JP6914511B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays variable patterns.

Conventionally, there are known gaming machines that display variable patterns (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of gaming machine, a plurality of symbols are variedly displayed in each of the plurality of variable lines, and the game result is notified by a combination of symbols stopped at each variable line. Each symbol has a character unique to the symbol and an identification image (for example, a number, an alphabet, etc.) for identifying the symbol.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-172580

According to the above-mentioned prior art, when the variable display of each symbol is performed, the character and the identification image of the symbol are integrally variable and displayed. For example, when the character and the identification image are integrally enlarged in the changing symbol, the enlargement ratio of the character and the identification image is restricted in consideration of the arrangement with other symbols displayed on the variation line different from the symbol. It was sometimes done. Therefore, there is a case where it is greatly restricted to freely change the display mode of the changing symbol.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which the display mode of a changing symbol can be changed more freely.

The gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image display means capable of displaying a plurality of predetermined effect symbols, and a display control means for displaying and controlling the plurality of effect symbols in the image display means. Each of the plurality of effect symbols includes a symbol image which is an image showing a symbol unique to the effect symbol and an identification image which is an image for identifying the effect symbol, and the image display means includes the plurality of effect symbols. A symbol variation line in which a plurality of the symbol images included in the effect symbol are uniformly and variablely displayed, and a plurality of identification variation lines in which the plurality of identification images included in the plurality of effect symbols are variablely displayed. Including, the display control means stops the identification image on each of the plurality of identification variation lines after displaying the plurality of identification images on each of the plurality of identification variation lines in a variable manner according to the result of the game. The notification effect to be displayed is executed, and in the notification effect, the plurality of symbol images are variablely displayed on the symbol variation line, and the identification image is stopped and displayed on any of the plurality of identification variation lines. Then, when the symbol image corresponding to the identification image is stopped and displayed at the symbol variation line and the symbol image is stopped and displayed at the symbol variation line, the plurality of identification variation lines are used. If variable display of the identification image is continuously erases the symbol image displayed stopped in the symbol variation lines, characterized by the continued child a variable display of the symbol images in the symbol variation line .. According to the gaming machine of this aspect, the display mode of the changing symbol can be changed more freely.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the control part 40. It is a conceptual diagram of the jackpot information storage area 100. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart of special symbol processing. This is an example of the display mode (notification effect of the standard pattern) of the display screen 28. This is an example of the display mode (notification effect of a specific pattern) of the display screen 28. It is a flowchart of sub-control board processing. It is a flowchart of a notification effect control process. It is explanatory drawing of the notification effect. It is explanatory drawing of the notification effect. It is explanatory drawing of the notification effect. It is explanatory drawing of the notification effect. This is an example of the display mode of the display screen 28 according to the modified example.

Hereinafter, the pachinko machine 1 which is the first embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front side, the back side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of FIG. 1 are referred to as the front side, the rear side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the pachinko machine 1, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 2 is provided on the upper side of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 has a substantially square shape (not shown), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 11 holding a transparent glass plate. A lighting device 35 is provided on the upper portion of the front frame 11 over a substantially total length in the left-right direction. An upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 are provided on the lower side of the game board 2. The upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2, supplies the game ball to the launching device 37 (see FIG. 2), and receives the prize ball. A button 9 operated by the player is provided in the upper center of the upper plate 5. The lower plate 6 is provided directly below the upper plate 5 and receives a prize ball that overflows or is discharged from the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. The firing handle 7 receives a rotation operation by the player. When the player operates the launch handle 7, the launcher 37 launches the game ball with an intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 7. Further, speakers 48 are provided at the left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 11, respectively.

A substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. The game ball launched by the launching device 37 is guided to the game area 4 by the guide rail 3 and flows down in the game area 4. An image display device 8 is arranged at substantially the center of the game area 4. The image display device 8 includes a display screen 28 composed of an LCD, various lamps, LEDs, and the like. A normal symbol operating gate 12 is provided on the left side of the image display device 8. A start winning opening 15 is provided below the image display device 8. An ordinary electric accessory 13 is provided below the starting winning opening 15. An opening / closing member 14 is provided on the ordinary electric accessory 13. The game ball can win a prize in the ordinary electric accessory 13 only when the opening / closing member 14 is opened (when the ordinary electric accessory 13 is opened). A large winning opening 18 is arranged below the ordinary electric accessory 13. An opening / closing member 19 is provided at the large winning opening 18. The game ball can win a prize in the large winning opening 18 only when the opening / closing member 19 is opened (when the large winning opening 18 is opened). The opening / closing member 14 and the opening / closing member 19 are electrically opened / closed by the ordinary electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69 and the winning opening opening / closing solenoid 70 (see FIG. 2), respectively.

The image display device 8 includes a display screen 28 in the center. The display screen 28 displays various images such as moving images and messages. The display screen 28 displays, for example, three demo symbols (D1 to D3 symbols described later), which are symbols for the effect of notifying the player of the result of the jackpot determination. The pachinko machine 1 notifies the player of the result of the jackpot determination by executing a notification effect of stopping and displaying (confirming display) the combination of the demo symbols indicating the result of the jackpot determination after the demo symbol is displayed in a variable manner. In the present embodiment, the combination of demo symbols indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot is a combination of symbols showing the same numbers such as "777" and "222" (so-called doublets). Further, the combination of the demo symbols indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is out of order is a combination of symbols such as "767" and "143" in which three same numbers are not aligned.

The first special symbol storage number display unit 285 is provided on the lower left side of the display screen 28, and the second special symbol storage number display unit 286 is provided on the lower right side of the display screen 28. The first special symbol storage number display unit 285 displays up to four first reserved balls. The number of first reserved balls is the number of game balls that have won the starting winning opening 15 and the result of the first jackpot determination has not yet been displayed. The second special symbol storage number display unit 286 displays up to four second reserved balls. The number of second reserved balls is the number of game balls that have won the ordinary electric accessory 13 and the result of the second jackpot determination has not yet been displayed.

A normal symbol display unit 284 and a normal symbol storage number display unit 287 are provided on the upper part of the display screen 28. On the normal symbol display unit 284, a normal symbol for notifying the result of the normal hit determination is displayed. In the present embodiment, the ordinary symbol is, for example, a circle. An ordinary symbol indicating that the result of the ordinary hit determination is an ordinary hit is, for example, a red circle. An ordinary symbol indicating that the result of the ordinary hit determination is out of order is, for example, a blue circle. During the variable display of the normal symbol, red and blue circles are displayed alternately. Up to four normal reserved balls are displayed on the normal symbol storage number display unit 287. The normal number of reserved balls is the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operating gate 12 and the result of the normal hit determination has not yet been displayed.

A symbol display unit 24 is provided at an obliquely lower right portion of the game area 4. The symbol display unit 24 includes a game information display 30, a normal symbol display 27, a first special symbol display 25, a second special symbol display 26, and a round number display 29. The game information display 30, the first special symbol display 25, the second special symbol display 26, and the round number display 29 are 7-segment LED displays. The 7-segment display includes seven segments capable of expressing alphabets, numbers, symbols, etc. by a combination of turning on or off the LED, and one segment capable of expressing a point by turning on or off the LED. The ordinary symbol display 27 is a display in which four LEDs are arranged side by side.

The first special symbol display 25 and the second special symbol display 26 display the first special symbol and the second special symbol, respectively. The first special symbol and the second special symbol display the results of the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination, respectively, depending on the combination of turning on or off the LEDs constituting each segment. Hereinafter, when the first jackpot judgment and the second jackpot judgment are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, it is referred to as a jackpot judgment. When the first special symbol and the second special symbol are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, it is called a special symbol. The ordinary symbol display 27 displays the result of the ordinary hit determination and the opening pattern of the opening / closing member 14 by the combination of turning on or off the four LEDs. The round number display 29 displays the number of rounds during the jackpot game by numbers or alphabets. The game information display 30 displays game information such as the number of first reserved balls, the second number of reserved balls, the number of normal reserved balls, the time saving state, and the probability change state by the combination of turning on or off the LEDs constituting each segment. ..

