JP3714456B2 - Ball payout game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a display means provided with a plurality of display units for variably displaying a plurality of preset symbols, and the combination of symbols displayed on each display unit is a combination of jackpot symbols The present invention relates to a ball payout game machine represented by a pachinko machine that generates a big hit state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, variable display of a plurality of (for example, three) symbol displays is sequentially stopped, and when the symbol at the time of stoppage becomes a combination of big hit symbols, a big hit state is entered and the variable winning device is opened in a predetermined manner. Many pachinko machines to drive were offered to the market. In such a pachinko machine, the player can visually recognize the state in which the variable display of a plurality of symbol displays is sequentially stopped.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in this type of pachinko machine, in order for a player to obtain a large profit, combinations of symbols that are displayed in advance when a plurality of symbol displays are stopped are combinations of predetermined jackpot symbols, for example, the same It becomes a design. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a possibility of winning a big hit when the symbol display except the last one is stopped. The player's interest is not suitable for the symbol display even if he / she can visually recognize the variation display of the player. It is only directed. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to be able to concentrate the player's attention on identification information such as symbols that are sequentially identified and the visibility to the identification information. It is to provide a ball payout game machine such as a pachinko machine that can effectively improve the performance.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, in the present invention, a symbol display unit for variably displaying a plurality of preset symbols is provided with display means provided on the left, center, and right, and each symbol display unit includes In a ball payout gaming machine that generates a big hit state when the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed is a combination of big hit symbols,
Each said symbol display part is a display part which displays a symbol by the mutually same size,
The first state in which the visible area of the central symbol display part is made smaller by making the visible area of the central symbol display part less visible, and the visible area of the central symbol display part is made larger than that. Switching means for switching to a second state that makes it easy to visually recognize the symbols by displaying them in the same size as the left and right symbol display units;
Until the symbols on the left and right symbol display portions of the symbol display portions are first stopped and displayed, and there is a possibility that the symbol combination on the left and right symbol display portions becomes a jackpot symbol combination, Control means for switching the switching means to the second state when the possibility arises .
In this case, the switching means is a shutter member that is disposed in front of the central symbol display section and has a smaller dimension than the central symbol display section. The shutter member is moved forward of the central symbol display unit until the symbols are stopped and displayed first in the left and right symbol display units and the symbol combination in the left and right symbol display units may become a jackpot symbol combination. Preferably, the shutter member is retracted from the front of the central symbol display section when the possibility arises.
[0005]
[Action]
Control means until the symbol is stopped and displayed first on the left and right symbol display portions of each symbol display portion by the above means, and the symbol combination on the left and right symbol display portions may become a jackpot symbol combination. The switching means is set to a first state in which the visible area of the central symbol display portion among the symbol display portions is reduced to make it difficult to visually recognize the symbols. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned possibility occurs, the control means displays the entire display with the same size as the left and right symbol display parts by making the switching means the visible area of the central symbol display part larger than that in the first state. By doing so, it switches to the 2nd state which made it easy to visually recognize a symbol.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine provided with the symbol display device 20 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0007]
In FIG. 1, a game area 3 partitioned by a guide rail 2 provided in a substantially circular shape is formed on the front surface of a game board 1 configured in a square shape. Near the center of the game area 3, a symbol display device 20 as a display device that constitutes a main part of the present embodiment is arranged, and below the symbol display device 20 is a fluctuation that can be released in a special game state that is a big hit state. A winning device 4 is arranged.
[0008]
The variable winning device 4 has an opening / closing plate 5, and the opening / closing plate 5 is driven to open / close by an opening / closing solenoid 6 (not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3). The variable winning device 4 includes a 10-count detection switch 14 for detecting a winning ball received in a state where the opening / closing plate 5 is opened, and a winning ball that has won a V winning opening formed in the opening / closing plate 5 (not shown). A V winning detection switch 15 (both shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3) for detection is provided.
