JP5143786B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball ball game machine that provides a plurality of symbol start openings, which are game ball winning openings, and realizes a symbol effect executed after a game ball has won a prize at the symbol start opening with a single display device. .

  A ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start port provided on the game board, a symbol display unit for displaying a series of symbol variation modes such as stopping a plurality of display symbols after varying a predetermined time, and an opening / closing plate It is configured with a grand prize opening that opens and closes. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passing of the game ball, the game ball is in a winning state, and after the big hit lottery process is performed, the display symbol is changed for a predetermined time on the symbol display unit. Then, according to the result of the big hit lottery process, when the symbols are aligned and stopped, the big win state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a profit state advantageous to the player.

  The symbol display unit is usually composed of a liquid crystal display and executes various symbol effect operations including a reach effect and a notice effect. In addition, reach production is a design production that continues the state of being a big hit state in one step and excites the player, the notice production is a sudden appearance of some character in the middle of the movement of the design, It is a design effect that gives notice of the subsequent big hit.

  By the way, in such a ball game machine, in order to evoke the player's sense of expectation, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of symbol start ports (Patent Document 1). This is because, as the number of symbol start ports increases, generally, there is an increased possibility that a game ball will win, and the frequency of symbol variation operations will also increase, so it can be expected that the possibility of a big hit state will increase.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-15509

  However, if the number of liquid crystal displays is increased or the display area of the liquid crystal display is divided in accordance with the number of design starting ports, the control of the liquid crystal display is complicated accordingly. In addition, it is difficult for the player to see the symbol effect operation, and for example, there is a problem that the notice operation at the corner is overlooked.

  In addition, legally, (a) when a game ball wins a symbol start opening, corresponding to this, a big hit lottery process is executed, and (b) it is not necessary to immediately notify the result of the success / failure. Therefore, it is obliged to clearly indicate to the player a series of operations until the result of the success / failure notification, and it is also necessary to realize an effect operation that does not give the player a sense of incongruity after satisfying this legal requirement.

  And, for example, since game balls have continuously won at the symbol start opening, in the state where the start of the lottery process for the subsequent winning and the start of the production operation for notifying the result of the winning are suspended, A device configuration that can appropriately display the number of holds is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and has a single display unit that has a plurality of symbol start openings but displays a symbol effect operation, and has a sense of incongruity, in particular, a sense of incongruity. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine that realizes a stand-by operation that is not performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a first and a second winning opening, a first and a second variation display unit correspondingly, and a single effect symbol display. And a normal symbol display section, and when a game ball wins at any one of the winning openings, a lottery determination is performed as to whether or not a profit state advantageous to the player is generated. A ball game machine that performs a variation operation in the variation display unit corresponding to the winning opening where the ball has won and a symbol production operation in the production symbol display unit, and notifies the result of the lottery decision, The 1 winning opening is configured such that the opening / closing claw is easily opened for a predetermined time on the condition that the symbol is displayed on the normal symbol display unit and executed in the effect symbol display unit. The symbol production operation ends in response to the variation operation of the variation display unit corresponding to this symbol production operation. It is so that arrangement, each winning the game balls to the first winning hole, the first counter counts up, each winning the game balls to the second winning hole, and a first means for counting up the second counter The second means for counting up the third counter each time the game ball is won at the first winning opening or the second winning opening, and the first counter of the first counter in a state in which the changing operation of the first changing display unit is completed. When the value is not zero, the first counter is counted down, the third means for starting the variation operation of the first variation display unit by executing the lottery determination and the variation operation of the second variation display unit are completed. When the value of the second counter is not zero in the state of being in the state, the second counter is counted down, and the fourth means for starting the fluctuation operation of the second fluctuation display part by executing the lottery lottery and the third means or the second For the winning lottery performed by 4 means And a fifth means for counting down the third counter when starting the symbol effect operation specified by the effect symbol display unit, and configured to display the value of the third counter in an identifiable manner. Yes.

  Unlike the conventional gaming machines, the present invention clearly distinguishes that the execution start of the lottery process is suspended and the start of the rendering operation for informing the result of the success / failure is suspended. This is a major feature. According to the present invention, the third counter is characteristically provided, which is counted up every time the game ball is won to the first or second winning opening, and is counted down every time the production game is started. Since it is configured to be visible, it is possible to realize an effect standby operation without a sense of incongruity.

  Each counter preferably has a count upper limit. More preferably, the count upper limit values of the first counter and the second counter are both the same number N, and the counter upper limit value of the third counter is set to 2N + 1.

