JP5238846B2 - Production control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an effect control device that is provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine and controls the contents of the effect of the gaming machine.

  Conventionally, when a game ball launched into the game area of the game board enters a specific start winning opening, three rows of symbols (for example, symbols of numbers 1 to 12) displayed on the display unit move from top to bottom. A game machine is widely used in which, when the same or related symbols are arranged on a certain line (effective line), the game becomes a big win, the big winning opening is opened, and the big win game can be played.

  Among such gaming machines, there is a gaming machine that changes the display of the variable display game and the display of the call in the variable display area according to the time and date (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2001-259127 A

  However, although the above-described conventional technology can produce an effect according to the time and date and improve the game's preference, there is a possibility that the effect will be executed even at a timing when the player feels bothersome was there. The production that feels bothersome has resulted in a decrease in playability.

  The present invention eliminates the problems caused by the prior art described above, and prevents unnecessary performance from being executed, and improves the game play by executing a predetermined performance according to the current time when necessary. It is another object of the present invention to provide an effect control device capable of improving the game taste.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an effect control device according to the present invention varies an arbitrary design based on a command received from a main control means in an effect control device that controls the effect contents of a gaming machine. A symbol changing means for stopping after the setting, a setting means for setting a customer waiting state when the command is not received after the symbol is stopped by the symbol changing means, and the customer waiting state is set by the setting means. A first control unit that controls to execute a predetermined effect when the command is received when the command is not set; and the predetermined control unit that receives the command when the customer waiting state is set by the setting unit Second control means for controlling to execute a specific effect different from the effect, and the effect according to the control of the first and second control means. Output means for outputting the information to be output, and when the second control means includes information indicating the jackpot in the command, a special effect different from the case where the information indicating the jackpot is not included. It is characterized by controlling to execute.

  According to the above configuration, when a command is received while the customer waiting state is set, a specific effect different from the predetermined effect is executed, and when the command includes information indicating a jackpot, the jackpot It is possible to perform control so as to execute a special effect different from the case in which the information indicating is not included.

  According to the effect control device according to the present invention, it is possible to execute a predetermined effect corresponding to the current time at a timing at which the player does not feel bothersome at the start of the game or the like. Can improve the taste.

It is a front view which shows an example of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part of a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the main process which a main control part (main control board) performs. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the timer interruption process with respect to a main process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the recovery process in a main process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a fluctuation content selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the timer interruption process which an effect control part (effect control board) performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the effect display process which an effect control part (effect control board) performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a fluctuation | variation start sound selection process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of a time corresponding | compatible sound and a premier sound. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a customer waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a customer waiting standby process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a customer waiting display process. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the timing of a time corresponding | compatible sound output.

  Exemplary embodiments of an effect control device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Basic configuration of gaming machine)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. The gaming machine of the present invention includes a game board 101. A launcher (see reference numeral 292 in FIG. 2) is disposed at a lower position of the game board 101. The game ball launched by driving the launching unit rises between the rails 102 a and 102 b and reaches the upper position of the game board 101, and then falls within the game area 103. A plurality of nails (not shown) are provided in the game area 103, and a game ball is dropped in various directions, and a windmill or a prize opening that changes the fall direction of the game ball is placed in the middle of the fall. Is arranged.

  An image display unit 104 is arranged at the center of the game area 103 of the game board 101. As the image display unit 104, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used. Below the image display unit 104, a start winning opening 105 for starting winning is arranged. On the left side of the image display unit 104, a winning gate 106 is provided.

  The winning gate 106 is provided to detect the passing of the game ball and perform a lottery to open the start winning opening 105 for a predetermined time. A normal winning opening 107 is disposed on the side of the image display unit 104 or below. When a game ball wins the normal winning opening 107, the number of winning balls (for example, 10) at the time of the normal winning is paid out. At the bottom of the game area 103, there is provided a collection port 108 for collecting game balls that have not won any winning ports.

