JP6200652B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that performs a predetermined game.

  As an example of a gaming machine, a gaming medium such as a game ball is launched into a gaming area by a launching device, and a predetermined gaming value is determined based on the winning of a gaming medium in a winning area such as a winning opening provided in the gaming area. There is a pachinko machine that can be granted. As another example of the gaming machine, after setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game medium such as a medal, a coin, or a game ball similar to a pachinko gaming machine, the player operates the start lever. Thus, there is a slot machine that starts variable display of display symbols by the variable display device, and can give a predetermined game value based on the derived display result. Here, the predetermined game value is given by paying out premium game media such as prize balls and medals, adding the player's score, executing a re-game without using (digesting) the game media, and a specific game state (for example, a big hit game state) This is a concept that includes a part or all of the control to the gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state.

  In such gaming machines, there is a game machine in which image pieces of a predetermined image are scattered and displayed in a display area, and then the image pieces are assembled to display a predetermined image (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-339937 A

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the amount of data related to display control increases because image data is stored for each image piece.

  This invention is made in view of the said actual condition, and aims at provision of the game machine which can suppress data amount.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention provides:
A gaming machine (for example, pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like) that performs a predetermined game,
Image display means for displaying an image related to the game (for example, the image display device 5);
In the image display means, background image display means for displaying a background image (for example, VDP 130 of the display control unit 123),
A plurality of image parts constituting a predetermined image (for example, display images 182A, 182B, etc.) are aligned in front of the background image, and aligned display execution means for displaying the predetermined image (for example, a notice effect in step S454) A CPU 120 for effect control that executes the alignment display of the image parts in the control, the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123, and the like.
The alignment display execution means includes:
After displaying a video of the process in which the plurality of image parts are aligned (for example, a video as shown in FIG. 11A), mask data in which a region for displaying the predetermined image and a mask region for not displaying are designated. (For example, a grid-like mask as shown in FIG. 11B) is used to display the predetermined image, and then the mask area in the mask data where the predetermined image is not displayed is gradually reduced. The predetermined image can be displayed without using mask data ;
After the predetermined image is displayed using the mask data, an image of a process in which additional image parts are aligned is displayed, a specific image is displayed instead of the predetermined image, and then the specific image in the mask data is displayed. The mask area that does not display an image is gradually reduced, and then the specific image can be displayed without using the mask data.
It is characterized by that .

According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the data amount.

(2) In the gaming machine of (1) above,
The aligned display execution means erases the transmissive region by gradually narrowing the transmissive region in a frame line shape in the mask data.
It is characterized by that.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to express a state in which image parts gradually approach each other and combine to form one predetermined image.

(3) In the above gaming machine (1) or (2),
The alignment display execution means displays different types of predetermined images according to the aspect of the process in which the plurality of image parts are aligned.
It is characterized by that.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to focus attention on an image in the process of aligning image parts.

(4) In the gaming machine of (1) or (2) above,
The alignment display execution means displays the process of aligning the plurality of image parts in the same manner regardless of the type of the predetermined image displayed without using the mask data.
It is characterized by that.

  According to such a configuration, the amount of data in the process in which the image parts are aligned can be suppressed.

(5) In any of the above gaming machines (1) to (4),
The alignment display execution means displays the predetermined image using mask data in which a transparent region composed of a plurality of shape frame lines is designated.
It is characterized by that.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to express a process in which the image parts are aligned while performing different movements.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the various control boards etc. which were mounted in the pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a display control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a game control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of a fluctuation pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of production control process processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a variable display start setting process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of a notification effect determination table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example etc. of an effect control pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the production process during variable display. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the alignment display of an image part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the alignment display of an image part. It is a front view of the slot machine to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the various control boards etc. which are mounted in a slot machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment and shows an arrangement layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is roughly composed of a gaming board (gauge board) 2 constituting a gaming board surface and a gaming machine frame (base frame) 3 for supporting and fixing the gaming board 2. The game board 2 is formed with a substantially circular game area surrounded by guide rails. In this game area, a game ball as a game medium is launched from a predetermined hitting ball launching device and driven.

  A first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided at predetermined positions of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, on the right side of the game area). Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is composed of, for example, 7-segment or dot matrix LEDs (light emitting diodes) and the like. Special symbols (also referred to as “special graphics”), which are a plurality of types of identification information (special identification information) that can be displayed, are variably displayed (variable display). For example, each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B variably displays a plurality of types of special symbols composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9", symbols indicating "-", and the like. To do.

  The special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are limited to those composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9", symbols indicating "-", and the like. However, for example, a plurality of types of lighting patterns in which the combination of the LED to be turned on and the LED to be turned off in the 7-segment LED may be set in advance as a plurality of types of special symbols. Hereinafter, the special symbol variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A is also referred to as "first special symbol", and the special symbol variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 4B is also referred to as "second special symbol". .

  An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the game area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. In the display area of the image display device 5, the first special symbol variable display by the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol variable display by the second special symbol display device 4B in the special symbol game respectively correspond to the variable display. For example, in a decorative symbol display area serving as a plurality of variable display units such as three, decorative symbols that are a plurality of types of identification information (decorative identification information) that can be identified are variably displayed. This variable display of decorative designs is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas are arranged in the display area of the image display device 5. And in response to the start of one of the changes in the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B in the special symbol game, In each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas, variation of decorative symbols (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction) is started. Thereafter, when the fixed special symbol is stopped and displayed as a variable display result in the special symbol game, the decorative symbol can be changed in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas in the image display device 5. The confirmed decorative symbol (final stop symbol) that is the display result is stopped and displayed.

  As described above, in the display area of the image display device 5, a special game using the first special graphic in the first special symbol display device 4A or a special graphic using the second special graphic in the second special symbol display device 4B is used. In synchronism with the figure game, variable display of a plurality of types of decorative symbols that can be identified is performed, and a definite decorative symbol that is a variable display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as “derivation”). In addition, for example, deriving and displaying various display symbols such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol means that identification information such as a decorative symbol is stopped and displayed (also referred to as a complete stop display or a final stop display) and the variable display is ended. . On the other hand, during the variable display from the start of the variable display of the decorative pattern until the fixed decorative pattern that is the variable display result is derived and displayed, the variation speed of the decorative pattern becomes “0”, The symbol may be displayed in a stationary state, for example, in a display state that causes slight shaking or expansion / contraction. Such a display state is also called a temporary stop display, and although the display result in the variable display is not displayed deterministically, the player can recognize that the variation of the decorative pattern due to the scroll display or the update display is not progressing. It becomes. The temporary stop display may include displaying the decorative symbols completely stopped for a time shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) without causing slight shaking or expansion / contraction.

  On the screen of the image display device 5, a start winning memory display area 5H is arranged. In the start winning memory display area 5H, a hold memory display for displaying the variable display hold number corresponding to the special figure game (special figure hold memory number) is specified. Here, the variable display suspension corresponding to the special game is that the game ball passes through the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B. Generated based on the start winning by entering (entering). That is, the start condition (also referred to as “execution condition”) for executing a variable display game such as a special figure game or a variable display of decorative symbols has been established, but a variable display game based on the previously established start condition is being executed. When the start condition that allows the start of the variable display game is not satisfied due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the big hit gaming state, the variable display corresponding to the established start condition is suspended. Done.

  For example, a special game start condition (first start condition) using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A due to the occurrence of the first start prize that the game ball passes (enters) through the first start prize opening. ) Is satisfied, if the first start condition for starting the special figure game using the first special figure based on the establishment of the first start condition is not satisfied, the first special figure holding storage number is 1. Addition (increment) is made, and execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is suspended. In addition, when the second start winning that the game ball passes (enters) through the second start winning opening is generated, the start condition of the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B (second start condition) ) Is established, if the second start condition for starting the special figure game using the second special figure based on the establishment of the second start condition is not established, the second special figure holding memory number is 1. Addition (increment) is made, and execution of the special figure game using the second special figure is suspended. On the other hand, when the execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is started, the first special figure holding memory number is decremented by 1 (decrement), and the special figure game using the second special figure is executed. Is started, the second special figure reserved memory number is decremented by 1 (decremented).

  The variable display hold memory number obtained by adding the first special figure hold memory number and the second special figure hold memory number is also referred to as a total hold memory number. When simply referring to the “number of special figure hold memory”, it usually refers to a concept including any of the first special figure hold memory number, the second special figure hold memory number, and the total hold memory number. It may refer to a concept that includes the first special figure reserved memory number and the second special figure reserved memory number but excludes the total reserved memory number).

  A display for displaying the number of reserved special figure memories may be provided together with the start winning memory display area 5H or instead of the start winning memory display area 5H. In the example shown in FIG. 1, together with the start winning memory display area 5H, the first hold for displaying the special figure hold memory number in an identifiable manner on the upper part of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B. A display 25A and a second hold display 25B are provided. The first hold indicator 25A displays the first special figure hold memory number so that it can be specified. The second hold indicator 25B displays the second special figure hold memory number so that it can be specified. Each of the first hold indicator 25A and the second hold indicator 25B has a number (for example, 4) corresponding to an upper limit value (for example, “4”) in each of the first special figure hold memory number and the second special figure hold memory number, for example. LED).

  Below the image display device 5, an ordinary winning ball device 6A and an ordinary variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) that is always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B is an electric tulip-type accessory having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed between a closed state in a vertical position and an open state in a tilt position by a solenoid 81 for a normal electric accessory shown in FIG. (Ordinary electric accessory) is provided and a second start winning opening is formed.

  As an example, in the normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B, the movable wing piece is in the vertical position when the solenoid 81 for the ordinary electric accessory is in the off state, so that the game ball passes (enters) through the second start winning opening. Do not close. On the other hand, in the normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B, when the solenoid 81 for the normal electric accessory is in the ON state, the movable wing piece is in the tilting position, so that the game ball passes (enters) the second starting winning hole. ) Make it open. The normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B is normally opened when the solenoid 81 is in the off state, and the game ball can enter (pass) through the second start winning opening, while the expansion when the solenoid 81 is in the on state. You may comprise so that a game ball may enter (pass) more easily than an open state. As described above, the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B has the first variable state such as the open state or the expanded open state in which the game ball can pass (enter) through the second start winning port, and the game ball cannot pass (enter). It is configured to be able to change to a second variable state such as a closed state or a normally open state that is difficult to pass (enter).

  A game ball that has entered the first start winning opening formed in the normal winning ball apparatus 6A is detected by, for example, a first start opening switch 22A shown in FIG. A game ball that has entered the second start winning opening formed in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B is detected by, for example, a second start opening switch 22B shown in FIG. Based on the detection of the game ball by the first start port switch 22A, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls (prize game media), and the first reserved memory number is a predetermined upper limit value. If it is less than (for example, “4”), the first start condition is satisfied. Based on the detection of the game ball by the second start port switch 22B, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and if the second reserved memory number is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit value, The second start condition is satisfied.

  The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game ball by the first start port switch 22A and the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game ball by the second start port switch 22B. May be the same number or different numbers. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may be one that directly pays out game balls that are prize balls, or may be one that gives a score corresponding to the number of game balls that are prize balls.

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning ball apparatus 7 includes a special winning opening door that is opened and closed by a solenoid 82 for the special winning opening door shown in FIG. 2, and the specific region that changes between an open state and a closed state by the special winning opening door. As a big prize opening.

  As an example, in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7, when the solenoid 82 for the special prize opening door is in the OFF state, the special prize opening door closes the big winning prize opening, and the game ball passes (enters) the big winning prize opening. become unable. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7, when the solenoid 82 for the big prize opening door is in the ON state, the big winning opening door opens the big winning opening and the game ball passes through the big winning opening (entrance). ). In this way, the special winning opening as a specific area changes into an open state in which a game ball easily passes (enters) and is advantageous to the player, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot pass (enters) and is disadvantageous to the player To do. Instead of the closed state where the game ball cannot pass (enter) through the big prize opening, or in addition to the closed state, a partially opened state where the game ball hardly passes (enters) through the big prize port may be provided.