[0009]
The variable winning device 4 configured as described above has a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls until the opening / closing plate 5 passes for a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) when a big hit state described later is reached. Is opened until such a time is generated, and such an open state is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times) on condition that a winning ball wins a prize at the V prize opening. Accordingly, the 10 count detection switch 14 is used to count the number of winning balls accepted during one opening of the opening / closing plate 5, and the V winning detection switch 15 is a condition that the opening / closing plate 5 is repeatedly opened. It is used for detecting.
[0010]
The game area 3 is provided with start winning ports 7a to 7c as operation ports. The start winning ports 7a to 7c allow a variable display of symbol displays 25a to 25c, which will be described later, of the symbol display device 20. For this reason, the start winning ports 7a to 7c are used for detecting a winning of a hit ball. The winning detection switches 13a to 13c (not shown; however, shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3) are incorporated. The start winning port 7 a is arranged directly below the symbol display device 20 between the symbol display device 20 and the variable winning device 4, and the start winning ports 7 b and 7 c are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the opening / closing plate 5 of the variable winning device 4. Has been.
[0011]
Further, in the game area 3, tulip-type winning ports 8 a and 8 b are provided on both sides of the symbol display device 20, and winning ports 9 a and 9 b are arranged obliquely above and below the variable winning device 4. Although not shown, these winning holes 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b have built-in operation lamps 10 (which are shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3) that are lit or flashing in accordance with various game states. . Further, on both the left and right sides of the game area 3, there are also arranged jackpot lamps 11a and 11b that flash when the jackpot state is reached and notify the player to that effect.
[0012]
In addition, at the lowermost part of the game area 3, there is also provided an out port 12 through which hit balls that do not win in the above-described winning port are collected.
[0013]
By the way, the symbol display device 20 provided at substantially the center of the game area 3 is formed in a concentrated manner on a mounting substrate 21 attached to the surface of the game board 1 as shown in FIGS. That is, a winning opening 22 is formed in the upper portion of the mounting substrate 21, and a winning number display LED 23 for displaying the number of winning balls detected by the 10 count detection switch 14 faces the front surface below the winning opening 22. Is provided. Further, a start memory display LED 24 for notifying that the number of winning balls won in the start winning ports 7 a to 7 c is stored below the winning number display LED 23 is also provided so as to face the front surface of the mounting board 21. The start memory display LED 24 is stored and held when the hitting ball wins the start winning ports 7a to 7c when the symbol indicators 25a to 25c are in the variable display state or in the big hit state, and the start memory display is as many as the reserved number. The LED 24 is turned on and turned off one by one every time the symbol indicators 25a to 25c start to change. However, the number of memories is limited to a maximum of four, and any starting winnings beyond that are invalid.
[0014]
Further, the mounting board 21 is provided with three symbol indicators 25a to 25c at substantially the center thereof. Since the symbol displays 25a to 25c in the present embodiment are configured by 7 segment LEDs, the symbols displayed thereby are ten kinds of numbers “1” to “0”. The symbol indicators 25a to 25c display the above-mentioned numbers in a variable manner at a speed that cannot be identified by the player based on the fact that the hit ball has won the start winning holes 7a to 7c, and for a certain time (for example, 5 Second) first, the fluctuation display of the left symbol display 25a is stopped, then the fluctuation display of the right symbol display 25c is stopped after a predetermined time has passed, and the central symbol display 25b after the predetermined time has passed. Is controlled to stop. When all the symbols displayed on the three symbol indicators 25a to 25c become the same number at the time of the stop, it becomes a big hit state, and as described above, the variable winning device 4 is driven and controlled so that a large number of winning balls are received in a short time. It is supposed to occur.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a transparent front cover glass 26 is provided in front of the symbol displays 25a to 25c, and a shutter as a movable piece is provided in front of the symbol indicators 25b at a position corresponding to the central symbol display 25b. An in / out hole 28 through which the member 27 intrudes is provided. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the portion where the shutter member 27 appears and disappears constitutes a stage on which the game ball can move, and this stage is inclined toward the front side. Thus, the shutter member 27 protrudes from the appearance hole 28 so as to be invisible to the player so as to hide the symbol display 25b in a normal state, and the stop symbols displayed on the left and right symbol displays 25a and 25c are displayed. A combination of symbols that can be a big hit, that is, when the numbers are the same (hereinafter referred to as a reach state), the shutter member 27 is immersed so that the player can visually recognize the central symbol display 25b. . Then, as a mechanism for driving the shutter member 27, as shown in FIG. 2, an engagement piece 29 protrudes backward from the lower end of the shutter member 27, and an engagement elongated hole opened in the engagement piece 29. An engagement pin 32 protruding from the tip of the collar 31 is engaged with 30. The rear portion of the collar 31 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 33. The rear end portion of the collar 31 faces the pressing piece 36 fixed to the tip of the plunger 35 of the shutter solenoid 34 that is an electric driving means. Thus, in a normal state where the shutter solenoid 34 is not excited, the plunger 35 is lowered by the urging force of the spring 37 provided around the plunger 35, and the rear end of the collar 31 is moved downward by the pressing piece 36. As a result, the front end of the collar 31 is raised and the shutter member 27 is raised. That is, the central symbol display 25b cannot be visually recognized by the player (solid line in FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the shutter solenoid 34 is energized, the plunger 35 is attracted and raised, so that the pressing force to the rear end portion of the collar 31 by the pressing piece 36 is removed. It will descend with its own weight. For this reason, the player can visually recognize the central symbol display 25b (FIG. 2, one-dot chain line).
[0016]
The various configurations provided in the game board 1 of the pachinko machine have been described above. The above-described symbol display device 20, the variable winning device 4 and the like are controlled by the control circuit shown in FIG. The control circuit includes a microcomputer 40 as a control center, and an external ROM 41 and an external RAM 42 are connected to the microcomputer 40. The external ROM 41 stores program data indicating a processing procedure, and the external RAM 42 is configured to write and call necessary data. The start winning detection switches 13a to 13c, the 10 count detection switch 14, and the V winning detection switch 15 are connected to the microcomputer 40 via a waveform shaping circuit 43 formed of a flip-flop for preventing chattering. The clock generation circuit 45 outputs an external interrupt signal to the INT terminal of the microcomputer 40 via the frequency dividing circuit 44. The microcomputer 40 executes the main program stored in the external ROM 41 in synchronization with the external interrupt signal.
[0017]
When power is supplied to the power supply circuit 46, a reset signal is output from the reset signal generation circuit 47 to the microcomputer 40, and the initial program is started by the reset signal.
[0018]
A display driver circuit 48, a display selector 49, and a driver 50 are connected to each output port of the microcomputer 40. The symbol display units 25a to 25c are connected to the display unit drive circuit 48 and the display unit selection circuit 49. In addition to the symbol displays 25a to 25c, a winning number display LED 23 and a start memory display LED 24 are also connected to the display driver circuit 48 and the display selection circuit 49. These displays are dynamically driven by outputting selection data and display data from the microcomputer 40 at a constant cycle. The driver 50 drives the open / close solenoid 6 and the shutter solenoid 34 in accordance with a signal from the microcomputer 40, and controls the lighting or flashing operation of the big hit lamps 11a and 11b and the operation lamp 10.
[0019]
Of the operations controlled by the control circuit described above, the fluctuation display subroutine showing the procedure of the fluctuation display of the symbol displays 25a to 25c, and the shutter solenoid that is driven when it is determined that the reach state is determined by the fluctuation display subroutine The shutter solenoid driving subroutine showing the processing procedure of driving 34 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
First, the variable display subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the big hit state, the symbol indicators 25a to 25c are held in a state where the symbols which are usually big hits are displayed, so that the big hit flag is displayed in step S10. When it is determined that is set, the following variable display subroutine processing is not executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the big hit flag is not set, the states of the symbol display devices 25a to 25c are determined in steps S20 to S50. Specifically, it is determined in step S20 whether or not all the symbol displays 25a to 25c are changing (state flag = 1), and only the left symbol display 25a is stopped in step S30. Is determined (state flag = 2). In step S40, it is determined whether the left and right symbol displays 25a, 25c are in a state where the fluctuation is stopped (state flag = 3). Then, it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on the left and right symbol displays 25a and 25c is the reach state (status flag = 4).
