JPWO2008068983A1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing an image display control load. The resolution is switched to XGA or SVGA according to the load of display control. In the case of an effect pattern that may display a preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the SVGA having a low resolution is selected.

Description

  The present invention is used, for example, in a gaming machine in which a lottery is performed by performing a start start operation such as winning a game ball at a starting port, and a lot of game media can be obtained according to the lottery result. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays a symbol on an image display device in accordance with the progress of the game.

  Conventionally, full-screen pachinko machines equipped with a large display have been proposed as one of the above gaming machines. This full-display pachinko machine is a game in which a game board is progressing because the members constituting the game board are transparent, and a display device having substantially the same external shape as the game board is provided on the back side of the transparent game board. From the viewpoint of the player, the entire game board becomes a display screen, and the pachinko ball rebounds on a plurality of game nails and windmills arranged on the transparent game board surface so as to overlap (overlap). It will fall.

  In a pachinko machine equipped with such a large display, the scale of effect display is expanded, and a further effect can be expected.

Conventionally, for example, Patent Literature 1 proposes to display the image data compression rate (or resolution) indicating the effect image displayed on the display device by changing the compression rate according to the importance of the image.
JP 2002-165967 A

  However, in the above-mentioned patent document, the display image is configured to be displayed on the same screen by changing the fineness of the display image according to the function of each image, for example, the design, background, character, etc. Therefore, there was a problem that a load was applied.

  In addition, when used in large-screen display devices that have become popular in recent years, there has been a problem that the difference in fineness becomes conspicuous.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing the image display control load. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes an image display device for displaying a symbol for performing notification corresponding to a game lottery result according to a stop display state, and an image corresponding to the progress of the game. Display control means for causing the image display device to display the display control means, wherein the display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to the first display density or the display density according to a load of display control. A second display density having a display density lower than the first display density is selected and switched.

  With the above configuration, the display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density according to the display control load. Since the display density is selected and switched, for example, when the first display density is normally selected and the display effect is executed, and the display of the preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display is performed. By switching to the density, a display effect such as a preview image can be executed at high speed without increasing the image display control load so much.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes an image display device for displaying a symbol for performing notification corresponding to a game lottery result according to a stop display state, and a display of the image display device. A plurality of game board components that restrict and guide the flow-down direction of the game balls are provided in the game area on the surface side that is provided on the area side and mainly faces the player, and is formed of a light-transmitting material having a predetermined transmittance. And a display control means for displaying an image according to the progress of the game on the image display device, the display control means being displayed on the image display device according to a display control load. The display density of the entire image is selected and switched between the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density.

  With the above configuration, the display control means determines the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device provided with a plurality of game board components facing the player on the display area side of the image display device. Accordingly, the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density is selected and switched according to the display control load. When the display effect is executed by selecting the density and displaying the preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the display control load of the image is not increased so much by switching to the second display density. A display effect such as a preview image can be executed at high speed from behind the game board component.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the display control means selects the display with the second display density when performing a specific notice effect.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a specific notice effect that clearly increases the control load at the first display density such that the background image changes drastically or changes so that another image blocks the front of the pattern. By selecting the display with the second display density when performing, the notice display effect can be displayed at high speed without a sense of incongruity.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the second display density is ½ times or more of the first display density.

  With the above configuration, when displaying a preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display density is used to reduce the load on the control device without causing a reduction in image quality, and to perform display control. Can be performed at high speed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the display control means displays a specific effect image that may display the notice effect image, the second display is performed regardless of whether or not the notice effect image is actually displayed. It is characterized by selecting the density.

  With the above configuration, the second display density is selected when displaying a specific effect image that has the possibility of executing the notice effect regardless of whether or not the notice effect is present. You can enjoy the performance in the gaming state without paying attention to the change of the game.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the aspect ratios of the image display control region of the image display device, the first display density image, and the second display density image are all equal.

  With the above configuration, since the aspect ratio of the image displayed on the image display device is equal to the aspect ratio of the image display device regardless of the display density, the image processing cost can be reduced even if the display density changes. It is possible to provide an image effect using a display image that does not require a sense of incongruity in the aspect ratio.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first display density or the second display density that is lower than the first display density is selected and switched according to the display control load. It is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at a high speed without increasing the image display control load so much.

(Configuration of pachinko machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes a rectangular outer frame 12 that constitutes the outline of the pachinko machine 10 and is installed in the island facility of the hall. A rectangular frame-shaped inner frame 14 is arranged on the front surface of the outer frame 12, and the inner frame 14 can be opened and closed with a left end portion pivotally supported by a pair of hinge portions 16, 18 provided on the outer frame 12. Is attached. A lower decoration 20 serving as a decorative panel is attached to the lower front portion of the outer frame 12.

  A glass frame 26 having a glass frame 24 fitted with a glass plate 22 in a window portion 25 is disposed on the front upper portion of the inner frame 14, and the left end of the glass frame 26 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 to open and close. It is attached as possible. Further, the glass plate 22 mounted on the glass frame 24 has a double structure composed of a pair of glass plates arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. A rectangular opening 28 is provided in the upper part of the inner frame 14 on the back side of the glass frame 26. An exchangeable game board 100 (see FIG. 2) is set in the opening 28. The game board 100 is configured such that the glass frame 26 (glass plate 22) is closed with the glass frame 26 closed to the inner frame 14. It is supposed to be covered with.

  On the front surface of the glass frame 26, a lighting effect indicator lamp 142 that turns on, turns off, and flashes according to the progress of the game and produces an effect effect by illumination is arranged so as to surround the glass plate 22. In addition, an error indicator lamp 144 for notifying various errors such as a prize ball payout error and a payout state error is disposed in the upper right corner. In addition, speakers 146L and 146R for outputting game sound effects in stereo are arranged inside each error indicator lamp 144.

  An integrated dish 30 serving as a hitting ball supply dish having functions of a general upper dish and lower dish is disposed at the lower front portion of the inner frame 14. The integrated dish 30 is attached so that the left end of the panel member 32 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 and can be opened and closed, and a ball dish part 34 for storing game balls is formed on the front surface of the panel member 32. A ball tray main body 36 is projected.

  A ball discharge port 46 through which a prize ball discharged from a payout device (not shown) provided in the pachinko machine 10 is discharged is formed on the upper right side of the front surface of the panel member 32. The prize balls discharged from the ball outlet 46 are stored in the ball tray 34, flow down to the left in the ball tray 34, are aligned in a line by the alignment passage, and are sent to the ball feeder.

  Although illustration is omitted, the bottom surface of the ball tray portion 34 is inclined in both directions, one of which is arranged on the front side from the left side to the right side in the front view of FIG. 1, and the other is from the right side to the left side. The slopes are arranged on the back side, and both slopes are smoothly and continuously formed on the right side when viewed from the front.

  The front side tilt accepts a cash game ball lending machine (not shown) provided between the gaming machines from the front side of the ball tray 34, and guides it to roll to the right side, while the back side tilt is a ball. A game ball received in the tray 34, a prize ball, which will be described later, or a rental ball via a card-type lending machine, is received from the ball discharge port 46 and rolled and guided from the right side to the left side.

  This back side inclination is formed so that the width dimension is gradually narrowed along the inclination, whereby a ball feeding device (not shown) in which the game balls in the ball tray portion 34 are arranged on the back surface of the panel member 32. ) Are sent in a line.

  Further, an ashtray 38 is provided at the lower left portion on the front surface of the panel member 32, and a firing handle 39 for adjusting the firing force (flying distance) of the hit ball is attached to the lower right portion.

(Game board configuration)
FIG. 2 shows a game board 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The game board 100 uses a transparent flat plate-like synthetic resin material having a thickness of 10 mm as a substrate (hereinafter referred to as a transparent game board 100).

  The surface of the transparent gaming board 100 is a board surface 100A, and an arc-shaped outer rail 102, a backflow prevention valve 103, and an inner rail 104 are attached near the outer peripheral end of the board surface 100A. A circular region surrounded by the outer rail 102, the backflow prevention valve 103 and the inner rail 104 is fired from a launching device (not shown) and jumps out of the discharge port 105 partitioned by the backflow prevention valve 103. The played game ball PB can be moved by its own weight drop, and this area is a game area 101 in which a game is played.

  On the back side of the transparent gaming board 100, a large-sized liquid crystal display device 200 having a display surface facing at least substantially the entire gaming area 101 is disposed.

  In the liquid crystal display device 200, an inner area surrounded by a quadrangle constituted by an upper side 200a, a lower side 200b, a left side 200c, and a right side 200d shown in FIG. As the liquid crystal display device 200, for example, a 20-inch liquid crystal display having a resolution of 1600 × 1200 (UXGA (Ultra eXtended Graphics Array)) can be used.

  The portion corresponding to the outside of the display area 201 is configured so that at least the back side of the board surface 100A of the transparent gaming board 100 is covered with an opaque set board or the like so that the player cannot see the internal structure or the like. Yes. Further, an inner area surrounded by the outer rail 102 and the inner rail 104 is an area where an effect display by a liquid crystal image can actually be seen. Although it is outside the inner rail 104, it is located on the upper left side of the board surface 100A, and is surrounded by the outer rail 102, the upper side 200a, the backflow prevention valve 103, the inner rail 104, and the left side 200c near the discharge port 105 of the game ball PB. The area 211 is an area where an effect display by a liquid crystal image can be seen, and various effects such as a pseudosphere display are performed using this area.

