JPH08131621A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance dramatic presentation and further improve realism and prevent balls to be stopped up during a game. CONSTITUTION: A variable display apparatus is constructed by a display section 23, a transparent cover 36, and a movable member 34. The transparent cover 36 is disposed in a position further forward than the display section 32 to prevent penetration of balls hit and through which the display section 32 can be looked at. The movable member 34 is disposed in space 37 behind the transparent cover 36 and before the display section 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, and the like, and more specifically, a game area in which a ball is hit and a display state provided in this game area. The present invention relates to a ball game machine having a variable display device capable of changing and a predetermined game value can be given when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, the following are generally known as this type of ball game machine.
The ball game machine is equipped with a variable display device for displaying various images. Variable display devices include, for example,
Rotary drum type or CRT (Catho
de Ray Tube) and LCD (Liquid C)
ryststal display) and the like. In such a conventional variable display device, the display result is derived and displayed by being stop-controlled after being variably started by the establishment of the variable start condition, and the display result has a predetermined specific display mode. In such a case, the player is provided with a predetermined game value so that the player can be given a game value, and the variable display control of the variable display device is performed as a premise for giving the game value. I was there. Further, particularly in the case of the variable display device using the above-mentioned CRT or LCD, not only the variable display that can be performed for giving the game value but also a so-called demonstration display that is not directly related to the giving of the game value. And so on, and the display was interesting so that the game could be made even more interesting.

As described above, in the conventional ball game machine, the effect for improving the interest of the game is provided through the variable display of the variable display device.

On the other hand, a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the rotary drum on which various identification information is drawn in the rotary drum type variable display device, which is visible to the player, and the CRT and L.
In a variable display section including a display screen portion of a CD, etc., a transparent cover is arranged at a position separated by a predetermined distance to the front side of the variable display section, and the transparent cover protects the variable display section of the variable display device. Was configured to be.
Then, only the space exists on the rear side of the transparent cover and on the front side of the variable display portion.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional ball game machine, the variable display portion displayed on the variable display device is used to perform the effect corresponding to the game content. There was a problem that the effect of production was insufficient. That is, in the conventional ball game machine, since only the space exists between the variable display unit and the transparent cover of the variable display device, it is possible to enhance the effect of the game contents other than the display by the variable display unit. There is a problem that it is not possible to enhance the sense of presence according to the content of the game.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the actual situation, and its purpose is to enhance not only the display by the variable display section, but also other effect means to enhance the effect and to make the player feel more realistic. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball-and-ball game machine which can be further improved and can prevent ball jamming during a game.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
When a game area in which a ball is hit and a variable display device that is provided in the game area and whose display state is changeable are provided, and the display result of the variable display device is in a predetermined specific display mode In the ball game machine capable of imparting a predetermined game value to the variable display device, the variable display device is provided in front of the variable display part and the variable display part, and prevents intrusion of hit balls and The variable display portion includes a see-through cover member, and a structure arranged in a space formed behind the cover member and in front of the variable display portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, a game board that forms the game area is further included, and the structure is arranged behind the game area surface of the game board. It is characterized by having done.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in 1 above, a start winning port which is arranged below the variable display device and derives a display result of the variable display device by winning, and which constitutes a part of the variable display device, and above it. Further including an obstacle member disposed in
The width of the structure is smaller than the width of the obstacle member.

[0010]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the variable display device includes the variable display portion, the cover member for preventing the ball hitting in and seeing through the variable display portion, and the structure. The cover member is provided at a position in front of the variable display section.
The structure is disposed in the space behind the cover member and in front of the variable display portion.

According to the configuration of claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1, the game board forms a game area, and the structure is arranged behind the game area surface of the game board.

According to the structure of claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the starting winning opening is arranged below the variable display device, and the display result of the variable display device is displayed by the winning. Let it out. The obstacle member constitutes a part of the variable display device and is arranged above it. The width of the structure is
It is smaller than the width of the obstacle.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, a pachinko game machine is shown as an example of a ball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a game area into which a ball is hit and a game area A ball game machine having a variable display device which is provided and whose display state can be changed, and a predetermined game value can be given when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode. If so, it can be applied to all.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a structure of a game board of a pachinko game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Two partition rails 2 are planted in a circle on the front surface of the game board 1 of the pachinko gaming machine. The partition rail 2 is composed of an outer rail and an inner rail, and a region surrounded by the outer rail and the inner rail is called a game region 3.

The pachinko gaming machine is provided with a hitting ball operation handle (not shown) for the player to operate the hitting of a pachinko ball. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle, the pachinko balls are fired one by one. The launched pachinko ball is guided to the game area 3 by the guide path formed between the outer rail and the inner rail.
At the exit portion from the taxiway to the game area 3, there is provided a valve-shaped return ball prevention member 21 for preventing a pachinko ball that has been hit in the game area 3 from returning to the taxiway. ing. The pachinko balls that are hit in the game area 3 are called "hit balls" in the following description.

At the center of the game area 3, a variable display device 24 for variably displaying a plurality of types of images is provided. Below the variable display device 24, a starting opening 5 and a variable winning ball device 4 are provided. At the positions commonly called “shoulders” on the left and right sides of the variable display device 24, the passage openings 16 are provided.
Is provided. A winning opening 17 is provided at a position below each of the passing openings 13, which is commonly called a "sleeve". A winning opening 13 is provided at a position commonly referred to as a “drop portion” on the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 4. An out hole 23 is provided at the bottom of the game area 3.

The ball hit into the game area 3 is a starting opening 5, a variable winning ball device 4, while passing through the game area 3.
Whether to win one of the prize holes 13 and 17
Alternatively, it is guided to the out hole 23 and processed as an out ball. When a hit ball is won in the variable winning ball device 4, 15 prize balls are paid out to the player for each winning ball.
When a hit ball is won in either the starting opening 5 or the winning openings 13 and 17, seven prize balls are paid out to the player for each winning ball. That is, in the present embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out by the prize balls won in the variable winning ball device 4 is
It is set to be relatively larger than the number of prize balls paid out by the prize balls that have won the other prize holes.

The game area 3 is further provided with a windmill 14 for decorating the game area 3 and diversifying the flow direction of the hitting balls. Further, the passage port 16 is provided with a substantially arcuate passage groove as shown by a broken line, and the hitting ball passing through the passage port 16 is guided toward the starting port 5 and the opening / closing plate 7. In addition, below the passage port 16, the starting port 5
And a game nail 3a and a windmill 3b for guiding a ball to the variable winning ball device 4 are provided. Therefore, passage 1
The hit ball that has passed through 6 is the starting opening 5 and the variable winning ball device 4
It is set so that the probability of winning a prize is high.

In addition, in order to enhance the game effect by decorating the game board 1 and informing the player of the game state in the game area 3 and its periphery, the following various lamps and LEDs ( Light Emitting Diode
e) type is provided.

Side lamps 19 are provided at both left and right ends of the game area 3. The windmill 14 has a windmill lamp 1
5 are provided. A sleeve lamp 18 is provided at the winning opening 17 of the sleeve portion. Decorative LEDF on the winning opening 13
12 are provided. A rail decoration lamp 22 is provided around the game area 3.

The variable winning ball device 4 will be described. The variable winning ball device 4 is provided with an opening / closing plate 7 which is tiltable in a predetermined range in the front-back direction of the game area 3. The opening / closing plate 7 is a solenoid 8 (illustrated by a broken line) provided on the back surface of the game board 1.
Driven by

The variable winning ball device 4 is normally in a state in which the opening / closing plate 7 is closed, which is disadvantageous for a player who is unlikely to hit a ball (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "second state").
Has become. On the other hand, on the display screen of the variable display device 24, when the hitting ball is won in the starting opening 5,
Variable display of one symbol is performed. When this variable display is stopped, a “big hit” occurs when the combination of the three symbols becomes a predetermined specific combination. When a big hit occurs, the variable winning ball device 4 changes from the second state described above to a state advantageous to a player who easily wins a ball (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "first state"). The state where the big hit occurs and the variable winning ball device 4 is in the first state is referred to as a specific game state. When the above-mentioned big hit occurs, the variable winning ball device 4 is advantageous for a player who can open the opening / closing plate 7 and hit the ball at the special winning opening of the variable winning ball device 4. It becomes the state of.

The first state of the variable winning ball device 4 is that 29.5 seconds have elapsed after the opening / closing plate 7 was opened, or
Alternatively, the process ends when one of the ten winning hits in the winning opening (big winning opening) of the variable winning ball device 4 whichever is faster, is satisfied. That is, when the above conditions are satisfied, the opening / closing plate 7 is closed, and the variable winning ball device 4 is in the second state. The hit balls that have won the special winning opening are detected by the prize winning detector 10 provided on the back surface of the game board 1.

The central portion inside the special winning opening is commonly called "V
A specific area called a "pocket" is provided. When the hit ball that has entered the special winning opening wins this specific area, the specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detector 9 provided on the back surface of the game board 1. When the specific winning ball is detected, the repeat continuation control for driving and controlling the variable winning ball device 4 to the first state again is waited for until the first state of the variable winning ball device 4 for that time is finished. Done. By this repeated continuation control, the variable winning ball device 4 is continuously operated for the first 16 times at the maximum.
It becomes the state of. Further, when the hitting ball is won in the specific area of the special winning opening as described above, the V display LED 20 is turned on and the player is informed that the hitting ball is won in the specific area.

The starting prize will be described. Winning a ball at the starting opening 5 is particularly called "starting winning". Starting port 5
The hit ball which is won is detected by a starting ball detector provided on the back surface of the game board 1. As a result of a ball hitting the starting opening 5, variable display of symbols is started on the display unit 32 of the variable display device 24. When a combination of specific symbols is displayed when the variable display is stopped, the variable winning ball device 4 is in the first state. While the variable display of the symbols is being performed and while the variable winning ball device 4 is in the first state based on the result of the variable display of the symbols, if the hitting ball is won in the starting opening 5, the start thereof is started. The winning prize is stored. This is called starting memory. The number of starting memory is the starting memory LE
The player is notified by lighting D33 (see FIG. 2).
The upper limit of the starting memory is set to four. When there is a start memory, after the variable display of the symbols on the display unit 32 is stopped, or after the first state of the variable winning ball device 4 is finished, the display variation of the symbols on the display unit 32 is started again. It

With the structure of the game board 1 described above, in the pachinko game machine of this embodiment, if the ball hits the starting opening 5 after the ball is hit in the game area 3, the variable display device 24 is displayed. The variable display of symbols is started on the display unit 32 of. Then, when the variable display of the symbols on the display unit 32 is stopped and a specific symbol combination is displayed, the opening / closing plate 7 of the variable winning ball device 4 is in the open state,
The variable winning ball device 4 changes from the second state to the first state.
Since the variable winning ball device 4 is in the first state, the hitting rate of hitting balls is significantly higher than that in the normal time. The player enjoys a series of these pachinko games on the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the variable display device 24. The variable display device 24 includes a display unit 32, a mounting substrate 25, and a movable member 34. Display 32
Is an image display surface of the LCD display. The LCD display is mounted on the back side of the mounting substrate 25 so that the display 32 can be seen from the front through the window.