The above-described image display unit 104 starts a change in display of a plurality of symbols when a game ball wins a specific winning opening (at the time of starting winning), and the symbols stop after a predetermined time. When specific symbols (for example, “777”) are prepared at the time of the stop, a big hit state is obtained. When the jackpot
A predetermined period (for example, 15 rounds) is repeatedly opened for a predetermined period of time in the large winning opening 109 positioned below, and the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning game balls is paid out.

  A frame member 110 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 103 of the game board 101. The frame member 110 has a shape that surrounds the periphery of the game area 103 on the four sides of the game board 101 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, the frame member 110 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 toward the player side. Thereby, the gaming machine of the present embodiment can be made more conspicuous than other types of gaming machines that do not include the frame member 110. By making the gaming machine conspicuous, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the gaming machine and to strengthen the deterrent against fraudulent acts on the gaming machine.

  An operation handle 113 is disposed at a lower position of the frame member 110. The operation handle 113 is operated by the player when the game ball is fired by driving the launching unit. Similar to the frame member 110 described above, the operation handle 113 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 to the player side.

  The operation handle 113 includes a firing instruction member 114 that drives the above-described launching unit to launch a game ball. The firing instruction member 114 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation handle 113 so as to rotate clockwise as viewed from the player. The launcher causes the game ball to be launched when the firing instruction member 114 is directly operated by the player. Although not described because it is a known technique, the operation handle 113 is provided with a sensor that detects that the player directly operates the firing instruction member 114.

  In the frame member 110, an effect button (chance button) 117 that receives an operation by the player is provided on the lower side of the game area 103. The operation of the effect button 117 is effective while guidance for prompting the operation of the effect button 117 is displayed, for example, during a specific reach effect during the game.

  In the frame member 110, a cross key 118 is provided next to the effect button 117. The effect button 117 and the cross key 118 constitute an operation unit. In addition, the frame member 110 incorporates a speaker (see reference numeral 277 in FIG. 2) that outputs sound.

(Internal configuration of control unit)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control unit of the gaming machine. The control unit 200 includes a plurality of control units. In the example shown in the figure, a main control unit 201, an effect control unit 202, a prize ball control unit 203, and a lamp control unit 204 are included. The main control unit 201 controls basic operations related to gaming of the gaming machine. The production control unit 202 controls the production operation during the game. The prize ball control unit 203 controls the number of prize balls to be paid out. The lamp control unit 204 controls lighting of the lamps provided on the game board and the frame.

  Based on the program stored in the ROM 212, the main control unit 201 executes a CPU 211 that executes basic processing as the game content progresses, a RAM 213 that functions as a data work area when the CPU 211 performs arithmetic processing, and an input / output interface (I / O) 214, 215, etc. The main control unit 201 realizes its function by, for example, a main control board. Various commands set in the RAM 213 are sent to the effect control unit 202 and the prize ball control unit 203 at a predetermined timing.

The main control unit 201 detects a starting winning port detecting unit (starting port SW) 221 that detects a winning ball that has won the starting winning port 105 via the I / O 214, and a game ball that has passed through the winning gate 106. A gate detection unit (gate SW) 222, a normal winning port detection unit (normal winning port SW) 223 that detects a game ball won in the normal winning port 107, and a big win that detects a winning ball that won in the big winning port 109 A mouth detection unit (large winning mouth SW) 224 is connected. A plurality of the normal winning openings SW223 may be provided such as SW1 (223a) and SW2 (223b) according to the arrangement position of the normal winning openings 107. These detection units can be configured using proximity switches or the like.

  Detection results from the start winning port detection unit 221, the gate detection unit 222, the normal winning port detection unit 223, and the big winning port detection unit 224 are input to the main control unit 201.

  Further, the main control unit 201 does not drive the start winning solenoid 105 that opens the start winning opening 105 (tulip) for a certain period of time via the I / O 214 and the large winning opening solenoid 231 that opens and closes the special winning opening 109. Lighting control is performed for the illustrated holding lamp (for example, four are provided on the game board 101 of FIG. 1) 226. The big prize opening solenoid 231 performs an operation of opening the big prize opening 109 for a certain period at the time of a big hit. This jackpot is programmed in advance to occur with a predetermined probability based on the generated random number.