  In the game area 101, a passing gate (through chucker) 118 is arranged on the left side of FIG. In addition, a special symbol start winning opening (start chucker) 108 is arranged in the lower part of FIG. 2 with respect to the center of the game area 101, and further below the special symbol starting winning opening 108, An attacker 112 is arranged near the lower end of the game area 101.

  The attacker 112 is provided with an opening / closing door 116, which opens or closes when the opening / closing door 116 is opened or closed. When the open / close door 116 is opened, the game ball dropped on the open / close door 116 is guided by the open / close door 116 and wins the attacker 112.

In addition, general winning holes 109a, 109b, 109c, and 109d are provided slightly below the special symbol start winning hole 108 in the game area 101, slightly above the attacker 112, and left and right positions, and the game ball PB wins. Thus, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. The special symbol start winning opening 108, the general winning openings 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d, and the attacker 112 are fixed on the transparent gaming board 100 by an opaque set board from the back side of the transparent gaming board 100, and the internal structure thereof. Is configured so that it cannot be seen by the player.

On the other hand, a guide member 125 is disposed in the game area 101, and the main part of the display area 201 of the liquid crystal display device 200 configured with the game ball PB in the center portion of the game area 101 together with the left and right extension guides 125 </ b> L and 125 </ b> R. The game ball PB is configured to include a stage 125S in which a path for the game ball PB is provided in the back-side passage and the front-side passage of the transparent gaming board 100. Some of them are guided on the stage 125S by a game nail 123 or the like. After being guided on the stage 125S, the game ball PB that has been able to pass through the hole 125H provided with the stage 125S can easily win the special symbol start winning opening 108.

  In addition, around the guide member 125 in the game area 101, there are provided a windmill 122 and a number of game nails 123 that guide a game ball that falls by itself in the game area 101 to a predetermined path.

  At the lowest position of the game area 101 of the transparent game board 100, an out port 124 for discharging the off-ball to the back side of the transparent game board 100 is provided.

  Further, a passage path 212 is provided at the right end of the game area 101 so that the game ball PB can pass when the discharge intensity of the game ball PB discharged from the discharge port 105 is too strong. The passage 212 is constituted by the right extension guide 125 </ b> R of the guide member 125 and the inner rail 104.

  Note that an image indicated by a broken line in the drawing is an example of an image displayed in the display area 201 of the liquid crystal display device 200.

(Control system configuration)
Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured around a main control unit 150. The main control unit 150 stores a basic program relating to games, and the operation of each unit is controlled based on a command signal from the main control unit 150.

  The main control unit 150 detects a start winning sensor 180 that detects a winning ball to the special symbol starting winning opening 108, a passing gate winning sensor 184 that detects a winning ball to the passing gate 118, and a winning ball to the attacker 112. Each of the big winning sensors 186 is connected, and each of these sensors outputs a detection signal to the main control unit 150 when a winning ball is detected. It should be noted that a V zone is provided in the attacker 112 as an opportunity to continue the big hit processing round as necessary. When a V zone is provided in the attacker 112, a V zone sensor 228 for detecting the passage through the V zone is provided.

  Furthermore, a solenoid 175 and a holding lamp 176 that open / close the opening / closing door 116 of the attacker 112 are connected to the main control unit 150.

  Further, when the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning opening 108, the main control unit 150 performs a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”) of special symbol win / loss by detecting this with the start winning sensor 180. When the result of the special drawing lottery is a win (big hit), the main control unit 150 controls the game state so as to shift from the normal game state to the special game state. As for the jackpot, there are cases where a normal hit and a probability change mode in which the next hit probability is increased after the end of the special gaming state, or a time reduction mode in which the symbol variation pattern time is shortened may be added.

  Also, information (start winning signal, jackpot signal, symbol determination number signal) indicating the progress of the game is transmitted from the main control unit 150 to the hall computer via the board external terminal 190.

  Furthermore, an effect control unit 152 and a payout control unit 154 are respectively connected to the main control unit 150, and these control units are controlled by command transmission from the main control unit 150.

  The effect control unit 152 is connected to the liquid crystal display device 200 via the symbol control unit 156. In the effect control unit 152, based on the command sent from the main control unit 150, the display density (resolution) corresponding to the sent command from among a plurality of types of effect image patterns stored in the storage means (not shown). ) And the design control unit 156 is controlled to display an effect image corresponding to the command on the liquid crystal display device 200.

  In addition, the effect control unit 152 is a light-emitting element 126 for lighting effects provided in various game parts of the transparent gaming board 100, a display lamp 142 for lighting effects and an error indicator lamp provided in the glass frame 26. The lighting, extinguishing and blinking of 144 are controlled, and further, the outputs of sound effects and the like are controlled by operating the speakers 146L and 146R provided on the front surface of the glass frame 26.

  On the liquid crystal display device 200 controlled by the effect control unit 152, an effect image of the symbol variation pattern for informing the result of the special symbol lottery is displayed, and BGM at the time of the symbol variation pattern effect is displayed from the speakers 146L and 146R. Is output. Thereby, the player can enjoy the production | presentation by the design symbol corresponding to the result of special drawing lottery through vision and hearing. The content displayed by the hold lamp 176 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200.

  There are two types of symbol variation patterns: special symbol variation patterns and production symbol variation patterns, both of which notify the result of special symbol lottery, but the special symbol variation pattern performs a predetermined variation and stop and special symbol lottery While the result of the form is officially notified after a lapse of a predetermined time, the directing pattern variation pattern takes effect into the process of notifying the result of the special drawing lottery, and makes it awkward whether it is a hit or miss. However, it is of the nature to notify.

  Here, when the result of the special drawing lottery becomes “big hit” and the fact is notified by the symbol variation pattern effect on the liquid crystal display device 200 and the BGM output from the speakers 146L and 146R, the big hit processing in the special gaming state is completed. Executed.

  In this jackpot process, the attacker 112 opens a predetermined number of times (rounds), and the opening time of one round is about 30 seconds, and a maximum of 10 gaming balls PB can be won during this time. That is, when either one of 30 seconds which is a time limit or 10 which is a number limit is satisfied first, the round is ended and the next round is started.

  For this reason, in the special gaming state, more winnings are expected in a shorter period than in the normal gaming state, and a gaming state advantageous to the player can be achieved.

  In addition, as described above, in the liquid crystal display device 200, when a special symbol start winning port 108 is newly won during execution of the symbol variation pattern effect, and when a special symbol start winning port 108 is won during the jackpot process, The number of lighting of the holding lamp 176 increases to a maximum of four according to the number of winnings.

  On the other hand, when the previous symbol variation pattern effect ends or the jackpot process ends, the liquid crystal display device 200 starts a new symbol variation pattern effect to notify the reserved special symbol lottery result. Along with this, one hold lamp 176 is extinguished, and the player is informed of the digestion of the hold.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 is connected to the payout device 160 and the launch control unit 164, and the launch control unit 164 is connected to the launch device 40. The payout control unit 154 operates the payout device 160 provided in the pachinko machine 10 to control the payout / lending ball payout and stop operations and the number of payouts. Further, the launch control unit 164 activates the launch device 40 by operating the launch handle 39 (see FIG. 1) by the player to start launching the game ball PB and launch force according to the operation amount of the launch handle 39. To control.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 transmits payout information to the hall computer installed in the hall via the frame external terminal 191.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as a symbol variation pattern effect, an effect of scroll-displaying a plurality of columns of symbols in a partial variation region of the liquid crystal display device 200 and then stopping and displaying is performed. Then, the result of the special drawing lottery is notified by the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the effect.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the display state of the liquid crystal display device 200 when the symbol variation pattern effect is executed. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the background image and the fluctuation area 203 are defined so as to clarify the fluctuation area (symbol display area) 203 (the inner area surrounded by a thick broken line in FIG. 4). A partition image with a difference so as to form a visually clear partition or partition is arranged at a position corresponding to the boundary between and the boundary portion of the fluctuation region 203 in the scroll (moving) direction of the pattern P clearly. It is trying to become. As a precaution, the thick dashed line itself is never displayed on the screen. In the figure, the symbol P stops after the left, middle, and right three symbol columns have moved in the scroll direction indicated by the arrow S in the variable region 203 in the display region 201 in which the background image is displayed. It is like that.

  In the example shown in the figure, a palm tree leaf image 310 is arranged as a partition image on the boundary in the scroll direction S upstream of the fluctuation region 203, and a road image as a partition image on the boundary in the scroll direction S downstream. 320 is arranged.

  The design P is displayed in an effect so that it appears in the fluctuation region 203 sequentially from the back side of the palm tree leaf image 310, moves in the direction of the arrow S, and disappears so as to sink into the back side of the road image 320.

  By configuring the background image in this way, the boundary portion 203a (the portion indicated by the thick broken line) on the upper side of the variation area 203 that appears in the variation area 203 while the symbol P is scrolling, and the symbol P is scrolling. The lower boundary portion 203b (the portion indicated by the thick broken line) that disappears from the variation region 203 becomes clear, the background image of the display region 201 and the variation pattern are not uncomfortable, and the variation region 203 The boundary can be displayed so as to be grasped.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the design P does not produce an effect that greatly shifts in the left-right direction of the variable region 203 during scrolling, so the left and right boundary portions 203 c and 203 d of the variable region 203 are In the form, the background image is not distinguished from each other. Rather, the background image in the fluctuation region 203 and the surrounding background image are assimilated so that the boundary portion 203c 203d cannot be clearly identified. The image is formed so that the sky image is continuous inside and outside the fluctuation region 203 if it is empty, and the image in the city is continuous inside and outside the fluctuation region 203 if both backgrounds are in the city.

