JP4350486B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention has a plurality of symbol display portions each variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, the plurality of symbol display portions being arranged in a matrix of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a series of symbols that are stopped and displayed. A gaming machine having a symbol display device for informing a player of the establishment of a special gaming state by determining a plurality of active lines for identifying hit and hit and displaying a combination of symbols for hitting a plurality of active lines It is about.

  A support frame in which a plurality of windows are formed in parallel, and a drive frame of a plurality of drive motors, which are respectively mounted in the window of the support frame and fixedly attached to the bone-like portions of the support frame, respectively. A total of nine rotating reels rotating in total, and a total of eight rotating reels in the vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions formed by individually stopping the total nine rotating reels of the symbol display apparatus. A pachinko gaming machine has been proposed in which an individual hit line (effective line) is set to enhance the excitement level and expectation of the player (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in the symbol display device having a total of nine rotating reels, each rotational position data of each rotating reel is calculated from the number of pulses supplied to the rotational position detecting means of each rotating reel and a pulse motor that rotationally drives each rotating reel. Is described, and technical matters for performing stop control of each rotary reel based on stop position data determined during the rotation of the rotary reel are described (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the gaming machine equipped with the symbol display device having the above-described rotating reel, when a sensor for detecting the rotating position of the rotating reel (rotating position detector, for example, a photosensor for detecting the origin position in rotation) fails. Therefore, it becomes impossible to create the rotational position data of the rotating reel, and the failed rotating reel cannot be stopped with a predetermined symbol. Therefore, when the failed rotating reel is stopped, the symbols that are stopped and displayed at the stop display position (window) are undefined.

  Conventionally, when a rotating reel breaks down, in the symbol judgment line, what was originally intended to be stopped by a combination of detaching symbols will be stopped by a combination of symbols, or conversely, by a combination of symbols When it must be stopped, it may stop display due to a combination of out symbols, so trouble with the player (for example, the control unit that performs game control is recognized as out of the game, so it will be in a special gaming state. However, in order to avoid troubles as a result of the player being stopped at the symbol, the game machine had to be stopped.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-81583 Patent Publication No. 2920027

The object of the present invention is to prevent a combination of hit symbols which is not originally determined from being established in an effective line involving a failed rotating reel when only one of the rotating reels fails, and to continue the gaming machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a playground from being disadvantageous even if it is operated.

Game machine according to claim 1, each having a plurality of symbol display unit for variably displaying plural kinds of symbols, the plurality of symbol display section are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, it is stopped and displayed A plurality of active lines for identifying a player to identify a hit / miss from a sequence of symbols are determined, and a combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the plurality of active lines to notify the player of the establishment of a special gaming state. It is those having a display device, in order to solve the above problems, among the plurality of symbol display unit, at least one consists of a reel variable display device, one of the reel type variable display device If only becomes impossible position detected by the failure, the failed as a display state of the reel variable display device was symbols per, all organic, including the failed reel variable display device Line, game machine, characterized in that a symbol display control means for stopping displaying a combination of off-design.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gaming machine according to the first aspect, further comprising an informing means for informing the malfunction of the reel type variable display device when the malfunction of the reel type variable display device is detected. It is a feature.

  The game machine according to claim 3 is the game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the symbol display control means includes all of the failed reel type variable display devices when the combination of the winning symbols is stopped and displayed. The combination of winning symbols is stopped and displayed on any one of the effective lines excluding the active line.

According to the gaming machine of claim 1, when only one of the reel-type variable display devices cannot detect the position due to a failure, the display state of the failed reel-type variable display device is assumed to be a winning symbol. However, since all the effective lines including the failed reel type variable display device are provided with the symbol display control means for stopping and displaying the combination of the disengaged symbols, if the rotating reel breaks down, the effective line involving the failed rotating reel In this case, it is possible to prevent a combination of winning symbols that has not been originally determined from being established, so that even if the gaming machine is continuously operated, it is possible not to be disadvantageous for the game hall.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, when the failure of the reel type variable display device is detected, the notification means for notifying the failure of the reel type variable display device is provided, so that the rotating reel is out of order. The store clerk can easily recognize it.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, when the symbol display control means stops displaying the winning symbol combination, any one of the effective lines excluding all the effective lines including the failed reel type variable display device. Since the combination of symbols is stopped and displayed for each one, it is possible to establish the combination of symbols that are determined as usual in another effective line while avoiding the effective line including the failure. The player's game is not interrupted, the gaming machine can be continuously operated, and the player's profit can be prevented from being hindered.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a symbol display device deployed in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The symbol display device 1 is formed of symbol display portions 2 to 10 arranged in a square matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and is configured by combining six rotary reel type variable display devices and one liquid crystal display device. Has been. That is, the symbol display unit composed of the rotary reel type variable display device includes an upper left symbol display unit 2, a left middle symbol display unit 3, a lower left symbol display unit 4, an upper right symbol display unit 5, a right middle symbol display unit 6, and This is the lower right symbol display section 7. Further, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11 is divided into upper, middle, and lower to constitute a middle upper symbol display unit 8, a central symbol display unit 9, and a middle lower symbol display unit 10. Each of the symbol display units 2 to 10 variably displays a plurality of types of symbols (5, 6, 7, 8 in this embodiment). In addition, the reel type variable display device is arranged on the reel and drum by rotating and driving a reel on which the tape on which the symbol is arranged is wound on the outer periphery and a drum on which the symbol is thermally transferred onto the surface of a cylindrical resin drum. The symbols placed on the endless belt can be rotated by bridging the endless belt on which the symbols are placed or the endless belt on which the symbols are placed between the reels and rotating the reel with a motor. A variable display device configured as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display device 1 is used for identifying a hit / miss by a player formed by a sequence of symbols, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines that are stopped and displayed on the nine symbol display units 2 to 10. A total of 8 active lines are set. Specifically, an upper horizontal line indicated by symbol a, a middle horizontal line indicated by symbol b, a lower horizontal line indicated by symbol c, a left vertical line indicated by symbol d, a middle vertical line indicated by symbol e, There are eight vertical lines, a right vertical line indicated by a symbol f, a left upward diagonal line indicated by a symbol g, and an upper right diagonal line indicated by a symbol h. In this embodiment, the winning symbol combination is only “7, 7, 7”, and the winning symbol combination “7, 7, 7” is stopped and displayed on one of the plurality of effective lines a to h. Then, the player is notified of the establishment of the special gaming state.

