JPH11216237A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a game player from being disadvantageous by increasing the storage upper limit number of a start storage part for storing the establishment of a fluctuation start condition as compared the one at the time of a normality by means of the establishment of the prescribed condition when the fluctuation of identifying information based on the condition establishment of a fluctuation start is not instantaneously started. SOLUTION: A basic circuit 53 recognizes whether a prize winning data signal is outputted from a bonus ball substrate 37 or not and also outputs a bonus ball number signal to a bonus ball substrate 37 after the prescribed condition is established so as to drive a ball discharge device 97. The basic circuit 53 sets a start storage upper limit value to 20, for example, in a big prize- winning port opening start processing and executes a processing for starting big prize-winning port opening. Then, a special pattern process flag is set to a value corresponding to a processing during big prize-winning opening and a big hit processing is executed. When a big hit game state is ended after that, the start storage upper limit value is returned to 4, for example and the special pattern process flag is set to the value corresponding to a big hit end processing.

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 game machine or a coin game machine, and more particularly to a game machine including a variable display device whose display state can be changed, wherein a display result on the variable display device is predetermined. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a predetermined game value can be given when the display mode is changed to the display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a gaming machine, a variable display device having a variable display portion whose display state can be changed is provided, and when a display result of the variable display portion becomes a predetermined specific display mode, a predetermined game is performed. Some are configured to provide value to the player. The variable display device includes a plurality of variable display units, and is generally configured to display the display results of the plurality of variable display units at different times. On the variable display section, for example, a plurality of identification information such as symbols are variably displayed. The fact that the display result of the variable display unit is a combination of predetermined specific display modes is usually referred to as “big hit”. In addition, the game value is a right to make the state of the variable prize ball device provided in the game area of the gaming machine advantageous for a player who is easy to win a hit ball, or a right for the player to be in an advantageous state. Or to generate.

[0003] In addition, among the combinations of the display modes of "outside" other than the combination of "big hit", at a stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions have not been derived and displayed yet, the display results are already displayed. The state in which the display mode of the variable display unit that is derived and displayed satisfies the display condition that is a combination of the specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

In such a gaming machine, when the condition for starting the change is satisfied, the change of the identification information in the variable display device is started. However, since it takes some time from the start to the end of the change of the identification information, a new condition for starting the change may be established during the change of the identification information. In such a case, since the change of the identification information is being performed, the change of the identification information cannot be started based on the newly established condition. If the change of the identification information cannot be started immediately, the newly established condition for starting the change is stored. Then, when the change of the identification information is completed and a state in which the change of the identification information can be newly started is obtained, the change of the identification information is newly started based on the stored condition. Satisfaction of the stored start condition is referred to as start storage. In general, the maximum number of start memories is four, and if four new start conditions are stored while four start conditions are stored, the new start conditions are invalidated.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, the maximum value of the starting memory is a fixed value, and therefore, the condition of the start of the change that is invalidated is increased, and this is disadvantageous for the player. There is a problem that it becomes. In particular, the jackpot gaming state is a state in which the change of the identification information cannot be started, but the duration of the state is long. Therefore, in the big hit game state, the state of the start memory = maximum value often continues, and the establishment of the newly generated change start condition is often invalidated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which does not cause a disadvantage to a player without invalidating a condition for starting a change. Aim.

[0007]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A gaming machine that includes a variable display device whose display state can be changed, and that can provide a predetermined game value when a display result of identification information displayed on the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode. A start storage unit that stores the establishment of the change start condition when the change of the identification information cannot be started immediately based on the establishment of the change start condition even if the condition of the change start is satisfied, and a start storage unit that stores the start of the change when the predetermined condition is satisfied. And a start storage control unit for increasing the storage upper limit number of the units from the normal state. The start storage control unit may increase the storage upper limit number when the period during which the change of the identification information cannot be started is long even if the change start condition is satisfied. As a case where the period during which the change of the identification information cannot be started is long, for example, there is a jackpot operation or a reach operation. The start storage control unit increases the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit when the invalid change start condition is satisfied is increased, and decreases the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit when the invalid change start condition is not satisfied. Is also good. The start storage control unit may increase the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit in a game state advantageous to the player.
As a gaming state advantageous to the player, for example, there is a probability variation in which the jackpot occurrence probability is high or a time reduction in which the identification information variation time is reduced. Further, the gaming machine may be configured to stop firing the hit ball when the big hit operation is completed, and to change the identification information in accordance with the establishment of the change start condition stored in the start storage unit up to that time. Good.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, or the like. Applicable to all gaming machines that have a variable display device such as a CRT or LCD for variably displaying and in which a predetermined game value can be given when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 comprises:
It has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, a surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided. Behind the glass door frame 2,
The game board 6 is detachably attached. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, an image display section 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a 7-segment L
A variable display device 8 including a variable display 10 using an ED is provided. In the image display section 9, "left", "middle",
There are three "right" symbol display areas, and these symbol display areas constitute each variable display section. On the side of the variable display device 8, a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided. The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the starting winning opening 14 via the ball exit 13. In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate sensor 12 that detects a hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11. In addition, the winning ball entering the starting winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6,
It is detected by the starting port sensor 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 includes the solenoid 1
6 is opened. An opening / closing plate 20 that is opened by the solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. Of the prize balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the prize balls entering one (V zone) are detected by the V count sensor 22, and the prize balls entering the other are detected by the count sensor 23. .