  According to each of the above-described inventions, there is only a single display unit for a plurality of symbol start ports, but it is possible to realize an effect operation that does not give the player a sense of incongruity.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown in an example. It is the front view which illustrated in detail the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a main control part. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of a main control part. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of FIG. 5 in detail. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of FIG. 5 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows a part of FIG.7 (b) in detail. It is a flowchart which shows a part of FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of the effect control unit. It is a time chart explaining operation | movement of the pachinko machine of FIG. The relationship between the lottery hold number and the production hold number is illustrated.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the ball game machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine 1 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 2 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 4 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 3 fixed to the outer frame 2. It consists of A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  An upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle 10 are mounted at the bottom of the front frame 4. And are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor M2, and a game ball is launched by a hitting rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  An elliptical chance button 11 with a built-in lamp is provided in the approximate center of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. The button chance state is a game state provided as necessary.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for lending the ball to the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display unit 12a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a game ball for a predetermined amount of money. A ball lending switch 12b for instructing ball lending and a return switch 12c for instructing the return of the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 13 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a liquid crystal color display DISP is provided at the approximate center of the game area 5a inside. Has been placed. In addition, right and left two symbol start openings 15A and 15B, a single large winning opening 16, four left and right normal winning openings 17, and a gate 18 which is two right and left passing openings are provided at appropriate positions in the game area 5a. It is arranged. Each of these winning openings and gates 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  Below the liquid crystal display DISP, special symbol display units 14A and 14B each including a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix, or the like are provided. Two special symbol display portions 14A and 14B are provided corresponding to the left and right symbol start openings 15A and 15B, and a big hit lottery executed on condition that a game ball wins each symbol start opening 15A and 15B It is a display part for clearly showing the lottery result. Each of the special symbol display units 14A and 14B starts the changing operation of the display contents when a game ball wins the corresponding symbol start opening 15A or 15B, and then displays a lottery result indicating whether or not a big hit state is displayed and stops. It is like that. As shown in the figure, when the special symbol display portions 14A and 14B are configured by 7-segment LEDs, any special symbol (for example, “1” to “9”) is displayed in the big hit state, and there is a loss state. "-" Is displayed.

  Under the special symbol display portions 14A and 14B, two lottery holding number display portions 19A and 19B each composed of four LED lamps are provided corresponding to the symbol start openings 15A and 15B. The lottery hold number display sections 19A and 19B indicate that more game balls have been won at the same symbol start openings 15A and 15B during the changing operation of the special symbol display sections 14A and 14B. Is stored, and the subsequent jackpot lottery process is put on hold.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display DISP does not function as a special symbol display unit as in the conventional device, but functions as an effect symbol display unit 20 that variably displays effect symbols. And the effect operation | movement synchronized with 14A of special symbol display parts or the special symbol display part 14B is performed. Specifically, the effect symbol related to the big hit state (simply the same “1” to “9” as the special symbol) is variably displayed, and background images and various characters are animatedly displayed. .

  For example, when a game ball wins at the symbol start opening 15A, the variation operation of the effect symbol display unit 20 is started in accordance with the start of the variation operation of the special symbol display unit 14A. Then, at the timing when the variation operation of the special symbol display unit 14A is finished and the success / failure result of the big hit lottery (for example, “1” to “9” or “−”) is displayed, the effect symbol display unit 20 also has a big hit. The display according to the result of the lottery is made and the changing operation is terminated.

  At the lowermost part of such a liquid crystal display DISP, an effect hold number display section RES is provided, which clearly shows the number of the start of the operation for changing the effect symbol display. Here, while the maximum number of lottery holds in the big hit lottery corresponding to the symbol start openings 15A and 15B is four each, the number of effect reservations in the effect symbol is one, which is a maximum of nine. Hereinafter, this relationship will be described.

  For example, if a game ball wins another symbol start port 15B before the variation operation related to the game ball winning at the symbol start port 15A ends, in addition to the changing operation of the special symbol display unit 14A in operation, The changing operation of the special symbol display unit 14B is started. However, the changing operation of the effect symbol on the effect symbol display unit 20 is continued as it is, and the starting operation of the changing operation related to the game ball winning to the symbol start opening 15B is put on hold. Therefore, while the number of lottery holds in the jackpot lottery related to the game ball winning at the symbol start opening 15B is zero, the number of effect suspensions of the variable operation in the effect symbol display unit 20 is 1, and the effect hold number display unit RES The number of one hold is specified. From such a relationship, the maximum value of the number of effect reservations of the effect symbol is nine, which is one more than the maximum value of the sum of the lottery reservation numbers.

  If a game ball is further won in the same symbol start port 15A before the change operation related to the game ball winning in the symbol start port 15A is completed, the special symbol is being changed in the special symbol display unit 14A. Because of this, the big hit lottery process is put on hold. In addition, since the effect symbol display unit 20 is also performing the variation operation, the start of the variation operation is also suspended. Therefore, in such a case, both the lottery hold number of the big hit lottery regarding the game ball winning at the symbol start opening 15A and the effect hold number of the variable action in the effect symbol display unit 20 are one.

  Now, the normal symbol display part 21 is provided in the upper right part of the liquid crystal display DISP which functions as such an effect symbol display part 20 and the effect reservation number display part RES. The normal symbol display unit 21 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time and is extracted when the game ball passes through the gate 18. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed and stopped. If the game ball passes through the gate 18 during the normal symbol variation operation, the start of the variation operation is suspended up to four.

  By the way, if it is assumed that the game ball has won a prize again at the symbol start opening 15A after the effect symbol display unit 20 is stopped in a lost state and stopped, as described above, the special symbol display unit 14A and the effect symbol display are displayed. The display symbol of the unit 20 fluctuates for a predetermined time and stops at a stop symbol determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 15A. Then, when the special symbol display unit 14A and the stop symbol of the effect symbol display unit 20 are special symbols such as “7” and “7 · 7 · 7”, a special game called “big hit” is started.