  The game ball that has passed (entered) through the big prize opening is detected by, for example, the count switch 23 shown in FIG. Based on the detection of game balls by the count switch 23, a predetermined number (for example, 14) of game balls are paid out as prize balls. In this way, when the game ball passes (enters) through the large winning opening opened in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7, the gaming ball passes through other winning openings such as the first starting winning opening and the second starting winning opening, for example. More prize balls are paid out than when passing (entering). Therefore, if the special prize winning ball device 7 is in the open state, the game ball can enter the special prize winning opening, which is a first state advantageous to the player. On the other hand, when the special prize winning device 7 is closed in the special variable prize winning ball device 7, it becomes impossible or difficult for the player to get a prize ball by passing (entering) the gaming ball into the special prize winning port. This is a disadvantageous second state.

  A normal symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (on the left side of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 is composed of 7 segments, dot matrix LEDs, and the like, like the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and a plurality of types of identification information different from the special symbols. Is displayed (variably displayed) in a variable manner. Such variable display of normal symbols is called a general game (also referred to as “normal game”). Above the normal symbol display 20, a universal figure holding display 25 </ b> C is provided. The general-purpose hold indicator 25C includes, for example, four LEDs, and displays the general-purpose hold storage number as the number of effective passing balls that have passed through the passing gate 41.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with a windmill for changing the flow direction and speed of the game ball and a number of obstacle nails. In addition, as a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening, and the large winning opening, for example, a single or plural general winning openings that are always kept in a certain open state by a predetermined ball receiving member are provided. May be. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be paid out as a prize ball based on the fact that a game ball that has entered one of the general prize openings is detected by a predetermined general prize ball switch. In the lowermost part of the game area, there is provided an out port through which game balls that have not entered any winning port are taken.

  Speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the left and right upper positions of the gaming machine frame 3, and a game effect lamp 9 is provided at the periphery of the game area. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal winning ball device 6A, the normal variable winning ball device 6B, the special variable winning ball device 7, etc.) in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1. At the lower right position of the gaming machine frame 3, there is provided a hitting operation handle (operation knob) operated by a player or the like to launch a game ball as a game medium toward the game area. For example, the hitting operation handle adjusts the resilience of the game ball according to the operation amount (rotation amount) by the player or the like.

  At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the gaming area, a game ball paid out as a prize ball or a game ball lent out by a predetermined ball lending machine is held (stored) so as to be supplied to a ball hitting device. )) Is provided. Below the gaming machine frame 3, there is provided a lower plate that holds (stores) surplus balls overflowing from the upper plate so as to be discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  For example, a stick controller 31A that can be held and tilted by the player is attached to a member that forms the lower plate, for example, at a predetermined position on the front side of the upper surface of the lower plate main body (for example, a central portion of the lower plate). Yes. The stick controller 31A includes an operation stick that the player holds, and a trigger button is provided at a predetermined position of the operation stick (for example, a position where the index finger of the operator is hooked when the player holds the operation stick). Yes. The trigger button can be operated in a predetermined direction by performing a push-pull operation with a predetermined operation finger (for example, an index finger) in a state where the player holds the operation stick of the stick controller 31A with an operation hand (for example, the left hand). What is necessary is just to be comprised. A trigger sensor that detects a predetermined instruction operation such as a push / pull operation on the trigger button may be incorporated in the operation rod.

  A controller sensor unit 35A including a tilt direction sensor unit that detects a tilting operation with respect to the operating rod may be provided inside the lower pan body or the like below the stick controller 31A. For example, the tilt direction sensor unit includes two transmissive photosensors (parallel sensors) arranged in parallel to the board surface of the game board 2 on the left side of the center position of the operation pole when viewed from the player side facing the pachinko gaming machine 1. And a pair of transmissive photosensors (vertical sensor pairs) arranged perpendicularly to the surface of the game board 2 on the right side of the center position of the operation rod when viewed from the player side. What is necessary is just to be comprised including the photo sensor.

  The member that forms the upper plate includes, for example, a push button 31B that allows a player to perform a predetermined instruction operation by a pressing operation or the like at a predetermined position on the front side of the upper surface of the upper plate body (for example, above the stick controller 31A). Is provided. The push button 31B only needs to be configured to be able to detect a predetermined instruction operation such as a pressing operation from a player mechanically, electrically, or electromagnetically. A push sensor 35 </ b> B that detects a player's operation performed on the push button 31 </ b> B may be provided inside the upper plate body at the position where the push button 31 </ b> B is installed.

  Various control boards such as a main board 11, an effect control board 12, an audio control board 13, and a lamp control board 14 as shown in FIG. 2 are mounted on the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is also equipped with a relay board 15 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12. In addition, various boards such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, a launch control board, an interface board, and a touch sensor board are arranged on the back of the game board or the like in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The main board 11 is a main-side control board on which various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are mounted. The main board 11 is mainly addressed to a sub-side control board composed of a random number setting function used in a special game, a function of inputting a signal from a switch or the like disposed at a predetermined position, and an effect control board 12. A function of outputting and transmitting a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, a function of outputting various information to a hall management computer, and the like are provided. In addition, the main board 11 performs on / off control of each LED (for example, segment LED) constituting the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and thereby the first special diagram and the second special diagram Variable display of a predetermined display pattern such as controlling the variable display of the normal symbol display 20 or controlling the variable symbol display of the normal symbol display 20 by controlling the lighting / extinction / coloring control of the normal symbol display 20. It also has a function to control.

  On the main board 11, for example, a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110, a solenoid circuit 111, and the like are mounted. The switch circuit 110 takes in detection signals from various switches for detecting game balls and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The solenoid circuit 111 transmits the solenoid drive signal from the game control microcomputer 100 to the solenoid 81 for the ordinary electric accessory and the solenoid 82 for the big prize door.

  The effect control board 12 is a sub-side control board independent of the main board 11, receives the control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15, and receives the image display device 5, the speakers 8L, 8R. In addition, various circuits for controlling the rendering operation by the electrical components for rendering such as the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED are mounted. That is, the effect control board 12 performs all or part of the display operation in the image display device 5, all or part of the sound output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, and all or one of the on / off operations in the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED. A function of determining the control content for causing the electrical component for production to execute a predetermined production operation, such as a section.

  The sound control board 13 is a control board for sound output control provided separately from the effect control board 12, and outputs sound from the speakers 8L and 8R based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12. For example, a processing circuit for executing audio signal processing is mounted. The lamp control board 14 is a control board for lamp output control that is provided separately from the effect control board 12, and based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12, the game effect lamp 9, LED for decoration, etc. A lamp driver circuit that performs on / off driving is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, detection signals from various switches such as a gate switch 21, a start port switch (first start port switch 22 </ b> A and second start port switch 22 </ b> B), and a count switch 23 are transmitted to the main board 11. Wiring is connected. In addition, various switches should just have arbitrary structures which can detect the game ball | bowl as game media like what is called a sensor, for example. Further, the main board 11 is connected with wiring for transmitting a command signal for performing display control, such as the first special symbol display device 4A, the second special symbol display device 4B, and the normal symbol display device 20.

  A control signal transmitted from the main board 11 toward the effect control board 12 is relayed by the relay board 15. The control command transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 via the relay board 15 is, for example, an effect control command transmitted and received as an electric signal. The effect control command includes, for example, a display control command used for controlling an image display operation in the image display device 5, a voice control command used for controlling sound output from the speakers 8L and 8R, and a game effect lamp 9. And a lamp control command used for controlling the lighting operation of the decoration LED and the like. Each of these effect control commands has, for example, a 2-byte configuration, the first byte indicates MODE (command classification), and the second byte indicates EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always set to “1” and the first bit of the EXT data may be set to “0” in advance.

  The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101 for storing a game control program, fixed data, and the like, and a game control work. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 that provides an area, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103 that executes a control program by executing a game control program, and updates numeric data indicating random values independently of the CPU 103 A random number circuit 104 to perform and an I / O (Input / Output port) 105 are provided.

  As an example, in the game control microcomputer 100, a process for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is executed by the CPU 103 executing a program read from the ROM 101. At this time, the CPU 103 reads fixed data from the ROM 101, the CPU 103 writes various fluctuation data to the RAM 102 and temporarily stores the fluctuation data, and the CPU 103 temporarily stores the various fluctuation data. The CPU 103 receives the input of various signals from outside the game control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105, and the CPU 103 goes outside the game control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105. A transmission operation for outputting various signals is also performed.

  Note that the one-chip microcomputer constituting the game control microcomputer 100 only needs to incorporate the RAM 102 in addition to the CPU 103, and the ROM 101, the random number circuit 104, the I / O 105, and the like may be externally attached.

  In the game control microcomputer 100, for example, the random number circuit 104 or the like counts the numerical data indicating various random values used for controlling the progress of the game in an updatable manner. The random number used for controlling the progress of the game is also called a game random number. The game random number may be updated by hardware such as the random number circuit 104 or may be updated by software when the CPU 103 of the game control microcomputer 100 executes a predetermined computer program. May be. For example, the random counter provided in a predetermined area (game control counter setting unit or the like) of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 or a random counter provided in an internal register separate from the RAM 102 indicates a predetermined random number value. The random number value may be updated by storing numerical data and the CPU 103 updating the stored value regularly or irregularly.

  In addition to the game control program, the ROM 101 provided in the game control microcomputer 100 stores various selection data and table data used to control the progress of the game. For example, the ROM 101 stores data constituting a plurality of determination tables, determination tables, setting tables and the like prepared for the CPU 103 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings. Further, the ROM 101 includes table data constituting a plurality of command tables used for the CPU 103 to transmit control signals serving as various control commands from the main board 11 and a variation pattern table storing a plurality of types of variation patterns. Table data to be stored is stored. In the RAM 102 provided in the game control microcomputer 100, various data used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are temporarily stored so as to be rewritable.

  The effect control board 12 includes an effect control CPU 120 that performs a control operation in accordance with a program, a ROM 121 that stores an effect control program, fixed data, and the like, a RAM 122 that provides a work area for the effect control CPU 120, and an image display device. 5, a display control unit 123 that executes processing for determining the control content of the display operation in FIG. 5, a random number circuit 124 that updates the numerical data indicating the random number value independently of the effect control CPU 120, and the I / O 125. And are installed.

  As an example, in the effect control board 12, when the effect control CPU 120 executes an effect control program read from the ROM 121, a process for controlling the effect operation by the effect electric component is executed. At this time, the effect control CPU 120 reads the fixed data from the ROM 121, the effect control CPU 120 writes the various data to the RAM 122 and temporarily stores them, and the effect control CPU 120 stores the effect data in the RAM 122. Fluctuation data reading operation for reading out various fluctuation data temporarily stored, the reception control CPU 120 for receiving the input of various signals from the outside of the presentation control board 12 via the I / O 125, and the presentation control CPU 120 for I / O A transmission operation for outputting various signals to the outside of the effect control board 12 via O125 is also performed.

  The effect control CPU 120, the ROM 121, and the RAM 122 may be included in a one-chip effect control microcomputer mounted on the effect control board 12. In the effect control board 12, wiring for transmitting a video signal to the image display device 5, wiring for transmitting a sound effect signal as an information signal indicating sound number data to the sound control board 13, Wiring for transmitting an electrical decoration signal as an information signal indicating lamp data is connected to the lamp control board 14. Furthermore, on the effect control board 12, wiring for transmitting from the controller sensor unit 35A an operation detection signal as an information signal indicating that the player's operation action on the stick controller 31A has been detected, and a game for the push button 31B. Wiring for transmitting from the push sensor 35B an operation detection signal as an information signal indicating that the user's operation action has been detected is also connected.

  On the effect control board 12, for example, the random number circuit 124 or the like counts the numerical data indicating various random values used for controlling the effect operation so as to be updatable. The random number used for controlling such a production operation is also called a production random number.

  In addition to the effect control program, the ROM 121 mounted on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 2 stores various data tables used for controlling the effect operation. For example, the ROM 121 includes a plurality of determination tables prepared for the effect control CPU 120 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings, table data configuring the determination table, pattern data configuring various effect control patterns, and the like. It is remembered. The effect control pattern is, for example, from process data including effect control execution data (display control data, sound control data, lamp control data, operation detection control data, etc.) associated with the effect control process timer determination value, an end code, and the like. It is configured. The RAM 122 mounted on the effect control board 12 stores various data used for controlling the effect operation.