The gaming board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 19 and 24. Decorative lamps 25 are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7 so as to blink during the game.
There is an out port 26 for absorbing a hit ball that does not win. In addition, two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided at upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a game effect lamp / LED 28 is provided. In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when a prize ball is paid out is provided in the vicinity of one of the speakers 27, and a ball out lamp 52 that is turned on when a replenishment ball is out in the vicinity of the other speaker 27. Is provided. Furthermore, in FIG. 1, it is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming table 1,
Also shown is a card unit 50 that enables lending of balls by inserting a prepaid card.

The hit ball fired from the hitting ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hitting rail, and thereafter, enters the game area 7.
Come down. When a hit ball passes through the passage gate 11 and is detected by the gate sensor 12, the number displayed on the variable display 10 changes to a continuously changing state. When a hit ball enters the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening sensor 17, the symbols in the image display section 9 start rotating if the symbols can be changed. If it is not possible to start changing the symbol, the start winning memory is increased by one. The start winning memory will be described later in detail. The rotation of the image in the image display unit 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of big hit symbols,
It shifts to a jackpot game state. That is, the opening and closing plate 20 is
Until a certain time elapses, or a predetermined number (for example, 10
) Until the ball hits. And the opening and closing plate 2
If the hit ball wins in the specific winning area during the opening of 0 and is detected by the V count sensor 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening and closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 rounds).

The combination of images in the image display unit 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols with a probability variation,
When the symbol indicated by the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol, the variable winning ball device 15 is thereafter opened with a high frequency, and the probability of the next big hit increases. That is, the state becomes more advantageous for the player.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a prize ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island, a prize ball is provided from above. Premium ball tank 3
8 is supplied. The prize ball in the prize ball tank 38 reaches the ball payout device through the guide gutter 39.

The mechanism board 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the image display device 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board 31 covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer and the like, A relay board 33 for relaying a signal between the display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of a prize ball is mounted.
Is installed. Further, the mechanism plate 36 includes a hitting ball firing device 34 for shooting a hitting ball into the game area 7 by using the rotational force of a motor, a speaker 27 and a game effect lamp / LE.
An illumination board 35 for sending a signal to D28 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the game board 6, there is provided a prize-ball collecting cover 40 for guiding the prize-winning balls which have won the prize holes and the prize-ball apparatus along a predetermined prize-winning route. I have. Out of the winning balls guided to the winning ball collecting cover 40, those winning through the opening / closing plate 20 are the ball payout device 9
7 is controlled so as to pay out a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15). The winnings through the starting winning opening 14 are controlled so that a ball payout device (not shown in FIG. 3) pays out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, six). Then, the winnings through the other winning ports 24 and the winning ball device are controlled so that the ball payout device pays out a relatively medium number of prize balls (for example, 10). In order to perform such control, signals from the starting port sensor 17, the V count sensor 22, and the count sensor 23 are sent to the game control board 31. When a signal from each sensor is sent to the game control board 31, a prize ball number signal described later is sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37.

FIG. 4 shows a game control board (main board) 31.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in FIG. FIG. 4 also shows a prize ball substrate 37, an illuminated substrate 35, and a display control substrate 80. The main board 31 includes a basic circuit 53 that controls the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a switch circuit 58 that supplies signals from the gate sensor 12, the starting port sensor 17, the V count sensor 22, and the count sensor 23 to the basic circuit 53. A solenoid circuit 59 for driving a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 15 and a solenoid 21 for opening and closing the opening and closing plate 20 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53;
D, a lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the variable display 10 and blinking the decoration lamp 25; a command from the basic circuit 53 to the prize ball substrate 37; and a prize data signal from the prize ball substrate 37. A prize ball substrate input / output circuit 61 to be input to 53, an illuminated board command output circuit 62 for transmitting a command from the basic circuit 53 to the illuminated board 35, and a display control board 80 for controlling the image display unit 9 by CRT A display device circuit 63 for giving a command or a strobe signal from the basic circuit 53; a jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a big hit in accordance with data given from the basic circuit 53; a start winning ball used for starting the image display of the image display unit 9; Effective start information indicating the number of pieces, probability change information indicating that a probability change has occurred, etc. are sent to a host computer such as a hall management computer. To and an information output circuit 64 for outputting.