  The special winning opening 16 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but when the special game is started, the opening / closing plate 16a is opened for a long period of time so that a considerable number of game balls enter. It has become. Further, a predetermined number, for example, one winning detector for detecting a winning game ball is provided inside the special winning opening 16.

  Among the two left and right symbol start openings 15A and 15B, in particular, the symbol start opening 15A is opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of opening and closing claws, and the stop symbol after the fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 21 displays the winning symbol. In this case, the opening / closing claw is opened for a predetermined time.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 16 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player.

  In addition, when the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display unit 14 is a specific symbol of the special symbols, a privilege that the game after the end of the special game is in a high probability state is given. In this embodiment, for example, an odd value (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) is selected from the special symbols “1” to “9”. In particular, it is used for a probable big hit as a specific symbol.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the pachinko machine 1 receives a main control board 30 for centrally controlling gaming operations and a control command (such as PTi) from the main control board 30 via the command relay board 31 to produce effects. An effect control board 32 that executes an operation, a payout control board 33 that pays out a game ball by controlling the payout motor M1, and a launch control board 34 that launches a game ball by the launch motor M2.

  As shown in the figure, the main control board 30 is connected to the normal symbol display section 21 and the two special symbol display sections 14A and 14B, and the symbol control operation is realized by direct control by the main control board 30. Yes. The main control board 30 is connected to lottery hold number display units 19A and 19B each consisting of four LEDs, and these are directly controlled by the main control board 30. As described above, in the lottery holding number display units 19A and 19B, the number of waiting for the start of the variable operation in the special symbol display units 14A and 14B (essentially, the number of the lottery lottery processing held) is clearly indicated. The

  Furthermore, the main control board 30 receives switch signals from the detection switches of the winning ports and the gates 15 to 18 and controls the solenoid SLN to open and close the large winning port 16a.

  The effect control board 32 is connected to the LED lamp group, the liquid crystal display DISP, and the speaker SP to control the effect operation of each part. That is, when the symbol effect operation is executed in the effect symbol display unit 20 of the liquid crystal display DISP, the lamp effect operation by the LED lamp group and the voice effect operation by the speaker SP are realized in accordance with this. Note that the chance button 11 is connected to the effect control board 32.

  The main control board 30, the effect control board 32, and the payout control board 33 are each equipped with a computer circuit having a one-chip microcomputer, and the effect control board 32 and the payout control board 33 are control commands from the main control board 30. In response, individual control operations are realized. Thus, the circuits mounted on the main control board 30 and the effect control board 32 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as functions, and hereinafter, the main control unit 30, the effect control unit 32, and the payout control unit 33 will be described. May be called. Further, the payout control unit 33 and the effect control unit 32 may be referred to as a sub control unit.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the main control unit 30. As shown in the figure, the main control unit 30 includes a CPU circuit 30a composed of a one-chip microcomputer, a system clock generation unit 30b that generates a clock signal Φ0 that is an integer multiple of the CPU operation clock CLK, and an address signal from the CPU. Based on the decoding circuit 30c for generating the chip select signal of each part, the output port circuit 30d for outputting data from the CPU, the input port circuit 30e for the CPU to take in external data, and the sub-control parts 31, 32 , 33, and an output drive circuit 30f that outputs a control command and a switch input circuit 30g that inputs ON / OFF states of switches of each part of the game board. The CPU circuit 30a incorporates a CPU core equivalent to Z80CPU (Zilog).

  The main control unit 30 configured as shown in FIG. 3 performs overall control of the operation of the pachinko machine 1 by executing the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 5 every predetermined time (2 mS). In the following, referring to FIG. 5, when a timer interrupt occurs, the contents of each register are saved in the stack area (ST10), and then random number generation processing is performed (ST11). The random number generation processing includes update processing of the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT used in the lottery processing in the normal symbol processing ST19 and the special symbol processing ST23.

  In step ST11, the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT are updated by increment (+1) processing within a predetermined numerical value range, respectively, and the updated counter values are the hit determination random number value and the big hit determination random number, respectively. It is used as a numerical value in the lottery process. Specifically, the value of the winning counter RG is used in the winning lottery process in the normal symbol process (ST19) when the game ball passes through the gate 18, and the value of the big hit counter CT is determined by the game ball. When it passes through the start port 15A or 15B, it is used for the big hit lottery process in the special symbol process (ST23). The random number generating process (ST11) includes a winning symbol random number generating process and a big hit symbol random number generating process for determining a stop symbol in the normal symbol displaying unit 21 and the special symbol displaying unit 14.

  When the random number generation process (ST11) as described above is completed, a timer subtraction process is performed for the timer that manages the time of each gaming operation (ST12). The timer to be subtracted manages the opening time of the special winning opening 16 and other game effect times. Therefore, the process of step ST12 includes a subtraction process of the symbol variation timer TM for managing the symbol variation operation in the special symbol display units 14A and 14B (see FIG. 7A).