  As in the prior art, the rotary reel type variable display device is rotated by a pulse motor having a drive shaft connected to the axis of the rotary reel. Further, as in the prior art, the rotational position of the rotary reel is detected by a rotational position detection sensor (for example, a photosensor that detects the origin position in rotation). When the rotating reel rotates, four symbols on the peripheral surface of the rotating reel, that is, the numbers “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” pass through the display window in order. As in the past, the rotational position data of each rotating reel is created from the number of pulses supplied to the rotational position detection sensor of the rotating reel and the pulse motor that rotationally drives each rotating reel, and the stop determined during rotation of the rotating reel. Based on the position data, stop control of each rotating reel is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a principal block diagram showing a control system related to symbol display control in a pachinko gaming machine as an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. The pachinko gaming machine according to this embodiment includes a main control device 12 that performs overall control of pachinko games, and lamps (decoration lamps, decoration LEDs, display lamps, and display) based on commands transmitted from the main control device 12. LED control and the like, and a sub-control device 13 that performs display control such as lighting and blinking and sound control that produces sound from the speaker, and a liquid crystal display that receives a command transmitted from the main control device 12 via the sub-control device 13 The device 11 displays variable information of the middle upper symbol, the central symbol, and the lower middle symbol, and various information regarding the big hit game (special game), and the rotation / revolution of each rotating reel of the upper left symbol display unit 2 to the lower right symbol display unit 7. A display control device 14 that performs rotation stop drive control is provided. Although not shown in FIG. 3 because it is not related to the gist of the present invention, the payout of the prize ball is also performed by driving the payout motor based on the prize ball command transmitted from the main controller 12. An award ball control device that performs control, and a launch control that controls the operation of a launch motor of a hit ball launch device (not shown) for launching a game ball toward a game board surface (not shown) on condition of a detection signal of a touch sensor Devices are deployed.

  The main control device 12 (main control unit) is provided on a main control board (not shown). The main control device 12 is necessary for executing a main CPU as a process execution means for performing overall control related to the pachinko game, and a game control program and a game control program related to the entire pachinko game to be executed by the main CPU. ROM that stores predetermined setting data, RAM that can be read and written as needed, and detection signals sent from various winning detection means can be received and input to the main CPU, while from the main CPU It includes an input / output interface for enabling control output to an external device, a communication interface for allowing the main CPU to perform data communication with peripheral devices, and the like. Note that the specific configuration of the main control device 12 is not shown.

  Examples of the various winning detection means include, for example, a start opening winning detection switch (also referred to as a start opening sensor) that detects a game ball won in a start opening (design start opening) provided on a game board surface (not shown), A gate sensor that detects the passage of a game ball to a set gate (not shown), and a game ball that wins a big prize opening provided in an electric accessory device (not shown) provided on the game board surface is detected. A prize winning sensor (not shown), a specific area sensor for detecting a game ball won in a specific area provided in the prize winning opening, a prize detection switch for detecting a game ball won in another normal prize opening, etc. There is. In addition, the external device includes a big prize opening solenoid for opening the big prize opening.

  The main control device 12 and the sub control device 13 are connected so that only one-way communication from the main control device 12 to the sub control device 13 is possible. The sub control device 13 includes a sub CPU as a process execution means for performing control such as lighting / flashing of the lamp, sound control, command reception transmitted from the main control device 12, and command transmission to the display control device 14. Control program related to lamp lighting / flashing for execution by CPU, control program related to sound generation, control program related to command reception and control program related to command transmission, predetermined control programs required for executing these various control programs A ROM that stores setting data (lamp lighting pattern and sound data), a RAM that can be read and written as needed, an output interface that enables control output from the sub CPU, and the sub CPU are the main Data communication is performed between the control device 12 and the display control device 14. It is configured to include a communication interface or the like for. Note that a specific configuration of the sub-control device 13 is not shown.

