JP6509141B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates pachinko Yu technique machine.

  In recent years, in gaming machines such as pachinko machines, as a method for diversifying display effects, those having a configuration in which the effect mode can be changed by the player operating the effect mode selection button are known ( See JP 2004-154271 A).

JP 2004-154271 A

However , regarding the change of the rendering mode, it is desirable to more suitably execute and improve the interest.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and the like, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a pachinko gaming machine which is more interesting with regard to the rendering mode.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the pachinko machine concerning the present invention is:
An input operation for selecting and changing one of a plurality of display modes for displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition and a plurality of effect modes having different display effects on the display device by manual input operation Means, and the effect control command from the main control device to control the progress of the game to control the display device, and the display effect based on the display effect pattern according to the selected effect mode and the effect control command And a sub-control device for performing
The sub control unit is
Effect mode storage means for storing information for indicating a currently set effect mode;
Display effect pattern storage means provided corresponding to the effect mode, in which the display effect pattern corresponding to the effect control command is stored in advance;
A display control means for executing a display effect based on a display effect pattern determined by the effect mode corresponding to the information stored in the effect mode storage means, and the effect control command;
Effect mode changing means for changing the stored contents of the effect mode storage means in response to a signal from the input operation means;
The effect mode changing means sets and stores information for indicating a new effect mode in the effect mode storage means according to the signal in the changeable period,
The display control means notifies the changed effect mode in a predetermined notification mode by the display device based on setting and storing the information for indicating the new effect mode, and the changed effect mode Control of the display effect based on the display effect pattern corresponding to is executed from the newly started variable display,
The plurality of effect modes are changed from the predetermined effect mode to the next effect mode according to the signal in the changeable period, and are changed again to the predetermined effect mode by performing the change a plurality of times.
The changeable period is a predetermined period determined in advance.
During the changeable period, the effect mode can be changed any number of times according to the signal,
The display apparatus further includes a hold display unit that displays hold information on a predetermined number of newly started variable display on the display device.
The hold display means executes, by displaying a character, a suggestion display that suggests the degree of expectation that the variable display corresponding to the hold information will be a specific display result according to the display mode of the hold information. The character includes the first character and the second character displayed in place of the first character once displayed, and the specific second characters different from one another are displayed for each effect mode. If the, compared to the case where the other than the particular character second character is displayed, the expectation degree corresponding variation display is specific display results and said higher kuna Rukoto.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more interesting gaming machine with regard to the effect mode .

Front view of a pachinko machine. The front view which shows the structure of a game board. The enlarged view of the display surface of a 1st pattern main display apparatus. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 1. FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 2. FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 3. FIG. The block diagram which showed the electric constitution of the pachinko machine. The figure which showed the outline | summary of the various counters in a main control apparatus. The flowchart which showed the main process performed by MPU in a main control apparatus. The flowchart which showed the normal processing performed by MPU in a main control device. The flowchart which showed the missing symbol counter update process performed in the normal processing of FIG. The flowchart which showed the special symbol variation process performed in the normal processing of FIG. The flowchart which showed the change start process performed in the special symbol change process of FIG. The flowchart which showed timer interruption processing. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a start winning process executed in the timer interrupt process of FIG. 14; FIG. The flowchart which showed NMI interruption processing. The expanded view of a decorative design row. The figure which showed the outline | summary of the various counters in a display control apparatus. The flowchart which showed the main processing performed by MPU of a display control apparatus. The flowchart which showed the decorative symbol counter update process performed in the main process of FIG. The flowchart which showed the command reception process performed by MPU of a display control apparatus. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a main control device and a display control device. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of an effect mode update part and a decorative symbol display control part. The flowchart which shows the effective period setting processing of the production mode selection switch by the production mode change switching control part 711. The flowchart which shows production mode selective change processing. The flowchart which shows the display control processing which relates to the production mode selective change processing of the decoration design display control section. The timing chart which shows the specific example of production mode change processing. The front view which shows the structure of the game board of a 2nd form. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 1 of a 2nd form. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 2 of a 2nd form. The figure which shows the display screen of production mode 3 of a 2nd form. The figure which shows the display of a normal reach state. The figure which shows the display of a super reach condition. The figure which shows the display of a super reach condition. The figure which shows the display of a premium reach state. The figure which shows the display of a premium reach state. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a main control device and a display control device of a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a rendering mode updating unit and a decorative symbol display control unit of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other modification of the fluctuation | variation aspect of a decorative symbol, and among them, FIG. 39 (1) is the decoration which autorotates, FIG. 39 (2) is a figure which shows the mode of autorotation.

In describing the present invention, the meaning of the names will be described.
“Moving display of identification information” includes, in addition to the case of scrolling display of identification information in a predetermined direction, the case of display of fluctuation by rotating identification information (see FIG. 39) and the like.
The “effect mode change input unit” is the effect mode selection button 900, the effect mode selection switch 705, and the like in the best mode.
The "variation pattern storage means" are the presentation mode tables TB1 to TB3 and the like in the best mode.
The “game effect mode execution means” is the image forming unit 720 or the like in the best mode.
The “effect mode change switching means” is the switch receiving unit 710 or the like.
The "effect mode change switching control means" is the effect mode change switching control unit 711 or the like in the best mode.
The “standby screen display period” includes a period from the end of fluctuation to a state in which the stop image at the end is changed to the demo screen as well as the standby screen period called a so-called demo screen.

In the means 1,
A display mode for changing and displaying multiple types of identification information, a production mode change input means for selecting and changing any of a plurality of game performance modes having different display effects on the display device by manual input operation, and the progress of the game In a gaming machine having a secondary control device that receives an effect control command from a main control device to be integrated and performs a display effect according to a variation pattern according to the effect control command in a selected effect mode,
The sub control unit is
Game effect mode storage means for storing the game effect mode currently set;
Variation pattern storage means provided for each of the plurality of game effect modes, in which the variation pattern corresponding to the effect control command is stored in advance;
The effect mode currently set is read out from the effect mode storage means, the fluctuation pattern determined by the read out effect mode and the effect control command is read out from the fluctuation pattern storage means, and the display effect is displayed with the fluctuation pattern. Game effect mode execution means to be executed,
Effect mode change switching means for changing the stored contents of the effect mode storage means in response to a mode selection signal from the game effect mode change input means;
Effect mode change switching control means for activating the effect mode change switching means only in the standby screen display period and at least any period during the variable display, and inactivating the effect mode change switching means in the other periods ,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the above configuration, the effect mode updating means is activated only in the standby screen display period and at least any period during the variable display. Therefore, in addition to the standby screen display period, the selection can be changed by the game effect mode change input unit at least in any period during the variable display. As a result, since it is possible to change the effect mode even when there is a holding ball, it is possible to eliminate the annoyance caused by stopping the game for the effect mode change. Further, since the game is not stopped until the holding balls disappear, it is possible to prevent the decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine. Furthermore, usually, in pachinko halls, so-called single shot playing a game intermittently is prohibited. In addition to the purpose of preventing the decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine, this also has the purpose of eliminating the fraudulent act by the sensation sensor or the like. Therefore, caution is given to the player who is making a single shot that the player should not make such a strike. However, in such a pachinko machine of the conventional example (a pachinko machine having a configuration in which the operation of the effect mode selection button can not be performed until there is no holding ball when there is a holding ball), such a change is made If there is an objection to the effect that the game has been stopped for the sake of making it a legitimate objection, there is nothing to do. As a result, the operating rate of the gaming machine may decrease, and there may be a problem of promoting cheating, but with the pachinko machine according to the present invention, the effect mode can be changed even if there is a holding ball. As such, it can not be justified that the game has been suspended for the above effect mode change. Therefore, with the gaming machine according to the present invention, in addition to the fact that the operating rate of the gaming machine can be prevented from being lowered, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts.

Means 2: In the game machine of Means 1,
When the mode selection signal is input during the changeable period, the effect mode change switching means outputs an effect mode notification information signal for notifying of the selected effect mode to the game effect mode execution means.
When the game effect mode execution means inputs an effect mode notification information signal, the effect mode notification information is displayed on the display device at that time, and a substantial display effect of the selected game effect mode is executed from the next variation It is characterized in that display control is performed.

  With the above configuration, when the selection change of the effect mode is input during the variable display, effect mode notification information for notifying the selected game effect mode at that time is displayed, and the substantial effect of the selected game effect mode is displayed. The display effect shifts from the next change. As described above, when the selection change of the effect mode is input during the change, since the effect mode notification information is displayed at that time, the player can confirm that the effect mode change has been accepted, and It is possible to know which effect mode is the effect mode in the variation by the effect mode notification information.

Means 3: In the gaming machine of means 2,
The effect mode notification information is information for changing the display of the currently changing background screen into a background image corresponding to the selected effect mode.

  According to the above configuration, when the selection change of the effect mode is input during the change, the display image is changed to the background image of the effect mode selected at that time, so the player receives the effect mode change It becomes possible to visually confirm which rendering mode is the rendering mode in the next fluctuation.

Means 4: In the gaming machine of Means 1 or Means 2,
The variable display in the display device is a variable display of a plurality of identification information strings configured by connecting a plurality of types of identification information,
The sub control unit is
Furthermore, a standby screen flag in which a different logic value is set during the standby screen period or during the fluctuation period;
And a timer that measures a period until the fluctuation display of the identification information string to be stopped first among the plurality of identification information strings changes from high speed fluctuation to deceleration fluctuation, and outputs a timer notification signal to the effect mode change switching control means when the period elapses. ,
Equipped with
When the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the standby screen is in the standby screen, and the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the fluctuation period is in progress, and the timer notification signal is not output from the timer Only, it is characterized in that the effect mode change switching means is activated.

  With the above-described configuration, during the fluctuation display period as well as during the standby screen, the effect mode change period during which the fluctuation display of the identification information string to be stopped first among the plurality of identification information strings changes from the high speed fluctuation to the deceleration fluctuation Is possible.

Means 5: In the gaming machine of Means 1 or Means 2,
The variable display in the display device is a variable display of a plurality of identification information strings configured by connecting a plurality of types of identification information,
The sub control unit is
Furthermore, a standby screen flag in which a different logic value is set during the standby screen period or during the fluctuation period;
A timer that measures a period until the identification information sequence to be stopped first among the plurality of identification information sequences stops, and outputs a timer notification signal to the effect mode change switching control means when the period elapses;
Equipped with
When the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the standby screen is in the standby screen, and the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the fluctuation period is in progress, and the timer notification signal is not output from the timer Only, it is characterized in that the effect mode change switching means is activated.

With the above-described configuration, the effect mode can be changed during the period until the identification information sequence to be stopped first among the plurality of identification information sequences is stopped during the fluctuation display period as well as during the standby screen.
The reason why the changeable period of the effect mode is restricted to the above period is as follows. That is, since the display effect of the effect mode is started after the stop of the identification information sequence which is stopped first, for example, in the case of the step-up notice, the change of the effect mode can not be made thereafter.

In the gaming machine according to means 6: means 1 or 2,
The variable display in the display device is a variable display of a plurality of identification information strings configured by connecting a plurality of types of identification information,
The sub control unit is
Furthermore, a standby screen flag in which a different logic value is set during the standby screen period or during the fluctuation period;
A timer that measures a period before the reach state appears by at least identification information, and outputs a timer notification signal to the effect mode change switching control means when the period elapses;
Equipped with
When the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the standby screen is in the standby screen, and the standby screen flag is a logical value indicating that the fluctuation period is in progress, and the timer notification signal is not output from the timer Only, it is characterized in that the effect mode change switching means is activated.

  With the above-described configuration, the effect mode can be changed until just before the reach state appears, even during the variable display period, in addition to the standby screen.

Means 7: In the gaming machine of means 1 to 6,
When there is a holding ball, it is characterized in that it is provided with a holding lamp configured to notify by a change of lighting color that the possibility of the special gaming state occurrence is large in the variable display related to each holding ball.

In particular, when the possibility of the occurrence of the special gaming state is large, the player has a strong desire to challenge in different effect modes, and since such a desire can be satisfied, the player enjoys the game in an extremely excited state be able to.

Means 8: In the gaming machine of Means 1 or Means 2,
The game effect mode change input unit is a push button, and the plurality of game effect modes are sequentially selected and changed each time the push button is pressed.

Means 9: In the gaming machine of Means 1 or Means 2,
The sub-control device has a holding ball related information image forming means for forming a holding ball related information image to display information related to the holding ball on the display device together with the variable display of the identification information. I assume.

  According to the above configuration, the display device displays information related to the holding ball in addition to the variable display of the identification information, so the player can change the holding ball in the effect mode different for each holding ball according to the holding ball related information. The display effect can be enjoyed, and the interest of the game can be improved. In addition, as long as the player is playing a game looking at only the display surface of the display device, he can know the holding ball related information and can concentrate on the game.

