JP6667942B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, it is detected that a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on respective surfaces, game medals, coins, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “medals, etc.”) are inserted, and that a start lever is operated by a player. A start switch for requesting the start of rotation of a plurality of reels, and detecting that a stop button provided for each of the plurality of reels has been pressed by a player, and requesting that the rotation of the corresponding reel be stopped. A stop switch for outputting a signal to be transmitted, a stepping motor provided for each of the plurality of reels, for transmitting each driving force to each of the reels, and a stepping motor based on signals output from the start switch and the stop switch. A reel control unit that controls the operation of the motor to rotate and stop each reel, and that the start lever is operated. When it is detected that the reel rotation has been performed, the lottery is performed based on the random number value, and the rotation of the reel is determined based on the result of the random determination (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”) and the timing at which the operation of the stop button is detected. 2. Description of the Related Art A game machine called a pachi-slot that performs a stop is known.

  As this type of game machine, by providing a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal panel and a fluorescent lamp in the waist panel portion, the waist panel portion occupying a large space in front of the game machine is effectively utilized, There has been proposed a gaming machine capable of enhancing decorativeness and effect of production (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-43268 A

  However, according to the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, although the decorativeness and the effect of the effect can be enhanced, in recent years, the effect of increasing the effect of the game machine has been enhanced by allowing the player to operate the operating means. It is expected that the effect of the production will be enhanced by the unexpectedness of the production.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the surprisingness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

The present invention provides the following gaming machines. The gaming machine of the present invention (for example, a pachislot machine 1 to be described later) is a device to be operated by a player (for example, a medal slot 13, MAX bet button 14, 1 bet button 15, start lever 16, stop button 17L). , 17C, 17R, a selection button, a determination button, etc.) are provided below the pedestal portion (for example, a pedestal portion 12 described later), and a display area (for example, described later) on which a performance image in a game is formed on the front surface A waist liquid crystal display device (for example, a waist liquid crystal display device 18 described later) capable of displaying on a display area 18a of the same, and a display control means (for example, a sub-control circuit 101 described later) for controlling display of the display means. Operating means (for example, an operation unit 150 described later) that can be operated by a player, and the waist liquid crystal display device has an opening (for example, rear Opening portion 18b), and the operation means is provided in the opening portion of the waistline liquid crystal display device, and an auxiliary display area in which an effect image in a game is formed on the front by display control of the display control means. (For example, an auxiliary display area 151a to be described later) and auxiliary display means (for example, an auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 to be described later) that can be displayed on the display control means . In a state where the display region of the waist portion liquid crystal display device is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display region, the effect image in which the display region of the waist portion liquid crystal display device and the auxiliary display region of the auxiliary display means are a single screen. The display is controlled.

  The gaming machine having such a configuration includes a display unit, an operation unit, and a display control unit. The display means is capable of displaying an effect image in the game in a display area formed on the front surface, and has an opening penetrating from the front surface to the rear surface. The operation means is operable by the player, is provided in the opening of the display means, and is capable of displaying an effect image in the game in an auxiliary display area formed on the front surface by display control of the display control means. The display control means controls display of an effect image in which the display area of the display means and the auxiliary display area of the auxiliary display means are one screen.

  By arranging the operation means inside the display area of the display means, the auxiliary display area of the operation means, which is a part of the area where the effect image is displayed as one screen, can be operated by the player. Becomes Therefore, it is possible to perform a highly unexpected effect such that a part of the area where the effect image is displayed can be operated. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the surprisingness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

The gaming machine of the present invention further includes, in addition to the above configuration, a driving unit (for example, a driving device 200 described later) capable of moving the operating unit in a front or back direction, and the driving unit includes the operating unit From the state in which the auxiliary display area is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device , to the state in which the auxiliary display area is arranged on the front side of the display area, Is movable.

  Thereby, the auxiliary display area of the operation means is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the display means, and from the state where the effect image is displayed as one screen, the auxiliary display area is shifted to the front side of the display area. Can be moved to Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of further increasing the unexpectedness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