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), the symbol variation timer TM manages the symbol variation A of the special symbol display unit 14A for managing the symbol variation of the special symbol display unit 14A and the symbol variation of the special symbol display unit 14B. And a special figure B variation timer TB. Then, the special figure A variation timer TA is decremented for each interrupt process (ST82) on condition that it is not a big hit (due to a special figure B big hit) due to winning at the symbol start port 14B (ST81). ). Similarly, the special figure B variation timer TB is decremented for each interrupt process under the condition that it is not a big hit (due to a special figure A big hit) due to winning at the symbol start opening 14A (ST84) ( ST85). In the state of the special figure A variation timer TA ≠ 0, the special figure A is not big hit, and in the state of the special figure B fluctuation timer TB ≠ 0, the special figure B is not big hit.

  When the above timer subtraction process (ST12 in FIG. 5) is completed, switch signals of various switches including the symbol start port 15 and the detection switch of the gate 18 are inputted and stored (ST13). FIG. 6 illustrates the symbol start opening check process which is a part of the switch input management process.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, the symbol start port 15A is checked (ST30), and if the detection switch of the symbol start port 15A is in the ON state, the lottery hold at this stage is determined from the value of HORY (a) in the work area. The number is determined (ST31).

  If the lottery hold number is less than 4, the value of HORYU (a) indicating the lottery hold number is incremented (ST32), and a winning command is stored in the command buffer NYU (a) (ST33). The stored winning command is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 at the timing of step ST14 (FIG. 5), and is used to display the effect hold number on the effect hold number display unit RES of the liquid crystal display.

  Next, a random number for determination in the big hit lottery process is acquired and stored in the storage area RND (a) of the work area (ST34). Specifically, the value of the big hit counter CT updated in step ST11 is acquired at the timing of step ST34 and becomes a random number value for determination, and this random number value for determination is stored in the storage field RND (indicated by the write pointer WR). a). Since the maximum number of lottery holds is 4, the storage field RND (a) can store a maximum of 4 random numbers for determination. The write pointer WR is incremented after the write process.

  Similarly, the random number value for the jackpot symbol is also acquired and stored in the storage column ZU (a) of the work area (ST35). The configuration and storage method of the storage column ZU (a) are exactly the same as those of the storage column RND (a).

  The same processing as in steps ST30 to ST35 described above is also performed for winning at the start port B. That is, the symbol start port 15B is checked (ST30 '), and if the detection switch of the symbol start port 15B is in the ON state, the lottery pending number at this stage is determined (ST31'). If the lottery pending number is less than 4, the value of HORYU (b) indicating the lottery pending number is incremented (ST32 ') and the winning command is stored in the command buffer NYU (b) (ST33'). .

  In addition, the determination random number value RND in the big hit lottery process is acquired and stored in the work area storage column RND (b), and the big hit symbol random number value ZU is acquired and stored in the work area storage column ZU (a). Remembered. In step ST33 ′, the same winning command is stored in NYU (b) different from NYU (a) because the symbol starting port 15A and the symbol starting port 15B are simultaneously in a winning state. This is because the simultaneous winnings are not missed.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the subsequent processing will be described. In step ST14, the command generated at this stage is transmitted to the sub-control units 32 and 33 (ST14). Therefore, the winning command prepared in the process of step ST33 is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 via the command relay board 31 at the timing of step ST14.

  Thereafter, an error management process is performed (ST15). The error management process means a determination as to whether an abnormality has occurred inside the device, such as whether or not the supply of game balls is stopped or the game balls are clogged. To do. Next, after creating a control command for the payout control unit 33 (ST16), the control command generated at this stage is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST17).

  Subsequently, the normal symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation mode is not the hit mode (ST19). The normal symbol process means a determination as to whether or not to operate an ordinary electric accessory. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball is passing the gate based on the switch input result in step ST13, the winning counter RG updated in the random number generation process (ST11) is compared with the winning winning value. Done. If the comparison result is a winning state, the operation mode is changed to the winning operation mode. Further, if it is a hit, processing for the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is performed (ST21).

  Next, a necessary control command is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST22), and special symbol processing is performed (ST23). The special symbol process is a determination of whether or not to operate a special electric accessory such as the big prize opening 16, and is a process including a big hit lottery process. The schematic operation is as shown in FIG. 7 (b). In accordance with the value of the operation status, the change start process (ST42) for starting the change operation of the special symbol → the special symbol changing process (ST43) → the special symbol The operation contents are changed in the order of the end process (ST44) for ending the variation of the effect design.

  FIG. 8 illustrates the details of the variation start process (ST42) in more detail, with respect to the symbol start port 15A (FIG. 8 (a)) and with respect to the symbol start port 15B (FIG. 8 (b)). It is divided and displayed. Referring to FIG. 8A regarding the symbol start opening 15A, first, on the condition that the present symbol is not the big hit operation mode for the special symbol B (ST50), the lottery pending number is checked from the value of HORYU (a). (ST51).

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, when a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15A, the value of HORYU (a) is incremented, so that it is a value other than zero (ST32). Therefore, if HORYU (a) ≠ 0 at this stage, it means that a winning has occurred for the symbol start opening 15A. Therefore, after decrementing the reserved number HORYU (a) (ST52), steps ST34 and ST35 are performed. The jackpot random number value RND and the jackpot symbol random number value ZU stored in the process are read from the storage area (ST53, ST54).