  A lamp (not shown) and a speaker (not shown) are connected to the sub-control device 13. The sub control device 13 drives the lamp in accordance with a command command transmitted from the main control device 12 and generates a sound effect and an alarm from the speaker. Further, when receiving the command transmitted from the main control device 12, the sub-control device 13 stores this command and transmits it to the display control device 14.

  The display control device 14 displays a part of the special symbol (in this embodiment, the middle upper symbol, the central symbol, the middle lower symbol 3) on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11 according to the command transmitted from the sub control device 13. In addition to controlling the display of each type, the motor driver 15 performs rotation / rotation stop drive control of each rotating reel of the remaining special symbols (in this embodiment, the upper left symbol display unit 2 to the lower right symbol display unit 7). Further, the display control device 14 is inputted with an origin position signal output from the rotation position detection sensors 2a to 7a arranged on each rotation reel. The display control device 14 creates each rotation position data of each rotation reel from the origin position signal from the rotation position detection sensor and the number of pulses supplied to the pulse motor that rotationally drives each rotation reel, and during rotation of the rotation reel. Based on the determined stop position data, stop control of each rotating reel is performed.

  Next, stop display of each symbol when the rotating reel type variable display device which is a characteristic part of the present invention fails will be described. First, in the present invention, “when a rotating reel type variable display device fails” means, for example, when a rotational position detection sensor for detecting the rotational position of the rotating reel fails. In this embodiment, the symbol display unit composed of the rotary reel type variable display device includes an upper left symbol display unit 2, a left middle symbol display unit 3, a lower left symbol display unit 4, an upper right symbol display unit 5, and a middle right symbol. The symbol display unit 6 and the lower right symbol display unit 7 are a total of six, but it is not always necessary that all of the six symbols are constituted by a rotary reel type variable display device, and at least one of these symbol display units is included. What is necessary is just to be comprised with the variable display apparatus of a rotation reel type. For this reason, the rotating reel type variable display device that fails is assumed to be only one of these, and stop display control is impossible if two or more fail. except.

  As an example, for example, a case where a rotating reel type variable display device constituting the upper left symbol display unit 2 fails will be described. When the rotational position detection sensor for detecting the rotational position of the rotating reel fails, it becomes impossible to create rotational position data of the rotating reel, and the failed upper left rotating reel is stopped with a predetermined symbol. Will not be able to. Therefore, when the failed upper left rotating reel is stopped, the upper left symbol that is stopped and displayed at the stop display position (window) is undefined. That is, it cannot be determined which of “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” is stopped and displayed as the upper left symbol. Therefore, the symbol display control is performed to stop and display the combination of the off symbols on all the effective lines including the upper left symbol (indefinite symbol) which is stopped and displayed on the failed rotating reel type variable display device.

  FIG. 4 shows, for example, combinations of outliers that stop and display on all effective lines including the upper left symbols (undefined symbols) when the rotating reel type variable display device constituting the upper left symbols display section 2 fails. FIG. In FIG. 4, the failed symbols are indicated by “x” marks. In FIG. 4, the off symbol is represented by “out”. In this embodiment, since only the number “7” is treated as a hit, “out” (out of line) may be any of the numbers “5”, “6”, and “8”. When the upper left symbol fails, the effective lines including the upper left symbol are the upper horizontal line (symbol a in FIG. 2), the left vertical line (symbol d in FIG. 2), and the upper left diagonal line (symbol g in FIG. 2). It becomes three. In these three active lines, the combination of outliers is stopped and displayed. As a result, even if “7” is stopped and displayed on the upper left symbol, all the effective lines including the upper left symbol are removed, and the combination of symbols is stopped and displayed. It is possible to prevent an unexpected thing from being stopped and displayed by a combination of symbols.

  Note that the variable display of symbols and the stop display control of symbols in the symbol display units 2 to 10 are performed by the display control device 14, but the display control device 14 is a command transmitted from the main control device 12 that performs game control. Each symbol to be stopped and displayed on each symbol display unit is determined in accordance with (separation of hit or symbol fixed stop, etc.), and the symbol is stopped and displayed. Therefore, when a winning symbol is instructed from the main controller 12, the winning symbol combination “7, 7, 7” is stopped and displayed on any of the eight active lines. In addition, when an out symbol is instructed from the main control device 12, a combination of out symbols other than “7, 7, 7” “out, o, o” is stopped and displayed in all eight effective lines.

  FIG. 5 shows that when the rotating reel type variable display device constituting the upper left symbol display unit 2 breaks down, the main control device 12 deviates from the effective line including the upper left symbol in response to the command from the main controller 12. It is a figure which shows the symbol display aspect which stops and displays the combination of a deviating symbol also in the remaining effective lines except the effective line containing an upper left symbol, displaying the symbol combination stopped. When the upper left symbol fails, as shown in FIG. 5, if “outside” is stopped and displayed on the upper right symbol, the central symbol, and the lower left symbol, “7, 7, 7” is displayed on all eight active lines. The combination of out-of-band symbols other than “Out, ○, ○” will be stopped. Note that “◯” indicates that any of “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” may be stopped.

