JP5209867B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

  Pachinko machines can be classified into two types according to different game specifications (a pachinko machine with a first type game specification and a pachinko machine with a second type game specification).

  In the first type game specification pachinko machine (commonly called “Digipachi”), generally, a program built in the game machine at the time of starting winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening provided in the game board is also a big hit (also called “special prize”). ) / A lottery internal lottery is performed, and in the case of a big win, a game state advantageous to the player (also referred to as “specific game state”) is provided. The first type game specification pachinko machine includes a special symbol display device for displaying a special symbol for notifying an actual lottery result, and an effect symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying 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 in. Therefore, in the first type game specification pachinko machine, the production design is synchronized with music, sound effects, etc. to change, or the production design is used to present the change in the game state, and further the advance production (reach) And a big jackpot sign), the player will be thrilled and excited. 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 second type gaming pachinko machine (commonly called “wings”) means that when a game ball wins the starting prize opening, it becomes a starting gaming state (in the second kind gaming pachinko machine, it is commonly called “wings”). ]) Is released. When a game ball wins in a specific area (commonly referred to as “V area”) in the special winning opening, a specific gaming state occurs. In the specific gaming state, the big prize opening is continuously opened. The continuous opening of the big prize opening is performed for a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 times) on the condition of V winning. Further, in the starting game state, when a V prize is generated, an internal lottery is performed, and the number of rounds may be determined according to the lottery result. Then, the determined number of rounds is displayed on the display in the specific gaming state and is notified to the player. Since the result of the lottery performed after the V prize is reflected in the degree of game value given to the player (for example, the number of game balls to be paid out as prizes), the player has great expectations for the lottery result. In addition, some types of pachinko machines of the type 2 gaming specification determine the number of rounds before the V prize is generated, and display the determination result on the round number display. In the case of this model, since the number of rounds is notified in advance before the V prize is generated, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation for the occurrence of a big hit with a large number of rounds. However, when a game ball doesn't win the big prize opening, or when a game ball wins the big prize opening at the timing when the V prize isn't clearly won, there is no point in notifying the number of rounds. Will be disappointing and increase player stress. In order to cope with such a problem, a gaming machine that controls execution of a notice effect is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this gaming machine, if the game ball does not win the big prize opening when the big prize opening is opened based on the start winning prize, the notice effect is not executed. Also, the notice effect is executed only when it is determined that the timing at which the ball passage is detected by the ball passage sensor is within a predetermined time from the start winning prize and the timing at which the V winning is likely to occur, When it is determined that it is difficult to generate the V prize, the notice effect is not executed.

  The pachinko machine of the first type game specification determines a big hit / loss at the start winning of the game ball, determines a variation pattern of the effect symbol, a stop symbol, and further determines whether to execute the notice effect. On the other hand, the pachinko machine of the 2nd type game specification does not determine the variation pattern or stop pattern, opens the big prize opening when the game ball starts winning, and the sensor installed in the big prize opening Whether to execute the notice effect is determined based on whether or not a game ball is detected at a predetermined timing.

  As described above, the game contents of the pachinko machine of the first type gaming specifications and the pachinko machine of the second type gaming specifications differ greatly, but recently, in order to meet the wide range of needs of players, A gaming machine based on a specification in which two kinds of gaming specifications are mixed has also been developed. In this type of gaming machine, when a game ball wins at the start winning opening and the big winning opening is opened once, it is called “small hit”. The opening time of the big prize opening at the time of a small hit is about 0.6 seconds. Then, the game ball jumping into the big prize opening and winning the V prize while the big prize opening is open is called “hit”. This jackpot is generated via a jackpot. When a big win occurs, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and a gaming state advantageous to the player is achieved. Therefore, this gaming machine does not have a “displacement” or a jackpot through reach as seen in a pachinko machine of the first type gaming specification. Furthermore, although this game machine has a very low probability of occurrence, there may be a big win just by winning a game ball at the start winning opening (commonly known as “direct hit”). In this case, since the grand prize opening is not opened, no V prize is won. In other words, this jackpot is suddenly generated without going through a series of processes of opening the big winning opening (occurrence of a big hit) and then playing the game ball V winning (occurrence of a big hit).

  Next, the configuration of the control unit provided in the gaming machine 100 based on a specification obtained by mixing the first type game specification and the second type game specification 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 a big hit / small hit determination process, a process for transmitting various commands to the sub control unit 340 in accordance with a random number generated internally based on detection of a game ball by winning at the start winning opening. Control the entire gaming machine. The main control unit 310 also controls the special symbol display device 102 that displays special symbols.