  The read operation is always performed on the start address of the storage areas RND (a) and ZU (a) (see the read pointer RD in FIG. 6). After the read operation, the data in the storage areas RND (a) and ZU (a) is shifted by one storage position toward the head address, and the value of the write pointer WR is decremented.

  Next, a big hit lottery process is performed based on the read random number value RND to determine whether or not the big hit state is set (ST55). Further, the stop symbol after the changing operation is also determined by the lottery process (ST56). When the big hit lottery is won, the special symbol in the winning state is determined based on the random number value ZU. Next, after setting the symbol variation time in the special symbol display unit 14A (ST57), the operation status is changed from 00H to 01H, and the process is terminated (ST58). In addition, the process similar to step ST50-ST58 demonstrated above is performed similarly regarding the pattern starting port 15B.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the variation time setting process (ST57). The same applies to the change time setting process (ST57 '), and A and a shown in FIG. 9 are read as B and b, and B and b are read as A and a.

  Referring to FIG. 9, first, the success / failure result of the big hit lottery process in step ST55 is confirmed (ST62). If the big win lottery is won, a winning variation pattern command is selected (ST64), and if lost, a losing variation pattern command is selected (ST63).

  Here, the variation pattern command is a control command for the effect operation transmitted to the effect control unit 32 and defines the symbol change operation in the effect symbol display unit 20. This variation pattern command specifies not only the success / failure result of the big win lottery but also the total time Ta of the rendering operation such as the reach performance.

  In step ST63 or ST64, since the variation pattern command PTi is selected, this variation pattern command is stored in the command buffer of the main control unit 30 (ST65). The stored variation pattern command is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 at the timing of the subsequent step ST26 (FIG. 5).

  In addition, since the production total time Ta is automatically determined in correspondence with the determined variation pattern, this is temporarily stored in the work area SUM (ST66). The total time Ta of the production operation defines the total time of production in the production symbol display unit 20, but, in principle, also coincides with the total time of symbol variation in the special symbol display unit 14A. However, as shown in FIG. 11, when the special symbol display unit 14B is in a variable operation at the start of the variable operation in the special symbol display unit 14A, the total production of the effect symbol display unit 20 and the special symbol display unit 14A is performed. The times do not match.

  That is, when the special symbol display unit 14B is in a changing operation at the start of the changing operation in the special symbol display unit 14A, the effect symbol display unit 20 is also in a changing operation. This is because the start timing of the production operation is delayed. That is, in the special symbol display unit 14A that starts immediately in order to match the end timing of the changing operation in the special symbol display unit 14A that has started immediately with the end timing of the production operation in the presentation symbol display unit 20 that has started late. Corrections are made to increase the total time for symbol variation.

  Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol display unit 14B is in a changing operation (ST67). If the special symbol display unit 14B is changing, the remaining time Tb of the fluctuation operation in the special symbol display unit 14B is calculated from the special symbol B fluctuation timer TB, and this special symbol display is calculated from the calculation of SUM ← SUM + Tb. The total fluctuation time in unit 14A is corrected (ST68). Note that the remaining time Tb is a concept that includes the idle time until the next successive effect starts after the effect that is being executed ends.

  Then, the value of the work area SUM after the correction calculation is set to an initial value in the special figure A fluctuation timer TA (ST69). For convenience of explanation, step ST67 is shown. However, when the special symbol display unit 14B is not in a changing operation, the value of the special figure B change timer TB is 0. Judgment is not required.

  When the special symbol variation start process (ST42) is executed in this way, the special symbol variation operation and the symbol variation timer TM subtraction process are performed from the next timer interruption. In the changing process executed when the operation status is 01H, first, it is determined whether or not the symbol change timer TM is zero, and if it is not zero, the process ends without doing anything. If such a process is repeated, the symbol variation timer TM (specifically TA or TB) will eventually become zero. Therefore, when TM = 0, the effect operation of the effect control unit 32 is performed as a transition process. A “production stop command” for ending is transmitted, and the operation status is changed from 01H to 02H.

  When the operation status changes to 02H in this way, in the next variation end process (ST44) by timer interruption, the symbol variation operation of the special symbol display unit 14 is terminated after a predetermined time, and the operation status is changed from 02H to 00H. To do. And if it is in the big hit state in the big hit lottery of step ST55, the operation mode is set to “medium big hit” and the process is ended.

  The special symbol process (ST23) is roughly as shown in FIG. 7 (b). If the winning state is achieved by the big hit lottery process (ST55, ST55 ′), the operation mode during the big hit is performed in the variation end process (ST44). Changes to. Also, if it is a big hit, processing for the operation of a special electric accessory such as a big prize opening is performed (ST25).

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description will be continued. Next, in step ST26, the variation pattern command PTi generated by the process of step ST65 (FIG. 9) is transmitted to the sub-control unit (ST26). Next, the lottery hold numbers stored in HORYU (a) and HORYU (b) in the work area are displayed on the lottery hold number display sections 19A and 19B (ST27). Finally, the register saved in the process of step ST10 is restored, and the timer interrupt process is completed (ST28). As a result, the process returns to the main routine. However, when the predetermined time (2 mS) has elapsed, the process of step ST10 is started again, so that the processes of steps ST10 to ST28 are repeated every 2 mS.

