JPH1052535A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve interest and expectation in play by providing a valid area display control means and an invalid area display means at an image display control means and relatively controlling a display of both areas. SOLUTION: While displaying three lines of reels in color on a special picture pattern display device 4, the display of an effective display area related to the decision of great success play and the display of an invalid display area not related to the decision of great success play are controlled. Then, the valid display area and the invalid display area are relatively displayed and controlled. For example, a valid display area frame U is provided and this is set so as to surround a reel range related to the decision of great success play. Excepting for the valid display area frame U, it becomes the invalid display area. When all the reels are arranged with '7' or '5' along an oblique reach line R, for example, the generation of great success is displayed. Only the middle reel generating reach is continuously rotated. Thus, a player can easily recognize conditions, can gradually know the state of moving to the effective display area and improves his expectation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko machine equipped with an image display device, and more particularly, to an image display device provided with an effective display area and an invalid display area. And related to a gaming machine for display control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a game machine provided with an image display device, there are a pachinko game machine, an arrangement ball game machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a slot machine and the like. Conventionally, as a game machine, as an image display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information,
2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device and a CRT display device are known. In such a gaming machine, for example, a three-digit display unit in the image display device, based on the establishment of the starting condition,
A plurality of identification information such as numbers and symbols are variably displayed, and the display result when the variable display is stopped is determined in a predetermined stop mode (for example, so-called Zoro such as “7”, “7”, “7”). In the case of (eye), a state in which a game ball is easily obtained (a state in which a predetermined game value is given) occurs as a big hit state.

In a display unit of a conventional image display device,
Only one, two or three consecutive numbers and symbols are displayed on the display unit, and when scrolling, consecutive numbers and symbols are moved and displayed in the scroll direction, so that the numbers disappear on the display other than the display unit. And the next number and design (but in the case of the last design, return to the first design) on the display from outside the display,
The scroll display has been performed such that only a certain number of figures and symbols are always displayed on the display unit. Also, in recent gaming machines, when sequentially stopping the three-digit display unit, when the second-digit display unit stops, for example, "7, 7,-" (-is still fluctuating) or the like. When the possibility of the stop of the double-eye occurs, the scroll in the final stop display unit (the display unit of the third digit) is scrolled for a long time (for example, so that the hit symbol goes around a few times) as the reach scroll. In many cases, the sense of expectation for the occurrence of a big hit is increased.

Further, of a plurality of pieces of identification information (for example, 15 symbols) displayed on the image display device, a predetermined number (for example,
5) is set as a specific symbol, and when the specific symbol is stopped at the slot, the jackpot occurrence rate (the slot number) until the next jackpot occurs a predetermined number of times (for example, two times) after the end of the jackpot. In general, a gaming machine which can generate a probability fluctuation state in which the probability of occurrence of stoppage of a game is set to a high probability state is also common. Usually, the above-mentioned specific design (so-called stochastic variation design: stochastic design for short)
The identification information set in is set to a different shape and color from the other identification information (usually a pattern) to create an effect that enhances the expectation of the occurrence of the probability fluctuation state and the joy when the patterns are aligned. I have.

[0005]

By the way, the conventional gaming machines have the following problems with respect to display control of identification information. (A) In the conventional display control on the display unit of the image display device, only the identification information (for example, one to three symbols) corresponding to the predetermined display unit is displayed. It was extremely difficult to recognize the entire display configuration, such as the order, the shape and color of each piece of identification information, or the interval between each piece of identification information. For this reason, when the symbol is scrolling, what is the next symbol, how many zigzag patterns that generate a big hit are likely to occur, how many zigzag patterns are present, or on which side the specific symbol (probable symbol) is located The player could not directly recognize the display game, such as whether the player is playing the game. Therefore, there is room for improvement in order to sufficiently increase the pleasure and expectation of the game of the player.

(B) Further, for example, when a reach scroll occurs, it is not easy to recognize how much the symbol will move during the scroll and the big hit symbol will come around, and the expectation of the big hit will be insufficient. Did not improve. (C) In the conventional image display control, the display mode of the identification information is simple and lacks novelty for the player.

Therefore, the present invention can easily recognize the entire display configuration of the identification information, can perform a novel display game that has not existed conventionally, and sufficiently enhance the enjoyment and expectation of the player. It aims to provide a gaming machine that can.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention has an image display device capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of identification information, and relates to a display mode of the image display device. When a plurality of game states are generated, and in a predetermined display mode, in a gaming machine capable of providing a predetermined game value, the game device includes image display control means for performing display control of the image display device, The image display control means includes an effective area display control means for performing display control of an effective display area that can be the predetermined display mode, and an invalid area display control for performing display control of an invalid display area other than the effective display area. And display control is performed by associating the valid display area with the invalid display area.

In a preferred embodiment, the display control means includes a display switching control means for switching a display in the invalid display area based on the occurrence of the plurality of gaming states. You may make it appear. Here, the occurrence of a plurality of game states refers to, for example, occurrence of a reach state, occurrence of a special reach state, occurrence of a probability variation state (the probability variation includes a special figure, a general figure, or both a special figure and a general figure). A), a mode such as occurrence of a state of shortening the normal figure fluctuation time is possible.

