JPH10234951A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of more finely managing a variable display control operation and easily recognizing the state of the actually performed variable display control operation even while reducing the processing burdens on a game control means in the case of performing variable display control. SOLUTION: Command data are transmitted from a basic circuit 30 to a circuit for display control provided in a LCD display device 2 and the circuit for the display control which receives the command data performs the variable display control correspondingly to the command data. The command data include a pattern number which is information for specifying a special pattern to be displayed in the prescribed display area of the LCD display device 2 and an offset value which is the information capable of specifying a display range in the special pattern. In the circuit for the display control, control for displaying the special pattern specified by the command data in the specified display range is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, a slot machine, and the like. More specifically, the present invention has a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. A gaming machine which can be controlled to a state advantageous to a player when a display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine of this type has a variable display device capable of changing and displaying a plurality of types of identification information, for example. Has been configured to be controllable to a state advantageous to the player (for example, a big hit state) when a predetermined display result (for example, 777) is obtained.

In such a conventional game machine, a game control microcomputer is provided as game control means for performing game control such as, for example, determining a big hit and outputting a sound effect. In such a conventional gaming machine, the display state of the variable display device is controlled in accordance with the progress of the game control. Representative examples of display control of such a variable display device include a method in which a game control microcomputer directly controls the variable display device, and a method in which the game control microcomputer controls the variable display device as a variable display control means. There has been a method of indirectly controlling the variable display device via a microcomputer.

When the variable display device is directly controlled by the game control microcomputer, a display control signal for controlling the variable display state in detail is supplied from the game control microcomputer to the variable display device. The variable display is performed by the variable display device based on the display control signal.

On the other hand, when the variable control device is indirectly controlled by the game control microcomputer, the variable display control microcomputer for controlling the display state of the variable display device is used as the game control microcomputer. Provided separately. In this case, the game control microcomputer provides the variable display control microcomputer with display command information that roughly commands the control of the display state of the variable display device. Then, a display control signal is given from the variable display control microcomputer to the variable display device in order to perform detailed control of the display state of the variable display device according to the given display command information, and based on the display control signal, Variable display has been performed by a variable display device.

More specifically, when performing variable display, the microcomputer for game control sends the variable display control microcomputer the start timing of variable display, the derivation timing of display results, and the display results to be derived and displayed. A command for designating a minimum necessary item for executing a series of variable display control has been provided as display command information. In the variable display control microcomputer,
Control contents relating to a series of changes in the display state from the start to the end of the variable display (derived display of the display result) are stored in advance, and the control stored in advance in response to receiving the display command information. By performing the control of the contents, detailed control regarding variable display has been performed.

As described above, when executing the variable display control, a command for triggering a series of variable display control is given from the game control microcomputer to the variable display control microcomputer, and the command is issued. The execution of detailed control of variable display, such as a change in the rate of change of the display state during variable display, has been left to the variable display control microcomputer. That is, in a gaming machine that performs variable display control using the game control microcomputer and the variable display control microcomputer, the display command information is changed at the start time and the end time of the variable display, and according to the display command information. Thus, a series of variable display can be executed.

[0008]

However, the conventional gaming machine as described above has the following problems. First, when the variable display device is directly controlled by the game control microcomputer, the game control microcomputer must control the display state of the variable display device in detail in addition to the game control. There is a problem that the processing load of the game control microcomputer becomes too large.

When the control of the variable display device is indirectly performed through the variable display control microcomputer according to the display command information of the game control microcomputer, the display command information for executing the variable display is provided. Control of the variable display state after being output to the game control microcomputer has been entrusted to the variable display control microcomputer. For this reason, in the game control microcomputer, the variable display control operation cannot be finely managed, and the state of the variable display control operation actually performed during the variable display can be confirmed and grasped. It was not easy.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to manage variable display control operations more finely while reducing the processing load on game control means when performing variable display control. While allowing you to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of easily grasping the state of a variable display control operation that is actually performed.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and a display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific value. A game machine which can be controlled to a state advantageous to a player when a display result is obtained, wherein the game state of the game machine is controlled and display command information for controlling the variable display device is output. Control means, and variable display control means for receiving the display command information and controlling the variable display device according to the display command information, wherein the game control means displays the information in a predetermined display area of the variable display device. Outputting the display command information including information designating the identification information and information capable of designating a display range in the identification information, wherein the variable display control means is configured to specify the display command information based on the display command information; By displaying the predetermined display area in the specified display range identification information, and performing control to variably display the identification information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the game control means includes a display designated by the display command information when the identification information is variably displayed. When the range is changed and the speed of the variable display is changed, the change amount of the designated display range is changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the display command information further includes display type designation information for designating a type of variable display of the identification information. The game control unit includes: when changing the type of the variable display of the identification information, changes the specified content of the display type specifying information; and the variable display control unit includes the specified content of the display type specifying information. Is further controlled to variably display the identification information in a type according to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the display command information further includes display type designation information for designating a type of variable display of the identification information. The game control means includes, when changing the type of variable display of the identification information, changing the specification content of the display type specification information and specifying a display range in the identification information. Is changed to a designation mode corresponding to the type of variable display of the identification information, and the variable display control means further performs control for variably displaying the identification information in a type corresponding to the specified content of the display type designation information.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game control means controls the game state of the gaming machine and outputs display command information for controlling the variable display device. The display command information is received by the function of the variable display control means, and the variable display device is controlled according to the display command information. Since the game control means controls the variable display device via the variable display control means, the processing load on the game control means is reduced. By the further operation of the game control means, display instruction information including information for specifying identification information to be displayed in a predetermined display area of the variable display device and information for specifying a display range in the identification information is output. With the further function of the variable display control means, control for variably displaying the identification information is performed by displaying the specified identification information in a predetermined display area within a specified display range based on the display command information. In this way, the display command information output from the game control means can specify the identification information to be displayed in a predetermined display area of the variable display device and the display range in the identification information, and the variable display control means can identify the display information in accordance with the specification. Since control for variably displaying information is performed, the display state during variably displayed is finely managed by the game control means. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the operation state of the variable display control operation by confirming the content of the display command information output from the game control means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
With the further action of the game control means, the display range specified by the display command information is changed when the identification information is variably displayed, and the change amount of the specified display range is changed when the speed of the variable display is changed. Is done. As described above, by changing the change amount of the display range specified in the display command information, it is possible to change the speed of the variable display without changing the information configuration of the display command information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The display command information further includes display type designation information for designating a type of variable display of the identification information. When the type of the variable display of the identification information is changed by the further operation of the game control means, the specified content of the display type specifying information is changed. With the further function of the variable display control means, control for variably displaying the identification information in a type corresponding to the specified content of the display type specifying information is further performed. As described above, by changing the specified content of the display type specifying information, it is possible to change the type of variable display of the identification information.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following operation is performed.
The display command information further includes display type designation information for designating the type of variable display of the identification information. When the type of the variable display of the identification information is changed by the further operation of the game control means, the specification content of the display type specification information is changed, and the specification mode of the information capable of specifying the display range in the identification information is changed to the identification information. Is changed to the designation mode corresponding to the type of variable display. With the further function of the variable display control means, control for variably displaying the identification information in a type corresponding to the specified content of the display type specifying information is further performed. As described above, by changing the specified content of the display type specifying information, it is possible to change the type of variable display of the identification information. Further, since the specification mode of the information that can specify the display range in the identification information is changed according to the type of variable display of the identification information, the display range in the identification information is specified in a specification mode suitable for the type of variable display. .

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, or the like. A variable display device capable of variably displaying, any gaming machine that can be controlled to a state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display result, It is possible to apply to.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gaming board of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine. When the player operates a hit ball operation handle (not shown), the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball storage tray (not shown) are hit one by one into the game area 24 formed on the front of the game board 23. Be included. Gaming area 24
Inside, a variable display device 1 such as a liquid crystal (LCD) display device and a variable winning ball device 4 are provided.

The variable display device 1 which is an image display device includes:
Images such as special symbols, characters, and backgrounds are displayed. The special symbol is identification information related to the addition of a game value such as a big hit state (specific game state) and is variably displayed. As the special symbols, left, middle and right special symbols are displayed. Each of the left, middle, and right special symbols is composed of, for example, numbers. The character is an image representing a person, an animal, a figure, an object, or the like. The background is used to decorate the special design and the background of the character.

When the pachinko balls hit into the game area 24 win the start winning opening 3 which is an example of the start winning area, the left special symbol, the middle special symbol, and the right special symbol are simultaneously displayed on the variable display device 1. Variable start. Thereafter, as basic stop control, the symbols are controlled to stop in the order of the left special symbol, the right special symbol, and the middle special symbol. The control in which the left, middle, and right special symbols are all stopped at the same time is also performed under certain conditions.

When the display result of the left, middle, and right special symbols becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, a mode in which the left, middle, and right symbols are aligned), opening and closing of the variable prize ball device 4 is performed. The board 9 is opened, the big winning opening is opened, and the first state is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a hit ball. The variable winning ball device 4 is normally in a second state that is disadvantageous to a player who cannot hit a ball because the open / close plate 9 is normally closed, but the display result of the variable display device 1 is previously determined. Solenoid (not shown in FIG. 1) when a specified specific display mode is reached
Is excited, the opening / closing plate 9 is opened to be in the first state,
A big hit state (specific game state) occurs.

In the first state of the variable prize ball device 4, a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls has been won, whichever comes first. To end the second state. A specific prize area (V pocket) 5 is provided at a predetermined position of the prize opening 24 of the variable prize ball device 4, and a part other than the specific prize area 5 is a normal prize area. Prize opening 24
Within, the specific winning area and the normal winning area are arranged in parallel.

The winning prize in the specific prize area (V pocket) is detected by the specific prize detecting switch 8. On the other hand, a winning ball that has won the normal winning area of the winning opening 24 is detected by a count switch (not shown in FIG. 1). The total value of the number of winning balls detected by the specific winning ball detection switch 8 and the number of winning balls detected by the count switch is used for control as the number of winnings of the variable winning ball device 4.

When the pachinko ball which has entered in the first state of the variable prize ball device 4 wins the specific prize area (V pocket) 5 and is detected by the specific prize ball detection switch 8, the variable prize ball is detected. Waiting for the first state of the device 4 to end, the repetition continuation control for setting the variable winning ball device 4 to the first state again is executed. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times.