A ball shooting device 3 for hitting and firing a game ball
4 is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the emission control board 91. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. The operation knob 5 is provided with a touch sensor 93, and when a player touches the operation knob 5, a current flows and the contact of the operator is detected. In this state, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation according to the control program, and an I / O port unit 57. The ROM 54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases.

Further, the main board 31 is provided with an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on, and a reset pulse is given to the basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, every 2 ms) to control the game. A periodic reset circuit 66 for executing the program again from the beginning;
An address decode circuit 67 that decodes an address signal provided from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports in the I / O port unit 57 is provided.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the basic circuit 53 on the main board 31. As described above, this process is started, for example, every 2 ms by the reset pulse generated by the periodic reset circuit 66. When the basic circuit 53 is activated,
First, the basic circuit 53 performs a stack setting process for setting a designated address of a stack pointer (step S1). Next, initialization processing is performed (step S
2). In the initialization processing, the basic circuit 53 determines whether or not the RAM 55 contains an error. If the error is included, the basic circuit 53 performs processing such as initializing the RAM 55.
Then, after performing a process of setting the command code sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 (Step S3), a process of outputting the command code is performed (Step S4).

Next, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for sound generation and LED lighting control to the sub basic circuit 71 of the illuminated board 35 via the illuminated board command output circuit 62 is performed. A process for transmitting data such as big hit information, start information, probability variation information, etc. to the hall management computer via the H.64 (data output process: step S5). In addition, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S6).

Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each random number for determination is performed (step S7). Hereinafter, updating the counter is referred to as counting up or adding random numbers. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, there are the following random numbers, for example. (1) Random 1: Determines whether or not to generate a big hit (for big hit determination) (2) Random 2-1 to 2-3: For left and right middle out-of-design symbol determination (3) Random 3: Design of big hit Determining a combination (for determining a big hit symbol = for determining a specific symbol) (4) Random 4: determining whether or not to reach at the time of a loss (for determining a reach) (5) Random 5: determining a reach type (determining a reach operation) For the purpose of enhancing the gaming effect, random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (5) are also used.

In step S7, the basic circuit 53
The random number for big hit determination of (1) and the random number for specific symbol determination of (3) are counted up (addition of 1). That is,
These are the random numbers for determination.

Next, the basic circuit 53 performs a special symbol process (step S8). In the special symbol process control, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Further, a normal symbol process is performed (step S9). In normal symbol processing, 7 segment LE
A corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display device 10 by D in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, the basic circuit 53 includes a gate sensor 12, a starting port sensor 17, and a count sensor 23 via a switch circuit 58.
Then, the state of the V count sensor 22 is input, and it is determined whether or not each winning opening and the winning device have been won (step S10).

The basic circuit 53 further performs processing for updating the display random number (step S11). That is,
The random number for determining a lost symbol in (2), the random number for reach determination in (4), and the random number for reach operation in (5) are counted up (addition of 1). However, random 2-2 is
It is counted up when a random 2-1 carry occurs. The random 2-3 is counted up when a carry of the random 2-2 occurs.

Further, the basic circuit 53 performs signal processing with the award ball substrate 37 (step S12). That is, it is determined whether or not a winning data signal is output from the prize ball substrate 37, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the prize ball substrate 3
7 to output a prize ball number signal. The payout control microcomputer mounted on the prize ball board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the prize ball number signal.

Thereafter, the basic circuit 53 repeats the display random number updating process in step S13 until a reset pulse is next given from the periodic reset circuit 66. That is, 1 is added to the value of each random number. Note that what is added here is, as shown in FIG.
Of the random numbers of (5), random numbers for determining the outlier symbols of (2),
These are random numbers for reach determination in (4) and random numbers for reach operation determination in (5). Again, random 2-2 is
The random 2-1 is counted up when a carry occurs, and the random 2-3 is counted up when a random 2-2 carry occurs.

Next, a method of determining a symbol variably displayed on the image display section 9 based on a winning in the starting winning opening 14 (starting winning) will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. . FIG. 6 shows a process for determining that the hit ball has won the start winning opening 14, and FIG.
Shows a process of determining a variable display stop symbol in. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the big hit determination.

When the hit ball wins the starting winning port 14 provided in the game board 6, the starting port sensor 17 is turned on. In the switch processing of step S10, the basic circuit 53
Determines that the starting port sensor 17 has been turned on via the switch circuit 58, as shown in FIG. 7 (step S4).
1). If it is detected that the switch has been turned on, it is checked whether or not the number of start winning storages has reached the start storage upper limit (step S42). If the start winning storage number has not reached the start storage upper limit value, the starting winning storage number is increased by 1 (step S43), and the value of the random number for jackpot determination is extracted. And
The extracted random numbers are stored in random number value storage areas provided corresponding to the respective start winning storage numbers n (n = 2, 3,..., Start storage upper limit value) (step S44). In addition, when the start winning storage number has reached the start storage upper limit value, the processing of the step windows S43 and S44 is not performed. Further, in this embodiment, the starting memory upper limit is set to a predetermined value exceeding 4 in a predetermined situation, and the starting memory upper limit is set to 4 in other situations.

