JPH08309016A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To inform effective information from a game machine to a player enjoying a game even in a shop from which various kinds of noises are issued and on which every kind of lamp is flickering. CONSTITUTION: This machine is formed in such a way that visual information output by a center display 10, a side display 11, an edge ornamental display 12 and an information display device 13 attached on the front opening/closing frame 14 of the game machine consisting of a machine frame 2 and a card control frame 3, and audible information output by first and second loudspeakers 15a, 15b are operation-controlled by an information notice controller 16 based on an information notice command signal from the outside of the game machine and a command signal from an operating switch 41.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine installed in a game store where various information is frequently notified, and more specifically, for effectively informing various information to a player. The present invention relates to information notification technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine typified by a pachinko machine, a pachi-slot machine, etc., stores a game board and various functional devices in a storage frame composed of a box-shaped machine frame and a front frame for shielding its front surface. It is a thing. Further, the game machine is a game board control device for controlling the operation of various game devices provided on the game board, and a group of various functional devices (a place for enabling a game using the game board. , A launching device that ejects small balls as a game medium, a ball lending operation that lends the small balls to the player, and a game medium discharging device that performs a prize ball discharging operation as a prize for a winning ball, etc.)
It also has a function control device for controlling the operation of

[0003]

However, in the conventional game machine as described above, the operation of the display device (indicator lamp, etc.) provided in the storage frame for storing the various functional device groups, the game board and the like. Since the game board control device independently performs the control and the voice output control from the speaker, it is not always possible to obtain an effective notification effect. In other words, recent game machines tend to be provided with a great number of electric components, and the load is increasing even if the game board control device controls the operation of various game devices and display devices of the game board. In addition, since the display device and the like provided in the storage frame are complicated and rich in decorativeness, the control function of the game board control device only enables the display devices such as various display devices provided in the storage frame. It is very difficult to effectively and efficiently perform display control and voice output control.

Further, since the game board control device only controls the operation of various display devices based on the game progress status set in advance, the game state in the game machine and the preset state are set. Only display information (lucky number etc.) can be displayed. Therefore, in a general amusement store, when notifying the important information (start of service time etc.) to all the players in the amusement store, it is notified using the in-store speaker or the like. Various operation sounds and sound effects are frequently output from the gaming machine,
There was also a point that it could not be said that effective information notification was always made to the player during the game.

In addition, even when the player is visually informed that the game machine is in a specific game state by using a display device for decoration provided on the game board or the like, the game board surface or the like. Since various display devices provided in the above are frequently lit or blinking, it is extremely difficult for a player (particularly, a player unfamiliar with the game) to judge the game state based only on the operation state of the display device. Difficult to do. Moreover, since the player who continues playing the game for a long time is also visually fatigued, even if the player shows the playing state by combining the operating states of a plurality of display devices, it is not always good. It is not expected to have a notice effect.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of effectively notifying information under a special information-flooding environment of a gaming shop.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine (1) according to the present invention is related to a gaming board (7) provided with various gaming devices (29) used for gaming and a game. A game board for accommodating various functional device groups (for example, ball lending control device 32, ball discharging device 33, hitting ball launching device 34) in a storage frame (for example, machine frame 2) and for controlling operation of various game devices. In a gaming machine including a control device (31) and a function control device (35) for controlling the operation of various functional device groups, a storage frame in a state capable of notifying a player during a game of good information. Information notifying means arranged at appropriate places (for example, auditory information output means 39, visual information output means 40)
And an information notification control unit that receives an information notification command signal for specifying the content of the notification information and notifies the player of the notification information according to the information notification command signal using the information notification unit (for example, information And a notification control device 16).

[0008]

Therefore, in the present invention, the information notifying control means that has received the information notifying command signal uses the information notifying means provided in the storage frame to specify the contents of the notifying information specified by the information notifying command signal. It is possible to inform the player who is playing a game on the gaming machine.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The appearance of the gaming machine 1 is as shown in FIG.
Square box frame-shaped machine frame 2 with various game-related functions added
And a card control that enables the use of a prepaid card (a pachinko game card that is sold in advance at a predetermined amount of money and is a card-shaped storage medium in which valuable data equivalent to currency is stored in the magnetic recording unit) It is composed of a card control frame 3 having a function, a ball lending control function, and the like, and is a game medium that can be used for a game by organically connecting the card control frame 3 and the game-related functions in the machine casing 2. It has a function of lending game balls.

A frame-shaped front frame 4 is rotatably provided on the front side of the machine frame 2 which is a storage frame for accommodating main functions as a gaming machine, and is opened in the front frame 4. The window is rotatably provided to close the glass frame 5 and the front panel 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 4 is for accommodating and holding a game board 7 having a game area 7b surrounded by guide rails 7a that can be used for a game, and the game area of the glass frame 5 is provided. The opening 5a is opened at a required position facing the opening 7b, and the glass plate 8 as a transparent member having a good translucency is held by the glass holder 5b provided on the back surface to shield the opening 5a. Keep in good condition.