The gaming machine of the present invention has, in addition to the above configuration, a device to be operated by the player (for example, a medal slot 13, a MAX bet button 14, a 1 bet button 15, a start lever 16, and stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R). , A selection button, an enter button, and the like, are provided below a pedestal portion (for example, a pedestal portion 12 described later), and a display area (for example, a display region 18a described later) formed on the front surface with a rendered image in a game. And the like, a waist liquid crystal display device (e.g., a waist liquid crystal display device 18 described below) that can be displayed on the display device, a display control unit (e.g., a sub-control circuit 101 described later) that controls the display of the display unit, The waist liquid crystal display device includes an operable operation means (for example, an operation unit 150 to be described later), and the waist liquid crystal display device has an opening (for example, an opening 18 to be described later) penetrating from the front surface to the back surface. Etc.), and the operating means is provided in the opening of the waist liquid crystal display device, and an auxiliary display area (e.g. (For example, an auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 described later) which can be displayed in the auxiliary display region 151a of the lower part, and the display control unit includes the display region and the auxiliary display device of the waist liquid crystal display device. The display device further includes a driving unit (for example, a driving device 200 described later) that controls display of an effect image in which the auxiliary display area is one screen, and is capable of moving the operation unit in a front or back direction. The auxiliary display area of the operation means is arranged on the substantially same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, and the auxiliary display area is located before the display area. The state of being arranged on the side, is movable said operation means, said display control means, in the initial state, the auxiliary display region of the operating means, the display area and substantially the same of the lumbar liquid crystal display device In a state where the display area and the auxiliary display area are arranged as a single screen in a state where the auxiliary display area is arranged on a plane, the auxiliary display area is arranged on the front side of the display area. In the display area, display control is performed on a suggestion image suggesting the operation of the operation means, and after the operation means is operated, the auxiliary display area of the operation means is substantially the same as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device. In the state where the effect image is displayed on the plane, the effect image displayed is controlled differently from the effect image displayed in the initial state.

  Thereby, the auxiliary display area of the operation means is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the display means, and from the state where the effect image is displayed as one screen, the auxiliary display area is shifted to the front side of the display area. , And in this state, a suggestion image suggesting the operation of the operation means can be displayed in the auxiliary display area. Therefore, first, it is possible to add unexpectedness by moving a part of the area where the effect image is displayed as one screen to the front side, and then, the part moving to the front side is operated. It is possible to further provide the unexpectedness of being a means and operable. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of further increasing the unexpectedness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the surprisingness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

It is a figure showing the functional flow of the pachislo machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an external structure of a pachislot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the electric composition of the pachislo machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of a main control circuit of a pachislo machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram showing the composition of the sub control circuit of the pachislo machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a sectional view of an operation part and a drive of a pachislo machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the auxiliary display area of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device of the operation unit is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 6B shows the auxiliary liquid crystal display of the operation unit. The figure shows a state in which the auxiliary display area of the device projects forward from the display area of the waistline liquid crystal display device. It is a figure showing an example of an effect picture in a waist liquid crystal display and an auxiliary liquid crystal display concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure showing an example of an effect picture in a waist liquid crystal display and an auxiliary liquid crystal display concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure showing an example of an effect picture in a waist liquid crystal display and an auxiliary liquid crystal display concerning an embodiment of the invention.

<Functional flow of pachislot machine>
A pachislot machine which is a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a functional flow according to an embodiment of a gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the pachislot machine of the present embodiment, medals are used as game media for performing a game. As the game medium, coins, game balls, point data for games, tokens, and the like can be applied in addition to medals.

  As a predetermined start condition, when a medal is inserted by the player and the start lever is operated, one value (hereinafter, random number value) is extracted from a random number in a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 65535). Is done.

  The internal lottery means performs a lottery based on the extracted random number value and determines an internal winning combination. This internal lottery means is carried out by a main control circuit described later. By determining the internal winning combination, a combination of symbols permitted to be displayed along a winning determination line described later is determined. In addition, the types of symbol combinations include those related to "winning" in which a bonus such as payout of medals, activation of replays, activation of bonuses, etc. are given to a player, and those relating to other so-called "losing". Is provided.

  When the start lever is operated, the rotation of the plurality of reels is performed. Thereafter, when the stop button corresponding to the predetermined reel is pressed by the player, the reel stop control means performs control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel based on the internal winning combination and the timing at which the stop button is pressed. Do.

  In the pachislo machine, basically, control for stopping the rotation of the relevant reel is performed within a specified time (190 msec or 75 msec) from when the stop button is pressed. In the present embodiment, the number of symbols that move with the rotation of the reel within the specified time is referred to as the “number of sliding pieces”. When the specified time is 190 msec, the maximum number of sliding pieces is determined to be four symbols, and when the specified time is 75 msec, the maximum number of sliding pieces is determined to be one symbol.

  When the internal winning combination that permits the display of the combination of the symbols related to the winning is determined, the reel stop control unit normally changes the combination of the symbols within a specified time of 190 msec (for four frames of the symbol) to the winning determination line. The rotation of the reel is stopped so as to be displayed along as much as possible. In addition, for example, during the operation of a challenge bonus (CB), which is a second type special accessory, and a middle bonus (MB) for continuously operating the CB, the reel stop control means controls one or more reels. The rotation of the reel is stopped so that the combination of the symbols is displayed as much as possible along the winning determination line within the time 75 msec (for one frame of the symbol). Further, the reel stop control means uses various specified times corresponding to the game state to rotate the reels so that a combination of symbols whose display is not permitted by the internal winning combination is not displayed along the winning determination line. Stop.