[0010] For example, the image display device displays the plurality of identification information by a reel image circulating in series, and displays all the images of the reel image including the plurality of identification information. You may make it display so that recognition is possible. For example, as set forth in claim 4, the display control means sets a predetermined identification information of the plurality of pieces of identification information to a special identification display based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition, and sets the predetermined identification information in the invalid display area. Display control may be performed so that a special identification display can be recognized. Here, the special identification display may be, for example, a display for specializing a symbol at the time of a reach, or a mode for specializing a probability variation symbol.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming board of a gaming machine for performing a pachinko game. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a game board, and a game area 3 is formed by surrounding a substantially circular area on the front surface with a guide rail 2. In the game area 3, a special symbol display device having a display unit 4a for displaying a plurality of image display information (hereinafter, referred to as special symbols or special symbols) described later in color on a still image and a variable image of a rotating drum called a reel. 4 (image display device), a special variable winning device 5 having a large winning opening 5b opened and closed by an opening / closing door 5a, and a normal variable winning device 6 having a pair of left and right opening / closing members 6a and functioning as a special figure starting port ( A so-called Puden) and a normal symbol (hereinafter, referred to as a symbol) provided in the normal fluctuation winning device 6 and described later.
), A normal symbol starter 7 of a through-chucker type, and a general winning opening 8.
a, a hitting direction conversion member 8b called a windmill, a side lamp 8c, an out hole 9, and the like.

A special figure start switch 6d is provided in a winning flow path in the normal variable winning apparatus 6, and a general figure start switch 7a is provided in a passing flow path in the normal symbol starting port 7, respectively. Further, in the special winning opening 5b of the special variable winning device 5, a continuous switch 5c is provided in the continuous winning channel, and a count switch 5d is provided in the general winning channel. On the upper part of the special symbol display device 4, a general winning opening 4b is provided, and in this case, four special figure start storage displays 4c are provided. Further, in this case, the ordinary fluctuation prize winning device 6 is provided with four general-purpose starting storage display devices 6c.

Here, the special symbol display device 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of displaying a still image and a variable image of a rotating drum called a color reel.
It may be T. As the image display information (special figure) displayed on the special symbol display device 4, there is identification information composed of a number and a delimiter mark displayed on a rotating drum called a reel. The normal symbol display device 6b is, for example, a display device having a 7-segment display unit for displaying a single-digit number and formed of a liquid crystal or an LED. In this case, the normal symbol (ordinary symbol) is a single-digit number. It is.

The start memory displays 4c and 6c display the number of start memories of special or general maps as described later. In addition, the special figure start switch 6d detects that a ball has won the ordinary variable prize winning device 6, the general figure start switch 7a detects that a ball has passed the normal symbol start opening 7, and the count switch 5d has Among the balls that have entered the special winning opening 5b of the special variable winning device 5, a general winning ball (a ball that is not a continuous winning) is detected, and the continuous switch 5c is a so-called continuous winning of the balls that have entered the special winning opening 5b. (V winning) ball is detected.

In the game area 3 of the game board 1, a large number of obstacle nails such as a top nail and a nail are provided, but they are not shown here because they are complicated. Although not shown, the game board 1 may be provided with other various decorative lamps, LEDs, and the like. Further, in the present invention, the game area on the game board may be of any kind, and a plurality of pieces of identification information are displayed using an image display device (in this case, the special symbol display device 4). When a plurality of game states are generated and a predetermined display mode (for example, a big hit symbol) is obtained, a predetermined gaming value (big hit state) can be given to the gaming machine. Can be taken. For example, when a game is performed by changing the symbol content of the image display device, and when the display mode of the image display device becomes a predetermined display mode, the variable winning device is opened and the internal right generation winning port is opened. When a prize is awarded, a jackpot right is generated.
A kind of pachinko machine, or a pachinko machine belonging to another type which provides a start condition of an interlocking operation of a predetermined number of variable prize devices when the display mode of the image display device becomes a predetermined display mode. There may be. In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a type belonging to the so-called "first type" will be described.

B. Configuration of Control System Next, the configuration of the control system in the gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control system in the gaming machine, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a display control circuit in the control system. In FIG. 2, this control system is roughly composed of an accessory control circuit 100 and a display control circuit 200 (image display control means). The accessory control circuit 100 is a circuit including a microcomputer, and is realized by, for example, a board unit attached to the back surface of the game board 1. Also, the display control circuit 2
00 is realized, for example, by a circuit board attached to the back side of the special symbol display device 4 provided on the game board 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the accessory control circuit 100 includes an accessory IC 111 composed of a one-chip microcomputer for controlling an accessory required for a pachinko game or the like, and a frequency-divided oscillation frequency of a quartz crystal. A frequency dividing circuit 113 for obtaining a basic clock of the object IC 111, a power supply circuit 114 for supplying necessary power to the accessory IC 111 and the like, a low-pass filter 115 for receiving various information signals, and a bus 116 for transmitting signals from the low-pass filter 115. A buffer gate 117 for outputting to the accessory IC 111 via a bus, an output port 118 for receiving a signal from the accessory IC 111 via the bus 116,
A driver 119 that drives a control signal input via the output port 118 to generate various drive signals and outputs the signals to each device, and generates a sound effect required for a game (or may perform voice synthesis). Sound generator 120
And a speaker 121a disposed at a predetermined position of the gaming machine by amplifying an audio signal from the sound generator 120.
And an interface circuit 122 that outputs a display control signal to the display control circuit 200 based on a control signal output from the accessory IC 111. The accessory IC 111 includes a CPU 131 for performing arithmetic processing, a ROM 132 for storing a control program and the like, and a RAM 133 for temporarily storing data necessary for setting and controlling a work area.