  FIG. 6 shows that when the rotating reel type variable display device constituting the upper left symbol display unit 2 breaks down, the main control device 12 deviates from the effective line including the upper left symbol in response to the hit symbol command. It is a figure which shows the symbol display aspect which stops and displays the combination of a winning symbol in one of the remaining effective lines except the effective line containing the upper left symbol, which stops displaying the symbol combination. When the combination of winning symbols is stopped and displayed, the remaining effective lines except the effective line including the upper left symbol are the middle horizontal line, the lower horizontal line, the middle vertical line, the right vertical line, and the upper right diagonal line. . The symbol stop control is performed so as to stop and display the symbol combination “7, 7, 7” on any one of these effective lines. In FIG. 6, “outside” is stopped and displayed on the middle upper symbol, the central symbol, and the lower left symbol, so that the upper horizontal line including the upper left symbol (failure), the left vertical line, and the left upward diagonal line are effective. The combination of out-of-line symbols is displayed in a stopped state on the line. At the same time, the combination of out-of-line symbols is also stopped and displayed in the four effective lines of the middle horizontal line, the lower horizontal line, the middle vertical line, and the upper right diagonal line. Become. Then, an example is shown in which the combination of winning symbols “7, 7, 7” is stopped and displayed on the remaining right vertical line.

  The above has described an example in which the rotary reel type variable display device constituting the upper left symbol display unit 2 has failed, but there are six places where the failure occurs. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pattern for displaying a combination of outlier symbols as a whole of the symbol display device, corresponding to the place of failure (the symbol position). As shown in FIG. 7, when the location of the failure is the upper left symbol, the left middle symbol, the right middle symbol, and the lower right symbol, if "outside" is stopped and displayed on the lower left symbol, the central symbol, and the upper right symbol, In all of the eight active lines, the combination of out symbols other than “7, 7, 7” “out, ○, ○” is stopped and displayed. When the location of the failure is the lower left symbol and the upper right symbol, if “outside” is stopped and displayed in the upper left symbol, the central symbol, and the lower right symbol, “7, 7 , 7 ”other than“ 7, ”will be stopped and displayed. In this way, when displaying a combination of out-of-sequence symbols as the entire symbol display device, the location of the symbol display section that stops and displays “out” is divided into two patterns depending on the location where the failure has occurred.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed on one of the effective lines not including the upper left symbol when a failure occurs in the upper left symbol. is there. As shown in FIG. 8, when a failure occurs in the upper left symbol, there are five effective lines that do not include the upper left symbol: a middle vertical line, a right vertical line, a middle horizontal line, a lower horizontal line, and an upper right diagonal line. is there. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the upper left symbol, there are five patterns for selecting an effective line for stopping and displaying the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the upper left symbol. {See FIG. 8 (a) to FIG. 8 (e)}. It should be noted that the display control apparatus 14 appropriately and selectively determines which of the effective lines the effective combination “7, 7, 7” is to be stopped and displayed (for example, random number lottery, lottery To distribute according to the value). In FIG. 8, “outside” (out of line) may be any of the numbers “5”, “6”, and “8”. “◯” indicates that any one of “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” may be stopped.

  FIG. 9 shows a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed in one of the effective lines not including the left middle symbol when a failure occurs in the left middle symbol. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when a failure occurs in the left middle symbol, the effective lines not including the left middle symbol are the upper horizontal line, the lower horizontal line, the middle vertical line, the right vertical line, the left upward diagonal line, the right There are 6 up diagonal lines. Accordingly, when a failure occurs in the left middle symbol, six patterns are selected for selecting an effective line for stopping and displaying the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the left middle symbol. {See FIG. 9 (a) to FIG. 9 (f)}. It should be noted that the display control apparatus 14 appropriately and selectively determines which of the effective lines the effective combination “7, 7, 7” is to be stopped and displayed (for example, random number lottery, lottery To distribute according to the value).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed on one of the active lines not including the lower left symbol when a failure occurs in the lower left symbol. is there. As shown in FIG. 10, when a failure occurs in the lower left symbol, there are five effective lines that do not include the lower left symbol: the middle vertical line, the right vertical line, the upper horizontal line, the middle horizontal line, and the upper left diagonal line. is there. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the lower left symbol, there are five patterns for selecting an effective line for stopping and displaying the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the lower left symbol. {FIG. 10 (a) to FIG. 10 (e)}.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed in one of the active lines not including the upper right symbol when a failure occurs in the upper right symbol. is there. As shown in FIG. 11, when a failure occurs in the upper right symbol, there are five effective lines that do not include the upper right symbol: the left vertical line, the middle vertical line, the middle horizontal line, the lower horizontal line, and the upper left diagonal line. is there. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the upper right symbol, there are five patterns for selecting an effective line for stopping and displaying the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the upper right symbol. {FIG. 11 (a) to FIG. 11 (e)}.

  FIG. 12 shows a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed on one of the effective lines not including the right middle symbol when a failure occurs in the right middle symbol. FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, when a failure occurs in the right middle symbol, the effective lines not including the right middle symbol are the left vertical line, middle vertical line, upper horizontal line, lower horizontal line, left upward diagonal line, right There are 6 up diagonal lines. Accordingly, when a failure occurs in the right middle symbol, six patterns are selected to select an effective line for stopping and displaying the winning symbol combination “7, 7, 7” in one of the effective lines not including the right middle symbol. {FIG. 12 (a) to FIG. 12 (f)}.