Means 10: In the gaming machine of means 9,
The information related to the holding ball may be a number of holding balls.
Means 11: In the gaming machine of means 10,
The information related to the hold state is characterized in that, in addition to the number of the hold balls, an expectation degree display for notifying that the possibility of the special gaming state occurrence is large when the hold balls are variably displayed.
As described above, by displaying the degree of expectation, when the degree of expectation is large, the player can enjoy the display effect in the effect mode different for each holding ball, and the interest of the game can be improved. Can.

Means 12:
A game board having a game area in which game balls are hit;
Game ball firing means for hitting a game ball into the game area of the gaming board in response to a player's firing operation;
A display device provided in the game area for variably displaying identification information;
A ball-in means provided in the game area and capable of entering a game ball;
Ball entry detection means for detecting that the game ball has entered the ball entry means;
First random number generation means for generating a first random number group for determining whether or not to be a special gaming state;
First random number storage means for storing one of the first random numbers of the first random number group generated by the first random number generation means based on the sphere detection by the sphere detection means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the first random number stored in the first random number storage means is a hit value;
The display control of the display device is made to start the fluctuation display of the display device based on the ball detection by the ball detection means, and to display the fluctuation display result according to the judgment result of the first judgment means. Display control means for
State generation means for generating a game state advantageous to the player when it is determined by the first determination means that the value is a hit value;
Second random number generation means for generating a second random number group for determining the variable display content of the identification information to be displayed on the display device, the second random number group being a random number group different from the first random number group;
Second random number storage means for storing one second random number of the second random number group generated by the second random number generation means based on the sphere detection by the ball entry detection means;
A second determination unit that determines whether the second random number stored in the second random number storage unit is a predetermined value;
An output unit that outputs a control signal according to the determination result of the second determination unit to the display control unit;
Main control means for controlling the gaming machine as a whole and instructing the display control means to include predetermined information;
Equipped with
The display control means
Game effect mode storage means for storing the game effect mode currently set;
Variation pattern storage means provided for each of the plurality of game effect modes, in which the variation pattern corresponding to the effect control command is stored in advance;
The effect mode currently set is read out from the effect mode storage means, the fluctuation pattern determined by the read out effect mode and the effect control command is read out from the fluctuation pattern storage means, and the display effect is displayed with the fluctuation pattern. Game effect mode execution means to be executed,
Effect mode change switching means for changing the stored contents of the effect mode storage means in response to a mode selection signal from the game effect mode change input means;
Effect mode change switching control means for activating the effect mode change switching means only in the standby screen display period and at least any period during the variable display, and inactivating the effect mode change switching means in the other periods ,
It is characterized by having.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Here, a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") is mentioned as a gaming machine, but the present invention is a gaming machine generally used to play a game on a game board using spheres in addition to winning devices for pachinko machines. It is possible to target the winning device of. The embodiment can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the subject matter of the present invention.

(Configuration of Pachinko machine front side)
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 forming an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10 and an inner frame 12 supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. . The configurations of the outer frame 11 and the inner frame 12 will be individually described in detail below.

  The outer frame 11 is generally formed in a rectangular shape by a wooden plate material, and the plate materials are assembled by a detachable fastener such as a small screw. The outer frame 11 may be made of a light metal such as resin or aluminum. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to reduce the weight of the pachinko machine.

  On the other hand, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set to extend vertically on the opposite side (the left side of the pachinko machine 10 of FIG. 1) of the handle (the game ball launch handle 18 described later) The inner frame 12 can be sufficiently opened to the front side with the open / close axis as an axis.

  When the inner frame 12 is roughly divided, it opens and closes with the lower tray unit 13 attached to the lowermost portion thereof and the upper and lower opening and closing axes of the inner frame 12 in the upper range than the lower tray unit 13 as axes. It has a front frame set 14 freely attached and holding a glass plate 137, a resin base, and a game board 30 (see FIG. 2) attached to the rear side of the resin base. Each of these configurations is described in detail below.

  The lower tray unit 13 is fixed to the inner frame 12 by a fastener such as a screw. On the front side of the lower tray unit 13, a lower tray 15, a ball release lever 17, a game ball emission handle 18, an ashtray 22, and a sound output port 24 are provided. The lower plate 15 as a ball tray is provided substantially at the center of the lower plate unit 13, and plays a role of retaining the game ball discharged from the discharge port 16 when the upper plate described later becomes full. is there. The ball release lever 17 is for removing game balls in the lower plate 15. By moving the ball release lever 17 to the left in FIG. 2, a predetermined portion of the bottom surface of the lower plate 15 is opened, The gaming balls retained in the lower tray 15 can be discharged to the ball storage box (dollar box) of the player through the opening of the bottom of the lower tray 15. The gaming ball emission handle 18 is disposed to project to the front side on the right side of the lower plate 15. In response to the operation of the game ball emission handle 18 by the player, the game ball launch device 38 drives the game balls into the game board 30 described later. The sound output port 24 is an output port for outputting a sound from a speaker provided in the lower tray unit 13 or on the rear surface. Further, the ashtray 22 is provided on the left side of the lower tray 15. The right side of the ashtray 22 is supported in a cantilever manner on the lower plate 15 so as to rotate (for example, forward toward the front side) about an axis in the left-right direction (horizontal direction).

  At the lower part of the front frame set 14 (the upper position of the lower tray 15 described above), an upper tray 19 as a tray for gaming balls is provided integrally with the front frame set 14. The upper tray 19 is a ball tray for temporarily storing the game balls and guiding them to the game ball launch device 38 while aligning them in a line. In the conventional pachinko machine, the front decoration frame which can be opened and closed with respect to the inner frame is provided below the front frame set, and the upper tray is provided on the front decoration frame, but in the present embodiment, the front decoration frame is The upper tray 19 is provided directly on the front frame set 14, which is omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the game board 30. As shown in FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32, a first starting opening 33 (for example, an operation chucker), a second starting opening 34 (for example, a through gate), a variable display unit 35 and the like. The general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, the first starting opening 33, the second starting opening 34, the variable display unit 35, etc. are respectively provided in the through holes formed by router processing in the gaming board 30. , And mounted from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. The game ball enters the above-described general winning opening 31, variable winning device 32, and first starting opening 33, and the entering ball is detected by a detection switch (a winning opening switch, a count switch, an operation opening switch, etc.) A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 19 (or lower tray 15) based on the output of the detection switch. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not entered the various winning devices etc. are guided through the out port 36 toward a ball discharge path not shown. It has become. A large number of nails are implanted in the game board 30 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (disposal) are disposed.

  The variable display unit 35 is triggered by winning on the first start opening 33, and the first symbol display unit 42 variably displays a first symbol (for example, a decorative symbol) as identification information, and a second start opening The second symbol display device 41 is provided to variably display a second symbol (for example, a normal symbol) using the passage of 34 as a trigger.

  The second symbol display device 41 includes display portions 43a and 43b for the second symbol and a holding lamp 44 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the display portion 43a for the second symbol is provided, for example, above the display both sides of the first symbol display device 42, and the appearance shape is "o", while the display portion 43a for the second symbol is The display unit 43b is provided adjacent to the right side of the display unit 43a, and has an “X” shape in appearance as the display unit 43a described above. The second symbol display device 41 changes, for example, the display symbol (normal symbol) by the display portions 43a and 43b each time the game ball passes through the second starting opening 34. Specifically, the display portions 43a and 43b The first start port 33 is configured to be activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time when it is alternately lit and stopped by the display unit 43a. The number of times the game ball has passed through the second starting opening 31 is held up to four times at maximum, and the number of times of holding is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. The display portions 43a and 43b may be a plurality of display portions that are variably displayed on a part of the first symbol display device 42 (liquid crystal display device).

  The first symbol display device 42 is configured as a liquid crystal display device, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 45 described later. In the first symbol display device 42, for example, symbols as identification information are displayed at three places of left, middle and right (see FIG. 3). As these symbols are rotated, they are variably displayed on the first symbol display device 42. Further, a center frame 47 is disposed in the variable display unit 35 so as to surround the first symbol main display unit 42.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which the gaming ball can not win or is difficult to win, and is operated repeatedly in an open state where the gaming ball can easily win in the case of a big hit and a normal closed state. ing. More specifically, when the gaming ball wins against the first starting opening 33, the symbol is variably displayed on the first symbol main display device 42, and the determined symbol after the stop becomes the combination of the predetermined symbols set in advance. The special game condition occurs on the necessary conditions. Then, the large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is in a predetermined open state, and the gaming ball is configured to be in a state of being easy to win (big hit state). Specifically, with the elapse of a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings being made one round, the special winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times. The number of times the game ball passes the first starting opening 33 is held up to four times at maximum, and the number of times of holding is lit and displayed by the holding lamp 46. The holding lamp 46 may be configured to be variably displayed on a part of the first symbol main display device 42.

  In addition, a rail unit 50 is attached to the game board 30 for guiding the game ball fired from the game ball launch device 38 to the upper part of the game board 30, and the game ball 30 is fired along with the turning operation of the game ball launch handle 18. The game balls are guided to a predetermined game area through the rail unit 50. The rail unit 50 is formed of a ring-shaped resin molded product (for example, one to which a fluorine resin is added and molded), and has an inner rail 51 and an outer rail 52 integrally formed in an inner and outer double. . The inner rail 51 is formed in a substantially annular shape except for about 1⁄4 of the upper side, and the outer rail 52 is formed so as to face a part (mainly the left side) or the inner rail 51. In such a case, the inner rail 51 and the outer rail 52 constitute a guide rail, and the portions 51 (52) parallel to each other with a predetermined distance (portion on the left side) form a ball guide passage. The ball guiding passage is formed in the shape of a groove having a contact surface with the game board 30, that is, the shape of a groove whose front side is opened.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the end of the inner rail 51. As a result, it is prevented that the gaming ball guided to the upper part of the game board 30 from the ball guiding passage between the inner rail 51 and the outer rail 52 is once again returned to the ball guiding passage. There is. In addition, a rubber return 54 is attached to the outer rail 52 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight portion of the gaming ball (a portion corresponding to the tip of the outer rail 52). Therefore, the game ball fired with a predetermined momentum or more is hit on the return rubber 54 and bounced back. On the inner surface of the outer rail 52, in order to make the game ball fly more smoothly, that is, to reduce the frictional resistance of the game ball, a sliding plate 55 as a long stainless steel metal band is formed. It is attached.

  Further, an arc-shaped flange 56 protruding outward is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rail unit 50. The flange 56 constitutes an attachment surface to the game board 30. When the rail unit 50 is attached to the game board 30, the flange 56 abuts on the game board 30, and in that state, a screw or the like is inserted through the plurality of through holes formed in the flange 56 Fastening of the rail unit 50 to 30 is performed.

  At the entrance of the ball guide passage between the inner rail 51 and the outer rail 52, a convex portion 57 is formed to close a part of the ball guide passage. The convex portion 57 is provided in a substantially vertical direction from the inner rail 51 to the lower end portion of the rail unit 50, and guides the far ball not back to the game area but backflowing in the ball guiding passage to the far ball passage (not shown) I do the role for. The lower right corner and lower left corner of the game board 30 are spaces for attaching stickers (S1, S2 in FIG. 2) such as a certificate (for example, the serial number is described) and plates. The notches 58 and 59 are formed in the flange 56 in order to secure the bonding space. By attaching stickers S1 and S2 such as a certificate stamp to the lower right corner and the lower left corner of the game board 30, the uniqueness between the game board 30 and the certificate can be given.

  Here, the front frame set 14 described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The front frame set 14 is formed with a substantially elliptical window portion 101 so that most of the game area can be viewed from the outside. Specifically, the window portion 101 has a substantially center portion on the left and right sides curved relatively gently in comparison with the upper and lower sides. The substantially central portion may be linear.

  The front frame set 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps around its periphery (for example, a corner portion). These light emitting means are controlled to change the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the gaming state at the time of big hit gaming state and the time of opening the wings, and play a role to enhance the rendering effect during the game. For example, on the periphery of the window portion 101, an annular electric decoration portion 102 containing light emitting means such as an LED is provided symmetrically in the left-right direction, and at the center of the annular electric decoration portion 102 and on the top of the pachinko machine 10 Similarly, a central illumination part 103 incorporating light emitting means such as an LED is provided. In the pachinko machine 10, the central electric decoration portion 103 functions as a big hit lamp, and lights up or blinks in the big hit gaming state to notify that it is in the big hit gaming state. Furthermore, an upper dish electronic decoration portion 104 incorporating light emitting means such as LEDs is also provided around the upper dish 19. In addition, on the left and right sides of the central electric decoration part 103, there are provided a prize ball lamp 105 which is lit during payout ball payout and an error display lamp 106 which is lit upon a predetermined error. Further, a small window 107 made of transparent resin is provided adjacent to the lower end portion of the annular illumination portion 102 so that a part of the surface of the inner frame 12 or the surface of the game board 30 can be viewed. Since a predetermined portion of the small window 107 is flat, a certificate stamp or the like attached to the lower right corner of the game board 30 can be suitably read by the machine from the flat portion of the small window 107.