Various images are displayed on the display unit 32. The illustrated display example is a demonstration screen (hereinafter referred to as “demo screen”) when the design is stopped. Specifically, two buildings that are the background and two mountains to the left and right are displayed at the top of the screen, and roads that continue to the two buildings are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Moreover, since the width of the road is narrowed as it goes deeper, an image with a sense of perspective is displayed.

On the upper part of the mounting substrate 25, a collision member 26 protruding forward is formed. By the collision member 26,
It is possible to prevent a hit ball that has flowed down from above the variable display device 24 from falling on the front surface side of the display unit 32. The width of the collision member 26 is indicated by L1. On the outer peripheral portion of the mounting substrate 25, a decorative LED A27 and decorative LEDs B28a, 28b are provided.
, Decoration LEDC29, decoration LEDD30, decoration L
The EDE 31 is provided. The word "WINNER" is displayed on the decoration LEDB28a, and the decoration LEDB2 is displayed.
The character "CRUSH" is displayed on 8b. LE
The DBs 28a and 28b are, for example, decorative LEDs B2.
When 8a is turned on, next, until the decorative LED B28b is turned on, a prize ball obtained by the player in the specific game state is used, and the game hall side permits the game to be continued. It is used when determining whether or not.

A start memory LED 33 is further provided on the mounting substrate 25. As described above, the upper limit of the number of starting memories is set to four, and the starting memory LED 33 is turned on according to the number of starting memories, and the player is notified.

Below the mounting substrate 25, a structure composed of a cockpit of a racing car, a rearview mirror and the like is formed. Furthermore, at the bottom of the mounting board 25,
Movable member 3 that serves as a handle for the cockpit
4 is mounted rotatably. Movable member 3
In No. 4, since a straight road is displayed on the display unit 32, it is stopped in a horizontal state where it is not rotating. As a result, it is possible to realistically inform the player of the state in which the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, and it is possible to enhance the effect of presentation and improve the sense of presence. The width of the structure is indicated by L2, and as shown in the drawing, L1> L2, and L2 is L.
It is possible to arrange a game nail and a windmill capable of guiding a ball hitting the starting winning opening by less than 1.

Next, the state of the variable display device when traveling on a curve will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state of the variable display device when traveling on a curve. When traveling on a curve, the background image on the upper portion of the display unit 32 is scrolled leftward. Along with the scrolling of the background image, the road displayed at the bottom of the display unit 32 is also displayed in a state of turning left. Further, the handlebar 34 is also driven to rotate leftward by a motor 45 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and stopped in a state of being rotated by a predetermined angle. As described above, in addition to changing the image on the display unit 32, the movable member 34
By rotating together, the player can feel as if the car was turning left,
It is possible to enhance the effect of presentation and improve the sense of presence.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the side surface of the variable display device 24. A part of the periphery of the movable member 34 is cut away to show the internal structure.

A mounting board 25 is mounted on the front surface (leftward in the drawing) of the game board 1. The collision member 26 is attached to the front surface of the attachment substrate 25. A ball rolling plate 38 integrally formed with the mounting board 25 is disposed on the lower front surface of the mounting board 25. On the rear surface of the game board 1, a display device mounting plate 39
(See FIG. 5) is attached. The liquid crystal display device 35 is mounted behind the display device mounting plate 39. In front of the display unit 32 of the liquid crystal display device 35, the motor 45 is mounted on the mounting substrate 2
5 is attached. The movable member 34 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 45. A transparent cover 36 is attached to the attachment substrate 25 in front of the movable member 34. By disposing each component as described above, the movable member 34 is disposed in the space 37 behind the transparent cover 36 and in front of the display unit 32. Further, the movable member 34 is arranged behind the game area surface 3.

A ball rolling plate 38 is arranged in front of the transparent cover 36. Further, since the ball rolling plate 38 is disposed above the starting port 5, the ball rolling over the ball rolling plate 38 causes the time when the ball is present above the starting port 5. become longer. As a result, it is possible to give the player the expectation that the hit ball will win the starting opening 5, and the player can enjoy the pachinko game more. Note that the transparent cover is not completely transparent and may be colored or partially non-transparent, and at least covers the structure. Further, the transparent cover has an effect of protecting the structure even in the manufacturing stage.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back side of the game board 1. A display device mounting plate 39 is attached to the center of the back surface of the game board 1. The liquid crystal display device 35 is mounted on the display device mounting plate 39. In addition, on the lower part of the back surface of the game board 1, a starting opening 5, a winning opening 17, a variable winning ball device 4
The winning ball collective cover body 40 is attached in a state of covering the back side of the above.

The hit ball that has won the starting opening 5 flows down through the prize ball guide path and is guided downward. In this winning ball taxiway,
A starting ball detector 6 for detecting a starting winning ball is provided. The hit ball detected by the starting ball detector 6 is the second
It is discharged from the discharge port 42b. The ball hitting the winning opening 17 is guided to the ball guiding piece 43 and flows downward.
The hit balls that flow downward are discharged from the second discharge ports 42a and 42b. Seven prize balls are paid out to the hit balls discharged from the second discharge ports 42a and 42b.

Of the balls hit in the special winning opening, those hit in a specific area are detected by the specific ball detector 9 and then
It is discharged from the first discharge port 41. Further, all the hit balls that have won in the special winning opening including the hit balls that have won in the specific area are detected by the prize winning detector 10 and then discharged from the first discharge opening 41. Fifteen prize balls are paid out to the winning balls discharged from the first discharge port 41. At the bottom of the game board 1, an opening on the back side of the out hole 23 is provided.

Next, the control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment will be described. 6 and 7 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the control circuit described below controls the pachinko game in a predetermined order.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the control circuit is
Basic circuit 46, input circuit 47, LCD circuit 48, initial reset circuit 49, periodic reset circuit 50, address decode circuit 51, LED circuit 52, solenoid circuit 53,
Voice synthesis circuit 54, volume amplification circuit 55, information output circuit 5
6, lamp circuit 57, power supply circuit 58, motor drive circuit 5
9. LCD display 35 (liquid crystal display 35 shown in FIG. 4)
including.

The basic circuit 46 controls various devices of the pachinko gaming machine according to the control program. Inside the main basic circuit 46, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program and the like, and a CP for performing a control operation according to the control program.
U (Central Processing Uni)
t) and a RAM that functions as a work memory for the CPU
(Random Access Memory) and I
A / O (Input / Output) port and a clock generation circuit are provided. The internal structure of the basic circuit 46 is not shown.

The input circuit 47 includes a starting ball detector 6 for detecting a ball hitting the starting opening 5, and a variable winning ball device 4.
And a specific ball detector 9 for detecting a ball hit in a specific area provided in a predetermined area of the special winning opening. Connected. The input circuit 47 transmits the detection signal output from each detection to the basic circuit 46.

The LCD circuit 48 is a circuit for driving and controlling the LCD display 35 included in the variable display device 24 in accordance with the control signal output from the basic circuit 46. L
The signals transmitted from the CD circuit 48 to the LCD display 35 include CD0 to CD7 as command signals and INT which is an initialization signal. Further, the signal lines connecting the LCD circuit 48 and the LCD display 35 include + 13V line, + 5V line and -8V line for power supply,
There are a -20V line and a GND line which is a ground signal line.

The initial reset circuit 49 is a circuit for resetting the basic circuit 46 when the power is turned on. In response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 49, the basic circuit 46 initializes the pachinko gaming machine.

The regular reset circuit 50 is a circuit for giving a reset pulse to the basic circuit 46 periodically (for example, every 2 msec) to repeatedly execute a predetermined game control program from the beginning.

The address decoding circuit 51 comprises the basic circuit 4
Decode the address signal sent from 6
ROM, RAM, I included in the basic circuit 46
A circuit for outputting a signal for selecting any one of the / O port and the like.

In the LED circuit 52, the start memory LED3
3, decorative LEDB28a, 28b, decorative LEDA27,
Decoration LEDC29, decoration LEDE31, decoration LEDD3
0, V display LED 20, and decoration LED F12 are connected. The LED circuit 52 controls the lighting state of each LED according to the control signal output from the basic circuit 46.

The solenoid circuit 53 is a variable winning ball device 4
It is a circuit for controlling a solenoid 8 for driving the opening / closing plate 7. The solenoid circuit 53 has a basic circuit 46.
In response to the control signal output from the solenoid 8, the solenoid 8 is operated at a predetermined timing.

The voice synthesizing circuit 54 responds to the voice generation command signal output from the basic circuit 46 to create sound effect data, and outputs the created sound effect data to the volume amplifying circuit 55. The volume amplification circuit 55 amplifies the applied sound effect data to a predetermined level and sends it to a speaker (not shown). As a result, a predetermined sound effect is generated from the speaker.

The information output circuit 56, based on the data signal given from the basic circuit 46, provides big hit information for indicating information on the occurrence of a big hit by the variable display of the display section 32 of the variable display device 24, and the starting opening 5. The effective start information for indicating the number etc. actually used for starting the variable display of the symbols on the display unit 32 out of the winning number of the hit balls is output to the hall management computer or the like which is the host computer. It is a circuit for.

The lamp circuit 57 is connected to the frame lamp 44 (the structure is not shown), the side lamp 19, the rail decoration lamp 22, the windmill lamp 15, and the sleeve lamp 18. The lamp circuit 57 controls the lighting state of each lamp according to the control signal output from the basic circuit 46.

The power supply circuit 58 is connected to an AC 24V AC power supply, and is + 30V, + 21V, + 12V, + 5V, +.
It is a circuit for supplying a plurality of types of DC voltage of 13, -8V, -20V to each circuit. The DC voltage of + 13V, + 8V, and -20V generated from the power supply circuit 58 is L
It is output to the CD display 35.

Further, the input circuit 47 includes a cam switch 6
9 is connected. The cam switch 69 is turned on when the movable member 34 is traveling straight as shown in FIG. 2, that is, when the rotation angle of the movable member 34 is 0 °.
Therefore, the cam switch 69 can detect the horizontal state of the movable member 34. The horizontal detection signal output from the cam switch 69 is output to the basic circuit 46 via the input circuit 47.

A motor drive circuit 59 is connected to the basic circuit 46. The motor drive circuit 59 rotationally drives the motor 45. Therefore, the basic circuit 46 can rotate the motor 45 by the motor drive circuit 59 and stop the movable member 34 in the horizontal state until the cam switch 69 outputs the horizontal detection signal. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the movable member 34 is adapted to travel on a curve, the motor drive circuit 59 applies a predetermined voltage to the motor 45 for a predetermined time in response to a control signal from the basic circuit 46. The motor 45 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle and then stopped. With the above operation, the rotation angle of the movable member 34 can be fixed at a predetermined position in accordance with the traveling state.

In this embodiment, the movable member 34 is rotationally driven to improve the realistic sensation, but the rotary member 34 may be directly fixed to the mounting substrate 25. In this case, the sense of presence is slightly lower than in the case where the movable member 34 is rotated, but the sense of presence can be improved as compared with the case where the sense of presence is provided only by the display section 32. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to give a sense of realism in a car race, the movable member 34 and the cockpit inside the vehicle that are rotatable according to the running state are provided, but the structure is not limited to these. Other structures may be provided in addition to the display content displayed on the display unit 32. For example, in the case of a motorcycle race, the handlebars of the motorcycle may be rotationally driven, or the body of the autobicycle itself may be tilted.