  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 a command transmitted from the sub control unit 340.

  The variation pattern of the effect symbol displayed by the effect symbol display device 103 is determined based on the content (variation time) 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 the variation mode of the effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103. The sub-control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command to the display control unit 370, and the display control unit 370 that has received the variation pattern command performs an operation specified by the variation pattern command on the effect symbol display device 103. Instruct.

  The gaming machine provides a variety of effects to the player by performing transmission / reception processing of various commands and execution processing of various commands using the control unit. As a kind of production, for example, there is a “notice production”. The notice effect is a sign effect of reach or jackpot, and by changing the display content including the changing effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 temporarily and relatively frequently, It is an effect that shows that there is a high possibility that the game state will be advantageous to the player and inflates the expectation. Specifically, a catch phrase, an animation character, or a special sound effect expressing that there is a possibility of being in a state advantageous to the player is temporarily displayed / outputted. The player can have a sense of expectation that a jackpot may soon occur every time this notice effect appears during the game, and can enjoy the game without getting tired even if the game is played for a long time.

JP 2005-185477 A

  In a gaming machine based on a specification in which the above-described first type game specification and second type game specification are mixed, various processes defined by each specification must be performed, so that the load on the main control unit is large. In particular, in the case of a pachinko machine, there is a limit to the performance of the CPU that can be mounted on the main control unit. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the load on the main control unit by narrowing down the processing executed by the main control unit. On the other hand, in order to further enhance the fun of the gaming machine, it is necessary to provide a variety of effects such as a notice effect, and the processing of the main control unit required for the effect tends to become more complicated. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to load the main control unit in a gaming machine based on a specification in which the first type game specification and the second type game specification are mixed. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that executes an appropriate notice effect while reducing the above.

  In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to the present invention allows a gaming ball to enter in a gaming machine that determines whether or not to present an effect to be presented to the player when the gaming ball wins a winning prize opening. A movable body (398 in FIG. 7) that reciprocates in a predetermined movable area installed above the specific area (V area), and a first control unit that outputs position information indicating the position of the moving movable body (310 in FIG. 3), the position information, and the time information indicating the time when the game ball has passed through a predetermined part (397 in FIG. 7), the game ball that has entered the movable body wins a specific area. The second control unit (340 in FIG. 3) that determines the level of possibility is provided. When the second control unit determines that the possibility is high, the first effect (for example, FIG. 17 ( When the control for executing a)) is performed and it is determined that the possibility is low, the second Effect (e.g., FIG. 17 (b)) and performs control for executing.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is further characterized in that the effect is a notice effect.

  According to the present invention, since the sub-control unit calculates the level of possibility of V winning by executing a predetermined calculation, it is possible to execute a notice effect with high predictive medium accuracy. Moreover, since the sub-control unit mainly executes processing required for the notice effect, the load on the main control unit can be reduced.

  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. In FIG. 1, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a gaming board 101 on which a game machine character or the like is mounted on a board surface, a special symbol display device 102, an effect symbol display device 103, a first start winning opening 104, and a second start. Ordinary electric accessory 108 (hereinafter referred to as second start winning port 108), which is also a prize opening, normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105, normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, normal symbol display device 107 , A special winning opening (also referred to as “special electric accessory”) 109, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp) 112, a normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp) 113, and a specific area ( It is also referred to as “V region”.

  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 one-digit or 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.

  The first start winning opening 104 or the second start winning opening 108 detects the winning by turning on the internal special symbol start switch when the game ball launched by the player wins, and the special symbol is triggered by that. Start fluctuation. The special symbol stops changing after a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, and notifies the lottery result.

  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. When the sphere is detected, the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 107 starts changing.

  The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays (turns on / off) the normal symbol with a plurality of LEDs or the like.