  The display control unit 123 mounted on the effect control board 12 determines the control content of the display operation in the image display device 5 based on the display control command from the effect control CPU 120. For example, the display control unit 123 performs control for executing decorative display variable display and various effect displays by determining the switching timing of effect images to be displayed in the display area of the image display device 5. As an example, FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the display control unit 123. The display control unit 123 shown in FIG. 3 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) 130, a CGROM (Character Generator ROM) 131, a VRAM (Video RAM) 132, and an LCD drive circuit 133. Note that the VDP 130 may be a graphics processing unit (GPU), a graphics controller LSI (GCL), or a microprocessor for image processing, more commonly referred to as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The CGROM 131 may be, for example, a non-rewritable semiconductor memory, a rewritable semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a non-volatile recording medium such as a magnetic memory or an optical memory. Any configuration may be used.

  The VDP 130 has, for example, an image data processing function such as a high-speed drawing function and a moving image decoding function for displaying various images on the screen of the image display device 5, and image data in accordance with a display control command from the effect control CPU 120. An image processor that executes processing. The CGROM 131 stores various image data indicating a display image on the image display device 5 in advance. For example, the image data stored in the CGROM 131 includes a plurality of types of image data corresponding to a plurality of types of effect images, such as a plurality of types of decorative symbols variably displayed on the image display device 5. The VRAM 132 provides a work area for the VDP 130 to execute image data processing using the image data read from the CGROM 131, and effect image display data is expanded and stored. The display data expanded and stored in the VRAM 132 may include, for example, pixel data (raster data) created by the VDP 130 based on vector data (vector data) such as points, lines, and polygons. The LCD drive circuit 133 reads display data from the VRAM 132, creates gradation data (color signal data) of each pixel constituting the display screen of the image display device 5, and outputs a scanning signal based on a predetermined clock signal. This is a circuit that displays various images on the screen of the image display device 5 by generating and outputting it to the image display device 5.

  The LCD drive circuit 133 may have a scaler circuit that converts the number of pixels of display data read from the VRAM 132 and generates gradation data of each pixel constituting the display screen of the image display device 5. Display data read from the VRAM 132 is input to the scaler circuit, and one or both of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is enlarged (or reduced) at a predetermined enlargement ratio, so that the pixel data Convert numbers. For example, the scaler circuit can convert the number of pixels of the pixel data by using bilinear filtering that obtains the pixel values after enlargement from the four pixel values before enlargement by linear interpolation. The vertical and horizontal enlargement ratios in the scaler circuit can be individually set by, for example, a display control command from the effect control CPU 120.

  The I / O 125 mounted on the effect control board 12 includes, for example, an input port for capturing an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 and the like, and an output port for transmitting various signals to the outside of the effect control board 12. It is comprised including. For example, from the output port of the I / O 125, a video signal transmitted to the image display device 5, a command (sound effect signal) transmitted to the sound control board 13, and a command transmitted to the lamp control board 14 (Lighting signal) etc. are output.

  On the voice control board 13, for example, an input / output driver, a voice synthesis IC, a voice data ROM, an amplifier circuit, a volume, and the like are mounted. As an example, in the voice control board 13, the sound number data indicated in the sound effect signal transmitted from the effect control board 12 is input to the voice synthesis IC via the input / output driver. The voice synthesis IC generates voice and sound effects corresponding to the sound number data and outputs them to the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit outputs an audio signal obtained by amplifying the output level of the speech synthesis IC to a level corresponding to the volume set by the volume to the speakers 8L and 8R. The voice data ROM stores control data corresponding to the sound number data, and the voice synthesis IC reads out the control data corresponding to the sound number data to generate voice and sound effects. The data stored in the audio data ROM may be composed of data indicating the output mode of audio and sound effects in a predetermined period in time series.

  For example, an input / output driver and a lamp driver are mounted on the lamp control board 14. As an example, in the lamp control board 14, the electrical decoration signal transmitted from the effect control board 12 is input to the lamp driver via the input / output driver. The lamp driver amplifies the electric decoration signal and supplies it to the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a predetermined game using a game ball as a game medium is performed, and a predetermined game value can be given based on the game result.

  As an example of a game using a game ball, a predetermined hit ball is based on a predetermined operation (for example, a rotation operation) performed by a player on a hit ball operation handle 30 installed on the lower right side of the front surface of the housing of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A game ball as a game medium is launched toward a game area by a launch motor provided in the launch device. When the game ball flowing down the game area passes (enters) the first start winning opening (first start area) formed in the normal winning ball apparatus 6A, the game ball is detected by the first start opening switch 22A. Based on this, a start condition (first start condition) for executing variable display of the special symbol (first special symbol) by the first special symbol display device 4A is established. Further, when the game ball passes (enters) the second start winning opening (second start area) formed in the normal variable winning ball apparatus 6B, the game ball is detected by the second start opening switch 22B. Thus, a start condition (second start condition) for executing variable display of the special symbol (second special symbol) by the second special symbol display device 4B is established.

  Although the variable display start condition (the first start condition or the second start condition) is satisfied, for example, when the variable display based on the previously established start condition is executed, or the gaming state is controlled to the big hit gaming state If the variable display cannot be started, such as when it is being performed, it is variable until a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4” corresponding to each of the first special figure and the second special figure) is reached. Display execution is suspended.

  A start condition (first start condition or second start condition) for starting variable display after the game ball passes (enters) the first start winning opening and the second start winning opening and the variable display start condition is satisfied. ) Is established, whether or not to make the variable display result “big hit” as a predetermined specific display result is determined before the variable display result is derived and displayed.

  Then, the variation pattern is determined at a predetermined ratio based on the determination of the variable display result, and an effect control command for specifying the variable display result and the change pattern is specified from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. Is transmitted. Based on the determination of the variable display result and the variation pattern, variable display of special symbols and decorative symbols is started. After that, for example, when a predetermined variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern has elapsed, a fixed symbol that is a variable display result is stopped and displayed (derived display).

  In the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R provided in the display area of the image display device 5, decorative symbols corresponding to the special game are variably displayed. In the period from the start of the variable display of the decorative symbols to the end of the variable display by the stop display of the fixed decorative symbols in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R, The decorative display variable display state may be a reach state. Here, the decorative display variable display state is a decoration that has not been stopped and displayed yet when the decorative pattern that is stopped and displayed in any of the decorative design display areas constitutes a part of a predetermined jackpot combination. Reach status for symbols (also referred to as “reach variation symbols”) by continuing variation, or by changing all or part of the decorative symbols synchronously while constituting all or part of the jackpot combination It becomes.

  Specifically, in some of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R (for example, “left” and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R) in advance. The remaining decorative symbol display area (for example, “medium”) that has not yet been stopped when the decorative symbol (for example, the decorative symbol indicating the alphanumeric character “7”) that constitutes the determined jackpot combination is stopped. In the symbol display area 5C, etc., the decorative symbols may be a big hit combination by changing the decorative symbols, or in all or part of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R. The variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state by changing in synchronism while constituting all or a part.

  Corresponding to the fact that the variable display state of the decorative design has reached the reach state, the variation speed of the decorative design is reduced, or a character image (person or the like) different from the decorative design is displayed in the display area of the image display device 5. Display images), changing the display mode of the background image, playing and displaying a moving image that is different from the decorative design, or changing the variation of the decorative design. There may be a case where an effect operation different from the state before reaching the reach state is executed. Such effect operations such as the display of the character image, the change of the display mode of the background image, the playback display of the moving image, and the change of the variation pattern of the decorative pattern are referred to as reach effect display (or simply “reach effect”). In the reach effect, not only the display operation in the image display device 5, but also the sound output operation by the speakers 8L and 8R, the lighting operation (flashing operation) in the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED, and the operation of the effect movable member Or the like may be included in an operation mode different from that before the decorative symbol variable display state becomes “reach”.

  As an effect operation in the reach effect, a plurality of types of effect patterns (also referred to as “reach patterns”) having different operation modes (reach modes) may be prepared in advance. Each reach mode has a different possibility of “big hit” (also referred to as “reliability” or “big hit reliability”). That is, it is possible to vary the possibility that the variable display result will be a “hit” depending on which of the multiple types of reach effects is executed.

  As an example, in this embodiment, reach modes such as normal reach, super reach A to super reach D are preset. And, when the reach form of super reach such as super reach A to super reach D appears, there is a possibility that the variable display result will be “big hit” compared to the case where the reach form of normal reach appears (big hit reliability) Becomes higher. Note that the case where the decorative display variable display state does not reach the reach state is also referred to as “non-reach”, and there is no possibility that the variable display result will be a “big hit” unless a special combination such as a predetermined chance eye is obtained. .

  When a definite symbol (determined special symbol), which is a variable symbol display result in the special symbol game using the first special symbol or the second special symbol, is derived and displayed, the image display device 5 displays the decorative symbol variable symbol display result. The determined symbol (definite decorative symbol) is derived and displayed. In this way, the time when the variable display of the special symbol or the decorative design is started and the time when it ends is almost the same (may be exactly the same), and the variable display period is almost the same (may be exactly the same). Is also referred to as “variable display synchronization”.

  When a predetermined jackpot symbol is derived and displayed as a variable symbol display result of the special symbol, the variable display result becomes “big jackpot” (specific display result), which is controlled to a jackpot gaming state as a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. The That is, whether or not the game state is controlled to the big hit gaming state corresponds to whether or not the variable display result is “big hit”, and is determined (predetermined) before the variable display result is derived and displayed. A combination of decorative symbols that reminds a big hit in the image display device 5 when the big special symbol display is stopped on the first special symbol display device 4A and when the big special symbol display is stopped on the second special symbol display device 4B (Big hit combination) is stopped.

  In the big hit gaming state, the solenoid 82 for the big winning opening door is driven, and the big winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area is in an open state (first state). Then, in a predetermined period (for example, 29 seconds) or a period until a predetermined number (for example, 9) of game balls enter the big prize opening and a winning ball is generated, the big winning opening is opened in an advantageous state for the player. A round in the (first state) is executed. During periods other than the execution period of such rounds, the special winning opening is set in a closed state (second state) that is disadvantageous to the player.

  When a game ball enters the big prize opening, the winning ball is detected by the count switch 23, and a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out as a prize ball for each detection. The round in the big hit gaming state is repeatedly executed until a predetermined upper limit number (for example, “15”) is reached. Therefore, in the big hit gaming state, the player can acquire a large number of prize balls very easily, and the gaming state is advantageous to the player. Note that the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be one that directly pays out game balls that are prize balls, or may be one that gives a score corresponding to the number of game balls that are prize balls.

  After the big hit gaming state is ended, the probability that the variable display result is “big hit” (big hit probability) may be controlled to a probability change state where the probability is higher than the normal state. The probability change state is controlled so as to continue until a predetermined probability change end condition such as a predetermined number of variable displays is executed or the next big hit gaming state is started.

  In addition, after the big hit gaming state is ended, the average variable display time may be controlled to a short state when it becomes shorter than the normal state. The short-time state is controlled to continue until one of the short-time end conditions is established first, among the fact that a predetermined number of variable displays have been executed and the next big hit gaming state has been started. .

  In the certain change state and the short time state, the advantageous opening control that makes it easier for the game ball to pass through the start winning opening than in the normal state may be performed. By controlling to such a probable change state and a short time state, the time required until the next variable display result becomes a “big hit” is shortened, and a special game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state is obtained.

  The game ball used as a game medium in such a pachinko gaming machine 1 and the recorded information of the score given corresponding to the number thereof have a valuable value that can be exchanged for a special prize or a general prize according to the quantity, for example. Anything is acceptable. Alternatively, these game balls and score recording information may not be exchanged for special prizes or general prizes, but may have valuable value that can be used for a second game in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The game value that can be given in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not limited to paying out a game ball as a winning ball or giving a score. For example, the game value is controlled to a big hit game state or a special game state such as a probability change state. In other words, the maximum number of rounds that can be executed in the big hit gaming state is the first round number (for example, “15”) larger than the second round number (for example, “2”), and the variable that can be executed in the short time state. The upper limit number of times of display is a first number (for example, “100”) larger than the second number of times (for example, “50”), and the big hit probability in the probability variation state is higher than the second probability (for example, 1/50). The first that the probability of being a probability (for example, 1/20), the number of consecutive chunks, which is the number of times of repeated control to the big hit gaming state without being controlled to the normal state, is greater than the second consecutive number of chunks (for example, “5”) Ream Number of emissions (for example, "10") and such part or all of becoming, it may include be a more favorable game situation for the player.