  FIG. 13 shows a symbol display mode in which the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol is stopped and displayed in one of the effective lines not including the lower right symbol when a failure occurs in the lower right symbol. FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when a failure occurs in the lower right symbol, the effective lines that do not include the lower right symbol are the left vertical line, middle vertical line, upper horizontal line, middle horizontal line, and upper right diagonal line. It is a book. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the lower right symbol, there are five patterns for selecting an effective line for stopping and displaying the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the lower right symbol. {FIG. 13 (a) to FIG. 13 (e)}.

  Next, the symbol fluctuation of each symbol display part 2-10 in the symbol display apparatus 1 is demonstrated. When receiving the variation pattern command sent from the main control device 12, the display control device 14 variably displays the symbol display units 2 to 10 at the same time. That is, the motor motor 15 drives the pulse motors of the upper left symbol 2, the left middle symbol 3, the lower left symbol 4, the upper right symbol 5, the right middle symbol 6, and the lower right symbol 7 to rotate the reels at the same time. To do. In addition, the middle upper symbol 8, the central symbol 9, and the lower middle symbol 10 of the liquid crystal display device 11 are scrolled. During rotation of each rotating reel whose numbers change in the order of 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 5 in each symbol display section 2 to 10, the origin position signal is generated each time the notch (or protrusion) passes through the rotational position detection sensor. Is output and input to the display control device 14. When the variation pattern command is received, a stop symbol command is then transmitted from the main control device 12. In this case, the stop symbol command is a winning symbol (a combination of symbols in which 777 is aligned in one of the eight active lines) or an off symbol (in all eight effective lines). The display control device 14 arbitrarily determines which symbol is to be stopped and displayed on each of the nine symbol display units depending on whether the symbol is a winning symbol or a missing symbol.

  For example, when the content of the stop symbol command is a winning symbol, which of the eight effective lines is to be stopped at the winning symbol “7, 7, 7” is determined by, for example, lottering the value of a random number counter. The active line corresponding to the lottery value is determined, and the stop symbol on this effective line is set to “7, 7, 7”. For example, when the determined effective line is the upper horizontal line, the stop symbol of the upper left symbol 2 is determined as “7”, the stop symbol of the middle upper symbol 8 is determined as “7”, and the stop symbol of the upper right symbol 5 is determined as “7”. The In addition, the remaining symbols of the symbol display unit excluding the determined effective line are selected and determined from predetermined display symbol patterns. For example, in the case where the winning symbol “7, 7, 7” is stopped and displayed on the upper horizontal line, for example, in FIG. 9A, FIG. 10C, FIG. 12C, and FIG. Decide on one of the displayed patterns. Also in this case, for example, the value of the random number counter is lottery, and the display symbol pattern corresponding to the lottered value is determined. For example, when the determined display symbol pattern is the display symbol pattern shown in FIG. 10C, the stop symbol of the left middle symbol 3 is removed, that is, “5”, “6”, “8”. Any one of them, the central symbol 9 is off, the middle right symbol 6 is arbitrary, that is, any one of “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, the lower left symbol is arbitrary The middle lower symbol 10 is determined arbitrarily, and the lower right symbol 7 is determined to be removed. The symbol to be used as the stop symbol in each symbol display unit is, for example, by drawing the value of the symbol determining random number counter (0 to 3), and the symbol corresponding to the lottered value (in the case of “0”, the symbol “5”). In the case of “1”, the symbol “6”, in the case of “2” the symbol “7”, in the case of “3” the symbol “8”) is determined. However, in the case of an off symbol, if the lottery value is “2”, +1 is added to “3”, and the symbol “8” is determined.

  In addition, when the content of the stop symbol command is an off symbol, it is not shown because there are many display symbol patterns that are a combination of the off symbol in the entire display unit of the symbol display device 1, but it is selected from a predetermined off symbol display symbol pattern. To be determined. As described above, the stop symbols of all nine symbols of the upper left symbol 2 to the middle lower symbol 10 are determined.

  In the main control device 12, the main control device 12 transmits a symbol stop command when the symbol variation stop timing comes. When receiving the symbol stop command, the display control device 14 stops the symbols 2 to 10 with the determined stop symbol.

  A process related to the detection of the failure of the rotating reel will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a rotation reel failure detection process executed by the display CPU provided in the display control device 14. The rotation reel failure detection process is a process that is started when the display control device 14 receives a variation pattern command. Further, the rotating reel failure detection process is performed for the upper left symbol 2, the left middle symbol 3, the lower left symbol 4, the upper right symbol 5, the right middle symbol 6, and the lower right symbol 7, which are constituted by the rotating reel. FIG. 14 shows processing for one rotating reel.

  The display CPU clears the pulse counter that counts the number of pulses given to the rotary reel motor (pulse motor) to 0 (step A01). Further, the sensor detection flag that is set when the origin position signal is detected by the rotational position detection sensor of the rotating reel is cleared to 0 (represents no detection) (step A02). Further, the abnormality detection flag that is set when an operation abnormality of the rotational position detection sensor of the rotating reel is detected is cleared to 0 (represents no abnormality) (step A03).