  The big winning opening 109 becomes a small hit when a game ball wins the first starting winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108 and is opened once. The opening time of the big winning opening 109 at the time of this small hit is about 0.6 seconds. Then, the game ball jumps into the big prize opening 109 while the big prize opening 109 is open, and it becomes a big hit when the V prize is won. When a big win is generated, the grand prize winning opening 109 is opened a predetermined number of times, and the big winning opening 109 is ready to accept a large number of game balls. That is, it becomes a gaming state advantageous for the player. When a game ball wins the big prize opening 109, the big prize opening switch inside the big prize opening 109 is turned ON. Thereby, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the big winning opening 109 and pays out the winning balls (out balls, safe balls) accompanying the winning. This gaming machine may be a big hit just by winning a game ball in the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108. The jackpot is abruptly generated without going through a series of processes in which the game ball wins a V prize (a jackpot is generated) after the jackpot 109 is opened (a jackpot is generated). The jackpot is generated when the jackpot is lottery by a lottery process performed when winning the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108. Even when the jackpot is generated, the big winning opening 109 is opened a predetermined number of times, and the gaming state is advantageous to the player.

  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 detects that the gaming machine handle 111 has been turned clockwise or counterclockwise 117. Then, a ball launcher (not shown) continuously launches game balls. The player can adjust the launch of the game ball launched on the game board 101 by turning the gaming machine handle 111 in the right direction or the left direction 117. 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 starting winning port 104 and 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 changeover switch 120. The player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103 by operating the effect changeover switch 120 or can control the operation of the effectable movable object.

(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 at the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108, the main control unit 310 determines whether to make a small hit or a big win (commonly known as “direct hit”). A lottery process is performed. In addition, the main control unit 310 performs transmission processing of various commands, which will be described later, and overall control of the gaming machine. 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.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, in particular, the positions of the V region movable body 398, the V region movable body motor 390 that drives the V region movable body 398, and the V region movable body 398 are detected inside the special winning opening 109. V region movable body left end position sensor 392 / V region movable body right end position sensor 394 is installed. The main control unit 310 controls driving / stopping of the V region movable body motor 390. Further, the main control unit 310 receives an ON / OFF signal from the V region movable body left end position sensor 392 / V region movable body right end position sensor 394, and issues a V region movable body operation start command based on the ON / OFF signal. Transmit to the sub-control unit 340. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a ball storage piece 395 and a ball storage piece solenoid 396 are installed inside the special winning opening 109. The main control unit 310 controls the ball storage piece solenoid 396 to move the ball storage piece 395 up and down. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a ball storage piece solenoid-on command and a ball storage piece solenoid-off command to the sub-control unit 340 as the ball storage piece 395 moves up and down.

  The sub-control unit 340 controls effects such as a notice effect displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 based on the received various commands. Further, the sub-control unit 340 controls blinking of lamps provided in the game area, control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, character figure provided in the game area, etc. by controlling the rotation of the motor, etc. It also controls the movable object for the production. In this embodiment, as will be described later, in particular, a ball storage sensor 397 is installed inside the special winning opening 109, and the sub-control unit 340 receives an on / off signal from the ball storage sensor 397. The sub-control unit 340 performs a predetermined calculation based on the on / off signal and the above-described V region movable body operation start command, ball storage piece solenoid on command, and ball storage piece solenoid off command received from the main control unit 310. By performing the processing, a notice effect specific to the present embodiment is executed.

  The display control unit 370 receives various commands transmitted from the sub-control unit 340, controls the effect symbol display device 103, and causes the effect symbol display device 103 to display various effect screens including a notice effect.

  Note that the sub-control unit 340 and the display control unit 370 may be regarded as one control unit that cooperates with control related to the effects of the gaming machine, instead of being regarded as separate and separate control units.

  Here, the internal structure of the special winning opening 109 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7A shows a state where the sphere storage piece 395 is lowered, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the sphere storage piece 395 is raised. The ball storage piece 395 moves up and down under the control of the main control unit 310.

  In a state where the ball storage piece 395 is lowered (FIG. 7A), the game ball flows down in the direction of the V-region movable body 398 via a portion where the ball storage sensor 397 is installed. On the other hand, in the state where the ball storage piece 395 is raised (FIG. 7B), the ball storage piece 395 prevents the game ball from flowing down in the direction of the V region movable body 398. It stops at the site where the sensor 397 is installed. The ball storage sensor 397 outputs an on signal to the sub-control unit 340 when a game ball is detected, and outputs an off signal to the sub-control unit 340 when no game ball is detected.

  The V region movable body 398 operates to the left and right along the movable region under the control of the main control unit 310.

  When the main control unit 310 raises the ball storage piece 395, it transmits a ball storage piece solenoid-on command to the sub-control unit 340. When the main control unit 310 lowers the ball storage piece 395, the main control unit 310 sends a ball storage piece solenoid-off command to the sub-control unit 340. Send to. In addition, the main control unit 310 performs a predetermined time after the V region movable body left end position sensor 392 detects the V region movable body 398 and after the V region movable body right end position sensor 394 detects the V region movable body 398. After the elapse, a V region movable body operation start command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340.