The game board 7 is the main body of a pachinko game, and a game ball launched by a hitting ball launching device (not shown) that elastically launches a game ball by an electric drive source such as a solenoid guide rail 7a. Through the game area 7
When supplied to b, if any of various prize areas (not shown) provided in the above-mentioned game area 7b is won, a prize ball as a prize ball is given to the player, and any prize area is won. Balls that did not exist are collected as out-of-sphere balls from the outlet. Further, the glass frame 5 is made of a metal frame or the like, and has sufficient strength to hold the relatively thick and heavy glass plate 8.

Further, on the front side of the glass frame 5, there is a decorative frame 9 formed of synthetic resin or the like so as to enhance the design.
A central display 10 having a light source such as a decorative lamp or LED is installed at the center of the upper part of the decorative frame 9.
Side display devices 11 and 11 are provided on the upper side of the decorative frame 9, and an edge display device 12 is provided on the inner opening edge of the decorative frame 9 to provide various information (for example, a special game regarding a game state). The emission information such as generation information and information regarding operating states such as ball supply and ball discharge) can be displayed. Further, in the central part of the central display device 10, there is provided an information display device 13 having a display part composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device or a dot matrix display device, and significant information composed of characters and graphics is provided to the player. It is designed to be visible.

The edge display 12 has a shape corresponding to the opening edge of the window opened in the decorative frame 9, and the game area 7b of the game board 7 is provided via the glass frame 5 and the decorative frame 9.
Is visible from the front side of the gaming machine 1. That is, by providing the decorative frame 9 on the front side of the glass frame 5, the game area visual window 14a is formed by shielding the opening 5a opened at the position facing the game area 7b with the glass plate 8 as a clear member. It functions as the front opening / closing frame 14. In this way, the decoration function of the front opening / closing frame 14 that is most visually recognized by the player can be enhanced, so that the decorativeness of the entire gaming machine 1 can be enhanced.

The central display 1 of the decorative frame 9 shown in the drawing
A first speaker 15a and a second speaker 15b are provided on both left and right sides of 0, respectively. In this way, since the sound source is located at the right upper right position of the game area viewing window 14a facing the player, the sound effect suitable for the player sitting in front of the gaming machine 1 and playing the game. Can be obtained.
The central display 10, side display 11, and edge display 12 provided on the above-mentioned decorative body 9 for emitting light, the first and second speakers 15a, 15b, and the like are controlled by the information display control device 16. The operation is controlled. The information notification control device 16 is functionally connected to a game board control device (detailed later) or a function control device (detailed later) provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1 via a flat cable 14b. There is.

On the other hand, on the front panel 6 located below the front opening / closing frame 14, a player obtains a prize ball (a ball hits in any of the winning areas provided in the game area 7b). A ball supply tray 17 for temporarily storing balls) and balls to be rented (balls lent to the player from the game store),
From this ball supply tray 17, a game ball is sent to a ball feeding device (not shown), and the game ball sent from the ball feeding device to the hitting ball launch position is repelled by the ball hitting device to release the ball. The game is developed depending on the flowing state. In addition, an operating handle 18 for operating the hitting ball firing mechanism, a lower plate 19 for receiving balls that cannot be stored in the ball supply plate 17, and the like are appropriately provided at appropriate places below the front frame 4.

In addition, in the proper place of the ball supply tray 17, a card remaining number display 20 for visually displaying the remaining number of the prepaid card, a ball for making a ball lending request within the range of the remaining number of the prepaid card. A lending button 21, a return button 22 for requesting the return of the prepaid card, etc. are provided. By inserting the prepaid card from the card insertion / ejection slot 23 of the card control frame 3, the remaining number of the prepaid card is within the range. You can borrow a game ball at.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a system configuration for collecting and notifying various kinds of information in a gaming shop having a large number of gaming machines 1 as described above, and a management control device 24 installed in the gaming shop. , An island facility 25 in which a large number of gaming machines 1 are arranged side by side like an island, an in-store speaker 26, etc. are connected, and the management facility 24 and the island facility information controller 27 of the island facility 25 are connected.
The game machine 1, the in-store speaker 26, ... Further, in order to smoothly exchange signals between the gaming machines 1 ... And the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27, terminal relay devices 28 ... Are provided corresponding to the gaming machines 1.

It should be noted that in the game shop, a large number of island-like island facilities 25 are formed by arranging a plurality of gaming machines 1 typified by pachinko machines and pachi-slots, for example, the island facilities 25.
Island end lamps 25a provided at the end of the table with good visibility ...
By turning on (or blinking), information such as "the game machine 1 executing the special game that allows the player to obtain a relatively large amount of game profit is present in the island facility 25" is displayed. It is presented to players and the like.

The management control device 24 is designed so that it can be operated only by a person who is engaged in the management of the game store, and by receiving and storing data such as game information from all the game machines 1 in the store. Instead of processing the collected data from each gaming machine 1 ... useful for determining the management policy, each gaming machine 1 ...
It is also possible to issue an operation control command to a function or the like in the island facility 25. To do so, the management controller 24
Not only the main arithmetic processing function, but also the input terminal 24a and the monitor 2
4b, a printer 24c, and the like, and a large-capacity storage device 24d necessary for storing and holding collected data for a long period of time.