  Next, the operation (action) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

  In the main board 11, when power supply from a predetermined power supply board is started, the game control microcomputer 100 is activated, and the CPU 103 executes a predetermined process as a game control main process. When the game control main process is started, the CPU 103 performs necessary initial settings after setting the interrupt disabled. In this initial setting, for example, the RAM 101 is cleared. Also, register setting of a CTC (counter / timer circuit) built in the game control microcomputer 100 is performed. Thereby, thereafter, an interrupt request signal is sent from the CTC to the CPU 103 every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds), and the CPU 103 can periodically execute timer interrupt processing. When the initial setting is completed, an interrupt is permitted and then loop processing is started. In the game control main process, a process for returning the internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the state at the time of the previous power supply stop may be executed before entering the loop process.

  When the CPU 103 that has executed such a game control main process receives an interrupt request signal from the CTC and receives an interrupt request, it executes a predetermined game control timer interrupt process. When the game control timer interrupt process is started, the CPU 103 first executes a predetermined switch process, thereby causing the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the count through the switch circuit 110. The state of the detection signal input from various switches such as the switch 23 is determined. Subsequently, by executing predetermined main-side error processing, abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed, and a warning can be generated if necessary according to the diagnosis result. Thereafter, by executing a predetermined information output process, for example, data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is output.

  Subsequent to the information output process, a game random number update process for updating at least a part of the game random numbers used on the main board 11 side by software is executed. Thereafter, the CPU 103 executes game control process processing. In the game control process, the value of the game process flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 is updated according to the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B. Various processes are selected and executed in order to perform control of the display operation in, and setting the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening in the special variable winning ball apparatus 7 in a predetermined procedure.

  Thereafter, the CPU 103 transmits a control command from the main board 11 to the sub-side control board such as the effect control board 12 by executing a command control process. As an example, in the command control process, the effect control board 12 out of the output ports included in the I / O 105 corresponds to the setting in the command transmission table specified by the value of the transmission command buffer provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102. After the control data is set in the output port for transmitting the production control command to the output, the predetermined control data is set in the output port of the production control INT signal and the production control INT signal is turned on for a predetermined time and then turned off. By setting the status, etc., it is possible to transmit the effect control command based on the setting in the command transmission table. After executing the command control process, after setting the interrupt enabled state, the game control timer interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the game control process. In the game control process shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 103 of the game control microcomputer 100 first determines whether or not a start winning has occurred (step S11). As an example, in step S11, an input state (on / off) of a start winning signal as a detection signal transmitted from the first start port switch 22A or the second start port switch 22B is checked. What is necessary is just to determine with winning.

  If a start winning is generated in step S11 (step S11; Yes), a winning random number is stored (step S12). As an example, in the process of step S12, a random number circuit 104 built in (or externally attached to) the game control microcomputer 100, a random counter provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100, or a game control microcomputer A gaming random number (random number for determining a variable display result, gaming state determining random number, etc.) updated by at least a part of a random counter configured using an internal register provided separately from the RAM 102 in the computer 100 A part or all of the numerical data indicating the random number and the random number for determining the variation pattern) is extracted. The random number value extracted at this time may be stored in association with the hold number, for example, in a hold random value storage unit provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S12, various control commands corresponding to the start winning prize are transmitted (step S13). As an example, in the process of step S <b> 13, it is only necessary to perform a setting for transmitting a start winning designation command for notifying the occurrence of a start winning to the effect control board 12. Further, based on the random display result determination random number value and the variation pattern determination random number value extracted by the process of step S12, the variation pattern has a specific variation with a specific reach effect such as super reach A to super reach D. You may make it determine whether it is determined to a pattern. In this case, a setting for transmitting a winning determination result specifying command capable of specifying a determination result as to whether or not a specific variation pattern is determined may be performed.

  In the process of determining whether or not a specific variation pattern is determined, first, it is determined whether or not the variable display result is determined as “big hit” using a random value for determining the variable display result. For example, in a predetermined area of the ROM 101 in the game control microcomputer 100, a variable display result determination table in which a determination value is set for the determination result of whether or not the variable display result is “big hit” is stored in advance. Whether or not the variable display result is determined to be “big hit” by specifying the determination result to which the determination value matching the random value for determining the variable display result extracted by the process of step S12 is assigned. Can be determined. Subsequently, a variation pattern determination table in which different determination values are set for a plurality of types of variation patterns is selected according to the determination result of whether or not the variable display result is determined to be “big hit”. This variation pattern determination table may be stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 101 in the game control microcomputer 100.

  By referring to the variation pattern determination table thus selected, a variation pattern to which a determination value that matches the random number value for variation pattern extraction extracted in step S12 is assigned is specified. Thereby, it can be determined whether it is determined to be a specific variation pattern for performing a specific reach effect such as super reach A to super reach D. As described above, when the game ball passes through the start winning opening (the first start winning opening or the second start winning opening) and the start winning is generated, the execution of the variable display game corresponding to the starting winning is started. Before, it is determined whether or not the variation pattern is determined to be a specific variation pattern, and a winning determination result designation command capable of specifying the determination result is transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12. Just do it.

  When no start winning has occurred in step S11 (step S11; No), after executing the process of step S13, the value of the game process flag is determined (step S21). Then, a process corresponding to the determination value is selected from a plurality of processes previously described in the game control computer program and executed.

  For example, when the value of the game process flag is “0”, it is determined whether or not variable symbol display (variable display game) can be started (step S101). As an example, in the process of step S101, it is determined whether or not the number of holds of the variable display game is “0” by checking the stored contents of the random number storage unit for holding. At this time, if the number of hold is other than “0”, the variable display is started because the start of the variable display has been satisfied and the variable display has not been started yet. Determine that it is possible. On the other hand, when the hold number is “0”, it is determined that variable display cannot be started.

  When variable display cannot be started in step S101 (step S101; No), the game control process is terminated. On the other hand, when variable display can be started (step S101; Yes), a fixed symbol derived and displayed as a variable display result is determined (step S102). At this time, the random number for game (random number for variable display result determination, random number for game state determination, random pattern determination for variation pattern) stored at the head (storage area with the minimum hold number) in the random number storage unit for hold Read random number value). The game random number read from the holding random value storage unit may be temporarily stored in a variable display random number buffer or the like provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100. Then, using a random value for determining the variable display result and the variable display result determination table, it is determined at a predetermined ratio whether or not the variable display result is “big hit”. Here, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a probable variation state, the variable display result determination table is determined so that the variable display result is determined to be “big hit” at a higher rate than in the normal state or the short time state. It is sufficient that the determination value is set.

  When the variable display result is determined to be “big hit” in the process of step S102, the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state is further changed using the random number value for gaming state determination and the gaming state determination table. Decide whether or not to enter the special gaming state. Corresponding to these determination results, a fixed symbol derived and displayed as a variable display result may be determined.

  Following the processing in step S102, an internal flag and the like are set (step S103). As an example, in the process of step S103, when the variable display result is determined as “big hit” in the process of step S102, the big hit flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is turned on. set. Further, when it is determined that the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state is to be a probability variation state, a probability variation confirmation flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is set to an on state. In addition, it may be stored in such a way that it can be specified that the state is likely to change. Thereafter, the value of the game process flag is updated to “1” (step S104), and the game control process process is terminated.

  When the value of the game process flag is “1”, a variation pattern or the like is determined (step S111). FIG. 5 shows a setting example of a variation pattern used in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Each variation pattern indicates that the required time (variable display time) from the start of variable display to the display of a fixed symbol that is a variable display result can be specified and the outline of the production mode can be specified. In this embodiment, among the cases where the variable display result is “losing”, the variable display mode of the decorative symbols variably displayed on the image display device 5 is “non-reach” and “reach”. A plurality of variation patterns are prepared in advance corresponding to each case and when the variable display result is “big hit”. For the variation pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared in advance for each variation time (variable display time) in the variable display of the special figure game or the decorative design. Therefore, by determining the variation pattern, it is possible to determine the variable display time for special symbols and decorative symbols.

  In the process of step S111, the variation pattern to be used is determined at a predetermined rate using the variation pattern determination random value temporarily stored in the variable display random number buffer and the variation pattern determination table. At this time, the variable display result may become “big hit” corresponding to each fluctuation pattern by changing the determination ratio of each fluctuation pattern depending on whether or not the variable display result is decided as “big hit” (Big hit reliability) can be varied.

  Further, in the process of step S111, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to “reach” by determining a variation pattern when the variable display result is determined to be “losing”. . Alternatively, prior to determining the variation pattern, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to “reach” by using the reach determination random number value and the reach determination table. That is, in the process of step S111, it is only necessary to determine the variation pattern as one of a plurality of types based on the variable display result and the determination result of reach.

  Subsequent to the process of step S111, various control commands corresponding to the start of variable display are transmitted (step S112). As an example, in the process of step S112, as a variable display start command for specifying the start of variable display, a variable display result notification command for notifying a variable display result, a change pattern specifying command for specifying a change pattern, or the like is transmitted. It is only necessary to be set. Further, in response to the decrease in the hold count due to the start of variable display, a setting for transmitting a hold count notification command for notifying the hold count after the decrease may be performed.

  The variable display time is set in response to the change pattern being determined by the process of step S112. Moreover, the setting for starting the variable display of the special symbol by either the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B may be performed. As an example, variable display of symbols may be started by transmitting a predetermined drive signal to either the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B. Which special symbol display device using the special symbol on which special symbol display device is to be executed is a special symbol game based on whether the game ball has passed through the first starting winning port or the second starting winning port It may be set accordingly. More specifically, a special game is played by the first special symbol display device 4A based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the first start winning opening. On the other hand, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the second start winning opening, a special game by the second special symbol display device 4B is performed. Thereafter, the value of the game process flag is updated to “2” (step S113), and the game control process process is terminated.

  When the value of the game process flag is “2”, it is determined whether or not the variable display time has elapsed (step S121). And when variable display time has not passed (step S121; No), after performing variable display control of a special symbol (step S122), game control process processing is ended. On the other hand, when the variable display time has elapsed (step S121; Yes), the variable symbol special display is stopped, and the final symbol is controlled to be derived and displayed (step S123).

  Subsequent to the processing in step S123, various control commands corresponding to the end of variable display are transmitted (step S124). As an example, in the process of step S124, a variable display end command for instructing the end (stop) of variable display or a big hit start specifying command (fanfare command for specifying the start of a big hit gaming state when the variable display result is “big hit”. ) And the like may be set for transmission.

  After the process of step S124 is executed, it is determined whether or not the variable display result is “big hit” (step S125). If the variable display result is “big hit” (step S125; Yes), the value of the game process flag is updated to “3” (step S126), and the game control process is terminated. On the other hand, when the variable display result is not “big hit” but “losing” (step S125; No), the game process flag is cleared and the value is initialized to “0” (step S125). S127), the game control process is terminated. When the process of step S127 is executed, it is determined whether or not the probability variation state or the time saving state is to be ended, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is to be ended, these gaming states are ended. Settings for controlling to a normal state may be performed.

  When the value of the game process flag is “3”, it is determined whether or not to end the big hit gaming state depending on whether or not a predetermined big hit end condition is satisfied (step S131). The jackpot end condition may be, for example, that all rounds executed in the jackpot gaming state have ended. When the big hit game state is not ended (step S131; No), the game operation control at the time of the big hit is performed (step 132), and the game control process is ended. On the other hand, when ending the big hit gaming state (step S131; Yes), the setting for controlling the gaming state after the big hit ending is performed (step S133).

  As an example, in the process of step S133, it is determined whether or not the probability variation confirmation flag is on. If it is on, the probability variation flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is turned on. Set to. Thus, when it is determined that the variable display result is “big hit”, and it is decided that the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state is to be a probable change state, a game corresponding to this decision result is made. It is possible to control the state to a certain change state. Even in the case of controlling to the short time state, a setting corresponding to this may be performed. Thereafter, the game process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to “0” (step S134), and the game control process is terminated.

  Next, the operation in the effect control board 12 will be described. The effect control board 12 is supplied with a power supply voltage from a power supply board or the like. In the effect control CPU 120 in which the power supply for activation is started, a predetermined effect control main process is executed. When the production control main process is started, the production control CPU 120 first executes a predetermined startup process. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the timer interrupt flag is on. The timer interrupt flag is set to the ON state every time a predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds) elapses based on, for example, the CTC register setting. Such an interrupt for turning on the timer interrupt flag is a timer interrupt for effect control. The effect control CPU 120 waits until an effect control timer interrupt occurs.