  In addition, below the window portion 101, a ball rental operation unit 120 is disposed, and the ball rental operation unit 120 is provided with a ball rental button 121, a return button 122, and a frequency display unit 123. When the rental ball operation unit 120 is operated with a bill, a card, etc. being inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, the gaming ball is lent according to the operation. To be done. The ball lending button 121 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on the information recorded in the card etc. (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper tray 19 as long as the remaining amount exists in the card etc. Be done. The return button 122 is operated to request return of a card or the like inserted in the card unit. The frequency display unit 123 displays balance information of a card or the like. In the case of a pachinko machine in which gaming balls are directly lent out from the ball lending device unit to the upper tray without passing through a card unit, the so-called cash machine does not require the ball rental operation unit 120. Therefore, a decorative seal or the like is attached to the installation portion of the rental ball operation unit 120. As a result, it is possible to share the ball rental operation unit between the pachinko machine and the cash machine using the card unit.

  Furthermore, above the ashtray 22, a rendering mode selection button 900 is provided. The effect mode selection button 900 is a button for selecting a plurality of effect modes having different display effects on the first symbol main display device 42. In the present embodiment, three effect modes are set. The production mode 1 is also referred to as a natural stage mode, and as shown in FIG. 4, the background is an image of shallow water in a state where sunlight sufficiently pours into a rock or a weir. It is a numbered character with numbers added to fish and the like. In this effect mode 1, a display effect effect is performed to predict that there is a high possibility of becoming a big hit by the appearance of a bubble or a school of fish. In the initial state, the effect mode 1 is set, and if there is no selection mode changing operation in the effect mode, the effect mode remains in the effect mode 1 state, and fluctuation display in the effect mode 1 is performed.

  The production mode 2 is also referred to as a treasure stage mode, and as shown in FIG. 5, the Roman temple is sunk in the seabed as the background, and it is an image of the state of the seabed about the middle layer where sunlight slightly flows. The variation symbol is a numbered character similar to the effect mode 1. In the effect mode 2, for example, a display effect such as a step-up notice for notifying that the possibility of the jackpot state is large is performed by an aspect in which predetermined characters appear sequentially.

  The production mode 3 is also referred to as a lagoon stage mode, and as shown in FIG. 6, there is a sunken ship on the seabed as a background, and is an image of a deep sea where there is no sunlight. The variation symbol is a numbered character similar to the effect mode 1. In this effect mode 3, for example, display effect effects such as button advance notice and continuous advance notice are performed.

(Electric configuration and various control processing of pachinko machine)
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 261 is equipped with an MPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer which is an arithmetic device. The MPU 501 is a ROM 502 storing various control programs to be executed by the MPU 501 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data etc. when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. A ROM 503 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The ROM 503 is configured to be able to receive data (backup) supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is powered off, and temporarily stores various data in the RAM 503. A backup area 503a is provided in addition to the memory and the area for the purpose.

  The backup area 503a stores the values of the stack pointer, the respective registers, the I / O, etc. when the power is shut off (including the time of the power outage, the same applies hereinafter) when the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power outage. The area of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power shutoff based on the information of the backup area 503a when the power is turned on (including the power-on upon power failure cancellation, the same applies hereinafter). Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is shut off by NMI interrupt processing (see FIG. 33), and restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is executed in the main processing (see FIG. 25) when the power is turned on. . The power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 501 at the time of power interruption due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as power failure processing is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the MPU 501 of the main control device 261 via a bus line 504 configured by an address bus and a data bus. Connected to the input / output port 505 are a RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a display control device 45, and other switches not shown.

  The payout control device 311 performs payout control of the winning balls and the rental balls by the payout motor 358a. The MPU 511, which is an arithmetic device, includes a ROM 512 storing a control program executed by the MPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 used as a work memory or the like.

  Like the RAM 503 of the main controller 261, the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is configured to be able to receive a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off. The RAM 513 is provided with a backup area 513 a in addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data and the like.

  The backup area 513a is an area for storing values such as a stack pointer at the time of power shutdown, each register, and I / O when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Based on the information of the backup area 513a, the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is shut off. Writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is shut off by NMI interrupt processing, and restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is executed in the main processing when the power is turned on. As with the MPU 501 of the main controller 261, the NMI terminal of the MPU 511 is configured to receive the power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 at the time of power interruption due to the occurrence of a power failure, and the power failure signal SG1 is When input to the MPU 511, NMI interrupt processing as power failure processing is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the MPU 511 of the payout control device 311 via a bus line 514 configured by an address bus and a data bus. Connected to the input / output port 515 are the RAM erase switch circuit 543, the main controller 261, the launch controller 312, the payout motor 358a, and the like.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the game ball by the launch motor, and the launch motor is permitted to drive when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, a release permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal is detected by the player touching the game ball release handle 18, a release for stopping the release The firing motor is driven on condition that the stop switch is not operated, and the gaming ball is fired with a strength according to the amount of operation of the gaming ball firing handle 18.

  The display control device 45 controls variable display of a special symbol or the like in the first symbol display device 42. The display control device 45 includes an MPU 521, a ROM (program ROM) 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, an image controller 526, an input port 527, two output ports 528 and 529, and a bus line. 530 and 531 are provided. The output side of the main controller 261 is connected to the input side of the input port 527, and the MPU 521, the ROM 522, the work RAM 523 and the image controller 526 are connected to the output side of the input port 527 and the output port via the bus line 530 528 is connected. An audio lamp control device 262 is connected to the output side of the output port 528. Further, an output port 529 is connected to the image controller 526 via a bus line 531, and a first symbol display device 42 is connected to the output side of the output port 529.

  The MPU 521 of the display control device 45 controls the display of the first symbol display device 42 based on the symbol display command transmitted from the main control device 261. The ROM 522 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the MPU 521 and fixed value data. The work RAM 523 is for temporarily storing work data and flags used when the MPU 521 executes various programs. Memory.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the first symbol display device 42, and the display content of the first symbol display device 42 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the first symbol display device 42. The image controller 526 adjusts the timing of each of the MPU 521, the video RAM 524, and the output port 529 to intervene in reading and writing of data, and reads the display data stored in the video RAM 524 from the character ROM 525 at a predetermined timing. The symbols are superimposed in the order of the layers for which the priority order has been determined and displayed on the display device 42.

  The power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 for monitoring power supply interruption due to a power failure, etc., and a RAM erase switch circuit 543 having a RAM erase switch 323. ing. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operating voltages to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311, and the like through a power supply path (not shown). The outline of the power supply unit 541 is a voltage of 12 volts AC supplied from the outside, and a voltage of 12 volts for driving various switches and motors, a voltage of 5 volts for logic, and RAM backup. A backup voltage or the like is generated, and the voltage of 12 volts, the voltage of 5 volts, and the backup voltage are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311, and the like. An operation voltage (a voltage of 12 volts and a voltage of 5 volts) is supplied to the emission control device 312 through the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit for outputting the power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the MPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of the stable DC voltage of 24 volts which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply 541, and determines that a power failure (power interruption) occurs when this voltage becomes less than 22 volts, The power failure signal SG1 is output to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311. The main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of the power failure by the output of the power failure signal SG1, and execute NMI interrupt processing. The power supply 541 outputs 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing even after 24 volts DC stability is less than 22 volts. Is configured to maintain a normal value. Therefore, the main controller 261 and the payout control device 311 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing normally.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit that outputs a RAM erase signal SG2 for clearing backup data to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 when the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed. When the RAM erase signal SG2 is input when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 clear the data in the backup areas 503a and 513a.

  Here, the display content of the first symbol display device 42 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the first symbol display device 42 is provided with a special symbol display portion 42b in which a special symbol is displayed at the lower end of the display screen, and basically at the center of the display screen Is provided with a decorative symbol display unit 42a in which a decorative symbol that scrolls from right to left is displayed. Three symbol rows of left, middle and right are displayed in the special symbol display portion 42b, and three symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are displayed in three display areas divided into upper, middle and lower stages in the decorative symbol display portion 42a. Is displayed. Here, the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display portion 42b will be mainly described.

  In the special symbol display portion 42b, six types of special symbols of “○” “△” “☆” “×” “#” “#” “*” are displayed, and the left, middle and right three are displayed respectively. In each of the divided display regions of the oblong oval shape, a symbol row that is repeatedly displayed in the order of “o” “Δ” “☆” “x” “#” “*” “o” is configured. The variation display of this special symbol is started based on winning on the starting opening 33 (see FIG. 2), and after a predetermined time, the variation display of the three special symbols is simultaneously stopped. If three symbols out of "○" "△" "☆" "×" "#" "*" are aligned and stopped after that stop, it will be a big hit, and then a big hit movie will be displayed. On the other hand, if three special symbols are not aligned at the time of the stop of the variable display, the display is removed, and the variable display is performed again based on the winning of the starting opening 33.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the MPU 501 in the main control device 261 performs the jackpot lottery and the setting of the symbol display of the first symbol display device 42 and the like by using various counter information at the time of the game. Specifically, As shown in FIG. 8, when the jackpot random number counter C1 used for lottery of the jackpot, the jackpot symbol counter C2 used for selection of jackpot symbols of the first symbol display device 42, and the first symbol display device 42 move out Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of big hit random number counter C1, fluctuation type counter CS for determining type used for fluctuation pattern selection, special symbol display section 42b left, middle and right off symbol counters CL, used to set off symbols for left symbol row, middle symbol row and right symbol row M, and a CR.

  Here, the variation pattern means each pattern (form) in the case where the features of the variation display are common.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI and CS is a loop counter in which 1 is added to the previous value each time it is updated, and reaches a maximum value and then returns to 0. Further, out-of-place symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured such that the register values are added using the R register (refresh register) in the MPU 501, and as a result, the numerical value changes randomly. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503. The RAM 503 is provided with a storage ball storage area consisting of one execution area and four storage areas (storage first to fourth areas), and each of these areas is for the game ball to the starting opening 33 In accordance with the winning timing, the values of the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are stored respectively.

  Next, the specific contents of each counter will be described in detail.

  For example, the jackpot random number counter C1 is sequentially incremented by one within the range of 0 to 676, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 676). In particular, when the big hit random number counter C1 makes one revolution, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is configured as a loop counter that is updated in the same range as the big hit random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and within the remaining time of normal processing. It is updated repeatedly with. The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated (once in each timer interrupt in the present embodiment) and stored in the holding ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the gaming ball wins the starting opening 33. There are two types of jackpot random number values, one for low probability and one for high probability, and the number of jackpot random numbers at low probability is 2 and the value is “337, 673”. The number of random numbers that will be jackpots when there is a high probability is 10, and the values are “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661”. In the high probability state, a combination of special symbols is a jackpot by a combination of probability fluctuation symbols (in the present embodiment, a symbol of “」 ”) determined in advance, and a state in which the subsequent jackpot probability is increased as added value. The so-called definite change time is used, and the normal time (low probability time) means the time when there is no such change condition.

  The jackpot symbol counter C2 determines the symbol at the time of fluctuation stop in the special symbol display portion 42b of the first symbol display device 42 in the case of a jackpot, and in the present embodiment, six types of special symbols are set Therefore, six (0 to 5) counter values are prepared. That is, the jackpot symbol counter C2 is configured to be sequentially incremented by one within the range of 0 to 5 and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 5). The jackpot symbol counter C2 is periodically updated (once for each timer interrupt in the present embodiment) and stored in the holding ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the gaming ball wins the starting opening 33. In the present embodiment, the special symbol displayed at the time of the jackpot is the symbol symbol, and the decorative symbol is the symbol of the numeral, but the special symbol is the symbol of the numeral similarly to the decorative symbol and is the same It may be set to a number. Further, in the present embodiment, when the special symbol displayed at the time of the big hit is "o" (when it is an odd number in the decorative symbol), it becomes definite variation until the next big hit occurs, and the special symbol is other than "o" At the time of (in the decorative symbol even number), it will be in the normal state which is not positive until the next big hit occurs.

  The reach random number counter C3 is, for example, sequentially incremented by one within the range of 0 to 11 and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 11). In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C3 is used to draw "out reach" in which the final stop design does not become a big hit after reach occurs and "complete out" in which no reach occurs. For example, the reach random number counter C3 = 0 corresponds to the outreach, and the reach random number counters C3 = 1 to 11 correspond to the complete out.