The basic circuit 53 performs the processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7 when the variable display of the image display section 9 can be started. First, the value of the number of memorized start winnings is confirmed (step S50). If the start winning prize memory number is not 0, the value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the start prize storing number = 1 is read out (step S51), the value of the starting prize storing number is reduced by 1, and The value of the random number value storage area is shifted (step S52). That is, the value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of start winning memory = n (n = 2, 3,...)
It is stored in the random value storage area corresponding to n-1.

Then, the jackpot determining means of the basic circuit 53 determines the hit / miss based on the value read in step S51, that is, the value of the extracted random number for jackpot determination (step S53). In this embodiment, the big hit determination random number has a value in the range of 0 to 256. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the probability is low (when the later-described probable change flag is not set), for example, when the value is “3”, “big hit” is determined, and the value is other than that. In this case, it is determined as “outside”. At the time of high probability, for example, the values are “3”, “7”, “79”, “1”.
03 "or" 107 "," big hit "
Is determined, and if the value is any other value, it is determined as “outside”.

If it is determined that a big hit has occurred, the basic circuit 5
3 determines the stop symbol based on the value of the big hit symbol determination random number (random 3). Here, if the limiter is not operating, a stop symbol is determined from a table including all symbols (steps S54 and S55). If the limiter is operating, a stop symbol is determined from a table that does not include a special symbol (probably variable symbol) in which probability change is performed (steps S54 and S56). The limiter is for restricting the occurrence of the jackpot due to the probable symbol continuously, that is, the continuation of the continuous high probability state. For example, if the high probability state continues four times in a row, the limiter is activated. Therefore, in the limiter operating state, the stop symbol is determined from the table that does not include the special symbol in which the probability change is performed.

Further, the basic circuit sets a probable change flag if the determined symbol is a probable change symbol, and resets the probable change flag otherwise (step S7).
1, S72, S73). Then, the reach type is determined according to the value of the random number 5 (step S74), and whether or not to make a big hit, the symbol in the case of the big hit, and the reach type are set in a predetermined storage area (step S75). In addition,
The storage area is provided in the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53.

If it is determined in step S53 that there is a deviation, the basic circuit 53 determines whether or not to reach (step S59). For example, when the value of the reach determination random number shown in FIG. 8 is any of “0” to “104”, it is determined to reach. When it is decided to reach, the basic circuit decides a stop symbol. In this embodiment, the left and right symbols are determined according to the value of the random 2-1 (step S60). Also, the middle symbol is determined according to the value of the random 2-2 (step S6).
1). Here, if the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the random number corresponding to the middle symbol is determined as the middle symbol, so that it does not match the big hit symbol. I do.

Further, the basic circuit determines a reach type according to the value of the random number 5 (step S62). Then, “reach”, reach symbol, and reach type are set in a predetermined storage area (step S63). If the lottery result in step S59 is out of place, it is set that it is out of place in the predetermined storage area (step S64).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a program for the special symbol process in the basic circuit 53. The special symbol process process shown in FIG. 10 is a specific process of step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process process, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 shown in FIG. 10 according to the internal state. In each process, the following processes are performed.

Special symbol change waiting process (step S30)
0): The start winning port 14 (in this embodiment, the winning port of the variable winning ball device 15) is hit and the start port sensor 17 is turned on. Special symbol determination processing (step S301): When the start-up opening sensor 17 is detected to be on, it is determined whether to make a jackpot or a loss according to the value of the special symbol determination random number. Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbols of the left and right middle symbols are determined according to the value of the special symbol random number.

Reach operation setting processing (step S30)
3): Whether or not to perform the reach operation is determined according to the value of the reach determination random number, and the variation mode of the reach operation is determined according to the value of the reach random number.