  When a timer interrupt for effect control occurs and the timer interrupt flag is turned on, the timer interrupt flag is cleared and turned off, and a timer interrupt process for effect control is executed. In addition to the timer control process for effect control, the CPU 120 for effect control can execute an interrupt process for receiving a command, and can receive an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15. It only needs to be received. In the timer control process for effect control, the effect control CPU 120 executes command analysis processing. In the command analysis processing, it is determined whether or not an effect control command has been received. If there is a reception, setting or control corresponding to the received command is performed. After executing the command analysis process, the effect control process is executed. In the effect control process, for example, an effect image display operation in the display area of the image display device 5, an audio output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, a lighting operation in a decorative light emitter (light emitting member) such as a game effect lamp 9 and a decorative LED. The operation control contents using various effect devices, such as the drive operation of the effect movable member, are determined, determined, and set according to the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11. Following the effect control process, an effect random number update process is executed, and numerical data indicating effect random numbers counted as various random values used for effect control is updated by software.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the effect control process. In the effect control process shown in FIG. 6, the effect control CPU 120 determines the value of the effect process flag stored in a predetermined area or the like of the RAM 122, and from a plurality of processes described in advance in the effect control computer program, A process corresponding to the judgment value is selected and executed. The processing executed according to the determination value of the effect process flag includes the processing of steps S170 to S176.

  The variable display start waiting process in step S170 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “0”. The variable display start waiting process performs variable display of decorative symbols on the screen of the image display device 5 based on whether the first variation start command or the second variation start command transmitted from the main board 11 is received. It includes a process for determining whether or not to start. The first variation start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A is started. The second variation start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B is started. When either the first change start command or the second change start command is received, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “1”.

  The variable display start setting process in step S171 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “1”. This variable display start setting process is performed on the screen of the image display device 5 in response to the start of variable display of special symbols in the special symbol game by the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B. In order to perform the variable display of decorative symbols and other various effects, the process of determining the fixed decorative symbols and various effect control patterns according to the variation pattern of the special symbols and the type of display result is included. . When the variable display start setting process is executed, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “2”.

  The variable display effect process in step S172 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “2”. In the effect processing during variable display, the effect control CPU 120 performs various control data from the effect control pattern corresponding to the timer value in the effect control process timer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 (such as an effect control timer setting unit). , And various kinds of effect control during the variable display of the decorative symbols are included. In addition, in the variable display effect processing, in response to the reception of the symbol confirmation command transmitted from the main board 11, the finalized symbol as the final stop symbol resulting in the variable symbol variable display result is displayed as a complete stop. Processing to display (derived display) is included. Note that, in response to the end code being read from the predetermined effect control pattern, the finalized decorative symbol may be displayed in a complete stop (derived display). In this case, when the variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command has elapsed, it is autonomous on the side of the production control board 12 without using the production control command from the main board 11. The fixed display pattern can be derived and displayed on the screen to determine the variable display result. After performing such effect control, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “3”.

  The variable display stop process in step S173 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “3”. In the variable display stop process, the jackpot gaming state starts based on the variable display result notified by the variable display result notification command, the determination result of whether or not the jackpot start designation command transmitted from the main board 11 is received, and the like. The process which determines whether it is performed is included. When the variable display result corresponds to “big hit” and the big hit gaming state is started, the value of the production process flag is updated to “4”, while the variable display result corresponds to “lost”. If the big hit gaming state is not started, the effect process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to “0”.

  The jackpot display process of step S174 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “4”. This jackpot display process includes a process for executing a jackpot notification effect (fanfare effect) for notifying the start of the jackpot gaming state based on the reception of the jackpot start designation command transmitted from the main board 11 or the like. Yes. When the execution of the big hit notification effect ends, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “5”.

  The big hit effect process in step S175 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “5”. In the jackpot effect processing, the effect control CPU 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern corresponding to the effect contents in the jackpot effect that is executed when the game is in the jackpot game state, and displays an effect image based on the set contents. Displaying on the screen of the display device 5, outputting sound and sound effects from the speakers 8 </ b> L and 8 </ b> R by outputting commands (sound effect signals) to the sound control board 13, and commands (lighting signals) to the lamp control board 14 ) To turn on / off / blink the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED, and execute other effect control, thereby making it possible to execute a big hit effect corresponding to the big hit game state. In the jackpot effect processing, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “6” in response to, for example, receiving a jackpot end designation command transmitted from the main board 11.

  The big hit end effect process in step S176 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “6”. In this jackpot end effect process, the effect control CPU 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern corresponding to the effect content in the jackpot end effect (ending effect) executed when the jackpot game state ends, and the setting contents The effect image based on the image display device 5 is displayed on the screen, the sound (sound effect signal) is output to the sound control board 13, the sound and sound effects are output from the speakers 8 </ b> L and 8 </ b> R, and the lamp control board 14 is output. The game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED are turned on / off / flashed by the output of the command (electric decoration signal), and other effect control can be executed to execute the jackpot end effect corresponding to the end of the jackpot game state To do. Thereafter, the effect process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to “0”.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display start setting process executed in step S171 of FIG. In the variable display start setting process shown in FIG. 7, the effect control CPU 120 first determines a final stop symbol or the like to be a finalized symbol as a variable symbol display result (step S401). As the processing of step S401, the CPU 120 for effect control is based on variable display contents such as the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern designation command transmitted from the main board 11 and the variable display result indicated by the variable display result notification command. To determine the final stop symbol. As an example, the variable display contents according to the combination of the fluctuation pattern and variable display result include “non-reach (loss)”, “reach (loss)”, “non-probability change (big hit)”, and “probability change (big hit)”. is there.

  When the variable display content is “non-reach (losing)”, the variable display state of the decorative symbol is not changed to the reach state, the fixed decorative symbol of the non-reach combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result is “lost”. " When the variable display content is “reach (losing)”, after the variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state, the fixed decorative symbol of the reach lose combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result becomes “losing”. . When the variable display content is “non-probable change (big hit)”, the variable display result is “big hit”, and the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state is the short-time state. When the variable display content is “probable change (big hit)”, the variable display result is “big win”, and the gaming state after the big hit gaming state is changed to the probable state.

  When the variable display content is “non-reach (losing)”, the production control CPU 120 uses the “left” and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5R to display different (unmatched) decorative symbols as the final stop symbols. To decide. The effect control CPU 120 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the left determined symbol updated by an effect random counter or the like provided in a predetermined area (such as an effect control counter setting unit) of the random number circuit 124 or the RAM 122. Referring to the left determined symbol determination table stored and prepared in advance in the ROM 121, the left that is stopped and displayed in the “left” decorative symbol display area 5L in the display area of the image display device 5 among the determined decorative symbols. Determine the final decorative pattern. Next, numerical value data indicating a random number value for determining the right determined symbol updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter is extracted, and the right determined symbol determining table prepared in advance stored in the ROM 121 is referred to. For example, the right determined decorative symbol to be stopped and displayed in the “right” decorative symbol display area 5R in the display area of the image display device 5 is determined. At this time, the symbol number of the right determined decorative symbol may be determined so as to be different from the symbol number of the left determined decorative symbol by setting in the right determined symbol determining table. Subsequently, the numerical data indicating the random number value for determining the medium fixed symbol updated by the random number circuit 124 or the production random counter is extracted, and the medium fixed symbol determination table prepared in advance stored in the ROM 121 is referred to. From the determined decorative symbols, the medium fixed decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed in the “medium” decorative symbol display area 5C in the display area of the image display device 5 is determined.

  When the variable display content is “reach”, the effect control CPU 120 displays the same (matching) decorative symbols in the “left” and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R as the final stop symbols. To decide. The effect control CPU 120 extracts numerical data indicating random values for determining the left and right determined symbols that are updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter, and stores the left and right determined symbol determination table that is stored in advance in the ROM 121 and prepared. By referring to the decorative symbols, the decorative symbols having the same symbol number that are stopped and displayed in the “left” and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R in the display area of the image display device 5 are displayed. decide. Further, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining a medium fixed symbol updated by the random number circuit 124 or a random counter for production is extracted, and a medium fixed symbol determination table stored and prepared in advance in the ROM 121 is referred to. As a result, among the determined decorative symbols, the medium fixed decorative symbol that is stopped and displayed in the “medium” decorative symbol display area 5C in the display area of the image display device 5 is determined. Here, for example, when the confirmed decorative symbol is a jackpot combination, such as when the symbol number of the middle confirmed decorative symbol is the same as the symbol number of the left confirmed decorative symbol and the right confirmed decorative symbol, an arbitrary value (For example, “1”) may be added to or subtracted from the symbol number of the medium-decorated decorative symbol so that the finalized decorative symbol is not the jackpot combination but the reach combination. Alternatively, when determining the medium-decorated decorative symbol, a difference (design difference) between the symbol number of the left confirmed decorative symbol and the right confirmed decorative symbol may be determined, and the medium-decorated decorative symbol corresponding to the symbol difference may be set. .

  When the variable display content is “non-probability change (big hit)” or “probability change (big hit)”, the effect control CPU 120 displays the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R. The same (matching) decorative symbol is determined as the final stop symbol. The effect control CPU 120 extracts numerical data indicating a random value for determining the jackpot determined symbol updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter. Subsequently, by referring to the jackpot determined symbol determination table stored and prepared in advance in the ROM 121, the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L in the display area of the image display device 5 are provided. A decorative symbol having the same symbol number that is stopped and displayed along with 5C and 5R is determined. At this time, depending on whether the variable display content is “non-probability change (big hit)” or “probability change (big hit)”, whether or not the promotion effect during the big hit is executed, etc. It is only necessary to determine which one of the decorative design (depicted decorative design) and the probability variation design (for example, the decorative design indicating an odd number) is the final decorative design. In the jackpot promotion promotion, the combination of decorative symbols (non-probable variation jackpot combination) that reminds the user of the big hit but does not recall the probable state in the image display device 5 is temporarily stopped and displayed in the big hit gaming state or the big hit gaming state. This is an effect of notifying whether or not the state is surely changed at the end of.

  As a specific example, when the variable display content is “non-probable change (big hit)”, a symbol to be a definite decorative symbol is determined from a plurality of types of normal symbols. Further, when the variable display content is “probability change (big hit)” and it is determined not to execute the jackpot promotion effect, the one that becomes the confirmed decorative design is determined from a plurality of types of probability change designs. On the other hand, when the variable display content is “probable change (big hit)”, when it is decided to execute the promotion effect during the big hit, the one that becomes the confirmed decorative symbol is determined from a plurality of types of normal symbols. Accordingly, it is only necessary to prevent the promotion effect during the big hit from being executed despite the fact that the probability variation symbols are all derived and displayed as the confirmed decorative symbols, so that the player is not distrusted.

  In the process of step S401, when the variable display content is “non-probability change (big hit)” or “probability change (big hit)”, it is determined whether or not to execute the probability change promotion effect such as the re-lottery effect or the jackpot promotion effect. May be. In the redraw lottery effect, once the decorative symbol of the non-probable variable big hit combination consisting of the same normal symbol is displayed during variable display of the decorative symbol, it is once difficult to recognize or impossible to recognize that it is controlled to the probabilistic state, It is possible to notify that the control is changed to the probability variation state by variably displaying (revariing) the decoration symbol again and stopping and displaying the decorative symbol of the probability variation big hit combination comprising the same probability variation symbol. Note that there is a case in which the control of the probability variation state is not notified when the decoration symbol of the non-probable variation big hit combination is stopped and displayed after the decoration symbol is re-variable in the re-lottery effect. If it is determined in step S401 that the re-lottery effect is to be executed, a combination of decorative symbols to be temporarily stopped and displayed may be determined before the re-lottery effect is executed.

  Following the determination of the final stop symbol and the like in step S401, a notice effect is determined (step S402). In the process of step S402, for example, the presence / absence of the notice effect or the effect mode when the notice effect is executed is determined using the notice effect determination table prepared by storing in the predetermined area of the ROM 121 in advance. Good. In the notice effect determination table, for example, a numerical value (determined value) to be compared with a random number for determining the notice effect may be assigned to the presence / absence of the notice effect or the determination result of the effect mode according to the variable display content. . The effect control CPU 120 refers to the notice effect determination table based on the numerical data indicating the random value for determining the notice effect, which is updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter. What is necessary is just to determine an aspect.