The island facility information control device 27 collects various kinds of information from each gaming machine 1 via the terminal relay device 28 ... Or a decorative display control intended for decoration of the entire island facility. It is also possible to notify predetermined game information by the operation of the player. For this purpose, the island facility information control device 27 is provided with a display 27a capable of displaying various information and a terminal operation unit 27b. By using the display 27a and the terminal operation unit 27b, each gaming machine 1 ...
In addition to displaying the game information of the game machines 1 in the inside and the game machines 1 of other island facilities 25), a machine number may be designated to make a machine reservation.

Further, the island equipment information control device 27 is provided with a setting operation section 27c that can be operated only by a game shop clerk of the game shop, and the island equipment information control device 27 of the island equipment 25.
The decoration display and notification information setting can be performed in step 1. The operation panel of the setting operation unit 27c is always housed in the housing. For example, only those having a dedicated key can pull out the operation panel of the setting operation unit 27c to perform various setting operations. It prevents the player from operating it. The configuration of the setting operation unit 27c is not limited to this. For example, the setting operation can be performed from the terminal operation unit 25 by inputting a setter ID, a password, or the like with a remote control device possessed only by a game shop clerk or the like. good. Further, the management control device 24 may send various setting information to the island equipment information control devices 27 of the respective island equipments 25 to enable collective setting or individual setting.

An example of the configuration of an information control system using the management control device 24, the island facility information control device 27, the terminal relay device 28, and the gaming machine 1 as described above is as shown in FIG.
The management control device 24 is connected to the island equipment information control devices 27 of each island equipment 25, and each island equipment information control device 27 is connected to all the terminal relay devices 28 in the island equipment 25, and each terminal is connected. The information control devices 23 ... Are respectively connected to the game machines 1.

The terminal relay devices 28 not only relay the data transmission between the gaming machines 1 ... And the island facility information control device 27, but also collect and process the data collected by each gaming machine 1, for example. If the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 27 requests the game information transmission as an information notification command signal, the data is transmitted without passing through the information notification control device 16 of the gaming machine 1. May be enabled. In this way, even during a specific game (for example, a special game in which control processing becomes heavy due to a gorgeous decoration display or the like), the game control of the gaming machine 1 and the information notification control are smoothly performed without any trouble. It is possible to perform various information transmissions.

Next, an outline of main functions related to operation control of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In addition to the information notification control device 16 that performs various information notification controls, the gaming machine 1 controls the operation of various gaming devices 29 and decoration devices 30 provided on the game board 7 and acquires various gaming information. Board control device 31 and ball lending control device 3
2, a ball discharging device 33, a hitting ball launching device 34, and the like, and a function control device 35 for performing operation control for a functional device group having operation functions necessary for executing a game. Then, these game board control device 31, function control device 35, and information notification control device 16
Are connected to each other so that necessary information can be transmitted and received and a control operation command can be issued. When an information notification command signal is sent from the game board control device 31 or the function control device 35 to the information notification control device 16, The information notification control device 16 controls the information notification operation according to the command signal. Further, the game board control device 31 is connected to the terminal relay device 28 via the game board external information input / output terminal 36, and the information notification control device 16 and the function control device 35 are connected to the terminal relay device 28 via the frame external information input / output terminal 37, respectively. There is.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine 1 mainly showing the functions of the information notification control device 16. The information notification control device 16 uses the relay terminal 38 to
For example, auditory information output means 39 including first and second speakers 15a and 15b, for example, information display device 13, central display 10, side display 11, visual information output means 40 including edge display 12, player Operation switch 41 for performing information display operation of the information display device 13 and front opening / closing frame 1
The frame open detection switch 42 for detecting that the ball 4 is in the open state, the ball discharged from the ball discharging device 33
It is connected to an overflow switch 43 that detects a state in which a predetermined amount or more of balls are accumulated in the discharge ball guide trough that leads to 9.

The information notification control device 16 and each information input / output means are not limited to be connected via the relay terminal 28, but may be directly connected. For example, in the present embodiment, the information display device 13 and the central display unit 1 located on the front opening / closing frame 14 in which the information notification control device 16 is arranged.
0, the side display unit 11, and the border display unit 12 are directly connected to the information display control device 16, and the frame opening detection switch 42 and the overflow switch 43 arranged on the machine frame 2 and the front frame 4 are relay terminals. You may make it connect via 38. Further, the position of the operation switch 41 is not particularly limited, but it may be provided, for example, at a proper place near the information display device 13 or on the ball supply tray 17 in which the operation switch group for the ball lending control device 32 is provided. You may do it.

The information notification control device 16 controls the auditory information output means 39 and the visual information output means 40 so as to notify the player of useful information and a decoration for enhancing the entertainment of the game. The display is performed comprehensively. The decoration device 30 provided on the game board 7 is controlled by the game board control device 31 according to a predetermined game state.
The information notification control device 16 may also control the operation for 0 (indicated by a broken signal line in FIG. 6). In this way, the decoration device 3 is used without using the game board control device 31 having a complicated game control function (large program size).
Since the operation control of 0 can be performed, it is possible to realize a demonstration display that causes the decoration device 30 to perform a relatively complicated operation when the game machine 1 is not used for a game, and a new game content table is displayed. It can also be effectively appealing to players.