[0021]
When none of the above states is present (when the state is not changing), the state flag = 0, and at this time, the value of the start memory counter C that stores the winnings of the hitting balls to the starting winning ports 7a to 7c in step S60. Is determined to be 1 or more, and when there is no stored value in the starting storage counter C, the following processing of the variable display subroutine is terminated without being executed.
[0022]
When the value of the start memory counter C is 1 or more, the timers t1, t2, and t3 are set in step S70, the fluctuations of all the symbol indicators 25a to 25c are started in step S80, and the value of the state flag F is set to “1”. Is set. The timers t1, t2, and t3 regulate the fluctuation time of each of the symbol indicators 25a to 25c, and have a relationship of t1 <t2 <t3; t2-t1≈t3-t2. In step S90, it is determined that the timer t1 has timed up. If the time has not expired, step S90 → variation display subroutine ends ... variation display subroutine start → step S20 → step S90 →. ·repeat.
[0023]
If it is determined that the timer t1 has timed up, the display of fluctuation on the left symbol display 25a is stopped and the value of the state flag F is set to “2” in step S100. Similarly, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the timer t2 has expired. If it is determined that the timer has expired, the change display of the right symbol display 25c is stopped and the state flag F is determined in step S120. The value of “3” is set. When the left and right symbol indicators 25a and 25c stop displaying the fluctuation, it is determined in step S130 whether or not the display is a reach display. If not, the timer t3 is timed up in step S140. Until the timer t3 expires. Step S140 → End of variation display subroutine ... Start variation display subroutine → Step S40 → Step S130 → Step S140 →... Proceed to step S180.
[0024]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the reach is displayed, it is determined in step S150 whether or not the reach flag has already been set. If not, the reach flag is set in step S160 and the timer t4 is newly set. Set the status flag F to “4”. Here, the timer t4 is used to extend the fluctuation time of the central symbol display 25b that last stops changing in the reach state, and is selected to have a relationship of t4> (t3-t2). Thus, in step S170, it is determined whether or not the timer t4 has expired. Until the timer t4 expires, step S170 → the variation display subroutine ends .... the variation display subroutine starts → step S50 → step S170 →. When the time is up, the process proceeds to step S180.
[0025]
When the timer t3 when it is not reach display has expired, or when the timer t4 when it is reach display has expired, the fluctuation display of the central symbol display 25b is stopped at step S180, and then the big hit symbol at step S190. When it is determined that the combination is not a big hit, in step S200, the reach flag is reset and the state flag is reset, and the variation display subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is a big hit, the reach flag is reset and the status flag is reset in step S210, and the big hit flag is set and the variation display subroutine is terminated.
[0026]
When the timer t3 expires in step S140, it is not necessary to determine the big hit. Therefore, the variable display of the central symbol display 25b is stopped and only the state flag is reset to end the variable display subroutine. May be.
[0027]
Next, a driving subroutine for the shutter solenoid 34 that is driven when it is determined that the reach display is determined in the above-described variation display subroutine will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
First, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set in step S300. If not set, it is determined whether or not the reach flag is set in step S310. When neither the big hit flag nor the reach flag is set, the shutter solenoid 34 is turned off in step S320, and when either the big hit flag or the reach flag is set, the shutter solenoid 34 is set in step S330. Is turned on. That is, in the present embodiment, during the big hit state and the reach state, the shutter solenoid 34 is excited to cause the shutter member 27 to be inserted from the in / out hole 28 so that the player can visually recognize the central symbol display 25b, and the big hit state. In states other than the state and the reach state, the shutter solenoid 34 is in a non-excited state so that the shutter member 27 protrudes from the in / out hole 28 so that the player cannot visually recognize the central symbol display 25b. In the above description of the operation, the shutter member 27 is immersed so that the player can visually recognize the central symbol display 25b not only in the reach state but also in the big hit state. In order to notify the player of which type of jackpot symbol the hit state has occurred, and when there is no need for this notification, the shutter member 27 protrudes during the jackpot state and the central symbol indicator 25b may not be visible to the player.