  When the rotations of the plurality of reels are all stopped in this way, the winning determination unit determines whether or not the combination of the symbols displayed along the winning determination line is a winning combination. This winning determination means is carried out by a main control circuit described later. When the prize determining means determines that the prize is related to a prize, a bonus such as a medal payout is given to the player. In the pachislo machine, the above-described series of flows is performed as one game. Such internal lottery means, reel stop control means and winning determination means are carried by a main control circuit as control means described later.

  Further, in the pachislot machine, in the above-described series of flows, a liquid crystal display device, a waist liquid crystal display device, display of an image performed by an image display device such as an auxiliary liquid crystal display device of the operation unit, driving of the operation unit by the driving device, Various effects are performed using the output of light performed by various lamps, the output of sound performed by a speaker, or a combination thereof.

  When the start lever is operated, an effect random number value (hereinafter, effect random number value) is extracted separately from the random number value used for determining the internal winning combination described above. When the effect random number value is extracted, the effect content determination means determines, by lottery, the effect content to be executed this time from a plurality of types of effect contents associated with the internal winning combination.

  When the effect contents are determined, the effect executing means executes the corresponding effect in conjunction with each opportunity such as when the rotation of the reels is started, when the rotation of each reel is stopped, and when there is a winning. As described above, in the pachislot machine, by executing the effect contents associated with the internal winning combination, the player has an opportunity to know or predict the determined internal winning combination (in other words, a combination of symbols to be aimed). To increase the interest of the player. Such effect content determination means and effect execution means are carried by a sub-control circuit as effect control means described later.

<Structure of pachislot machine>
Next, an external structure of the pachislot machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[Appearance structure]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external structure of the pachislot machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pachislot machine 1 includes an exterior body 2. The exterior body 2 has a cabinet 2a as a housing for housing reels, circuit boards, and the like, and a front door 2b attached to the cabinet 2a so as to be openable and closable. Handles 2c are provided on both side surfaces of the cabinet 2a (FIG. 2 shows only one side handle 2c). The handle 2 c is a concave portion to which a hand is put when carrying the pachislot machine 1.

  Inside the cabinet 2a, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of reels 3L, 3C, 3R in which a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction are accommodated. ing.

  Hereinafter, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are referred to as a left reel 3L, a middle reel 3C, and a right reel 3R, respectively. Each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R has a cylindrical reel body and a light-transmissive sheet material mounted on the peripheral surface of the reel body. The above-mentioned plural (for example, 21) symbols are drawn on the surface of the above-mentioned sheet material.

  The front door 2b includes a door body 9 and a liquid crystal display device 11 as image display means for displaying an image. The door body 9 is attached to the cabinet 2a using a hinge (not shown) so as to be openable and closable. The hinge is provided at the left end of the door body 9 when the door body 9 is viewed from the front of the pachislot machine 1.

  The liquid crystal display device 11 has, for example, a front side (a front side of the pachislot machine 1 and a side facing the player) of the door body 9 of the front door 2b so as to display an image relating to a game effect and information on the game. Mounted on top. The liquid crystal display device 11 can display an image by displaying an image, and also can display game console information such as a game machine customization and a game history. In addition, a hall menu is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 in response to an operation of a game room manager. In this case, the liquid crystal display device 11 is configured by a touch panel, and a button or the like operable by an administrator can be displayed in the hole menu.

  Further, the front door 2b has a display window 4 through which a part of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be visually recognized. The display window 4 includes three left display windows 4L, a middle display window 4C, and a right display window 4R corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  The display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R are provided at positions overlapping the arrangement areas of the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R when viewed from the front (the player side), and are in front of the three reels (the player side). ). Therefore, the player can visually recognize the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind the display window 4 via the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R.

  In the present embodiment, when the rotation of the corresponding reel provided behind the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R is stopped, the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R are arranged continuously among a plurality of types of symbols drawn on each reel. The size is set to display two symbols. That is, the upper, middle, and lower regions are provided for each reel in the frame of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, and one symbol is displayed in each region. In the present embodiment, a line connecting the middle region of the left reel 3L, the middle region of the middle reel 3C, and the middle region of the right reel 3R is defined as a winning determination line for determining whether or not a winning has been achieved.

  A protective glass 6 is provided on the front side of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the liquid crystal display device 11 described above. This prevents the player from directly touching the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the liquid crystal display device 11.

  A pedestal portion 12 is formed at the center of the door body 9. The pedestal section 12 includes various devices (medal slot 13, MAX bet button 14, 1 bet button 15, start lever 16, stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R, select button, enter button, etc.) to be operated by the player. ) Is provided.

  The medal slot 13 is provided for receiving a medal dropped by the player into the pachislot machine 1 from outside. That is, the medal insertion slot 13 is for a medal to be inserted by the player. The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 13 are used for one game with a predetermined number (for example, three) as an upper limit, and a portion exceeding the predetermined number is deposited in the pachislot machine 1. (So-called credit function).