  If there is an effect that the pattern P also fluctuates in the left-right direction, the description will be made according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, and the left and right borders using the palm tree images 330 and 340 as the partition images. The image of the pattern P that constitutes the portions 203c and 203d and that exceeds the palm tree images 330 and 340 disappears from the display area 201 with the boundary as the boundary image. The generation of a sense of incongruity in the production can be eliminated.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the image shown in FIG. 4 as an example. As shown in the figure, an image 310 showing an upper and lower boundary of the fluctuation region 203 shown in FIG. 4 is further displayed on the background screen 206A by superimposing a fluctuation screen 206B in which the symbol P scrolls in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow S. , 320, the frame screen 206C configured to be displayed on the front face.

  As shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, the fluctuation image 206B may scroll the symbol P in the so-called horizontal direction in which the arrow S is rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

  Actually, the three images are not displayed in an overlapping manner, but the image shown as the frame screen 206C is included in the background image 206A, and the pattern P is included in the fluctuation region 203 in the background image. Fluctuating images scrolling are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  In the present embodiment, the shape, size, and position of the variable region are made different depending on the contents of the production.

  FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a substantially whole image of the game area 101 when the effect image shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200. 6 to FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and those having no particular reason in each embodiment are not described in the specification. Yes. In the example shown in the figure, the position of the partition image 310 on the upstream side in the scroll direction S is displayed below the portion corresponding to the guide member 125 that guides the flow of the game ball PB. Further, the position of the partition image 320 on the downstream side in the scroll direction S is guided above the stage 125S of the guide member and displayed above the center of the game ball PB when placed on the topmost part 125T of the center part. Like to do.

  That is, game board components such as the windmill 122, the game nail 123, and the guide member 125 are arranged at a position corresponding to the fluctuation area 203A on the transparent gaming board 100, in other words, an area facing the fluctuation area 203A on the surface normal. The game ball PB is configured so as not to pass therethrough so that the game ball PB does not block the fluctuation region 203A.

  6 is the same as the variable region 203 shown in FIG. 4, but another symbol 203A is used for comparison with other embodiments described later. Therefore, the boundary portions 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d shown in FIG. 4 are also described as boundary portions 203Aa, 203Ab, 203Ac, and 203Ad, respectively, but are the same.

  In this way, visibility in both the top and bottom of the symbol scroll direction S of the symbol P variation region 203A is ensured, and the symbol variation display can be recognized more comfortably.

  FIG. 7 shows, as an example, a game area 101 when an effect image when the scroll direction S is the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the liquid crystal display device 200 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200. .

  In the present embodiment, the effect pattern of FIG. 7 has a smaller change in the effect pattern such as the preview image compared to the effect pattern of FIG. Also uses a high density image pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a submarine window frame is displayed as a partition image 350, 360 of the symbol P that scrolls in the horizontal direction, and the symbol P is a fish that moves in the sea visible from the submarine window. For example, the effect is displayed. The partition image 350 is displayed outside the position where the extension guide 125L on the left side of the guide member 125 that guides the flow of the game ball PB, that is, the position facing the passing gate 118, the windmill 122, and the nail 123 on the left side. It has become so.

  Further, the position of the partition image 360 is also moved to the right side of the position of the boundary portion 203Ad in FIG. 6, and the boundary portion 203Bd is arranged in the vicinity of the right extension guide 125R. Furthermore, although not as large as in the horizontal direction, the boundary portion 203Ba is also positioned above the boundary portion 203Aa shown in FIG. 6 to expand the fluctuation region 203B to the limit of the upper side 200a of the liquid crystal display device 200, and the boundary portion 203Bb is also The fluctuation region 203B is enlarged by lowering to the vicinity of or below the stage top portion 125T below the boundary portion 203Ab shown in FIG.

  As a result, the area of the variation area 203B becomes larger than that of the variation area 203A (see FIG. 6), so that the game area 101 can be used largely without reducing the pattern P, and the pattern P can be used as shown in FIG. It is possible to scroll and display in the horizontal direction in a state of being arranged in three middle and lower tiers.

  That is, when scrolling in the horizontal direction, if an attempt is made to scroll a symbol P having the same size within the same fluctuation region 203A as in the example shown in FIG. Not being able to display, it is difficult not only to grasp the scroll direction S, but also because the front and back symbols P are not displayed, it may lead to a decrease in the player's expectation for the game.

  Even when the horizontal scroll display shown in the figure is performed, the symbol P is a three-stage symbol row in the upper, middle, and lower stages along the scroll direction S indicated by the arrow S, as in the examples shown in FIGS. Is moved from right to left and moved so as to be displayed in the fluctuation display area 203B. In the partition image 360, the boundary image 203B is also a boundary between the fluctuation area 203B and the partition image 360. It appears on the screen for the first time after passing behind and appears in the variable display area 203B so that it can be seen by the player. In addition, the pattern P that is moved and displayed in the scrolling direction S in the variable display area 203B is behind the partition image 350 with a boundary portion 203Bc that is the boundary between the variable area 203B and the partition image 350 in the partition image 350. It is displayed to disappear while passing through.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the symbol P is stopped and displayed in the fluctuation region 203B, the combination of the symbols P in which the upper, middle, and lower three symbols P are stopped and displayed in a single vertical line in the center portion. The result of the special drawing lottery is notified.

  For this reason, game board components such as a passing gate 118 on the transparent game board 100, a windmill 122, a game nail 123, and an extension guide 125L on the left side of the guide member 125 are disposed at both ends of the variable area 203B. The pattern P overlaps with the display area of the liquid crystal display device 200 corresponding to the position through which the game ball PB passes, in other words, the display area facing the arrangement position of the game board component on the surface normal. Even if displayed, it does not hinder the grasp of the contents of the production.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the symbols P displayed at both ends of the variation area 203B when the variation is stopped are always displayed in a partially missing state. Thereby, it is possible to cause the player to naturally recognize that the symbols P displayed on both ends at the time of the fluctuation stop do not indicate the result of the special drawing lottery.

  However, in order to avoid misunderstandings of the player, the symbol P on both ends is displayed in a partially missing state, and the winner is selected as a result of a special drawing lottery such as aligning all the symbols in the upper, middle and lower tiers with the same symbol. It is preferable to control so that the combination indicating is not displayed at both ends.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery is a win and how the next game progresses during the execution of the effect by the scroll display of the symbol P (normal game) There is a case where a notice effect for notifying the user of whether or not a win-win mode, a probability change mode or a time reduction mode is added) is executed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a notice effect displayed during execution of the variable display as shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, an actual image of the cocoon fruit is displayed on the road displayed as the partition image 320 in the background image of the fluctuation area 203 and in front of the demo symbol P being variably displayed in the fluctuation area 203. An effect display that falls is displayed as a notice effect image 372. In this case, for example, it is displayed that the fruit of the eggplant is falling on the road, and the result of the special drawing lottery depends on the size of the fruit of the eggplant to be displayed and whether the fruit of the eggplant that has fallen or not explode. It is possible to notify the degree of expectation that the winning is, how the next game proceeds (whether it is a normal winning, the probability variation mode or the time reduction mode is added), and the like.

  In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 9, in order to execute the notice effect without a sense of incongruity, the demo image in which the image of the bus running on the road displayed as the partition image 320 in the background image of the fluctuation region 203 is variably displayed is displayed. The notice effect image 370 is displayed instantaneously in front of the change area 203 in a blocking manner. Thus, by hiding the fluctuation region 203 with the notice effect image 370, the player's expectation can be improved. In this case, for example, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery will be a win depending on the color of the bus passing through the display area, and how the next game will proceed (normal hit, probability change mode or time reduction) Whether a mode is added) or the like.

  In the present embodiment, a notice effect image may be displayed during the execution of variable display in this way, and therefore an image display effect that increases the load of display control may occur. Then, in the case of the vertical scroll effect pattern as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 that may execute the notice effect, the overall image resolution is lowered to reduce the control load. I have to.

  In addition, when performing the effect by the variation pattern of FIG. 7, instead of not displaying the image of the special notice effect, all the images displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200 are displayed with a high resolution, which is somewhat clear. An effect display by an image is performed.

  Specifically, when the variable display as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200 is an image data of resolution XGA (eXtended Video Graphics Array: 1024 × 768 dots). On the other hand, in the case of an image pattern that performs a specific effect such as displaying a notice effect while changing in a short time on the front surface of the variable display as shown in FIGS. In order to reduce the load of 152, image data with a resolution of SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array: 800 × 600 dots) is used.

  In the effect control unit 152, two types of image data with different resolutions are prepared in advance, and when the control load is larger than a predetermined level, the image data with the lower resolution is selected as display data, In this case, image data having a higher resolution is selected as display data.

  In the present embodiment, a VXGA 20-inch liquid crystal display is adopted as the liquid crystal display device 200. As applicable image data, VGA (Video Graphics Array: 640 × 480 dots), SVGA (Super Video Graphics). Array: 800 x 600 dots), XGA (eXtended Graphics Array: 1024 x 768 dots), SXGA + (Super eXtended Graphics Array +: 1400 x 1050 dots), UXGA (Ultra eXtended Graphics Array +: 1600 x 1200 dots) Is mentioned.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  In the game using the pachinko machine 10, when the player operates the launch handle 39, the game balls stored in the ball tray portion 34 of the integrated dish 30 are supplied to the launch device 40 one by one by the ball feeding device. Is fired upward. The launched game ball PB is driven into the game area 101 of the transparent game board 100 along the outer rail 102, and the game area 101 is changed in direction by game board components such as the windmill 122, the game nail 123, and the guide member 125. Fall inside. Then, the game ball that has reached the lower end of the game area 101 without winning a prize is collected into the pachinko machine 10 from the out port 124.