  Here, with regard to reach, after the special symbol (or the decorative symbol) displayed on the display screen of the first symbol display device 42 starts variable display, the combination of symbols to be parked first is the same symbol (a plurality of effective lines In the decorative symbol there is a same symbol on any effective line) and fulfills the jackpot condition, suggesting to the player that it will be a jackpot depending on the display result of the symbol that the variable display continues This is a display that allows the player to expect a combination of symbols of jackpots, and is a kind of entertainment effect. In the middle of the fluctuation display, the interest effect is to make the display screen of the first symbol display device 42 reveal a predetermined symbol represented by reach, output a specific sound from a speaker, or a motor for vibration. This is an effect that causes the player to expect that the display result after the variable display will be a big hit by causing the game ball emission handle 18 to vibrate, etc., and causing the variable display to be accompanied by an aspect different from normal.

  The reach lottery may be individually set in accordance with the state of the lottery probability of the first symbol display device 42, the number of operation pending balls at the start of fluctuation, and the like. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated (once in each timer interruption in the present embodiment), and stored in the holding ball storage area of the RAM 503 at the timing when the gaming ball wins the start opening 33.

  The fluctuation type counter CS is, for example, incremented by 1 within the range of 0 to 198, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 198). With this fluctuation type counter CS, short reach (the fluctuation time from 15 seconds to 16 seconds from fluctuation start to fluctuation stop), middle reach (the fluctuation time from 20 seconds to 22 seconds), or long reach (the fluctuation time is 30 seconds) The reach type of the special symbol is determined, such as whether it is from 32 seconds). Which reach is to be made corresponding to each of “0 to 198” constituting the value of the fluctuation type counter CS is pre-assigned at different ratios to the jackpot time and the outreach time. The value of the fluctuation type counter CS and the command corresponding to each reach type (or each fluctuation time) are stored in advance in the ROM 502 of the main control device 261 in association with each other. Here, it is not necessary to provide only one fluctuation type counter CS to determine the reach type, and the reach type may be determined using two or more fluctuation type counters CS.

The counter CS is updated once each time a normal process described later is executed, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the counter CS is acquired at the time of the change pattern determination at the start of the change of the decorative symbol and the special symbol by the first symbol display device 42.
The first, second and third off-set symbol counters CL, CM, CR used for each left, middle, and right symbol row stop out of the left symbol row, middle symbol row, and right symbol row when the big hit lottery is out. It is for determining a symbol. Each of the symbol columns displays one of six types of special symbols of “○”, “Δ”, “☆”, “x”, “#”, “*”, so six symbols (0 Counter values of 5) to 5) are prepared. A special symbol of "o" corresponds to a counter value of 0, and for one counter value, such as "△" for a counter value of 1, and "☆" for a counter value of 2, Each special symbol corresponds. The symbol of the left symbol row is determined by the first off symbol counter CL, the symbol of the middle symbol row is determined by the second offset symbol counter CM, and the symbol of the right symbol row is determined by the third offset symbol counter CR.

  In the present embodiment, the values of the counters CL, CM, and CR are randomly updated by using the value of the R register built in the MPU 501. That is, at the time of updating each out-of-hand symbol counter CL, CM, CR, the value of lower 2 bits of R register is added to the previous value, and "6" is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value. Is determined. Each off symbol counter CL, CM, CR is updated in the normal processing so that the update time does not overlap, and the combination of the off symbol counter CL, CM, CR is out of reach reach pattern buffer B7 of RAM 503 and complete off symbol buffer It is stored in any of B8. Then, when the fluctuation pattern is determined at the start of fluctuation of the special symbol, any buffer value of the out-of-reach symbol buffer B7 and the completely out-of-symbol buffer B8 is acquired according to the value of the reach random number counter C3.

  Note that the size and range of each counter are merely an example and can be arbitrarily changed. However, if importance is placed on irregularity, it is desirable to set the sizes of the big hit random number counter C1 and the reach random number counter C3 fluctuation type counter CS to different prime numbers and to make the values not synchronized in any case.

  Next, each control process executed by the MPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 16. The processing of the MPU 501 can be roughly divided into main processing activated upon power-on and timer interrupt processing activated periodically (in this embodiment, in a cycle of 2 milliseconds (hereinafter referred to as “ms”)). The NMI interrupt process is activated by the input of the power failure signal SG1 to the NMI terminal. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing. The timer interrupt process is executed, for example, every 2 ms by the MPU 501 of the main control device 261. In the timer interrupt process, first, read processing of various winning switches is executed (S601). That is, the state of various switches connected to the main control device 261 (but excluding the RAM erase switch 323) is read, and the state of the switch is determined to store detection information (winning detection information). Next, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated (S602). Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in the present embodiment). Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area B4 of the RAM 503.

  Further, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are updated (S603). Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are respectively incremented by 1, and their counter values reach the maximum values (676, 5, 11 in the present embodiment, respectively). Clear to 0 each time. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C3 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas B1 to B3 of the RAM 503. After that, the start winning process with the winning on the starting opening 33 is executed (S604).

  The start winning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the start opening 33 (start start) based on the detection information of the operation opening switch (S701). If it is determined that the gaming ball has won the starting opening 33 (S701: Yes), whether or not the number N of operation pending balls of the first symbol display device 42 is less than the upper limit (4 in the present embodiment) It discriminates (S702). If there is a winning on the starting opening 33 and the number of operation holding balls N <4 (S702: Yes), the number of operation holding balls N is incremented by one (S703), and the jackpot random number counter updated in step S703. The respective values of C1, the jackpot symbol counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in the first vacant reserve area of the reserve sphere storage area 700 of the RAM 503 (S704). On the other hand, there is no winning at the starting opening 33 (S701: No), or even if there is a winning at the starting opening 33, if the number of operation holding balls is not N <4 (S702: No), each of S703 and S704. The process is skipped and the start winning process is ended. After the completion of the start winning process, the MPU 501 once ends the timer interrupt process.

  In addition, when the game ball wins in the starting opening 33 (start winning), the variation display of the special symbol is started at the special symbol display portion 42b of the first symbol main display device 42 accordingly. There is a restriction that a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) must elapse before the special symbol changes after winning and the symbol stops. Therefore, in the start winning process, when the start winning is confirmed, a timer for measuring an elapsed time after the start winning is set after the storage process (S704) of each counter value. Specifically, since the start winning process is executed in a cycle of 2 ms, for example, to measure an elapsed time of 5 seconds, set the timer value "2500" in the timer, and for each start winning process, set the timer value to 1 Subtract. This timer value is stored and managed in the holding ball storage area of the RAM 503, together with the values of the respective counters C1 to C3 at that time. Then, when setting a variation pattern of a special symbol to be described later, the timer value is referred to, and a variation pattern is set according to the remaining time (as symbol variation is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing NMI interrupt processing. The NMI interrupt process is executed by the MPU 501 of the main control unit 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off due to a power failure or the like. By this NMI interrupt processing, the state of the main control unit 261 at the time of power interruption is stored in the backup area 503 a of the RAM 503. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off due to the occurrence of a blackout, the blackout signal SG1 is output from the blackout monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 501 in the main control unit 261, and the MPU 501 interrupts the control being executed. Start the NMI interrupt processing. The program for the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 16 is stored in the ROM 502 of the main control unit 261. After the power failure signal is output, power is supplied from the power supply unit so that the processing of the main controller 261 can be performed for a predetermined time, and NMI interrupt processing is executed within the predetermined time.

  In the NMI interrupt process, first, the used register is saved in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (S801), and the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a (S802). Further, information on occurrence of power shutoff is set in the backup area 503a (S803), and a power shutoff notification command indicating that the power is shut off is transmitted to the other control device (S804). A RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a (S805). The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address of the RAM 503. After that, the access to the RAM 503 is inhibited (S806), and the infinite loop is continued until the power is completely shut off and the process can not be executed.

  The above NMI interrupt processing is also executed by the payout control device 311 in the same manner, and the NMI interrupt processing stores the state of the payout control device 311 at the time of power interruption due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. Be done. It is also the same that power is supplied from the power supply unit so that the processing of the payout control device 311 can be performed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal SG1 is output. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off due to the occurrence of a blackout, the blackout signal SG1 is output from the blackout monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the MPU in the payout control device 311, and the MPU interrupts the control being executed. The NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 16 is started. The contents are the same as the above description except that the power-off notification command in step S804 is not transmitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing main processing executed by the MPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started by power-on reset. In the main process, first, an initial setting process associated with power on is executed (S101). Specifically, in order to set a predetermined value to the stack pointer in advance and to wait for the sub-side control devices (the audio lamp control device 262, the payout control device 311, etc.) to become operable, Wait processing (for example, about one second) is performed. After transmitting the payout permission command to the payout control device 311 (S102), access to the RAM 503 is permitted (S103).

  After that, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch provided in the power supply device is turned on (S104), and if it is turned on (S104: Yes), the process proceeds to S114 to clear (delete) the backup data. Transition. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch is not turned on (S104: No), it is further determined whether or not the occurrence information of power shutdown is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (S105). No: Since the backup data is not stored, the process proceeds to S114 also in this case. If the occurrence information of the power supply cutoff is stored in the backup area 503a (S105: Yes), the RAM determination value is calculated (S106), and if the calculated RAM determination value is not normal (S107: No), that is, calculated If the RAM determination value does not match the RAM determination value stored at the time of power-off, the backed up data is destroyed, so the process also proceeds to S114. As described above, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Instead of the RAM determination value, the effectiveness of the backup may be determined based on whether or not the keyword written in the predetermined area of the RAM 503 is correctly stored.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch when initializing the RAM data at the time of power on, for example, at the time of opening the hall business. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch is pressed, the process proceeds to RAM initialization processing (S114 to S116). Also, when the occurrence information of the power-off is not set, or when the abnormality of the backup is confirmed by the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.), the process similarly shifts to the initialization process (S114 to S116) of the RAM 503. That is, in the RAM initialization process from S114, the use area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0 (S114), and the initial value of the RAM 503 is set (S115). Thereafter, the interrupt is permitted (S116), and the process proceeds to the normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch is not turned on (S104: No), occurrence information of power shutoff is stored (S105: Yes), and if the RAM determination value (checksum value etc.) is normal (S107) (Yes), the process proceeds to S108 to execute a process at the time of power recovery (a process at the time of power shutoff recovery). That is, in the power recovery process, the stack pointer at the time of power shutdown is restored (S108), and the power shutdown information is cleared (S109). Next, a command at the time of power recovery for returning the control device on the sub side to the gaming state when the power is shut off is transmitted (S110), and the use register is recovered from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (S111). Furthermore, before the power is turned off, it is checked whether or not the interrupt has been enabled (S112), and if the interrupt is enabled (S112: Yes), the interrupt is permitted (S113). If it is in the state (S112: No), the processing is returned to the address before the power-off while the interrupt is inhibited.

  Next, the normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline thereof, each processing of S201 to S207 is executed as periodic processing of 4 ms cycle, and the counter updating processing of S208 to S210 is executed with the remaining time.

  In the normal processing, first, output data such as a command updated in the previous processing is transmitted to each control device on the sub side (S201). Specifically, the presence or absence of the winning detection information is determined, and if there is the winning detection information, a prize ball payout command corresponding to the number of acquired gaming balls is transmitted to the payout control device 311. In addition, at the time of variation display of the special symbol by the first symbol main display device 42, a stop symbol command, a variation pattern command, a determination command and the like are transmitted to the display control device 45. In addition, at the start of variation of special symbols, variation pattern command → stop symbol command of left symbol row → stop symbol command of middle symbol row → stop symbol command of right symbol row for each normal processing one by one (that is, One command is sent every 4 ms, and a confirmation command is sent at the end of the fluctuation time.

  Next, each value of the fluctuation type counter CS is updated (S202). Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (198 in the present embodiment). Then, the update value of the fluctuation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. Further, the out-of-design symbol counters CL, CM, CR of the left symbol row, the middle symbol row and the right symbol row are updated by the out-of-design symbol counter update processing (S203).

  Here, the out-of-design symbol counter updating process will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not it is the update time of the first off symbol counter CL corresponding to the left symbol row (S301), and if it is the update time (S301: Yes), the first off symbol counter CL is updated (S303) . Next, if it is not the update timing of the left symbol row (S301: No), it is determined whether it is the update timing of the second out-of-pattern counter CM corresponding to the middle symbol row (S302), and if it is the update timing (S302) : Yes), the second out-of-design symbol counter CM is updated (S304). If the middle symbol row is not updated (S302: No), the third symbol symbol CR corresponding to the right symbol row is updated because the right symbol row is updated (S305).