As described above, regardless of whether the structure is movable or immovable, the realism of the displayed contents is improved. Further, even if a relatively small display device is adopted, the variable display device can be made large as a whole due to the presence of the structure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of the LCD display 35 shown in FIG. LCD display 35 is LC
The D control circuit 301 and the LCD display unit 303 are included. The LCD control circuit 301 includes a CPU 311,
VDP (Video Display Process)
or) 313, a control ROM 315, a VRAM 317, a character ROM 319, and an LCD driver 321.

The CPU 311 receives the command signals CD0 to CD7 output from the LCD circuit 48, and in order to generate image data to be displayed on the display unit 32 in response to the received command, the entire CPU of the LCD control circuit 301. Control. The CPU 311 sends an address signal, a data signal, and a control signal to the VDP 313 and the control ROM 315, and transmits and receives a data signal between the VDP 313 and the control ROM 315. Control ROM 315
Stores in advance a control program for controlling the operation of the CPU 311 and, in response to an address signal and a control signal transmitted from the CPU 311, returns the corresponding control program as a data signal to the CPU 311.

The VDP 313 generates image data in response to a command signal from the CPU 311. VDP313
Sends the VRAM address signal, VRAM data signal, and VRAM control signal to VRAM 317. VR
A VRAM data signal is returned from the AM 317 to the VDP 313. The VDP 313 transmits the character ROM address signal, the character ROM data signal, and the character ROM control signal to the character ROM 317. A character ROM data signal is returned from the character ROM 319 to the VDP 313.

The VDP 313 generates image data for forming an image displayed on the display unit 32 in response to a control signal output from the CPU 311. VRAM31
Reference numeral 7 temporarily stores the image data generated by the VDP 313. The image data generated by the VDP 313 and stored in the VRAM 317 is a character identification number in units of a set of a predetermined number of dots. The image data includes identification numbers of a plurality of characters in accordance with the displayed layout relationship. This is called map data. The identification number of each character is stored in advance in the control ROM 315. The identification number of the character required to form the screen displayed on the display unit 32 is read from the control ROM 315, and is stored in the VRAM 317 by the VDP 313 as map data for indicating the layout relationship of the following characters on the display screen. .

The character ROM 319 stores in advance dot data corresponding to the character identification number.
The VDP 313 has the VRAM 317 at a predetermined timing.
The map data is read from, and the dot data of each character is read based on the identification number of each character included in the map data. The VDP 313 generates an RGB signal based on the read dot data. VDP313
Transmits the generated RGB signal to the LCD driver 321. The LCD driver 321 displays images corresponding to various display screens on the LCD display unit 303 based on the transmitted RGB signals. The display unit 32 of the variable display device 24 shown in FIG. 2 is an image display surface included in the LCD display unit 303.

In the figure, LCD circuit 48 to LCD
The inputs to the control circuit 301 are numbered 1-17. Input 1 is a + 12V backlight power supply. Input 2 is a + 12V logic power supply. Input 3 is a + 13V liquid crystal power supply. Input 4
~ Input 11 (COM0 to COM7) corresponds to the 0th to 7th bits of the received command data. Also, input 4
~ Input 11 corresponds to CD0 to CD7 shown in FIG. The input 12 (/ STB, where "/" indicates a low active signal) is a strobe signal of the received command data. The input 12 corresponds to the INT shown in FIG. Reference numeral 13 is a liquid crystal power source of -8V. Input 14 is
It is a power supply for liquid crystal of -20V. Input 15 to 17 are
This is a GND input. Here, the input 15 is used as a power source for the backlight, and the input 16 and the input 20 are
Used for common use.

In the figure, the LCD control circuit 3
Outputs from 01 to the LCD display unit 303 are numbered 1 to 16. Output 1 (/ HSY) is a horizontal sync signal. Output 2 (FRP) is a video signal. This video signal includes a video signal whose polarity is inverted. Output 3 (SYN) is a composite sync signal. Output 4
(VGH) is a liquid crystal power supply of + 13V. Output 5
(VSL) is a liquid crystal power supply of -20V. Output 6
(VB) is a blue (B) video signal. Output 7
(VR) is a red (R) video signal. Output 8
(VG) is a green (G) video signal. Output 9
(GND) is common. Output 10 (VSH) is
It is a + 5V liquid crystal power supply. Output 11 (VSL) is-
It is an 8V liquid crystal power supply. Output 12 (VCDC) is the DC bias of the common electrode drive signal. Output 13 (N /
B) is an NTSC / PAL switching terminal. Output 14 ~
The output 16 (VSY, TST, TST) is set to open.

Next, the display control function of the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows the VDP31.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 3 functionally. VDP31
3 is a CPU interface (I / F) 321, various registers 322, a timing generator 323, a function controller 324, and a palette RAM 32.
5, including a screen selector 326.

The above-mentioned functional units are connected to each other via the internal bus 327, and the CPU 311 outside the VDP 313, the VRAM 317, and the character RO.
It is connected to M319.

The CPU 311 is the CPU interface 3
21 is connected to the internal bus 327 via the VDP 313.
Registers 322, palette RAM 325, and V
Access the RAM 317.

The registers 322 receive various command signals and data signals sent from the CPU 311.
The timing generator 323 outputs a pulse signal for synchronizing the processing of each functional unit. The function controller 324 controls the processing inside the VDP 313 based on the command signal and the data signal received by the registers 322. The VRAM 317 stores data of various screens displayed on the display unit 32 (see FIG. 2).
The image data stored in the VRAM 317 is a set of identification numbers of character data forming the display screen.

The character ROM 319 is the VRAM 31.
The dot information corresponding to the identification number of the character data stored in 7 is stored in advance. Palette RAM 325
Stores color data corresponding to the palette data included in the dot information. The screen selector 326 is
The color data signal output from the palette RAM 325 is associated with the screen described later. When displaying a screen on the display unit 32, the CPU 311 controls the control ROM 315.
A command signal and a data signal are set in the registers 322 based on the program data (see FIG. 8), and the identification number of the character data is written in the VRAM 317. The VDP 313 reads the identification number of the character data stored in the VRAM 317 under the control of the function controller 324, and reads the dot information corresponding to the read identification number from the character ROM 319.

The VDP 313 stores the color data corresponding to the palette data included in the dot information in the palette ROM.
It is read from 325 and output to the screen selector 326 as a color data signal. Screen selector 326
Associates the color data signal output with reference to the palette RAM 325 with the specified screen, forms screen data as necessary, and outputs it to the LCD driver 321 (see FIG. 8) as an RGB signal. LC
The driver 321 drives the LCD display unit 303 based on the sent RGB signals to display a predetermined screen on the display unit 32.

As described above, the VDP 313 is a device for generating image data to be displayed on the display section 32 at a predetermined timing. Although the display screen is configured in dot units, in the present embodiment, dots are grouped in certain block units, each block is assigned an identification number, and the blocks are managed. It is configured by combining types. Such a method is called a character method. By generating the display screen data by the character method, an image composed of many dots can be processed in a relatively short time, and the VRAM 317 for storing the display screen data can be formed by a memory having a relatively small capacity. Can be configured.

In this embodiment, one character as a block unit is 16 × 16 dots. Each dot data is composed of four planes to represent 16 kinds of palette data. Here, the palette data is data including a total of 12-bit color data in which data for three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is configured by 4 bits each. In this embodiment, the character ROM 319 is a memory of 8 bits per word. The amount of data per character is 16 (dots) × 16 (dots) × 4 (plane) = 1024 (bits) = 128 (bytes).

FIG. 10 shows the correspondence between the address of the character ROM 319 and the identification number of the character data. As shown in the figure, the character ROM 319 stores 128 bytes of dot data for each character in order from the start address. The stored order becomes the character identification number. Here, the identification number of the character data is referred to as "map data". The image data is formed by collecting a plurality of map data. The map data is combined and stored in the VRAM 317 according to the type of display screen. Here, VRAM3
Storing map data in a predetermined storage area 17 is called “mapping”.

The map data stored in the VRAM 317 is sent from the CPU 311 via the VDP 313.
In this case, the CPU 311 sets the write address of the VRAM 317 and the map data in a predetermined register included in the registers 323, and writes the map data in the designated address.

FIG. 11 schematically shows the storage state of the VRAM 317. In the figure, the number in each cell is VR
It is the address of AM317, and the numerical value in () is the dot coordinate at the upper left of the character data stored at that address.

Next, the structure of the display screen will be described.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the display screen, (a)
Is a plan view and (b) is a perspective view. The VDP 313 configures the data on the display screen 701 with three types of data: a first screen 703, a second screen 705, and a border screen 707. First and second screen 70
Reference numerals 3 and 705 are areas displayed by dot data on the display screen. In this embodiment, the size of one screen is 320 dots in the horizontal direction × 22 in the vertical direction.
It is set to 4 dots.

The border screen 707 is the display screen 70.
1 is a region in which the dot data is not displayed, and is a region serving as a background of the first and second screens 703 and 705. Although the dot data cannot be displayed on the border screen 707, the specified color can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the display screen 7
The data of 01 is configured by setting the border screen 707 at the lowest level and superimposing the second screen 705 and the first screen 703 on it. In the figure, a screen viewed from the direction of the arrow is displayed on the display unit 32.
Which dot data of the first screen 703 and the second screen 705 is displayed with priority can be arbitrarily changed by changing the setting of the registers 322.

The color of the border screen 707 is displayed in the area where dot data is not included in either the first screen 703 or the second screen 705. The display color of the border screen 707 can also be selected from a plurality of colors by setting the registers 322. In addition, the first screen 703 and the second screen
The pallet data is set independently for each of the screens 705. That is, up to 16 types of color data can be set for each screen.

As described above, in this embodiment, the data on the two screens can be displayed in an overlapping manner on the display screen. Note that, in FIG. 12, the first screen 703 is shown for ease of explanation.
Although the size of the second screen 705 and the size of the second screen 705 are shown to be smaller than the size of the display screen 701, in reality, the first and second screens 703 and 705 both correspond to the display screen 701 in almost one-to-one correspondence. . Therefore, in the actual pachinko gaming machine, when the dot data is set on any screen, the border screen 70
The area in which the color 7 is displayed is a very small range in the peripheral portion of the display screen 701.

Two screens 70 of the display screen 701
Two systems are provided for the storage area of the VRAM 317 corresponding to each of No. 3 and 705. However, VRAM317
Rather than having two storage areas physically located inside, the same device can be used by switching to one of two systems as necessary by the time share switching process using a fixed address. I am trying. The size of the storage area of one system is 102 in the horizontal direction.
4 dots × 1024 dots in the vertical direction. As described above, since one screen has 320 dots in the horizontal direction × 224 dots in the vertical direction, one system of storage area is
It will have a capacity of 12 screens.

Next, the scroll function of the VDP 313 will be described. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the scroll function. The first screen 703 and the storage area 721 of the first system will be described as an example. As described above, the storage area of one system in the VRAM 317 has a capacity of 12 screens. As shown in the figure, by changing the position of the screen 703 on the storage area 721, the range of reading the screen data stored in the storage area 721 can be changed, and the position of the screen 703 on the display unit 32 can be changed. It is possible to perform variable display of the image corresponding to the change of. This is called a scroll function. This scroll function can be controlled by changing the value set in the register for specifying the coordinates of the screen contained in the registers 322.