  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. Light port 436, normal symbol operation memory display light port 438, sub-control command output port 440, payout control command output port 442, external information output port 444, V-region movable body motor output port 455, ball storage piece A solenoid output port 456 and an input port 426 are provided.

  The main control unit 310 performs predetermined processing based on on / off information of various switches. In this embodiment, in particular, the main control unit 310 inputs on / off information of the V region movable body left end position sensor 392 and the V region movable body right end position sensor 394, and performs internal processing based on these on / off information. And the command transmission process to the sub-control unit 310 is performed.

  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 sends various commands, which will be described later, to the sub control unit 340 and gives instructions to the sub control unit 340. In this embodiment, in particular, the main control unit 310 controls the V region movable body motor 390 to move the V region movable body 398 left and right, and controls the ball storage piece solenoid 396 to control the ball storage piece 395. Move up and down. 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 V region switch 414 is turned ON when a game ball that has won the grand prize winning port 109 has won a V by passing the V region movable body 398.

  The big winning opening switch 416 is turned ON when a game ball that has won the big winning opening 109 passes this switch. In other words, the big prize opening switch 416 is a switch for detecting a game ball won in the big prize opening 109. The number of game balls won in the big prize opening 109 is counted based on the detection signal output from the big prize opening switch 416. The big prize opening switch 416 is provided in the vicinity of the big prize opening 109 in order to quickly detect a winning 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 a plurality of numbers, figures, or normal symbols such as lighting / extinguishing of LEDs. 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 prize opening solenoid 446 is one of the components inside the big prize opening 109, and opens / closes the big prize opening 109 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310 at the time of a small hit or during a big hit game.

  When the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying the normal symbol, the normal electric accessory solenoid 448 is configured to display the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310. Is released.

  The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310, and instructs a prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball when a winning is detected by various switches.

  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, values of various parameters for controlling the gaming machine, and the like.

  The sub control unit 340 receives various commands transmitted by the main control unit 310.

  The sub control unit 340 receives an on / off signal from the ball storage sensor 397.

  Based on the various commands received from the main control unit 310 and the on / off signal from the ball storage sensor 397, the sub-control unit 340 executes processing for the notice effect specific to the present embodiment, and provides a command for the notice effect. Is transmitted to the display control unit 370. Details of this processing will be described later.

  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, so that the load on the main control unit 310 is reduced.

  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 sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. 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.

  The sub-control unit 340 receives an input from the effect change switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103, or can control the operation of the effect movable object 524. In this way, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

(Processing of the main control unit 310)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the main control unit 310 that is executed when a game ball launched by the player is awarded to the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108. .

  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 (S800), whether the special symbol is changing or not is determined (S802). After the determination process (S804) and the determination process of presence / absence of a holding ball (S806), a lottery process of winning type is performed (S808). There are four types of hit types: 3R per small (round), 8R per small, 16R per small, and 16R per big hit. The small hits 3R, the small hits 8R, and the small hits 16R are hits that occur when a game ball jumps into the opened large winning opening 109 and then wins a V-sphere movable body 398 (V win). is there. In the case of 3R for small hits, the big prize opening 109 is opened three times for a predetermined time, 8 times for 8R for small hits, and 16 times for 16R for small hits, so that the player can It becomes an advantageous gaming state. Even if these small wins are drawn in the lottery process of S808, only the hit type is determined in advance, and it is not finalized at that stage, but is detected by the big prize opening switch by the small hit operation. The determined game ball is determined only when it is detected by the V region switch. That is, the winning type is determined as the first stage, the winning type determined as the second stage is finally determined by the trend of the game ball, and there are a plurality of conditions until the winning is determined. On the other hand, the jackpot 16R is generated when a game ball is won at the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108, and immediately when the lottery process is performed in S808. Determine. That is, the determination of the winning type (first stage) and the final determination of the determined winning type (second stage) are performed at the same time, and the condition until the winning is determined is the condition of the game ball to the start winning opening It is only a lottery that accompanies a prize and does not have multiple conditions. In the case of a jackpot 16R, the special winning opening 109 is opened 16 times for a predetermined time, thereby providing a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  When the lottery result is a jackpot 16R, the main control unit 310 sets a jackpot as the hit type (S812), and sets a variation pattern command for the jackpot (S816). On the other hand, when the lottery result is 3R for small hits, 8R for small hits, or 16R for small hits, the main control unit 310 sets any of 3R for small hits, 8R for small hits, or 16R for small hits as the hit type. Then, a variation pattern command for small hitting is set (S818). These fluctuation pattern commands are commands for instructing special symbol fluctuations.