The low-pass filter 115 includes the above-described special figure start switch 6d, ordinary figure start switch 7a, count switch 5d, continuation switch 5c, and probability setting device 1
00a is input. Probability setting device 10
0a is for changing the setting of the probability of a big hit (usually in three stages), and the gaming machine itself (for example, the accessory control circuit 10).
0) may be constituted by a switch or the like (not shown), or may be inputted from a hall management device. From the driver 119, a solenoid for driving the opening and closing operation of the special winning opening 5b (opening / closing door 5a) of the special variable winning device 5, the special figure start memory display 4c or the general figure start memory display 6c, and the normal symbol display are provided. Control signals are output to the solenoid 6b, the solenoid that drives the normal fluctuation winning device 6, and various decorative lamps (for example, side lamps 8c).

The display control circuit 200 includes an accessory IC 111.
In this case, the special symbol display device 4 is controlled by receiving an 8-bit display control signal (reset signal (1 bit), strobe signal (1 bit), command signal (6 bits)). As shown in FIG.
PU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, DM
A204, VDP205, font ROM 206
, A gamma correction circuit 207, a clock circuit 208, and an interface unit 209. The CPU 201 receives a display control signal from the accessory IC 111 by a communication interrupt via the interface unit 209, and
A command to generate an image is given to 205 and the special symbol display device 4 performs image display control as described later. VDP
205 is a sprite RAM, a palette RAM, and a VR.
In response to the image generation command sent from the CPU 201, the image data is read out from the symbol data registered in the font ROM 206 (for example, symbol data of a reel image described later) to generate a predetermined image signal. The image signal is output to the special symbol display device 4 via the gamma correction circuit 207 for performing gamma correction of the image, and the horizontal synchronizing signal (H_SYNC) and the vertical synchronizing signal (V_SYNC) are output.
And outputs it to the special symbol display device 4.
In the font ROM 206, all image information (all information on characters, identification patterns, backgrounds, color schemes, etc.) for generating image signals (for example, including RGB signals) to be output to the special symbol display device 4 is registered. ing.

In this case, the special symbol display device 4 displays a rotating drum image called a reel (hereinafter, referred to as a reel image) in three rows in color, and determines a big hit game (corresponding to a predetermined display mode). ) Can be controlled to divide the display area into an effective display area that is not related to the determination of the jackpot game and a control to display the effective display area and the invalid display area in association with each other.
The reel image is for displaying a plurality of pieces of identification information in a series. In addition, based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition (for example, occurrence of reach), predetermined identification information (for example, “7”) among a plurality of identification information is changed to a special identification display (for example, red display), Display control is performed such that a special identification display can be recognized in the invalid display area (for example, red “7” can be recognized on the back side of the reel image).

A ROM 202 is a memory for storing a control program for the CPU 201, data, and the like.
Reference numeral 03 denotes a memory for temporarily storing data necessary for control of the CPU 201. Also, the DMA 204
A process for transferring data such as M203 at high speed is performed. The clock circuit 208 generates a basic clock necessary for the operation of the CPU 201 and the VDP 205. The display control circuit 20
From 0, a power supply for backlight and a power supply for liquid crystal display are supplied to the special symbol display device 4, and a ground line is connected. Here, IC1 for the accessory
11, the frequency dividing circuit 113, the interface circuit 122, and the display control circuit 200 constitute an image display control unit, an effective area display control unit, an invalid area display control unit, and a display switching control unit as a whole. The image display control means controls the display of the special symbol display device 4 (image display device) and controls the display in association with the valid display area and the invalid display area. The effective area display control means performs display control of an effective display area that can be a predetermined display mode, and the invalid area display control means performs display control of an invalid display area other than the effective display area. The display switching control means switches the display in the invalid display area based on the occurrence of a plurality of game states.

C. Outline of Game Next, before describing the control flow of the accessory control circuit 100 and the display control circuit 200, an outline of a game performed by the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described. When a game ball hit into the game area via the guide rail 2 wins the normal variable prize winning device 6 also serving as a special symbol starting port, a plurality of regions (for example, valid) of the display portion 4a of the special symbol display device 4 A display (so-called variable display) in which a large number of identification symbols (comprising numbers, characters, symbols, symbols, and the like) move (scroll) in the display area and the invalid display area is performed, and a variable display game (image variable game) is performed. Is performed. Then, the stop display mode as a result of the variable display game is a predetermined mode (for example,
In the case of "7, 7, 7" or the like, a game value called a big hit is generated.

When this game value (big hit) is generated, a special game is performed in which the opening / closing door 5a of the special variable prize winning device 5 is opened, for example, for about 30 seconds (or a period until 10 prizes are won). The cycle of the special game is continuously performed, for example, up to 16 cycles on the condition that the game ball passes through the continuous winning area in the special winning opening 5a during each cycle. In addition, when a game ball further wins in the normal variable prize winning device 6 during the variable display game or the special game of the special figure, the special figure start storage display 4c is lit and stored, for example, up to four. After the end of the variable display game or the special game, the variable display game of the special figure is repeated based on the storage.

On the other hand, when a game ball wins (passes) the ordinary symbol starting port 7 during a game, the identification information (in this case, a single-digit number) of the ordinary symbol display device 6b is changed to display the ordinary symbol. A variable display game is performed. Then, if the stop display mode as a result of the variable display game is a predetermined mode (for example, “7”), a game value called per-figure is generated. When this game value (per ordinary figure) is generated, a specific game is performed in which the pair of opening / closing members 6a of the ordinary variable prize device 6 is held in an open state in an inverted C-shape, for example, for about 0.5 seconds. This makes it easier for the game ball to win the normal fluctuation winning device 6, thereby increasing the number of executions of the special figure fluctuation display game and increasing the possibility of a big hit. Further, when a game ball is further awarded in the ordinary symbol starting port 7 during the above-mentioned general-figure variation display game, the general-figure start storage display 6c
Are lit and stored, for example, up to four. After the end of the variation display game of the general figure, the variation display game of the general figure is repeated based on the storage.