The left end A in the storage area 721
Is logically connected to the right end portion A'and the upper end portion B to the lower end portion B'as shown. Therefore, when the screen 703 is set at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line, among the areas included in the screen 703, the areas 725a, 726a, which extend outside the storage area 721,
For 727a, areas 725b, 726b, 727
The map data of b is displayed.

As a result, when the scroll screen is moved in the storage area 721, it is as if the storage area 7
21 can be displayed as if they are infinitely connected. The first screen 703 and the second screen 705 are respectively the storage areas 721 of the first system.
Then, it is possible to scroll individually on the storage area (not shown) of the second system.

Next, the window function of the VDP 313 will be described. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the window function. With the window function, a rectangular area (window area) 731a is set in the first screen 703 set in the storage area 721, and the map data of the window area 731a is different from the storage area 721. This is a function of displaying the map data of the window area 731b set at the location. In this embodiment, four window areas can be set in the first screen 703.

The above four windows can be displayed in a superimposed manner. FIG. 14B shows a schematic view of a state in which windows are overlapped. In the figure, four WAs set on the first screen 703,
WB, WC, WD windows 741a, 743a, 74
For 5a and 747a, map data of OA, OB, OC, and OD offset areas 741b, 743b, 745b, and 747b set at different locations on the storage area 721 are displayed. Further, the number of windows is not limited to four.

In this embodiment, the priority order of displaying windows is set in the order of WA>WB>WC> WD. This setting is fixed. Therefore, WA, WB, WC, W
D windows 741a, 743a, 745a, 747a
When all are set to the display mode, the image represented by the map data of the offset area 741b is displayed in the WA window area 741a, and the remaining area of the WB window area 743a is displayed by the map data of the offset area 743b. The image represented is displayed. Similarly, for the remaining area of the WC window area 745a, the image represented by the map data of the offset area 745b, the WD window area 7
For the remaining area of 47a, the offset area 747
The images represented by the map data of b are displayed respectively. The control of the window function is performed by setting the data of the starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates indicating the position of the rectangle of the window area in the window register included in the registers 322.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the types and contents of random counters used in the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment. The random counter is a counter that counts random numbers used to control the variable display of the variable display device 24. In this embodiment, WCRND1 and WCR
ND_L, WCRND_C, WCRND_R, WCRN
Five types of random counters of D_ACT are used.
The values of these random counters are read at a predetermined timing during the pachinko game, and the variable display operation of the variable display device 24 is controlled based on the values. The reading process of the count value of the random counter is performed by the basic circuit 46 (see FIG. 6).
The CPU provided in the CPU executes the program according to the control program stored in the control ROM.

WCRND1 is a random counter for determining in advance whether or not to generate a big hit as a result of variable display of symbols on the variable display device 24. The procedure for determining in advance whether or not to generate a big hit is shown in FIG. 16 described later. WCRND1 is in the range of 0 to 214,
Count up by 1 every 0.002 seconds. In addition,
The 0.002 second is an interval at which the control program is repeatedly executed in the basic circuit 46 in response to the regular reset signal output from the regular reset circuit 50.

WCRND_L, WCRND_C, WCR
ND_R is a result of variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 24, and when it is determined in advance that it is not a big hit,
It is a random counter for determining the types of symbols to be stopped and displayed in each of the left, center, and right symbol display areas. WCRND_L, WCRND_C, WCR
The count range of ND_R is 0 to 14. WCRN
D_L is incremented by 1 when carrying WCRND_C. WCRND_C is executed in the remaining time of the interrupt process and counts up by 1 at a predetermined timing. WCRND_R is incremented by one when carrying WCRND_L.

WCRND_ACT is a random counter for determining the number of reach operation designations for designating a predetermined reach operation from among a plurality of reach operations. “Reach” means that two hit symbols of the same type are stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side.
Furthermore, if one symbol of the same type is stopped and displayed, it means that a big hit occurs. There are six types of reach determined by this WCRND_ACT. Among these 6 types of reach, there are included procedures for the case of a final big hit combination. WCRND_ACT is 0 to 127
Within the range, the count is incremented by 1 at a predetermined timing in the remaining time of the interrupt processing. While there are 6 types of reach, the count range of WCRND_ACT is 0 to 127, so the occurrence probability can be changed according to the type of reach. That is, for example,
If the count range in which one reach is generated is set larger than the counter range in which another reach is generated, the probability of occurrence of that reach can be increased, and if it is set to be smaller, the occurrence probability can be decreased.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the control for presetting whether or not a big hit will be generated based on the value of the random counter. With reference to the figure, it is determined in advance whether the result of variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 24 is a big hit or something other than a big hit, and further, it is stopped in each of the left, center, and right symbol display areas. A procedure for determining the type of symbol to be displayed will be described.

Whether to make a big hit or not to make a big hit is determined by determining the value of WCRND1. If the value of WCRND1 is "7", it is a big hit,
If it is other than "7", it is determined in advance that it is not a big hit. When it is determined to be a big hit, the value of WCRND_L is subsequently determined to determine the type of symbol for generating a big hit. On the other hand, if it is decided not to be a big hit, then WCR continues.
By determining the values of ND_L, WCRND_C, and WCRND_R, the symbols that are stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side (hereinafter referred to as "stop symbols")
The type of each is determined. Note that WCRND_L, WCRND_C, WCRND, except for the big hit
The combination array of symbols determined based on each value of _R,
If it happens to be a combination arrangement of symbols that will be a big hit, W
"1" is subtracted from the value of CRND_C, and it is forcibly adjusted and adjusted so as to be stopped and displayed in the combination arrangement of the symbols.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the stop symbols displayed in the symbol display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side and the values of the respective counters. Stop design is "0" ~
"9" 10 kinds of numerical design and "X", "F",
Includes five types of alphabetic symbols, "G", "P", and "R". WCRND_L, WCRND_C, WCRND
The value of _R "0" corresponds to the alphabet design "X". Similarly, the value “1” corresponds to the numerical symbol “0”,
The values “2” to “9” correspond to the numerical symbols “2” to “9”, the value “10” corresponds to the alphabet symbol “F”, and the value “11” corresponds to the numerical symbol “1”. , Value "12"
Corresponds to the alphabet symbol “G”, the value “13” corresponds to the alphabet symbol “P”, and the value “14” corresponds to the alphabet symbol “R”.

The above 15 kinds of stop symbols are variably displayed in the symbol display area of the display unit 32, and the result of the variable display is that a big hit occurs if the stop symbols on the left side, the center and the right side are all the same type. .

Next, control of variable display of symbols on the display unit 32 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing types of varying states of symbols. There are 15 types of variation states A to J as the variation states of the symbols. In the fluctuation state A, the symbols are variably displayed at a constant speed. Specifically, one symbol changes in 16.7 ms. In the fluctuation state B, the speed is gradually reduced to finally stop the fluctuation. In this fluctuation state B, fluctuations of three symbols are performed. In the fluctuation state C, the symbol is gradually decelerated. In the fluctuation state C, fluctuations of three symbols are performed. In the fluctuation state D, the symbol is changed at a constant speed. Specifically, one symbol fluctuates during 333.3 ms, and one cycle is 5.00
It will be 0 seconds. In the changing state E, the symbol is gradually decelerated and finally the symbol is stopped. In the fluctuation state E, the fluctuation for one symbol is performed. In the fluctuation state F, the pattern is gradually decelerated and finally the symbol is stopped. In the variation state F, the variation for one symbol is performed. In the fluctuation state G, the symbol is gradually decelerated. In the fluctuation state G, the fluctuation for one symbol is performed. In the fluctuation state H, the symbol is finally accelerated and decelerated to finally stop the symbol. In the fluctuation state I, the deceleration is gradually reduced to finally stop the symbol. In the fluctuation state J, the acceleration / deceleration is gradually performed. In the fluctuation state J, a fluctuation of 4.875 symbols is performed. In the fluctuating state K, the rotation is reversed and the speed is gradually reduced to finally stop the symbol.

19 and 20 are timing charts showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols other than the reach or when the reach is disengaged (hereinafter, referred to as "disengagement"). The data for time management of each timing chart shown below is stored in the time table of the ROM of the basic circuit 46. Referring to FIG. 19, starting port 5
When a hit ball wins (see FIG. 1), the winning ball is detected by the starting ball detector 6 (see FIG. 1). At the timing when the detection pulse rises, the basic circuit 46 (see FIG. 6)
Value of WCRND1 is extracted by the CPU of
Stored in.

Subsequently, the CPU executes the WCRN stored in the RAM at the falling edge of the detection pulse 0.002 seconds after the winning of the ball hitting the starting opening 5 is detected.
The value of D1 is read out, and based on the read value, whether or not the result of the variable display is a big hit is determined in advance. The process of previously determining whether or not to make a big hit is performed by the procedure shown in FIG. After reading the value of WCRND1 and performing the determination process, in this case, since the time is out, the CPU
CRND_L, WCRND_C, and WCRND_R
Extract each value of. Furthermore, the extracted WCRND_L,
When the reach is established by the values of WCRND_C and WCRND_R, the value of WCRND_ACT is extracted.

In normal time, the specific procedure for displaying variable stop symbols on the left side, the center, and the right side is as follows. The basic circuit 46 is an LCD based on the determination result by the CPU.
A control command is sent to the circuit 48, and the LCD circuit 48 outputs a display control signal to the LCD display 35 based on this control command. As a result, in the display unit 32, the variable display of the symbols is started in the symbol display regions on the left side, the center, and the right side when 0.004 seconds have elapsed since the winning of the hitting ball at the starting opening 5 was detected.

In the symbol display area on the left side, the symbols are varied at a constant speed by the display control of the variation state A for 4.600 seconds after the variation is started. 4. When 600 seconds have elapsed, the symbol before 3 symbols in the symbol arrangement of the symbol (hereinafter, “scheduled symbol stop”) determined in advance by the value of WCRND_L is set to the stop position, and then the fluctuation state B display control is performed. The display control of the variation state B is performed for 1,250 seconds, during which three symbols are varied, and finally the planned stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

In the symbol display area on the right side, the symbols are varied at a constant speed by the display control of the variation state A for 5.850 seconds after the variation is started. When 5.850 seconds have elapsed, the symbol three symbols before in the symbol arrangement of the symbols determined in advance by the value of WCRND_R is set to the stop position, and then the display control of the variation state B is performed. The display control of the variation state B is performed for 1.250 seconds, during which three symbols are varied, and finally the planned stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, the variation of the middle symbol in the central symbol display area will be described. The variation of the middle symbol makes the display control procedure different when the reach is not established (other than the reach) and when the reach is established. Further, when the reach is established, the variation of the symbols is displayed so as to be any one of the reach modes selected from the six types of reach modes of reach 1 to reach 6 according to a predetermined condition described later.

Referring to FIG. 20, in the case other than reach,
7.100 seconds after the fluctuation starts, the display control of the fluctuation state A causes the symbol to fluctuate at a constant speed. continue,
For 0.850 seconds, the symbols are changed by the display control of the changing state B and stopped. In the fluctuation state B, similarly to the left and right fluctuation displays, the symbol before the three symbols of the planned stop symbol is set at the stop position, and then the three symbols are varied, and finally the planned stop symbol. Is stopped.