  Next, the main control unit 310 transmits the set variation pattern command and the hit type designation command to the sub control unit 340 (S820, S822). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a variation pattern command transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub control unit 340 and a variation pattern command transmitted from the sub control unit 340 to the display control unit 370. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a command.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the variation patterns 1, 2, 3, and 4 are respectively a variation pattern command for big hit, a variation pattern command for 3R per small portion, a variation pattern command for 8R per small portion, and a variation pattern command for 16R per small portion. Corresponds to the pattern command. For example, if the lottery result is 16R, the main control unit 310 transmits an A001H variation pattern command to the sub-control unit 340, and the sub-control unit 340 having received the variation pattern command also receives the A001H variation pattern command. The data is transmitted to the display control unit 370. In addition, when the lottery result is 3R for the small lot, the main control unit 310 transmits the variation pattern command of A002H to the sub-control unit 340, and the sub-control unit 340 having received the variation pattern command also receives the variation pattern command of A002H. Is transmitted to the display control unit 370.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the hit type designation command is B101H when the hit type is 3R for small hits, B102H for 8R for small hits, B103H for 16R for small hits, and B104H for the big hit 16R. The control unit 310 transmits to the sub control unit 340.

  Next, the processing contents of the main control unit 310 in the case where one of 3R, 8R, and 16R per lot is selected as a winning type after winning the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108 are shown in FIG. 11 will be used for explanation.

  The main control unit 310 opens the big prize opening 109 once, transmits a first prize opening first release command to the sub-control unit 340 (S1102, S1104), and when the first opening time of the big prize opening 109 elapses. The big prize opening 109 is closed (S1108).

  The main control unit 310 raises the ball storage piece 395 by turning on the ball storage piece solenoid 396 (FIG. 7B), and transmits a ball storage piece solenoid ON command to the sub-control unit 340 (S1112). The ball storage piece solenoid-on command is a command for notifying the sub-control unit 340 that the ball storage piece 395 has moved up and is in the state of FIG.

  When the ON time of the ball storage piece solenoid 396 elapses, the main control unit 310 lowers the ball storage piece 395 by turning off the ball storage piece solenoid 396 (FIG. 7A), and issues a ball storage piece solenoid OFF command. The data is transmitted to the sub control unit 340 (S1118). The ball storage piece solenoid-off command is a command for notifying the sub-control unit 340 that the ball storage piece 395 has been lowered to the state shown in FIG.

  The main control unit 310 determines whether or not the game ball that has jumped into the opened big winning opening has passed the V region (V winning) (S1122). It transmits to the control part 340 (S1124).

  When the main control unit 310 opens the special prize opening 109 (S1128), the main control part 310 transmits a special prize opening release command to the sub-control part 340 (S1130). Is closed (S1134), and when the closing time of the special prize opening elapses (S1136), the special prize opening 109 is opened (S1128).

  The main controller 310 repeats the above opening / closing operation a predetermined number of times according to the hit type. That is, when the hit type is small hit 3R, the opening / closing operation is repeated three times, when the hit type is 8R, the opening / closing operation is repeated eight times, and when the hit type is 16, the opening / closing operation is repeated 16 times.

  When the predetermined number of opening / closing operations are completed, the main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot end command to the sub-control unit 340 (S1140).

  Next, the processing contents of the main control unit 310 when winning the jackpot 16R as the winning type after winning the first starting winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108 (big hit not via the V winning) is shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

  The main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot start command to the sub control unit 340 (S1202).

  The main control unit 310 opens the special winning opening 109 (S1204), and transmits a special winning opening release command to the sub-control unit 340 (S1206). Is closed (S1210), and when the closing time of the special prize opening elapses (S1212), the special prize opening 109 is opened (S1204).

  The main control unit 310 repeats the above opening / closing operation 16 times (S1214).

  When the 16 opening / closing operations are completed, the main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot end command to the sub-control unit 340 (S1216).

  Next, control of the V region movable body 398 by the main control unit 310 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of the V region movable body 398 by the main control unit 310.

