing up to S16 is processed (S18).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG.
In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is on hold (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / losing lottery means 112 executes the determining process. (S34). Details of the success / failure determination process will be described with reference to FIG. The pattern information selection unit 206 selects main pattern information. The main display control means 118 starts the variation display of the special symbol 192 and transmits a variation start command together with the main pattern information to the sub-board 104. Receiving this, the effect determining means 132 selects the effect pattern, and the effect display control means 134 starts the variable display of the effect symbol 190 (S36). When the main pattern information about the re-variation pattern is received, the effect determining means 132 selects the re-variation pattern that matches the condition after determining the reach symbol and the provisionally off symbol.

  If the winning / losing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped. If the symbol is changing in S32 (Y in S32), the processing from S34 to S36 is performed. Processing is skipped. If the symbol variation has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is continued (S40). When the symbol is not changing (N of S38), the process of S40 is skipped.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process in S34 of FIG.
First, the success / failure lottery means 112 performs a success / failure determination of the success / failure lottery value read from the hold control means 116 (S50). If the probability change is in progress, the accuracy change determination table is used. If it is a big hit (Y of S52), the special game control means 120 turns on the special game flag (S54). When the special game flag is on, the special game is executed after the end of the change.

If it is a probability change hit (Y in S58), the specific game executing means 122 turns on the probability change flag (S60). When the probability variation flag is on, the success / failure lottery executed after the symbol variation is executed by the probability variation success / failure table. After the special game is executed by turning on the special game flag in S54, the probability change game is executed by turning on the probability change flag in S60. If it is a normal hit (N in S58), the specific game executing means 122 turns off the probability variation flag (S62). When the probability variation flag is off, the success / failure lottery executed next to the symbol variation is executed by the non-probability variation success / failure table. After the special game is executed by turning on the special game flag in S54, the fluctuation shortening game is executed by turning off the probability change flag in S60.
If the winning / losing lottery is off (N in S52), the special game control means 120 turns off the special game flag (S56).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process in S16 of FIG.
A special game is a game that is executed after a symbol change when the winning or failing lottery is won and the special game flag is turned on. First, if the special winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the open / close control means 124 opens the special winning entry 66 (S74). . If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 and S74 are skipped (Y in S70). When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 66 was opened (Y in S76), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), there are nine or more game balls to the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning opening 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the processing after S80 is skipped and the flow of S16 Exit.

If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached 15 after closing the special winning opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect processing of the special game (S84), and the special game control means 120 ends the special game (S86). Note that when it is a probable change, the specific game executing means 122 sets a probable change success / failure table as a success / failure table for the success / failure lottery. In the case of a normal hit, the specific game execution means 122 starts a variation shortening game.
If the number of rounds has not reached 15 (N in S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds, and the flow in S16 is terminated (S90).

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare the same number of main pattern information as the type of re-variation pattern on the main board 102 side. For this reason, even if the number of reach symbols and provisional outlier symbols in the re-variation pattern is increased, it is easy to suppress the storage capacity load on the main board 102.