  Next, the production control unit 202 controls production contents during the game. This effect control unit 202 is based on a command sent from the main control unit 201, and an effect control unit 202a that controls the contents of the effect, and an image / sound control unit that controls the image and sound instructed by the effect control unit 202a. 202b.

  The production control unit 202 a is an input / output interface between the CPU 241 that executes the production process, the ROM 242 that stores the production program, the RAM 243 that functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the CPU 241, and the main control unit 201. (I / O) 244, an input / output interface (I / O) 245 between the image / sound control unit 202b, and an input / output interface (I / O) 246 between the lamp control unit 204 are provided. Composed.

  In addition, a real-time clock (RTC) 247 serving as a time measuring means for measuring and outputting the time (real time including the date) is connected to the production control unit 202a. The real-time clock 247 continues timing operation by a backup power source (not shown) even when the power is turned off. Various data set in the RAM 243 is sent to the image / sound controller 202b at a predetermined timing. The RTC 247 is not limited to being arranged in the effect control unit 202, and the arrangement position is not limited to being arranged in the main control unit 201 or arranged alone.

  The image / sound control unit 202b displays on the CPU 251 that executes image and sound generation and output processing, the ROM 252 that stores various image data such as background images, design images, and character images and various sounds, and the image display unit 104. Input / output interface (I / O) 254 between the RAM 253 for storing image data and sound output via the speaker 277, and the production control unit 202a, and input / output between the image display unit 104 and the speaker 277 And an interface (I / O) 255. In other words, image data to be displayed on the image display unit 104 output from the image / sound control unit 202b and information regarding various effects such as sound to be output through the speaker 277 are output to the RAM 253, and then the image display unit 104 is displayed. Or output from the speaker 277. These CPUs 241 and 251 constitute display control means for the image display unit 104 and the like.

  The effect button 117 is connected to the effect control unit 202a of the effect control unit 202 via the I / O 244, and the operation of the effect button 117 is input to the effect control unit 202a.

  Based on the command sent from the main control unit 201, the effect supervision unit 202a reads the program stored in the ROM 242, determines the content of the effect, and outputs an instruction to the image / sound control unit 202b. The CPU 251 of the image / sound control unit 202b performs various image processing and sound processing such as background image display processing, symbol image display / variation processing, and character image display processing based on the instructed contents of the rendering, and necessary image data. The audio data is read from the ROM 252 and written to the RAM 253. The background image, the design image, and the character image written in the RAM 253 are superimposed and displayed on the image display unit 104 on the display screen. That is, the design image and the character image are displayed so as to be seen in front of the background image.

  In this case, when the background image and the design image overlap at the same position, the design image is preferentially stored in the RAM 253 by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of each image data by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. . The effect control unit 202 described above realizes its function by, for example, an effect control board.

  For the image display unit 104, the effect control unit 202 displays the contents of the effect during the game, for example, movement display of symbols, reach (a state in which two of the three symbols are aligned), and various display information at the time of jackpot Is generated and output. When the game is interrupted for a certain time, a screen waiting for the customer is displayed and output. Further, as will be described later, a probability change state notification as to whether or not it is in the probability change mode is displayed at a predetermined time based on the time of the RTC 247. In addition, the effect control unit 202 outputs data for outputting sound from the speaker 277.

  The lamp control unit 204 inputs / outputs between the CPU 261 that executes processing for lamp lighting, the ROM 262 that stores control data such as lamp lighting, the RAM 263 as a work area of the CPU 261, and the production control unit 202a. An interface (I / O) 264, an effect light unit 266, a movable accessory 267, and an input / output interface (I / O) 265 between a panel lamp (not shown) are configured.

  The lamp control unit 204 lights an effect light unit (not shown) provided on the game board 101, the base frame, or the like based on control data such as lamp lighting output from the effect control unit 202a of the effect control unit 202. Output the data to be controlled. Also, data for controlling the operation of a movable accessory (not shown) is output.