  In updating the out-of-out pattern counters CL, CM, and CR in each processing of S303 to S305, the value of the lower 2 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value and 3 is added when the addition result exceeds the maximum value. The subtraction is performed, and the result of the calculation is deviated to be the current value of the symbol counters CL, CM, CR. According to the updating process of CL, CM, and CR, the left symbol row, the middle symbol row, and the right symbol row, each out-of-pattern counter CL, CM, and CR are sequentially updated one by one in one normal process. The update times of the counter values do not overlap. As a result, every time the normal processing is performed three times, one set of the design symbol counters CL, CM, CR is updated.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the combination of the out-of-out pattern counters CL, CM, CR updated above is a combination of big hit symbols (S306), and if it is a combination of big hit symbols (S306: Yes), this processing is directly performed finish. If it is not a combination of jackpot symbols (S306: No), it is judged whether it is a combination of reach symbols (S307), and if it is a combination of reach symbols (S307: Yes), the out-of-pattern counter CL at that time The combination of CM and CR is stored in the outreach pattern buffer B9 of the RAM 503 (S308). If the combination of the out-of-out pattern counters CL, CM, CR is not the combination of the big hit symbols (S306: No) and the combination of the reach patterns (S307: No), the combination of out-of-out pattern counters CL, CM, CR is out of reach Since this is a combination of other out-of-page symbols (complete out-of-line), in this case, the combination of out-of-out pattern counters CL, CM, CR is stored in the out-of-point pattern buffer B10 of the RAM 503 (S309).

  After the end of the out-of-design symbol counters CL, CM and CR updating processing (S203), the processing returns to the normal processing of FIG. 10, and the winning ball counting signal and the dispensing abnormality signal received from the dispensing control device 311 are read (S204), Special symbol variation processing for performing variation display of special symbols by the symbol display device 42 is executed (S205). By this special symbol variation processing, the jackpot determination, the setting of the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the like are performed. The details of the special symbol variation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After the end of the special symbol variation process, in the case of a jackpot state, a special winning opening opening and closing process for opening or closing the special winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is executed (S206). That is, the big winning opening is opened for each round of the jackpot state, and it is determined whether the maximum opening time of the big winning opening has passed or whether the gaming ball has won a specified number of winnings at the big winning opening. Then, when any of these conditions is established, the special winning opening is closed. At this time, on the condition that the gaming ball passes through the specific area, the continuous opening of the big winning opening is allowed, and this is repeatedly performed for a predetermined number of rounds.

  After that, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next normal processing has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 ms in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the start of the previous normal processing (S207). If has passed (S207: Yes), the process proceeds to S201, and the above-described S201 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed from the start of the previous normal processing (S207: No), random number initial time within the remaining time until the predetermined time is reached, ie until the next normal processing execution timing is reached The value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly updated (S208, S209). First, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated (S208). Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (676 in the present embodiment). Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 503. Next, the counter CS is updated (S209). Specifically, the counter CS is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the update value of the counter CS is stored in the variation type counter buffer B6 of the RAM 503.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of S201-S206 changes according to the state of a game, the remaining time until it reaches the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, it is possible to randomly update the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) by repeatedly executing updating of the random number initial value counter CINI using such remaining time. The counter CS can also be updated randomly.

  Next, the special symbol variation process (S205) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 12 and FIG. In the special symbol variation process, first, it is determined whether or not a jackpot is in progress (S401). The jackpot includes the middle of a jackpot game displayed on the first symbol display device 42 at the time of the jackpot and the middle of a predetermined time after the jackpot game is over. If the result of the determination is that the jackpot is in progress (S401: Yes), the present processing ends.

  If it is not during the jackpot (S401: No), it is determined whether or not the first symbol main display 42 is displaying the variation of the special symbol (S402). If the special symbol is not displaying the variation (S402: No) ), It is determined whether or not the number of operation-reserved balls N of the first symbol display device 42 is larger than 0 (S403). If the operation pending ball number N is 0 (S403: No), this process ends. If the operation holding ball number N> 0 (S403: Yes), the operation holding ball number N is decremented by 1 (S404), and the data stored in the holding ball storage area is shifted (S405). This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting data stored in the pending first to fourth areas of the pending ball storage area toward the execution area, and the first pending area → the execution area, the second pending area → Specifically, data in each area is shifted such as a first holding area, a third holding area, a second holding area, and a fourth holding area, and a third holding area. After the data shift process, the variation start process of the special symbol is executed (S406). The change start process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the process of S402, when the change display of the special symbol is in progress (S402: Yes), it is determined whether the change time has elapsed (S407). The variation time of the special symbol is determined according to the variation pattern of the special symbol, and execution of the process of S408 is skipped until this variation time passes (S407: No). On the other hand, if the variation time of the special symbol has passed (S407: Yes), the determination command set for the determination of the stop symbol is set (S408), and this processing is ended.

  Next, the variation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the variation start process (S406), first, it is determined whether or not a big hit is made based on the value of the big hit random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the holding ball storage area (S501). Whether or not the jackpot is determined is determined based on the relation between the jackpot random number counter value and the mode at each time. As described above, "337, 673" is the winning value among the numbers 0 to 676 of the big hit random number counter C1 at the normal low probability, and at the high probability, "67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601, 661 "is the hit value.

  If it is determined that the jackpot (S501: Yes), the symbol corresponding to the value of jackpot symbol counter C2 stored in the execution area of the storage ball storage area, ie jackpot symbol is the value of jackpot symbol counter C2 and symbols and The symbol is determined based on a table (not shown) representing the correspondence relationship between the symbols, and the symbol is set as a stop symbol command (S502). In the table, the stop symbol command indicating the display of the special symbol of “o” is assigned to the numerical value “0” of the jackpot symbol counter C2, and the command indicating “Δ” for “1” is “2” "" Indicates a command indicating "☆", "3" indicates a command indicating "x", "4" indicates a command indicating "#", "5" indicates Commands indicating "*" are assigned respectively. In addition, of the big hit symbols, when it is aligned with a specific symbol (probable variation symbol) of "o", it shifts to a probability variation state thereafter, but shifts to a probability variation status when aligned with another specific symbol (non probability variation symbol) do not do.

  Next, the variation pattern of the special symbol until stopping with the jackpot symbol is determined, and the variation pattern is set as a variation pattern command (S503). At this time, the value of the fluctuation type counter CS stored in the counter buffer B6 of the RAM 503 is confirmed, and a reach type such as short reach, middle reach, long reach and the like and fluctuation time are determined based on the value. The relationship between the numerical value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 and the reach pattern is prescribed in advance by a table or the like.

  If it is determined that the jackpot is not a big hit in the process of S501 (S501: No), whether reach has occurred (occurrence of outreach) based on the value of reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area of the holding ball storage area? It is determined whether or not it is (S504). In the present embodiment, the value of the reach random number counter C3 is any one of 0 to 11, of which "0" corresponds to out-of-reach occurrence and "1 to 11" corresponds to no reach (complete out-of-reach).

  If out-of-reach has occurred (S504: Yes), each value of left, middle, and right out-of-pattern counter CL, CM, CR stored in out-of-reach reach buffer B7 of RAM 503 is set as stop symbol command (S505) ). Further, a variation pattern for displaying the outreach is determined, and the variation pattern is set as a variation pattern command (S506). At this time, similarly to the processing of S503, the value of the fluctuation type counter CS stored in the counter buffer B6 of the RAM 503 is confirmed, and the reach type and fluctuation such as short reach, middle reach, and long reach based on the value. Decide time and time.

  If it is neither jackpot nor reach (S501: No, S504: No), the left, middle and right out-of-pattern counter CL, CM, CR stored in the complete out-of-pattern buffer B8 of the RAM 503 The stop symbol command is set (S507). In addition, a fluctuation pattern for completely out of display is determined, and the fluctuation pattern is set as a fluctuation pattern command (S511). At this time, the fluctuation pattern is determined based on the value of the fluctuation type counter CS stored in the counter buffer B6 of the RAM 503, as in the process of S503. As described above, when the setting of the symbol stop command and the variation pattern command is completed in any of the big hit, the reach occurrence and the non-reach occurrence, the present process is ended.

In addition, the fluctuation pattern of the complete deviation may be determined according to the value of the number of operation pending balls N at the start of the variation, for example, the time of complete deviation variation started when the number of operation pending balls N is 3 or more Alternatively, it may be made shorter than the completely out-of-out fluctuation time which is started when the number of operation holding balls N is less than 3. It is possible to quickly suppress the fluctuation display during standby and suppress useless start winnings, and make it difficult to stop the fluctuation display, and to prevent the state of fluctuation stop from continuing and the player's willingness to play to be attenuated. Can.
Next, the special symbol and the decorative symbol displayed on the first symbol main display unit 42 will be described together with the control of the display control unit 45 with reference to FIGS. 3 and 18 to 21.

  In the first symbol main display device 42, a decorative symbol display area 42a in which three symbol rows (design symbol rows of decorative symbols) Z1 to Z3 are displayed at the center, and "○" at the lower end of the screen There are provided a special symbol display area 42b in which six types of special symbols of Δ, "☆", "x", "#" and "*" are displayed.

  In the special symbol display area 42b, when the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 acquired at the time of winning in the starting opening 33 is a jackpot, the symbols which are three aligned are stopped and the occurrence of the jackpot is shown to the player. In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, two types of special symbols and decorative symbols are provided as symbols for showing the occurrence of a jackpot to the player. The special symbol is provided to reduce the types of symbols and to reduce the types of commands of the main control device 261 and the display control device 45. On the other hand, the decorative symbol is a symbol whose fluctuation is performed in synchronization with the special symbol, and starts fluctuation simultaneously with (or almost at the same time) the fluctuation of the special symbol, and simultaneously (or almost (At the same time) to stop the fluctuation. This decorative pattern is provided to provide the player with a variety of display effects and to provide game characteristics that are hard to get bored. By using these two kinds of symbols in combination, while providing the pachinko machine 10 with various effects, the types of commands to be transmitted from the main control device 261 to the display control device 45 are reduced and the control program of the main control device 261 is simplified. It is possible to reduce the use area of storage devices such as the ROM 502 and the RAM 503 of the main control unit 261.

  In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide a special symbol and a decorative symbol to perform display control of the first symbol display device 42, and instead of the special symbol, the display content of the decorative symbol is directly determined by the control of the main controller 261. You may do it. In addition, it is not necessary for the display control device 45 to control the decorative symbol so as to start changing or stop changing at the same time as the special symbol. If the variation display of the special symbol and the variation display of the decoration symbol are performed synchronously, that is, if the variation display of each symbol is performed for the same number of times based on the start winning combination, the variation start of the decoration symbol and the special symbol Alternatively, display control may be performed by the display control device 45 so that at least one of the timings of the variable stop does not coincide. For example, the variation of the decorative symbol may be started later than the variation of the special symbol, or the variation of the decorative symbol may be stopped earlier than the variation of the special symbol.

  Next, the decorative symbol displayed in the decorative symbol display area 42a will be described. In the decorative symbol display area 42a of the first symbol display device 42, as shown in FIG. 3, three upper row, middle row and lower row symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are displayed. The decorative symbol is, as shown in FIG. 3, constituted of, for example, a main symbol consisting of numerals “1” to “9” with a character and a sub-pattern consisting of a shell smaller than the main symbol. A design row of decorative symbols is formed by the designs. In each symbol row formed by the decorative symbols, the main symbols are arranged in ascending or descending order of the numbers and the sub symbols are arranged between the respective main symbols.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the arrangement by expanding the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 of the decorative symbol. Among the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 of the decorative symbols, the upper row symbol row and the lower row symbol row Z1 and Z3 are formed by vertically connecting 18 symbols. Further, the middle-stage symbol row Z2 is formed by connecting twenty symbols vertically. Normally, each symbol row is displayed so as to scroll from right to left with periodicity simultaneously with the start of variation of the special symbol, and the variation of all symbol rows is stopped before the special symbol stops.

  Next, all the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are normally scrolled from right to left to perform variable display, and in the symbol rows Z2 and Z3, numbers are arranged in ascending order toward the left side Because the numbers of the main symbol appear in ascending order, the numbers in the symbol column Z1 are arranged in the descending order toward the left, and the numbers of the main symbol appear in the descending order.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the decorative symbols are displayed in the left, middle, and right three stages in the upper, middle, and lower symbol rows in the decorative symbol display portion 42a of the first symbol display device 42. . When a winning in the starting opening 33, ie, a starting winning, occurs, the variation display of the decorative symbol is performed, and the variation display is stopped after a predetermined time according to the variation pattern selected by the main controller 261, and the first symbol display On the device 42, nine decorative symbols of 3 * 3 are displayed as a display result. In the variable display winning the jackpot lottery, the display control device 45 so that three or more of the same main symbols (symbols with numbers with characters) are aligned and stopped on a horizontal or diagonal straight line among nine decorative symbols. Control is performed to indicate to the player the occurrence of a jackpot. On the other hand, in the variable display out of the big hit lottery, control is performed by the display control device 45 so that three or more of the same main symbols do not stop in alignment horizontally or diagonally among the nine decorative symbols, The player is notified of the occurrence of detachment.