Next, details of the functional means included in the information notification control device 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

Management control device 24 and island facility information control device 2
The information notification control device 16 that has received the information notification command signal sent from 7 via the frame external information input / output terminal 37
The information notification command determination means 44 determines the content of the information notification, and sends the information output request specified thereby to the output information selection means 45. Then, the output information selection means 45 that comprehensively manages the output priority order of various information determines whether or not information notification based on the information output request received from the information notification command determination means 44 is possible, and the request is inconvenient. If not,
The display control unit 46 and the voice output control unit 47 cause the information output, and the information transmission control unit 48 transmits the requested information to the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27.

Further, the information board control device 31 sends an information signal about the game state of the game machine 1 to the information notification control device 1.
When 6 is received, the game state determination unit 49 determines the game state, and the output information selection unit 45 determines whether or not to notify the information regarding the game state, and a predetermined predetermined game state (for example, comparison If a special game in which a player is likely to obtain a large amount of game profit in a relatively short time, or a special game transition condition determination for transitioning to a special game, etc. has occurred, other Display control means 46 and audio output control means 4 based on the priority order with the notification information of
7. The game state is informed by 7.

Further, when the information notification control device 16 receives each state detection signal from the frame opening detection switch 42 and the overflow switch 43, the abnormal state determination means 50 determines the type of the abnormal state and informs the information regarding the abnormal state. Whether or not to do so is determined by the output information selection means 45, and the abnormal state that has occurred is notified by the display control means 46 and the audio output control means 47 based on the priority order with respect to other notification information.

When an abnormal state in which the game is difficult to execute is detected, for example, the information transmission control means 48 controls the management controller 24, the island facility information controller 27, the game board controller 31, and the function controller. It is assumed that the abnormal state occurrence information is transmitted to 35, and the game board control device 31 and the function control device 35 which have received the signal are configured to promptly interrupt the game being executed or disable the start of the game. Is also good. Further, the abnormal state determined by the abnormal state determination means 50 is not limited to the frame open state and the overflow state, and may be set appropriately according to the characteristics of the gaming machine 1. For example,
It is also possible to receive from the function control device 35 defect information such as a ball clogging or ball clogging, which has occurred in the ball discharging device 33, and make a determination (indicated by a dashed signal line in FIG. 7).

When the information notification control device 16 receives the information notification command signal from the operation switch 41, the operation input determination means 51 indicates that the information notification request has been made by the player.
The output information selection means 45 determines whether or not to notify the information corresponding to the notification request based on the priority order of the other notification information, and the display control means 46 and the audio output control means 47 notify. The single operation switch 41
When the content of the notification information instructed by the operation is limited to specific information (for example, the past game result in the gaming machine 1), it is not necessary to determine the type of the requested notification information. However, when a complicated information request using a plurality of operation switches (numerical keypad, a plurality of operation buttons, etc.) is made possible, it is possible to take out the detailed game information required by the player, and further Can be used for flights. In such a case, the content of the notification request may be determined by the information notification command determination means 44 described above.

The past game information of the gaming machine 1 displayed by the input of the operation switch 41 is transmitted by the game information collecting means 52 of the information notification control device 16 from the game board control device 31 and the function control device 35. The information is collected, the collected information is further processed by the game information processing means 53 (arithmetic processing based on a predetermined relational expression set in advance), and the processed collected information is stored and held by the collected information storage means 54. . When the display control means 46 and the information transmission control means 48 need the game information as the notification output information or the transmission output information, the game information is read from the collected information storage means 54.

The collected information storage means 54 is a non-volatile storage means because it uses a volatile storage means that has a relatively high read / write speed but loses stored contents due to power interruption. The stored information in the collected information storage means 54 is backed up by the collected information backup means 55 at a predetermined timing. For example, at the end of a day's business at the amusement store, the content stored in the collected information storage means 54 is written in the collected information backup means 55 as game information for one day, and the collected data for several days is uniquely set by the information notification control device 16. If the data can be stored and held in the storage device, the information can be dispersed, so that the safety of the data management becomes higher than that in the case where the management control device 24 centrally manages the collected information.

Further, the collected information storage means 54 stores and holds only game data (game data currently being collected) which is updated at any time based on the information transmitted from the game board control device 31 and the function control device 35. Therefore, when the game data for the past several days is required, the display control means 46 and the information transmission control means 48 may directly read the past game data from the collected information backup means 55 (FIG. 7 is shown by a broken signal line).

The visual information notification mode performed by the display control means 46 and the auditory information notification mode performed by the audio output control means 47 are stored and held in advance in the notification mode storage means 56.
The display control means 46 and the audio output control means 47 respectively read out the notification mode corresponding to the notification request received from the output selection means 45 from the notification mode storage means 56, and based on the read notification mode, the visual information output means 40 and the auditory information. The operation of the output means 39 is controlled.