All symbols change start processing (step S30)
4): The image display unit 9 is controlled so that all symbols start to change. When a background or a character is also displayed on the image display unit 9, control is performed so that display control command data corresponding to the background or character is transmitted to the display control board 80. All symbols stop waiting process (step S305): After a predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the image display unit 9 are stopped. In addition, control is performed such that the left and right symbols are stopped at a predetermined timing until the timing of stopping all symbols, and display control command data corresponding to a background or a character displayed on the image display unit 9 is appropriately displayed on the display control board 80. Control to be sent to

Big hit display processing (step S306):
If the stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols,
The display control command data of the jackpot display is controlled to be sent to the display control board 80, and the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S307. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309. The circuit of the game control board 80 displays a big hit on the image display unit 9 according to the display control command data. The big hit display is made to notify the player of the occurrence of the big hit, and in this embodiment, it is assumed that the big hit is displayed for 12 seconds. Big winning opening opening process (step S307): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S308): The display control command data of the special winning opening round display is displayed on the display control board 8.
Control such as sending to 0 is performed. Jackpot end processing (step S309): A display for notifying the player that the jackpot gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal flags and the like are returned to the initial state, and the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

In accordance with the processing in each of the above steps, the module for performing processing for transmitting display control command data in the game control program outputs the corresponding display control command data to the output port and outputs the strobe signal to the output port. Output to

Although the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 focuses on the process of determining a variable display stop symbol in the image display device 9, the determination in step S50 in FIG. The process is executed in step S300 in the process, and the processes in steps S51 to S53 in FIG. 7 are executed in step S301 in the special symbol process process. Steps S55 to S61 and steps S71 to S71 in FIG.
The process of 73 is executed in step S302 in the special symbol process process. Then, the processing of steps S62 to S64 and steps S75 to S76 in FIG.
This is executed in step S303 in the special symbol process.

In this embodiment, for example, during a jackpot game, the starting memory upper limit value is controlled so as to be larger than the normal value. In this example, it is set to 20 during the jackpot game. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of such control. The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 includes steps S307 (large winning opening opening process) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. 10 and S308.
(Processing during opening of the special winning opening). In the processing of step S307, the basic circuit 53
Sets the start memory upper limit value to 20 (step S37).
1), a process for starting opening of the special winning opening is performed (step S372). Then, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the “winning opening process” (step S308) so that the process of step S308 is performed.
373).

Also, in the processing of step S308,
The basic circuit 53 performs a jackpot process such as a control for opening and closing the special winning opening and a display control associated therewith (step S381). When the jackpot gaming state ends (step S382), the starting memory upper limit value is returned to 4 (step S382). Step S3
83). Then, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the "big hit end process" so that the process of step S309 is performed (step S38).
4). Note that the jackpot game state is that the hit ball does not enter the specific prize area during one opening of the opening and closing plate 20 (up to 29.5 seconds), or the opening and closing plate 20 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times). Round).

By such control, the start storage upper limit value is set to 20 in the period from P to R in the timing chart of FIG. As described above, the time required for the jackpot game state is relatively long, and a new symbol change cannot be started during that time. Therefore, if no control is performed, the starting winning memory easily reaches the maximum value, and thereafter, even if a hit ball wins in the starting winning opening 14, it becomes invalid.
However, if the start memory upper limit value is set to a large value during the big hit game as in this example, there is almost no invalid start winning, and there is no disadvantage to the player.

In this example, P to R shown in FIG.
The start memory upper limit was set to 20 during the period
The start storage upper limit value may be increased to 20 in the period from Q to R including the period for displaying the jackpot notification.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of realizing the start winning display section 18 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a start winning display section 18 is displayed on the display screen of the image display section 9. At normal times, four display sections are displayed, and each time there is a winning start, the number of illuminated display sections is increased by one. Then, each time the variable display of the symbol is started on the variable display units 9a, 9b, 9c on the display screen of the image display unit 9, the number of the lighted display units is reduced by one. FIG. 13A shows an example in the case where the starting winning memory is 3. Also, during the jackpot game, FIG.
As shown in (B), 20 display units are displayed. FIG. 13C shows an example in which the starting prize memory is 13. Here, an example in which the start winning display unit 18 is displayed on the display screen of the image display unit 9 has been described, but a display dedicated to the start winning display may be provided on the game board.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control for setting the upper limit value of the start storage during the reach operation to a value larger than the normal value. The flowchart shown in FIG.
This is a process executed in step S303 (reach operation setting process) and S305 (all symbol stop waiting process) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. In the process of step S303, when the basic circuit 53 determines the reach type according to the extracted value of the random number 5 (step S331), the basic circuit 53 sets the start storage upper limit value to 8 (step S332). Then, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the “all symbol variation start process” so that the process of step S304 is performed (step S333).