  FIG. 8 shows a setting example of the notice effect determination table. In FIG. 8, not the determined value itself, but the number of assigned determined values when the range of random value for determining the notice effect is 1 to 100 is shown. The notice effect determination tables 170A to 170D are set for each content of the variation pattern determined in step S111.

  When the variable display content is non-reach loss such as PA1-1 to PA1-4, as shown in the notice effect determination table 170A in FIG. The number of assignments when the notice effect α1 is executed is 10, the number of assignments when the notice effect α2 is executed is 10, and the number of assignments when the notice effect β is executed is 0. .

  When the variable display content is normal reach loss, such as when the variation pattern is PA2-1 to PA2-2, as shown in the notice effect determination table 170B of FIG. The number of assignments when the notice effect α1 is executed is 30, the number of assignments when the notice effect α2 is executed is 10, and the number of assignments when the notice effect β is executed is 10. .

  When the variable display content is Super Reach Loss, such as when the variation pattern is PA3-1 to PA3-4, as shown in the notice effect determination table 170C of FIG. The number of assignments when the notice effect α1 is executed is 40, the number of assignments when the notice effect α2 is executed is 20, and the number of assignments when the notice effect β is executed is 10. .

  When the variable display content is a big hit like the change patterns PA4-1 to PA5-4, as shown in the notice effect determination table 170D in FIG. 8D, the number of allocations when the notice effect is not executed is ten. Yes, the number of assignments when the notice effect α1 is executed is 10, the number of assignments when the notice effect α2 is executed is 30, and the number of assignments when the notice effect β is executed is 50.

  Here, the notice effect α1 is to display a first display image by aligning a plurality of (for example, four) image parts. The notice effect α2 is a display in which a plurality of (for example, four) image parts are arranged to display a second display image 182A (FIG. 11) that is different from the first display image in display character, display color, and the like. . In the notice effect β, a plurality of (for example, four) image parts are arranged and displayed as the second display image 182A, and then a predetermined number (for example, two) of image parts are added to the third display image 182B. The display (step-up) becomes (FIG. 12).

  In the settings of the notice effect determination tables 170A to 170D shown in FIG. 8, when the variable display content is a normal reach loss than when it is a non-reach loss, a super reach loss is more likely when a super reach loss occurs than when a normal reach loss occurs. There is a higher possibility that a big hit will be decided as a notice effect than when. When the variable display content is lost, the possibility of being determined as the notice effect α1 is higher than the possibility of being determined as the notice effect α2 and the notice effect β, and the possibility of being determined as the notice effect α2 is It is higher than the possibility of being determined as the notice effect β. On the other hand, when the variable display content is a big hit, the possibility of being determined as the notice effect β is higher than the possibility of being determined as the notice effect α1 and the notice effect α2, and may be determined as the notice effect α2. The nature is higher than the possibility of being determined as the notice effect α1. With such a setting, when the notice effect β is executed, the possibility that the variable symbol display result of the decorative symbol will be “hit” (hit expectation degree) is greater than when the notice effect α1 and the notice effect α2 are executed. Get higher. Further, when the notice effect α2 is executed, the big hit expectation is higher than when the notice effect α1 is executed.

  Subsequent to the process of step S402, the effect control pattern is determined as one of a plurality of patterns prepared in advance (step S403). For example, the effect control CPU 120 selects one of a plurality of special-figure variation effect control patterns prepared in correspondence with the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern designation command and sets it as a usage pattern. In addition, the CPU 120 for effect control selects any one of a plurality of prepared notice effect control patterns corresponding to the result of determination of the notice effect by the process of step S402, and sets it as a use pattern.

  FIG. 9A shows a configuration example of the effect control pattern. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 9A, the effect control pattern is derived from process data including, for example, an effect control process timer determination value, display control data, sound control data, lamp control data, operation detection control data, and an end code. It is configured. The effect control process timer determination value is a value (determination value) to be compared with an effect control process timer value that is a stored value of an effect control process timer provided in a predetermined area (such as an effect control timer setting unit) of the RAM 122. The determination value corresponding to the execution time (effect time) of each effect operation is set in advance. In place of the effect control process timer determination value, for example, a predetermined effect control command is received from the main board 11, or a predetermined process is executed as a process for controlling the effect operation in the effect control CPU 120. The data indicating the switching timing of effect control or the like may be set corresponding to predetermined control content or processing content.

  The display control data includes data indicating the display mode of the effect image in the display area of the image display device 5, such as data indicating the variation mode of each decorative pattern during variable display of the decorative pattern. That is, the display control data is data that designates the display operation of the effect image in the display area of the image display device 5. The voice control data includes data indicating the voice output mode from the speakers 8L and 8R, such as data indicating the output mode of sound effects in conjunction with the variable display operation of the decorative symbol during variable display of the decorative symbol, for example. Yes. That is, the audio control data is data that designates an audio output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R. The lamp control data includes data indicating the lighting operation mode of the light emitter, such as a game effect lamp 9 and a decoration LED. That is, the lamp control data is data for designating the lighting operation of the light emitter.

  The operation detection control data includes, for example, an operation valid period for effectively detecting an instruction operation (tilting operation) for the operation stick of the stick controller 31A and an instruction operation (push-pull operation) for the trigger button, or an instruction operation (for the push button 31B). Data indicating an effect operation mode according to the player's operation action, such as an operation effective period for effectively detecting (pressing operation) and data for specifying the control content of the effect operation when each operation is detected effectively. include.

  Note that these control data do not have to be included in all the effect control patterns, but an effect control pattern including a part of the control data according to the contents of the effect operation by each effect control pattern. There may be. Further, in the plural types of process data included in the effect control pattern, the types of control data constituting each process data may be different according to the contents of the effect operation executed at each timing. That is, there may be process data configured to include all of the display control data, sound control data, lamp control data, and operation detection control data, or process data configured to include a part of these. Furthermore, other various control data such as, for example, production model control data indicating an operation mode in the movable member included in the production model may be included.

  FIG. 9B shows various effect operations executed according to the contents of the effect control pattern. The production control CPU 120 determines the control content of the production operation according to various control data included in the production control pattern. For example, when the effect control process timer value matches one of the effect control process timer determination values, the decorative design is displayed in a manner specified by the display control data associated with the effect control process timer determination value, and the character Control is performed to display an effect image such as an image or a background image in the display area of the image display device 5. In addition, control is performed to output sound from the speakers 8L and 8R in a manner specified by the sound control data, and control is performed to flash a light emitter such as the game effect lamp 9 in a manner specified by the lamp control data. Control is performed to determine the content of the effect by accepting an operation on the trigger button, the operating rod or the push button 31B of the stick controller 31A in the operation valid period specified by the detection control data. Note that dummy data (data not specifying control) may be set as data corresponding to a production component that does not become a control target even though it corresponds to the production control process timer determination value.

  The effect control CPU 120 sets the effect control pattern based on the variation pattern indicated in the variation pattern designation command, for example, when variable display of decorative symbols is started. Here, when setting the effect control pattern, the pattern data constituting the corresponding effect control pattern may be read from the ROM 121 and temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122, or the corresponding effect control pattern is configured. The storage address of the pattern data in the ROM 121 may be temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122, and the reading position of the storage data in the ROM 121 may be designated. After that, every time the production control process timer value is updated, it is determined whether or not it matches any of the production control process timer judgment values. If they match, the production operation according to the corresponding various control data Control. In this way, the effect control CPU 120 performs effect devices (image display device 5, speakers 8L and 8R, game effect lamps) according to the contents of process data # 1 to process data #n (n is an arbitrary integer) included in the effect control pattern. The control of the light emitter such as 9) is advanced. In each process data # 1 to process data #n, display control data # 1 to display control data #n and voice control data # 1 to voice control associated with production control process timer determination values # 1 to #n are provided. Data #n, lamp control data # 1 to lamp control data #n, and operation detection control data # 1 to operation detection control data #n indicate the control content of the rendering operation in the rendering device and specify the execution of the rendering control. Control execution data # 1 to production control execution data #n are configured.

  A command according to the effect control pattern set in this way is output from the effect control CPU 120 to the display control unit 123, the sound control board 13, and the like. In the display control unit 123 that has received a command from the effect control CPU 120, for example, the VDP 130 reads the image data indicated by the command from the CGROM 131 and temporarily stores it in the VRAM 132. On the voice control board 13 that has received a command from the effect control CPU 120, for example, the voice synthesis IC reads out the voice data indicated by the command from the voice data ROM and temporarily stores it in the voice RAM or the like. .

  After performing the process of step S403 shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 120 for effect control is provided in a predetermined area (such as an effect control timer setting unit) of the RAM 122 corresponding to the change pattern specified by the change pattern specifying command, for example. The initial value of the production control process timer is set (step S404). And the setting for starting the fluctuation | variation of the decoration design etc. in the image display apparatus 5 is performed (step S405). At this time, for example, the display control command designated by the display control data included in the effect control pattern determined as the use pattern in step S404 is transmitted to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123, and the like. It is only necessary to start the variation of the decorative symbols in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R provided on the display screen.

  Following the process of step S405, in response to the start of variable display of decorative symbols, settings are made to update the hold memory display in the start winning memory display area 5H (step S406). For example, the display part corresponding to the hold number “1” in the start winning memory display area 5H may be deleted and the entire display part may be moved to the left one by one. Thereafter, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “2”, which is a value corresponding to the effect process during variable display (step S407), and the variable display start setting process ends.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display effect process executed in step S172 of FIG. In the effect processing during variable display shown in FIG. 10, the effect control CPU 120 first determines whether or not the variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern has elapsed based on, for example, the effect control process timer value (step S451). ). As an example, in the process of step S451, when the production control process timer value is updated (for example, 1 is subtracted) and an end code is read from the production control pattern corresponding to the updated production control process timer value, etc. It may be determined that the variable display time has elapsed.

  If the variable display time has not elapsed in step S451 (step S451; No), it is determined whether or not it is a notice effect execution period for executing the notice effect (step S452). The notice effect execution period may be determined in advance, for example, in the notice effect control pattern selected in step S403 shown in FIG.

  When it is the notice effect execution period in step S452 (step S452; Yes), any one of the notice effect α1, the notice effect α2, and the notice effect β, for example, displaying the predetermined display image by arranging the image parts. The notice effect control for executing is performed (step S454). In the process of step S454, for example, the effect control execution data is read from the notice effect control pattern selected in the process of step S403. Various commands created based on the production control execution data read out in this way are transmitted to the display control unit 123, the sound control board 13, the lamp control board 14, and the like. Thereby, a predetermined effect image is displayed on the screen of the image display device 5, a predetermined sound effect is output from the speakers 8L and 8R, and the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED are turned on, blinked, or turned off. Alternatively, it is only necessary to execute any one of the notice effect α1, the notice effect α2, and the notice effect β by a predetermined effect device by combining some or all of them.

  When it is determined in step S452 that it is not a notice effect execution period (step S452; No), after executing the process of step S454, it is determined whether or not it is a reach effect execution period for executing a reach effect. Determination is made (step S455). The reach effect execution period may be determined in advance, for example, in the special-fluctuation effect control pattern selected in step S403 shown in FIG.

  When it is the reach effect execution period in step S455 (step S455; Yes), reach effect control for executing reach effect such as display of effect image by a predetermined moving image is performed (step S457). When it is determined in step S455 that it is not the reach effect execution period (step S455; No), or after the reach effect control process of step S457 is executed, for example, when the special figure changes selected corresponding to the change pattern Based on the setting in the effect control pattern, etc., other effect operation control including the decorative symbol variable display operation is performed (step S458), and the execution of the variable display effect process is terminated.

  If the variable display time has elapsed in step S451 (step S451; Yes), it is determined whether or not a symbol confirmation command transmitted from the main board 11 has been received (step S459). At this time, if there is no reception of the symbol confirmation command (step S459; No), the variable display effect processing is terminated and waits. If the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the symbol confirmation command after the variable display time has elapsed, predetermined error processing is executed in response to the failure to successfully receive the symbol confirmation command. You may make it do.

  If a symbol confirmation command is received in step S459 (step S459; Yes), for example, display in variable symbol display such as transmitting a predetermined display control command to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123. A control for deriving and displaying the final stop symbol (determined decorative symbol) as a result is performed (step S460). In addition, a predetermined time is set as a waiting time for receiving a hit start designation command (step S461). Then, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “3” which is a value corresponding to the variable display stop process (step S462), and then the variable display effect process is ended.