  Next, the prize ball control unit 203 performs prize ball control based on a program stored in the ROM 282. The prize ball control unit 203 includes an input / output interface (I / O) between the CPU 281 that executes the prize ball control process, the RAM 283 that functions as a data work area during the calculation process of the CPU 281, and the main control unit 201. ) 284 and an input / output interface (I / O) 285 between motors and switches for prize ball operation. The prize ball control unit 203 realizes its function by, for example, a prize ball board.

  The prize ball control unit 203 performs control for paying out the number of prize balls at the time of winning a prize to a payout unit (payout drive motor) 291 connected via the I / O 285. The payout unit 291 includes a motor for paying out a predetermined number from the game ball storage unit. In addition, an operation of launching a game ball with respect to the launch unit 292 is detected, and the launch of the game ball is controlled.

The winning ball control unit 203 controls the paying unit 291 to pay out the number of winning balls corresponding to the game balls won in each winning port (start winning port 105, normal winning port 107, large winning port 109). Do it. The launcher 292 launches a game ball for a game, and includes a sensor that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like. Prize ball control unit 203
When a game operation is detected by the sensor of the launch unit 292, a solenoid or the like is driven in response to the detected game operation to intermittently fire the game ball and send the game ball to the game area 103 of the game board 101. .

  The prize ball control unit 203 is connected to detection units at various places for detecting the state of the game ball to be paid out via the I / O 285, and detects the payout state for the prize ball. These detection units include a fixed position detection SW293, a payout ball detection SW294, a ball presence detection SW295, a full tank detection SW296, and the like.

  The main control unit 201, the effect control unit 202, the prize ball control unit 203, and the lamp control unit 204 configured as described above are provided on different printed circuit boards (main control board, effect control board, prize ball board, and lamp board). It is done. For example, the prize ball control unit 203 can be provided on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 201.

(Basic operation of gaming machines)
An example of the basic operation of the gaming machine having the above configuration will be described. Control during the game is performed by the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201, and the winning status of the game balls for each winning opening is output to the winning ball control unit 203. The winning ball control unit 203 has the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning status. Make a withdrawal.

  In addition, every time a game ball wins at the start winning opening 105, a corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 202, and the effect control unit 202 repeatedly displays and stops the design of the image display unit 104. . When the big hit occurrence has been determined, the corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 202, and the effect control unit 202 is stopped in alignment with a predetermined symbol. At the same time, control for opening the special winning opening 109 is performed.

  The effect control unit 202 displays various effects in addition to the symbol change display on the image display unit 104 during the reach of the jackpot occurrence period and during the reach until the jackpot occurrence, or at the time of reach notice. . In addition, a specific drive is performed for various types of accessories, and effects such as changing the lighting state of the effect light unit 111 are performed.

  When a big hit occurs, the big winning opening 109 is opened a plurality of times. For example, 15 rounds are repeatedly executed with one release as one round. The period of one round is set, for example, when 10 game balls are won or for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). At this time, the winning ball control unit 203 pays out with 15 winning balls per winning game ball to the big winning opening 109. After the jackpot is over, the jackpot state is canceled and the normal gaming state is restored. In addition, the effect control unit 202 outputs a display screen for waiting for a customer when the game is interrupted for a certain period of time.

(Processing procedure of the main control unit)
Next, the contents of the processing procedure of the main control unit 201 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of main processing performed by the main control unit (main control board). Based on the various processes shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the effect control unit 202, prize ball control unit 203, and lamp control unit 204, which are peripheral parts, is controlled.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the main control unit 201 activates the illustrated process when the power is turned on. First, waiting for a time to stabilize the activation of the peripheral portion (for example, 1000 ms) is performed (step S301), and access to the RAM 213 is permitted (step S302). Next, the state of the RAM clear switch is detected (step S303).

If the detection result is ON (step S303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S307, and each process (steps S307 to S309) is performed. If it is OFF (step S303: No), then the state of the backup flag is detected (step S304). If the backup flag is ON (step S304: Yes), it is determined whether the checksum is normal (step S305). If the backup flag is OFF (step S304: No), the process proceeds to step S307.

  If the checksum is normal (step S305: Yes), a recovery process after power-off (another routine) is executed (step S306), and the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs such as a check sum does not match (No in step S305), the process proceeds to step S307.