In the game area 24, there is provided an ordinary symbol starting gate 6 as an example of an ordinary symbol starting winning area, and a pachinko ball passes through the ordinary symbol starting gate 6 and an ordinary symbol starting gate. If the detection is performed by a detection switch (not shown in FIG. 1), the variable design of the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 constituted by the 7-segment LED is started.

If the result of stopping the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 7), the starting winning opening 3 is opened and the first state which is advantageous for the player. Becomes That is, this starting winning opening 3
Comprises a variable winning ball device capable of changing between a first state advantageous for a player who is likely to win a hit ball and a second state disadvantageous for a player who is unlikely to win a hit ball. When the display result of the symbol variable display device 7 has a specific display mode, a solenoid (not shown in FIG. 1) is excited and opened to be in the first state. When the start winning opening 3 is in the first state, the pachinko balls are more likely to win, and the variable display device 1 is in a state where variable display control is frequently performed.

If the pachinko ball wins again in the start winning opening 3 during the variable display of the variable display device 1, the start winning is stored, and the variable display of the variable display device 1 is stopped, and the variable display device 1 is ready for the variable start. Then, the variable display device 1 is variably started again based on the start winning memory. The upper limit of the start winning prize memory is set to, for example, “4”, and the starting prize storing value at the present time is displayed by the storage display LED 11. In addition, while the variable symbol display device 7 is variably displaying the pachinko balls, the normal symbol start gate 6 is again activated.
Is passed, the passing of the start is stored, the variable display of the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 is stopped, and the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 is again activated based on the starting passage memory after the variable display can be started again. Variable start. The upper limit value of the normal symbol start memory is set to, for example, “4”, and the start passing memory value at the present time is displayed by the memory display LED 12.

During the game of the pachinko gaming machine, a reach state may occur. Here, the term “reach” means that the variable display device has a variable display device whose display state can be changed, the variable display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are specified in a predetermined manner. In the gaming machine in which the gaming state becomes a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the combination of the display modes is displayed, at the stage where a part of the plurality of display results has not yet been derived and displayed, the gaming state is already derived and displayed. Means a display state in which the displayed result satisfies the condition for the combination of the specific display modes. In other words, the reach is a game state when the display result of the variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states can be changed becomes a predetermined combination of specific display modes. In a gaming machine that is in a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player, when the display result of the variable display device has not yet been derived and displayed, it is determined that the variable display mode has become a variable display mode in which the combination of the specific display modes is easily displayed. Means a display mode that makes the user think. Then, for example, a state in which a variable display is performed by the plurality of variable display units while maintaining a state in which the combination of the specific display modes is aligned is also included in the reach display state. In addition, in the reach, when it appears,
Some hits are easier to hit than normal reach. Such a specific reach is called a super reach.

In this pachinko game machine, a plurality of reach states are prepared, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, one reach state can be selected from among the plurality of reach states. is there.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an out port. When a pachinko ball hit into the game area 24 does not win any of the winning ports or the variable winning ball device, it is collected from the out port 10 as an out ball. . 19 is a windmill lamp, 14, 1
5, 16, 17 are decorative LEDs, 18 is an attacker lamp,
20 is a side lamp, 21 is a sleeve lamp, 22a, 22b
Is a side LED.

Although the variable display device 1 has been described using a liquid crystal display device, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image display devices such as a CRT display device, a plasma display device, or a matrix LED display device may be used. May be used. In addition, the variable display device 1 is not limited to such an image display device, and is a rotating drum type, a so-called belt type in which a display state changes when a belt provided with a plurality of symbols circulates,
It may be constituted by a leaf type or a mechanical type display device such as a so-called disk type in which a display state is changed by rotating a rotating disk provided with a plurality of symbols.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing a game control circuit used in the pachinko game machine. A game control circuit for performing game control in a pachinko gaming machine has a basic circuit 30 for performing game control in accordance with a program for controlling various devices. This basic circuit 30
Is provided with a CPU 30a as a control center, a ROM 30b storing a control program, a RAM 30c storing control data, an I / O port (not shown), and the like.

Further, an initial reset circuit 33 for resetting the basic circuit 30 when the power is turned on;
, A reset pulse is provided periodically (for example, every 2 msec), a periodic reset circuit 34 for repeatedly executing a predetermined game control program from the beginning, and an address signal provided from the basic circuit 30 are decoded. An address decode circuit 35 for outputting a signal for selecting any one of a ROM, a RAM, an I / O port, and the like included in 30 is further provided.

When a pachinko ball wins the starting winning opening 3 and the starting winning ball is detected by the starting winning ball detection switch 25, the detection signal is input to the basic circuit 30 via the input circuit 31. When the pachinko ball that has entered the variable winning prize ball device 4 is detected by the count switch 26, the detection signal is input to the basic circuit 30 via the input circuit 31. When the pachinko ball that has entered the variable winning ball device 4 wins the specific winning area 5 and the winning ball is detected by the specific winning ball detection switch 8, the detection signal is sent to the basic circuit 30 via the input circuit 31. Is entered. When a pachinko ball passes through the normal symbol starting gate 6 and is detected by the starting passage ball detection switch 27, a detection signal is input to the basic circuit 30 via the input circuit 31.

When a pachinko ball hit into the game area 24 wins one of the winning areas or the variable winning ball device, the winning ball is guided to the back side of the game board 23 and is sent to the winning ball processing device. Winning ball signals A and B, which are winning ball detection signals detected and processed one by one by the winning ball processing device, are input to the basic circuit 30 via the input circuit 31. Since there are two types of prize balls to be paid out depending on where the pachinko ball wins, two types of prize balls A and B exist to specify the number of prize balls to be paid out. I do.

The basic circuit 30 which has received the detection signal from the starting symbol detection switch 27 for the symbol usually includes an LED circuit 41.
And outputs a control signal for variable display to the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 via the. The basic circuit 30 that has received the detection signal from the start winning ball detection switch 25 outputs a start winning storage display control signal to the storage display LED 11 via the LED circuit 41. The basic circuit 30 that has received the detection signal from the count switch 26 outputs a number display LED via an LED circuit 41.
A winning number display control signal is output to 13. The basic circuit 30 receiving the detection signal of the normal symbol starting gate detection switch 27 stores the display LED 12 via the LED circuit 41.
To output a signal for normal symbol start winning storage display control.
In addition, the basic circuit 30 can display the decorative LEDs 14, 15, 16, 17,
A display control signal is output to the side LEDs 22a and 22b.

The basic circuit 30 is connected to the windmill lamp 19 and the side lamp 2
0, a control signal for lighting display or blinking display is output to the attacker lamp 18 and the sleeve lamp 21.

When a big hit is detected in response to the detection signal from the start winning ball detection switch 25, the basic circuit 30 controls the solenoid 28 for driving the opening / closing plate 9 via the solenoid circuit 43 at a predetermined time. Is output. When the detection signal from the normal symbol start gate detection switch 27 is received and the hit is determined, the basic circuit 30 controls the solenoid 29 for driving the start winning opening 3 via the solenoid circuit 43 for a predetermined period to excite the control signal. Is output.

The basic circuit 30 controls, via a lamp circuit 40, lamp control data D0 to D3 for controlling various lamps provided in the variable display device according to the game state.
Is output.

The basic circuit 30, which has received the detection signal of the start winning ball detection switch 25, sends the command data CD0 for variable display control to the LCD display 2 constituting the variable display device 1 via the LCD circuit 32. ~ CD7, interrupt signal IN
Output T. Command data CD0-C shown in FIG.
D7 indicates one byte (8 bits) of data, and one byte of data is transmitted in parallel at a time. FIGS. 19 and 20 show the transmission operation of such command data and the detailed contents of the command data.
Will be described later.

The basic circuit 30 outputs a sound control signal to the volume amplification circuit 39 via the voice synthesis circuit 42 in accordance with the game state, and outputs the amplified sound control signal from the volume amplification circuit 39 to the speaker. A sound is emitted from the like. As the sound control signal, a left speaker control sound output (L) and a right speaker control sound output (R) are output, and a stereo sound is emitted.

The basic circuit 30, to which the hit ball signals A and B are inputted, outputs the prize ball number data, which is the number data of prize balls to be paid out according to the type of the hit ball signal, to the prize ball number signal output circuit 38. The award ball number signal output circuit 38
Output the prize ball number signals 0 to 3 to the prize ball payout control microcomputer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a display control circuit (hereinafter referred to as a variable display control circuit) provided in the LCD display 2.

The game control circuit shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
It is provided on a control board 50 shown in FIG. The variable display control circuit 100 shown in FIG. 4 includes a system controller 51, a CPU 53, and a program ROM 54.
, A work RAM 55, a video RAM 56, a character ROM 57, a palette RAM 58, an LCD interface circuit LCD 59, a reset circuit 62, and an oscillation circuit 63. The program ROM 54 has a CPU
The display control program 53 is stored.

The work RAM 55 functions for the working area of the CPU 53, and control data accompanying the control of the CPU 53 is stored in the work RAM 55. The character ROM 57 stores the LCD module 61
The image data for display such as the image of the special design, the image of the background, and the image of the character to be displayed by the LCD display 2 provided in the storage device are stored.

The system controller 51 has a built-in video control processor, ROM, RAM and the like.
This is for controlling the display of the LCD display 2 according to the command signal from U53. This system controller 5
1, a system reset signal is input from a reset circuit 62, and a system reset is performed by a system controller 51. At the same time, a system clock signal is input from the oscillation circuit 63 to the system controller 51, and the system controller 51 operates in synchronization with the clock signal.

A control board 50 and a system controller 51 are connected via a connector 52, and the LCD circuit 3 provided on the control board 50
2, command data CD0 to CD7 for display control,
INT is connected to the system controller 5 via the connector 52.
1 is input. In addition, voltages of +12 V and +5 V are supplied from the LCD circuit 32 of the control board 50 to the variable display control circuit 100 via the connector 52. The system controller 51 outputs the received command data to the CPU 53 as a CPU data signal and outputs a CPU clock signal according to the system clock signal from the oscillation circuit 63 to the CPU 53.

The CPU 53 outputs a CPU address signal, CPU data signal, C
The PU write signal and the CPU read signal are transferred to the work RAM 55
Output to The system controller 51 outputs a RAM select signal to the work R in accordance with the command data.
The signal is output to the AM 55 and the ROM select signal is output to the program ROM 54.