  Next, contents of symbol control to be stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 42a will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21. FIG. The MPU 520 of the display control device 45 selects the display content of the decorative symbol based on the command transmitted from the main control device 261. FIG. 18 is a view schematically showing an outline of various counters provided in the RAM 523 of the display control device 45 and used for selecting a decorative symbol to be displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 42a.

  The first to third decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 are for determining a decorative symbol to be displayed in each symbol row. At the time of the fluctuation stop of each symbol column Z1-Z3 which are shown in Figure 18, because either of the decoration symbol for the frame number is indicated, 18 each (0-117), symbol regarding Z1 and symbol column Z3 Twenty (0 to 19) counter values are prepared for the column Z2. The stop symbol of the symbol row Z1 is determined by the first decorative symbol counter S1, the stop symbol of the symbol row Z2 is determined by the second decorative symbol counter S2, and the stop symbol of the symbol row Z3 is determined by the third decorative symbol counter S3. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the values of the counters S1 to S3 are randomly updated by using the value of the R register built in the MPU 521. That is, when updating each of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3, the value of the lower 3 bits (that is, "0 to 7") of the R register is added to the previous value and each maximum value is obtained when the addition result exceeds the maximum value. The value is determined by subtracting a minute. The decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 are updated in the normal processing so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 corresponds to the big hit symbol buffer B20, the reach symbol buffer B21 and the complete offset symbol buffer of the RAM 523. It is stored in any of B22. Then, when the fluctuation pattern command indicating the start of fluctuation of the special symbol is received, the buffer value of any of the jackpot symbol buffer B20, the reach symbol buffer B21 and the completely out of pattern buffer B22 is acquired according to the contents of the command.

  Next, each process executed by the MPU 521 of the display control device 45 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the display control device 45, and this main processing is started by the reset upon power-on.

  The main process of the display control device 45 first executes an initialization process upon power on (S811), initializes each value such as RAM and I / O, and sets each interrupt such as timer interrupt. Do. Thereafter, the processing of S812 to S815 is repeatedly executed every 4 ms to control the display content of the first symbol main display device 42.

  First, external output processing is performed to transmit a voice output command to the voice lamp control device 262 in order to output voice according to the display contents of the display devices 41 and 42 (S812), and thereafter the decorative symbol counter S1 described above The update of S5 is performed (S813).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 20, the decorative symbol counter updating process (S813) will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the decorative symbol counter updating process (S813) executed in the main process of FIG.

  First, it is determined which of the symbol rows of the decorative symbol counter is to be updated, and a counter updating process (S821) is performed to update the decorative symbol counter of the symbol row that has become the update timing. Specifically, it is determined whether or not it is time to update the decorative symbol counter S1 of the left symbol row Z1, and if it is the update period, the decorative symbol counter S1 of the first symbol row Z1 is updated. On the other hand, if it is not the update timing of the first symbol row Z1, it is determined whether it is the update timing of the decorative symbol counter S2 of the second symbol row Z2. If it is the update timing, the decorative symbol counter S2 of the second symbol row Z2 is selected. Update. Similarly, it is determined whether or not it is the update time of the third symbol row Z3. If it is the update time, the decorative symbol counter S2 of the second symbol row Z2 is updated, and the counter update process (S821) is ended.

  In updating the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 in the process of S821, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value and the maximum value is subtracted when the addition result exceeds the maximum value. The calculation result is used as the current value of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3. According to the updating process of S1 to S3, since the respective decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 of the first to third symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are sequentially updated one by one in one normal processing, the updating of each counter value is performed. There is no overlap in time. Thus, one set of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 is updated every time the normal processing is performed three times.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the combination of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 updated above is a combination of big hit symbols (S826), and if it is a combination of big hit symbols (S826: Yes), the decorative symbol counter at that time The combination of S1 to S3 is stored in the jackpot symbol buffer B20 of the RAM 523 (S828), and the present process is ended. As determination of the combination of big hit symbols, all combinations of counter values in which the combination of big hit symbols is formed in any of the effective lines set in the three symbol rows are stored in advance in the ROM 522 of the display control device 45 , By comparing with the value.

  If it is not a combination of jackpot symbols in the process of S826 (S826: No), it is determined whether it is a combination of reach symbols (S827), and if it is a combination of reach symbols (S827: Yes), the decoration at that time The combination of the symbol counters S1 to S3 is stored in the reach symbol buffer B21 of the RAM 523 (S829). If the combination of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 is not the combination of the big hit symbols (S826: No) and the combination of the reach symbols (S827: No), the combination of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 is a completely out combination (reach In this case, the combination of the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 is stored in the completely out of pattern buffer B22 of the RAM 523 (S830). Here, although the combination of reach design and the combination of complete distraction may differ depending on each fluctuation pattern of normal stop fluctuation, forward stop fluctuation and pinch stop fluctuation, a pattern buffer corresponding to each fluctuation pattern is provided respectively And the combination of symbols corresponding to each variation pattern may be written.

  After the end of the decorative symbol counter S1 to S3 update processing (S813), the processing returns to the main processing of FIG. 19 and advances the variation display of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display portion 42a of the first symbol main display 42 (S814). Thereafter, special symbol display processing for advancing the variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol display portion 42b is performed (S815). The display control in S 814 and S 815 is performed in accordance with the contents of the effect execution area 701 shown in FIG. 18 set based on the command received from the main control device 261.

  Next, the elapsed time from the start of the previous processing of S812 is confirmed (S816). If the elapsed time is less than 4 ms in the process of S816 (S816: No), the process of S816 is repeated until 4 ms has elapsed. If it is confirmed in the process of S816 that 4 ms has elapsed (S816: Yes), the process proceeds to S812, and the subsequent processes are executed.

  By advancing the process based on the elapsed time from the process of S812 in the process of S816, the processes of S812 to S815 can be performed every 4 ms, and the decorative symbol counters S1 to S3 are updated every 4 ms. Can. In addition, it is not necessary to necessarily provide the counter for determining the combination of decorative symbols for the number of symbol rows, but provide the counters for only one symbol row in the center, and the other may be fixedly displayed according to a predetermined combination. good. Further, a table in which a plurality of fluctuation patterns to be reached is set in advance may be stored in the display control device 45, and the fluctuation patterns may be derived from the table.

  Next, command reception processing performed by the display control device 45 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of command reception processing of the display control device 45. The command reception process is an interrupt process that is executed when the display control device 45 receives a command from the main control device 261, and a process associated in advance with the command transmitted from the main control device 261 by this process. Is performed by the display control device 45.

  In the command reception process, the received command is confirmed (S841), and if the command is a fluctuation pattern command (S841: fluctuation pattern command), the fluctuation pattern command is written in the effect execution area (S842). Corresponding to this fluctuation pattern command, fluctuation pattern such as fluctuation time and presence of reach in the special symbol is decided beforehand, fluctuation indication which corresponds to the various lottery which was done with MPU502 of main control 261 is the first design It is performed by the display device 42.

  Next, the content of the received fluctuation pattern command is confirmed (S843), and if it is a fluctuation pattern command of jackpot (S843: jackpot), the value of jackpot symbol counter buffer B20 is used as the stop symbol of the decoration symbol for the present fluctuation display. Write and store (S844). If the command received in the process of S 843 is for reach (S 843: reach), the value of the reach symbol buffer B 21 corresponding to the fluctuation pattern is written in the effect execution area 701 (S 845). If the received command is completely out (S843: completely out), the value of the completely out pattern buffer B22 corresponding to the fluctuation pattern is written in the effect execution area 701 (S846). By setting the value of the pattern buffer according to the change pattern command as the stop pattern of the decoration pattern for the current change display by the processing of S844 to S846, either the special design or the decoration pattern is either big hit, reach or completely out. Can be stopped by

  Thereafter, a lamp extinguishing command to extinguish one of the holding lamps 46 is transmitted to the audio lamp control device 262 (S847). In the process of S 847, the lamp extinguishing command is once written in the area (transmission buffer) for command transmission provided in the RAM 523, and the lamp extinguishing command is transmitted by the above-described external output process (S 812). After the processing of S 847, the first symbol display device 42 starts variable display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol (S 848), and ends the command reception processing.

  If the command received in the process of S841 is a stop symbol command (S841: stop symbol command), data of the stop symbol is written in the effect execution area 701 (S849), and the command reception process is ended. If the received command is a confirmation command (S841: confirmation command), the variable display is fixedly stopped (S850), and the command reception process is ended. Also, if the command received in the process of S841 is not any of the variation pattern command, the stop symbol command, and the determination command (S841: another command), each process according to the received command is executed (S851) ), End command reception processing.

  As described above, in the display control device 45, when the variation pattern command is received from the main control device 261, the value of the symbol buffer corresponding to the variation pattern command is stopped by the processing of S843 to S846. Set as a pattern. As a result, the special symbol and the decorative symbol can both be hit in a large pattern according to the lottery result performed by the main controller 261, and can be stopped at either reach or completely out, and the jackpot of the main controller 261 and the reach lottery It is possible to execute the variation display of the decorative symbol corresponding to the result.

  Next, the configuration of a further feature of the pachinko machine of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of main controller 261 and display control device 45, and FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the effect mode updating unit and the decorative symbol display control unit. As shown in FIG. 22, the main control device 261 requires the special gaming state on the condition that the variation display result of the symbols in the first symbol display device 42 becomes the combination of the specific symbols set in advance (the jackpot symbol). It has a function to generate. In short, the main control device 261 is based on the value (first random number) of the jackpot random number counter C1 (the first random number group for determining whether or not to be the special gaming state) which can take values from 0 to 676 The special gaming state is generated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 has a first random number generation unit 400 (first random number group generation function) that generates a big hit random number counter C1. The RAM 503 of the main control device 261 is provided with a holding ball storage area (first random number storage unit 402) for storing the value of the big hit random number counter C1 each time the gaming ball wins the first starting opening 33. The CPU 501 of the main control unit 261 also has a first determination unit 404 (determination function) that determines whether or not the value of the big and big hit random number counter C1 stored in the storage ball storage area is a hit value. There is.

  The value of the big hit random number counter C1 (first random number) in the first random number generation unit 400 is the holding ball of the RAM 503 at the timing of the detection of winning of the gaming ball by the operation port switch provided in the first starting port 33. It is stored in the storage area (first random number storage unit 402). Further, at the time of low probability, if the value (first random number) of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the first random number storage unit 402 is the two values “337, 673”, the first determination unit 404 Judge, otherwise judge as out of place. Further, at the time of low probability, the first determination unit 404 determines that the value (the first random number) of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the first random number storage unit 402 is ten values “67, 131, 199, 289, If it is "337, 401, 483, 523, 601, 661", it is judged as a jackpot, otherwise it is judged as being out. The first random number generation unit 400 and the first determination unit 404 described above are realized by causing the CPU 501 to execute a predetermined program.

When the CPU 501 determines that the value of the big hit random number counter C1 is a hit value, the main control device 261 outputs a signal for setting the special game state to the variable winning device 32. Based on the instruction from the main controller 261, the variable winning device 32 executes a jackpot operation in which the gaming ball repeatedly operates in the open state where the game ball is easy to win and the normal closed state.
Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is a random number group different from the big hit random number counter C1 (first random number group), and the special symbol display portion 42b of the first symbol display device 42. The second random number generation unit 406 generates a second random number group (reach random number counter C3) for determining the variable display content of the first symbol to be displayed on the basis of the winning (entering) detection in the operation switch A second random number storage unit 408 that stores the value (the value of the reach random number counter C3) of one of the second random numbers (the reach random number counter C3) generated by the second random number generation unit 406; A second determination unit 410 determines whether or not the value of the second random number (the value of the reach random number counter C3) stored in the second random number storage unit 408 is a predetermined value, and the second determination unit 410 Control signal according to the judgment result And a input-output port 505 for outputting Nkomando) in the first symbol display device 42.

  Specifically, the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 includes a second random number generation unit 406 and a second determination unit 410. That is, by operating the CPU 501 in accordance with a predetermined program, the main control device 261 realizes the functions of the second random number generation unit 406 and the second determination unit 410. Further, the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 controls the input / output port 505 so as to output a control signal (variation pattern command) according to the determination result of the second determination unit 410 to the first symbol main display device 42.

  Furthermore, the display control device 45 receives various commands (a variation pattern command, a stop symbol command, a determination command, etc.) from the main control device 261, and based on these various commands, it is determined in the first symbol main display device 42. The variable display effect is displayed.