  The MAX bet button 14 and the 1-bet button 15 are provided to determine the number of medals deposited in the pachislot machine 1 to be used in one game. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the pedestal portion 12 is provided with a settlement button. The payment button is provided to pull out (discharge) medals stored in the pachislot machine 1 to the outside.

  The start lever 16 is for starting the rotation of all the reels (3L, 3C, 3R) according to the operation of the player, and constitutes a start operation means.

  The stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R are provided in association with the left reel 3L, the middle reel 3C, and the right reel 3R, respectively, and are used to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels according to the operation of the player. . These stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R constitute stop operation means.

  The stop buttons 17L, 17C, and 17R are used when performing an operation related to information displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11, for example, when performing a selection operation on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11. Used for Hereinafter, the stop buttons 17L, 17C, and 17R are referred to as a left stop button 17L, a middle stop button 17C, and a right stop button 17R, respectively.

  The selection button and the enter button are used when performing various operations on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11.

  The pedestal unit 12 is provided with a 7-segment display 28 including a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode). The 7-segment display 28 displays information such as the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a privilege (hereinafter, the number of payouts), the number of medals deposited inside the pachislot machine 1 (hereinafter, the number of credits), and the like. Digital display.

  Further, a waist liquid crystal display device 18 is provided below the pedestal portion 12 of the door body 9. The waist liquid crystal display device 18 is an example of a display unit, and can display an effect image in a game in a display area 18a formed on the front surface. In addition, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 has an opening 18b penetrating from the front surface to the rear surface (the surface opposite to the surface facing the player).

  In the door body 9, an operation unit 150 operable by a player is provided in the opening 18 b of the waist liquid crystal display device 18. The operation unit 150 includes an auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 capable of displaying an effect image in a game in an auxiliary display area 151a formed on the front surface. On the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, an effect image in which the display area 18a and the auxiliary display area 151a are one screen is displayed. The front side of the waist liquid crystal display device 18 is covered with a protection panel 19 formed of a transparent material. Thus, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 cannot be directly touched by the player.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the door body 9 is provided with a drive device 200 on the back side of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, which can move the operation unit 150 in the front or back direction.

  At the lower part of the door body 9, a medal payout slot 21, a medal tray 22, speakers 23L and 23R are provided. The medal payout opening 21 guides medals discharged by driving a hopper device 43 described below to the outside. The medal tray 22 stores medals discharged from the medal payout exit 21. The speakers 23L and 23R output sound effects and music such as music corresponding to the contents of the effect.

<Electrical configuration of pachislot machine>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachislot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the pachislot machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pachi-slot machine 1 has a main control board 41 provided in the cabinet 2a and a sub control board 42 provided in the front door 2b. The main control board 41 is electrically connected to a reel relay terminal board 51, a setting key type switch 52, a cabinet side relay board 53, a door relay terminal board 54, and a power supply board 44b of the power supply device 44. ing.

  The reel relay terminal plate 51 is provided inside the reel body of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel relay terminal plate 51 is electrically connected to a stepping motor (not shown) of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and relays a signal output from the main control board 41 to the stepping motor. The setting key type switch 52 is used when the setting of the pachislot machine 1 is changed or when the setting of the pachislot machine 1 is confirmed.

  The cabinet-side relay board 53 is electrically connected to an external centralized terminal plate 56, a hopper device 43, and a medal auxiliary storage switch 57. The cabinet-side relay board 53 relays signals output from the main control board 41 to the external centralized terminal plate 56, the hopper device 43, and the medal auxiliary storage switch 57. That is, the external centralized terminal board 56, the hopper device 43, and the medal auxiliary storage switch 57 are connected to the main control board 41 via the cabinet-side relay board 53.

  The external centralized terminal board 56 is attached to the cabinet 2a, and is provided for outputting signals such as a medal insertion signal, a medal payout signal, and a security signal to the outside of the pachislot machine 1.

  The medal auxiliary storage switch 57 penetrates a medal auxiliary storage not shown. The medal auxiliary storage switch 57 detects whether or not the medal auxiliary storage is full of medals.

  A power switch 44 a is connected to a power board 44 b of the power device 44. The power switch 44a is turned on when supplying necessary power to the pachislot machine 1.

  On the door relay terminal board 54, a medal sensor 46, a door opening / closing monitoring switch 61, a BET switch 62, a settlement switch 63, a start switch 64, a stop switch board 65, a game operation display board 66, a selection switch 67, a decision switch 68 and a sub switch The relay board 69 is connected. That is, the medal sensor 46, the door open / close monitoring switch 61, the BET switch 62, the settlement switch 63, the start switch 64, the stop switch board 65, the game operation display board 66, the selection switch 67, the decision switch 68, the operation switch 151, and the sub relay board. 69 is connected to the main control board 41 via the door relay terminal plate 54.