  When the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning slot 108, a special symbol winning / losing lottery process is executed, and the lottery result is obtained in two areas in the lower part of the liquid crystal display device 200. The special symbol is changed in a predetermined pattern, and the special symbol is displayed by a combination of stop symbols that have passed through the changed pattern. Further, along with this display, in almost the entire area of the liquid crystal display device 200, the effect design fluctuates in a predetermined pattern and is stopped and displayed through the variation pattern. In the production image of this production pattern variation pattern, for example, a number of patterns that take various productions and tastes into consideration are prepared, such as display of a winning design after reach, display of a missed design, or display of a missed design without reach. The player receives these effects and observes the lottery result of the special symbol with expectation.

  In the present embodiment, when the symbol variation pattern is such that the symbol P scrolls the variation region 203 in the display region 201, a background image is set in advance according to the variation region 203, and according to the contents of the effect. Thus, the shape and size of the fluctuation region 203 are changed.

  That is, in the case of the effect of scrolling display of the pattern P in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 6 with the pattern of resolution SVGA, the change area 203A has a substantially rectangular shape, which corresponds to the boundary of the change area 203A of the background image. In this position, an image of a palm tree leaf is displayed as a partition image 310, and a road image is displayed as a partition image 320.

  Further, in the case of the effect of scrolling and displaying the pattern P in the horizontal direction, the variable region 203B has a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG. 7 with a resolution XGA pattern having a higher resolution than the pattern of FIG. Submarine window frame images are displayed as partition images 350 and 360 at positions corresponding to the boundaries of the fluctuation region 203B of the background image.

  Thereby, the player can easily grasp the shape and size of the change area 203 that changes in accordance with the contents of the presentation, without feeling uncomfortable with the background image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, not only the shape and size of the variable region 203 but also the partition image and the pattern P are made different to emphasize a difference in the production pattern, thereby making it more diverse. Production image display is possible.

  In the present embodiment, a notice effect with a notice image as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be executed during the execution of the symbol variation pattern.

  When the notice effect is executed, the notice images 370, 372, and 374 are, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the frame image 206D shown in FIG. 5 (note that the frame image 206D in FIG. It shows a preview image composed of 372 and 374).

  In the case of executing the notice effect, the resolution of the image is set to a low resolution SVGA as compared with the resolution XGA at the time of the simple variable display effect shown in FIG. 7 as an example. As a result, the control load is reduced as compared with the case where the notice effect is executed at the same resolution as that of the simple variable display effect.

  In the case of the notice effect as shown in the figure, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery will be a hit depends on the size of the coconut fruit to be displayed, whether the coconut fruit will explode or not explode, etc. And how the next game proceeds (whether it is a normal hit, a probability variation mode or a time reduction mode is added), and the like.

  Also, in this embodiment, a vertical scroll display effect pattern is usually displayed, and a notice effect image notifies the possibility of shifting to the super reach effect or the normal reach effect and the possibility of shifting to the probability change mode or the time reduction mode. In the probability change mode, an effect pattern is selected depending on the gaming state, such as displaying an effect pattern of horizontal scroll display.

  Here, when the notification of the result of the special drawing lottery is finished, in the case of a big win, a big hit process which is a special gaming state is executed.

  The jackpot process is opened by the attacker 112 for a predetermined number of times (rounds) for a predetermined time. In general, the opening time of one round is about 30 seconds, and during this period, up to 10 game balls are won, or 30 seconds have passed, either of which is satisfied first, the round ends and the next round Migrate to Since this is continued for about 15 rounds, in the special game state, more wins are expected in a shorter period than in the normal game state, and a game state advantageous to the player can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the resolution XGA or the resolution SVGA is selected and switched according to the display control load, the XGA is usually selected and the control load tends to increase. In the case of an effect pattern that may display an image or the like, a notice effect with a large control load is performed by selecting an SVGA with a low resolution, or normally selecting an effect pattern of XGA and performing the display effect. By switching to SVGA when displaying such as, it is possible to display a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing the image display control load.

  In this embodiment, since the resolution when the control load increases is set to 1/2 or more of the normal resolution, the image display control load is increased without causing an extreme deterioration in image quality. The notice image etc. can be displayed at high speed without any problems.

  Note that the configuration (see FIGS. 1 to 3) and effect images (see FIGS. 4 to 8) of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the mode of reducing the resolution when displaying the notice effect has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the notice is given regardless of whether or not the notice effect is displayed. It is also possible to reduce the resolution when displaying an effect image that may display an effect.

  Thereby, the player can enjoy the effect in the gaming state without paying attention to the change of the image between the time of the notice and the time of the non-notice.

  Further, since it is not necessary to prepare two types of image data with different resolutions for a specific effect image that may display a notice effect, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the image data.

  Furthermore, since only one type of image data is stored for the same image, it is not necessary to perform selection and switching of resolution based on the control load by the effect control unit 152, and it is not necessary to execute special control.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that uses a game ball or the like as a game medium. In particular, a liquid crystal display device 200 is used in a pachinko machine to provide a fine image without reducing the control burden ( In particular, high-speed display of a preview image or the like), and high game playability.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine concerning an embodiment. It is a front view which shows the transparent game board which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the pachinko machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display area of the liquid crystal display device on which the image based on a design fluctuation pattern was displayed. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows a game area | region when an example of the effect image which a symbol scrolls in a vertical direction is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. It is a figure which shows a game area | region when an example of the effect image in which a symbol scrolls in a horizontal direction is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. It is a figure which shows the game area | region when the notice effect is displayed in the state as which the effect image which a symbol scrolls in the vertical direction is displayed as an example of the effect which makes the resolution low. It is a figure which shows other embodiment when a notice effect is displayed in the state as which the effect image which a symbol scrolls in the vertical direction is displayed as an example of the effect which makes the resolution low.

Explanation of symbols

PB Game Ball 10 Pachinko Machine 100 Transparent Game Board (Game Board)
101 gaming area 152 effect control unit (display control means)
200 Liquid crystal display device (image display device)
201 Display area 203 Variable area

[0002]
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing the image display control load. .
Means for Solving the Problems [0008]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes an image display device for displaying a symbol for performing notification corresponding to a lottery result of a game according to a stop display state, and from the start to the stop of the symbol. Display control means for controlling image display in a plurality of display states having different presentation patterns and displaying images according to the progress of each game on the image display device. A first display state in which a change in an image to be displayed on the apparatus is small and a load on a display control unit for image display control is small, and an image change is larger than the first display state for image display control. A second display state in which the load of the display control unit is large. The display control unit includes first image data having a first display density with a high display density for an image that can be displayed on the image display device, and Second image data having a second display density lower than that of the first image data, and controlling display on the image display device using the first image data in the first display state, In the second display state, display on the image display device is controlled using the second image data.
[0009]
With the above configuration, the display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density according to the display control load. Since the display density is selected and switched, for example, when the first display density is normally selected and the display effect is executed, and the display of the preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display is performed. By switching to the density, a display effect such as a preview image can be executed at high speed without increasing the image display control load so much.
[0010]
Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes an image display device for displaying a symbol for performing notification corresponding to a game lottery result according to a stop display state, and a display area of the image display device. A plurality of game board components that restrict and guide the flow-down direction of the game ball are provided in the game area on the surface side facing the player mainly and formed of a light transmissive material having a predetermined transmittance. A game board, and display control means for controlling image display in a plurality of display states having different effect patterns from start to stop of the symbols, and displaying images according to the progress of each game on the image display device, And a plurality of display states include a first display state in which a change in an image to be displayed on the image display device is small and a load on a display control unit for image display control is small, and an image in comparison with the first display state. Strange And a second display state in which the load on the display control means for image display control is large, and the display control means uses the first display density having a high display density for an image that can be displayed on the image display device. First image data and second image data having a second display density lower than that of the first image data. In the first display state, the first image data is used. The display on the image display device is controlled, and in the second display state, the display on the image display device is controlled using the second image data.
[0011]
With the above configuration, the display control means determines the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device provided with a plurality of game board components facing the player on the display area side of the image display device. Depending on the display control load, depending on the first display density or the previous

[0003]
Since the second display density that is lower than the first display density is selected and switched, for example, usually the first display density is selected to execute the display effect, and the control load tends to increase. When displaying a certain notice image or the like, by switching to the second display density, the display effect such as the notice image is executed at a high speed from the back of the game board composition without increasing the image display control load so much. be able to.
[0012]
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the display control means selects the display with the second display density when performing a specific notice effect.
[0013]
With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a specific notice effect that clearly increases the control load at the first display density such that the background image changes drastically or changes so that another image blocks the front of the pattern. By selecting the display with the second display density when performing, the notice display effect can be displayed at high speed without a sense of incongruity.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the second display density is not less than ½ times the first display density.
[0015]
With the above configuration, when displaying a preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display density is used to reduce the load on the control device without causing a reduction in image quality, and to perform display control. Can be performed at high speed.
[0016]
Further, according to the present invention, when the display control means displays a specific effect image that may display the notice effect image, the second display density is set regardless of whether or not the notice effect image is actually displayed. It is characterized by selection.
[0017]
With the above configuration, the second display density is selected when displaying a specific effect image that has the possibility of executing the notice effect regardless of whether or not the notice effect is present. You can enjoy the performance in the gaming state without paying attention to the change of the game.
[0018]
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the aspect ratios of the image display control area of the image display device, the first display density image, and the second display density image are all equal.
[0019]
With the above configuration, since the aspect ratio of the image displayed on the image display device is equal to the aspect ratio of the image display device regardless of the display density, the display density is used.