  The main control unit 310 determines whether or not the V region movable body left end position sensor 392 is ON (S1302). That is, main controller 310 determines whether or not V region movable body 398 has moved to the left end of the movable region. As a result of the determination, when the V region movable body left end position sensor 392 is on, the main control unit 310 stops the V region movable body motor 390 for one second (S1304). That is, the main control unit 310 stops the V region movable body 398 at the left end of the movable region for 1 second. Next, the main control unit 310 drives the V region movable body motor 390 to start the right movement of the V region movable body 398 (S1306), and sends a V region movable body operation start command to the sub control unit 340. Transmit (S1308). The V region movable body operation start command is a command for notifying the sub-control unit 340 that the V region movable body 398 has started to move.

  If the result of determination in S1302 is that the V region movable body right end position sensor 392 is off, the main control unit 310 determines whether or not the V region movable body right end position sensor 394 is on (S1310). That is, main controller 310 determines whether or not V region movable body 398 has moved to the right end of the movable region. As a result of the determination, when the V region movable body right end position sensor 392 is on, the main control unit 310 stops the V region movable body motor 390 for one second (S1312). That is, the main control unit 310 stops the V region movable body 398 at the right end of the movable region for 1 second. Next, the main control unit 310 drives the V region movable body motor 390 to start moving the V region movable body 398 in the left direction (S1314), and sends a V region movable body operation start command to the sub control unit 340. Transmit (S1316).

  As described above, the main control unit 310 moves the ball storage piece 395 up and down by turning on / off the ball storage piece solenoid 396. At this time, the main control unit 310 notifies the sub-control unit 340 that the ball storage piece 395 is in the state shown in FIG. 7B using the ball storage piece solenoid-on command. The sub-control unit 340 is notified using the ball storage piece solenoid off command that the state shown in FIG. Further, main controller 310 drives / stops V region movable body motor 390 to move V region movable body 398 left and right along the movable region. At this time, the main controller 310 starts the operation of the V region movable body, indicating that the V region movable body 398 has started to move from the left end to the right direction and that the V region movable body 398 has started to move from the right end to the left direction. The sub-control unit 340 is notified using a command. As described above, the main control unit 310 notifies the sub-control unit 340 of the movement information (position information) of the ball storage piece 395 and the V-region movable body 398. This is for the control unit 340 to perform. The possibility that the game ball jumping into the big winning opening 109 wins the V is that the position where the V region movable body 398 is moving at the timing when the game ball is stored in the part of the ball storage sensor 397. It depends heavily. If the V region movable body 398 is located in the vicinity of the center of the movable region at the timing when the game ball is stored, the possibility of winning a V is high, and otherwise, the possibility of winning a V is low. The case where the possibility of winning a V prize is high and the case where the possibility of winning a V prize is low are represented using time charts as shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a time chart of a case where there is a high possibility of winning V.

  1 represents a waveform of an on / off signal output from the main control unit 310 to the ball storage solenoid 396. This signal is turned on for 1 second, and the ball storage piece 395 is in a state shown in FIG.

  2 represents a waveform of an on / off signal output from the ball storage sensor 397 to the sub-control unit 340. This signal turns on t seconds after the signal output from the ball storage piece solenoid 396 rises from off to on, and turns off at the moment when the signal output from the ball storage piece solenoid 396 falls from on to off. . It is turned off because the ball storage piece 395 is in the state shown in FIG. 7A, so that the game ball stored in the storage ball sensor 397 is separated from the storage ball sensor 397 and the V region movable body 398 is turned off. This is because it flows down toward the center of the movable region.

  3 represents the time during which the sphere is stored in the part of the sphere storage sensor 397. This time is (1-t) seconds.

  4 is the time until the storage of the ball is released, that is, the game ball moves away from the portion of the ball storage sensor 397 and reaches the vicinity of the center of the movable region of the V region movable body 398. This time is 0.3 seconds in terms of measurement.

  7 represents the waveform of the ON / OFF signal output from the V region movable body left end position sensor 392, and 8 represents the waveform of the ON / OFF signal output from the V region movable body right end position sensor 394.

  6 shows the left-right movement of the V region movable body 398. The V region movable body 398 moving to the left of the movable region stops for one second at the left end of the movable region and then moves to the right. The V region movable body 398 reaches the right end of the movable region 6 seconds after starting to move in the right direction, stops there for 1 second, and then moves to the left. In short, the V region movable body 398 repeats the movement of moving along the movable region in the right direction for 6 seconds, stopping at the right end for 1 second, moving leftward for 6 seconds, and stopping at the left end for 1 second.