The basic circuit 53 determines in step S305
In the processing of (3), when it is the timing to stop all the symbols, control to stop the left and right middle symbols is performed (step S35).
1), the starting memory upper limit value is returned to 4 (step S35)
2). Then, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the “special symbol change start waiting process” so that the process of step S300 is performed (step S300).
353). If this reach is a reach to be a big hit, in step S353, in step S30
The special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the "big hit display process" so that the process of Step 6 is performed.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol fluctuation in the case of reach. In this example, when the left and right symbols stop and the stopped symbols match, the middle symbol fluctuates for another 12.4 seconds to perform the reach operation. During this time, various characters are displayed on the image display unit 9 in addition to each symbol.
By the above control, S in the timing chart of FIG.
In the period from to T, the start storage upper limit value is set to 8. The time required for the reach operation is not as long as the time required for the jackpot game state, but is relatively long (12.4 seconds in this example), and a new symbol change cannot be started during that time. Therefore, if no control is performed, the starting winning memory easily reaches the maximum value, and thereafter, even if a hit ball wins in the starting winning opening 14, it becomes invalid. However, if the start memory upper limit value is set to a large value during the big hit game as in this example, there is almost no invalid start winning, and there is no disadvantage to the player. In addition, during the reach operation, there are many players who expect to generate a big hit and stop firing the ball so as not to reduce the number of balls during that time. Accordingly, the operation of the gaming machine during that time is stopped. However, if the start storage upper limit value is increased during the reach operation as in this example, the player continues firing the shots for the start prize, so that the operating rate of the gaming machine can be increased.

FIG. 16 shows a start winning display section 18 in this case.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of realization. Normally, the image display unit 9
In FIG. 16A, four display units are displayed as shown in FIG. 16A, but during the reach operation, eight display units are displayed as shown in FIG. 16B. FIG.
(C) shows an example in which the start winning memory becomes full (8 in this example) during the reach operation.

The control for increasing the start storage upper limit value may be performed not only during the big hit game operation or the reach operation. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process for realizing such control. In this processing, the hit ball is the starting winning opening 1
This is a process for determining that the winning has been made, and is executed instead of the process shown in FIG.

The basic circuit 53 determines that the starting port sensor 17 has been turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S81). If it is detected that the switch has been turned on, it is checked whether or not the number of start winning storages has reached the start storage upper limit (step S82). If the start winning prize storage number has not reached the start storage upper limit value, the starting prize storage number is increased by 1 (step S83), and the value of the random number for big hit determination is extracted. Then, the extracted random numbers are stored in the random number value storage areas provided corresponding to the respective start winning storage numbers n (n = 2, 3,..., The starting storage upper limit value) (step S84). Further, the basic circuit 53 increases the value of the valid counter by one (step S85). In step S82, if the start winning storage number has reached the start storage upper limit, the process of increasing the start winning storage number is not performed, and the value of the invalid counter is increased by 1 (step S86).

Further, the basic circuit 53 increases the timer value by one (step S91). Note that the initial value of this timer value is 0, and the process shown in FIG. 17 is executed every 2 ms, so that this timer value advances by 2 ms. Then, it is determined whether the timer value has reached T (step S92). If the timer value has not reached T, the process ends. If the timer value has reached T, the basic circuit 53 determines whether or not the value of the valid counter has exceeded a predetermined value n (step S93). If so, the start memory upper limit value is reduced (step S9).
4). If the value of the invalid counter exceeds the predetermined value m (step S95), the start storage upper limit value is increased (step S96). Then, the values of the valid counter and the invalid counter are cleared (step S97), and the timer value is returned to 0 (step S98).

With the above control, when the value of the valid counter is larger than the predetermined value during the predetermined period T, the start storage upper limit value is reduced, and the value of the invalid counter is set to be smaller than the predetermined value. If so, the start memory upper limit is increased. The value of the valid counter and the value of the invalid counter are checked each time the time T elapses. In this way, when there are many invalid start winnings, the invalid starting winnings are controlled so as not to be disadvantageous to the player. Also, in a situation where there are many valid start winnings, the start memory upper limit value is reduced, for example, 4
Returned to pieces. The predetermined period T corresponding to the time-up value of the timer is set to, for example, 5 minutes. Predetermined value n
Is set to about 1.5 times a valid effective start winning value per unit time (for example, 5 minutes), and the predetermined value m is, for example, 1.1 of a valid invalid starting winning value per unit time (for example, 5 minutes).
It is set to about 5 times. Here, both the valid counter and the invalid counter are provided, but only one counter is prepared, and when the start winning is valid, the counter is counted up, and when the starting winning is invalid, the count is reduced. You may. In this case, the count value is checked each time the time T elapses. If the count value is larger than the predetermined value, the start storage upper limit value is decreased, and if the count value is smaller than the predetermined value, the start storage upper limit value is increased.

Further, the start memory upper limit value may be increased during the jackpot game of the jackpot (probably variable jackpot) in which the symbol is determined by the probability symbol. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process for implementing such control. The flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is a process executed in step S308 (the process of opening the special winning opening) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. Step S308
In the processing of (1), the basic circuit 53 checks whether or not the probability change flag is set (step S401). As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the probable change flag is set when the probable change symbol is determined at the time of determining the big hit symbol. If the probable change flag is set, the upper limit invalid flag is set (step S402). Then, a jackpot process such as control for opening and closing the special winning opening and associated display control is performed (step S403). When the jackpot gaming state ends (step S404), the upper limit value invalid flag is reset (step S405). Further, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the "big hit end process" so that the process of step S309 is performed (step S406).