  When the control command transmission process is confirmed with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 5 described above, when a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15A, 15B, the winning command is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 at the timing of step ST14. Further, the variation pattern command PTi determined according to the result of the big hit lottery process is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 at the timing of step ST26.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control command reception interrupt process and a part of the timer interrupt process in the effect control unit 32. The effect control unit 32 is configured to receive a reception interrupt to the CPU when a control command is received via the command relay board 31. In the reception interrupt process, it is first determined whether or not a winning command has been received (ST60). As described with reference to FIG. 6, the winning command is a control command indicating that a game ball has won the symbol starting ports 15A and 15B. Therefore, when the winning control command 32 is received, the production control unit 32 increments the CNT value of the work area to count the number of receptions (ST61).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the received control command is a variation pattern command (ST62). The variation pattern command PTi defines an approximate type of effect operation in the effect control unit 32 and an effect total time. Therefore, when the variation pattern command is received, the content of the effect is specifically determined by effect lottery based on the variation pattern command PTi and an appropriate random number value. That is, since the production control unit 32 is provided with a plurality of productions whose production total time is determined in advance, which production is to be executed is determined.

  Then, the effect number specifying the determined effect content is stored in the effect buffer BUF (ST63). The effect buffer BUF is provided with a plurality of storage areas, but the storage destination address is indicated by the write pointer WR. Then, after storing the production number, the write pointer WR is incremented. Note that this effect buffer BUF stores invalid data NULL in all storage areas in the initial state.

  The reception interrupt process as described above is started every time the effect control unit 32 receives a control command, but separately from this, the effect control unit 32 is configured to start a timer interrupt process every predetermined time. ing. In the timer interrupt process, it is determined whether or not the head address of the effect buffer BUF is empty, specifically, whether or not the content of the head address is invalid data NULL (ST70).

  As a result of the determination, if the start address is not empty, the content (effect number) of the start address of the effect buffer BUF is read on condition that the present operation is not being performed, and the detection flag FG is set to 1. (ST72). Then, after the production number is read from the head address, all stored contents of the production buffer BUF are shifted to one higher address, and the lowest address where valid data is stored is invalid data NULL. Is written. In accordance with this, the value of the write pointer WR is also decremented.

  Next, the value of the CNT in the work area is decremented (ST73), and the value of the CNT after the decrement is displayed on the effect suspension number display unit RES (ST74). The reason why such processing is performed is that, after that, the effect operation of the effect number read from the head address of the effect buffer BUF is started, so that the display content is updated by decrementing the effect hold number. However, if the determination in step ST70 or ST71 is Yes, the process after step ST72 is skipped and the process proceeds to step ST74, so that the original number of production suspension is displayed as it is.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the detection flag FG is 1 (ST75). If FG = 1, the detection flag is cleared (ST76), and then the effect operation of the effect number read from the start address of the effect buffer is started (ST77). . Therefore, the symbol effect operation is executed in the effect symbol display unit 20 during the effect total time defined by the received variation pattern command PTi. Since the symbol variation time in the special symbol display unit 14 is appropriately corrected by the process in step ST68, the symbol variation in the effect symbol display unit 20 and the special symbol display unit 14 ends at the same timing.

  FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation contents of the main control board 30 and the effect control board 32 with respect to the variation pattern command PTi and the winning command. Hereinafter, it will be described along with the transition of time.

  <Timing t1> At timing t1, a game ball is won at the symbol starting port 15A, so that after the big hit lottery process (ST55), the symbol changing operation is started on the special symbol display unit 14A (ST43). Therefore, the lottery hold number display portion 19A clearly indicates the hold number 0. In addition, including all the following cases, the success / failure result of the big hit lottery is in a lost state.

  On the other hand, a winning command is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 (ST14), and then a variation pattern command PT1 is transmitted (ST26). Then, in the effect symbol display unit 20 of the effect control unit 32, the effect operation is started immediately, so that the number of reservations 0 is clearly indicated in the effect hold number display part RES.

  <Timing t2, t3> The above relationship is substantially the same at the timing t2. On the other hand, at the timing t3, the game ball wins the symbol starting port 15B during the operation of the special symbol display unit 14A. In this case, after the big hit lottery process (ST55 ′), the special symbol display unit 14B starts the symbol variation operation (ST43). The initial value of the special symbol B variation timer TB at this time is the variation pattern command. This is a value obtained by adding the effect time corresponding to PT3 and the remaining fluctuation time of the special symbol display unit 14A during the fluctuation operation (ST68).

  Also, the winning command (ST14) transmitted to the effect control unit 32 and the variation pattern command PT3 (ST26) are not validated. That is, since the effect operation is executed in the effect symbol display unit 20 in response to the game ball winning at the symbol start opening 15B at the timing t2, the value of the work area CNT is not decremented and the effect hold number display unit RES is displayed. Is displayed, and the number of effects on hold is 1. Further, the effect number determined based on the transmitted variation pattern command PT3 remains stored at the head address of the effect buffer BUF.