  5 represents a time zone in which a game ball is likely to enter the V region. When the V region movable body 398 is moving in the vicinity of the center of the movable region, there is a high possibility that the game ball enters the V region. In measurement, the V region movable body 398 starts moving in the right direction from the left end (or from the right end to the left direction), and is likely to enter the V region for 1 second between 3 seconds and 4 seconds. is there. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, since the timing at which the game ball reaches the movable region is within the above-mentioned 1 second, the possibility that the game ball enters the V region is high.

  FIG. 15 is a time chart of a case where the possibility of winning a V prize is low.

  The contents of 1 to 8 are the same as the contents described above. According to this time chart, as shown in 4, since the timing at which the game ball reaches the movable region is not within the above-mentioned 1 second, the possibility that the game ball enters the V region is low.

  In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 340 obtains by calculation whether the timing at which the game ball reaches the movable area falls within the above-mentioned one second, and determines whether the possibility that the game ball enters the V area is high or low. judge. Then, based on the determination result, control is performed for a notice effect for notifying the player that the possibility of winning the V prize is high and a notice effect for notifying the player that the possibility of winning the V prize is low. . Hereinafter, the notice effect determination process by the sub-control unit 340 will be described.

(Processing related to the notice effect of the sub-control unit 340)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the notice effect determination process by the sub control unit 340.

  The sub-control unit 340 determines whether or not the V region movable body operation start command has been received from the main control unit 310 (S1602), and when the command is received, obtains the received time using the clock function, The time is set as the V region movable body operation start time (S1604), and the process proceeds to S1606.

  The sub-control unit 340 determines whether or not a ball storage piece solenoid-on command has been received from the main control unit 310 (S1606). If the command is received, the received time is set as the ball storage piece solenoid-on time. (S1608), the process proceeds to S1610.

  The sub-control unit 340 determines whether or not a ball storage piece solenoid-off command has been received (S1610). If the command is received, the ball storage piece solenoid-on time is cleared (S1612), and the process of S1614 is performed. move on.

  The sub-control unit 340 determines whether or not the output signal of the ball storage sensor 397 is on (S1614). If the output signal is on, the sub-control unit 340 determines whether or not the ball storage piece solenoid on time is cleared (S1616) and clears it. If not, the process proceeds to S1618.

  The sub-control unit 340 sets the time when the ball storage sensor 397 is turned on as the current time (S1618).

  The sub-control unit 340 calculates the ball storage time using the current time and the ball storage piece solenoid-on time as follows (S1620).

Sphere storage time (seconds) = (1.0− (current time−sphere storage piece solenoid on time))
This time corresponds to the sphere remaining time indicated by 3 in FIG. Here, the current time-the ball storage piece solenoid-on time is t.

  The sub-control unit 340 calculates the time until the game ball reaches the movable region using the ball storage time as follows (S1622).

Time to reach the movable area (seconds) = sphere storage time + 0.3
This time is a time obtained by adding 0.3 shown in 4 to the ball remaining time shown in 3 in FIG. 14 and from when the ball storage sensor 397 is turned on until the game ball reaches the movable region. It's time.

  The sub-control unit 340 calculates the elapsed time from the start of the V region movable body operation using the current time and the V region movable body operation start time as follows (S1624).

Elapsed time from the start of the V region movable body operation = current time−V region movable body operation start time This time is from the movement start time from left to right shown in 6 of FIG. Is the time until is turned on.

  The sub-control unit 340 adds the time from the time when the ball storage sensor 397 is turned on until the game ball reaches the movable region to the time elapsed from the start of the V region movable body operation. (S1626), if the time is not less than 3 seconds and not more than 4 seconds, the first notice effect designation command is transmitted to the display control unit 370; Is transmitted to the display control unit 370. The first notice effect is a notice effect for notifying the player that the possibility of V winning is high, and the second notice effect is a notice effect for notifying that the possibility of V winning is low. It is. In other words, the determination process of the notice effect is for selecting and determining an effect (V winning notice effect) as to whether or not the small hit is fixed when the hit type is determined as the small hit.

  The sub-control unit 340 performs the above calculation process and determination process when the ball storage sensor 397 is turned on, and transmits a notice effect designation command to the display control unit 370.