Depending on the result of the display game based on the special map during the big hit, for example, a game (probability changing game) in which the big hit probability is increased and the big hit is more easily hit twice is performed, or a predetermined special game is performed. Or Note that the probability variation control is a special game in which when a big hit occurs in a specific symbol, the probability of the big hit after a predetermined period is set to a higher probability than usual, and is performed in the control process of the accessory control circuit 100. Control. Other special games include, for example, so-called general-time time reduction control or general-purpose immediate stop control (for example, shortening the fluctuation time of the general-purpose variable display game for a period until the special-purpose variable display game is performed 50 times). Or a combination of both). Here, the general time reduction control is a control for shortening the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display game of the general figure from, for example, about 60 seconds to about 6 seconds. When a variation display game is performed based on the start memory, when a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) has elapsed since the start memory was generated, the variation time is reduced (for example, 2 seconds) and immediately changed. This is the control to stop the normal drawing.

In addition, during the special game, a process of increasing the opening time of the ordinary variable prize winning device 6 at the time of hitting a regular figure, for example, to about 3 seconds, May be increased from the usual one to three times. It should be noted that by performing such a special game, the number of times of playing a regular figure per unit time increases, and the number of times the regular figure hits increases (since the probability of winning the regular figure is about 1/4). As a result, the number of fluctuations of the special figure increases, resulting in an advantageous state. In addition, during this special game state, the control for immediately stopping the fluctuation of the special figure is usually performed.
It is even more advantageous.

D. Operation of Control System Next, control of the gaming machine (function of each control circuit) performed by the above-described control system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. (A) Main routine of the accessory control circuit FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main control process (main routine) performed by the accessory control circuit 100 (IC 111 for accessory). This control process is performed based on a reference time (for example, 2 m) generated by the frequency dividing circuit 113 in FIG.
One sequence is performed for each s). That is, in the reset waiting process after the end of the final step, the accessory IC
Each time a reset signal is input to the frequency divider 111 from the frequency dividing circuit 113, the process is executed from step S10.

When the process is started, it is first determined in step S10 whether or not the power is to be turned on. If the power is to be turned on, the power is turned on in step S12, and the current routine ends. In the power-on process, the ROM 13
2 is normality determination processing and initialization processing of the RAM 133 is I / O
The setting of the O register, the setting of the register in the system, and the like are performed. If the power is not turned on, step S14
To perform SW input processing (for example, input processing of the special figure start switch 6d and the general figure start switch 7a), and execute step S1.
Move to 6. In step S16, the accessory IC 111
No. determined in each process of the control process (steps S18 to S30) by the process No. According to the (process number), a branch process for performing any one of steps S18 to S30 is performed. Steps S18-
S30 is a process performed according to a subroutine not shown, and the outline thereof is as follows.

Step S18: Regular Processing In regular processing, if there is a start memory, the number of start memories is reduced by one, and then a big hit determination is performed by random number extraction to determine a stop symbol of a special figure. Next, when the stop symbol is the reach symbol, after setting the reach flag, the process number is changed to the number of the variation process so that the variation process is performed in the next sequence. If there is no start memory, the process number is kept as it is for performing the ordinary process, and the ordinary process is repeated in the next sequence. In addition, in the ordinary processing, when there is a start memory, it is determined whether or not a value of a counter (hereinafter, referred to as an ordinary figure time reduction counter) for storing the number of times the ordinary figure time reduction control or the ordinary figure immediate stop control is to be performed is 0. . If the general time reduction counter is not 0, the value of this counter is reduced by one, and information for performing the general time reduction control or the general quick stop control is set. In the electric process (step S32), a process is also performed in which the general-purpose time reduction control or the general-purpose immediate stop control based on this information is performed.

Step S20: Variation Process In the variation process, a process of scrolling a special figure (for example, a rotating reel) is performed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process number is changed to the symbol stop process number. Step S22: Symbol stop processing (normal stop processing) In the symbol stop processing, for example,
A process of slowly scrolling the symbol of the special symbol display device 4 and stopping the symbol after a predetermined time has elapsed is performed. At the time when the symbol after the predetermined time has elapsed is stopped, it is determined whether or not the reach flag is set. If it is, the processing number is changed to the number of the reach stop processing, and if it is not set, the processing number is changed to the number of the stopped symbol determination processing when the stop of the symbol is completed.

Step S24: Reach stop processing In the reach stop processing, after a special reach scroll is performed, processing for stopping the middle symbol is performed, and when the stop of the middle symbol is completed, the number of the stop symbol determination processing is changed. The processing number is changed. Step S26: Stop Symbol Determination Process In the stop symbol determination process, first, after the reach flag is reset, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol is a big hit symbol. If so, the processing number is changed to the jackpot processing number.

Step S28: Big Hit Process In the big hit process, a process for performing a special game (a game in which the special variable winning device 5 is opened) is executed, and after the big hit state ends, the process number is changed to the normal process number. Is done. In the big hit process, for example, in order to perform a special game (a game for shortening the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display game of the general figure), the time reduction counter of the general figure is set to, for example, 50 times depending on the result of the display game during the big hit. May be performed. During the big hit state, as described above, the normal time reduction control is performed, and the normal power (normal fluctuation winning device 6) is frequently opened, so that the number of balls acquired during the big hit increases, which is more advantageous to the player. become. Step S30: Detachment Process In the departure process, a process of performing a display in which all of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol are stopped is performed, and the process number is changed to a normal process number. In addition, according to the branching process using the above process numbers (steps S18 to S30), each time the sequence of the main routine is repeated, the process numbers are changed according to the game state.