  The present invention is used, for example, in a gaming machine in which a lottery is performed by performing a start start operation such as winning a game ball at a start port, and a lot of game media can be obtained according to the lottery result. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays a symbol on an image display device in accordance with the progress of the game.

  Conventionally, full-screen pachinko machines equipped with a large display have been proposed as one of the above gaming machines. In this full-screen pachinko machine, the members constituting the game board are transparent, and the display having the same outer shape as the game board is arranged on the back side of the transparent game board, so that the game is progressing. From the viewpoint of the player, the entire game board becomes a display screen, and the pachinko ball rebounds on a plurality of game nails and windmills arranged on the transparent game board surface so as to overlap (overlap). It will fall.

  In a pachinko machine equipped with such a large display, the scale of effect display is expanded, and a further effect can be expected.

  Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes to display the image data compression rate (or resolution) indicating the effect image to be displayed on the display device by changing the compression rate according to the importance of the image.

JP 2002-165967 A

  However, in the above patent document, the display image is configured to be displayed on the same screen by changing the definition of the display image according to the function of each image, for example, the design, background, character, etc. Therefore, there was a problem that a load was applied.

  In addition, when used in large-screen display devices that have become popular in recent years, there has been a problem that the difference in fineness becomes conspicuous.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing the image display control load. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gaming machine according to the present invention is a first gaming state in which a game in which a lottery of a combination is performed with a first winning probability is executed, and the first gaming state is the above-mentioned combination comprising at least a second gaming state in which the winning probability or game different game is executed, and the game control means for controlling to perform a game in one of the game state of being selected, the game controlled by the stop display state An image display device for displaying a symbol for performing notification corresponding to a game lottery result in the means, and controlling the image display in a plurality of gaming states with different effect patterns from the start to the stop of the symbol, Display control means for causing the image display device to display an image corresponding to the progress status of the image, and in the plurality of gaming states, a change in the image displayed on the image display device is small, and image display control is performed. A first display state in which the load on the display control means is small, and a second display state in which the image change is larger than that in the first display state and the load on the display control means for image display control is large The display control means includes first image data having a first display density having a high display density for an image that can be displayed on the image display device, and a display density higher than the first image data. Second image data having a low second display density, and in the first display state, display on the image display device is controlled using the first image data, and the second image data is displayed. In the display state, the display on the image display device is controlled using the second image data , the first display state is activated in the first gaming state, and the second display state is In the second gaming state It is characterized in that is moving.

  With the above configuration, the display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density according to the display control load. Since the display density is selected and switched, for example, when the first display density is normally selected and the display effect is executed, and the display of the preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display is performed. By switching to the density, a display effect such as a preview image can be executed at high speed without increasing the image display control load so much.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the gaming machine according to the present invention is a first gaming state in which a game in which a lottery with a first winning probability is executed is executed, and the first gaming state. comprising at least a second playing state winning probability or game is different game, execution of the role, and the game control means for controlling so as to play a game with one of the gaming state selected, the by the stop display state An image display device for displaying a symbol for making a notification corresponding to a game lottery result in the game control means, and a display region provided on the display region side of the image display device, the game mainly in the game region on the surface side facing the player A plurality of game board components that restrict and guide the flow direction of the sphere and are formed of a light-transmitting material with a predetermined transmittance, and a plurality of performance patterns that differ from the start to the stop of the design Games Display control means for controlling the image display in the state and displaying the image according to the progress of each game on the image display device, and the images displayed on the image display device in the plurality of game states A first display state in which a change in image is small and a load on the display control means for image display control is small, and the display control means for image display control in which an image change is larger than the first display state A second display state with a large load, and the display control means includes first image data having a first display density having a high display density for an image that can be displayed on the image display device, and Second image data having a second display density lower than that of the first image data, and in the first gaming state, the first image data is used for the image display device. Control display And, in the second game state, the second image data with reference to control the display for the image display device, the first display state, the actuates in a first game condition, the second The display state is operated in the second gaming state .

  With the above configuration, the display control means determines the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device provided with a plurality of game board components facing the player on the display area side of the image display device. Accordingly, the first display density or the second display density lower than the first display density is selected and switched according to the display control load. When the display effect is executed by selecting the density and displaying the preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the display control load of the image is not increased so much by switching to the second display density. A display effect such as a preview image can be executed at high speed from behind the game board component.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the display control means selects the display with the second display density when performing a specific notice effect.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a specific notice effect that clearly increases the control load at the first display density such that the background image changes drastically or changes so that another image blocks the front of the pattern. By selecting the display with the second display density when performing, the notice display effect can be displayed at high speed without a sense of incongruity.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the second display density is ½ times or more of the first display density.

  With the above configuration, when displaying a preview image or the like that tends to increase the control load, the second display density is used to reduce the load on the control device without causing a reduction in image quality, and to perform display control. Can be performed at high speed.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the display control means displays a specific effect image that may display the notice effect image, the display control means sets the second display density regardless of whether or not the notice effect image is actually displayed. It is characterized by selection.

  With the above configuration, the second display density is selected when displaying a specific effect image that has the possibility of executing the notice effect regardless of whether or not the notice effect is present. You can enjoy the performance in the gaming state without paying attention to the change of the game.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the aspect ratios of the image display control area of the image display device, the first display density image, and the second display density image are all equal.

  With the above configuration, since the aspect ratio of the image displayed on the image display device is equal to the aspect ratio of the image display device regardless of the display density, the image processing cost can be reduced even if the display density changes. It is possible to provide an image effect using a display image that does not require a sense of incongruity in the aspect ratio.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first display density or the second display density that is lower than the first display density is selected and switched according to the display control load. It is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a preview image or the like at a high speed without increasing the image display control load so much.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine concerning an embodiment. It is a front view which shows the transparent game board which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the pachinko machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display area of the liquid crystal display device on which the image based on a design fluctuation pattern was displayed. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows a game area | region when an example of the effect image which a symbol scrolls in a vertical direction is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. It is a figure which shows a game area | region when an example of the effect image in which a symbol scrolls in a horizontal direction is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. It is a figure which shows the game area | region when the notice effect is displayed in the state as which the effect image which a symbol scrolls in the vertical direction is displayed as an example of the effect which makes the resolution low. It is a figure which shows other embodiment when a notice effect is displayed in the state as which the effect image which a symbol scrolls in the vertical direction is displayed as an example of the effect which makes the resolution low.

(Configuration of pachinko machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes a rectangular outer frame 12 that constitutes the outline of the pachinko machine 10 and is installed in the island facility of the hall. A rectangular frame-shaped inner frame 14 is arranged on the front surface of the outer frame 12, and the inner frame 14 can be opened and closed with a left end portion pivotally supported by a pair of hinge portions 16, 18 provided on the outer frame 12. Is attached. A lower decoration 20 serving as a decorative panel is attached to the lower front portion of the outer frame 12.

  A glass frame 26 having a glass frame 24 fitted with a glass plate 22 in a window portion 25 is disposed on the front upper portion of the inner frame 14, and the left end of the glass frame 26 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 to open and close. It is attached as possible. Further, the glass plate 22 mounted on the glass frame 24 has a double structure composed of a pair of glass plates arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. A rectangular opening 28 is provided in the upper part of the inner frame 14 on the back side of the glass frame 26. An exchangeable game board 100 (see FIG. 2) is set in the opening 28. The game board 100 is configured such that the glass frame 26 (glass plate 22) is closed with the glass frame 26 closed to the inner frame 14. It is supposed to be covered with.

  On the front surface of the glass frame 26, a lighting effect indicator lamp 142 that turns on, turns off, and flashes according to the progress of the game and produces an effect effect by illumination is arranged so as to surround the glass plate 22. In addition, an error indicator lamp 144 for notifying various errors such as a prize ball payout error and a payout state error is disposed in the upper right corner. In addition, speakers 146L and 146R for outputting game sound effects in stereo are arranged inside each error indicator lamp 144.

  An integrated dish 30 serving as a hitting ball supply dish having functions of a general upper dish and lower dish is disposed at the lower front portion of the inner frame 14. The integrated dish 30 is attached so that the left end of the panel member 32 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 and can be opened and closed, and a ball dish part 34 for storing game balls is formed on the front surface of the panel member 32. A ball tray main body 36 is projected.

  A ball discharge port 46 through which a prize ball discharged from a payout device (not shown) provided in the pachinko machine 10 is discharged is formed on the upper right side of the front surface of the panel member 32. The prize balls discharged from the ball outlet 46 are stored in the ball tray 34, flow down to the left in the ball tray 34, are aligned in a line by the alignment passage, and are sent to the ball feeder.

  Although illustration is omitted, the bottom surface of the ball tray portion 34 is inclined in both directions, one of which is arranged on the front side from the left side to the right side in the front view of FIG. 1, and the other is from the right side to the left side. The slopes are arranged on the back side, and both slopes are smoothly and continuously formed on the right side when viewed from the front.

  The front side tilt accepts a cash game ball lending machine (not shown) provided between the gaming machines from the front side of the ball tray 34, and guides it to roll to the right side, while the back side tilt is a ball. A game ball received in the tray 34, a prize ball, which will be described later, or a rental ball via a card-type lending machine, is received from the ball discharge port 46 and rolled and guided from the right side to the left side.