Next, the variation of the middle symbol when the reach is established will be described. There are five types of reach modes, Reach 1 to Reach 5, as the reach operation at the time of detachment.
The selection of the reach mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

First, reach 1 will be described. In the reach 1, the symbols are changed at a constant speed by the display control in the variation state A for 7.100 seconds after the symbols start to change. The above 7.100 seconds is the time when there is no spin, which will be described later, and the fluctuation time in parentheses is the time when there is spin. That is, when the spin is present, the display control of the variable state A is performed for 9.290 seconds. The same applies to each reach described below. After the display control according to the fluctuation state A is performed, the symbol before the four symbols of the reach symbol is set to the stop position. After that, display control of the variation state C is performed for 5.664 to 10.340 seconds, and variation of 17 to 31 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state E is performed for 1.184 seconds, the variation for one symbol is performed, and finally the scheduled stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 2 and 3 will be described. Although the reach 2 and 3 have different display states on the display unit 32, the display control timings are the same, so the display states are controlled at the same timing. As a result, the capacity of time management data (time table) in the basic circuit 46 can be reduced, a ROM having a smaller storage capacity can be used, and the cost can be reduced. In reach 2 and 3, 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds) after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, the display control of the fluctuation state A is performed, and after that, the symbol 4 symbols before the reach symbol is set. Change state C for 0.420 seconds
Display control is performed, and fluctuations of three symbols are performed.
Next, the display control of the fluctuation state D is 14.675 to 15.3.
It is carried out for 40 seconds, and a variation of 44 to 46 symbols is carried out. Next, the display control of the variation state E is performed for 1.184 seconds, the variation for one symbol is performed, and finally, the previously determined stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 4 will be described. In the reach 4, the display control of the fluctuation state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds) after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, and after that, the symbol before the 4 symbols of the reach symbol is set, The display control of the variation state C is performed for 0.420 seconds, and the variation of three symbols is performed. Next, display control of the variation state D is performed for 14.672 seconds, and variation of 44 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the fluctuation state F is 2.6.
It is performed for 60 seconds, and after one symbol is changed, finally, a predetermined stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 5 will be described. In Reach 5, the display control of the fluctuation state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds) after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, and after that, the symbol before 4 symbols of the reach symbol is set. The display control of the variation state C is performed for 0.420 seconds, and the variation of three symbols is performed. Next, the fluctuation state D
The display control is carried out for 13.670 seconds, and 41 symbols are changed. Next, the display control of the fluctuation state G is 0.
It is carried out for 384 seconds, and the fluctuation for one symbol is carried out. Next, display control of the fluctuation state H is performed for 2.354 to 3.390 seconds, fluctuations of 3 to 5 symbols are performed, and finally, a predetermined stop symbol is stopped and displayed.

21 and 22 are timing charts showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols when a big hit is generated (hereinafter referred to as "at the time of a big hit"). At the timing when a ball hits the starting opening 5 and the detection pulse thereof rises, the CPU of the basic circuit 46 causes the WCRND1
Value is extracted and stored in RAM.

Subsequently, the CPU reads the value of WCRND1 stored in the RAM at the timing of the falling edge of the detection pulse 0.002 seconds after the start winning is detected and judges this value to make a big hit. Decide in advance whether or not In the case of this timing chart, the value of WCRND1 is “7”, and it is determined in advance that a big hit will be made. When it is a big hit, the CPU continues to WCRND
The value of _L is extracted, and the value of WCRND_ACT is further extracted.

At the time of a big hit, the variation of the symbols is controlled in any one of the six reach modes of reach 1 to reach 6. At the time of a big hit, the reach mode is selected according to the value of WCRND_ACT. The selection of the reach mode will be described later.

The concrete procedure of the variable display of symbols which is carried out in each of the left, center and right symbol display areas at the time of a big hit is as follows. The control procedure of the variable display of the right symbol and the left symbol is the same as the normal time, and after the same control procedure, the jackpot symbol previously determined by the value of WCRND_L is stopped and displayed.

Next, the variation of the middle symbols will be described. There are 6 kinds of reach modes that are a big hit, reach 1 to reach 6, and the variation of the symbols is controlled so as to be one of the reach modes selected according to a predetermined condition.

First, the reach 1 will be described. In the reach 1, after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, that is, from the time point d, the display control of the fluctuation state A is 7.100 seconds (9.
290 seconds), after that, at the time of e, after 4 symbols of the reach symbol are set, the display control of the variation state C is performed for 0.420 seconds, and the variation for 3 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the fluctuation state D is 10.006.
It is carried out for a second, and a fluctuation of 30 symbols is carried out. next,
The display control of the variation state E is performed for 1.184 seconds, the variation for one symbol is performed, and finally the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, reach 2 and reach 3 will be described. Like the reach 2 and the reach 3 at the time of the big hit, the reach 2 and the reach 3 at the time of the big hit have different display contents, but since the variation time is the same, the display state is controlled at the same timing. In Reach 2 and Reach 3, the display control of the variation state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds) after the fluctuation of the symbols is started, and then at the time of e, the four symbols before the reach symbols are reached. After the symbols are set, the display control of the variation state D is performed for 15.006 seconds, and the variation for 45 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state E is performed for 1.184 seconds, the variation for one symbol is performed, and finally, the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 4 will be described. In Reach 4, after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, the display control of the fluctuation state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds), and then at the time of e, the symbol before the 4 symbols of the reach symbol is set. After that, the display control of the variation state D is performed for 14.672 seconds, and the variation of 44 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state I is performed for 2.660 seconds, after the variation of two symbols is performed, the jackpot symbol is finally stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 5 will be described. In reach 5, the display control of the change state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds) after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, and then the symbol before the 4 symbols of the reach symbol is set at the time of e. After that, the fluctuation display of the fluctuation state C is performed for 0.420 seconds, and fluctuations of three symbols are performed. Next, display control of the variation state D is performed for 13.670 seconds, and variation of 41 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state G is performed for 0.384 seconds, and the variation for one symbol is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state H is 2.354 to 3.3.
It is performed for 90 seconds, and after 3 to 5 symbols are changed, the big hit symbol is finally stopped and displayed.

Next, the reach 6 will be described. In the reach 6, after the fluctuation of the symbol is started, the display control of the fluctuation state A is performed for 7.100 seconds (9.290 seconds), and then, at the time of e, the symbol before the 4 symbols of the reach symbol is displayed. After being set, the display control of the variation state C is performed for 0.420 seconds, and the variation of three symbols is performed. Next, display control of the variation state D is performed for 13.670 seconds, and variation of 41 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state G is performed for 0.384 seconds, and the variation for one symbol is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state J is performed for 2.306 seconds, and the variation of 4.875 symbols is performed. Next, the display control of the variation state K is performed for 1.234 seconds, and then 0.8
The 75 symbols are rotated in the reverse direction, and finally the big hit symbols are stopped and displayed.

FIG. 23A is a timing chart showing the time relationship between the end of the variable display of the symbols and the opening / closing / closing of the opening / closing plate 7 as the special winning opening. The variable display of the symbols is started on the display unit 32, the symbol on the left side is stopped, then the symbol on the right side is stopped, and finally the symbol in the center is stopped, and 1.000 seconds from the time when the variable display is finished. After the lapse of time, whether or not it is a big hit is determined by checking the hit flag that is set when the big hit occurs. If the combination of the stopped symbols is a big hit in which three symbols of the same type are gathered, the special winning opening is opened when 7.300 seconds have elapsed from the time of the above determination. The open state of the special winning opening ends when 30 seconds elapses or when 10 hitting balls are won in the special winning opening, whichever comes first. In addition, when the special winning opening is in the open state, and there is a V winning, when 2.000 seconds have elapsed after the open state of that time has ended,
Once again, the special winning opening is opened. As described above, the continuous operation effective time is set to 2.000 seconds in order to secure the time for relieving the hit ball just before the opening / closing plate 7 is closed.

FIG. 23B is a timing chart showing the time relationship between the opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 7 which is the special winning opening and the start of the variable display of symbols on the display unit 32 at the next time. . At the time when the special game state for a certain number of times ends and the special winning opening that has been in the open state becomes the closed state, if there is a start memory, at the time when 11.002 seconds have elapsed, the start memory Based on, the process for performing the variable display of symbols for the next time is started. When the process starts
The CPU of basic circuit 46 reads and determines the value of WCRND1. These processes are the same as the processes performed in response to the fall of the detection pulse of the ball hitting the start opening 5 in the timing charts of FIGS. 19 and 21. Further, the control procedure of the variable display of symbols thereafter is as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22.

FIG. 23C is a timing chart showing the time relationship between the end of the variable display of the symbol for a certain time and the start of the variable display of the symbol for the next time. The variable display of the symbol is started for a certain number of times, the symbol on the left side is stopped, then the symbol on the right side is stopped, and finally the symbol in the center is stopped and the variable display is finished, and 1.000 seconds have passed. At this point, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit, as in the above. If the combination of the stop symbols is other than the big hit which does not have three symbols of the same type, it is determined whether or not there is a start memory. If there is a start memory, 0 from the time of the determination process. .002
When the second has elapsed, the process for performing the variable display for the next time based on the starting memory is started. When the processing is started, the CPU of the basic circuit 46 reads and determines the value of WCRND1. The above-described processing corresponds to the processing performed at the timing when the detection pulse of the winning of the hitting ball to the starting opening 5 in the timing charts shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 falls, and the fluctuation of the symbol that is subsequently performed. The display control procedure is as shown in FIGS.

Next, the decoration LED B28a and the decoration LE
The display control of the DB 28b will be described. FIG. 24A is a timing chart showing the temporal relationship between the variation / stop of the symbol and the variation / stop of the decorative LEDB. The variable display of the symbols is started on the display unit 32, the symbols on the left side are stopped, the symbols on the right side are stopped, and finally the symbols in the center are stopped and the variable display ends, and then 1.00 When the second has elapsed, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit as in the above. In the case of a big hit, WCRND described later
The value of _KZU is extracted, and at the same time, the decorative LED B28a
And 28b are variably displayed for 7.00 seconds, further variably displayed for 0 to 0.200 seconds, and after the display position fluctuates by 0 to 2, the variably display is stopped.

Next, the decoration WCRND_KZU will be described in detail. FIG. 24B shows WCRND_KZU.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of. WCRND_KZU is a decorative LED display random counter for determining the display state of the decorative LEDs B28a and 28b. WCR
The count range of ND_KZU is 0 to 9 and is incremented by 1 every predetermined time within the remaining time of the interrupt processing.

FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the count value of WCRND_KZU and the display mode of the decorative LEDs B28a and 28b. In this figure, decorative LED
28a is shown as a decoration LED B1, and decoration LED B28b is shown as a decoration LED B2. When the count value of WCRND_KZU is 0 to 3, decoration LEDB1 and decoration L
Both the EDB 2 and the EDB 2 are turned off. WCRND_KZU
When the value of is 4 to 6, the decorative LED B1 is lit,
The word "WINNER" is displayed, while the decorative LED
B2 is turned off. The value of WCRND_KZU is 7-
In the case of 9, the decoration LEDB1 is turned off, while the decoration LEDB2 is turned on and the character "CRUSH" is displayed.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28, a screen display example of the display unit 32 will be described. 25 and 26 are screen configuration diagrams showing display examples of variable display of symbols. First, the (A) display screen of FIG. 25 is displayed on the display unit 32. The first background image 60 and the second background image 60 are displayed on the display unit 32.
The background image 61, the first character image 62 and the second character image 63, the third character image 64, the fourth character image 65, the left symbol 66, the right symbol 67, and the middle symbol 68 are displayed. The first character image 62 is a player's racing car. The second character image 63 is a left pattern 66.
Is a racing car corresponding to, when the first character image 62 and the second character image 63 collide, the variable display of the left symbol 66 ends, and the predetermined symbol is the left symbol 66.
Is displayed as. The third character image 64 is a racing car corresponding to the right symbol 67, variable display is stopped when the first character image 62 and the third character image 64 collide, and a predetermined symbol is displayed on the right symbol 67. To be done. The fourth character image 65 is a racing car corresponding to the medium symbol, and when the first character image 62 and the second character image 65 collide, the variable display of the medium symbol 68 is stopped and the predetermined symbol is medium. It is displayed on the design 68. In (A) of FIG. 25, the first to fourth character images 62 to 65 are both in a running state, and the left symbol 66 is variably displayed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25B, when the race progresses and the first character image 62 collides with the second character image 63, the variable display of the left symbol 66 is stopped,
The determined left symbol 66a indicated by a broken line on the upper portion of the left symbol 66
Is displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 25C, the determined left symbol 66a is displayed as the left symbol 66 shown by the solid line. Next, when the race further progresses and the first character image 62 and the third character image 64 collide with each other, the variable display of the right symbol 67 is stopped, and the upper portion of the right symbol 67,
The determined right symbol 67a is displayed by a broken line.

Next, with reference to FIG. 26A, the right symbol 67a displayed by a broken line is displayed as a right symbol 67 by a solid line. Further, in this figure, the first character image 62
Shows the spinning state. Whether or not the first character image 62 spins is determined by command data described below, and may not spin.

Next, referring to FIG. 26B, when the race further progresses and the first character image 62 and the fourth character image 65 collide with each other, the variable display of the middle symbol 68 is stopped, and the decision is made. The selected pattern is displayed. In the case of this display example, the left symbol 66, the right symbol 67, and the middle symbol 68 are all "7" symbols, which means that a big hit has occurred.

27 and 28 are screen configuration diagrams showing a display example when the symbols are stopped. However, the first character image 6 shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 is displayed on the road in each figure.
Although the state in which 2 is running is displayed, the display of the first character image 62 is omitted in each drawing for ease of explanation. In the demonstration screen shown below, the basic circuit 46 is LC
"20H" (hereinafter "H" is 1 is 1 as command data COM0 (main status) described later on the D display 35.
By sending command data (in hexadecimal notation), L
The CD display 35 displays the demonstration screen shown below.

First, referring to FIG. 27A, the basic circuit 46 causes the LCD display 35 to display "20" as COM0.
After receiving the “H” command data, the screen shown in FIG. 20 (A) is displayed on the display unit 32 for 5 seconds. In addition, the background screen displayed on the display unit 32 is shown in FIGS.
Similarly, the first background image 60 and the second background image 61 are separated and the image processing described below is performed.

Next, after the screen shown in FIG. 27A is displayed for 5 seconds, the screen shown in FIG. 27B is displayed.
In FIG. 27B, the road shown in the second background image 61 is displayed in a state of turning to the left, and in response, the two buildings and the two mountains in the first background image 60 also move to the left. It is displayed in the opened state.

Next, after the screen shown in FIG. 27B is displayed for 5 seconds, the screen shown in FIG.
Is displayed for 5 seconds. In (C) of FIG. 27, the road shown in the second background image 61 is a straight road as in (A) of FIG. 27, and accordingly, the first background image 60 also moves to the central portion. It is displayed in the opened state.

Next, after the screen shown in FIG. 27C is displayed for 5 seconds, the screen shown in FIG. 28A is displayed for 5 seconds. In (A) of FIG. 28, the road shown in the second background image 61 is displayed in a state of being bent to the right, and correspondingly, the first background image 60 is also displayed in a state of being moved to the right. There is.

Next, after the screen shown in FIG. 28A is displayed for 5 seconds, the screen shown in FIG. 28B is displayed for 5 seconds. In (B) of FIG. 28, a state where the road shown in the second background image 61 is traveling straight is displayed, and correspondingly, a state where the first background image 60 is also moved to the center is displayed.

Next, after the screen of FIG. 28 (B) is displayed for 5 seconds, the screen of FIG. 28 (C) is displayed for 5 seconds.
In (C) of FIG. 28, the first background image 60 is the same as that shown in (B) of FIG. 28, but the road shown in the second background image 61 is shown with unevenness. The contour of the road is displayed by a substantially cubic curve, that is, the width of the road is wider toward the front and narrower toward the back, thereby indicating the undulating state of the road. It is possible to display a more realistic screen.

Next, various image processing methods used for the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment to give a more realistic presence on the screen will be described. First, the first background image 60 shown in FIGS. 25 to 28 will be described. The first background image 60 is realized by the scroll function described above. That is, in the storage area of the VRAM 317, for example, in the storage area corresponding to the first screen 703,
The data of the background image larger than the image displayed as the first background image 60 is stored in advance, and the first background image 60 is stored.
The image data required for are displayed while scrolling sequentially. As a result, it is not necessary to rewrite the data stored in the VRAM 317, the background image can be moved at high speed, and a realistic background image can be displayed at high speed even if a storage device having a low data rewriting speed is used. It becomes possible.

Next, an image processing method for giving a sense of speed in the running state of the vehicle will be described. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image processing method for giving a sense of speed in a traveling state of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 29A,
The second background image 61 is divided into a plurality of regions in which the width of the screen in the vertical direction gradually increases as the screen goes from the upper part to the lower part. That is, the width L1 at the uppermost portion is the narrowest, the width gradually increases, and finally the region is divided into the regions having the width L2 at the lowermost portion. Each area is displayed alternately in black and white. That is, first, the uppermost area is displayed in black, the next area is displayed in white, the colors of the respective areas are alternately displayed thereafter, and the color of the lowermost area is displayed in black. The first background image 60 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Although the first background 60 shown in FIGS. 5 to 28 is displayed, the display is omitted here to simplify the description.

After the screen shown in FIG. 29A is displayed, the screen shown in FIG. 29B is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 29B is displayed in the second background image 61 in FIG.
The part shown in black in (A) of 9 is displayed in white, and the part displayed in white is displayed in black. Figure 29 above
By alternately displaying the screens shown in (A) and (B), the second background image 6 is displayed due to the afterimage effect of human eyes.
The road displayed in 1 looks as if it were moving.

The image processing method for displaying the above two screens is performed by changing the color palette data which is the display color data referred to by the palette RAM 325. That is, the contour data of the image to be displayed on the second background is stored in the VRAM 317 and the character ROM 319.
Color palette RAM3 that is stored in advance and referred to
Change the 25 color palette data. In particular,
For example, in the uppermost area (area of width L1), the black pallet data is first referenced, and then the white color pallet data is referenced to alternately display the image in white or black, and from the bottom. In the area below, first,
By referring to the white color palette data and then to the black color palette data, white or black is displayed alternately. In each of the following divided areas, black or white is alternately displayed by switching the color palette data referenced from the color palette RAM 325 in the same manner as above. In the above process, of the image data, the image data for displaying the shapes stored in the VRAM 317 and the character ROM 319 is not rewritten, but only the image data relating to the colors stored in the palette RAM 325, that is, the color palette data is changed. Since the image is changed by doing so, the amount of data to be changed is extremely small, and it becomes possible to rewrite the image data at high speed and display the above screens on the display unit 32. As a result, it is possible to give a sense of speed in the running state of the vehicle and further improve the sense of presence.

In the above description, the method of changing the color palette data to be referred to for each of the divided plural areas has been described.
For example, it is divided into two groups, and one group stores color palette data in which the second background image 61 is alternately displayed in black and white as shown in FIG. 29A, and the other group is stored. 29B, color palette data is stored in advance so that white and black images are alternately displayed, and a group of color palette data is alternately selected. May be displayed in the same manner as above. In this case, since it is not necessary to select the color palette data stored in the color palette RAM 325 for each divided area, the color palette data can be selected for each group, so that the rewriting time of the image data can be further shortened and the speed can be increased. It is possible to switch and display images.

Next, the command data transmitted from the board circuit 46 will be described. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing correspondence of command data transmitted from the basic circuit 46 to the LCD display 35 via the LCD circuit 48. The command data includes COMH, COM0 to COM6, and COMC. COMH is a command header and is fixed to "CAH". By transmitting this COMH, the LCD display 35 determines that the command data is transmitted from the basic circuit 46.

COM0 is a main status and is a command for designating the type of display control of the display section 32. When COM0 is "00H" to "7FH", each display control type described below is designated. Also, "8
"0H" to "FFH" are not used in this embodiment.

First, when COM0 is "00H", the screen of the display unit 32 is initialized and the control for blue back display is designated. When COM0 is “10H”, the mode for displaying the normal demonstration screen (endless) on the display unit 32 is designated.

When COM0 is "20H", it is designated to execute the all symbol stop processing. When "21H", it is designated to perform all symbol variation processing. At the time of "22H", it is designated to perform the right symbol stop processing. At the time of "23H", it is designated to perform the right symbol stop processing. "24H"
At the time of, it is specified to perform the middle symbol stop processing. "25
When "H", the normal reach process is designated. The normal reach includes three reaches, a normal reach, a throat reach, and an S-time reach, and which of the three types is to be performed is designated by COM4 described later. When it is "26H", it is designated to perform the slip (return) reach process. When the value is "27H", the backfire reach process is designated. Reach processing described above and reach 1 to 6 shown in FIGS. 19 to 22.
The correspondence with and is as follows. That is, reach 1
Corresponds to Normal Reach, Reach 2 corresponds to S-reach, Reach 3 corresponds to Thunder Reach, Reach 4 corresponds to Backfire Reach, Reach 5 corresponds to Sliding Reach, Reach 6 Return Reach Corresponding to.

When COM0 is "30H", the winning demonstration screen is designated to be displayed. COM0
When "40H" to "4FH", the control for displaying the interval screen of each round of 1R to 16R in the specific game state after the big hit occurs is designated. COM
When 0 is "50H" to "5FH", the control for displaying each open screen of 1R to 16R in the specific game state is designated. When COM0 is "60H" to "62H",
Controls for displaying the end demonstration screens 1 to 3 are designated respectively. When COM0 is "70H", when a failure occurs in the pachinko gaming machine, the control for displaying the screen for notifying the occurrence of the failure is designated.

COM1 is a command for designating the stop symbol of the left symbol in the variable display of the symbol. COM
The upper bits 7 to 4 in 1 are unused, and the lower right bits 3 to 0 specify the number of the right symbol, and "0H"
15 symbols are designated by "EH".

COM2 and COM3 are the above-mentioned COM
Similar to 1, it is a command for designating each stop symbol of the middle symbol and the right symbol in the variable display of the symbols.