Next, in the main routine shown in FIG. 4, after the branch processing described above is performed, the process proceeds to step S32.
Performs the normal figure and normal power processing. In the general-figure general power processing, the processing for performing the above-mentioned general-figure variation display game is performed on condition that the general-figure start memory remains, and also on condition that the above-mentioned general-figure hit is achieved. Next, a process of performing the above-described specific game (game in which the pair of opening / closing members 6a of the normal fluctuation winning device 6 is held in an open state in which the pair of opening and closing members 6a are opened in an inverted C shape) is performed. Then
In step S34, a special figure and ordinary figure random number updating process is performed. In the special figure and ordinary figure random number update processing, the special figure and ordinary figure random numbers are updated by incrementing, for example, [1]. Thus, each time this routine is repeated, the random numbers of the special figure and the ordinary figure change, and the random number extraction value per the big hit or the ordinary figure maintains the at random property.

Next, in step S36, a reach generating random number updating process is performed, and the reach generating random number is updated by, for example, incrementing by [1], thereby maintaining the at-randomness of the reach generation. Here, there are fifteen types of random numbers for reach generation, for example, 1 to 15, where one random number generates a reach and the remaining 14 random numbers do not generate a reach. Therefore, the reach occurrence probability is 1/15. Next, in step S38, a special figure and ordinary figure stop symbol creation processing is performed to create a symbol for updating the stop state of the special figure and ordinary figure. Next, in step S40, a display symbol editing process is performed to edit the display symbol of the special figure. Next, step S4
In step 2, data transfer processing relating to data transfer from the accessory IC 111 to the display control circuit 200 is performed. Thereby, for example, the editing result data of the display symbol of the special figure performed in the display symbol editing process is transferred to the display control circuit 200. Next, an output process is performed in step S44. Thereby, for example, various decorative lamps (for example, side lamps 8)
c) and a signal is output to the speaker 121a.
After step S44, one sequence of the men routine ends.

(B) Main Routine of Display Control Circuit Next, the main control processing (main routine) performed by the display CPU 201 of the display control circuit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step S10
Initialization processing is performed with 0. Thereby, initialization of RAM,
The setting of the I / O register and the setting of the system internal register are performed. Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not there is an image creation flag. The image creation flag is for instructing the next image creation when the image creation for one screen on the special symbol display device 4 is completed (see step S158 in the interrupt processing routine described later). . If there is no image creation flag, this step S10
When the image forming flag is set in the interrupt processing routine, the process proceeds to the next step S104.

In step S104, the image creation flag is cleared, and in step S106, a branching process for each mode is performed. The mode branching process is a process for reading each data of the command signal sent from the accessory control circuit 100 and performing display corresponding to each mode data and other data. For example, if the mode data of the command signal input at this time is “01”, normal processing is performed, and if the mode data is “02”, fluctuation processing is performed, and the mode data is “03”. , The accessory control circuit 1 performs a symbol stop process, etc.
Processing corresponding to the command from 00 is performed.

Next, screen display clear processing is performed in step S108. Thereby, the previous screen display on the special symbol display device 4 is cleared. Then, step S
At 110, sprite processing is performed. This is the VDP205
In the image processing in the above, for example, an image processing using a sprite RAM, or a color specification in a palette RAM for setting a color for each sprite is performed, so that each reel image (design), character, etc. One single image is controlled independently. In this case, in this embodiment, the operation of a rotating drum image called a reel and switching control of the reel are performed, and in particular, the reel image is displayed in three rows in color on the special symbol display device 4, and the effective display area related to the determination of the big hit game is In addition to performing control to divide into an invalid display area irrelevant to the determination of a jackpot game and control to display an effective display area and an invalid display area in association with each other, and when a reach occurs, predetermined identification information (for example, ,
"7") with a special identification (for example, red display)
Display control is performed such that a special identification display can be recognized in the invalid display area (for example, red “7” can be recognized on the back side of the reel image). After step S110, the process returns to step S102 to repeat the processing.

(C) Interrupt Control Routine of Display Control Circuit Next, the interrupt processing performed by the display CPU 201 of the display control circuit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The interrupts in this case include a communication interrupt using a reset signal from the accessory control circuit 100 as an interrupt signal and a V_BLANK interrupt. When an interrupt occurs, an interrupt prohibition process and a program counter value are saved. The register saving process is performed, but is omitted in the flowchart because it is a basic interrupt. In the interrupt processing, first, in step S120, it is determined whether or not the interrupt is a V_BLANK interrupt. V_B
The LANK interrupt is a display CP of the display control circuit 200.
This is for setting a transmission timing for transmitting image data from the U201 to the VDP 205, and is performed by an interrupt performed by an interrupt signal input from the VDP 205 (ie,
Image signal interruption).

If it is not a V_BLANK interrupt, the flow branches to step S122 to determine whether or not it is a communication interrupt. If it is not a communication interrupt, the routine ends and returns to the normal state. If it is a communication interrupt, the process proceeds to step S124 to perform a reception process corresponding to the data transfer process of the accessory control circuit 100, and receives various command signals from the accessory control circuit 100. For example, it receives data on various display modes (for example, display modes such as reach, off, and big hit) related to image display of the special symbol display device 4. After the reception processing, the current interruption processing is completed and the state returns to the normal state. On the other hand, if it is a V_BLANK interrupt in step S120, the flow advances to step S126 to perform image data transfer processing. As a result, V
The image data is transferred to the DP 205, and an image of the pachinko game is created in the VDP 205 based on the transferred image data and displayed on the special symbol display device 4. Then
In step S128, an image creation flag is set, and the next image creation is commanded. After step S128, the current interrupt processing is terminated and the operation returns to the normal state.