  The display control unit 45 receives various commands from the main control unit 261 and analyzes the content of the received command, and a first symbol display control unit which controls the display of the first symbol display unit 42. 701, a second symbol display control unit 702 that performs display control of the second symbol display device 41, sound control data according to the rendering mode, and lamp lighting control data, the sound control unit 262A of the sound / lamp control device 262 and the lamp A voice / lamp control data transmission unit 703 to be transmitted to the control unit 262 B, a rendering mode storage unit 704 storing the currently set rendering mode, and a selection signal from the rendering mode selection switch 705 It has the production mode change part 706 which updates production mode to the selected production mode. The first symbol display control unit 701 has a decorative symbol display control unit 701A that performs display control of the decorative symbol display unit 42a, and a special symbol display control unit 701B that performs display control of the special symbol display unit 42b.

  Here, the specific configurations of the effect mode changing unit 706 and the decorative symbol display control unit 701A, which are the main features of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Whether the effect mode changing unit 706 is in a standby screen period (including a period until the stop screen at the end of the change is changed to the demo screen after the end of the fluctuation, in addition to the standby screen period called a so-called demo screen) And a second first timer TM1 (for managing the effective period of effect mode update when the number of balls is less than 3) managing a period during which the effect mode update is effective during the fluctuation period, the second Permitted operation of switch accepting portion 710 for accepting timer TM2 (for effective period management of effect mode update when holding balls are 3 or more), selection change signal for effect mode selection switch 705, and switch accepting portion 710 And an effect mode change switching control unit 711 that outputs a permission / non-permission signal indicating whether to perform or not to permit.

  The standby screen flag F1 is a flag indicating whether it is in the standby screen period or in the variable display period, and this flag F1 is set to logic "0" during the standby screen, and is "1" in the variable display period. It is set to. The setting process of the flag F1 is performed by the effect mode change switching unit 711. That is, in the initialization process, the flag F1 is set to logic "0", and when the effect control command (complete out, normal reach, super reach, premium reach, jackpot, etc. command) is received in the gaming state, the effect mode change switching The unit 711 sets the flag F1 to logic "1". Further, at the end of the fluctuation display period, the flag F1 is set to logic "0". Thus, the flag F1 is set to logic "0" during the standby screen, and is set to logic "1" during the variable display period.

  As described above, the first timer TM1 and the second timer TM2 manage the period during which the effect mode can be changed during the fluctuation period, and in this embodiment, the effect mode selection changeable period during the fluctuation period It is set as a period (high speed fluctuation period) from the start of fluctuation to the first symbol row Z1 from the high speed fluctuation to the deceleration fluctuation. Furthermore, in the pachinko machine of the present embodiment, when the holding ball is 3 or 4, the fluctuation period is shortened compared to when the holding ball is less than 3, so the high-speed fluctuation period is also shortened. Therefore, the first timer TM1 manages the high-speed fluctuation period W1 during the fluctuation period of the first symbol row Z1 when the holding ball is less than 3, while the timer TM2 controls the third when the holding ball is 3 or 4 The high-speed fluctuation period W2 in the fluctuation period of the 1-pattern row Z1 is managed. The effect mode change switching unit 711 outputs an acceptance operation permission signal to the switch acceptance unit 710 when the standby screen flag F1 is logic "1", and the switch acceptance unit is also performed during the setting period of the timers TM1 and TM2. An acceptance operation permission signal is output at 710. As a result, during the standby screen and during the high-speed fluctuation period of the first symbol row Z1, the selection change of the effect mode is possible by the operation of the effect mode selection switch 705.

  The effect mode selection switch 705 outputs a detection signal to the switch reception unit 710 each time the production mode selection push button 600 is pressed. When the switch operation unit 710 is in the reception operation permission state, the count value of the counter C20 is incremented by one. The counter C20 is a loop counter having count values from "0" to "2" and returning to "0" after reaching the maximum value "2". Then, the count value “0” of the counter C20 corresponds to the effect mode 1, the count value “1” corresponds to the effect mode 2, and the count value “2” corresponds to the effect mode 3. In addition to updating the count value of the counter C20, the switch reception unit 710 rewrites the effect mode of the effect mode storage unit 704 to an effect mode corresponding to the updated count value. For example, when the current effect mode is the effect mode 1, the effect mode 1 is stored in the effect mode storage unit 704, the count value of the switch receiving unit 710 is “0”, and in such a state, When the rendering mode selection switch 705 is operated while the switch receiving unit 710 is in the receiving operation permission state, the switch receiving unit 710 sets the count value to “1”, and the rendering mode of the rendering mode storage unit 704 is “ Rewrite from "reproduction mode 1" to "reproduction mode 2". Thus, when the effect mode selection switch 705 is operated during the effect mode selection change effective period, the content of the effect mode storage unit 704 can be rewritten to the selected effect mode. When switch accepting portion 710 is in the non-accepting state, even if effect mode selection switch 705 is operated, the count value of counter C20 is not updated, and the process of rewriting the contents of effect mode storage portion 704 is also performed. It does not happen.

The decorative symbol display control unit 701 has three variation pattern conversion tables TB1 to TB3 respectively corresponding to the rendering mode 1 to the rendering mode, and an image forming unit 720.
In the present embodiment, as described above, three effect modes ("effect mode 1" is also referred to as a natural stage mode, "effect mode 2" is also referred to as a treasure stage mode, and "effect" Mode 3 ′ ′ has a rendering mode) also referred to as a lagoon stage mode, and is provided with fluctuation pattern conversion tables TB1 to TB3 for each of the three rendering modes.

  Table TB1 is a table for effect mode 1 (natural stage mode), table TB2 is a table for effect mode 2 (treasure stage mode), and table TB3 is a table for effect mode 3 (lagoon stage mode) The fluctuation patterns are stored in advance in the tables TB1 to TB3 corresponding to the effect control command. Therefore, by using the tables TB1 to TB3, the fluctuation pattern is determined by the received effect control command and the effect mode stored in the effect mode storage unit 704.

  The image forming unit 720 is for forming a decorative symbol image, and a background image forming unit 721 for forming a background image corresponding to the rendering mode, and a character for forming a variable symbol (character) image corresponding to the rendering mode An image forming unit 722, a notice symbol etc. forming an image such as a notice symbol corresponding to a rendering mode, an image forming unit 723 having a background image formed, a layer on which a character image is formed, a notice symbol etc. And a frame image forming unit 724 that generates a one-frame image from the layer in which the image is formed. The background image forming unit 721, the character image forming unit 722, and the notice symbol etc. image forming unit 723 are effect control commands analyzed by the command analysis unit 700 (commands such as complete removal, normal reach, super reach, premium reach, and jackpot) Is given, the effect mode currently set is read from the effect mode storage unit 704, and the variation pattern associated with the effect control command of the table according to the effect mode is read. The background image forming unit 721 forms a background image based on the read variation pattern, and the character image forming unit 722 forms a character image based on the read variation pattern. The notice symbol etc. image forming unit 723 is an image of notice symbol etc. Form Then, the frame image forming unit 724 generates one frame image from the layer in which the background image is formed, the layer in which the character image is formed, and the layer in which an image such as a notice symbol is formed.

  The data on the background image stored in the table 1 is image data that can be the background image shown in FIG. 4 regardless of which effect control command, and the data on the background image stored in the table 2 is Any effect control command is image data that can be the background image shown in FIG. 5, and the data regarding the background image stored in the table 1 is any of the effect control commands in FIG. Image data that can be a background image to be shown. In other words, the variation background image forming unit 721 basically continues to generate a background image according to the current rendering mode during the variation display period, whereby the background image is not changed. However, as described later, when the selection of the effect mode is changed during the variable display, the variable background image forming unit 721 reads out the background image data from the table for the effect mode which has been changed. It has become. Therefore, when the effect mode is selected and changed, only the background image is changed to the effect mode background image selected at that time and displayed. In addition, the substantial presentation of the selected presentation mode is performed from the next variable display. Thereby, the player can confirm that the effect mode change has been accepted, and can know which effect mode the effect mode in the next fluctuation is by the background image.

  The voice / lamp control data transmission unit 703 outputs the current rendering mode and the rendering control command to the voice / lamp control device 262 as transmission data. Thereby, the voice control unit 262A reads out a voice pattern determined by the effect mode and the effect control command from a voice table (not shown), and acoustically drives the speaker with this voice pattern. Further, the lamp control unit 262B reads out a light pattern determined by the effect mode and the effect control command from a lamp table (not shown), and drives the lamp to light with this light pattern.

(Process related to production mode selection change)
Next, processing related to the effect mode selection change of the pachinko machine configured as described above will be described. The main feature of the present invention is that the effect mode can be selected and changed during the fluctuation period (precisely, from the start of fluctuation to the time when the first symbol row Z1 changes from high speed fluctuation to low speed fluctuation). When the selection is changed, the background image is changed to the background image for the selected effect mode at that time, and the substantial display effect of the selected effect mode is performed from the next variable display. It is The process related to such an effect mode selection change will be described with reference to FIG. 24 to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing processing for setting the effective period of the effect mode selection switch by the effect mode change switching control unit 711.

  The effect mode selection change processing in the variation display screen will be described with reference to FIG. The standby screen flag F1 is set to logic "0" by the initialization processing at the time of power-on. Thereafter, when the effect control command is received (step S1), the standby screen flag F1 is set to logic "1" (step S2). Next, it is determined whether the holding ball is less than 3 (step S3). If YES, the high speed fluctuation period W1 as the effect mode change effective period is set to the first timer TM1 (step S4). If NO in step S3, the holding ball is 3 or more, so the high speed fluctuation period W2 as the effect mode change effective period is set in the second timer TM2 (step S5). Next, in any case of step S4 and step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, and the acceptance status permission signal is output to the switch acceptance unit 710. That is, even when the standby screen flag F1 is the logic "1", the reception status permission signal is output to the switch reception unit 710 while the first timer TM1 or the second timer TM2 is set. As a result, switch accepting portion 710 is ready to accept the selection operation of effect mode selection switch 705. Thus, the effective period of the effect mode selection switch 705 in the variable display period is set. If the effect mode selection switch 705 changes the selection of the effect mode during the effect mode selection switch effective period, the contents of the effect mode storage unit 704 are changed to the selected effect mode by the effect mode change process shown in FIG. 25. Be done.

  Next, when it is notified that the high-speed fluctuation period W1 (in the case of the second timer TM2, the high-speed fluctuation period W2) has elapsed by the first timer TM1 (or the second timer TM2) during the fluctuation period (step S7) The first timer TM1 (or the second timer TM2) is reset (step S8), and the acceptance screen non-permission signal is output to the switch acceptance unit 710 (step S9) since the standby screen flag F1 is logic "1". . Thereby, during the fluctuation display, after the high speed fluctuation period W1 (in the case of the second timer TM2, the high speed fluctuation period W2) has elapsed, the rendering mode selection change becomes impossible. Then, at the end of the fluctuation period (step S10), the standby screen flag F1 is set to logic "0" (step S11), and the acceptance status permission signal is output to the switch acceptance unit 710 (step S12). As a result, during the standby screen, switch accepting portion 710 is ready to accept the selection operation of effect mode selection switch 705.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 25, the effect mode selection change process will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing effect mode selection change processing. In the case where the switch acceptance unit 710 is in the acceptance permission state, when the rendering mode selection switch 705 is operated (step S20), the switch acceptance unit 710 adds 1 to the count value of the counter C20 (step S21), and the rendering mode The effect mode of the storage unit 704 is rewritten to the effect mode corresponding to the count value after the addition (step S22). By this, the setting change of the effect mode is updated. Then, the effect mode change notification signal is output to the image forming unit 720 (step S23). Note that the image forming unit 720 performs the process shown in FIG. 26 when the effect mode change notification signal is input, and the background screen is changed to a background image for effect mode selection from the point of selection of the effect mode and displayed. Be done.