  In the processing after step S307, RAM clear is performed on the RAM 213 (step S307). Next, the cleared work area of the RAM 213 is set (step S308), and initial settings are respectively made for the peripheral parts (the effect control unit 202, the prize ball control unit 203, and the lamp control unit 204) (step S309). The process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, CTC setting is performed and a timer interruption time (for example, an interval of 4 ms) is set. Next, power-off monitoring processing (details omitted), which are various processing (power-off detection, checksum creation, backup flag ON, etc.) at the time of power-off, are executed (step S311), and the fluctuation pattern random number used for jackpot determination After the update process is performed (step S312), interrupts are prohibited (step S313), initial value random numbers used for jackpot determination are updated (step S314), and interrupts are permitted again (step S315). Thereafter, during the period in which the power is supplied, the process returns to step S311, and the processes of steps S311 to S315 are continued.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the timer interrupt processing for the main processing. The timer interrupt process operates to interrupt the main process in FIG. 3 every predetermined period (for example, 4 ms) set in step S310 in FIG. 3 during the power supply period. First, a random number update process is performed (step S401), and a switch process at the time of starting port winning is performed (step S402). Thereafter, the special winning opening process is performed (step S403), the symbol process is performed (step S404), the prize ball process is performed (step S405), and these output processes are performed (step S406).

  In the switch process of step S402, every time the start port SW221 provided in the start winning port 105 detects a game ball, a random number is acquired for each hold number with a predetermined hold number (for example, four balls of a hold lamp) as an upper limit. In the big prize opening process of step S403, when the acquired random number is a numerical value corresponding to the big prize, it is determined that the big prize is won, and as described above, the big prize opening solenoid 231 provided in the big prize opening 109 is opened a predetermined number of times. Perform the process to be performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the recovery process in the main process. The contents of the recovery process shown in step S306 of FIG. 3 are described. It operates at the time of recovery after power is cut off. First, a work area of the RAM 213 at the time of recovery is set (step S501). Next, it is determined whether the mode at the time of power-off is a big hit (step S502), whether the probability is changing (step S504), or whether the time is short (step S506).

  When the mode at the time of power-off is a big hit (step S502: Yes), a big hit state command is transmitted to the effect control unit 202 (step S503), and then the peripheral part (prize ball control unit 203, lamp control unit). 204) is set (step S509), the backup flag is turned OFF (step S510), and the recovery process is completed.

  When the mode at the time of power-off is not big hit (step S502: No), it is next determined whether or not the probability change is in progress, and when it is in the probability change (step S504: Yes), the effect control unit 202 is surely changed. A command is transmitted (step S505), and the process proceeds to step S509. If the mode at the time of power-off is not changing reliably (step S504: No), then it is determined whether the time has been shortened. If the time has been shortened (step S506: Yes), the effect control unit 202 is in a time-saving state. A command is transmitted (step S507), and the process proceeds to step S509. When the mode at the time of power-off is not short (step S506: No), a normal state command is transmitted to the effect control unit 202 (step S508), and the process proceeds to step S509.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the symbol processing. This is the processing content in step S404 in FIG. In the symbol processing, first, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is being hit (step S601). If the jackpot is being hit (step S601: Yes), the processing is terminated without changing the symbol. If it is not a big hit (step S601: No), it is determined whether the symbol is changing (step S602). If it is not changing (step S602: No), it is determined whether there is at least one pending number U. (Step S603). If there is no pending number (U = 0) (step S603: No), the process is terminated without changing the symbol.

  If the number of holdings is 1 or more (step S603: Yes), a value obtained by subtracting the number of holdings by one is set as a new holding number (step S604), and a variation content selection process (another routine) is performed (step S605). Next, a variation start command is set in the RAM 213 (step S606), and the symbol variation is started (step S607). Then, the measurement starts and ends the fluctuation period in which the symbols are changing (step S608).