Then, a CPU data signal is returned from the work RAM 55 to the CPU 53, and the CPU 53 receives the CPU data signal, and receives a CPU address signal, a CPU data signal, and a C data signal.
A PU control signal is output to the system controller 51. The system controller 51 sends a VRAM address signal,
A VRAM data signal, a VRAM write signal, and a VRAM read signal are output, and a VRAM data signal is returned from the video RAM 56.

The system controller 51 outputs a character address signal to the character ROM 57, and stores character data, which is stored data at an address specified by the address signal, in the character ROM 57.
It is returned to the system controller 51 as a data signal.

The system controller 51 includes a pallet
An address signal, a pallet data signal, a pallet write signal, and a pallet read signal are output to the pallet RAM 58.
A pallet data signal is returned from M58. The system controller 51 outputs a video red signal, a video green signal, a video blue signal, and a video composite synchronization signal to the LCD module 61 via the LCD interface circuit 59 and the connector 60 in accordance with the various input signals described above. , An image is displayed on the LCD display 2.

As described above, in the variable display control circuit 100, the CPU 53 executes the display control program so that the CPU 53 can perform variable display or the like on the variable display device 1 based on the command data sent from the basic circuit 30. Is controlled. That is, the command data is provided to the CPU 53 via the system controller 51, and is analyzed by the CPU 53. And CP
U53 gives various control signals to the system controller 51 to display the display state specified by the command data. A system controller 51 having a video control processor and the like controls the entire system of the variable display control circuit 100 and supplies an image signal to the LCD module 61 according to a control signal given from the CPU 53 to display an image. Do.

That is, in this pachinko gaming machine, the CPU 30 of the basic circuit which is the main CPU for performing game control.
a, command data is given to the CPU 53 of the variable display control circuit 100, which is a sub CPU for performing display control,
In accordance with the command data, the CPU 53 causes the system controller 5 having a video control processor and the like to
1 to control the display of the variable display device 1. Thus, in this pachinko gaming machine, the CPU 53 functions as the center of the variable display control means.

Therefore, the present invention does not have a sub CPU for display control, but directly supplies data from a main CPU for game control to a processor for image display such as a video display processor (VDP) to perform display control. It is not intended to apply to gaming machines having a system for performing The present invention is applied to a gaming machine having a system in which command data is supplied from a main CPU that performs game control to a sub CPU that performs display control, and the sub CPU performs display control. Therefore, the main CP
A gaming machine having a system in which a sub CPU having received command data from U supplies data to an image display processor such as a video display processor (VDP) for image display to display an image is applicable to the present invention. include.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display operation of the ordinary symbol variable display device 7. Normal symbol variable display 7
Is composed of 7-segment LEDs, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), the control is performed so that it changes from 0 → 1 → 3 → 5 → 7 → 9, and if it changes to 9, it returns to 0 again and repeats the same change. The display time of this one symbol is 0.080 seconds, and one cycle in which the symbol goes from 0 to 9 is 0.480.
Seconds.

This ordinary symbol variable display device 7 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), WC RND2, WC RND
F is controlled at random by two random counters. WCRND2 is a random counter for determining in advance whether or not to hit the display result of the ordinary symbol variable display device 7, and is incremented by one every 2 msec. Then, it is configured to add and update from 3, add and update to its upper limit of 13, and then add and update from 3 again.

WC RND F is a random counter for determining in advance the type of a planned stop symbol stopped and displayed by the variable symbol display device 7, and will be described later.
Since one is added for each carry of the RNDC, the addition is updated in an infinite loop using the reset waiting time. This reset waiting time is, as described above,
The basic circuit 30 is reset every 2 msec.
During the period of sec, the program is completed from the beginning to the end, and is in a state of waiting for the next reset signal to be input from the periodic reset circuit 34. This waiting period is called a reset waiting time. . WCR
The NDF is added and updated in an infinite loop using the reset waiting time. Then, it is added and updated from 0 to its upper limit of 5, which is added and updated, and then added and updated again from 0.

FIG. 5C is a schematic flow chart showing the flow of control of the ordinary symbol variable display device 7. The WC
The count value of RND2 is extracted, and in the normal game state, the hit is determined in advance when the extracted value is "13", and control for stopping and displaying "7" on the ordinary symbol variable display 7 is performed. On the other hand, when the extracted value of WC RND2 is other than “13”, the departure is determined in advance.
Control is performed to extract the count value of C RND F and stop displaying the symbol of the type corresponding to the extracted value on the ordinary symbol variable display device 7. In this case, if the pattern coincides with the hit symbol by accident, the symbol “0” is stopped and displayed on the ordinary symbol variable display device 7.

On the other hand, during the high probability state, when the extracted value of the WC RND2 is any one of "4 to 13", the hit is predetermined and "7" is stopped and displayed. Further, during the high probability state, when the extracted value of WC RND2 is “3”, the deviation is determined in advance, and the stop display control is performed according to the extracted value of WC RND F described above.

Here, the high probability state will be described. The high probability state is a state in which the probability of occurrence of a big hit is improved, and is also referred to as a probability variation state (abbreviation, probability change) in the following description. In this high probability state, the probability of the display of a specific special symbol combination determined to be a big hit displayed by the variable display device 1 is improved. When the combination of symbols is displayed, the big hit control is started again.

In the high probability state, control is performed such that the probability of occurrence of a hit in the ordinary symbol variable display device 7 is increased as described above. When such control is performed, the starting winning opening 3 is frequently opened, a large number of hit balls are started, and the variable display frequency of the variable display device 1 is increased, so that a big hit easily occurs. Since the number of balls to be paid out from the gaming machine increases due to an increase in the start winning prize, it is advantageous for the player that the player can play a game without reducing the number of balls (game balls owned by the player) as much as possible. Condition occurs.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control. As shown in FIG. 6, WC RND1 is a random counter for determining in advance whether or not to generate a specific game state (big hit state), and is incremented and updated by one every 2 msec. And the probability of occurrence of this jackpot is
It is configured so that it can be variably set to three types of setting 1, setting 2, and setting 3 by operating means provided at a position that can be operated only by the staff at the game hall.

In the case of setting 1, WC RND
1 is counted up from 0 and its upper limit is 353.
After counting up to 0, it is counted up again from 0. In the case of setting 2, WC RND1 is 0
After counting up to 377, which is the upper limit, counting up from 0 again. In the case of the setting 3, the WC RND1 is counted up from 0, counted up to the upper limit 395, and then counted up again from 0.

The WC RNDL is a random counter for predetermining the scheduled stop symbol of the left special symbol. Then, the WC RNDL is incremented and updated by 1 every 2 msec, counted up from 0, and the upper limit is 14
After counting up to 0, it is counted up again from 0.

The WC RNDC is for preliminarily determining a scheduled stop symbol of a medium special symbol when it is preliminarily determined to be out of place. The WC RNDC is incremented by one every 2 msec and updated using the reset waiting time. The addition is updated in an infinite loop. The WCRNDC is counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 14, and then counted up from 0 again.

The WC RNDR is for preliminarily determining a right special symbol scheduled stop symbol in the case where it is preliminarily determined to be out. And WC RNDR is WC RNDC
Is incremented by one at every carry of, and counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 14, and then counted up from 0 again.

The WC RND ACT is for predetermining the type of reach. And WC RND
ACT is incremented and updated by one every 2 msec, counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 19, and then counted up from 0 again.

The WC RND K is for predetermining the type of reach announcement. Here, the reach announcement means that a notice that a reach state will occur is given in advance. WC RND K is incremented and updated by one every 2 msec, counted up from 0, counted up to its upper limit of 9, and then counted up again from 0.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of special symbols variably displayed on the variable display device 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the extracted values of WC RNDL, C, and R,
The relationship with the types of left, middle and right special symbols is shown.

The left, middle and right special symbols are "1" to "1".
5 ". The left, middle, and right special symbols also have the same symbol array configuration, and each symbol is assigned a symbol number. These symbols are assigned to WC RNDL, C, R from 0 to 14. A symbol having a symbol number that matches the number of each of the extracted values of WC RNDL, C, and R is selected and determined as the scheduled stop symbol.

The WC RNDL is also used for determining a big hit symbol. The extracted value of WC RNDL is “0” to “1”.
Since there are 15 types of "4", there are also 15 types of big hits.
The big hit design is “1,1,
15 types of "1" to "15, 15, 15" are set. These symbols are assigned to WC RNDL 0-14. If it is determined in advance that a jackpot will be generated, WC RND of these jackpot symbols
The symbol at the location that matches the number of the extracted value of L is selected and determined as the scheduled stop symbol. Among such jackpot symbols, a combination of “3, 3, 3”, a combination of “5, 5, 5”, a combination of “7, 7, 7”, and “9, 9, 9”
Is a big hit symbol that shifts to a high probability state (hereinafter,
It is called a probable pattern).

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing the variable display control of the variable display device 1. FIG. 8 shows setting 1 of setting 1, setting 2, and setting 3 described above as an example. Therefore, as shown in the figure, WC
It is shown that RND1 counts up within the range of 0 to 353. In the case of setting 2, this is 0 to 377, and in the case of setting 3, this is 0 to 377.
Since it is only 395 and there is no change in the others, illustration and description are omitted.

When the extracted value of WC RND1 is “7” in the normal gaming state which is not the high probability state, it is determined in advance that a big hit will occur, and the count value of WC RNDL is extracted and the extracted value ( Control is performed in which symbols of the type corresponding to (random number) are stopped and displayed as a left special symbol, a right special symbol, and a middle special symbol. As a result,
The symbols in which the right and middle special symbols are stopped and displayed become random symbols, and a combination of symbols in which a big hit occurs is displayed.

On the other hand, when the extracted value of the WC RND1 is other than "7", the left special symbol, the right special symbol, and the middle special symbol are stopped and displayed by the extracted values of the WC RNDL, C, and R. In this case, if the pattern is accidentally random and matches the big hit symbol, the WCRNDC is decremented by one, and the stop display control is performed by shifting the planned stop symbol of the middle special symbol by one symbol.

On the other hand, at the time of high probability, if the extracted value of WC RND1 is any one of 7, 71, 131, 197, 263, 331, it is determined in advance that a big hit will be generated. Stop display control is performed according to the extracted value. Then, at high probability, WCR
When the extracted value of ND1 is 7, 71, 131, 197, 263,
331, the WC RNDL, C,
Stop display control is performed according to the extracted value of R.