Next, with reference to FIG. 26, the display control process related to the effect mode selection change process of the decorative symbol display control unit 701A will be described. FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing display control processing related to the effect mode selection changing processing of the decorative symbol display control section 701A.
When the effect control command is received, the content is analyzed by the command analysis unit 700. Then, when the reception command is the effect control command (variation pattern command), the effect control command is given to the image forming unit 720. The image forming unit 720 reads out the currently set effect mode from the effect mode storage unit 704, refers to the table corresponding to the currently set effect mode among the tables TB1 to TB3, and associates it with the effect control command. The variation pattern is read out to form an image according to the variation pattern. In the image formation, the background image forming unit 721 generates a layer on which the background image is formed based on the variation pattern, and the character image forming unit 722 generates a layer on which the character image is formed, and an image such as a notice symbol The forming unit 723 generates a layer on which an image such as a notice symbol is formed, and the frame image forming unit 724 superimposes the plurality of layers to generate one frame image. During such an image forming process, when the effect mode change notification signal is input (step S30), only the background screen is changed to the background image for the selected effect mode, and the image formation is continued (step S33). That is, in step S33, the background image forming unit 721 reads the effect mode whose setting has been changed from the effect mode storage unit 704, and refers to the table corresponding to the effect mode whose setting is changed, to be associated with the effect control command. The variation pattern is read out, and a layer in which a background image is formed is generated based on the variation pattern. The character image forming unit 722 and the notice symbol etc. are not influenced by the setting change of the effect mode, and the image of the character image, the notice symbol, etc. is based on the fluctuation pattern of this time (before the effect mode setting change). Keep creating the formed layer. Thus, only the background screen is changed to the background image for the selected rendering mode and displayed from the selection time of the rendering mode. When the effect mode change notification signal is not input during the image forming process, the image forming process is continued in the current effect mode (step S32). Then, when the fluctuation display period ends (step S33), the image forming process is stopped (step S34).
By such processing, it is possible to selectively change the effect mode during the fluctuation period (precisely, from the start of fluctuation to the time when the first symbol row Z1 changes from high speed fluctuation to low speed fluctuation), When the selection is changed, the background image is changed to the background image for the selected effect mode at that time, and the substantial display effect of the selected effect mode is executed from the next variable display.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the effect mode change processing will be described based on a specific example. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing a specific example of the effect mode change process. Here, it is assumed that the effect mode selection switch 705 is operated while changing in the "effect mode 1" without holding balls. In the first variable display, as shown in FIG. 27 (1), the first to third symbol rows Z1 to Z3 both change at high speed from the variation start time t1, and then the first symbol row Z1 is decelerated at time t2. It fluctuates and stops at time t3. The second symbol row Z2 and the third symbol row Z3 also decelerate and change sequentially from time t2, and the third symbol row Z3 stops, and then at time 4, the second symbol row Z2 stops, and all the variations end.

  During this variable display, the effect mode selection changeable period is the period from time t1 to time t2 (the high speed fluctuation period of the first symbol row Z1 (the number of holding balls is less than 3) as shown in FIG. The case is equivalent to the period W1)). At time t10 (see FIG. 27 (4)) during this period, when the effect mode selection button 900 is operated and the operation signal from the effect mode selection switch 705 is input, the background image is produced from time t10 by the above process. The background image for mode 2 is changed and displayed (see FIG. 27 (5)). By changing the background image, the player can visually confirm that the selection of the effect mode has been accepted and that the next change is the effect mode 2. The substantial display effect content of the effect mode 2 is shifted during the next change (see FIG. 27 (3)).

  The stop symbol is displayed from time t4 to time t5, and is changed to the demonstration screen from time t5, and the second variation display starts from time t6. The period from time t4 to time t6 is a period in which the effect mode can be selected and changed (see FIG. 27 (2)).

  Then, when the effect mode selection switch is not operated during the period from time t4 to time t6, the variable display started from time t6 is the variable display in effect mode 2 (see FIG. 27 (3)). When the effect mode selection switch 705 is operated once during the period from time t4 to time t6, the variable display started from time t6 is the variable display in the effect mode 3 (see FIG. 27 (3)).

  In this manner, the effect mode can be selected and changed not only during the standby screen but also during the variable display period. As a result, even when there is a holding ball, it is possible to selectively change the effect mode. In this way, it is possible to enjoy the game in a different effect mode for each holding ball. In particular, if it is configured to change the lighting color of the holding lamp in order to predict that the probability of becoming a jackpot occurrence is high (the degree of expectation is high) (for example, the holding lamp is usually lit in red and the degree of expectation is high In this case, the player can enjoy the display effect in the effect mode different for each holding ball, if the holding lamp is lit in green in order to give notice of the fact), and it is intended to improve the interest of the game. it can. In addition, by stopping the game until the holding balls disappear, it is possible to solve the conventional problem of lowering the operation rate of the gaming machine.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail based on FIGS. 28 to 38. FIG. 28 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board of the second embodiment, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display screen of effect mode 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 30 is a display screen of effect mode 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 31 shows the display screen of the effect mode 3 of the second embodiment, FIG. 32 shows the display of the normal reach state, FIGS. 33 and 34 show the display of the super reach state, FIG. FIG. 36 is a view showing a display of the premium reach state, FIG. 37 is a functional block diagram of the main controller and display control device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 38 is a effect mode updating unit and decorative symbol display control unit of the second embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the concrete composition of.

  In the second embodiment, the holding lamp is omitted (see FIG. 28), and instead, in an area 950 (hereinafter referred to as holding ball display area 950) occupying the lower left corner of the display surface of the decorative symbol display unit 42, It is designed to display the holding status of the holding balls and the degree of expectation of occurrence of the jackpot state at the time of fluctuation regarding each holding ball.

Hereinafter, a specific display mode of the holding ball display area 950 will be described.
In the holding ball display area 950, as shown in FIG. 29 to FIG. 31, normally, a display corresponding to the number of holding balls, for example, 1 for the first area 950a and 2 for the second area 950b. The third area 950 c is configured to display the numeral 3 and the fourth area 950 d may display the numeral 4. This structure has an advantage that the player can immediately know how many holding balls there are. However, such display alone makes the game monotonous.
Therefore, when it is selected that the jackpot or the outreach is selected by the lottery result of the jackpot random number counter in the main control device 261 and the lottery result of the reach random number counter, it is a display other than numbers and to each reach below. It also displays the corresponding display. Here, each reach state is defined as follows.
(A) Normal reach state In the normal reach state, as shown in FIG. 32, the symbol row Z2 is stopped without any state change such as appearance of a character, and the state in which the jackpot state is low is low. Say

(B) Super reach state In the super reach state, bubbles 650 appear at the start of the reach state as shown in FIG. 33, and then reefs 651 appear as shown in FIG. A state in which a pattern is created (for example, the symbol row Z2 is slowly moved and then stopped, etc.), and the state in which the probability of becoming a jackpot state is medium is said.

(C) Premium reach state In the premium reach state, a red fish group 652 appears at the start of the reach state as shown in FIG. 35, and then, as shown in FIG. Is a state that produces a stop pattern different from normal (for example, it stops after slowly changing the pattern row Z2), which means that the probability of becoming a jackpot state is extremely high (approximately 100%).

  Here, instead of the numbers 1 to 4, when a fish egg character appears, the normal reach state is set, and the fish egg character disappears until the fish character disappears (the hold corresponding to the fish egg character It is set so as to be in the super reach state or the premium reach state if the character of the fish egg breaks and the fish character appears until the digestion of the ball is started). At this time, a premium is given when a fish corresponding to the background mode (shallow, middle layer, deep sea) (eg, a shark character for shallow water, a true character for middle layer, an okose character for deep water) appears In the reach state, when the fish character not corresponding to the background mode appears, the super reach state is set.

  However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and it may be defined what kind of reach state the character will be in at the present time. For example, when a fish egg character appears, the normal reach state is set, and when a reef character appears, a super reach state is set, and a marine character appears. May be set to be in a premium reach state.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the character appears only in the reach state, and the character may appear in the completely out state. If the appearance opportunity of such characters is increased, the opportunity to improve the player's sense of excitement is increased, and the game can be further enhanced. On the other hand, it is a matter of course that the character may not appear even in the reach state.

  In order to enable the above display, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the decorative symbol display control unit 701A is a background image forming unit 721, a character image forming unit 722, an image such as a notice symbol, etc. In addition to the forming unit 723, a holding image forming unit 725 that generates an image displayed in the holding ball display area 950 is provided. When the command for indicating the holding ball is received, the holding image forming unit 725 displays a predetermined image to be displayed in the holding ball display area 950 (display of the number of holding balls and, when the possibility of occurrence of a big hit is large, the notice Form an image (such as an indication of the degree of expectation).

  The image forming process of the image forming unit 720 is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the image forming process of the reserve image forming unit 725 described above. That is, the image forming unit 720 reads out the currently set effect mode from the effect mode storage unit 704, refers to the table corresponding to the currently set effect mode among the tables TB1 to TB3, and generates the effect control command. The associated fluctuation pattern is read out to form an image according to the fluctuation pattern. At the time of image formation, the background image forming unit 721 generates a layer on which the background image is formed based on the fluctuation pattern, and the character image forming unit 722 generates a layer on which the character image is formed. 723 generates a layer on which an image such as a notice pattern is formed, and additionally generates a layer on which a predetermined image is formed by the reserved image forming unit 725, and a plurality of layers are overlapped in a frame image forming unit 724. Thus, one frame image is generated. Then, such one frame image is sequentially output to the first decorative symbol display device 42, so that the decorative symbol is variably displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 42a, and the holding ball display area 950 is made The number, the size of the expectation of the jackpot, etc. are displayed.

  Thus, in the second embodiment, the decorative symbol display unit 42a displays the number of holding balls, the size of the jackpot expectation, etc. in addition to the variable display of the decorative symbol, so the degree of expectation is high. In this case, the player can enjoy the display effect in the effect mode which is different for each holding ball, and the interest of the game can be improved. In addition, since the number of holding balls, the size of the degree of expectation, etc. are displayed in the holding ball display area 950 of the decorative symbol display section 42a, the player is playing a game only looking at the decorative symbol display section 42a. For example, it is possible to know the size of the degree of expectation and to concentrate on the game.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be easily made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be guessed that.

(Other matters)
(1) In the above embodiment, the effective period of the effect mode selection switch during the variable display is limited during the high speed fluctuation period of the first symbol row Z1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The selection change of the effect mode may be made possible until the fluctuation of the first symbol row Z1 is stopped. Furthermore, the selection change of the effect mode may be enabled until immediately before the reach state appears.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the decorative symbol is scrolled in the predetermined direction (horizontal direction) as the variable display, but the variable display may be performed by rotating the decorative symbol. The variable display by rotation is, for example, as shown in FIG. 39 (1), the decorative symbol ZY rotating in the direction of the arrow, consisting of the numbers “1”, “2”,. A case where variable display is performed by displaying on M, R and displaying their decorative symbols as shown in FIG. 39 (2) corresponds to this.

  (3) The present invention may be implemented on a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiment. For example, it may be implemented in a so-called second type pachinko gaming machine having a winning device having a special area such as V zone. Furthermore, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as another gaming machine such as a slot machine, an allearch, and mahjong.

  (4) The present invention is applicable to pachinko machines of different types from the above embodiment, slot machines, other gaming machines such as arelapi and mahjong, and gaming machines in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused. In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused, a variable display means for variably displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols and then displaying the symbols is provided, and a handle for ball launch is used. There is one that is not prepared. In this case, after the injection of a predetermined amount of balls based on a predetermined operation (button operation), for example, the variation of the symbol is started due to the operation of the operation lever, for example, due to the operation of the stop button or By the passage of time, the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated as a necessary condition that the final symbol at the time of the stop is the so-called jackpot symbol, the player receives the lower portion A lot of balls are paid out.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for a game machine such as a pachinko machine.

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
42 first symbol display device 45 display control device 705 effect mode selection switch 720 image forming unit 710 switch receiving unit 704 effect mode storage unit 706 effect mode changing unit 711 effect mode changing switching control unit 725 pending image forming unit 900 effect mode selection button Z1 to Z3 Design row TB1 to TB3 Effect mode table 950 Holding ball display area

Claims (1)

An input operation for selecting and changing one of a plurality of display modes for displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition and a plurality of effect modes having different display effects on the display device by manual input operation Means, and the effect control command from the main control device to control the progress of the game to control the display device, and the display effect based on the display effect pattern according to the selected effect mode and the effect control command And a sub-control device for performing
The sub control unit is
Effect mode storage means for storing information for indicating a currently set effect mode;
Display effect pattern storage means provided corresponding to the effect mode, in which the display effect pattern corresponding to the effect control command is stored in advance;
A display control means for executing a display effect based on a display effect pattern determined by the effect mode corresponding to the information stored in the effect mode storage means, and the effect control command;
Effect mode changing means for changing the stored contents of the effect mode storage means in response to a signal from the input operation means;
The effect mode changing means sets and stores information for indicating a new effect mode in the effect mode storage means according to the signal in the changeable period,
The display control means notifies the changed effect mode in a predetermined notification mode by the display device based on setting and storing the information for indicating the new effect mode, and the changed effect mode Control of the display effect based on the display effect pattern corresponding to is executed from the newly started variable display,
The plurality of effect modes are changed from the predetermined effect mode to the next effect mode according to the signal in the changeable period, and are changed again to the predetermined effect mode by performing the change a plurality of times.
The changeable period is a predetermined period determined in advance.
During the changeable period, the effect mode can be changed any number of times according to the signal,
The display apparatus further includes a hold display unit that displays hold information on a predetermined number of newly started variable display on the display device.
The hold display means executes, by displaying a character, a suggestion display that suggests the degree of expectation that the variable display corresponding to the hold information will be a specific display result according to the display mode of the hold information. The character includes the first character and the second character displayed in place of the first character once displayed, and the specific second characters different from one another are displayed for each effect mode. If the the pachinko game that compared with the case where the other than the particular character second character is displayed, the expectation degree corresponding variation display is specific display results and said higher kuna Rukoto Machine.