If the notification mode storage means 56 does not use a non-volatile storage means, the notification mode needs to be stored each time the information notification control device 16 is activated, which is complicated. On the other hand, since there are various types of visual information output means 40 included in the gaming machine 1 of which various models exist, the display mode varies depending on the arrangement configuration and the number of arrangements of the display devices, and thus is suitable for each gaming machine 1. It is desirable to be able to change the contents of the notification mode so that the visual information can be output. Therefore, if the notification mode storage means 56 is configured by a replaceable storage carrier such as a cassette or a memory card, it is not necessary to individually create the information notification control device 16 specialized for the function of each gaming machine 1. The versatility of the information notification control device 16 can be improved, and even if the same gaming machine 1 is used, it is possible to change to a new notification mode at any time, which is useful.

Further, in the present embodiment, the notification mode stored in the notification mode storage means 56 stores only the notification mode corresponding to the auditory information output means 39 and the visual information output means 40 provided in the gaming machine 1. The notification information that can be freely changed by the game shop can be set by the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 27. That is, when the display information change command signal 16 is received from the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 27, the display information change command determining means 57 determines that the display change command is received, and based on this display information change command. , Display information change control means 58
Changes the display information storage of the display information storage means 59.

A volatile storage means is used as the display information storage means 59, and the display information is appropriately changed from the management control device 27 during business hours. For example, when the time set as the service unique to the game store approaches, the display information change command is transmitted to change the display information to "service time will start soon." Further, the display information is not limited to be changed at any time, and a plurality of pieces of display information data may be stored in advance in the display information storage means 59. For example,
The display information is collectively transmitted from the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27 to the various game machines 1 ... Before the opening of the game store. By doing so, it is possible to collectively set the display information together with the activation check of each gaming machine, and it is possible to set the display information according to the business day (for example, information such as the business schedule of the next day).

When the display information storage means 59 stores and holds a plurality of pieces of display information as described above, for example, command information (for example, an identification code) determined by the information notification command determination means 44 and visual information output means. It suffices to configure so as to store and hold the display information in association with the display information displayed using 40. In this way, the display control unit 46 reads out the display information from the display information storage unit 59 based on the command information included in the notification request received from the output information selection unit 45, so that the display arbitrarily set on the game shop side is displayed. Information can be visually displayed on the gaming machine 1.

Further, the display information stored and held in the display information storage means 59 may be graphic image data displayed on the information display device 13, but since a relatively large storage capacity is required, for example, a display character string is displayed. Only the character code and character font information may be stored. In this case, for example, the display control unit 46 is provided with a font set according to the resolution of the information display device 13, and a font set according to the font information read from the display information storage unit 59 (for example, Mincho). Body, Gothic font, etc.) and display control is performed so that a predetermined display character string is displayed on the screen using the font set.

As described above, the information notification control as the information notification control means for receiving the information notification command signal for specifying the content of the notification information and notifying the player of the notification information according to the information notification command signal. In the gaming machine 1 provided with the device 16, without imposing a load on the gaming board control device 31,
Since it is possible to notify the player of information, it is possible to realize information notification of a complicated operation, and it is possible to effectively notify the player of information.

Next, a detailed processing operation of the information notification control device 16 in the above-mentioned gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 21.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the terminal relay device 28. The information notification control CPU 60 and the ROM 6 are shown in FIG.
1, a RAM 62, a power circuit 63 connected to the basic configuration of the microcomputer, game board performance data ROM6
4, an EEPROM 65, an island effect data ROM 66, and a display character data storage unit 67 are separately provided. Data ROM 64 for game board production and data ROM for island production
66 stores a plurality of types of display modes in which voice data, image data, and decoration pattern data are associated with each other, and serves as a replaceable storage carrier. The EEPROM 65, which is a non-volatile memory, is used for backing up the game data collected and processed. Display character data storage unit 6
Reference numeral 7 stores and holds the display character string and the designated font sent from the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27 as display character data.

On the other hand, the signals from the operation switch 41, the frame opening detection switch 42, and the overflow switch 43 are transmitted through the input circuit 68, and the information display device 13 is transmitted through the display drive circuit 69. The device 11 and the border display 12 are connected to the information notification control CPU 60 via the drive circuit 70, and the first and second speakers 15a and 15b are connected to the information notification control CPU 60 via the voice drive circuit 71. Note that transmission / reception with the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27 is performed via the interface 72.

A series of main processes related to information control of the information notification control device 16 having the above-mentioned configuration is shown in FIG.
The flow is as shown in. First, when a change request for display character data is made from the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 27, the display character data is changed (step S1), and then the game board control device 31 performs various games. Communication processing is performed to collect data and notify the occurrence of an abnormal state (step S2), and then collect data of the number of discharged prize balls and the number of shot balls from the function control device 35 or notify the occurrence of the abnormal state. Communication processing is performed (step S3), and then communication processing for receiving an information notification command signal from an external device such as the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 27 and transmitting notification information based on the command (step S4). ).

Next, based on the result of communication with the game board control device 31 in the above step S2, the player is informed of information according to the game state of the game machine 1 (step S5).