As described above, at the time of the high probability, the probability of occurrence of the big hit is improved six times as compared with the time of the normal game. In the normal gaming state, the probability of occurrence of a big hit is 1/354 in the case of the setting 1, 1/378 in the case of the setting 2, and 1/396 in the case of the setting 3.

In this pachinko gaming machine, as described above, a plurality of types of reach display (reach 1 to reach 3)
Can be selectively executed. Next, a method of determining the type of reach display displayed on the variable display device 1 will be described. The type of reach to be displayed is selected and determined by using a data table such as a reach type determination table at the time of coming off and a reach type determination table at the time of big hit as shown below.
For this reason, for example, the probability that each reach display is selected is different depending on whether the user goes off or the big hit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the out-of-reach reach type determination table. Referring to FIG. 9, in the out-of-reach reach type determination table, WC RND ACT
The relationship between the extracted value and the reach type is defined. If the scheduled stop symbols of the left and right special symbols match when the deviation is determined in advance, the reach of the reach type corresponding to the extracted value of the WC RND ACT is displayed using the reach type determination table at the time of the deviation. Is determined. In this pachinko gaming machine, it is possible to selectively generate three types of reach, reach 1 to reach 3.

Specifically, the relationship between the extracted value of WC RND ACT and the reach type is determined as follows. When the extracted value is “0” to “15”, the reach 1 is selected and determined. When the extracted values are “16” and “17”, reach 2 is selected and determined. The extracted value is "18",
In the case of “19”, reach 3 is selected and determined. Here, reach 1 is a normal reach having a relatively high frequency of appearance and a low rate of jackpot instead, and reach 2
And Reach 3 is the super reach described above.

In each of the reach 1 to reach 3, a mode (variable pattern) at the time of variable display of the reach display is predetermined. For this reason, the player can know the occurrence of the super reach by distinguishing the variable display mode in the reach display, so that the player's sense of expectation can be increased. In Reach 1, all of the left, middle, and right special symbols are scrolled. In Reach 2, the left and right special symbols are scrolled, and the middle special symbol is radar-operated (details will be described later). In the reach 3, the left and right special symbols are scrolled, and the middle special symbol is rotated (to be described later in detail).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the hit type reach type determination table. Referring to FIG. 10, in the hit type reach determination table at the time of jackpot, WC RND
The relationship between the extracted value of ACT and the reach type is defined. When it is determined in advance that a big hit is to be generated, W
It is determined to display the reach type corresponding to the extracted value of C RND ACT.

Specifically, the relationship between the extracted value of WC RND ACT and the reach type is determined as follows. If the extracted value is “0”, reach 1 is selected and determined. If the extracted value is “1” to “10”, reach 2
Is selected and determined. When the extracted value is “11” to “19”, the reach 3 is selected and determined.

In this gaming machine, a reach announcement may be made to announce that a reach state will occur during variable display. When the reach notification is performed, the player can know that the reach state occurs. As described above, the reach announcement is performed based on the extracted value of WC RND K extracted according to the start winning.

In the case of this gaming machine, three types of reach notices, reach notice 1 to reach notice 3, can be selectively provided. The reach notice table, which is a data table in which the relationship between the extracted value of WC RND K and the type of the reach notice, is associated with the ROM 30b of the basic circuit 30.
The reach prediction table is stored in advance, and whether or not to perform the reach prediction and the type of the reach prediction to perform the reach prediction are selected and determined based on the extracted value of the WC RND K using the reach prediction table.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the reach announcement in a table format. In FIG. 11, the reach is displayed at the time of the advance notice in accordance with the respective reach types of the reach for performing the reach announcement 1, the reach for performing the reach announcement 2, the reach for performing the reach announcement 3, and the reach for which the reach announcement is not performed. The number of “ghost” characters (ghost 51 shown in FIG. 16) to be performed and the WC that is determined to make a reach announcement corresponding to a case where a reach occurs in a probable variable design
The extracted value of RND K and the WC RND K that is determined to make a reach announcement corresponding to a case where a reach (normal reach) occurs in a normal symbol (a symbol other than a probable variable symbol)
, And the appearance rate of the reach (probable change reach) in the probable change pattern.

As shown in FIG. 11, the extracted value of WC RND K is sorted for each type of reach announcement.
As described above, when it is determined to generate the reach based on the extracted value of the WC RND ACT, the WC
In accordance with the extracted value of the RNDK, one of the reach notice 1, the reach notice 2, the reach notice 3, and the non-reach notice is selected and determined.

Further, the relationship between the extracted value of WC RND K and the type of reach announcement is set separately for a case where a reach occurs in a probable variable symbol and a case where a reach occurs in a normal symbol. I have. Therefore, WC RND K
The relationship between the extracted value and the type of the reach announcement is properly used depending on whether or not the “scheduled stop symbol of the left and right special symbols” is a symbol corresponding to the positive variation symbol.

When reach notice 1 to reach notice 3 are performed, a predetermined number of “ghost” characters (5 for reach notice 1, 3 for reach notice 2, and 1 for reach notice 3) Is displayed on the variable display device 1 so that the occurrence of the reach is notified to the player in advance. For a specific example of the display screen at the time of reach notice, see FIG.
6 will be described later.

[0091] Such a reach notice is set so that the appearance rate of positively-variable symbols varies depending on the type. For example, the appearance rate K1 of the probability variation symbol in the reach notice 1 is
It can be obtained from the following formula (1). In addition, the appearance rate K1 of the probable variable symbol referred to here is a reach symbol (a symbol at the time of reach) on the assumption that the reach notice 1 has been performed.
Is the probability of becoming a symbol of probability change reach.

K1 = A / (A + B) (1) A: Probability that a probable variable symbol will appear in reach announcement 1 on the premise of reach B: Probability that normal symbols will appear in reach announcement 1 on the premise of reach A: A1 × A2 A1: Proportion of probable variable symbols to all symbols (= 4/15) A2: Selectivity of reach notice 1 assuming appearance of probabilistic reach (= 5/20) B = B1 × B2 B1: Ratio of normal symbol to all symbols (= 11/15) B2: Selectivity (= 1/20) of reach notice 1 assuming appearance of normal reach, and the above-mentioned appearance rate K1 is about 64.5% . Similarly, the appearance rate K2 of the probability variation symbol in the reach notice 2
Is about 42.1%, and the appearance rate K3 of the surely changed symbol in the reach notice 3 is about 4.9%. That is, in the present embodiment, the appearance rate of the stochastic variable design in the order of reach notice 1, reach notice 2, and reach notice 3, in other words, the degree of expectation of the stochastic reach is set to "large", "medium", and "small". doing. For this reason, when there is a reach announcement, the player can predict whether or not a certain variation reach will appear depending on the type of the reach announcement, and the interest of the game is improved.

Next, a control procedure of variable display (variable display) in the variable display device 1 will be described. Prior to the description of the specific variable display control procedure, first, the types of the variation patterns (variable display patterns) of special symbols will be described.

FIG. 12 is a table showing the types (types) of the variation patterns of the special symbols in the variable display device 1. There are seven kinds of variation patterns of A to G in the variation pattern of the special symbol.

The fluctuation pattern A is a pattern for changing the fluctuation speed of the special symbol to a constant speed (one symbol fluctuation in 16.7 ms). The variation pattern B is a pattern in which the special symbol is gradually decelerated and stopped (one symbol variation) from one symbol before the scheduled stop symbol. The variation pattern C is a variation of the special symbol at a constant speed (one symbol variation at 333.3 ms, 1 symbol variation).
This is a pattern for setting the period to 5.000 seconds. The fluctuation pattern D is a pattern that switches special symbols at high speed with a radar scanning line as a boundary. The fluctuation pattern E is a pattern in which a special symbol is switched at a low speed with a radar scanning line as a boundary. The variation pattern F is a pattern in which a special symbol is reciprocally rotated right and left between the symbol corresponding to the big hit and the symbol preceding the radar scanning line. The variation pattern G is
This is a pattern in which a special symbol is fed one by one while rotating left and right reciprocally one symbol at a time, and a stop symbol is determined in the last one rotation.

Next, a control procedure for variable display (variable display) in the variable display device 1 will be described. Here, a variable display control procedure when the reach state does not occur and a variable display control procedure when each of the reach states 1 to 3 occur will be described.

First, the variable display control procedure when the reach state does not occur will be described. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a variable display control procedure when no reach state occurs. If the hit ball wins the starting winning opening 3 and the starting winning ball is detected by the starting winning ball detection switch 25,
The detection pulse of the detection signal is input to the basic circuit 30. When the detection pulse rises, a numerical value is extracted from WC RND1 and the extracted value is stored. Note that the extraction and storage of the numerical values from the WC RND1 are performed in the same manner even when the start-up storage is performed.

Thereafter, the falling timing of the detection pulse of the start winning ball detection switch 25 (0.0 from the falling point)
At 02 seconds), the already stored value of WC RND1 is read, and it is determined whether the value is a value corresponding to a big hit. Further, at that timing, WC RND L, C, R, W
The extraction of the values of C RND ACT and WC RND K is also performed. Then, based on the extraction of these values, the stop symbols of the left, middle, and right special symbols, the type of reach when the reach state occurs, whether or not to perform the reach announcement, and the type of the reach announcement are determined. You.

Then, after a lapse of 0.004 seconds from the rising point of the detection pulse, the left special symbol starts to fluctuate in the fluctuation pattern A. Then, the right special symbol starts to fluctuate in the fluctuation pattern A 0.5 seconds after the start of the fluctuation of the left special symbol. Then, after a lapse of 0.5 seconds from the start of the change of the right special symbol, the middle special symbol starts to change in the change pattern A.

Thereafter, the left special symbol is fluctuated in the fluctuation pattern A for 4 seconds and then fluctuated in the fluctuation pattern B for 1 second, and is stopped and displayed. Further, the right special symbol is changed for one second by the fluctuation pattern B after being changed for 4.5 seconds by the fluctuation pattern A.
Is stopped and displayed. The middle special symbol is fluctuated in the fluctuation pattern B for 1 second after being fluctuated in the fluctuation pattern A for 5 seconds, and is stopped and displayed.

Next, a variable display control procedure when a reach state occurs will be described. The variable display control procedure for the left special symbol and the right special symbol when the reach state occurs is the same as the control procedure when the reach state does not occur shown in FIG. Therefore, the following description of the variable display control procedure in the case where the reach state occurs occurs will be mainly described on the differences from the case where the reach state does not occur.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the respective variable display control procedures when reach 1 and reach 2 occur.