  This back side inclination is formed so that the width dimension is gradually narrowed along the inclination, whereby a ball feeding device (not shown) in which the game balls in the ball tray portion 34 are arranged on the back surface of the panel member 32. ) Are sent in a line.

  Further, an ashtray 38 is provided at the lower left portion on the front surface of the panel member 32, and a firing handle 39 for adjusting the firing force (flying distance) of the hit ball is attached to the lower right portion.

(Game board configuration)
FIG. 2 shows a game board 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The game board 100 uses a transparent flat plate-like synthetic resin material having a thickness of 10 mm as a substrate (hereinafter referred to as a transparent game board 100).

  The surface of the transparent gaming board 100 is a board surface 100A, and an arc-shaped outer rail 102, a backflow prevention valve 103, and an inner rail 104 are attached near the outer peripheral end of the board surface 100A. A circular region surrounded by the outer rail 102, the backflow prevention valve 103 and the inner rail 104 is fired from a launching device (not shown) and jumps out of the discharge port 105 partitioned by the backflow prevention valve 103. The played game ball PB can be moved by its own weight drop, and this area is a game area 101 in which a game is played.

  On the back side of the transparent gaming board 100, a large-sized liquid crystal display device 200 having a display surface facing at least substantially the entire gaming area 101 is disposed.

  In the liquid crystal display device 200, an inner area surrounded by a quadrangle constituted by an upper side 200a, a lower side 200b, a left side 200c, and a right side 200d shown in FIG. As the liquid crystal display device 200, for example, a 20-inch liquid crystal display having a resolution of 1600 × 1200 (UXGA (Ultra eXtended Graphics Array)) can be used.

  The portion corresponding to the outside of the display area 201 is configured so that at least the back side of the board surface 100A of the transparent gaming board 100 is covered with an opaque set board or the like so that the player cannot see the internal structure or the like. Yes. Further, an inner area surrounded by the outer rail 102 and the inner rail 104 is an area where an effect display by a liquid crystal image can actually be seen. Although it is outside the inner rail 104, it is located on the upper left side of the board surface 100A, and is surrounded by the outer rail 102, the upper side 200a, the backflow prevention valve 103, the inner rail 104, and the left side 200c near the discharge port 105 of the game ball PB. The area 211 is an area where an effect display by a liquid crystal image can be seen, and various effects such as a pseudosphere display are performed using this area.

  In the game area 101, a passing gate (through chucker) 118 is arranged on the left side of FIG. In addition, a special symbol start winning opening (start chucker) 108 is arranged in the lower part of FIG. 2 with respect to the center of the game area 101, and further below the special symbol starting winning opening 108, An attacker 112 is arranged near the lower end of the game area 101.

  The attacker 112 is provided with an opening / closing door 116, which opens or closes when the opening / closing door 116 is opened or closed. When the open / close door 116 is opened, the game ball dropped on the open / close door 116 is guided by the open / close door 116 and wins the attacker 112.

  In addition, general winning holes 109a, 109b, 109c, and 109d are provided slightly below the special symbol start winning hole 108 in the game area 101, slightly above the attacker 112, and left and right positions, and the game ball PB wins. Thus, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. The special symbol start winning opening 108, the general winning openings 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d, and the attacker 112 are fixed on the transparent gaming board 100 by an opaque set board from the back side of the transparent gaming board 100, and its internal structure Is configured so that it cannot be seen by the player.

  On the other hand, a guide member 125 is disposed in the game area 101, and a main part of the display area 201 of the liquid crystal display device 200 configured with the game ball PB at the center of the game area 101 together with the left and right extension guides 125L and 125R. The game ball PB is configured to include a stage 125S in which a path for the game ball PB is provided in the back-side passage and the front-side passage of the transparent gaming board 100. Some of them are guided on the stage 125S by a game nail 123 or the like. After being guided on the stage 125S, the game ball PB that has been able to pass through the hole 125H provided with the stage 125S can easily win the special symbol start winning opening 108.

  In addition, around the guide member 125 in the game area 101, there are provided a windmill 122 and a number of game nails 123 that guide a game ball that falls by itself in the game area 101 to a predetermined path.

  At the lowest position of the game area 101 of the transparent game board 100, an out port 124 for discharging the off-ball to the back side of the transparent game board 100 is provided.

  Further, a passage path 212 is provided at the right end of the game area 101 so that the game ball PB can pass when the discharge intensity of the game ball PB discharged from the discharge port 105 is too strong. The passage 212 is constituted by the right extension guide 125 </ b> R of the guide member 125 and the inner rail 104.

  Note that an image indicated by a broken line in the drawing is an example of an image displayed in the display area 201 of the liquid crystal display device 200.

(Control system configuration)
Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured around a main control unit 150. The main control unit 150 stores a basic program relating to games, and the operation of each unit is controlled based on a command signal from the main control unit 150.

  The main control unit 150 detects a start winning sensor 180 that detects a winning ball to the special symbol starting winning opening 108, a passing gate winning sensor 184 that detects a winning ball to the passing gate 118, and a winning ball to the attacker 112. Each of the big winning sensors 186 is connected, and each of these sensors outputs a detection signal to the main control unit 150 when a winning ball is detected. It should be noted that a V zone is provided in the attacker 112 as an opportunity to continue the big hit processing round as necessary. When a V zone is provided in the attacker 112, a V zone sensor 228 for detecting the passage through the V zone is provided.

  Furthermore, a solenoid 175 and a holding lamp 176 that open / close the opening / closing door 116 of the attacker 112 are connected to the main control unit 150.

  Further, when the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning opening 108, the main control unit 150 performs a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”) of special symbol win / loss by detecting this with the start winning sensor 180. When the result of the special drawing lottery is a win (big hit), the main control unit 150 controls the game state so as to shift from the normal game state to the special game state. As for the jackpot, there are cases where a normal hit and a probability change mode in which the next hit probability is increased after the end of the special gaming state, or a time reduction mode in which the symbol variation pattern time is shortened may be added.

  Also, information (start winning signal, jackpot signal, symbol determination number signal) indicating the progress of the game is transmitted from the main control unit 150 to the hall computer via the board external terminal 190.

  Furthermore, an effect control unit 152 and a payout control unit 154 are respectively connected to the main control unit 150, and these control units are controlled by command transmission from the main control unit 150.

  The effect control unit 152 is connected to the liquid crystal display device 200 via the symbol control unit 156. In the effect control unit 152, based on the command sent from the main control unit 150, the display density (resolution) corresponding to the sent command from among a plurality of types of effect image patterns stored in the storage means (not shown). ) And the design control unit 156 is controlled to display an effect image corresponding to the command on the liquid crystal display device 200.

  In addition, the effect control unit 152 is a light-emitting element 126 for lighting effects provided in various game parts of the transparent gaming board 100, a display lamp 142 for lighting effects and an error indicator lamp provided in the glass frame 26. The lighting, extinguishing and blinking of 144 are controlled, and further, the outputs of sound effects and the like are controlled by operating the speakers 146L and 146R provided on the front surface of the glass frame 26.

  On the liquid crystal display device 200 controlled by the effect control unit 152, an effect image of the symbol variation pattern for informing the result of the special symbol lottery is displayed, and BGM at the time of the symbol variation pattern effect is displayed from the speakers 146L and 146R. Is output. Thereby, the player can enjoy the production | presentation by the design symbol corresponding to the result of special drawing lottery through vision and hearing. The content displayed by the hold lamp 176 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200.

  There are two types of symbol variation patterns: special symbol variation patterns and production symbol variation patterns, both of which notify the result of special symbol lottery, but the special symbol variation pattern performs a predetermined variation and stop and special symbol lottery While the result of the form is officially notified after a lapse of a predetermined time, the directing pattern variation pattern takes effect into the process of notifying the result of the special drawing lottery, and makes it awkward whether it is a hit or miss. However, it is of the nature to notify.

  Here, when the result of the special drawing lottery becomes “big hit” and the fact is notified by the symbol variation pattern effect on the liquid crystal display device 200 and the BGM output from the speakers 146L and 146R, the big hit processing in the special gaming state is completed. Executed.

  In this jackpot process, the attacker 112 opens a predetermined number of times (rounds), and the opening time of one round is about 30 seconds, and a maximum of 10 gaming balls PB can be won during this time. That is, when either one of 30 seconds which is a time limit or 10 which is a number limit is satisfied first, the round is ended and the next round is started.

  For this reason, in the special gaming state, more winnings are expected in a shorter period than in the normal gaming state, and a gaming state advantageous to the player can be achieved.

  In addition, as described above, in the liquid crystal display device 200, when a special symbol start winning port 108 is newly won during execution of the symbol variation pattern effect, and when a special symbol start winning port 108 is won during the jackpot process, The number of lighting of the holding lamp 176 increases to a maximum of four according to the number of winnings.