FIG. 19 is a process for judging that a hit ball has won the start winning opening 14 in the case of performing control to raise the start storage upper limit value during the probability change big hit game, instead of the process shown in FIG. Be executed. As shown in FIG. 19, the basic circuit 53 determines that the starting port sensor 17 has been turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S501). If it is detected that the switch has been turned on, it is checked whether or not the upper limit value invalid flag has been set (step S502). If it is not set, it is confirmed whether or not the number of stored start winnings has reached the upper limit of the start memory (step S50).
3). If the start winning prize memory number has not reached the start memory upper limit value, the starting prize memory number is increased by 1 (step S50).
4) Extract the value of the big hit determination random number. Then, the extracted random numbers are stored in the random number value storage areas provided corresponding to the respective start winning storage numbers n (n = 2, 3,...) (Step S505). If the upper limit value invalid flag is set, steps S504 and S505 are unconditionally performed.
Execute the processing of Therefore, when the upper limit invalid flag is set, all start winnings are valid.
When the upper limit invalid flag is not set, a start winning exceeding the start storage upper limit (for example, 4) is invalidated. Therefore, at the time of the normal big hit game which is not the probability change big hit, the start winning exceeding the start memory upper limit value is invalidated as in the normal case.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of realizing the start winning display section 18. As shown in FIG. Normally, four display units are displayed on the image display unit 9 as shown in FIG. 20 (A). However, during the certain-variable big hit operation, as shown in FIG. The display unit is displayed, and the number of start winning prizes stored is displayed numerically.

By such a process, only when a big hit occurs in the probability changing symbol and a big hit game is being played, all starting winnings become valid. The probable jackpot creates a situation that is extremely advantageous for a player whose jackpot occurrence probability is increased until the next jackpot occurs. Therefore,
According to this example, in a situation that is extremely advantageous for the player, it is even more advantageous for the player.

In this embodiment, a gaming machine (probability changing machine) having a probability changing function of increasing the probability of occurrence of a big hit when a big hit occurs in a certain change symbol has been described. When a big hit occurs, for example, the start storage upper limit variable control can also be applied to a gaming machine (hour shortening machine) having a time shortening function of shortening the symbol variation time for each time until the next big hit occurs. When applied to a time reduction machine, the basic circuit 53 determines in step S401 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
The time-saving flag set when it is determined that a big hit is made with the time-saving symbol is confirmed. If the time reduction flag is set, the upper limit value invalid flag is set. By such processing, a big hit occurs in a time-saving symbol, and only when the big hit game is being played, all start winnings become valid. The time saving big hit also generates a very advantageous situation for the player that the symbol change time is shortened. Therefore, also in this case, in a situation that is extremely advantageous for the player, it is more advantageous for the player.

Various new game effects can be performed by performing the start storage upper limit variable control. For example, during the big hit operation, all starting winnings are valid,
When the big hit operation is completed, the symbol change based on the starting winning memory may be continuously performed. FIG. 21 shows a process of judging that the hit ball has won the starting winning opening 14 when such control is performed. As shown in FIG. 21, it is determined that the starting port sensor 17 has been turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S501). If it is detected that the switch has been turned on, it is checked whether or not a jackpot operation is currently being performed (step S512). If the big hit operation is not being performed, it is checked whether or not the number of memorized start winnings has reached the upper limit of the memorized start memory (step S503). If the start winning prize storage number has not reached the start storage upper limit value, the start prize storage number is increased by 1 (step S504), and the value of the big hit determination random number is extracted. Then, the extracted random numbers are stored in the random number value storage areas provided corresponding to the respective start winning number storage numbers n (step S505). When the big hit operation is being performed, the processing of steps S504 and S505 is executed unconditionally. As described above, during the big hit operation, all start winnings are made valid.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 22 is a process executed in S309 (big hit end process) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. 10 in this example. In the process of step S309, the basic circuit 53
After performing the predetermined big hit end display control (step S
391), it is confirmed whether or not there is a start winning memory (step S392). If the starting prize memory is 0, step S
The special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to the "special symbol change waiting process" so that the process of 300 is performed (step S396).

If there is a start winning prize memory, it is confirmed whether or not the chance time flag is set (step S3).
93). If it is not set, a chance time flag is set and a hitting stop flag is set (step S394). If the chance time flag is set, the chance time flag is reset and the hitting stop flag is reset (step S3).
95). Then, control goes to a step S396.
Hereinafter, a period in which the chance time flag is set is referred to as a chance time.

The fact that the chance time flag is set at the end of the big hit operation means that a big hit has occurred at the chance time. Further, the fact that the chance time flag is not set at the end of the big hit operation means that a big hit has occurred at a normal time, which is not a chance time. Therefore, if a big hit occurs at the chance time, the chance time ends when the big hit operation ends.