  <Timing t4> Next, at timing t4, the game ball wins the symbol starting port 15A during the operation of the special symbol display unit 14A and the special symbol display unit 14B. In this case, since the operation status relating to the special figure A is 01H, the process of FIG. 8 is skipped, and the HORYU (a) decrement process (ST52) and the big hit lottery process (ST55) are executed. Not. For this reason, the hold number 1 is displayed on the lottery hold number display portion 19A.

  Further, since the value incremented by the winning command (ST14) transmitted to the effect control unit 32 is displayed as it is on the effect hold number display unit RES, the number of effect hold is 2. Since the big hit lottery process (ST55) is not executed, the variation pattern command is not transmitted to the effect control unit 32.

  <Timing t5> At the timing t5, the game ball wins the symbol starting port 15B during the operation of the special symbol display unit 14A and the special symbol display unit 14B. In this case, since the operation status relating to the special figure B is 01H, the process of FIG. 8 is skipped, and the HORYU (b) decrement process (ST52 ′) is also the big hit lottery process (ST55 ′). Is not executed. Therefore, the lottery hold number display section 19B displays the hold number 1.

  In addition, since the value incremented by the winning command (ST14) transmitted to the effect control unit 32 is displayed as it is on the effect hold number display unit RES, the number of effect holds is 3.

  <Timing t6> Thereafter, the changing operations of the special symbol display unit 14A and the effect symbol display unit 20 are finished in synchronization, and the operation status related to the special symbol A becomes 00H. Therefore, the fluctuation preparation operation shown in FIG. 8 is executed, the lottery holding number HORYU (a) is decremented (ST52), and the big hit lottery process is performed (ST55). Then, the special symbol display unit 14A starts the symbol variation operation (ST43). The initial value of the special symbol A variation timer TA at this time is the effect time corresponding to the variation pattern command PT4, and the special symbol during the variation operation. A value obtained by adding the remaining fluctuation time of the symbol display unit 14B (ST68).

  On the other hand, variation pattern command PT4 is transmitted to effect control unit 32, an effect number is determined and stored in an appropriate place in the effect buffer area (ST63). In the timer interruption of the effect control unit 32, the effect number corresponding to the variation pattern command PT3 is read from the head address of the effect buffer BUF, and this effect operation is started. Further, since the value of the work area CNT is decremented and displayed (ST73, ST74), the number of effect suspension changes from 3 to 2.

  <Timing t7 to T17> The same applies to the following. From timing t7 to t9, the production suspension number increases from 3 to 4 to 5 in accordance with the increase in the lottery suspension number. FIG. 12 illustrates the display contents of the production hold number display unit RES and the lottery hold number display units 19A and 19B in the state at the timing t8.

  As shown in the figure, the number of lottery holds regarding the game ball winnings to the symbol start openings 15A and 15B is 1 and 2, respectively, while the number of effect holds is 4. Normally, the player keeps playing the game while paying attention to the effect symbol display unit 20, and according to the present embodiment, the player pays attention to the number of production reservations that is larger than the actual number of lottery reservations, and performs the big hit lottery operation. The number of reserved items will be recognized. Therefore, the expectation of the arrival of the big hit state can be enhanced as compared with the conventional device. Moreover, if the structure which displays the number of production | presentation hold | maintains on a liquid crystal display is taken, since the number of production | presentation reservations can be displayed larger than the case of an LED lamp, it is easier to recognize the number of reservations.

  Now, at timing t10, since the changing operation of the special symbol display unit 14B and the effect symbol display unit 20 is finished in synchronization, the operation status relating to the special symbol B becomes 00H. Therefore, the fluctuation preparation operation shown in FIG. 8 is executed, the lottery holding number HORYU (b) is decremented (ST52 '), and the big hit lottery process is performed (ST55').

  Then, the special symbol display unit 14B starts the symbol variation operation (ST43). At this time, the initial value of the special symbol B variation timer TA is the effect time corresponding to the variation pattern command PT5 and the special symbol during the variation operation. A value obtained by adding the remaining fluctuation time of the symbol display unit 14A is obtained (ST68).

  On the other hand, the variation control command PT5 is transmitted to the effect control unit 32, and the effect number is determined and stored in an appropriate place in the effect buffer area (ST63). In the timer interrupt of the effect control unit 32, the effect number corresponding to the variation pattern command PT4 is read from the head address of the effect buffer BUF, and this effect operation is started. Further, since the value of the work area CNT is decremented and displayed (ST73, ST74), the number of effect suspension changes from 5 to 4.

  The above relationship is the same after timing t11, and the production control unit 32 increases the production hold number every time a winning command is received from the main control unit 30 (ST61), and whenever the production operation is started, the production hold number. (ST73). Further, the main control unit 30 performs a big hit lottery process every time the effect symbol display unit 20 and the special symbol display units 14A and 14B start a synchronous operation (ST55, ST55 '), and generates a variable pattern command. The data is transmitted to the control unit 32. The main control unit 30 corrects and sets the initial values of the symbol variation timers TA and TB so that the special symbol display unit 14 and the effect symbol display unit 20 can end the variation operation in synchronization (ST68). .