  On the other hand, when the previous symbol variation pattern effect ends or the jackpot process ends, the liquid crystal display device 200 starts a new symbol variation pattern effect to notify the reserved special symbol lottery result. Along with this, one hold lamp 176 is extinguished, and the player is informed of the digestion of the hold.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 is connected to the payout device 160 and the launch control unit 164, and the launch control unit 164 is connected to the launch device 40. The payout control unit 154 operates the payout device 160 provided in the pachinko machine 10 to control the payout / lending ball payout and stop operations and the number of payouts. Further, the launch control unit 164 activates the launch device 40 by operating the launch handle 39 (see FIG. 1) by the player to start launching the game ball PB and launch force according to the operation amount of the launch handle 39. To control.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 transmits payout information to the hall computer installed in the hall via the frame external terminal 191.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as a symbol variation pattern effect, an effect of scroll-displaying a plurality of columns of symbols in a partial variation region of the liquid crystal display device 200 and then stopping and displaying is performed. Then, the result of the special drawing lottery is notified by the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the effect.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the display state of the liquid crystal display device 200 when the symbol variation pattern effect is executed. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the background image and the fluctuation area 203 are defined so as to clarify the fluctuation area (symbol display area) 203 (the inner area surrounded by a thick broken line in FIG. 4). A partition image with a difference so as to form a visually clear partition or partition is arranged at a position corresponding to the boundary between and the boundary portion of the fluctuation region 203 in the scroll (moving) direction of the pattern P clearly. It is trying to become. As a precaution, the thick dashed line itself is never displayed on the screen. In the figure, the symbol P stops after the left, middle, and right three symbol columns have moved in the scroll direction indicated by the arrow S in the variable region 203 in the display region 201 in which the background image is displayed. It is like that.

  In the example shown in the figure, a palm tree leaf image 310 is arranged as a partition image on the boundary in the scroll direction S upstream of the fluctuation region 203, and a road image as a partition image on the boundary in the scroll direction S downstream. 320 is arranged.

  The design P is displayed in an effect so that it appears in the fluctuation region 203 sequentially from the back side of the palm tree leaf image 310, moves in the direction of the arrow S, and disappears so as to sink into the back side of the road image 320.

  By configuring the background image in this way, the boundary portion 203a (the portion indicated by the thick broken line) on the upper side of the variation area 203 that appears in the variation area 203 while the symbol P is scrolling, and the symbol P is scrolling. The lower boundary portion 203b (the portion indicated by the thick broken line) that disappears from the variation region 203 becomes clear, the background image of the display region 201 and the variation pattern are not uncomfortable, and the variation region 203 The boundary can be displayed so as to be grasped.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the design P does not produce an effect that greatly shifts in the left-right direction of the variable region 203 during scrolling, so the left and right boundary portions 203 c and 203 d of the variable region 203 are In the form, the background image is not distinguished from each other. Rather, the background image in the fluctuation region 203 and the surrounding background image are assimilated so that the boundary portion 203c 203d cannot be clearly identified. The image is formed so that the sky image is continuous inside and outside the fluctuation region 203 if it is empty, and the image in the city is continuous inside and outside the fluctuation region 203 if both backgrounds are in the city.

  If there is an effect that the pattern P also fluctuates in the left-right direction, the description will be made according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, and the left and right borders using the palm tree images 330 and 340 as the partition images. The image of the pattern P that constitutes the portions 203c and 203d and that exceeds the palm tree images 330 and 340 disappears from the display area 201 with the boundary as the boundary image. The generation of a sense of incongruity in the production can be eliminated.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the image shown in FIG. 4 as an example. As shown in the figure, an image 310 showing an upper and lower boundary of the fluctuation region 203 shown in FIG. 4 is further displayed on the background screen 206A by superimposing a fluctuation screen 206B in which the symbol P scrolls in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow S. , 320, the frame screen 206C configured to be displayed on the front face.

  As shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, the fluctuation image 206B may scroll the symbol P in the so-called horizontal direction in which the arrow S is rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

  Actually, the three images are not displayed in an overlapping manner, but the image shown as the frame screen 206C is included in the background image 206A, and the pattern P is included in the fluctuation region 203 in the background image. Fluctuating images scrolling are displayed in an overlapping manner.

  In the present embodiment, the shape, size, and position of the variable region are made different depending on the contents of the production.

  FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a substantially whole image of the game area 101 when the effect image shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200. 6 to FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and those having no particular reason in each embodiment are not described in the specification. Yes. In the example shown in the figure, the position of the partition image 310 on the upstream side in the scroll direction S is displayed below the portion corresponding to the guide member 125 that guides the flow of the game ball PB. Further, the position of the partition image 320 on the downstream side in the scroll direction S is guided above the stage 125S of the guide member and displayed above the center of the game ball PB when placed on the topmost part 125T of the center part. Like to do.

  That is, game board components such as the windmill 122, the game nail 123, and the guide member 125 are arranged at a position corresponding to the fluctuation area 203A on the transparent gaming board 100, in other words, an area facing the fluctuation area 203A on the surface normal. The game ball PB is configured so as not to pass therethrough so that the game ball PB does not block the fluctuation region 203A.

  6 is the same as the variable region 203 shown in FIG. 4, but another symbol 203A is used for comparison with other embodiments described later. Therefore, the boundary portions 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d shown in FIG. 4 are also described as boundary portions 203Aa, 203Ab, 203Ac, and 203Ad, respectively, but are the same.

  In this way, visibility in both the top and bottom of the symbol scroll direction S of the symbol P variation region 203A is ensured, and the symbol variation display can be recognized more comfortably.

  FIG. 7 shows, as an example, a game area 101 when an effect image when the scroll direction S is the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the liquid crystal display device 200 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200. .

  In the present embodiment, the effect pattern of FIG. 7 has a smaller change in the effect pattern such as the preview image compared to the effect pattern of FIG. Also uses a high density image pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a submarine window frame is displayed as a partition image 350, 360 of the symbol P that scrolls in the horizontal direction, and the symbol P is a fish that moves in the sea visible from the submarine window. For example, the effect is displayed. The partition image 350 is displayed outside the position where the extension guide 125L on the left side of the guide member 125 that guides the flow of the game ball PB, that is, the position facing the passing gate 118, the windmill 122, and the nail 123 on the left side. It has become so.

  Further, the position of the partition image 360 is also moved to the right side of the position of the boundary portion 203Ad in FIG. 6, and the boundary portion 203Bd is arranged in the vicinity of the right extension guide 125R. Furthermore, although not as large as in the horizontal direction, the boundary portion 203Ba is also positioned above the boundary portion 203Aa shown in FIG. 6 to expand the fluctuation region 203B to the limit of the upper side 200a of the liquid crystal display device 200, and the boundary portion 203Bb is also The fluctuation region 203B is enlarged by lowering to the vicinity of or below the stage top portion 125T below the boundary portion 203Ab shown in FIG.

  As a result, the area of the variation area 203B becomes larger than that of the variation area 203A (see FIG. 6), so that the game area 101 can be used largely without reducing the pattern P, and the pattern P can be used as shown in FIG. It is possible to scroll and display in the horizontal direction in a state of being arranged in three middle and lower tiers.

  That is, when scrolling in the horizontal direction, if an attempt is made to scroll a symbol P having the same size within the same fluctuation region 203A as in the example shown in FIG. Not being able to display, it is difficult not only to grasp the scroll direction S, but also because the front and back symbols P are not displayed, it may lead to a decrease in the player's expectation for the game.

  Even when the horizontal scroll display shown in the figure is performed, the symbol P is a three-stage symbol row in the upper, middle, and lower stages along the scroll direction S indicated by the arrow S, as in the examples shown in FIGS. Is moved from right to left and moved so as to be displayed in the fluctuation display area 203B. In the partition image 360, the boundary image 203B is also a boundary between the fluctuation area 203B and the partition image 360. It appears on the screen for the first time after passing behind and appears in the variable display area 203B so that it can be seen by the player. In addition, the pattern P that is moved and displayed in the scrolling direction S in the variable display area 203B is behind the partition image 350 with a boundary portion 203Bc that is the boundary between the variable area 203B and the partition image 350 in the partition image 350. It is displayed to disappear while passing through.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the symbol P is stopped and displayed in the fluctuation region 203B, the combination of the symbols P in which the upper, middle, and lower three symbols P are stopped and displayed in a single vertical line in the center portion. The result of the special drawing lottery is notified.

  For this reason, game board components such as a passing gate 118 on the transparent game board 100, a windmill 122, a game nail 123, and an extension guide 125L on the left side of the guide member 125 are disposed at both ends of the variable area 203B. The pattern P overlaps with the display area of the liquid crystal display device 200 corresponding to the position through which the game ball PB passes, in other words, the display area facing the arrangement position of the game board component on the surface normal. Even if displayed, it does not hinder the grasp of the contents of the production.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the symbols P displayed at both ends of the variation area 203B when the variation is stopped are always displayed in a partially missing state. Thereby, it is possible to cause the player to naturally recognize that the symbols P displayed on both ends at the time of the fluctuation stop do not indicate the result of the special drawing lottery.

  However, in order to avoid misunderstandings of the player, the symbol P on both ends is displayed in a partially missing state, and the winner is selected as a result of a special drawing lottery such as aligning all the symbols in the upper, middle and lower tiers with the same symbol. It is preferable to control so that the combination indicating is not displayed at both ends.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery is a win and how the next game progresses during the execution of the effect by the scroll display of the symbol P (normal game) There is a case where a notice effect for notifying the user of whether or not a win-win mode, a probability change mode or a time reduction mode is added) is executed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a notice effect displayed during execution of the variable display as shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, an actual image of the cocoon fruit is displayed on the road displayed as the partition image 320 in the background image of the fluctuation area 203 and in front of the demo symbol P being variably displayed in the fluctuation area 203. An effect display that falls is displayed as a notice effect image 372. In this case, for example, it is displayed that the fruit of the eggplant is falling on the road, and the result of the special drawing lottery depends on the size of the fruit of the eggplant to be displayed and whether the fruit of the eggplant that has fallen or not explode. It is possible to notify the degree of expectation that the winning is, how the next game proceeds (whether it is a normal winning, the probability variation mode or the time reduction mode is added), and the like.