When the hit ball stop flag is set, the basic circuit 53 stops firing the hit ball. For example, by ignoring the output of the touch sensor 93 or outputting a prohibition signal to the launch control board 91, the hit ball is not fired even if the operation knob 5 is operated. Such control can be performed, for example, in the initialization processing in step S2 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, or in the data output processing in step S5.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a main part of a process for determining a stop symbol which is executed when the chance time is realized. When the basic circuit 53 confirms in step S50 that the starting storage number is 0, it resets the chance time flag and also resets the hitting stop flag (step S50a). The other processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. When the hit ball stop flag is reset, the basic circuit 53 returns the hit ball to a state where the hit ball can be fired by operating the operation knob 5.

With the above-described control, at the time of the chance time, the hit ball is not fired, and the steps S300 to S300 in the special symbol process processing are performed based on the starting winning memory.
The processing of S305 is repeatedly executed. When the processes in steps S300 to S305 are performed once, one symbol change is completed, and the starting winning memory is reduced by one. Then, when the start winning memory is lost or a big hit occurs, a hit ball can be fired and the game returns to a normal game state.

As described above, in this example, when a big hit occurs, all the starting winnings are made valid, and when the big hitting operation is completed, a chance time is reached. The fluctuation is performed continuously. By providing such a chance time, the game characteristics of the gaming machine can be improved. Therefore, this gaming machine can attract a player strongly. At the start and end of the chance time,
To that effect, the player is notified by an image display on the image display unit 9 or by sound.

As described above, in this gaming machine, the start memory upper limit value is increased when a predetermined condition is satisfied so that invalid start winnings are reduced. As a result, disadvantages given to the player can be reduced. In each of the above embodiments, the case where the image display unit 9 using a CRT for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is used has been described, but a case where a variable display device using an LCD is used may be used. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to video-type pachinko game machines and slot machines in which the entire board is composed of video.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the gaming machine is configured to increase the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit from the normal time, so that the change start condition is satisfied. There is an effect that the invalidation of is reduced. If the period during which the change of the identification information cannot be started even if the start condition of the change is satisfied is long, if the storage upper limit number is increased, the condition that the start condition of the change is invalidated for a long time may be invalidated. Can be eliminated. In the case where the upper limit of the storage of the start storage unit is increased when the condition of the invalid change start condition increases, and when the upper limit of the storage of the start storage unit is reduced when the condition of the invalid change start condition decreases, Regardless of the game state such as reach,
It is possible to reduce the establishment of the invalid change start condition.
In a case where the upper limit number of storage in the start storage unit is increased in a gaming state advantageous to the player, a situation more advantageous to the player can be provided. When the big hit operation is completed, the shooting of the hit ball is stopped, and if the identification information is changed in accordance with the satisfaction of the change start condition stored in the start storage unit up to that time, the game There is an effect that the game property of the machine can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main processing of a basic circuit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of determining a stop symbol for variable display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a big hit determination process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process process.

FIG. 11 is a step S in the special symbol process processing.
It is a flowchart which shows the process of 307, S308.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of a big hit operation.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of realizing a start winning display unit.

FIG. 14 is a step S in the special symbol process processing.
6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of steps 303 and S305.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of a reach operation.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of realizing a start winning display unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another process of determining that a hit ball has won a winning winning opening.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another process of S308 in the special symbol process process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating still another process of determining that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of realizing the start winning display unit.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing still another process of determining that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process of S309 in a special symbol process process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing still another process of determining that the hit ball has won the start winning opening.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Image display part 14 Start winning prize port 18 Start winning prize display part 31 Game control board 53 Basic circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A variable display unit whose display state is changeable, wherein a change of identification information displayed on the variable display unit is started according to a condition for starting the change, and a display result of the identification information is determined in advance. A gaming machine that can be given a predetermined game value when the specified display mode is reached, and the change of the identification information cannot be immediately started based on the satisfaction of the condition even if the condition for starting the change is satisfied Sometimes, a start storage unit that stores the establishment of the fluctuation start condition, and a start storage control unit that increases the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit when the predetermined condition is satisfied, as compared with normal times. Gaming machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the start storage control unit increases the storage upper limit number when the period during which the change of the identification information cannot be started is long even when the change start condition is satisfied. 3. The start storage control unit increases the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit when the invalid start condition of the variation increases, and increases the storage upper limit number of the start storage unit when the invalid start condition of the change decreases. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number is reduced. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the start storage control section increases the storage upper limit number of the start storage section in a game state advantageous to the player. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the big hit operation is completed, the firing of the hit ball is stopped, and the identification information is changed in accordance with the satisfaction of the change start condition stored in the start storage unit. Gaming machine.