  The medal sensor 46 detects that the medal has passed through a selector (not shown), and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41. The door opening / closing monitor switch 61 outputs a security signal for notifying the opening / closing of the front door 2b to the outside of the pachislot machine 1. The BET switch 62 detects that the MAX bet button 14 and the 1-bet button 15 (see FIG. 2) have been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection results to the main control board 41.

  The settlement switch 63 detects that a settlement button (not shown) has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41. The start switch 64 detects that the start lever 16 has been operated by the player (start operation), and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41.

  The stop switch board 65 is a board that constitutes a circuit for stopping a rotating reel and a circuit for displaying a stoppable reel by using an LED or the like. The stop switch board 65 is provided with a stop switch. The stop switch detects that each of the stop buttons 17L, 17C, 17R has been pressed by the player (stop operation).

  The game operation display board 66 displays the number of inserted medals on the 7-segment display 28 when accepting insertion of medals, when the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotatable, and when performing a replay. This is the substrate to be used. The 7-segment display 28 and the LED 70 are connected to the game operation display board 66. The LED 70 illuminates, for example, a mark indicating the start of a game, a mark for performing a replay, and the like.

  The selection switch 67 detects that the selection button has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41 and the sub relay board 69. The decision switch 68 detects that the decision button has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the main control board 41 and the sub relay board 69. The operation switch 151 detects that a button cover 152 (see FIG. 6) of an operation unit 150 (see FIG. 6) described later has been pressed by the player, and outputs the detection result to the sub-relay board 69.

  The sub relay board 69 relays a wiring connecting the sub control board 42 and the main control board 41. The sub-relay board 69 relays wiring connecting the sub-control board 42 and a plurality of boards arranged around the sub-control board 42. That is, the sub relay board 69 is electrically connected to the sub control board 42, the sound I / O board 71, the LED board 72, the 24h door open / close monitoring unit 74, and the drive control board 78.

  The sub control board 42 is connected to the main control board 41 via the door relay terminal plate 54 and the sub relay board 69. The sub control board 42 is electrically connected to the sound I / O board 71, the LED board 72, the 24h door opening / closing monitoring unit 74, and the drive control board 78 via the sub relay board 69. .

  The sound I / O board 71 outputs sound to the speakers 23L and 23R. The LED board 72 causes the LED group 25, which is a specific example of the light source, to emit light and display a blinking pattern according to the effect performed under the control of the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5).

  The 24h door opening / closing monitoring unit 74 stores a history of opening / closing of the front door 2b. When the front door 2b is opened, the 24h door opening / closing monitoring unit 74 outputs a signal for displaying an error on the liquid crystal display device 11 to the sub control board 42 (sub control circuit 101).

  The drive control board 78 drives the drive device 200 according to the effect performed under the control of the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5). The drive device 200 is driven and controlled by the drive control board 78 to move an operation unit 150 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  A ROM cartridge board 76 and a liquid crystal relay board 77 are connected to the sub control board 42. The ROM cartridge substrate 76 is a substrate for managing image (video), sound, light (LED group 25), driving and communication data of the driving device 200 for effect. The liquid crystal relay board 77 is a board that relays wiring connecting the sub-control board 42 to the liquid crystal display device 11, the waist liquid crystal display device 18, and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151.

<Main control circuit>
Next, the main control circuit 91 constituted by the main control board 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the main control circuit 91 of the pachi-slot machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a main control circuit 91 as a control means has a microcomputer 92 provided on the main control board 41 as a main component, and controls the progress of a game. The microcomputer 92 includes a main CPU 93, a main ROM 94, and a main RAM 95.

  The main ROM 94 stores a control program executed by the main CPU 93, a data table, data for transmitting various control commands (command signals) to a sub-control circuit 101 described later, and the like. The main RAM 95 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination determined by executing the control program.

  A clock pulse generation circuit 96, a frequency divider 97, a random number generator 98, and a sampling circuit 99 are connected to the main CPU 93. The clock pulse generating circuit 96 and the frequency divider 97 generate a clock pulse. The main CPU 93 executes a control program based on the generated clock pulse. The random number generator 98 generates a random number in a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 99 extracts one value from the generated random numbers.

  The main CPU 93 counts the number of times a pulse has been output to the stepping motor of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R after detecting the reel index. Thus, the main CPU 93 manages the rotation angles of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (mainly, how many symbols the reel has rotated).

  The reel index is information indicating that the reel has made one rotation. This reel index is provided, for example, at a predetermined position on each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and a light sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. It is detected by a reel position detection unit (not shown) having a detection piece interposed therebetween.

  Here, the management of the rotation angles of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be specifically described. The number of pulses output to the stepping motor is counted by a pulse counter provided in the main RAM 95. The symbol counter provided in the main RAM 95 is incremented by one each time the pulse counter outputs a predetermined number of pulses (for example, 16 times) necessary for rotation of one symbol. The symbol counter is provided for each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The value of the symbol counter is cleared when a reel index is detected by a reel position detector (not shown).