  In step S602, if the symbol is changing (step S602: Yes), it is then determined whether the changing time has ended (step S609). If the variation time has not ended (step S609: No), the process is terminated. If the variation time has ended (step S609: Yes), a symbol variation stop command is set (step S610). Is finished (step S611). At this time, the symbol variation time is reset (step S612), another routine is stopped (step S613), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the variation content selection processing. This is the processing content in step S605 of FIG. In the variation content selection process, it is determined whether or not the probability change is in progress (step S701). If the probability change is in progress (step S701: Yes), the high probability determination value is set in the RAM 213 (step S702). Step S701: No), a low probability determination value is set (Step S703).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit (step S704), and if it is a big hit (step S704: Yes), it is determined whether it is a probable change (step S705). When the probability is changed (step S705: Yes), the probability variation jackpot is set (step S706), and when it is not the probability variation (step S705: No), the normal jackpot is set (step S707) and the process is terminated.

  If it is not a big hit in step S704 (step S704: No), it is determined whether it is a reach (step S708). If it is reach (step S708: Yes), reach lose is set (step S709). If it is not reach (step S708: No), it is set (step S710), and the process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the stopping process. This is the processing content in step S613 in FIG. It is determined whether the processing during stoppage is a jackpot symbol (step S801). If it is not a jackpot symbol (step S801: No), it is determined whether the value for time reduction (remaining number of rotations for time reduction) J is 0 (step S802). ). If the value J for time reduction is 0 (step S802: Yes), the process ends, and if it is not 0 (step S802: No), a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the value J is set as a new J (step S803). Thereafter, if J is not 0 (step S804: No), the process is terminated. If J is 0 (step S804: Yes), the normal gaming state is set in the RAM 213 (step S805).

  When displaying a waiting for a customer, the following steps are further processed. First, it is determined whether there is at least one hold number U (step S812). If the number of holdings is 1 or more (step S812: Yes), the process ends. If there is no pending number (U = 0) (step S812: No), a customer waiting command is set in the RAM 213 (step S813), and the process is terminated.

  In step S801, if it is a jackpot symbol (step S801: Yes), it is next determined whether or not it is a probable variation jackpot symbol (step S806). If it is a probability variation jackpot symbol (step S806: Yes), the probability variation gaming state is set in the RAM 213 (step S807), the jackpot is started (step S808), the opening is started (step S809), and the processing is terminated.

  In step S806, if it is not a probable big hit symbol (step S806: No), the time-saving gaming state is set in the RAM 213 (step S810), and the initial value (eg, 100) of the time-saving value J is set (step S811). The process proceeds to step S808 and subsequent steps.

(Processing procedure of production control unit)
Next, the contents of the processing procedure of the effect control unit 202 will be described. The effect control unit 202 performs a predetermined main effect process (not shown) that receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit and displays an effect.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of timer interruption processing performed by the effect control unit (effect control board). The timer interrupt process is interrupted and executed at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 4 ms) with respect to the main effect process. In the timer interruption process, an image process (details are omitted) for determining an image to be displayed is executed (step S901), and an audio process (details are omitted) for determining a sound to be output is executed (step S902). finish.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the effect display process performed by the effect control unit (effect control board). The effect display processing is one processing included in the image processing in step S901 in FIG. In the effect display process, first, it is determined whether an effect is being performed (step S1001). If the effect is not being performed (step S1001: No), it is determined whether a change start command has been received from the main control unit 201 (step S1002).

  When the change start command has not been received (step S1002: No), the process ends. When the change start command is received (step S1002: Yes), an effect pattern selection process (details are omitted) for selecting an effect pattern corresponding to the change start command is executed (step S1003). Thereafter, the variation start sound selection process (see FIG. 11) is executed (step S1004), the waiting time for waiting for the customer is reset (step S1005), the waiting time for the customer is reset (step S1006), and the effect is started (step S1004). S1007), the process is terminated.