  In FIG. 11, the game ball winnings to the symbol start opening 15A are expressed by A1 to A7, and the changing operation of the effect symbol display unit 20 and the special symbol display unit 14A related to the game ball winnings also corresponds to the game ball winnings. A1 to A4. The same applies to B1 to B6 indicating game ball winnings at the symbol start opening 15B.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. That is, in particular, the specific control method exemplified in the flowchart does not limit the present invention.

  In the above-described ball game machine, when the work area of the main control unit 30 and the production control unit 32 is completely lost when the power is cut off, such as a power failure, the special symbol display unit 14 is then changed. Or, the production operation of the production display unit 20 cannot be reproduced. Therefore, it is desirable to save not only the main control unit 30 but also the effect control unit 32 by battery backup or the like until the power is restored. In this case, it is also necessary to save the CPU registers by generating an NMI (non-maskable-interrupt) when the power is shut off.

  On the other hand, since it is cumbersome to back up the memory with the battery up to the effect control unit 32, a configuration in which only the memory of the main control unit 30 is backed up with the battery may be employed. In the case of this gaming machine, the special symbol display units 14A and 14B are controlled not by the production control unit 32 but by the main control unit 30. .

  If the work area of the production control unit 32 is not protected when the power is shut off, after the power is restored, for example, the lottery hold numbers HORYU (a) and HORYU (b) are both zero and the special symbol is displayed. It is preferable to determine whether or not the changing operations of the display units 14A and 14B have been completed. While this determination is NO, transmission of the variation pattern command and winning command from the main control unit 30 to the effect control unit 32 is stopped, while the effect symbol display unit 32 displays an appropriate effect screen. It is preferable to do this. Eventually, the lottery holding numbers HORYU (a) and HORYU (b) of the special symbol A and the special symbol B will both become zero, and the fluctuation operation of the special symbol display units 14A and 14B will be completed. A normal process of transmitting a command or a winning command may be started.

  Moreover, in the Example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12, the number of effect reservations is simply displayed on the effect reservation number display unit RES, but the number of reservations is related to winning the symbol start opening 15 </ b> A. It is also preferable to specify and display whether the item is related to winning in the symbol start opening 15B. When the number of production suspensions is five, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, only five identical shapes are arranged, but instead, for example, “B-B-A-B-B” , It can be confirmed on the liquid crystal display which of the symbol start openings 15A, 15B has more prizes.

  In order to realize such an operation, when a winning command stored in the command buffers NYU (a) and NYU (b) is transmitted (ST14), a winning command specifying the start ports 15A and 15B is transmitted. good. Correspondingly, the effect control unit 32 only needs to provide two areas CNT (a) and CNT (b) for counting the number of times the winning command is received and display the contents on the effect hold number display unit RES.

15A 1st prize opening (design start opening)
15B 2nd prize opening (design start opening)
HORYU (a) first counter HORYU (b) first counter CNT third counter

Claims (5)

While providing the 1st and 2nd winning a prize mouth and the 1st and 2nd fluctuation display part correspondingly, providing the single production design display part and the normal design display part,
When a game ball wins at any one of the winning holes, a winning lottery is executed as to whether or not a profit state advantageous to the player is generated, and a variable display corresponding to the winning hole where the game ball has won. A ball ball game machine that notifies the results of the lottery determination after executing the variation operation in the section and the pattern production operation in the production symbol display section,
The first winning opening is configured such that the opening / closing claw is easily opened for a predetermined time on the condition that the symbol is displayed on the normal symbol display unit and is executed by the effect symbol display unit. The symbol effect operation is configured to end in response to the variation operation of the variation display unit corresponding to the symbol effect operation,
A first means for counting up a first counter each time a game ball wins a first winning opening, and for counting up a second counter each time a game ball wins a second winning opening;
A second means for counting up a third counter for each winning of a game ball to the first winning opening or the second winning opening;
If the value of the first counter is not zero when the variation operation of the first variation display unit is completed, the first counter is counted down and the lottery is performed to determine the variation operation of the first variation display unit. A third means to start;
If the value of the second counter is not zero when the variation operation of the second variation display unit is completed, the second counter is counted down and the lottery is performed to perform the variation operation of the second variation display unit. A fourth means to start;
A fifth means for counting down a third counter when starting the symbol effect operation specified in correspondence with the success / failure lottery executed by the third means or the fourth means in the effect symbol display unit;
A bullet ball game machine configured to display a value of a third counter in an identifiable manner. A main control unit that mainly controls the operation of the gaming machine, including a lottery process, and a sub control unit that operates based on a control command from the main control unit and executes a symbol effect operation in the effect symbol display unit; Configured with
The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and second variation display units are operated based on direct control by the main control unit. The ball game machine according to claim 2 , wherein the first means, the third means, and the fourth means are realized by the main control unit, and the second means and the fifth means are realized by the sub-control unit.   The bullet ball according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third means and the fourth means output a control command for specifying a symbol effect operation that ends in synchronization with the change operation of the started change display section. Gaming machine.   5. The ball ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of stage start reservations is displayed by specifying whether a start of a symbol production operation related to winning of a game ball at a prize opening is held. .

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