  Next, the video display of the notice effect performed in the process of step S454 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a video display example of the notice effect α2.

  The effect control CPU 120 sets the effect control pattern corresponding to the notice effect α2 as the usage pattern in the process of step S403 when the notice effect α2 is determined in the process of step S402 of FIG. Then, in the notice effect control in step S454 of FIG. 10, the effect control CPU 120 uses the effect control process timer value for the notice effect start set in the effect control pattern set in the process of step S403 in FIG. Is determined to be the start timing of the notice effect α2. Then, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 perform video display as the notice effect α2 in a predetermined display area of the image display device 5 in accordance with the effect control pattern.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, the rendering control CPU 120 and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 first have a plurality of (for example, four) image parts 180 that are not aligned on the front surface of the background 181. Are gathered toward a predetermined location (for example, near the center) in the display area, and an image in the process of aligning the image parts 180 is reproduced. In the video display, the image parts 180 are aligned at a predetermined interval so that they do not overlap and do not touch each other. For example, a background image such as a pattern may be displayed on the background 181.

  After playing the video in the process of aligning the image parts 180, the effect control CPU 120 and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 processed the image with the mask data 183 in front of the background 181 as shown in FIG. A second display image 182A is displayed. The mask data 183 includes a transmissive area 183A in which the display image 182A is made transparent and the background 181 is transmitted and displayed, and an opaque area 183B in which the display image 182A is displayed as it is. The opaque region 183B is formed in the shape and size of each image part 180 at a location corresponding to the position where each image part 180 is arranged after alignment in the video. The transmissive region 183A is a place other than the non-transmissive region 183B, and is formed in a frame shape having a width corresponding to each interval between the image parts 180. As a result, the second display image 182A is displayed in a form partitioned by a plurality of frame lines, and expresses a state in which each image part on which a part of the second display image 182A is drawn is aligned at a predetermined interval. be able to. The second display image 182A does not have to be the same size as the background 181 and may be a size obtained by combining the image parts 180.

  The image processing using the mask data 183 may be performed by a technique such as alpha blending or alpha test. Specifically, in alpha blending, mask data 183 is generated using an alpha value (for example, 0 to 255) as a coefficient indicating transparency. For example, when the alpha value is 0, the second display image 182A is set to be transparent, and when the alpha value is 255, the second display image 182A is set to remain as it is. Then, 0 is designated as the alpha value for the transmissive area 183A, 255 is designated as the alpha value for the non-transmissive area 183B, and the VDP 130 of the effect control CPU 120 and the display control unit 123 synthesizes the image based on the alpha value. To do. When an intermediate value between 0 and 255 is designated for the alpha value, the second display image 182A may be set to be translucent. In the alpha test, a threshold value (for example, 100) is designated as the alpha value. When the alpha value is smaller than the threshold value, the second display image 182A may be set to be transparent, and when the alpha value is larger than the threshold value, the second display image 182A may be set to be opaque.

  Subsequently, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 erase the transmissive area 183A by performing a process of gradually narrowing the frame-shaped transmissive area 183A in the mask data 183. Finally, as shown in FIG. 11C, the effect control CPU 120 and the display control unit 123 VDP 130 display the display image 182A without using the mask data 183, thereby combining the four image parts 180. In this manner, the second display image 182A is displayed. Note that the frame-line-shaped transmissive region 183A in the mask data 183 may be eliminated, and the four non-transmissive regions 183B may be combined. As a result, it is possible to express a state in which the image parts 180 gradually approach each other and combine to form one second display image 182A.

  The erasing of the transparent area 183A in the mask data 183 may be processed using an alpha movie or the like. Specifically, by gradually changing the alpha value from 0 to 255 in the frame-line transmissive region 183A from the end portion toward the center portion to make the non-transparent region 183B, the frame line is gradually thinned. Express how to go. In an alpha movie, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 execute this image processing like a video.

  Thus, in the notice effect α2, the video data in the process of aligning the image parts 180, the second display image 182A to be finally displayed, and the mask data 183 for image processing the second display image 182A are used. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a video display in which the image parts 180 are aligned and become the second display image 182A by using only the image data of one second display image 182A without having the image data of the plurality of image parts 180. The amount of data can be suppressed. It should be noted that part of the second display image 182A displayed after the alignment does not need to be drawn on the image part 180 in the process of aligning in the video, and is common even if the second display image 182A such as a pattern is different. A usable image may be drawn.

  Note that, in the video display as the notice effect α1, the first display image is used instead of the second display image 182A, but the same image as the notice effect α2 is used in the process in which a plurality of image parts 180 are aligned. Is done. That is, the process of aligning the plurality of image parts 180 is the same regardless of whether the type of the display image that is finally displayed without using the mask data 183 is the first display image or the second display image 182A. To display the video. As a result, the number of videos in the process of aligning the image parts 180 within the display area can be reduced, and the amount of data can be suppressed.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a video display example of the notice effect β.

  When the notice control CPU 120 determines the notice effect β in the process of step S402 in FIG. 7, the effect control CPU 120 sets the effect control pattern corresponding to the notice effect β as the use pattern in the process of step S403. Then, in the notice effect control in step S454 of FIG. 10, the effect control CPU 120 uses the effect control process timer value for the notice effect start set in the effect control pattern set in the process of step S403 in FIG. Is determined to be the start timing of the notice effect β. Then, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 perform video display as the notice effect β in a predetermined display area of the image display device 5 according to the effect control pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the effect control CPU 120 and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 reproduce the video in the process of aligning the four image parts 180 in a predetermined display area of the image display device 5. As shown in FIG. 12B, a second display image 182A that has been subjected to image processing by the mask data 183 is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, after reproducing the video in the process of adding and aligning two more image parts 180 to the second display image 182A displayed based on the mask data 183, As shown in FIG. 12D, switching from four image parts 180 to six image parts 180 is performed (step-up). At this time, for example, an effect process such as reflecting the light in a mirror shape may be applied to the opaque region 183B of the mask data 183 corresponding to the position of each image part 180. Thereby, the visual effect in switching (step-up) from four image parts 180 to six image parts 180 is improved.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12E, a display image 182B image-processed with the mask data 183 is displayed. Subsequently, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 erase the transmissive area 183A by performing a process of gradually narrowing the frame-shaped transmissive area 183A in the mask data 183. Finally, as shown in FIG. 12F, by displaying the third display image 182B without using the mask data 183, the third display image 182B is displayed in a manner in which the six image parts 180 are combined. .

  That is, a plurality of stages in which the image parts 180 are gathered are provided, and the types of the second display image 182A and the third display image 182B that are finally displayed are changed according to the aspect of the process in which the plurality of image parts 180 are aligned. Note that the second display image 182A is displayed not only when stepping up, but when the four image parts 180 are aligned, and the third display image 182B is displayed when the six image parts 180 are aligned from the beginning. You may make it do.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment, the CPU 120 for effect control and the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 reproduce the video of the process in which the image parts 180 are aligned, for example, FIG. As shown in B), a second display image 182A image-processed with the mask data 183 is displayed in front of the background 181. Subsequently, the transmission region 183A is erased by performing a process of gradually narrowing the frame-shaped transmission region 183A in the mask data 183. For example, as shown in FIG. 11C, by displaying the display image 182A without using the mask data 183, the second display image 182A is displayed in a form in which the four image parts 180 are combined. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a video display in which the image parts 180 are aligned and become the second display image 182A by using only the image data of one second display image 182A without having the image data of the plurality of image parts 180. The amount of data can be suppressed.

  Further, by erasing the transmissive area 183A by performing the process of gradually narrowing the frame-shaped transmissive area 183A in the mask data 183, the image parts 180 gradually approach each other and they are combined to form a first image. It is possible to express the state of the two display image 182A.

  Furthermore, regardless of whether the notice effect α1 or the notice effect α2, the type of the display image that is finally displayed without using the mask data 183 is either the first display image or the second display image 182A. Regardless of this, the process of aligning the plurality of image parts 180 is displayed in the same manner. As a result, the number of videos in the process of aligning the image parts 180 within the display area can be reduced, and the amount of data can be suppressed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have to include all the technical features shown in the above embodiment, and the part described in the above embodiment so as to solve at least one problem in the prior art. It may be provided with the following structure.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of image parts 180 are aligned regardless of whether the type of the display image that is finally displayed without using the mask data 183 is the first display image or the second display image 182A. The process has been described as displaying video in the same manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be a plurality of types of images in the form (for example, the number of image parts) in the process of aligning the image parts. In this case, a plurality of types of videos may be prepared in advance by storing them in a predetermined area of the CGROM 131, for example. Then, any one of a plurality of types of videos may be selected in accordance with the type of the notice effect determined in step S402 in FIG. For example, when the announcement effect α is determined, the ratio of selection of images in a process in which fewer image parts are arranged is higher than when the announcement effect α2 and the announcement effect β are determined. When it is determined as the notice effect β, it is only necessary to increase the ratio of selecting the video in the process in which many image parts are arranged, compared with the case where the notice effect α is determined. In this way, when a video in the process of arranging a small number of image parts is displayed, the first display image is finally displayed at a higher rate than the second display image 182A, and many image parts are displayed. When the images in the process of aligning are displayed, the second display image 182A with a high expectation degree of jackpot is finally displayed at a higher rate than the first display image with a low expectation degree of jackpot. As a result, it is possible to focus attention on the video in the process of aligning the image parts 180 within the display area.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the mask data 183 in which the transmissive area 183A composed of the same shape of the frame line is specified is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and mask data in which a transmissive region 183A composed of a plurality of frame lines is designated may be used. If such mask data is used, in an image in which a plurality of image parts 180 are arranged, the position when the image parts 180 are gathered is somewhat irregular, and the interval between the image parts 180 is constant. Can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to express a process in which the image parts 180 are aligned while performing different movements in the display area.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which image part alignment display is executed during variable display of decorative symbols has been shown. However, for example, image part alignment display is executed at any timing during a game such as a reach effect or a big hit. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example of notifying the expectation degree of the big hit during the notice effect has been shown as the content notified by the alignment display of the image parts. However, if it is changing, the expected degree of probability variation latency is notified. If it is a big hit, you may make it alert | report the number of rounds, the presence or absence of continuation of a round, the presence or absence of a probable change promotion, etc.

  In the above embodiment, in order to notify the effect control microcomputer of the change pattern indicating the change mode such as the change time, the type of reach effect, and the presence / absence of the pseudo-ream, one change pattern command is given when the change is started. Although an example of transmission is shown, the variation pattern may be notified to the effect control microcomputer by two or more commands. Specifically, in the case of notifying by two commands, the game control microcomputer uses the first command to indicate whether there is a pseudo-ream, a slip effect, etc. before reaching (so-called second if not reaching). A command indicating the fluctuation time and fluctuation mode is transmitted before the stop, and the second command is the so-called second stop after reaching the reach such as the type of reach and the presence / absence of the redrawing effect (if the reach is not reach) A command indicating the variation time and variation mode of (after) may be transmitted. In this case, the effect control microcomputer may perform effect control in variable display based on the variable time derived from the combination of two commands. The game control microcomputer notifies the change time by each of the two commands, and the effect control microcomputer selects the specific change mode executed at each timing. Good. When sending two commands, two commands may be sent within the same timer interrupt. After sending the first command, a certain period of time has passed (for example, the next timer interrupt). The second command may be transmitted. Note that the variation mode indicated by each command is not limited to this example, and the order of transmission can be changed as appropriate. Thus, by notifying the variation pattern by two or more commands, the amount of data that must be stored as the variation pattern command can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have to include all the technical features shown in the above embodiment, and the part described in the above embodiment so as to solve at least one problem in the prior art. It may be provided with the following structure.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of the gaming machine, the description has been given using the pachinko gaming machine 1 having a function of variably displaying special symbols and decorative symbols and a function of displaying various effect images. However, at least a part of the configuration and functions of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the above embodiment can also be applied to other gaming machines such as a slot machine.

  FIG. 13 is a front view of a slot machine 500 as an example of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, and shows a layout of main members. The slot machine 500 is roughly composed of a housing whose front surface is open and a front door pivotally supported at a side end of the housing. Inside the casing of the slot machine 500, there is installed a variable display device 501 in which reels RL, RC, RR having a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on the outer periphery are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. An image display device 510 having a display function is provided on the front door of the slot machine 500.