When reach 1 occurs, the middle special symbol is
The fluctuation starts in the fluctuation pattern A 0.5 seconds after the start of the fluctuation of the right special symbol. And the middle special design is 5
After being varied in the variation pattern A for １２12 seconds, it is varied in the variation pattern C for 0 to 4 seconds. And the middle special design is
After the fluctuation pattern C, the fluctuation pattern B fluctuates for one second and is stopped and displayed.

When the reach 2 occurs, the middle special symbol is
The fluctuation starts in the fluctuation pattern A 0.5 seconds after the start of the fluctuation of the right special symbol. And the middle special design is 5
After being varied in the variation pattern A for １２12 seconds, it is varied in the variation pattern C for 0 to 4 seconds. And the middle special design is
After the variation pattern C, the variation pattern D is varied for 3 seconds, then the variation pattern I is varied for 5.5 seconds, and then the variation pattern F is varied for 0 to 2 seconds and stopped and displayed.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing a variable display control procedure when reach 3 occurs. When reach 3 occurs, the middle special symbol starts to fluctuate in the fluctuation pattern A 0.5 seconds after the right special symbol starts to fluctuate. Then, the middle special symbol is changed in the change pattern C for 0 to 4 seconds after being changed in the change pattern A for 5 to 12 seconds. Then, the middle special symbol is fluctuated by the fluctuation pattern G for 3 to 5.5 seconds after the fluctuation pattern C, and is stopped and displayed.

Next, a specific example of a display screen displayed on the variable display device 1 during variable display will be described. First, a display screen when a reach state does not occur and a display screen when a reach state in which reach notification is performed occurs will be described.

FIG. 16 is a display screen diagram showing a display screen when a reach state does not occur and a display screen when a reach state in which a reach announcement is made occurs. In FIG. 16, (A) and (B) show display screen examples when the reach state does not occur and the big hit state does not occur (during normal fluctuation). In this case, an example of a display screen in the case of Reach 1 is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, in the variable display device 1, a left special symbol display section 33a and a middle special symbol display section 33 are provided in a display area above the display screen.
b and a right special symbol display section 33c are displayed side by side, and a character display section 33d is displayed in a lower display area of the display screen.
Is displayed. The left special symbol display section 33a displays an image of a left special symbol, the middle special symbol display section 33b displays a middle special symbol, and the right special symbol display section 33c displays an image of a right special symbol. In addition, the character display section 33d
Displays images of various characters. Also, left,
A background image is displayed on the background portion of the middle and right special symbol images and the background portion of the character image.

At the time of normal fluctuation, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), with the character of the castle 50 displayed on the character display section 33d, the left, middle and right special symbol display sections 33 are displayed.
After the special symbols are variably displayed at a, 33b, and 33c, the display results of the left, middle, and right special symbols are derived and displayed, as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 16, (C) and (D) show examples of display screens when a reach state occurs in a symbol other than the probable change symbol after the reach notice 3 is performed. When the reach notice is given, the character display section 33d
Is superimposed and displayed on the castle 50 displayed in the number 50 according to the type of the reach announcement, thereby notifying that the reach is occurring.

As shown in FIG. 16C, in the case of the reach notice 3, the left, middle, and right special symbol display sections 33a,
In the state where the special symbols are variably displayed at 33b and 33c, one ghost 51 is superimposed on the castle 50. Then, as shown in (D), in this example, a case where the reach state occurs in a normal symbol other than the probable variable symbol after the announcement of the reach announcement 3 is given.

In FIG. 16, (E) and (F) show examples of display screens in the case where a reach state has occurred in the surely changing symbol after the reach notice 1 has been given. (E) of FIG.
As shown in, in the case of Reach Notice 1, left, middle,
In a state where the special symbols are variably displayed on the right special symbol display sections 33a, 33b, 33c, five ghosts 51 are superimposed on the castle 50. Then, as shown in (F), in this example, after the notice of the reach notice 1,
The case where the reach state has occurred in the certain variation symbol is shown.

Next, the radar reach executed in the case of reach 2 will be described. FIG. 17 is a display screen diagram when the radar reach has occurred in the variable display device 1.

Before the radar reach is displayed, the left,
The middle and right special symbols are variably displayed in a scroll display mode as shown in FIG. When the radar reach is displayed, first, the display screen is switched to the special symbol display sections 33a to 33c in which the entire display screen is set as one display area. Then, as shown in (A) and (B), the boundary (radar scanning line) 54 with the center of the currently displayed middle special symbol (the symbol “6” in FIG. 17) as the center of rotation. Is rotated clockwise, and its boundary 5
The middle special symbol (the symbol of “7” in FIG. 17) is displayed in the rotation area of No. 4 (the next symbol number). Thereby, the display ratio of the middle special symbol currently displayed is gradually decreased in accordance with the rotation angle (0 ° to 360 °) of the boundary line 54, while the display ratio of the next middle special symbol is gradually decreased. As the number is increased, the variable display of the middle special symbol in the reach state is performed.

Note that in radar reach, FIG.
The variation pattern F is used as shown in FIG. 17, and the variation pattern F is, as shown in FIG.
This is performed by alternately switching the rotation direction of the boundary line 54 between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction within a predetermined range below the middle special symbol. That is, the fluctuation pattern F which is the last fluctuation pattern in the radar reach (the fluctuation pattern F may not be performed), the symbol corresponding to the big hit and the symbol of the symbol number in front of it (the symbol for determining the loss). By alternately increasing and decreasing the display ratio, the determination of the hit or miss is made impatient on the display to give the player a sense of tension.

Next, the symbol rotation reach executed in the case of the reach 3 will be described. FIG. 18 is a display screen diagram when the symbol rotation reach has occurred in the variable display device 1.

Before the symbol rotation reach is displayed, the left,
The middle and right special symbols are variably displayed in a scroll display mode as shown in FIG. When the symbol rotation reach is displayed, first, the display screen is switched to the special symbol display sections 33a to 33c in which the entire display screen is set as one display area. Then, as shown in (A) and (B), the middle special symbol reciprocates within a predetermined range around the center of the currently displayed middle special symbol (the symbol “6” in FIG. 18). During the reciprocating rotation, the middle special symbol (the symbol of “7” in FIG. 18) is switched to the next special symbol (the next symbol number), and the variable display of the middle special symbol in the reach state is performed. Confirmation of stop symbol by symbol rotation reach is (C)
As shown in the figure, the middle special symbol is reciprocated and then rotated once.

Next, the operation of transmitting command data for variable display control and the contents of the command data will be described.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing the operation of transmitting command data and the INT signal. Basic circuit 3
From 0, the command data is transmitted to the variable display control circuit 100 in units of 1 byte (CD0 to CD7).

Command data used for display control in the variable display control circuit 100 is constituted by eight data as one unit block. Specifically, in the command data, one data constituting the command is 1 byte, and is composed of a total of 8 bytes of data D0 to D7. The eight bytes of data constitute one block of command data D0 to D7.

The INT signal is transmitted every 80 μsec. Then, the 8-byte data constituting one block of the command data corresponds to the command data 0 (D0), the command data 1 (D1), the command data 2 (D2),. D
It is transmitted in the order of 7).

As described above, in the basic circuit 30, 2 ms
A reset interrupt is periodically performed every ec, but transmission of one block of command data is performed within one reset interrupt period (2 msec). Then, the next reset interruption period (2 msec) of the reset interruption period (2 msec) in which the transmission of the command data of one block is performed.
During c), no command data is transmitted, and the next block of command data is transmitted during the next reset interrupt period (2 msec). That is, the transmission of the command data takes two reset interrupt periods (4 msec
c), the command data is transmitted during the first reset interrupt period during the two reset interrupt periods, and then the command data is transmitted during the second reset interrupt period. Not.

After the command data is transmitted during the first reset interrupt period, no command data is transmitted during the second reset interrupt period, but during the period when no command data is transmitted. In the variable display control circuit 100 receiving the command data, display control such as performing variable display on the variable display device 1 is performed in accordance with the command data. That is, by providing a period during which command data is not transmitted, a period of control operation of the variable display control circuit 100 according to the command data is secured. For example, in this case, the time required to transmit all the data of one block can be shortened as compared with the case where the data is transmitted in two reset interrupt periods of 4 bytes each. Can surely secure a period for performing the control operation.

When the system controller 51 of the variable display control circuit 100 receives the INT signal, the processor enters an interrupt state, and an operation of receiving the command data transmitted at that time is performed. Then, the CPU 53 performs the above-described display control according to the command data thus taken, so that the variable display device 1 performs variable display of a special symbol and image display such as display of a character.

Next, the contents of the command data will be described.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the command data. Referring to FIG. 20, command data includes eight data D0 to D in units of one byte (8 bits).
7 and 8 bytes.

In each of the data D0 to D7,
The upper 3 bits of 1 byte (8 bits) are used as an area for designating data numbers (D0 to D7), and the lower 5 bits are used as an area indicating data contents.

In data D0 whose data number is "0", the display mode number is specified by the lower 4 bits. Here, the display mode refers to a mode indicating the type of display of an image displayed on the variable display device 1. The contents of the data D1 to D7 differ depending on the display mode.

The display modes include mode 0 to mode 6. Mode 0 (mode number = 0) is a display mode for displaying the normal demo screen / all symbols normal screen. Mode 1 (mode number = 1) is a display mode for displaying normal fluctuation. Mode 2 (mode number = 2)
Is a display mode for displaying reach 1. Mode 3 (mode number = 3) is a display mode for displaying reach 2. Mode 4 (mode number = 4) is a display mode for displaying reach 3. Mode 5 (mode number = 5) is a display mode for displaying a big hit screen. Mode 6 (mode number = 6) is a display mode for displaying an error screen.

Such a display mode is designated in accordance with the state of the game in which the basic circuit 30 is currently proceeding. Hereinafter, the contents of the data D0 to D7 in the respective display modes of mode 0 to mode 6 will be described.

First, the case where the display mode is mode 0 (the case where the normal demo screen / all symbols stop normal screen is displayed) will be described. The contents of the data D0 to D7 in mode 0 are as follows.