  When the display CPU performs step A03, it gives one pulse through the motor driver 15 to drive the rotary reel motor (step A04). As a result, the rotary reel rotates by the amount of rotation of the rotary reel motor by one pulse. Next, the display CPU increments the value of the pulse counter by 1 (step A05), and determines whether or not the origin position signal from the rotational position detection sensor has been input (step A06).

  If the origin position signal is not input, the display CPU proceeds to step A07 and determines whether or not a pulse for one round has been given based on the value of the pulse counter (step A07). If a pulse for one round is not given, the process returns to step A04, and it is determined by determining that step A04, step A05, and step A06 are false and step A07 is false until an origin position signal is input. Repeat the processing loop.

  When the operation of the rotation position detection sensor for detecting the rotation position of the rotation reel is normal, the rotation position detection sensor is always operated between the start of operation and the rotation reel motor until a pulse for one turn is given. The position detection notch (or protrusion) is detected and an origin position signal is output. If the origin position signal is input in step A06, the display CPU sets “1 (detected)” to the sensor detection flag (step A09), and sets the rotation position data to the initial value (origin position) ( Step A10), the rotation reel failure detection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, even if a pulse for one rotation is given to the rotating reel motor from the start of operation, if no origin position signal is input during this time, the rotating position detection sensor of the rotating reel is out of order. If the display CPU determines in step A07 that a pulse for one round has been applied, it determines that the rotational position detection sensor is operating abnormally. The display CPU proceeds to step A08, sets “1 (abnormality detection)” to the abnormality detection flag relating to the rotating reel (in other words, the symbol) (step A08), and ends the rotating reel failure detection processing.

  Next, the rotation stop process of the rotating reel at the normal time will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of rotation stop processing of the rotating reel at the normal time. When the display CPU starts the rotation stop processing of the rotating reel, it first determines whether or not “1 (detected)” is set in the sensor detection flag (step A20). When “1 (detected)” is set in the sensor detection flag, the origin position signal is detected in the failure detection process of the rotating reel, and the rotational position detection sensor is operating normally. Become. If “1 (detected)” is set in the sensor detection flag, the display CPU proceeds to step A21, drives the rotary reel motor one step (step A21), and updates the rotational position data by one step (step A21). Step A22), it is determined whether or not the reel is stopped by receiving the symbol stop command (Step A23). If the display CPU is not in a reel stop mode, the current rotation reel rotation stop process is exited.

  In the processing after the next cycle, until the reel is stopped by receiving the symbol stop command, the processing of determining step A20 as true and repeating steps A21 to A22 and step A23 as false is repeated, and the rotating reel is rotated step by step. To do. On the other hand, when the reel is stopped by receiving the symbol stop command, the display CPU determines whether or not the rotation position is the stop position, that is, the rotation position data is a stop position corresponding to a predetermined stop symbol. It is determined whether or not there is (step A24). If the rotation position is not the stop position, the display CPU determines that step A24 is false and exits the current rotation reel rotation stop process. In the process after the next cycle, the process of determining step A20 as true, step A21 to step A22, step A23 as true, and step A24 as false is repeated until the rotational position becomes the stop position. When the rotation position becomes the stop position, the display CPU stops the rotation reel motor (step A25), clears the sensor detection flag to 0 (step A26), and ends the rotation reel rotation stop processing. When the rotary reel motor stops, the symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol. In addition, each variable scroll display of the middle upper symbol, the central symbol, and the lower middle symbol of the liquid crystal display device 11 is also stopped at the stop symbol determined at a predetermined stop timing.

  On the other hand, if “1 (detected)” is not set in the sensor detection flag, the origin position signal is not detected in the rotation reel failure detection process, and the normal operation of the rotation position detection sensor is confirmed. Will not be. In this case, the display CPU determines that step A20 is false, and exits the current rotation reel rotation stop process. Therefore, the substantial rotation reel rotation stop process is not performed.

  Next, the rotation reel rotation stop process at the time of abnormality detection (hereinafter referred to as rotation process at the time of abnormality) will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the rotation stop processing of the rotating reel when an abnormality is detected that is executed by the display CPU. When the display CPU starts the rotation process at the time of abnormality, it first determines whether or not “1 (abnormality detection)” is set in the abnormality detection flag (step A30). When “1 (abnormality detection)” is set in the abnormality detection flag, the origin position signal is not detected in the failure detection process of the rotating reel, and the operation abnormality of the rotational position detection sensor is detected. When “1 (abnormality detection)” is set in the abnormality detection flag, the display CPU proceeds to step A31 and determines whether or not the stop symbol change flag is “0 (unchanged)” (step A31). ). The stop symbol change flag is a flag for identifying whether or not the stop symbol has been changed in response to the detection of an operation abnormality of the rotational position detection sensor, and the initial value is “0”.

  If the stop symbol has not been changed, the display CPU determines that step A31 is true and proceeds to step A32 to determine whether the combination of stop symbols specified by the stop symbol command is a winning symbol (step). A32).