  In other words, in the present embodiment, by managing the symbol counter, it is possible to manage how many symbols have been rotated since the reel index was detected. Therefore, the position of each symbol on each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is detected based on the position where the reel index is detected.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum number of sliding pieces is basically set to four symbols. Therefore, when the left stop button 17L is pressed, the symbol of the left reel 3L at the middle of the display window 4 and each symbol within the range up to the symbol four symbols ahead can be stopped at the middle of the display window 4. Pattern.

<Sub-control circuit>
Next, the sub control circuit 101 constituted by the sub control board 42 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sub-control circuit 101 of the pachi-slot machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sub control circuit 101 as a sub control unit is electrically connected to the main control circuit 91, and determines and executes the effect contents based on a command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91. And controls peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal display device 11, waist liquid crystal display device 18, auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, drive device 200, LED group 25, speakers 23L and 23R shown in FIG. is there. The sub-control circuit 101 basically includes a sub CPU 102, a sub RAM 103, a rendering processor 104, a drawing RAM 105, and a driver 106.

  The sub CPU 102 responds to a command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4) and outputs sound and light, the liquid crystal display device 11, the waist liquid crystal display according to a control program stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 76. The display control of the device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 and the drive control of the drive device 200 (see FIG. 3) are performed. The ROM cartridge substrate 76 basically includes a program storage area and a data storage area.

  A control program executed by the sub CPU 102 is stored in the program storage area. For example, in the control program, a main board communication task for controlling communication with the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4) and a random number for effect are extracted, and the effect contents (effect data) are determined and registered. Direction registration task for is included. Further, based on the determined effect contents, a drawing control task for controlling display of an image by the liquid crystal display device 11, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 (see FIG. 2), and by the driving device 200 (see FIG. 3). A drive control task that controls the movement of the operation unit 150 (see FIG. 6), a lamp control task that controls the output of light from a light source such as the LED group 25 (see FIG. 3), and the output of sound from the speakers 23L and 23R. It includes a voice control task and the like. As described above, the sub control circuit 101 is an example of a display control unit that controls the display of the display unit, and functions as an example of a drive control unit that controls the driving of the driving device 200.

  The data storage area includes a storage area for storing various data tables, a storage area for storing effect data constituting each effect content, and a storage area for storing animation data related to video creation. In addition, a storage area for storing sound data relating to BGM and sound effects, a storage area for storing lamp data relating to a light on / off pattern, and the like are included.

  The sub-RAM 103 is provided with a storage area for registering the determined effect contents and effect data, and a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 91.

  The sub CPU 102, the rendering processor 104, the drawing RAM (including the frame buffer) 105, and the driver 106 create a video according to the animation data specified by the effect contents, and the created video is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 And display on the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151. The sub CPU 102 moves the operation unit 150 (see FIG. 6) by driving the driving device 200 in accordance with the driving data specified by the effect contents.

  Further, the sub CPU 102 causes the speakers 23L and 23R to output sounds such as BGM according to the sound data specified by the effect contents. Further, the sub CPU 102 controls turning on and off of the LED group 25 in accordance with the lamp data specified by the effect contents.

<Operation unit and drive device>
Next, the operation unit 150 and the driving device 200 will be described. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the operation unit and the driving device of the pachislot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the auxiliary display area of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device of the operation unit is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 6B shows the auxiliary liquid crystal display of the operation unit. The figure shows a state in which the auxiliary display area of the device projects forward from the display area of the waistline liquid crystal display device.

[Operation unit]
The operation unit 150 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, is disposed in the cylindrical opening 18b of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, and is configured to be able to be pressed by the player from the front side to the back side. The operation unit 150 can be moved in the front or rear direction by the driving device 200.

  The operation unit 150 includes an auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, a button cover 152, a main body 153, a liquid crystal support 154, a main body support 155, and an operation switch 156. The auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 is disposed on the front side of the operation unit 150. In an initial state, the auxiliary display region 151a is disposed substantially on the same plane as the display region 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18.

  The button cover 152 includes a front member 152 a that covers the auxiliary display area 151 a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, a rear surface extending from an edge of the front member 152 a, and a rear side end having a front surface of an engagement portion 153 c of the main body 153 described below. A side member 152b slidably engaged with the side end.

  The main body 153 is provided at a front end of the holding portion 153a that slidably supports the liquid crystal support 154, and locks a rear end of an elastic member 154c of the liquid crystal support 154 described later. An engaging portion 153b, an engaging portion 153c extending from the engaging portion 153b to the front side, and slidably engaging with the rear end of the side member 152b of the button cover 152 are formed of a tubular body and held. A base end 153d extends rearward from the rear end of the portion 153a and slidably engages with the main body support 155.

  The liquid crystal support 154 is attached to the back surface of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 and supports the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151. The liquid crystal support portion 154 extends rearward from the support portion 154a and slides on the holding portion 153a of the main body 153. It has a sliding portion 154b to be supported, and an elastic member 154c for urging the supporting portion 154a for supporting the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 to the front side.