First, in the case of a normal game state (a game state that does not correspond to a predetermined game state), visual information output and auditory information output as normal operations are performed (step S6). As the visual information output in this case, for example,
A model name of the gaming machine 1 as shown in FIG. 17A is displayed on the information display device 13, a brief description of the game content of the gaming machine 1 is displayed, a message such as "Welcome to you" is displayed, etc. Is. Further, when the variable display device or the like for converting and displaying the plurality of identification symbols in a visually difficult state is in operation, visual information output and auditory information output as a pattern changing operation are performed (step S7).

Reach state in the above symbol changing operation (for example, two of the three changing symbols stop at the same symbol,
When the remaining one symbol is still changing), the visual information output and the auditory information output as the reach operation are performed (step S8). As visual information output in this case, for example, in addition to displaying a “reach” message display as shown in FIG. 17B on the information display device 13, the central display 10 and the border display 12 are displayed. Performs lighting / blinking operation. When outputting the auditory information, different sounds may be output from the first and second speakers 15a and 15b to generate a stereo sound effect in order to enhance the distinctiveness from the sound output in the normal state. . Furthermore, when a special reach state (for example, a reach state consisting of a predetermined specific symbol) is set,
A message such as "special reach" may be displayed so as to inform the player that the state is different from the normal reach state.

As described above, when the last symbol is stopped after the reach state in the symbol variation occurs, and the mode of the stopped symbol satisfies the predetermined special game initiation condition, the visual information as the big hit operation. Output and auditory information output are performed (step S9), and when the mode of the stop symbol does not satisfy the special game initiation condition, visual information output processing and auditory information output processing as detachment operations are performed (step S10). As the visual information output in the case of a big hit, for example, in addition to displaying a message display as shown in FIG. 17C on the information display device 13, the central display 10 and the border display 12 are turned on and off. I do.

If the information output mode when the special game start condition is achieved and the information output mode during the actual execution of the special game are made different, the game is played on the gaming machine 1 concerned. It is possible to notify the information more effectively not only to the player who is playing the game but also to the player who is playing the game machine 1 ... Near the game machine 1. Even when reporting the information of this big hit operation, like the above reach operation,
The voice output mode of the first and second speakers 15a and 15b may be changed.

Also, depending on the type of special game initiation condition,
Change the game progress condition after the end of the special game (for example, in the auxiliary game for determining the special game occurrence condition, increase the probability of achievement of the special game occurrence condition to allow the player to perform a favorable game progression). Or) changing the service content of the game store (allowing the player to continue playing the prize balls that he / she has obtained in the special game), "a random fluctuation big hit!" It is also possible to display a message such as "A random fluctuation is a big hit!", "A lucky number is a big hit!", "A lucky number is playing a game!"

As described above, after performing the display operation related to the game state, the frame information output processing for notifying the state of the machine frame 2 main body (execution of the prize ball discharging operation, occurrence of an abnormal state, etc.) (Step S11), the external information output process of outputting information based on an instruction from the outside of the gaming machine 1 (management control device 24 or island facility information control device 27) is performed (step S12), and the player information An operation SW process for displaying game data is performed in response to the input of the operation switch 41 as a notification request (step S13), and the game state of the game machine 1 is transmitted to the outside (management control device 24 or island facility information control device 27). An external transmission process is performed (step S14), and a game data creation process is performed to process the game data collected from the game board control device 31 (step S15).

In the frame information output process performed in step S11, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the frame-related state has changed based on the communication process with the function control device 35 and each sensor input (step S11- 1) If the refilling operation or the prize ball discharging operation is being executed, or if the frame opening detection signal is input from the frame opening detection switch 42, it is determined that the frame related state has changed, and after the change. The lighting operation of the side display devices 11 and 11 is performed in the display mode corresponding to the frame state (step S11-2). For example, when the function control device 35 receives a signal from the function control device 35 that an abnormal state in which the supply operation to the gaming machine 1 is not normally performed is received, the information display device 13 is provided with a message notifying the occurrence of the abnormal state. Interrupt display is performed (see FIG. 18A).

The display mode is continued until the frame-related state is changed due to the end of the supply operation or the prize ball discharging operation or the stop of the sensor output of the frame opening detection switch 42. Further, when the frame opening detection switch 42 detects the frame opening state of the front opening / closing frame 14, there is a possibility that the player's fraudulent activity is being performed. Therefore, the state notification (side display) of the game machine 1 is performed. Display using the devices 11 and 11 and the first and second
It is desirable that not only the audio output by the speakers 15a and 15b) but also the management control device 24 be notified of the occurrence of the state so that the amusement store side can take a quick response.

Next, it is determined whether or not an overflow has occurred based on the presence or absence of the sensor output of the overflow switch 43 (step S11-3). If it is determined that an overflow has occurred, the overflow state is determined. A message urging to move the balls accumulated in the lower plate 19 to the ball box in order to avoid them is displayed on the information display device 13 as an interruption (see FIG. 18B). It should be noted that abnormal states that may impair the normal game function of the gaming machine 1, such as the above-mentioned supply abnormality and overflow, need to be displayed prior to other notification information, so that they are forcibly displayed in an interrupted manner. It is as a thing. Further, assuming that the function control device 35 also detects an abnormal state such as an overflow,
The information notification control device 16 may be configured to perform appropriate status notification based on the abnormal state detected by the game board control device 31 or the function control device 35.