  If the effect is being produced in step S1001 (step S1001: Yes), it is determined whether a change stop command has been received (step S1008). When the change stop command is received (step S1008: Yes), the effect is ended (step S1009), and the process is ended. When the change stop command has not been received (step S1008: No), the process ends as it is.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the variation start sound selection processing. This is the content of the process shown in step S1004 of FIG. The variation start sound is a sound that is output when the symbol variation starts. In the change start sound selection process, first, it is determined whether the set time has elapsed since the end of the previous change (step S1101), and if the set time has passed (step S1101: Yes), it is determined whether it is a big hit ( If it is a big hit (step S1102: Yes), the premier sound is set in the RAM 253 (step S1103), and the process ends. If it is not a big hit (step S1102: No), the time corresponding sound corresponding to the current time measured by the RTC 247 is set in the RAM 253 (step S1104), and the process is terminated. The time corresponding sound and the premier sound will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1101, if the set time has not elapsed (step S1101: No), the process ends without setting the fluctuation start sound. In this case, the fluctuation start sound is not output. Here, the set time is an arbitrary time according to the frequency with which the fluctuation start sound is output. That is, the set time is set to a small value when it is desired to output the fluctuation start sound frequently, and is set to a large value when it is desired to output the fluctuation start sound rarely. For example, the set time is set to 0 when it is desired to output a fluctuation start sound at every fluctuation, and is set to 90 when it is desired to output a fluctuation start sound only when a certain amount of time has passed since the previous fluctuation and thereafter fluctuated. Set to seconds.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the time corresponding sound and the premier sound. As shown in the table 1200, a corresponding time (corresponding time) is set for each time corresponding sound. For example, “Happy New Year” is set for January 1 according to the date, and “Good Morning” is set for 4:00 to 11:00 according to the time zone.

  In the above variation start sound selection processing, a time corresponding sound including the current time counted by the RTC 247 in the corresponding time is selected and set in the RAM 253. For example, when the current time measured by the RTC 247 is “May 1 10:00”, the time corresponding sound “Good morning” with the corresponding time set to 4:00 to 11:00 is selected. Further, for example, when the current time measured by the RTC 247 is “January 1 10:00”, priority is given to the time-corresponding sound by date, and “Happy New Year” is selected.

  In the above description, only the time-corresponding sound has been described. Similarly, a time-corresponding image may be set. In this case, in the image processing (step S901 in FIG. 9), a time-corresponding image that includes the time counted by the RTC 247 in the corresponding time is selected and displayed on the image display unit 104. For example, when the time counted by the RTC 247 is “January 1 10:00”, an image that symbolizes the New Year, such as a picture of Kagamine and a character “Happy New Year”, is displayed on the image display unit 104. Is displayed.

Next, the processing procedure of the customer waiting process executed when waiting for a customer will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the customer waiting process. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when no game is played for a certain period of time, a display screen for waiting for a customer is displayed on the image display unit 104 after the change of the symbol is stopped. The customer waiting process shown in FIG. 13 is interrupted and executed at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 4 ms) in a main effect process (not shown).

  When the customer waiting interrupt shown in FIG. 13 is executed, it is first determined whether or not the customer waiting standby is in progress (step S1301). When waiting for a customer (step S1301: Yes), a customer waiting process is executed (step S1306), and the process is terminated.

  In step S1301, if it is not waiting for a customer (step S1301: No), it is determined whether a customer waiting display is in progress (step S1302). If the customer waiting display is in progress (step S1302: Yes), the customer waiting display process is executed (step S1307), and the process is terminated.

  In step S1302, if the customer waiting display is not in progress (step S1302: No), it is determined whether a customer waiting start command is received from the main control board (step S1303). If the customer waiting start command has not been received (step S1303: No), the process ends. If the customer waiting start command has been received (step S1303: Yes), the customer waiting standby is started (step S1304), the measurement of the customer waiting standby time is started (step S1305), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the customer waiting standby processing. This is the content of the processing in step S1306 in FIG. In the customer waiting process, it is first determined whether the customer waiting time has elapsed (step S1401). The waiting time for waiting for customers is a period of time (for example, 1 minute) from when the change of symbols stops without playing a game until the display screen for waiting for customers is displayed. The waiting time for waiting for customers is obtained by measuring the period from step S1305 in FIG. 13 to step S1504 in FIG. Note that the gaming machine displays the stopped symbols and background until the customer waiting time elapses, and the customer waiting time is displayed after the customer waiting time elapses. The image display unit 104 displays a predetermined time (for example, (30 seconds), a predetermined customer waiting display screen is displayed.