Mode 0 is designated by data D0.
The symbol number (0 to 14) of the left special symbol is specified by the lower 4 bits of the data D1 having the data number "1". The display symbol of the left special symbol is designated by the data D1. The data D2 whose data number is "2" is not used in this case. The lower four bits of the data D3 having the data number "3" specify the symbol number (0 to 14) of the special middle symbol. The display symbol of the special middle symbol is designated by the data D3. Data number is "4"
Is not used in this case.
The lower four bits of the data D5 having the data number "5" designate a symbol number (0 to 14) of the right special symbol. The display symbol of the right special symbol is designated by the data D5.

Data D6 whose data number is "6" is
Not used in this case. The background color and the animation are specified by the lower 5 bits of the data D7 having the data number "7". The animation is specified by the lower 4 bits, and the background color is specified by the remaining 1 bit. The background color refers to the color of the image constituting the background of the special symbol and the character. When the data is “1”, green corresponding to the high probability state is designated, and when the data is “0”, the high probability state is specified. Blue corresponding to the normal state other than is specified. As a result, the background color differs between the high probability state and the normal state other than the high probability state. In the animation, when the data value is "0000", the all symbol stop display screen (the screen where all the symbols are stopped) is specified, and when the data value is "0001", the demonstration display screen (the predetermined demonstration screen) ) Is specified. This data D
7, the color of the background of the special symbol and the contents of the animation are designated.

By specifying the data as described above, in the case of the mode 0, the normal demo screen and the all symbol stop normal screen are displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 1 (the case of display of normal fluctuation) will be described. The contents of data D0 to D7 in mode 1 are as follows. Data D0
Specifies mode 1. Data D1 in this case,
The contents of data D3 and data D5 are the same as in the case of mode 0.

The offset value (0 to 31) of the left special symbol is specified by the lower 5 bits of the data D2. The offset value in this case refers to a display shift amount indicating how much the special symbol to be displayed is shifted vertically from a predetermined reference point on the symbol when the special symbol is displayed. By specifying the offset value, it is possible to specify a display in which the special symbol is shifted in the vertical direction in the display area of the special symbol. Can be scroll-displayed. The details of the offset value in this case will be described later. The lower 5 bits of the data D4 determine the offset value (0 to 0) of the middle special symbol.
31) is designated. The lower 5 bits of the data D6 specify the offset value (0 to 31) of the right special symbol.

By designating offset values in data D2, data D4, and data D6, left, middle, and right special symbols can be variably displayed. In the case of the display of the normal fluctuation, the offset value corresponding to each special symbol is increased or decreased with time according to the content of the command data transmitted at a predetermined time interval, and the offset value is set to a predetermined upper limit. When the value reaches, the design number is changed to the next design number,
Left, middle and right special symbols are scrolled.

The contents of the data D7 in this case are the same as in the case of mode 0 except for the specified contents of the animation. When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0000”, it is specified that the animation is not displayed. Lower 4
When the bit data is “0001”, it is specified that one ghost character appears.

By the above data designation, in the case of the mode 1, the normal variable display state in which the reach state does not occur is displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 2 (the case of display of reach 1) will be described. The contents of data D0 to D7 in mode 2 are as follows. Data D0
Specifies mode 2. Data D1 in this case
The contents of the data D6 are the same as in the case of mode 1.

The contents of the data D7 in this case are the same as those in the mode 0 except for the specified contents of the animation. When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0000”, it is specified that the animation is not displayed.
When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0001”, it is specified that one character of the ghost 51 appears.
When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0010”, it is specified that three characters of the ghost 51 appear.
When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0011”, it is specified that five characters of the ghost 51 appear.
When the data of the lower 4 bits is “0100”, it is specified that the color of the entire background is orange when the reach state is established. By performing such designation, a reach notice using the ghost character is made. When the reach state is established, the color of the entire background is changed to orange.

By the above data designation, in the case of the mode 2, the variable display state in which the state of the reach 1 occurs is displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 3 (the case of display of reach 2) will be described. Reach 2 is the radar reach described above. Data D0 in mode 3
The contents of D7 are as follows. Mode 3 is designated by data D0. Data D1 to data D in this case
3, the contents of data D5 and data D6 are the same as in mode 2.

The offset value of the middle special symbol is designated by the lower 5 bits of data D4. In this case, the specifiable range of the offset value differs between the offset value corresponding to the scroll display before the display of the radar reach described above and the offset value corresponding to the display of the radar reach. The offset value corresponding to the radar reach is as follows. That is, when displaying the radar reach, the angle with respect to the origin of the scanning line is designated by the offset value, and the ratio of displaying the designated special symbol is determined. When the display start of the radar reach is specified by data D7 described later, the specifiable range of the offset value is set to 0 to 11 for performing the radar display, and when the designation is not performed, the offset value is set for performing the scroll display. The specifiable range of the value is set to 0 to 31.
The difference between the specifiable ranges of offset values is as follows.
This is because the method of setting the offset value differs between the radar display and the scroll display. The details of the offset value in this case will be described later.

By specifying offset values 0 to 31 in data D2, data D4, and data D6,
The right special symbol can be variably displayed by scrolling, and the middle special symbol can be variably displayed by radar operation by specifying an offset value in the range of 0 to 11 in the data D4. In the case of the display of radar reach, the offset value corresponding to each special symbol increases with time depending on the content of the command data transmitted at a predetermined time interval (increase or decrease in the case of radar operation of a medium special symbol). When the offset value reaches the maximum value, the designation of the symbol number is changed to the next symbol number (in the case of radar operation of medium special symbol, regardless of the value of the offset value) By changing the symbol number, the left and right special symbols are variably displayed by scrolling, and the middle special symbol is variably displayed by radar operation.

The contents of the data D7 in this case are the same as those in the mode 2 except that the start of radar reach operation is specified when the lower 4 bits of data are "0101" for animation specification. It has been added.

With the above data designation, in the case of mode 3, a variable display state in which a radar reach state occurs is displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 4 (the case of display of reach 3) will be described. The reach 3 is the symbol rotation reach described above. Data D0 in mode 4
The contents of D7 are as follows. Mode 4 is designated by data D0. Data D1 to data D in this case
6 is formally similar to the mode 2.

However, the concept of the offset value of the middle special symbol is different when the symbol rotation reach operation is performed. The offset value in this case includes an offset value corresponding to the scroll display and an offset value corresponding to the symbol rotation reach. The offset value corresponding to the symbol rotation reach is as follows.
That is, when displaying the symbol rotation reach, the rotation amount of the middle special symbol is designated by the offset value.

By designating offset values in data D2, data D4, and data D6, left and right special symbols can be variably displayed by scrolling.
By specifying the offset value in the data D6, the special middle symbol can be variably displayed by the symbol rotating operation. In the case of the display of the symbol rotation reach, the offset value corresponding to each special symbol increases with time according to the content of the command data transmitted at a predetermined time interval (in the case of the symbol rotation operation of the middle special symbol, the offset value increases or Decrease), and when the offset value reaches the maximum value,
The designation of the symbol number is changed to the next symbol number (in the case of the symbol rotation operation of the middle special symbol, the symbol number may be changed regardless of the offset value),
The left and right special symbols are variably displayed by scrolling, and the middle special symbol is variably displayed by a symbol rotating operation. In this case, the contents of the data D7 are the same as those of the mode 2, with the addition of the following items for specifying animation. When the lower 4 bits of the data D7 are "0101", the start of the symbol rotation operation is designated. The lower 4 bits of data D7 are "011".
In the case of "0", the start of scroll display is specified.

By the designation of the data as described above, in the case of the mode 4, the variable display state in which the symbol rotation reach state occurs is displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 5 (the case of displaying the big hit display screen) will be described. The display mode of mode 5 for displaying such a big hit display screen is as follows.
For example, it is specified after a mode for displaying reach in mode 2 to mode 4 is specified. The contents of data D0 to D7 in mode 5 are as follows. Mode 5 is designated by data D0. The symbol number (0 to 14) of the big hit symbol is designated by the data D1. Thereby, the big hit symbol is displayed. Data D2 to Data D
6 is not used in this case.

The display screen when a big hit occurs is specified by the lower 5 bits of the data D7. If the value of the data is "00
000 ", a fanfare screen (a screen notifying the occurrence of a big hit) is specified. Thereby, the fact that a big hit has occurred is displayed. Data value is "00001"
In the case of "10000", a round number display indicating which of the 1st to 16th rounds the repetition continuation control is in is specified according to the value of the data. This allows
The number of rounds in the repetition continuation control is displayed. When the value of the data is “10001”, a big hit end screen indicating that the big hit has ended is designated. Thereby, the fact that the big hit has ended is displayed. That is, the display of the number of rounds is associated with the value of the data, and the display of the number of rounds is selected according to the value of the data.

By specifying the data as described above, in the case of the mode 5, a screen when a big hit occurs is displayed.

Next, the case where the display mode is mode 6 (display of an error display screen) will be described. The contents of data D0 to D7 in mode 6 are as follows. Mode 6 is designated by data D0. Data D1 to data D6 are not used in this case.

The error number is specified by the lower three bits of data D7. Here, the error refers to an abnormal state occurring in the gaming machine. This error includes a failure of various sensors. Errors that can be detected in the gaming machine are given error numbers. An error number is displayed when the occurrence of the corresponding error is detected.

When the value of the lower three bits of data D7 is "000", an error number "E-1" is designated. When the data value is “001”, an error number “E-2” is specified. When the value of the data is “010”, an error number of “E-3” is designated. When the data value is “011”, an error number “E-4” is specified. When the data value is “100”, “E−
The error number "E" is designated. As a result, the error number is displayed.

According to the above data designation, in the case of mode 6, an error number when an error occurs is displayed.

Next, the offset value when scroll display is performed will be described. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for describing an offset value for scroll display. In FIG. 21, the arrangement of the image data of the special symbol is visually represented, and the offset value is indicated for each symbol.

The offset value is given for each predetermined dot (pixel dot) toward the upper end of each symbol, with the position of the lower end of each symbol as the origin (offset value = + 0).
In this case, offset values of +0 to +31 are assigned from the lower end position of each symbol to a position immediately before the upper end.
That is, in this case, each symbol is divided into 32,
With the lower end of each symbol as the origin, an offset value is given for each division position.