E. Specific Example of Display Image of Special Symbol Display Device Next, a display image (particularly,
A specific example of (reel image) will be described with reference to FIG. (A) Example in which no effective display area frame is provided FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram showing a display image of the special symbol display device 4, showing three rows of color reels (that is, rotating drums called reels). This shows a display state in which the reels in the left row are stopped and the reels in the middle row and the right row are rotating. In this case, the entire image of each reel is displayed. For example, taking the reel in the left column as an example,
The symbols “5”, “7”, “9” and ★ symbol (star symbol) are displayed in color on the front side of the reel, and the symbols “1”, “3” and ★ symbol (star symbol) are displayed on the back side of the reel. Mark) is displayed in a predetermined color corresponding to the back side so as to give a sense of perspective by turning upside down and reducing. And on this reel,
By changing the display modes of the back and front, the entire reel is rendered in an easy-to-understand manner. When the reels in the left column are rotating, the display modes of the back and front are similarly changed.
In addition, the width of the reel is wider on the front side than on the back side, so that a more sense of perspective can be obtained.

(B) Example of Providing Effective Display Area Frame FIG. 7 (c) shows an effective display area frame U for three rows of color reels (only the left reel is denoted by a reference numeral, and the remaining parts are complicated. (Omitted) is provided.
The effective display area frame U is set so as to surround a reel range related to the determination of the big hit game.
A big hit occurs when the symbols in the rows are aligned. On the other hand, areas other than the valid display area frame U are invalid display areas that are not related to the determination of the jackpot game. For example, FIG.
In the example of (c), a big hit occurs when the symbol “7” or “5” is aligned along the diagonal reach line R, and only the reels in the middle row rotate when the reach occurs. It is in a state of continuing. That is, since all the symbols in the effective display area frame U indicate that they are effective ones related to the occurrence of the big hit, there is an advantage that the reel displaying the entire image is very easy for the player to understand. . For example, in a reel shown in FIG. 8A described later, only a portion related to the determination of the big hit game is displayed, and the other portions are not displayed. However, when the entire reel is displayed as in the present embodiment, it is difficult to know which part is related to the determination of the jackpot game. Therefore, by defining the part related to the determination of the jackpot game with a frame. In addition, it is possible to clarify the effective symbols related to the occurrence of the big hit.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, control is performed so that the color of the symbol is changed between the area defined by the effective display area frame U and the other invalid display areas. For example, the symbol is displayed in white in the invalid display area, and when it enters the valid display area frame U, the symbol is displayed in red. This makes it possible to recognize at a glance that the symbol has entered the effective display area frame U and has become related to the determination of the big hit game. FIG. 7 (d) changes the color of the reach occurrence symbol on the reels in the middle row when the reach occurs, and displays the color of the reel occurrence symbol on the back side of the reel in the same color as the effective display area for easy understanding. It is an example. In this case, in the middle row, it is possible to recognize at a glance where the reach occurrence symbol is located on the back side of the reel, and the symbol that becomes a big hit gradually moves to the effective display area with the rotation of the middle row reel. You can recognize the coming state, and the expectation is improved.

As described above, in this embodiment, the rotating drum images of the reels are displayed in three columns in color on the special symbol display device 4, and the display control of the effective display area related to the determination of the big hit game and the big hit game The display control of the invalid display area irrespective of the determination is performed, and the display control is performed by associating the valid display area with the invalid display area (for example, the valid display area and the invalid display area are linked to form the whole image). Is done. Therefore, a novel display game, which has never existed in the past, can be performed, and a gaming machine with an improved interest can be provided. In particular, in the conventional image display control, the display mode of the identification information is simple and lacks novelty for the player. However, in the present embodiment, the entire reel is displayed, and the symbol on the back side of the reel is also displayed. The display mode of the information (symbol) becomes novel, and the pleasure and expectation of the game of the player can be sufficiently enhanced.

Further, since the image displayed on the special symbol display device 4 is a rotating drum image called a reel and the entire reel is displayed, the entire display configuration of a series of identification information can be easily displayed by the player. It is possible to recognize, and it is possible to solve a recognition problem relating to the display game. That is, conventionally, identification information (for example, one to three symbols) corresponding to a predetermined display unit (for example, a part of a reel)
Is displayed, and the arrangement order in a series of identification information,
It is extremely difficult to recognize the entire display configuration, such as the shape and color of each piece of identification information, the number of pieces of recognition information, or the interval between pieces of identification information. When a symbol is scrolling, what is the next symbol that goes around? In addition, the player cannot directly recognize the display game, such as whether a big hit is likely to be generated. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the entire reel is displayed, for example, even when a reach scroll occurs, what is the next round pattern, whether or not a zombie that generates a big hit is likely to occur, How many Zoro eye patterns are present, specific design (probable change design: "7", for example)
The player can directly recognize the displayed game such as which side is located. In particular, symbols are displayed on the back side of the reel, so if you move the symbol how much later,
It is possible to directly recognize whether a big hit symbol comes around, and it is possible to greatly improve the expectation of the big hit when a reach occurs. Furthermore, a plurality of identification information (design)
Is displayed by the whole reel image that goes around in a series, so that the display of the reel (rotary drum) conventionally used by the image can be expressed more realistically,
The above effects can be reliably achieved.