In the frame information output processing performed in step S12, as shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not an instruction signal regarding information notification is received from the outside such as the management control device 24 and the island facility information control device 27. (Step S12-1),
When the information notification command signal is received from the outside, it is determined whether or not the information notification command is the output request of the highest priority information (step S12-2), and when the notification command of the highest priority information is received. The above steps S11-2 and S
The highest priority information is output with higher priority than the abnormal state notification of 11-4 (step S12-3). This top priority information informs that an emergency such as a fire has occurred (see FIG. 19 (a)).

If the information notification instruction signal is not a request to output the highest priority information, it is determined whether or not there is a priority output based on the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 (step S12-
4) When the priority output corresponding to the game state received from the game board control device 31 is being performed, the priority output is continued without information notification based on the instruction signal from the outside. The priority output is, for example, a display output or a voice output when a special game is occurring in the gaming machine 1. That is, since the special game that occurs relatively rarely is the special profit state that the player most expects, if there is no above-mentioned priority information or abnormal state occurrence information, the game progresses in the special game. Information notification (central display 10, side display 1
1, display by the edge display 12, information display device 13 and the like, and audio output by the first and second speakers 15a, 15b)
To continue.

On the other hand, when there is neither the highest priority information output request nor the priority output of the game board control device 31, the identification code of the instruction signal is read (step S12-5), and the notification mode data based on the read identification code is selected. (Step S1
2-6), information notification based on the selected notification mode data is performed (step S12-7). An example of the correspondence relationship between the identification code and the notification mode data is as shown in FIG. 12, and, for example, the island effect decoration used by the island equipment information control device 27 to independently perform decoration display in the island equipment 25. The identification code for the mode is assigned to "1" to "5", the identification code for the information display mode arbitrarily set by the management control device 24 is assigned to "6" to "9", and the received identification code The information notification is performed in the notification mode based on.

The decoration mode for island production is fixedly stored in advance in the data ROM 66 for island production, and the display mode for information is stored in the display character data storage section 67 based on the setting information from the management control device 24. It is something that is kept in memory. In addition, an identification code may be added to the game board effect decoration mode and stored in the game board effect data ROM 64.

An example of the notification contents to be provided as the island effect decoration mode is to notify that the special game initiation condition has been achieved (a big hit has occurred) in any of the game machines 1 of the island facility 25, for example. , The unit number of the gaming machine 1 in which this big hit has occurred is displayed on the information display device 13 (see FIG. 19B).
In addition to this, by driving and controlling a light source such as a decoration lamp or an LED in a predetermined pattern, the central display 10 and the border display 12 are caused to emit light in various modes,
Further, based on predetermined audio data, the first and second speakers 1
Sound effects can be output from 5a and 15b.

The unit number of the gaming machine 1 in which the big hit has occurred may be read aloud by voice synthesis or the like.
Further, in order to provide a display effect in which the light emitting display of the gaming machine 1 in the island equipment 25 is sequentially moved and blinking, each gaming machine 1
By controlling the display so that the blinking operation of… is synchronized,
The fact that a big hit has occurred in the island facility 25 can be well recognized by the players who are playing on other island facilities, which motivates many players to play and further enhances the game. It will be possible to increase the interest of.

An example of the notification content performed as the information display mode is, for example, the content which is desired to be notified to all the game players of the game store is visually displayed on the information display device 13 (see FIG. 19C). In addition, "Opening information", "Premium introduction", "Notice of regular holiday", "Service time", "Lucky number is XX", "Unlucky number is XX", etc. may be notified. Further, when the special game generated on the gaming machine 1 is not based on a predetermined display mode (for example, a lucky number pattern), the continuation of the game using the prize balls or the like acquired in the special game is permitted. When the business policy is not adopted, the fact is displayed on the information display device 13 (see FIG. 19D).

In the information display mode, an area in which the identification code is not used is set in advance, and display character data constituting display contents for notifying the stop display is given a predetermined game if necessary. It may be controlled so that the information is transmitted only to the device 1 and the set identification code is designated to notify the information. Similarly, for temporary information such as "I have a phone call, Mr. XX", "We will open the basin from now on", set the necessary display character data to be sent each time, Information may be notified.

As shown in FIG. 13, the operation switch process performed in step S13 determines whether the game control that the game board control device 31 is performing on the game board 7 is the normal game ( In step S13-1), if the normal operation is being performed, it is determined whether or not an instruction signal from the outside (management control device 24 or island facility information control device 27) is received (step S13-2). When the instruction regarding the information notification is not received, it is determined whether or not the operation switch 41 is pressed based on the selection operation by the player (step S13-3), and the signal from the operation switch 41 is received. In this case, the game data created based on the game information collected by the information notification control device 16 is displayed on the information display device 13 (step S13-4).

A display example of the game data displayed on the information display device 13 as described above is as shown in FIG. 20, and it is assumed that the game data for the current day and the game data for the past several days are also displayed together. is there. The game data display is
The game data display may be continuously displayed until a data display clear command is received from the player or another information notification instruction is received, or the game data display may be forcibly cleared after a certain period of time. Further, the display content of the game data may be arbitrarily changed by the player's selection operation.