For example, when the symbol number and the offset value of the special symbol are designated by the command data, the variable display control circuit 100 controls to display the special symbol in the following manner. When the symbol number “0” is designated and the offset value = + 0 is designated for the symbol, the offset value “+0” of the symbol “2” is shifted from the position of the offset value “+0” of the symbol “1”. An image indicating the range up to the position, that is, an image indicating the entire design of “1” is displayed. When the symbol number “0” is designated and the offset value = + 3 is designated for the symbol, the offset value “+3” of the symbol “2” is shifted from the position of the offset value “+3” of the symbol “1”. An image indicating the range up to the position is displayed.

As described above, when the offset value is designated, the symbol to be displayed next from the position corresponding to the offset value in the designated symbol (the symbol of the next symbol number)
An image indicating the range up to the position corresponding to the offset value in is displayed. Therefore, the offset value in this case indicates how much the special symbol to be displayed in the case of displaying the special symbol is shifted vertically from a reference point (offset value = 0) on the symbol. This is a value indicating the display shift amount. In other words, the offset value in this case is a value that specifies the display range of the specified special symbol.

When scroll display is performed, as described above, the offset value designated by the command data is increased with time. As the offset value increases in this way, the display shift amount increases,
As the designated symbol moves downward, the next symbol next to it moves downward. Therefore, the special symbol is scroll-displayed as the offset value is increased over time by the command data. The change (switching) of the designated symbol in such a scroll display is performed when the offset value corresponding to the previously designated special symbol reaches the maximum value (“+31” in this example). Then, for the newly designated special symbol, the offset value is newly increased.

When such a scroll display is performed,
When the offset value is increased over time by a constant increment such as + 0 → + 1 → + 2 →, scroll display at a constant low speed is executed. Also, set the offset value to + 0 →
If the time is increased with an increase amount larger than the previous example, such as + 3 → + 6 →, scroll display is executed at a higher speed than the previous example. Also, the offset value is changed from +0 to +
If the amount of increase is increased over time, such as 1 → + 3 →, the scroll display speed is accelerated.
Conversely, if the offset value is increased with time while decreasing the increment of the offset value, the speed of scroll display is reduced.

Here, for reference, a specific numerical example when scroll display is performed by specifying such an offset value is as follows. For example, when the display area of the special symbol display section 33a has pixels of 96 dots × 96 dots (vertical × horizontal), it is assumed that an offset value is given every three dots. In this case, if the offset value is incremented by "1" such as + 0 → + 1 → + 2 →, the symbol is scrolled by three dots.

Next, the offset value when performing radar reach display will be described. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for describing an offset value for radar reach display. FIG. 22 shows the relationship between the offset values in the radar reach display and the display mode of the special middle symbol corresponding to each offset value.

The offset value is given for each predetermined angle corresponding to the angle of the boundary 54 from the reference point. In this case, an offset value is given every 30 ° with reference to 0 ° of the angle of the boundary line 54 (offset value = 0). That is, in this case, the angle of the boundary line 54 is 0 °.
“+0” to “+1” every 30 ° corresponding to
An offset value of “1” is assigned.

For example, when the symbol number and the offset value of the special symbol are designated by the command data, the variable display control circuit 100 controls to display the special symbol in the following manner. When the symbol number “6” is designated and the offset value = + 0 is designated for the symbol, an image showing the state where the boundary line 54 is at the reference point (0 °), that is, the symbol number “6” An image showing the entire symbol “7” is displayed. Also, when the symbol number “6” is designated and the offset value = + 1 is designated for the symbol, the boundary 54 moves 30 ° from the reference point and the next symbol “8” moves from the 30 ° region. Is displayed.

As described above, when the offset value is designated, an image in which the boundary 54 is scanned by an angle corresponding to the offset value in the designated symbol is displayed.
At the portion where the boundary line 54 is scanned, a symbol next to the designated symbol is partially displayed. Therefore, the offset value in this case is an amount indicating how much the designated special symbol is reduced and displayed when displaying the special symbol. In other words, the offset value in this case is a value that specifies the display range of the specified special symbol.

Next, the offset value when performing the rotating symbol reach display will be described. In the case of the rotating symbol reach display, the offset value is given for each predetermined angle corresponding to the angle from the reference position of the rotation of the special symbol. In this case, the offset value is assigned in a plurality of steps for each predetermined angle with reference to the angle (0 °) of the reference position of rotation (offset value = + 0). That is, in this case,
"+0" to "+3" for each predetermined rotation angle of the special symbol
An offset value of “1” is assigned.

For example, when the symbol number and the offset value of the special symbol are designated by the command data, the variable display control circuit 100 controls to display the special symbol in the following manner. When the symbol number “0” is designated and the offset value = 0 is designated for the symbol, an image indicating that the special symbol is not rotating is displayed. Also, when the symbol number “0” is designated and the offset value = + 1 is designated for the symbol, an image showing a state where the special symbol is rotated by an angle of one step is displayed.

As described above, when an offset value is designated, an image rotated by an angle corresponding to the offset value in the designated symbol is displayed. Therefore,
The offset value in this case is an amount indicating how much to rotate the designated special symbol when displaying the special symbol.

The scrolling operation, the radar operation, and the symbol rotating operation described above can be executed by changing the data designation contents without changing the structure of the command data. Therefore, even when the variable display modes are completely different, by confirming the mode number of the display mode and the offset value in the command data output from the basic circuit 30 side, the variable display control operation of the variable display control circuit 100 is confirmed. The state can be easily grasped.

Next, skip control during variable display will be described. In the variable display of special symbols, basically 1
The symbols are displayed one by one. However, exceptionally, there are cases where one or more symbols are skipped and displayed.
Control for performing such display is called skip control. Such skip control is performed, for example, by referring to FIGS.
This is executed when the special symbol being variably displayed as in the variation pattern B shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a change state of command data when skip control is performed. In FIG. 23, (A) shows data D3 and data D4 in command data before skip control, and (B) shows data D3 and data D4 in command data after skip control.

Referring to FIG. 23A, a symbol of "10" having a symbol number of "9" of the special middle symbol is designated by data D3, and an offset value of "+10" is designated by data D4. "Is specified. Thereby, according to the command data in this case, the symbol “+1” of the symbol “10”
The range from the position corresponding to the offset value of “0” to the position corresponding to the offset value of “+10” of the symbol “11” is displayed on the special middle symbol display section 33b. Up to this point, it is assumed that the middle special symbol display unit 33b is variably displayed at high speed by increasing the offset value by “+4”.

When the skip control is performed, the command data transmitted from the basic circuit 30 is switched from the data shown in FIG. 23A to the data shown in FIG.
With reference to FIG. 23 (B), a symbol of “6” having a symbol number of the special middle symbol “5” is designated by data D3, and an offset value is designated to “+0” by data D4. ing. Thus, according to the command data in this case, the range from the position corresponding to the offset value of “+0” of the symbol “6” to the position corresponding to the offset value of “+0” of the symbol “7”, that is, , "6" are entirely displayed on the middle special symbol display section 33b.

When the skip control is not performed, the offset value is increased by "+4" as described above, so that the middle special symbol display section 33b is variably displayed. In the command data transmitted next to the command data of A), the symbol number is designated as “9” by the data D3, and the offset value is designated as “+14” by the data D4. But,
In this case, the command data is switched to the data shown in FIG. 23B in order to perform the skip control. Thereby, the middle special symbol displayed on the middle special symbol display section 33b is skipped from the symbol “10” to the symbol “6”,
The symbol “6” is displayed.

In a conventional gaming machine, the execution of such skip control is left to the processing of the display control circuit, so that the game control circuit cannot confirm how far the symbol has been skipped by the skip control. . However, in the gaming machine according to this embodiment, in order to specify a symbol to be displayed and to specify a range of the symbol to be displayed when performing variable display, the output from the basic circuit 30 which performs the game control is the same as that before the skip control. By comparing the contents of the command data specifying the display state with the contents of the command data specifying the display state after the skip control, it can be confirmed that the skip control has been performed.

In this pachinko gaming machine, an operation state confirmation device for an administrator of the pachinko gaming machine to confirm the operation state of the basic circuit 30 can be connected to the control board 50. The operation state checking device is, for example,
A microcomputer is configured to read the input / output information of the basic circuit 30 and execute a predetermined management program to check the operation state of the basic circuit 30. By using such an operation state confirmation device, the operation state (game control state) of the basic circuit 30 can be easily confirmed from the outside.

In this pachinko gaming machine, an operation test of a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine is performed. In such an operation test, an operator checks the operation of a game control circuit provided on the control board 50 by using a predetermined inspection device (ICE or the like) such as the above-described operation state checking device.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. Since the command data is output from the basic circuit 30 and the variable display control circuit 100 controls the display of the variable display device 1 according to the command data, compared with the case where the basic circuit 30 controls the variable display device 1 directly. Thus, the processing load of the basic circuit 30 can be reduced.

Further, the command data transmitted from the basic circuit 30 to the variable display control circuit 100 includes data for specifying a special symbol to be displayed and data for specifying an offset value for specifying a display range of the special symbol. The variable display control circuit 100 performs variable display control based on these designations. As described above, in the command data, the special symbol to be displayed, the display range of the special symbol, the character (“ghost” in the embodiment) appearing in each of the above-described display modes, and the background color can be specified. Can finely manage the display control operation of the variable display control circuit 100 by the command data.

Further, at the time of the operation test by the operator as described above, by confirming the contents of the command data output from the basic circuit 30, the variable display control circuit 10
Although the operation state of the variable display control operation by 0 can be grasped, since the special symbol to be displayed and the display range of the special symbol are specified in the command data, the variable display control operation by confirming the content of the command data is performed. Can be easily grasped. That is, since the variable display is performed by specifying the display mode of the special symbol in detail by the command data on the side of the basic circuit 30, the content of the command data is confirmed, and the variable display control operation is performed on the side of the basic circuit 30. Can be more accurately and accurately grasped.

In this gaming machine, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 18, a special symbol can be variably displayed in a plurality of types of variable display modes. Switching of the variable display mode in that case does not change the configuration of the data D0 to D7 in the command data,
7 can be changed by changing the designated contents.
Thus, even when switching the variable display mode,
There is no need to change the configuration of the data D0 to D7 in the command data. Specifically, it is only necessary to change the data specification, such as changing the method of specifying the offset value and changing the specified range of the offset value. Therefore, the processing load on the basic circuit 30 when the special symbol is variably displayed in a plurality of types of variable display modes can be reduced. Further, since the designation range of the offset value can be changed, the offset value can be designated by a designation method suitable for the type of variable display.