COM4 is a command for designating the reach operation. The upper bits 7 to 5 are unused.
bit4 is a spin flag when the second symbol is determined,
When it is "0", it specifies that it does not spin, and when it is "1", it specifies that it spins. Bits 3 and 2 are bits for specifying the operation during the reach, "00" specifies the normal reach, "01" specifies the dodge reach,
"10" designates each reach at S. bit1,
0 is a bit for designating the number of reach cycles,
"00" specifies stop after 0 laps, "01" specifies stop after 1 lap, and "10" specifies stop after 2 laps.

COM5 is a command for designating the reach stop operation. bit7 is unused. bit
6 is a flag for designating a blinking color,
"0" designates yellow and "1" designates orange. Bit 5 is a flag for designating the blinking speed. "0" designates slow blinking and "1" designates fast blinking. bit4 is a blinking flag,
"0" designates that it does not blink, and "1" designates that it blinks. bit3 is a flag for designating a return operation, "0" designates no return, and "1" designates return. Bits 2 to 0 are bits that specify the number of sliding symbols, "100" designates that 4 symbols slide, "101" designates that 5 symbols slide, and "11"
"0" specifies that 6 patterns are to be slipped.

COM6 is a command for designating winning number data for displaying the winning number of hit balls on the display unit 32. COM6 is from “0H” to “A
Any value of "H" is designated, and 0 to 10 correspond to the count number. COMC is a checksum used to prevent erroneous data transfer during data transfer. COMC is the above-mentioned COMH, COM
Each value of 0 to COM6 is added, the value with the most significant bit cleared to 0 is set, and any one of "00H" to "7FH" is designated.

Next, the relationship between the value of WCRND_ACT and command data will be described. FIG. 32 shows the WCRND_ACT value and command data CO corresponding to each condition.
It is a figure which shows the relationship with M0, COM4, and COM5. Here, condition 1 is reach, and the stop symbol is stopped before the one symbol of the big hit symbol, and condition 2 is reach, when the stop symbol is stopped at the symbol one symbol after the big hit symbol. Shown, the condition 3 indicates the reach, when the stop symbol stops in a symbol other than before and after the big hit symbol. Therefore, the diagram shown in FIG.
The relationship between the CT value and the command data is shown, and the five types of reach modes of reach 1 to reach 5 described above are shown. In addition, each reach may or may not spin.
Determined by the value of ND_ACT.

As an example, the case of the uppermost stage shown in FIG. 32 will be described below. When condition 1, WCRND_A
When the value of CT is 0 to 6, reach 1 corresponds and a state with spin corresponds. The probability of this reach occurring is 7/128. Also, the CO transferred at this time
M0 is “25H”, bit4 of COM4 is “1”, bit3 and 2 are “00”, bit
1, 0 is "01", bit6 of COM5 is "1", bit5 is "0", bit4 is "1", bit3 is "0", bit2-0.
Is "100". Thereafter, under condition 1, WCRND
The reach type and the presence / absence of spin are determined by the value of _ACT, and predetermined command data COM0, COM
4, COM5 is transferred. The condition 2 is almost the same as the condition 1. Further, the condition 3 defines only the reach 1, and therefore is not displayed for the reach 2 to the reach 5. Note that the value shown in the figure is set in “* 1” in FIG. 32, but since this bit is not actually used, it indicates the part in which another value may be set. The same applies to FIG. 33.

Next, the relationship between the value of WCRND_ACT and command data at the time of a big hit will be described. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a value of WCRND_ACT and command data COM0, COM4, COM5 at the time of a big hit. There are 6 types of reach 1 to 6 as the types of reach at the time of a big hit. Also in this case, similarly to the above, there are two modes with / without spin. As an example, the case of the uppermost stage shown in FIG. 33 will be described.
When the value of CRND_ACT is 0 to 7, reach 1 corresponds and a state with spin corresponds. The reach occurrence probability in this state is 8/128. Further, COM0 transferred at this time is “25H”, bit4 of COM4 is “1”, bit3 and 2 are “00”, bit1 and 0 are “01”, and bit of COM5.
6 is "1", bit5 is "0", bit4
Is "1", bit3 is "0", and bit2
0 is “101”. Hereafter, similarly to the above, WCRND corresponding to each reach type and with / without spin
The value of _ACT is assigned and predetermined command data COM
0, COM4, and COM5 are transferred from the basic circuit 46 to the LCD display 35, and the reach screen corresponding to the value of WCRND_ACT is displayed on the display unit 32.

Next, a method of transferring the above command data will be described. FIG. 34 is a timing chart for explaining the command data transfer method. The basic circuit 46, via the LCD circuit 48 to the LCD display 35,
The above predetermined command is issued to control the operation of the LCD display 35. Transfer of command data from the basic circuit 46 to the LCD display 35 is one-way transfer.
The display 35 has a configuration in which it cannot transmit its own status to the basic circuit 46. However, basic circuit 4
6 is configured to always issue a sequential status, the LCD display 35 side always fetches the status, and when the status which is not currently being executed is transmitted, the transmitted status is displayed. Is configured to run. As a result, even if some trouble occurs on the LCD display 35 side, it is possible to always return to the normal operation after the acquisition of the new status. Therefore, with the above configuration, malfunctions on the LCD display 35 side can be prevented, simple data transfer can be performed, and the circuit configuration and the data bus configuration can be simplified.

The above command data communication is 8-bit parallel transfer, and 8-bit data is transferred by one transfer. Also, in order to transfer the necessary data,
One command is composed of the blocks described below. First, one command is always transferred at a fixed time interval. Further, the data length and data order of the command block are the same in any sequence. Further, the checksum byte COMC of the final byte described above is added to the command, so that the command can be received more reliably. LCD display 3 on the receiving side
In 5, the new command reception is started by the reception of the header command COMH, and after the specified byte is received, the command data is inspected by the COMC. Here, the command block length is fixed at 8 bytes, valid command data is 6 bytes, and the checksum is 1 byte.

Referring to FIG. 34, the command block is
The command is transmitted in 9 consecutive bytes, but the command data interval is 2 mS. The signal output from the basic circuit 46 is composed of an 8-bit data line and one IND signal, for a total of nine unidirectional buses. The basic circuit 46 on the transmitting side outputs the command data 1, which is output data, to the data line (the data line is a latch output).
Then, the IND signal is transmitted in the “H” state for 500 μS each time. Thereafter, similarly, command data 2 and command data 3 are sequentially transferred from the basic circuit 46 to the LCD display 35. The beginning of the command block is determined by COMH (fixed at "0CAH") which is a header command.

Next, a display example in the big hit state by the above transfer method will be described. FIG. 35 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example in the big hit state. Referring to FIG. 35, in the big hit state, a big hit pattern 71, which is a big hit stop symbol, is displayed at the upper left of the screen, a course diagram 70 is displayed at the upper left of the screen, and is displayed at the lower left of the screen. The number of rounds 73 is displayed. In this display example, “777” is displayed as the jackpot pattern 71. In the course diagram 72, a course diagram in which ten white circles are initially connected to the jackpot is displayed, and a white circle portion lights up in accordance with the number of winning prizes (shown by diagonal lines in the figure) to notify the player of the winning number. The number of rounds 73 is a letter indicating the alphabet letter R and the number of rounds, "5" is displayed here, and the value of the number changes according to the number of rounds. The above display example is displayed by transferring the command data of COM0 and COM6 described above from the basic circuit 46 to the LCD display 35.

Next, the method of controlling the movable member 34 will be described in more detail. FIG. 36 is a timing chart for explaining the method of controlling the movable member. Referring to FIG. 36, first, when the middle symbol is in a changing state, that is, when the display content is in a state of changing a symbol, the movable member 3
No. 4 is stopped in the horizontal state as shown in FIG. 2, and the detection signal output from the cam switch 69 is output in the ON state.

Next, the fluctuation of the middle symbols is stopped, and the display unit 3
The display content of 2 is in the state of symbol stop. At this time, the movable member 34 is stopped at the horizontal position as in the state of the symbol variation. When the state of this symbol stop continues for 30 seconds, it shifts to the demo display state in which the demonstration screen is displayed. In order to shift to the demo display state, the basic circuit 46
OM0 is transmitted to the LCD display 35 with "20H".

Upon receiving the COM0 of "20H", the LCD display 35 displays the demonstration screen 1 shown in FIG. 27A for 5 seconds. After that, the LCD display 35
Is the demonstration screen 2 shown in FIG.
Is displayed for 5 seconds, then the demonstration screen 3 shown in (C) is displayed for 5 seconds, the demonstration screen 4 shown in (A) of FIG. 28 is displayed for 5 seconds, and the demonstration screen 5 shown in (B) is displayed for 5 seconds. The demonstration screen 6 shown in (C) is displayed for 5 seconds. After that, the LCD display 35 is displayed on the demonstration screen 1
The process of sequentially displaying ~ 6 for 5 seconds is repeated.

On the other hand, the basic circuit 46 has a CO of "20H".
After a further 5 seconds have elapsed after transmitting M0, a motor control signal is output to the motor drive circuit 59 for 2 seconds in order to rotate the movable member 34 in the left direction, that is, in the CW (clockwise) direction. The motor drive circuit 59 drives the movable member 34 leftward for 2 seconds in accordance with the input motor control signal, and is stopped at a predetermined angle. The demonstration screen 2 displayed on the display unit 32 at this time shows that the road is curved to the left, and it looks as if the movable member 34, which is the handle, is rotated in accordance with the way the road is curved. At this time, the cam switch 69 is
Since the movable member 34 is rotated by a predetermined angle from the horizontal position,
The detection signal is output in the off state.

Next, the basic circuit 46 moves the movable member to the right, that is, CCW (counterclockwise), when 10 seconds have elapsed from the time when COM0 was transmitted.
The motor control signal for rotating in the (e) direction is output to the motor drive circuit 59. The motor drive circuit 59 drives the movable member 34 to rotate rightward in response to the input motor control signal. When the movable member is rotated to the right and the movable member reaches the horizontal position, the cam switch 69 is turned on again, and the basic circuit 46 stops the output of the motor control signal in response to the detection output, and the motor drive circuit Reference numeral 59 stops the rotational drive of the motor 45. As a result, the movable member 34 is stopped at the horizontal position.

On the other hand, in the above state, the demonstration screen 3 is displayed on the display unit 32, and the road is displayed in a straight traveling state. Therefore, by rotating the movable member 34 to the right and stopping it at the horizontal position as described above, it looks as if the movable member 34 was rotated according to the straight road. Thereafter, similar to the above, the basic circuit 46 rotates the movable member 34 to the right when the demonstration screen 4 is displayed, and rotates the movable member 34 to the left when the demonstration screen 5 is displayed. Then stop in a horizontal position. As described above, the movable member 34, that is, the steering wheel is rotated in accordance with the displayed road by rotationally driving the movable member 34 according to the state of the curved road displayed on each of the demonstration screens 1 to 6. It looks as if they are in the air, and it is possible to improve the sense of presence.

In the above embodiment, after the transmission of COM0, the basic circuit 46 outputs the motor control signal to the motor drive circuit 59 at a predetermined timing to control the rotational position of the movable member 34. The number of signal lines output from the circuit 46 is increased, and a control signal corresponding to each state such as “straight ahead”, “right curve”, “left curve”, and “spin” is set to L.
By outputting to the CD display 35 and the motor drive circuit 59, screen display and rotation control of the movable member 34 may be performed according to the road condition and the like. In this case, the switching of the display screen and the rotation control of the movable member are simultaneously performed according to the same signal, so that the rotation control of the movable member 34 can be performed with higher accuracy. Further, in the present embodiment, since the rotational drive of the movable member 34 is controlled only by the time management after the transmission of COM0, the display screen and the rotation of the movable member 34 can be synchronized by transmitting the minimum command data. Therefore, the circuit configuration and data transfer are simplified. Also, the program for signal transfer is simplified, and the capacity can be reduced.