  In step S1401, if the waiting time for waiting for the customer has not elapsed (step S1401: No), the processing ends as it is. If the customer waiting time has elapsed (step S1401: Yes), the customer waiting display is started (step S1402). Here, the customer waiting display is to display the aforementioned customer waiting display screen. After the customer waiting display is started, the measured customer waiting waiting time is reset (step S1403), the customer waiting display time is measured (step S1404), and the process ends. The customer waiting display time is a period during which the customer waiting display is performed.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the customer waiting display processing. This is the content of the processing in step S1307 in FIG. In the customer waiting display process, first, it is determined whether the customer waiting display time has elapsed (step S1501). Here, the customer waiting display time is a period during which a display screen for waiting for customers is displayed. For example, a moving image having a playback time of 30 seconds is displayed on the display screen for waiting for a customer. At this time, the customer waiting display time is 30 seconds (that is, the reproduction time of the moving image).

  If the customer waiting display time has not elapsed in step S1501 (step S1501: No), the process ends. If the customer waiting display time has elapsed (step S1501: Yes), the customer waiting standby is started (step S1502). Here, the waiting for customer is a state before displaying the waiting for the customer (or after displaying the waiting for the customer), and the image display unit 104 displays the symbols and background stopped by the previous change. It is. After the waiting for customer is started, the measured waiting time for displaying the customer is reset (step S1503), the waiting time for waiting for the customer is measured (step S1504), and the process ends.

  FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing an example of the timing of the time corresponding sound output. In FIG. 16, it is assumed that the gaming state being executed by the gaming machine has a low probability. In the example shown in the figure, when the customer waiting waiting time T1 elapses after the symbol fluctuation is stopped (time t1), the customer waits (time t2). As described above, when waiting for a customer, the image display unit 104 starts a waiting display for the customer. In this gaming machine, when the game is resumed at time t3 (that is, when the symbol variation is resumed), a time-corresponding sound is output at the start of the first variation after the resumption. If the first change after the restart is a big hit, a premier sound is output instead of the time corresponding sound.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the timing at which the player does not feel annoying the production, that is, at the timing of starting (resuming) the game, such as after waiting for a customer, depends on the current time. The player can enjoy the performance, improve the game characteristics and the game preference, and improve the game performance.

  Then, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the player is troublesome by executing the effect only when the game state being executed has a low probability (a state in which the player seems to quit the game). Productions that can be felt can be suppressed, and playability can be improved.

  In addition, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the production from occurring frequently by making the production according to the current time only during the time of a change from the waiting state to the normal gaming state. , Game play can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the fluctuation of returning from the customer waiting state to the normal gaming state is a big hit, it is different from the effect according to the current time (for example, the time corresponding sound). Since the effect (for example, a premier sound) can be executed, variations in the effect can be increased, and the game preference can be improved.

  The effect control method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance by a computer such as an effect control board. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the effect control device according to the present invention is suitable for a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine in which a game is performed by changing a symbol.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Game board 104 Image display part 201 Main control part 202 Production control part 202a Production control part 202b Image / sound control part 203 Prize ball control part 241,251 CPU
242,252 ROM
243,253 RAM
247 Real-time clock (RTC)

Claims (1)

In the production control device that controls the production content of the gaming machine,
Based on the command received from the main control means, the symbol change means for stopping after changing any symbol,
A setting means for setting a waiting state for a customer when the command is not received after the symbol is stopped by the symbol changing means;
First control means for controlling to execute a predetermined effect when the command is received when the customer waiting state is not set by the setting means;
Second control means for controlling to execute a specific effect different from the predetermined effect when the command is received when the customer waiting state is set by the setting means;
Output means for outputting information related to the effect according to the control of the first and second control means,
The second control means controls to execute a special effect different from the case where the command does not include the information indicating the jackpot when the command includes the information indicating the jackpot. Production control device.

Images