  If the combination of the stop symbols specified by the stop symbol command is not a winning symbol, a deviating symbol pattern is determined based on the location of the symbol (step A33) (see FIG. 7). Accordingly, when an operation abnormality of the rotational position detection sensor is detected in the rotating reel, the rotation symbol is rewritten to a combination of outliers different from the stop symbol determined based on the stop symbol command. As an example, when the symbol of the rotating reel is the upper left symbol, the stop symbol is re-determined by the combination pattern of the off symbol shown in the upper left of FIG. That is, the stop symbols of the lower left symbol 4, the central symbol 9, and the upper right symbol 5 are deviated, that is, any one of “5”, “6”, and “8” is determined. In addition, as described above, the symbol to be used as the stop symbol in each symbol display unit is, for example, lottery of the value of the symbol determining random number counter (0 to 3) and the symbol corresponding to the lottered value (“0”). ”Is determined as symbol“ 5 ”,“ 1 ”as symbol“ 6 ”,“ 2 ”as symbol“ 7 ”,“ 3 ”as symbol“ 8 ”). However, in the case of an off symbol, if the lottery value is “2”, +1 is added to “3”, and the symbol “8” is determined. After completing step A33, the display CPU proceeds to step A35.

  On the other hand, when the combination of the stop symbols specified by the stop symbol command is a winning symbol in step A32, the symbol pattern is determined based on the location of the symbol (step A34) (see FIGS. 8 to 13). Therefore, when an abnormal operation of the rotational position detection sensor is detected in the rotating reel, the rotation symbol is rewritten to a combination of hit symbols different from the stop symbol determined based on the stop symbol command.

  As an example, if the symbol of the rotating reel is the upper left symbol, it is one of the five winning symbol combination patterns shown in (a) to (e) of FIG. The stop symbol is redetermined. Note that the winning symbol combination pattern to be determined is, for example, a lottery value of a random number counter, and a winning symbol combination pattern corresponding to the selected value. For example, when the combination pattern of the determined winning symbols is the display symbol pattern shown in FIG. 8B, the stop symbol of the upper right symbol 5 is “7”, the stop symbol of the right middle symbol 6 is “7”, The stop symbol of the lower right symbol 7 is determined to be “7”. Further, the stop symbol of the middle upper symbol 8, the central symbol 9 and the stop symbol of the lower left symbol 4 are determined to be off, ie, any one of “5”, “6”, and “8”. After completing step A34, the display CPU proceeds to step A35. Note that the stop symbol in the rotating reel does not make sense even if it is determined because the rotational position data of the rotating reel is indefinite.

  When proceeding to step A35, the display CPU sets “1 (changed)” to the stop symbol change flag (step A35), and proceeds to step A36. In step A36, the display CPU drives the rotary reel motor one step (step A36), and proceeds to step A37 to determine whether or not the reel is stopped by receiving a symbol stop command (step A37). If the reel is not stopped, the display CPU determines that step A37 is false, and exits the rotation processing at the time of the current abnormality.

  In the processing after the next cycle, step A30 is determined to be true, and “1 (changed)” is set in the stop symbol change flag. As a result, step A31 is determined to be false and the process jumps to step A36. Therefore, the process of determining step A30 as true, step A31 as false, step A36, and step A37 as false is repeated until the reel is stopped by receiving the symbol stop command, and the rotating reel is rotated step by step.

  When the reel is stopped by receiving the symbol stop command, the display CPU determines that step A37 is true, stops the rotary reel motor (step A38), and displays a sensor error, for example, on an indicator. This is notified (step A39), the stop symbol change flag is cleared to 0 (step A40), and the rotation processing at the time of abnormality ends.

  The symbol is stopped and displayed when the rotary reel motor is stopped by performing the process of step A38, but it is uncertain which symbol is stopped and displayed. However, as described above, in the effective line including the symbol, the other symbol display portions of the effective line including the symbol should be normal. The combination is stopped and displayed. Therefore, when a rotating reel breaks down, an effective line involving the failed rotating reel is not established with a combination of hit symbols that is not originally determined. Can be avoided.

  In addition, when the combination of stop symbols specified by the stop symbol command is a winning symbol, the winning symbol “7, 7, 7” is stopped and displayed on the effective lines that have been changed except for all the effective lines including the symbol. Is done. Therefore, since the combination of winning symbols determined in the original manner is established in another effective line while avoiding the effective line including the failure (alternative effect), the game of the player is not interrupted. The machine can be continuously operated and the player's profit can be prevented from being hindered.