Further, as another method, according to the state of the demonstration screen displayed on the display unit 32, each signal such as "straight ahead", "right curve", "left curve", "spin", etc. is transmitted. The operation of the motor drive circuit 59 and the motor 45 may be controlled according to the signal transmitted from the LCD display 35 to the basic circuit 46 and input by the basic circuit 46. As yet another example, the LCD display 35
Thus, the operations of the motor drive circuit 59 and the motor 45 may be controlled directly. Further, in this embodiment, the movable member is operated on the demonstration screen, but it may be operated during the change of the symbol.

Next, a pachinko gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display device itself moves back and forth and swings left and right according to the state of the screen displayed on the display unit of the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 37 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the variable display device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the other configurations of the pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 37, the pachinko gaming machine includes a central device 100 and a mounting substrate 120. Central device 100
Is a liquid crystal display device 101, a roller 102, a support rail 1
03, rotary cam 104, swing motor 105, rotary crank 106, rotary gear 107, front and rear crank 108, rotary cam 109, rotation center shaft 110, roller 111, support rail 112, and front and rear motor 113.

The central device 100, which is a variable display device, is fixed to the game board via the mounting substrate 120. Central unit 1
A liquid crystal display device 101 including a display unit for displaying a predetermined screen is provided in front of 00. Rollers 102 and 111 for moving the liquid crystal display device 101 back and forth, and support rails 103 and 112 are provided on the upper and lower portions of the central device. A central part of the central device 100 is provided with a support member for rocking the liquid crystal display device 101 to the left and right, and a rotation center shaft 110 serving as a rotation center of the rocking motion. At the rear of the central device 100, a rotary motor 10 for moving the central device 100 back and forth.
5, rotary cam 104, rotary crank 106, rotary gear 1
07 is provided. A front and rear motor 1 for moving the liquid crystal display device 101 back and forth is provided at the lower rear portion of the central device 100.
13, a rotary cam 109, and a front and rear crank 108 are provided.

Next, the central unit 1 configured as described above.
The operation of 00 will be described. First, the front-back motion will be described. The front-back motor 113 is rotationally driven, and the rotary cam 109 is rotated. When the rotary cam 109 rotates, the front-rear crank 108 moves back and forth. As a result, the rotary motion of the rotary cam 109 is converted into the reciprocating motion of the front and rear cranks 108. When the front and rear cranks 108 move back and forth, the liquid crystal display device 101 supported by the rollers 102 and 111 and the support rails 103 and 112 so as to be movable back and forth moves back and forth.

Next, the horizontal swing of the liquid crystal display device 101 will be described. When the swing motor 105 rotates, the rotary cam 104 is rotationally driven. When the rotary cam 104 rotates, the rotary crank 106 reciprocates left and right. As a result, the rotary motion of the rotary cam 104 is changed by the rotary crank 10.
Converted to 6 reciprocating motions. When the rotary crank 106 reciprocates left and right, the rotary gear 107 rotates left and right. When the rotary gear 107 rotates left and right, the rotation center axis 1
The liquid crystal display device 101 is rocked to the left and right around the rotation center 10. As a result, the left and right reciprocating motion of the rotary crank 106 is converted into the left and right swinging motion of the liquid crystal display device 101.

The drive control of the swing motor 105 and the front-rear motor 113 can be controlled by the basic circuit 46 and the motor drive circuit 59 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as in the first embodiment. Further, the control method is the same as in the first embodiment, the LCD display 35 controls the display screen on the display unit 32 in accordance with the command data output from the basic circuit 46, and the LCD display 35 displays the display screen. Accordingly, the rotation of the swing motor 105 and the front-back motor 113 may be controlled at a predetermined time, or the LCD display 35 may directly control the swing motor and the front-back motor.

Next, the specific movement of the liquid crystal display device 101, that is, the display portion, which can move back and forth and swing left and right as described above, will be described. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the display unit according to the character image. FIG.
With reference to FIG. 8A, the motion of swinging left and right in accordance with the motion of the character image will be described. Mounting board 110
Includes a decorative member as shown in the figure, and the display unit 121 is displayed in the central portion of the mounting substrate 120. For example, the display unit 121 is rocked to the left or right according to the motion of the character images 122 and 123 of the racing car when the player reaches the reach or the jackpot, or before and after each reach or jackpot. Here, the character image 122 and the character image 123 are in contact with each other, the middle symbol is stopped and displayed, and the display unit 121 is swung to the left and right when a big hit occurs.

Next, with reference to FIG. 38 (b), the movement of the front-back movement in accordance with the movement of the character image will be described. For example, similarly to the above, when the reach or the big hit occurs, or before and after the reach or the big hit, the display unit 121 is moved back and forth according to the change of the character image. Here, the display unit 121 is moved back and forth in accordance with the state in which the character image 122 is spinning. As described above, since the display unit is oscillated in the left-right direction or moved back and forth in accordance with the motion of the character image, the sense of presence is improved compared to the case where only the image is displayed using the fixed display unit.

Next, the movement of the display unit according to an image other than the character image will be described. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a motion according to an image other than the character image. Referring to FIG. 39 (A), during normal operation, for example, when a straight road is shown in background image 125 below display unit 121, display unit 121 is not swung left / right or moved back and forth. Stop it. Next, FIG.
As shown in (B), the display section 121 is swung left and right in accordance with the display change of the background image 126 which is an image other than the character image. Here, when the road displayed at the bottom of the background image 126 is bent to the right, and when the building above the background image 126 is moved to the left, the display unit 121 is rotated counterclockwise. Let The above display example is performed in accordance with the display of the demonstration screen, for example. Further, when the displayed road turns to the right, the display unit 121 may be rotated clockwise. Further, as shown in FIG. 28C, when the road undulations are displayed, the display unit 121 may be moved back and forth in accordance with the road undulations. In the above-described embodiment, since the display unit 121 is horizontally swung or moved back and forth according to the change of the image other than the character image, for example, the background image 126, only the image is displayed using the fixed display unit. Compared with the case, it is possible to improve the sense of presence.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the characteristic points of the configuration of the above-described embodiment will be listed.

(1) The display section 32 constitutes a variable display section. The transparent cover 36 is provided at a position in front of the variable display section to form a cover member that prevents entry of a hitting ball and allows the variable display section to be seen through. The movable member 34 constitutes a structure arranged in the space behind the cover member and in front of the variable display portion. This structure is not limited to the shape of a car handle,
For example, it may be in the shape of a doll, an animal or a plant.

(2) The game board 1 forming the game area 3 constitutes a game board forming the game area. As shown in FIG. 4, the movable member 34 is arranged behind the game area surface 3 and the structure is arranged behind the game area surface of the game board.

(3) The starting opening 5 constitutes a starting winning opening which is arranged below the variable display device to derive the display result of the variable display device by winning. The collision member 26 constitutes a part of the variable display device, and constitutes an obstacle member arranged above the variable display device. As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral width L1 of the collision member 26 is smaller than the lateral width L2 of the structure, and the lateral width of the structure is smaller than the lateral width of the obstacle member.

(4) The ball rolling plate 38 constitutes a ball clogging prevention member which is disposed in front of the cover member and which prevents a ball clogging during a game.

[0181]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the structure is arranged in the space behind the cover member and in front of the variable display portion. As a result, by disposing not only the variable display portion of the variable display device but also the structure, the effect of production is enhanced, the sense of presence is further improved, and the structure does not obstruct the flow of the hit ball. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ball jamming during the game.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, since the structure is arranged behind the game area surface of the game board, the game area is limited by the structure. It is possible to improve the enjoyment of the game.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the lateral width of the structure becomes smaller than the lateral width of the obstacle member, and the lateral width of the upper part of the variable display device is lower than that of the obstructing member. Since the width is small, it is possible to configure a gauge that easily guides the ball to the starting winning opening (for example, a nail arrangement), and give the player the expectation that the hitting ball will win the starting winning opening. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game more.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a game board of a pachinko gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a variable display device used in the same pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state of the variable display device when traveling on a curve.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a side surface of a variable display device used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back side of the game board of the same pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an LCD display used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a VDP used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between an address of a character ROM and an identification number of character data.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a storage state of a VRAM.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a display screen.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a VDP scroll function.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of a window function of VDP.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing types of random counters and their contents.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining in advance whether to make a big hit or something other than a big hit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the stop symbols displayed in the symbol display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side and the values of the respective counters.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing types of varying states of symbols.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols other than the reach or when the reach is detached.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols other than the reach or when the reach is released.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols at the time of a big hit.

FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing a control procedure of variable display of symbols at the time of a big hit.

FIG. 23 is a temporal relationship between stop of fluctuation of symbols, opening / closing of special winning opening and end of variable display of symbols next time, and end of variable display of symbols at one time and next time. It is a timing chart showing a temporal relationship with the start of variable display of symbols.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for describing display control of a decorative LED.

FIG. 25 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example of variable display of symbols.

FIG. 26 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example of variable display of symbols.

FIG. 27 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example when a symbol is stopped.

FIG. 28 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example when a symbol is stopped.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image processing method for giving a sense of speed in a traveling state of a vehicle.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence of command data transmitted from the basic circuit to the LCD display via the LCD circuit.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing correspondence of command data transmitted from the basic circuit to the LCD display via the LCD circuit.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the relationship between the value of WCRND_ACT and the command data when disconnected.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a relationship between a value of WCRND_ACT and command data at the time of a big hit.

FIG. 34 is a timing chart for explaining a command data transfer method.

FIG. 35 is a screen configuration diagram showing a display example in the big hit state.

FIG. 36 is a timing chart for explaining a method of controlling a movable member.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the side surface of the variable display device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the second example of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the display unit according to the character image.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the display unit according to an image other than the character image.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a game board, 3 is a game area (game area surface), 4 is a variable winning ball device, 5 is a starting opening, 24 is a variable display device, 26 is a collision member, 32 is a display unit, 34 is a movable member, and 35 is A liquid crystal display device, 36 is a transparent cover, 37 is a space, 38 is a ball rolling plate, and 39 is a display device mounting plate.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A specific display in which a game area into which a ball is hit and a variable display device which is provided in the game area and whose display state is changeable are provided, and a display result of the variable display device is predetermined. A ball game machine capable of imparting a predetermined game value when it becomes a mode, wherein the variable display device is provided in a variable display part and in a position in front of the variable display part, and intrusion of a hit ball And a structure that is disposed in a space formed behind the cover member and in front of the variable display unit. Ball game machine characterized by. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a game board forming the game area, wherein the structure is arranged rearward of the game area surface of the game board. 3. A start winning opening which is arranged below the variable display device and derives a display result of the variable display device by winning, and a starting winning opening which constitutes a part of the variable display device and is arranged above the variable display device. The ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an obstacle member, wherein a lateral width of the structure is smaller than a lateral width of the obstacle member.