  In addition, when the jackpot 16R is drawn as a winning type after winning the first starting winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108 (a jackpot not passing through the V winning), the above-described notice effect is not performed. That is, when the hit type is determined to be a big hit, control for prohibiting the notice effect is performed, and the notice effect is not performed.

(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 receives various commands (variation pattern command, effect symbol display command, notice effect designation command, etc.), input port 618, CPU 620, program ROM 610, RAM 612, image processing LSI (VDP) 622, 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 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 develops image data such as sprite / scroll for display on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from the CPU 620 in the video RAM 614, and effects symbol display via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Image data is output and displayed in the display area of the device 103. The character ROM 616 stores image data such as sprite / scroll that the VDP 622 that has received an instruction from the CPU 620 expands in the video RAM 614. The video RAM 614 stores image data to be output within 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, and visually displays a video signal.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the display control unit 370 displays the notice effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the first or second notice effect designation command received from the sub-control unit 340. Since the display control unit 370 displays the notice effect screen immediately after receiving the first or second notice effect designation command, the display timing thereof is when the ball storage sensor 397 is turned on, that is, the ball storage sensor 397. Is when a game ball is detected.

  When the display control unit 370 receives the first notice effect designation command, for example, the display control unit 370 displays characters such as “V SUPER LOCKON” on the effect symbol display device 103 (FIG. 17A), and the second notice effect is designated. When the designation command is received, for example, “V LOCKON” characters and the like (FIG. 17B) are displayed. By seeing these displays, the player can predict to some extent whether or not the possibility of winning a V prize is high.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the sub control part 340 calculates | requires the level of possibility of V winning from calculation, it can provide a player with the preliminary announcement effect with high predictive medium accuracy. Moreover, since the sub-control unit 340 mainly executes the process related to the notice effect, the load on the main control unit 310 can be reduced.

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 internal structure of the special winning opening based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the main control part based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern command based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hit classification designation | designated command based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the main control part at the time of winning a lottery as a winning type after winning a start winning opening based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the main control part at the time of winning a lottery as a win type after winning a start winning opening based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of control of the V area movable body by the main control part based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time chart of a case with high possibility of winning V according to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time chart of a case with low possibility of winning V according to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the notification effect process by the sub-control part based on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the notice effect displayed on the effect symbol display apparatus based on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 first start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Second start winning port 109 Large winning port 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
114 V region 120 Production switch 200, 300 Control unit 210, 310 Main control unit 240, 340 Sub control unit 270, 370 Display control unit 390 V region movable body motor 392 V region movable body left end position sensor 394 V region movable body right end Position sensor 395 Ball storage piece 396 Ball storage solenoid 397 Ball storage sensor 398 V region movable body 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 V region switch 416 Big prize opening switch 420 ROM
422 CPU
424 RAM
426 Input port 428 Large winning opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 436 Special symbol operation memory indicator port 438 Normal symbol operation memory indicator port 440 Sub-control command output port 442 Payout control command output port 444 External information output port 446 Large prize opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 450 Payout control unit 452 Prize ball payout device 455 V region movable body motor output port 456 sphere Output port 510 ROM for storage piece solenoid
512 RAM
514 CPU
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Production movable object 610 Program ROM
612 RAM
614 Video RAM
616 Character ROM
618 Input port 620 CPU
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
624 output port

Claims (1)

A lottery means for winning a winning type of either a big win or a small win, with the winning of a game ball at the start winning opening,
A predetermined game action is performed when the win type determined by the lottery means is a small hit, and a transition to a big hit action advantageous to the player is made when a game ball wins a specific area during the predetermined game action. A small hitting operation means,
A jackpot operation means for shifting to the jackpot operation without performing the predetermined game action when the hit type determined by the lottery means becomes a jackpot;
A grand prize opening having a movable body that performs the predetermined game operation and allows a game ball to enter and reciprocates in a predetermined movable area installed above the specific area;
A first control unit that outputs position information indicating the position of the movable body;
And the position information, that the game ball to calculate the timing of the game ball reaches the predetermined movable range on the basis of the time information indicating the time which has passed through the predetermined region, and enters the special winning opening within and a second control unit that the game ball to determine the level of possibility of winning in the specific area,
Said second control unit, when it is determined to be high the possibility performs control for executing the first announcement attraction, when it is determined that there is low the possibility is the second notice A gaming machine characterized by performing control for performing an effect.

Images