F. Second Embodiment (FIG. 8) Next, FIG. 8 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the display mode of the reels is changed. (A) At the time of a normal game without an effective display area frame FIG. 8A is a view showing a display image of the special symbol display device 4, in which three rows of color reels are arranged so as to be able to display the whole image, and 2 rows (for example, "7", "6" symbols)
, And the reels in the right row are rotating. This is a display mode in the case of normal symbol fluctuation,
This is a so-called conventional display, in which only a part of the reel is displayed and the entire image is not displayed. Also, the effective display area frame U is not displayed.

(B) When the effective display area frame appears Two rows of symbols stop and reach occurs (for example, “7”,
When the reach occurs at "7"), the image in the right column in which the symbol fluctuation is not stopped is converted into a reel image and displayed, the entire image is displayed, and the effective display area frame U is displayed. . In addition, an invalid display area is also displayed in the reel image, and a special display (for example, a special color as another color) is displayed on the back side of the reel corresponding to the invalid display area so that the big hit symbol (here, “7”) can be easily recognized. (A color different from the symbol of the symbol or the same color as the symbol stopped in the left and middle rows). As described above, when the game state is the specific game state (this corresponds to the occurrence of a plurality of game states and the satisfaction of a predetermined condition: here, the occurrence of reach).
Then, the display switching control in the invalid display area is performed (that is, the invalid display area is displayed when the reach occurs).
As a result, a display in which the reach scroll is conspicuous is obtained, and a display with a high sense of expectation to a big hit with a novel and interesting appearance can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, the occurrence of the reach state is adopted as the occurrence of the specific game state, and the display switching control in the invalid display area is performed when the reach occurs. For example, there are a special reach state as a special reach state in which a sense of expectation for a big hit is further increased, a probability fluctuation state (a special figure, a normal figure, or both), a general figure time reduction state, and the like. The display switching control in the invalid display area may be performed even when a special reach state, a probability fluctuation state, a normal time reduction state, a predetermined period after the end of the big hit, or the like occurs. In addition, in the general figure time reduction control, for example, the normal figure fluctuation time is changed from the state in which the general figure winning time is set to 60 seconds and the normal fluctuation winning device 6 is opened for 0.5 second when the general figure is hit. A control is repeatedly performed three times intermittently to open the normal variable winning device 6 for 1.5 seconds when the normal time is 6 seconds. The predetermined period after the end of the big hit is, for example, a period until the special figure changes 50 times after the big hit is ended.

When the specific game state is reached, predetermined identification information (here, the symbol "7") among a plurality of pieces of identification information is displayed in a special identification display (here, a special color (for example,
(Red) and display), and display control is performed so that the special identification display can be recognized in the invalid display area. Therefore, the special identification display can be recognized even in the invalid display area, so that it is possible to reliably recognize on which side of the reel the target symbol is located in the invalid display area on the opposite side of the reel during scrolling. it can. In addition, the control for changing the predetermined identification information to the special identification display is not limited to the example in which the specific symbol (probably changing symbol) or the big hit symbol at the time of the reach is set to a special color. Control for blinking the big hit symbol in the invalid display area may be performed. In the second embodiment, only the symbols in one row are displayed on the reels when the reach occurs, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all the rows (three rows) may be displayed on the reels.
Further, the reel may be displayed by a three-dimensional image. For example, a stereoscopic image is displayed using a technique such as a polygon or a lenticular lens. By doing so, the reels can be displayed more realistically, and the interest of the game can be greatly enhanced.

G. Third Embodiment (FIG. 9) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the number of symbols on the reel is changed. (A) Example in which the number of symbols is different FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a display image of the special symbol display device 4, in which three rows of color reels are arranged so as to be able to display the entire image, and each reel has a size. Are different. The number of symbols increases in the order of the reels in the left row, the middle row, and the right row. For example, "1, 3, 5, 7,
9 ”and the middle row reels are“ 1, 3, 5,
7, 9, A ", and the reels in the right column are" 1,
3, 5, 7, 9, A, B ". When the number of symbols in each of the column display portions is different as described above, by displaying the reels, the state in which the number of symbols in each of the reels is different can be immediately recognized, and the player can easily recognize the state. For example, the reels in the left column do not have the symbol “A, B”, and the symbols “A,
It can be easily understood that the symbol "B" does not cause a big hit. Note that the effective display area frame U is displayed for each reel.

(B) Example in which symbols are aligned in the invalid display area In the example shown in FIG. 9B, symbols are aligned in the invalid display area, and "7" and "7" are displayed on the back side of each reel. ,
The appearance that the symbols “7” are aligned in a horizontal line is clearly shown. As described above, the player can easily recognize that the symbols are arranged in areas other than the effective display area, and thus, a novel and unique special figure expression can be achieved. In particular, when the symbols are aligned in the invalid display area, the player feels "delicious!", Which has the effect of increasing the willingness to play. In addition, on the back side of the reels, control may be performed such as blinking the aligned symbols (for example, “7”), so that an effect that further enhances the interest of the game may be provided. Further, even when the effective display area frame U is aligned on the back side, the effective display area frame U is sometimes moved to the back side to generate a big hit, or the reels are re-moved (restarted) in the aligned state, and the effective display area frame U is When a display control such as generating a big hit is performed by moving the player to a game, the interest of the game is further enhanced. Further, performing all-rotation reach, in which all reels are slow-scrolled and stopped at the same time, is more effective because it is possible to immediately know which symbols are ready.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications as described below are possible. (A) It can be applied to pachislot machines. (B) The present invention is applicable not only to pachinko gaming machines but also to, for example, video game machines. That is, even if it is a video game machine, it can be applied as long as control is performed separately for an effective display area and an invalid display area, and display control is performed in association with both. (C) Further, the present invention may be any type of gaming machine as long as it has an image display device and divides the display region into an effective display region and an invalid display region, and controls display in association with both. Needless to say. For example, other types of pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, sparrow ball game machines,
It can also be applied to slot machines and the like.