Further, since the designation of the display mode data and the designation of the offset value data in the command data are changed according to the type of the variable display mode, the variable display device 1 is confirmed by confirming the command data.
Can be easily grasped. Note that the types of variable display modes here include those with different variable display speeds and those with different symbol variation formats such as scroll display and radar display.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the variable display control operation can be more finely managed while reducing the processing load on the game control side when performing the variable display control. The state of the variable display control operation that is actually being performed can be easily grasped by confirming the operation of the game control side.

Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, it is easy to grasp the operation state of the variable display control operation by confirming the contents of the command data. Not only the operation state of the game control operation by the circuit 30 but also the operation state of the variable display control operation by the variable display control circuit 100 can be easily grasped. Therefore, by doing so, it is possible to grasp the operation state of the game control operation and the operation state of the variable display control operation in the pachinko gaming machine only by confirming the operation state of the basic circuit 30. In such a case, the checking operation of the control operation can be facilitated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the command data is more finely switched (changed) by changing the contents of the command data during the variable display of the variable display device 1. By switching the data more finely, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when an abnormality occurs in display control in control such as image display control in the variable display control circuit 100, if the abnormality is minor, the abnormal state is automatically restored by switching the command data. However, according to this embodiment, since the command data is more finely switched, such automatic restoration can be performed in a shorter time. On the other hand, when the command data is not switched finely as in the related art, it takes a long time for such automatic recovery, and the automatic recovery is delayed.

The basic circuit 30 may perform a process of confirming the operation state of the variable display control operation by the variable display control circuit 100 by checking the contents of the command data output by itself. If the processing is performed, it is possible to grasp the operation state of the variable display control in the basic circuit 30.

Next, feature points of modified examples of the present invention will be listed. (1) The basic circuit 30 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes a game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine and outputting display command information (command data) for controlling the variable display device. . The variable display control circuit 100 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes variable display control means for receiving the display command information and controlling the variable display device (variable display device 1) according to the display command information. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the game control means includes information (symbol numbers of data D1, D3, and D5) for specifying identification information to be displayed in a predetermined display area of the variable display device, and display in the identification information. Information (data D
2, display command information (command data) including the offset values of D4 and D6. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the variable display control means displays specified identification information in a specified display area in a specified display area based on display command information (command data). Control for variably displaying identification information is performed. The game control means transmits the display command information at a cycle in which a time interval at which the variable display control means having received the display command information to be transmitted can execute control in response to the display command information is secured.

(2) The variable display device may be configured to display an image of identification information, and may be configured to electrically or mechanically variably display identification information indicated on a display object other than an image. It may be. That is, the variable display device may use a liquid crystal display device, but is not limited thereto, and may use another image display device such as a CRT display device, a plasma display device, or a matrix LED display device. In addition, the variable display device is not limited to such an image display device, and a rotary drum type, a so-called belt type, a leaf type, in which a display state changes when a belt provided with a plurality of types of identification information circulates, May be constituted by a so-called disk-type or other mechanical display device in which the display state changes when the rotating disk provided with the identification information is rotated. For example, in the case of the rotary drum type, the main control circuit (game control means) for performing game control and the sub control circuit (variable display control means) for performing variable display control using the rotary drum are provided with the present embodiment described above. Command data (display command information) is transmitted in the same command format (information format) as the mode, and the sub-control circuit (variable display control means) receives the command data (display command information) and controls the rotating drum. Step control of the rotating stepping motor or the like (rotation control of the rotating drum) is performed.

[0192]

[Specific example of means for solving the problem]

(1) The variable display device 1 shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (special symbols). The basic circuit 30 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes a game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine and outputting display command information (command data) for controlling the variable display device. The variable display control circuit 100 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes variable display control means for receiving display command information and controlling the variable display device according to the display command information. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the game control means includes a predetermined display area of the variable display device (special symbol variable display sections 33a to 33a).
c) Information specifying data to be displayed (data D1,
It outputs display command information (command data) including information (symbol numbers of D3 and D5) and information (offset values of data D2, D4 and D6) capable of specifying a display range in the identification information. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the variable display control means displays specified identification information in a specified display area in a specified display area based on display command information (command data). Control for variably displaying identification information is performed.

(2) As shown in the data changes in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the game control means sets the display specified by the display command information when the identification information is variably displayed. When the range (offset value) is changed and the speed of the variable display is changed, the change amount of the designated display range (offset value) is changed.

(3) As shown in FIG. 20, the display command information includes the type of variable display of the identification information (display mode, more specifically, the type of variable display such as scroll display).
Is further included (designation data of the display mode by the data D0).

When changing the type of variable display of the identification information, the game control means changes the specified content of the display type specifying information (the value of data D0 in FIG. 20, ie, the display mode), and The display control means further performs control for variably displaying the identification information in a type (such as a scroll operation in FIG. 16 and a radar operation in FIG. 17) according to the specified content of the display type specification information.

(4) As shown in FIG. 20, the display command information includes the type of variable display of the identification information (display mode, more specifically, the type of variable display such as scroll display).
Is further included (designation data of the display mode by the data D0).

When changing the type of variable display of the identification information (for example, when changing from scrolling to radar as in Reach 2),
The specified contents of the display type specifying information (data D0 in FIG. 20)
2, that is, the display mode), and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 22, the designation mode (designation method and designation range) of the information (offset value) capable of designating the display range in the identification information is changed to the designation mode corresponding to the type of variable display of the identification information. change.

The variable display control means further performs control for variably displaying the identification information in a type (scroll operation in FIG. 16 and radar operation in FIG. 17) in accordance with the specified content of the display type specifying information.

[0199]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
As for the variable display control means, since the variable display control means controls the variable display device according to the display command information output from the game control means, the processing of the game control means is compared with the case where the game control means directly controls the variable display device. The burden can be reduced. Moreover, the identification information to be displayed on the variable display device and the display range of the identification information can be respectively specified by the display command information output from the game control means, and the identification information is displayed by the variable display control means in a predetermined display area in accordance with the specification. Is controlled to perform variable display. Therefore, the display state during the variable display can be finely managed by the game control means, and the operation state of the variable display control operation can be easily grasped by confirming the content of the display command information. As described above, according to the first aspect, the variable display control operation can be more finely managed while reducing the processing load on the game control means when performing the variable display control, and the variable display control that is actually performed is performed. The state of the display control operation can be easily grasped.

According to the second aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect according to the first aspect. By changing the change amount of the display range specified in the display command information, the speed of variable display of the identification information can be changed without changing the information configuration of the display command information. As described above, since it is not necessary to change the information configuration of the display command information, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the game control means when changing the speed of the variable display. Furthermore, since the speed of the variable display of the identification information is changed according to the change amount of the display range specified in the display command information,
By confirming the display command information, the variable display mode of the variable display device can be easily grasped.

According to the third aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect according to the first aspect. By changing the specified content of the display type specifying information included in the display command information, the type of variable display of the identification information can be changed without changing the information structure of the display command information. As described above, since there is no need to change the information configuration of the display command information, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the game control means when changing the type of variable display of the identification information. Further, since the type of variable display of the identification information is changed according to the specified content of the display type specification information specified in the display command information, the variable display mode of the variable display device can be easily adjusted by checking the display command information. Can be grasped.

According to the fourth aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect of the first aspect. By changing the specified content of the display type specifying information included in the display command information, the type of variable display of the identification information can be changed. Further, in the display command information, the designation mode of the information that can designate the display range in the identification information is changed according to the type of the variable display of the identification information. The display range can be specified. That is, the type of variable display of the identification information can be changed without changing the information configuration of the display command information at all. As described above, since there is no need to change the information configuration of the display command information, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the game control means when changing the type of variable display of the identification information. Further, since the type of variable display of the identification information is changed according to the specification of the display type specification information specified in the display instruction information and the specification of the display range in the identification information, by confirming the display instruction information, The variable display mode of the variable display device can be easily grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a gaming board of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for display control used in the LCD display.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display operation of the normal symbol variable display device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for game control and variable display control.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement configuration of special symbols variably displayed on the variable display device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing variable display control of the variable display device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a reach type determination table at the time of disconnection.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a hit type reach type determination table.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing contents of reach announcement in a table format.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing, in a table format, types (types) of a variation pattern of a special symbol in the variable display device.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a variable display control procedure when a reach state does not occur.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a variable display control procedure when a reach 1 occurs and when a reach 2 occurs.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing a variable display control procedure when reach 3 occurs.

FIG. 16 is a display screen diagram illustrating a display screen when a reach state does not occur and a display screen when a reach state in which reach notification is performed occurs.

FIG. 17 is a display screen diagram when radar reach occurs in the variable display device.

FIG. 18 is a display screen diagram when a symbol rotation reach occurs in the variable display device.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing an operation of transmitting command data and an INT signal.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for describing the contents of command data.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for describing an offset value for scroll display.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for describing an offset value for radar reach display.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a change state of command data when skip control is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a variable display device, 30 is a basic circuit, 2 is an LCD display, 51 is a system controller, and 30a and 53 are CPs.
U, 33a to 33c are special symbol variable display units, 100 is a variable display control circuit, and 57 is a character ROM.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, wherein when the display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific display result, the player is in an advantageous state. A controllable gaming machine, comprising: a game control means for controlling a gaming state of the gaming machine and outputting display command information for controlling the variable display device; Variable display control means for controlling the variable display device according to the information, the game control means, the information specifying identification information to be displayed in a predetermined display area of the variable display device, and a display range in the identification information The display command information including information that can be specified is output, and the variable display control means sets the specified identification information in a specified display range based on the display command information. By displaying the display area, and performing control to variably display the identification information, gaming machine. 2. The game control means changes a display range specified by the display command information when the identification information is variably displayed, and the specified display range when the speed of the variable display is changed. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the amount of change is changed. 3. The display command information further includes display type designation information for designating a type of variable display of the identification information, wherein the game control means changes the type of variable display of the identification information. Wherein the specified content of the display type specifying information is changed, and the variable display control means further performs control of variably displaying the identification information in a type corresponding to the specified content of the display type specifying information. The gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The display command information further includes display type designation information for designating a type of variable display of the identification information, wherein the game control means changes the type of variable display of the identification information. Changing the specification content of the display type specification information, and changing a specification mode of information that can specify a display range in the identification information to a specification mode corresponding to a type of variable display of the identification information; 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means further performs control for variably displaying the identification information in a type corresponding to the specified content of the display type specifying information.