[0029]
Although the embodiment has been described above, the shutter member 27 that is mechanically driven as the shutter unit has been described in the above embodiment. However, the shutter member 27 is not limited by the movable decorative member provided with a character such as a person. It is also desirable to operate so that they also open or close. The shutter means may be an electric means. For example, a dimming liquid crystal sheet that becomes transparent when a voltage is applied to the front cover glass 26 and becomes opaque when no voltage is applied, or is driven until the symbol display 25b itself reaches a reach state. You may make it not display or drive display by low-intensity.
[0030]
Further, in the above embodiment, the shutter member 27 indicates that the player cannot see the central symbol display 25b at all. However, the shutter member 27 is made translucent, or the symbol display 25b (rear specific display unit). It may be made smaller than the size of the pattern display 25a, 25c (pre-specified display part), and may be less visible (control means).
[0031]
Moreover, although 7 segment LED was shown as the symbol displays 25a-25c, other displays, for example, LCD, EL, a dot matrix display, a rotating drum, etc., may be sufficient. Further, the number of symbol displays is not limited to three and may be more than that. In this case, a shutter member is provided for each of the symbol displays that variably stop after the third, and when there is a possibility of a big hit symbol combination, the shutter members are sequentially driven to sequentially play the symbol display. It may be made visible to a person. Moreover, the fluctuation stop signal of the symbol display may be generated not only by time but also by a stop switch that can be operated by the player.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is a possibility that a symbol is stopped and displayed first in the left and right symbol display portions of each symbol display portion, and a combination of symbols in the left and right symbol display portions becomes a combination of jackpot symbols. Until it occurs, the control means sets the switching means to the first state in which the visible area of the central symbol display part among the respective symbol display parts is reduced to make it difficult to visually recognize the symbol, and the possibility arises. Then, the visible area of the central symbol display unit is made larger than that in the first state, and the whole is displayed in the same size as the left and right symbol display units, thereby switching to the second state in which the symbols are easily visually recognized. As a result, the central symbol can be made inconspicuous until the possibility of a big hit symbol occurs, and the player's attention can be concentrated on the necessary location, and the visibility to the central symbol is also possible. It is possible to effectively improve when sexiness occurs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a symbol display device provided on the game board.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls a gaming operation.
4 is a flowchart showing a symbol variation operation among operations controlled by the control circuit shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a shutter solenoid among the operations controlled by the control circuit shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 ... Variable winning device, 7a ... Start winning port as operating port, 20 ... Symbol display device as display means, 25a-25c ... Symbol display (25a, 25c are first specific display units, 25b is rear specific display unit) 27: A shutter member as a movable piece.

Claims (2)

A symbol display unit on which a plurality of preset symbols are variably displayed includes display means provided on the left, center and right, and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on each symbol display unit is a combination of jackpot symbols In a ball payout game machine that generates a big hit state in case
Each said symbol display part is a display part which displays a symbol by the mutually same size,
The first state in which the visible area of the central symbol display part is made smaller by making the visible area of the central symbol display part less visible, and the visible area of the central symbol display part is made larger than that. Switching means for switching to a second state that makes it easy to visually recognize the symbols by displaying them in the same size as the left and right symbol display units;
Until the symbols on the left and right symbol display portions of the symbol display portions are first stopped and displayed, and there is a possibility that the symbol combination on the left and right symbol display portions becomes a jackpot symbol combination, A ball payout gaming machine , comprising: a control unit configured to switch the switching unit to a second state when the possibility occurs in one state . The switching means is a shutter member that is disposed in front of the central symbol display section and has a smaller dimension than the central symbol display section, and the control means is arranged in the left and right symbol display sections among the symbol display sections. The shutter member is positioned in front of the central symbol display unit until the symbol combination may be a big hit symbol combination when the symbol is stopped and displayed first and the symbol combination on the left and right is displayed. 2. The ball payout game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the performance occurs, the shutter member is retracted from the front of the central symbol display section .

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