[0052]

【The invention's effect】

(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, an effective display which is provided with an image display device (for example, a special symbol display device) and can be in a predetermined display mode (for example, related to a determination of a big hit game) Since the control is performed separately for the area and the other invalid display area (for example, irrelevant to the determination of the big hit game), the display is controlled in association with both.
The following effects can be obtained. The image display device controls the display of the effective display area and the display control of the invalid display area, and associates the effective display area with the invalid display area (for example, the effective display area and the invalid display area are linked to form the entire image. By performing the display control (formation), it is possible to perform a novel display game that has never been seen before, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine with improved interest. In particular, in the conventional image display control, the display mode of the identification information is simple and lacks novelty for the player. However, in the present invention, the display information is divided into an effective display area and an invalid display area so that the identification information ( The display mode of the symbol (design) can be divided into an effective display area and an invalid display area to be novel, and the pleasure and expectation of the game of the player can be sufficiently enhanced.

(2) According to the second aspect of the invention, the display control means includes a display switching control means for switching the display in the invalid display area based on the occurrence of a plurality of game states, for example, the reach scroll. Is displayed, and a display with a high expectation of a big hit with a novel and interesting appearance can be obtained. In addition, the occurrence of a special reach state as a special reach state that further enhances the sense of expectation of a big hit other than the reach scroll, the occurrence of a probability fluctuation state (special figure, ordinary figure, or both), the occurrence of a time reduction state in the ordinary figure, etc. Even in the case of the above, the same effect can be obtained by controlling the switching of the display in the invalid display area.

(3) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image display device displays a plurality of identification information as a series of reel images circulating in series, and displays all images of the reel image including the plurality of identification information. By displaying in a recognizable manner,
In contrast to the conventional image display control in which the display mode of the identification information is simple and lacks novelty for the player, in the present invention, the entire reel is displayed and the symbol on the back side of the reel (the symbol in the invalid display area) Is also displayed, so identification information (design)
Is refreshed, and the pleasure and expectation of the game of the player can be sufficiently enhanced. The image displayed on the image display device is a rotating drum image called a reel,
In addition, since the entire reel is displayed, the player can easily recognize the entire display configuration of the series of identification information, and can solve the problem of recognition related to the display game.

That is, conventionally, only identification information (for example, one to three symbols) corresponding to a predetermined display unit (for example, a part of a reel) is displayed, and the arrangement order in a series of identification information is displayed. It is extremely difficult to recognize the entire display configuration, such as the shape and color of each piece of identification information, the number of pieces of recognition information, or the interval between pieces of identification information. The player could not immediately recognize the display game, such as whether or not a slot that causes a big hit is likely to occur, but in the present invention, on the other hand, since the entire reel is displayed, for example, Even when a reach scroll has occurred, for example, what is the next round of the symbol, how many of the zigzag patterns that generate a big hit are likely to occur, how many zigzag patterns are present, a specific symbol (probable symbol: for example, “7 ") Player with respect to the display game of the or the like is located which side can be directly recognized. In particular, symbols are displayed on the back side of the reel, so you can immediately recognize how much the symbol will move and the big hit symbol will come around, greatly improving the expectation of the big hit when reach occurs Can be done. further,
By displaying a plurality of identification information (symbols) on the entire reel image that goes around in series, it is possible to more realistically express the reel (rotary drum) that has been familiar with the image in the past, and to ensure the above effect. Can be achieved.

(4) According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the display control means sets the predetermined identification information of the plurality of pieces of identification information to a special identification display based on the satisfaction of the predetermined condition, and invalidates the display. By controlling the display so that the special identification display can be recognized in the area, the special identification display (for example, displayed in red) can be recognized even in the invalid display area, and during the change (scroll) of the identification information. In which side of the plurality of identification information (for example, a reel image) the target identification information (design) is located, the invalid area of the plurality of identification information (for example, in the case of a reel image, the opposite side of the reel) (Invalid display area) can be reliably recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game board in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a control system of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine of control of the accessory control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control routine of a display control circuit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process of the accessory control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a display image of the special symbol display device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of the special symbol display device.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a display image of the special symbol display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming board 3 Gaming area 4 Special symbol display device (image display device) 100 Character object control circuit 113 Frequency divider circuit 122 Interface circuit 200 Display control circuit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image display device capable of displaying a plurality of identification information, wherein a plurality of game states are generated in relation to a display mode of the image display device, and when a predetermined display mode is established. A game machine capable of providing a predetermined game value, comprising: image display control means for performing display control of the image display device, wherein the image display control means comprises an effective display area which can be the predetermined display mode. Effective area display control means for performing display control, and invalid area display control means for performing display control of an invalid display area other than the effective display area, and display control in which the effective display area and the invalid display area are associated with each other. A gaming machine characterized by: 2. The game according to claim 1, wherein said display control means includes display switching control means for switching display in said invalid display area based on occurrence of said plurality of gaming states. Machine. 3. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of identification information is displayed as a series of reel images, and all images of the reel image including the plurality of identification information are displayed in a recognizable manner. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The display control means sets a predetermined identification information of the plurality of pieces of identification information to a special identification display based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition, and displays the special identification display in the invalid display area. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein display control is performed so as to be able to recognize.