  In addition, when notifying the failure of the rotating reel (sensor abnormality), it is desirable that only the store clerk can recognize the failure without realizing that the player of the winning symbol has failed because the substitute effect is provided as described above. For example, a character such as a small star is displayed on the liquid crystal display device at a position that does not interfere with the effect, or the lighting mode of the decorative lamp arranged on the frame or panel is changed so that only the hall clerk can determine that the failure has occurred. You may do it. Moreover, you may output an abnormality signal from an external terminal board toward a hall computer as an accessory apparatus abnormality. In addition, display a telop “Please call me” on the liquid crystal display device, play the above message by voice, or turn off the decoration lamps placed on the frame or panel to inform the player of the abnormality. Also good. However, such a notification form is performed when the game is completely disabled. When the game is completely disabled, this embodiment corresponds to a case where another symbol display unit fails. If one symbol display unit fails, the symbol display unit can be disabled and the remaining normal symbol display unit can be used to produce effects, but in order to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable as much as possible. The display unit that has failed is not disabled, and a rotation signal is given during the production. For example, a normal rotation signal is given at the start of an effect (for example, reception of a variation pattern command, etc.), and the rotation signal is stopped at the end of the effect (for example, reception of a symbol confirmation command). Rotate using control data for different abnormal times. During this time, it is checked whether the origin position signal is output again from the rotational position detection sensor. If the origin position signal can be confirmed, the next effect is returned to normal operation and rotated using the control data specified by the variation pattern command. That is, in the case of a failure of one symbol display unit, the game is continued with the abnormality notified to the extent that the hall clerk can understand.

  On the other hand, when “1 (abnormality detection)” is not set in the abnormality detection flag, the origin position signal is normally detected in the failure detection process of the rotating reel. If “1 (abnormality detection)” is not set in the abnormality detection flag, the display CPU determines that step A30 is false, and exits the rotation process at the time of abnormality. Therefore, the rotation process at the time of substantial abnormality is not performed.

Front view of the symbol display device deployed in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the effective line for identifying the hit / off set in the symbol display device The principal part block diagram showing the control system in connection with the symbol display control in the pachinko game machine as one embodiment of the game machine of this invention The figure which shows the combination of the off symbol which stops and displays on all the effective lines including the upper left symbol (indefinite symbol) when the rotating reel type variable display device which constitutes the upper left symbol display section breaks down. In the event of a failure of the rotary reel type variable display device that constitutes the upper left symbol display unit, the effective line including the upper left symbol is removed and the combination of symbols is stopped and the remaining effective lines excluding the effective line including the upper left symbol are displayed. The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination of the symbol which comes off In the event of a failure of the rotary reel type variable display device that constitutes the upper left symbol display unit, the effective line including the upper left symbol is removed and the combination of symbols is stopped and the remaining effective lines excluding the effective line including the upper left symbol are displayed. The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination of winning symbols in one of The figure which shows the pattern which displays the combination of the detachment symbol as a whole symbol display device corresponding to the place of failure (symbol position) The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination "7,7,7" of the winning symbol in one of the active lines not including the upper left symbol when a failure occurs in the upper left symbol The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination "7, 7, 7" of the winning symbol in one of the active lines not including the left middle symbol when a failure occurs in the middle left symbol The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination "7, 7, 7" of the winning symbol in one of the active lines not including the lower left symbol when a failure occurs in the lower left symbol The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination "7, 7, 7" of the winning symbol in one of the active lines not including the upper right symbol when a failure occurs in the upper right symbol. The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination "7,7,7" of the winning symbol in one of the active lines not including the middle right symbol when a failure occurs in the middle right symbol The figure which shows the symbol display mode which stops and displays the combination “7, 7, 7” of the winning symbol in one of the effective lines not including the lower right symbol when a failure occurs in the lower right symbol. The flowchart which shows the subroutine of the failure detection process of a rotating reel which the display CPU arrange | positioned at the display control apparatus performs The flowchart which shows the subroutine of the rotation stop process of the rotation reel in the normal time which display CPU same as the above performs The flowchart which shows the subroutine of the rotation stop process of a rotation reel at the time of the abnormality detection which display CPU same as the above performs

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Symbol display apparatus 2 Upper left symbol display part 2a Rotation position detection sensor 3 Left middle symbol display part 3a Rotation position detection sensor 4 Lower left symbol display part 4a Rotation position detection sensor 5 Upper right symbol display part 5a Rotation position detection sensor 6 Right middle symbol display 6a Rotation position detection sensor 7 Lower right symbol display unit 7a Rotation position detection sensor 8 Middle upper symbol display unit 9 Central symbol display unit 10 Middle lower symbol display unit 11 Liquid crystal display device 12 Main control device 13 Sub control device 14 Display control device 15 Motor driver

Claims (3)

Each of them has a plurality of symbol display portions that variably display a plurality of types of symbols, and the plurality of symbol display portions are arranged in a matrix of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, so that the player is more likely to hit the line of symbols that are stopped and displayed. In a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device that informs the player of the establishment of a special gaming state by determining a plurality of active lines to identify, and stopping and displaying a combination of symbols hitting the plurality of effective lines,
Among the plurality of symbol display units, at least one is constituted by a reel type variable display device,
If only one of the reel type variable display devices cannot detect the position due to a failure, even if the display state of the failed reel type variable display device is a winning symbol, the failed reel type variable display device A gaming machine characterized in that a symbol display control means for stopping and displaying a combination of outlier symbols is provided on all active lines including.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies of a failure of the reel type variable display device when a failure of the reel type variable display device is detected. When the symbol display control means stops displaying the winning symbol combination, the winning symbol combination is applied to any one of the effective lines excluding all the effective lines including the failed reel type variable display device. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is stopped and displayed.

Images