  The main body supporting portion 155 is formed in a rod shape, and has a rear end fixed to the front door 2 b (see FIG. 2), extends to the front side, is inserted into a base end 153 d of the main body 153, and has a base end. It slidably engages with the portion 153d.

  The operation switch 156 is arranged at the back side end of the holding section 153a of the main body 153 so as to be able to contact the back side end of the support section 154a of the liquid crystal support section 154, and is in contact with the back side end of the support section 154a. Then, an operation signal is output to the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) via the sub relay board 69 (see FIG. 3). The sub-control circuit 101 controls the display of, for example, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 according to the operation signal output from the operation switch 156.

  With such a configuration, when the button cover 152 is pressed from the front side to the back side by the player, the operation unit 150 moves the button cover 152, the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, and the liquid crystal support unit 154 to the main body 153. On the other hand, it moves to the rear side, and the rear side end of the liquid crystal support 154 comes into contact with the operation switch 156, and outputs an operation signal.

[Drive device]
The driving device 200 moves the auxiliary display area 151a of the operation unit 150 from the state in which the auxiliary display area 151a is disposed on substantially the same plane as the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, and places the auxiliary display area 151a on the front side of the display area 18a. The operation unit 150 can be moved in this state.

  Specifically, the drive device 200 includes a rack 211, a pinion 212, and a motor 230 (see FIG. 3). The rack 211 is attached to the base end 153d of the main body 153 of the operation unit 150, and extends in the front and rear direction. The pinion 212 is engaged with the rack 211 and is rotated by driving a motor 230 (see FIG. 3).

  The motor 230 (see FIG. 3) is driven by the drive control board 78 (see FIG. 3) controlled by the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) to rotate the pinion 212.

  The sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5), which is an example of the drive control means, determines the effect content based on the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4), and according to the determined effect content, The motor 230 (see FIG. 3) is rotated in a predetermined direction to rotate the pinion 212. Note that the sub-control circuit 101 may drive the motor 230 (see FIG. 3) by the number of steps according to the preset effect content, or when a photo sensor is provided in the main body 153 of the operation unit 150. Alternatively, the position of the main body 153 may be detected based on the input signal detected by the photo sensor, and the motor 230 may be driven according to the detected position.

[Drive control]
Next, the operation of the operation unit 150 by the driving device 200 will be described. For example, in the initial state, in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the auxiliary display area 151a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 is arranged on the substantially same plane as the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18. It is arranged in the state where it was done. In this state, the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) drives the motor 230 to rotate in a predetermined direction in accordance with the effect content determined based on the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the pinion 212 engaged with the rack 211 rotates. Then, in the operation unit 150, the main body 153 to which the rack 211 is attached moves to the front side together with the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151, the button cover 152, and the liquid crystal support unit 154. Thereby, the operation unit 150 is arranged in a state where the auxiliary display area 151a is arranged on the front side with respect to the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[Display control]
Next, the display control of the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 of the operation unit 150 by the sub control circuit 101 will be described. FIGS. 7 to 9 are views showing examples of effect images on the waist liquid crystal display device and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, in the initial state, the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 is disposed in a state where the auxiliary display region 151a is disposed on substantially the same plane as the display region 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, as shown in FIG. I have. In this state, the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) changes the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the display area 18a in accordance with the effect content determined based on the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4). Control is performed to display an effect image having the auxiliary display area 151a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 as one screen in the display area 18a and the auxiliary display area 151a.

  Then, the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) controls the motor 230 (see FIG. 6) of the drive device 200 (see FIG. 6) according to the effect content determined based on the command signal transmitted from the main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4). The operation unit 150 is moved to the front side by rotating the operation unit 150 in a predetermined direction, and the operation of the operation unit 150 is performed in the auxiliary display area 151a in a state where the auxiliary display area 151a is arranged on the front side of the display area 18a. (For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the character image “PUSH”) is displayed. In this state, the sub-control circuit 101 also controls the display area 18a of the waistline liquid crystal display 18 to display an image related to the suggestion image or an image notifying that the operation unit 150 can be operated. Good.

  In the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5), in the state shown in FIG. 8, the button cover 152 is pressed from the front side to the back side by the player, and an operation signal is output from the operation switch 156 (see FIG. 6). When output, as shown in FIG. 9, an effect image in which the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary display area 151a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 are formed into one screen is displayed on the display area 18a and the auxiliary display area 151a. Is displayed.

  As described above, the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) functions as an example of a display control unit that controls display of an effect image in which the display area of the display unit and the auxiliary display area of the auxiliary display unit are one screen. Further, the sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 5) sets the display area and the auxiliary display area to one screen when the auxiliary display area of the operation means is arranged on the substantially same plane as the display area of the display means. In the state where the auxiliary display area is disposed on the front side of the display area, the effect image functions as an example of display control means for controlling the display of the suggestion image suggesting the operation of the operation means in the auxiliary display area. .