  You may select a reach symbol or a temporary losing symbol according to the gaming state. For example, if the probability that the provisional losing symbol “7” is selected when the jackpot is set to 50%, and the probability that the provisional losing symbol “7” is selected when it is off is set to 10%, the player If it changes again after “7” is stopped and displayed as a temporary out-of-game symbol, a sense of expectation for the jackpot will be further aroused. In this way, the process of changing the provisional losing symbol selection tendency in accordance with the gaming state is easy to realize if the sub-board 104 has a high degree of design freedom.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by the constituent elements described in the claims are realized by the individual function blocks shown in the present embodiment or their linkage.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a screen figure which shows the 1st process of a re-variation effect. It is a screen figure which shows the 2nd process among re-variation effects. It is a screen figure which shows the 3rd process of a re-change effect. It is a screen figure which shows the 4th process among re-variation effects. It is a screen figure when a jackpot is shown as a result of a re-variation production. It is a screen figure when a deviation is shown as a result of a re-variation production. It is an example of the time chart which shows the production process of a re-variation production. It is another example of the time chart which shows the production process of a re-change production. It is a data structure figure of the pattern determination table in a main selection type. It is a data structure figure of the pattern determination table in a joint type. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine 10. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 10 in detail. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process in S34 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special game control process in S16 of FIG. 10 in detail.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 11 Outer frame, 12 Front frame, 13 Transparent plate, 14 Doors, 15 Upper ball dish, 16 Lower ball dish, 17 Launch handle, 18 Speaker, 20 Lottery hold lamp, 22 Operation hold lamp, 39 Set base , 40 power switch, 42 liquid crystal unit, 43 payout unit, 44 prize ball tank, 45 payout control board, 46 launching device, 47 launch control board, 48 power supply unit, 50 game board, 52 game area, 54 outside rail, 56 inside Rail, 58 Out port, 59 Normal symbol display device, 60 Production display device, 61 Special symbol display device, 62 Start port, 64 Center decoration, 66 Large winning port, 68 Working port, 69 Pass detection device, 72 General winning port, 73 General winning detection device, 74 Start winning detection device , 76 ordinary electric accessory solenoid, 78 winning detection device, 80 large winning opening solenoid, 82 operation buttons, 90 gaming effect lamp, 100 gaming control device, 102 main board, 104 sub board, 110 entry judging means, 112 winning / losing lottery Means, 114 symbol determination means, 116 hold control means, 118 main display control means, 120 special game control means, 122 specific game execution means, 124 opening / closing control means, 130 pattern storage means, 132 effect determination means, 134 effect display control means , 190 Production symbol, 192 Special symbol, 200 Instruction transmission means, 202 Instruction reception means, 204 Pattern information holding means, 206 Pattern information selection means, 210 Upper fluctuation line, 212 Middle fluctuation line, 214 Lower fluctuation line, 21 Active line, 224 lottery value field, 226 main pattern information column, 220 pattern determination table, 222 effect selection table 228 subpattern information column.

Claims (2)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start prize opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, into which a game ball can enter;
A large winning opening which is provided at a predetermined position in the game area and can be opened so that a game ball can enter;
A symbol display device in which symbols are variably displayed;
A main control device for controlling the game content;
A sub-control device that indicates to the player the control content of the main control device by means of a variable display of symbols,
The main controller is
Win / fail lottery means for executing a lottery / lottery when a game ball enters the start winning opening;
A special game control means for executing a special game advantageous to a player by opening the big prize opening when the result of the winning / losing lottery is winning;
Pattern information holding means for holding a plurality of types of pattern information for specifying a variation pattern that defines a variation process from the start to the end of symbol variation;
Pattern information selection means for selecting any pattern information triggered by the execution of the success / failure lottery,
An instruction transmission means for transmitting the result of the success / failure lottery and pattern information to the sub-control device,
The sub-control device
An instruction receiving means for receiving the lottery result and pattern information;
Pattern holding means for holding a plurality of variation patterns;
Production determining means for selecting any variation pattern according to the received pattern information;
Display control means for deterministically stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the received result of the lottery after the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device according to the selected variation pattern;
The pattern holding means of the sub-control device, as a part of the plurality of fluctuation patterns, after temporarily displaying the symbols in a detachment manner during the variation display of the symbols, and then displaying the symbols again, Holds a re-variation pattern that defines a variation process for deterministically stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the result of the success / failure lottery,
The pattern information holding means of the main control device holds re-variation pattern information for specifying a re-variation pattern as part of a plurality of types of pattern information,
When the re-variation pattern information is received, the effect determination means of the sub-control device tentatively stops and displays in a disengagement manner during the symbol variation display according to the gaming state when the re-variation pattern information is received . Refer to the symbol selection table in which the selection probability of each provisional out symbol is set so that the selection tendency of the provisional out symbol should change, and select any provisional out symbol with the selection probability according to the result of the lottery A ball game machine characterized by that. The pattern information holding means of the main controller holds a plurality of types of re-variation pattern information,
The pattern holding means of the sub control device further holds, for each of the plurality of types of re-variation pattern information, in association with a plurality of types of re-variation patterns in accordance with a plurality of types of temporary outliers,
When the re-variation pattern information is received, the effect determination means of the sub-control device, when the re-variation pattern information is received, among the plurality of types of re-variation patterns associated with the re-variation pattern information, The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a pattern is selected.

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