  In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 9, in order to execute the notice effect without a sense of incongruity, the demo image in which the image of the bus running on the road displayed as the partition image 320 in the background image of the fluctuation region 203 is variably displayed is displayed. The notice effect image 370 is displayed instantaneously in front of the change area 203 in a blocking manner. Thus, by hiding the fluctuation region 203 with the notice effect image 370, the player's expectation can be improved. In this case, for example, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery will be a win depending on the color of the bus passing through the display area, and how the next game will proceed (normal hit, probability change mode or time reduction) Whether a mode is added) or the like.

  In the present embodiment, a notice effect image may be displayed during the execution of variable display in this way, and therefore an image display effect that increases the load of display control may occur. Then, in the case of the vertical scroll effect pattern as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 that may execute the notice effect, the overall image resolution is lowered to reduce the control load. I have to.

  In addition, when performing the effect by the variation pattern of FIG. 7, instead of not displaying the image of the special notice effect, all the images displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200 are displayed with a high resolution, which is somewhat clear. An effect display by an image is performed.

  Specifically, when the variable display as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 200 is an image data of resolution XGA (eXtended Video Graphics Array: 1024 × 768 dots). On the other hand, in the case of an image pattern that performs a specific effect such as displaying a notice effect while changing in a short time on the front surface of the variable display as shown in FIGS. In order to reduce the load of 152, image data with a resolution of SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array: 800 × 600 dots) is used.

  In the effect control unit 152, two types of image data with different resolutions are prepared in advance, and when the control load is larger than a predetermined level, the image data with the lower resolution is selected as display data, In this case, image data having a higher resolution is selected as display data.

  In the present embodiment, a VXGA 20-inch liquid crystal display is adopted as the liquid crystal display device 200. As applicable image data, VGA (Video Graphics Array: 640 × 480 dots), SVGA (Super Video Graphics). Array: 800 x 600 dots), XGA (eXtended Graphics Array: 1024 x 768 dots), SXGA + (Super eXtended Graphics Array +: 1400 x 1050 dots), UXGA (Ultra eXtended Graphics Array +: 1600 x 1200 dots) Is mentioned.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  In the game using the pachinko machine 10, when the player operates the launch handle 39, the game balls stored in the ball tray portion 34 of the integrated dish 30 are supplied to the launch device 40 one by one by the ball feeding device. Is fired upward. The launched game ball PB is driven into the game area 101 of the transparent game board 100 along the outer rail 102, and the game area 101 is changed in direction by game board components such as the windmill 122, the game nail 123, and the guide member 125. Fall inside. Then, the game ball that has reached the lower end of the game area 101 without winning a prize is collected into the pachinko machine 10 from the out port 124.

  When the game ball PB wins the special symbol start winning slot 108, a special symbol winning / losing lottery process is executed, and the lottery result is obtained in two areas in the lower part of the liquid crystal display device 200. The special symbol is changed in a predetermined pattern, and the special symbol is displayed by a combination of stop symbols that have passed through the changed pattern. Further, along with this display, in almost the entire area of the liquid crystal display device 200, the effect design fluctuates in a predetermined pattern and is stopped and displayed through the variation pattern. In the production image of this production pattern variation pattern, for example, a number of patterns that take various productions and tastes into consideration are prepared, such as display of a winning design after reach, display of a missed design, or display of a missed design without reach. The player receives these effects and observes the lottery result of the special symbol with expectation.

  In the present embodiment, when the symbol variation pattern is such that the symbol P scrolls the variation region 203 in the display region 201, a background image is set in advance according to the variation region 203, and according to the contents of the effect. Thus, the shape and size of the fluctuation region 203 are changed.

  That is, in the case of the effect of scrolling display of the pattern P in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 6 with the pattern of resolution SVGA, the change area 203A has a substantially rectangular shape, which corresponds to the boundary of the change area 203A of the background image. In this position, an image of a palm tree leaf is displayed as a partition image 310, and a road image is displayed as a partition image 320.

  Further, in the case of the effect of scrolling and displaying the pattern P in the horizontal direction, the variable region 203B has a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG. 7 with a resolution XGA pattern having a higher resolution than the pattern of FIG. Submarine window frame images are displayed as partition images 350 and 360 at positions corresponding to the boundaries of the fluctuation region 203B of the background image.

  Thereby, the player can easily grasp the shape and size of the change area 203 that changes in accordance with the contents of the presentation, without feeling uncomfortable with the background image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, not only the shape and size of the variable region 203 but also the partition image and the pattern P are made different to emphasize a difference in the production pattern, thereby making it more diverse. Production image display is possible.

  In the present embodiment, a notice effect with a notice image as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be executed during the execution of the symbol variation pattern.

  When the notice effect is executed, the notice images 370, 372, and 374 are, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the frame image 206D shown in FIG. 5 (note that the frame image 206D in FIG. It shows a preview image composed of 372 and 374).

  In the case of executing the notice effect, the resolution of the image is set to a low resolution SVGA as compared with the resolution XGA at the time of the simple variable display effect shown in FIG. 7 as an example. As a result, the control load is reduced as compared with the case where the notice effect is executed at the same resolution as that of the simple variable display effect.

  In the case of the notice effect as shown in the figure, the expectation that the result of the special drawing lottery will be a hit depends on the size of the coconut fruit to be displayed, whether the coconut fruit will explode or not explode, etc. And how the next game proceeds (whether it is a normal hit, a probability variation mode or a time reduction mode is added), and the like.

  Also, in this embodiment, a vertical scroll display effect pattern is usually displayed, and a notice effect image notifies the possibility of shifting to the super reach effect or the normal reach effect and the possibility of shifting to the probability change mode or the time reduction mode. In the probability change mode, an effect pattern is selected depending on the gaming state, such as displaying an effect pattern of horizontal scroll display.

  Here, when the notification of the result of the special drawing lottery is finished, in the case of a big win, a big hit process which is a special gaming state is executed.

  The jackpot process is opened by the attacker 112 for a predetermined number of times (rounds) for a predetermined time. In general, the opening time of one round is about 30 seconds, and during this period, up to 10 game balls are won, or 30 seconds have passed, either of which is satisfied first, the round ends and the next round Migrate to Since this is continued for about 15 rounds, in the special game state, more wins are expected in a shorter period than in the normal game state, and a game state advantageous to the player can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the resolution XGA or the resolution SVGA is selected and switched according to the display control load, the XGA is usually selected and the control load tends to increase. In the case of an effect pattern that may display an image or the like, a notice effect with a large control load is performed by selecting an SVGA with a low resolution, or normally selecting an effect pattern of XGA and performing the display effect. By switching to SVGA when displaying such as, it is possible to display a preview image or the like at high speed without increasing the image display control load.

  In this embodiment, since the resolution when the control load increases is set to 1/2 or more of the normal resolution, the image display control load is increased without causing an extreme deterioration in image quality. The notice image etc. can be displayed at high speed without any problems.

  Note that the configuration (see FIGS. 1 to 3) and effect images (see FIGS. 4 to 8) of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the mode of reducing the resolution when displaying the notice effect has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the notice is given regardless of whether or not the notice effect is displayed. It is also possible to reduce the resolution when displaying an effect image that may display an effect.

  Thereby, the player can enjoy the effect in the gaming state without paying attention to the change of the image between the time of the notice and the time of the non-notice.

  Further, since it is not necessary to prepare two types of image data with different resolutions for a specific effect image that may display a notice effect, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the image data.

  Furthermore, since only one type of image data is stored for the same image, it is not necessary to perform selection and switching of resolution based on the control load by the effect control unit 152, and it is not necessary to execute special control.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that uses a game ball or the like as a game medium. In particular, a liquid crystal display device 200 is used in a pachinko machine to provide a fine image without reducing the control burden ( In particular, high-speed display of a preview image or the like), and high game playability.

PB Game Ball 10 Pachinko Machine 100 Transparent Game Board (Game Board)
101 gaming area 152 effect control unit (display control means)
200 Liquid crystal display device (image display device)
201 Display area 203 Variable area

Claims (6)

An image display device for displaying a symbol for making a notification corresponding to the lottery result of the game according to the state of the stop display;
Display control means for causing the image display device to display an image according to the progress of the game;
With
The display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to a first display density or a second display having a display density lower than the first display density in accordance with a display control load. A gaming machine characterized by selecting and switching the density. An image display device for displaying a symbol for making a notification corresponding to the lottery result of the game according to the state of the stop display;
A plurality of game board components that are provided on the display area side of the image display device and restrict and guide the flow direction of the game ball mainly in the game area on the surface side facing the player, and light having a predetermined transmittance. A game board made of a permeable material;
Display control means for causing the image display device to display an image according to the progress of the game;
With
The display control means sets the display density of the entire image displayed on the image display device to a first display density or a second display having a display density lower than the first display density in accordance with a display control load. A gaming machine characterized by selecting and switching the density.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control means selects display based on the second display density when performing a specific notice effect.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second display density is ½ times or more of the first display density. 5.   The display control means selects the second display density regardless of whether or not to actually display the notice effect image when displaying a specific effect image that may display the notice effect image. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming machine is characterized in that:   6. The aspect ratio of the image display control area of the image display device, the image of the first display density, and the image of the second display density are all equal. The gaming machine according to item 1.

Images