As shown in FIG. 14, the external transmission processing performed in the above step S14 determines whether or not the game information collected from the game board control device 31 corresponds to the change of the game state (step). S14-1), when the game state is changed, the management control device 24 or the island facility information control device 2 receives the identification signal corresponding to the changed game state.
7 etc. are transmitted to the outside (step S14-2). An example of the correspondence relationship between the identification signal and the game state is as shown in FIG. 15, for example, 8 types (3 bits) of the game state can be identified. The identification signal related to the game state may be transmitted by using the identification signal transmitted from the game board control device 31 regarding the game state as it is.

As shown in FIG. 16, the game data creation processing performed in step S15 is performed by the game board control device 31 as various game information (for example, a start winning signal, a start signal,
Reach signals, jackpot signals, probability fluctuation signals, etc.) are collected (step S15-1), and the collected data are counted and calculated (for example, start winning number, start number, reach number, reach reliability, jackpot number, jackpot probability). , The number of starts after the big hit, the number of occurrences of probability fluctuations, the probability of occurrence of probability fluctuations, etc. (step S15-2), and it is determined whether or not it is time to aggregate data for one day (step S15-
3) If it is determined that the counting time has come, the data for one day is backed up (step S15-4). When the processed game data is backed up, it is written in the EEPROM 65 which is a non-volatile memory.

[0072]

As described above, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the information notification control means, which receives the information notification command signal, stores the contents of the notification information specified by the information notification command signal in the storage frame. Using the information notification means provided in
Since it is possible to inform the player who is playing the game on the gaming machine, it is not necessary to burden the gaming board control device with the burden of the notification control performed on the information notifying means. Therefore, it is possible to realize the information notification of the complicated operation without impairing the game control function of the game board control device, and it is possible to effectively notify the player of the information.

Moreover, since the information notifying control means can notify the information according to the information notifying command signal, unlike the information notifying function peculiar to the gaming machine, which is performed by the gaming board control device in the conventional gaming machine, Since various kinds of information according to the notification command signal can be notified by the information notifying means of the gaming machine, the types of information that can be notified by using the information notifying means are abundant, and the game continues to be played on the gaming machine. The amount of information that the player receives from the gaming machine is increased, and it is possible to serve the player's flights.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a machine frame with a front opening / closing frame opened.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a control system related to information notification in a game shop.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an information control system including a management control device, a terminal information control device group, and a gaming machine group.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the game machine showing in detail the input / output of the information notification control device.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an information notification control device.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram related to input / output of the information notification control device.

FIG. 9 is a general flowchart showing a flow of operations related to information control performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a frame information output process performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an external instruction information output process performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a correspondence relationship between an identification code received from the outside by the information notification control device and a notification mode.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operation SW process performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an external transmission process performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a correspondence relationship between an identification code transmitted to the outside by the information notification control device and a game state.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a game data creation process performed by the information notification control device.

FIG. 17 (a) is a schematic front view of an information display device for displaying information in a normal state. (B) is a schematic front view of the information display device which performs reach display. (C) is a schematic front view of the information display device which displays a big hit.

FIG. 18A is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information regarding a frame-related state. (B) is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information based on the occurrence of overflow.

FIG. 19A is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information of highest priority information. (B) is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information based on the decoration for island production. (C) is a schematic front view of an information display device for displaying information based on a display mode for information.
(D) is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information based on a temporarily set information display mode.

FIG. 20 is a schematic front view of an information display device that displays information based on an information display request from an operation switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 gaming machine 2 machine frame 7 gaming board 16 information notification control device 29 gaming board control device 32 ball lending control device 33 ball discharging device 34 hitting ball launching device 35 function control device 39 auditory information output means 40 visual information output means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game board control device for accommodating a game board provided with various game devices used for a game and a group of various functional devices related to the game in a storage frame, and controlling the operation of the various game devices, and In a gaming machine provided with a function control device for controlling the operation of the functional device group, information notifying means arranged in an appropriate position of the storage frame in a state capable of notifying good information to the player during the game, Information notification control means for receiving an information notification command signal for specifying the content of the notification information and for reporting the notification information according to the information notification command signal to the player using the information notification means, A gaming machine characterized by. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the information notification control means receives an information notification command signal from a game board control device in the game machine. 3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the information notification control means receives an information notification command signal from a function control device in the game machine. 4. The information notification control means receives an information notification command signal from a management control device that comprehensively manages various kinds of information of a game store in which the game machine is installed. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The information notification control means receives an information notification command signal from an island equipment information control device provided for each island equipment in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in an island pattern. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The information notification control means receives an information notification command signal sent by a player operating an operation input means provided in the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 5. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the information notifying unit is capable of visually notifying information. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the information notification means is capable of auditory information notification. 9. The information notifying means performs information notification according to a notification command from the information notification control means, based on the stored contents of the notification mode storage means that stores and holds a plurality of predetermined information notification modes. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the notification mode storage means comprises a replaceable storage carrier.