  On the outer periphery of the reels RL, RC, RR, for example, “Red 7”, “White 7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “Watermelon”, “Cherry”, “Bell”, a plurality of types that can be distinguished from each other Are drawn in a predetermined order. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheral portions of the reels RL, RC, and RR are displayed on the variable display device 501 in the upper, middle, and lower three stages, respectively. Each of the reels RL, RC, RR is rotated by reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R (FIG. 14) provided correspondingly, so that the symbols of the reels RL, RC, RR are displayed while being continuously changed. At the same time, by stopping the rotation of the reels RL, RC, RR, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed so as to be visible as display results.

  Below the image display device 510 at the front door of the slot machine 500 is provided an operation table 520 on which various input switches and the like for the player to perform various operations are arranged. On the far side of the operation table 520, there are a medal insertion slot 502 into which medals can be inserted, a BET switch 503 for setting (BET) the number of bets for one medal, and the maximum number of bets that can be bet in one game ( MAXBET switch 504 for setting the number of bets (three in this example), used for setting the medal and bet number stored as credit (the number of medals stored as a player's own game value) A checkout switch 508 for paying out medals is provided. The medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 502 is detected by a predetermined insertion medal sensor.

  On the front side of the operation table 520, a start lever 505 that is operated when the game is started in the slot machine 500, stop switches 506L and 506C that are operated when the rotation of each of the reels RL, RC, and RR is stopped. 506R is provided. A medal payout exit 507 through which medals are paid out is provided at the bottom of the operation table 520.

  In the upper part of the image display device 510 on the front door of the slot machine 500, a game information display unit for displaying various information related to games in the slot machine 500 is provided. For example, the game information display unit displays a credit indicator that displays the number of medals stored as credits, an auxiliary display that displays the number of medals acquired in the big bonus, an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs, and the like And a payout display for displaying the number of medals paid out by winning. Two speakers 511L and 511R that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right sides of the game information display section. In addition, game effect lamps 513 and 514 are provided on the left and right sides of the operation table 520, respectively.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 500, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 502, or credits are used to set the number of bets. To use the credit, the BET switch 503 or the MAXBET switch 504 is operated. When the number of bets is set in this way, one of a plurality of pay lines corresponding to the number of bets becomes valid, the operation of the start lever 505 is valid, that is, the game can be executed, and the variable display The execution condition is met. Even when a re-gamer winning such as replay occurs in the previous game, the next game can be executed continuously, and the variable display execution condition is satisfied.

  When the start lever 505 is operated in such a state that the game can be executed, based on the fact that the operation is detected by the start lever switch 505A (FIG. 14), the variable display start condition is satisfied, The reels RL, RC, RR rotate, and the symbols of the reels RL, RC, RR continuously change. If any one of the stop switches 506L, 506C, 506R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels RL, RC, RR is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed so as to be visible.

  Then, when the rotation of all the reels RL, RC, RR is stopped, one game is finished, and a combination of symbols called a predetermined combination on any activated pay line is assigned to each reel RL, When the display results of RC and RR are stopped, a winning is generated. The types of winning combinations are roughly divided into small roles with medals, re-players that can start the next game without the need to set the number of bets, and special cases that have a transition in gaming state. There is a role, and the winning combination is determined according to the gaming state. In the slot machine 500, an internal lottery is performed to determine whether or not the winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the random number value extracted at the timing when the start lever 505 is operated. The fact that winning in this internal lottery and winning is permitted is also referred to as “internal winning”. Of the winning of each role, the winning of the small role and the replaying role is valid only in the game for which the winning is determined, but the winning of the special role has the roles allowed to be generated by the internal lottery. It is effective until. In other words, once the occurrence of a special winning combination is allowed, even if the special winning combination cannot be generated in each game, the winning is carried over to the next game.

  The gaming state in the slot machine 500 includes, for example, a regular bonus, a big bonus, and a normal gaming state. In the regular bonus game state, for example, small roles such as JAC, cherry, watermelon, and bell are defined as winning combinations and are subject to lottery in the internal lottery. In the big bonus, special small roles such as cherry, watermelon, and bell, and special bonuses such as regular bonus (or JACIN) are determined as winning roles in a predetermined small role game. It is a lottery target in the internal lottery. In the normal gaming state, for example, small roles such as cherry, watermelon and bell, replay roles such as replay, special roles such as big bonus, regular bonus, etc. are predetermined as winning roles, It is a lottery target in the lottery.

  When a special role winning that becomes a big bonus occurs in the normal gaming state, the gaming state shifts to the big bonus. With the big bonus, a predetermined game called a small role game can be played. The big bonus is ended when the total number of medals given to the player in the big bonus becomes equal to or more than a prescribed number (eg, 466). When a special role winning that becomes a regular bonus occurs in a small role game in a normal gaming state or a big bonus, the gaming state shifts to a regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games have been consumed or when 8 games have been won (any kind of combination can be used), whichever comes first. In the regular bonus in the normal gaming state, the regular bonus may be terminated when the total number of medals given to the player exceeds a specified number. If the total number of medals awarded to the player during the big bonus exceeds the specified number with the regular bonus in the big bonus, the regular bonus is terminated together with the big bonus.

  In the slot machine 500, when the gaming state is shifted to a special gaming state such as a regular bonus or a big bonus, the player can acquire more medals than the normal gaming state, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. It becomes a game state. Note that the special gaming state is not limited to a regular bonus or a big bonus, and it can be expected that the player will win more medals than the normal gaming state, and the gaming state may be more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. That's fine. As such a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, for example, an operation that satisfies the conditions for deriving notification target winnings that occur on condition that reel deriving conditions (for example, stop order and stop timing) are satisfied By restricting the gaming state (so-called assist time) in which the procedure is notified and the pull-in range of at least one of the reels, the symbols displayed when the stop switches 506L, 506C, 506R are operated are stopped. Challenge time (CT) that allows control to be easily controlled and allows players to derive a combination of winning symbols, and allow for specific winnings (such as replay winnings and single bonus winnings) Game state (so-called replay time or concentration state) that increases the probability of being played, and further combining these It may be any such tricks state.

  In the slot machine 500, for example, a main board 600, an effect control board 620, a reel unit 650 and the like as shown in FIG. 14 are mounted. In addition, other boards such as a power supply board and a relay board connected to the main board 600 are mounted on the slot machine 500. The main board 600 is provided with a game control microcomputer 610. Similar to the game control microcomputer 100 in the above embodiment, the game control microcomputer 610 is a CPU that performs control according to a program, a ROM that stores user programs and data, and a RAM that is used by the CPU as a work area. And so on.

  The reel unit 650 includes reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R, a reel lamp 652, a reel sensor 653, and the like. The reel motors 651L, 651C, 651R are motors for rotating the reels RL, RC, RR. The reel lamp 652 is provided inside each reel RL, RC, RR, and irradiates a symbol that can be visually recognized by the variable display device 501 among the symbols drawn on each reel RL, RC, RR from the inside of the reel. It is a lamp to do. The reel sensor 653 is a sensor for detecting the rotation state, the number of rotations, and the like of each reel RL, RC, RR.

  On the effect control board 620, an effect control microcomputer 630, a display control unit 631, a sound control unit 632, a lamp control unit 633, and the like are mounted. The effect control microcomputer 630 is similar to the effect control microcomputer 120 in the above embodiment, a CPU that performs control according to a program, a ROM that stores user programs and data, and a RAM that is used by the CPU as a work area. And a reset / interrupt controller. The display control unit 631 controls the display operation in the image display device 510. Similar to the display control unit 123 in the above embodiment, the image data according to the display control command from the effect control microcomputer 630 is displayed. VDP that executes the above processing and an image data memory that stores various types of image data used for displaying an image on the screen of the image display device 510.

  The VDP included in the display control unit 631 includes a host interface, a data memory interface, (first and second) moving image decoders, a drawing circuit, and a VRAM (drawing buffer, display buffer, A display circuit and the like. In the display buffer, a frame buffer 1, a frame buffer 2, a dummy area, and the like are provided as necessary.

  In the effect control microcomputer 630, instructions for controlling the effect operation by the image display device 510, the speakers 511L, 511R, the game effect lamps 513, 514, etc. according to the effect control pattern based on the effect control command received from the main board 600, Processing is executed by the CPU. In the display control unit 631, processing of image data in accordance with a display control command from the effect control microcomputer 630 is executed by the VDP.

  On the screen of the image display device 510, for example, the notice effect in the above-described embodiment is executed corresponding to the variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 501.

  The effect control microcomputer 630 starts playback of the moving image of the notice effect on the moving picture decoder before the display start timing of the moving image of the notice effect specified by the effect control pattern based on the effect control command received from the main board 600. Instruct. Then, control is performed to write the pixel data of the frame decoded by the moving image display restriction command to the dummy area until a predetermined condition is satisfied and the moving image of the notice effect is to be displayed. Then, when it is time to display the moving image of the notice effect, a moving image display restriction release command may be transmitted to the VDP to control to display the moving image of the notice effect.

  In addition, if the gaming machine of the present invention has an image display device in a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, for example, a general electric machine or a ball game machine with a probability setting function called a Pachi-Con It does not matter. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a payout type gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to detection of winning balls, and encloses game balls and gives points in response to detection of winning balls. It can also be applied to an enclosed game machine.

  Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to a slot machine that can play a game using medals and credits, for example, a slot machine that plays a game using pachinko balls, or credits without medals being discharged to the outside. The present invention can also be applied to a complete credit type slot machine that can be played using the game, an image type slot machine in which a variable display device is displayed as an image, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine 2 ... Game board 3 ... Gaming machine frame 4A, 4B ... Special symbol display device 5 ... Image display device 5L, 5C, 5R ... Decoration symbol display area 5H ... Start winning memory display area 6A ... Ordinary winning ball Device 6B ... Normal variable winning ball device 7 ... Special variable winning ball device 8L, 8R ... Speaker 9 ... Game effect lamp 11 ... Main board 12 ... Production control board 13 ... Audio control board 14 ... Lamp control board 15 ... Relay board 20 ... Normal symbol display 21… Gate switch 22A, 22B… Start switch 23… Count switch 25A, 25B… Hold indicator 25C… Universal map hold indicator 31A… Stick controller 31B… Push button 35A… Controller sensor unit 35B… Push sensor 41 ... Passing gate 81, 82 … Solenoid 100… Game control microcomputers 101, 121… ROM
102, 122 ... RAM
103 ... CPU
104, 124 ... random number circuit 105, 125 ... I / O
110 ... Switch circuit 111 ... Solenoid circuit 120 ... Production control CPU
123 ... Display control unit 130 ... VDP
131 ... CGROM
132 ... VRAM
133 ... LCD drive circuits 170A, 170B, 170C, 170D ... Notice effect determination table 180 ... Image part 181 ... Background 182A, 182B ... Display image 183 ... Mask data 183A ... Transmission region 183B ... Non-transmission region 500 ... Slot machine 501 ... Variable Display device 502 ... medal slot 503 ... BET switch 504 ... MAXBET switch 505 ... start lever 505A ... start lever switches 506L, 506C, 506R ... stop switch 507 ... medal payout exit 508 ... settlement switch 510 ... image display device 510A ... secondary effect Display devices 511L, 511R ... Speakers 513, 514 ... Game effect lamp 520 ... Operation table 600 ... Main board 610 ... Game control microcomputer 620 ... Production control board 630 ... Production control microcomputer 631 ... Display control unit 632 ... Sound control unit 633 ... Lamp control unit 650 ... Reel unit 651L, 651C, 651R ... Reel motor 652 ... Reel lamp 653 ... Reel sensor

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that performs a predetermined game,
Image display means for displaying an image related to the game;
In the image display means, a background image display means for displaying a background image;
A plurality of image parts constituting the predetermined image are aligned on the front surface of the background image, and arranged display executing means for displaying the predetermined image;
The alignment display execution means includes:
After displaying the image of the process in which the plurality of image parts are aligned, the predetermined image is displayed using mask data in which an area for displaying the predetermined image and a mask area not to be displayed are specified, and then the mask data The mask area in which the predetermined image is not displayed is gradually reduced, and then the predetermined image can be displayed without using the mask data .
After the predetermined image is displayed using the mask data, an image of a process in which additional image parts are aligned is displayed, a specific image is displayed instead of the predetermined image, and then the specific image in the mask data is displayed. The mask area that does not display an image is gradually reduced, and then the specific image can be displayed without using the mask data.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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