  According to the present embodiment, the following operation and effect can be obtained. According to the pachislot machine 1, by arranging the operation unit 150 inside the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, the operation unit 150 which is a part of the area where the effect image is displayed as one screen is displayed. The auxiliary display area 151a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 can be operated by the player. Therefore, it is possible to perform a highly unexpected effect such that a part of the area where the effect image is displayed can be operated. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the surprisingness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

  Further, according to the pachislot machine 1, the auxiliary display area 151a of the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 of the operation unit 150 is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, and the effect image is displayed as one screen. Is displayed, the auxiliary display area 151a can be moved to the front side from the display area 18a. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of further increasing the unexpectedness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

  According to the pachislot machine 1, the auxiliary display area 151a of the operation unit 150 is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area 18a of the waist liquid crystal display device 18, and the effect image is displayed as one screen. Then, the auxiliary display area 151a is moved to the front side from the display area 18a, and in this state, a suggestion image indicating the operation of the operation unit 150 can be displayed in the auxiliary display area 151a. Therefore, first, it is possible to add unexpectedness by moving a part of the area where the effect image is displayed as one screen to the front side, and then, the part moved to the front side is operated. It is possible to further provide the unexpectedness of being a means and being operable. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of further increasing the unexpectedness of the effect by the operation means and improving the effect of the effect.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the present embodiment, the opening 18b and the operation unit 150 of the waist liquid crystal display device 18 are formed in a cylindrical shape, but are not limited to this, and may be formed in an arbitrary shape such as a square pole shape. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the waist liquid crystal display device 18 and the auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151 have a flat display area formed only on the front side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and curved surfaces are formed on the side edges on the front side. Alternatively, a display area may be formed so as to smoothly connect to the side surface.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the driving device 200 moves the operation unit 150 by the rack 211, the pinion 212, and the motor 230, but is not limited thereto. Any configuration can be adopted.

  Further, in the description of the present embodiment, a pachislot machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a pachinko machine or the like as long as the gaming machine has a liquid crystal display device. Can also.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachi-slot machine 18 Waist liquid crystal display device 18a Display area 18b Opening 101 Sub-control circuit 150 Operation part 151 Auxiliary liquid crystal display device 151a Auxiliary display area

Claims (3)

A waist liquid crystal display device, which is provided at a lower portion of a pedestal portion provided with a device to be operated by a player and can display an effect image in a game in a display area formed on a front surface,
Display control means for controlling the display of the waist liquid crystal display device,
Operating means operable by a player,
The waist liquid crystal display device has an opening formed therethrough from the front to the back,
The operation means is provided in the opening of the waist liquid crystal display device, and has auxiliary display means capable of displaying an effect image in a game in an auxiliary display area formed on a front surface by display control of the display control means. ,
The display control means is configured such that, in a state where the auxiliary display area of the operation means is disposed on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device and the auxiliary A gaming machine, wherein an effect image in which the auxiliary display area of a display unit is one screen is displayed and controlled. The operating means further comprises a driving means movable in a front or rear direction,
The driving unit is configured such that the auxiliary display region of the operation unit is disposed on a substantially same plane as the display region of the waist liquid crystal display device, and the auxiliary display region is disposed on the front side of the display region. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation means can be moved in a state where the operation is performed. A waist liquid crystal display device, which is provided at a lower portion of a pedestal portion provided with a device to be operated by a player and can display an effect image in a game in a display area formed on a front surface,
Display control means for controlling the display of the waist liquid crystal display device,
Operating means operable by a player,
The waist liquid crystal display device has an opening formed therethrough from the front to the back,
The operation means is provided in the opening of the waist liquid crystal display device, and has auxiliary display means capable of displaying an effect image in a game in an auxiliary display area formed on a front surface by display control of the display control means. ,
The display control means controls display of an effect image in which the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device and the auxiliary display area of the auxiliary display means are formed as one screen,
The operating means further comprises a driving means movable in a front or rear direction,
The driving unit is configured such that the auxiliary display region of the operation unit is disposed on a substantially same plane as the display region of the waist liquid crystal display device, and the auxiliary display region is disposed on the front side of the display region. The operation means can be moved to a state where
The display control means,
In an initial state, in a state where the auxiliary display area of the operation means is arranged on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, the display area and the auxiliary display area are set as one screen. Display control of the effect image,
In a state in which the auxiliary display area is arranged on the front side of the display area, in the auxiliary display area, display control is performed on a suggestion image suggesting an operation of the operation unit,
After the operating means is operated, in the state where the auxiliary display area of the operating means is disposed on substantially the same plane as the display area of the waist liquid crystal display device, the effect displayed in the initial state. Yu TECHNICAL machine characterized in that the display control different effect image from the image.