In addition to the above, the game area 4 is provided with a lower out port 36, various illuminated lamps, a winning port, a windmill, a game nail, and the like. Of the game balls that flow down the game area 4, the game that flows down to the lower part of the game area 4 without winning any of the starting winning opening 15, the ordinary electric accessory 13, the large winning opening 18, and other winning openings. The ball passes through the lower out port 36 and is discharged to the outside of the game area 4. Further, on the back side of the game board 2, a control unit 40 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the main control of the game, various effects, and the like is provided.

The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 includes a main board 41, a sub control board 60, a lamp driver board 46, an effect control board 43, a payout control board 45, a relay board 47, and a power supply board 42.

The main board 41 controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The main control unit 50 of the main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 that temporarily stores data, and a ROM 53 that stores a control program (main process, see FIG. 4). An interrupt signal generation circuit 57 is connected to the main control unit 50. The interrupt signal generation circuit 57 generates an interrupt signal every 4 ms and outputs it to the main control unit 50. The main board 41 executes a program when an interrupt signal is input. The main board 41 is connected to the sub control board 60, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, the output port 55, the first start switch 72, and the second start switch 73 via the I / O interface 54. The output port 55 outputs the information of the pachinko machine 1 to a computer for managing a game hall (not shown). The first start switch 72 detects a game ball that has won a prize in the start winning opening 15. The second start switch 73 detects a game ball that has won a prize in the ordinary electric accessory 13.

The sub control board 60 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, and a ROM 63. The CPU 61 performs comprehensive control of the notification effect according to a command transmitted from the main board 41. The RAM 62 temporarily stores the data obtained by the arithmetic processing by the CPU 61. The ROM 63 stores a program for performing the notification effect (sub-control board processing, see FIG. 10), various flags used by the program, initial values of data, and the like.

The sub control board 60 is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the button 9, the speaker 48, and the effect control board 43. The lamp driver board 46 is connected to the illumination board 31. The lamp driver board 46 controls the driving of the illumination board 31 according to a command received from the sub control board 60, and controls the light emission of various illumination lamps (not shown) according to the gaming state. The button 9 outputs a detection signal to the sub-control board 60 according to the operation of the player. The speaker 48 converts a digital sound signal transmitted from the sub-control board 60 into an analog sound and outputs it.

The effect control board 43 includes a CPU 431, a CGROM 432, and the like, and controls the image display device 8 according to a command received from the sub control board 60. The CGROM 432 stores image data and the like necessary for displaying an image on the display screen 28. Although not shown, the CGROM 432 has a symbol image storage area for storing image data (symbol image data) for displaying the symbol image 101 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) described later, and an identification image 102 (FIG. 8) described later. , FIG. 9) is provided with an identification image storage area for storing image data (identification image data) for displaying). The symbol image data includes still image data for displaying a still image of the symbol image 101, and moving image data for displaying an effect operation in which the display mode of the symbol image 101 changes with time. Similarly, the identification image data includes still image data for displaying the still image of the identification image 102, and moving image data for displaying an effect operation in which the display mode of the identification image 102 changes with time.

The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 451 and the like. The CPU 451 controls the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 in response to a command transmitted from the main board 41, and causes a predetermined number of game balls to be paid out as prize balls.

The relay board 47 is connected to the ordinary electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69, the large winning opening opening / closing solenoid 70, the ordinary symbol operation switch 74, the large winning opening switch 75, and the symbol display unit 24. The normal electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69 opens / closes the opening / closing member 14 of the ordinary electric accessory 13 during the normal hit game. The big winning opening opening / closing solenoid 70 opens / closes the opening / closing member 19 of the big winning opening 18 during the big hit game. The normal symbol operation switch 74 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 12. The big winning opening switch 75 detects the game ball that has won the big winning opening 18.

The power supply board 42 is connected to the main board 41 and the launching device 37, and supplies stabilized DC power to each board and the launching device 37. The launching device 37 launches one game ball toward the game area 4 at regular intervals (for example, 0.6 seconds).

The jackpot information storage area 100 secured in the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot information storage area 100 is provided with a first jackpot information storage area 110, a second jackpot information storage area 120, and a determination area 130. At the time of jackpot determination, the determination area 130 stores random numbers in the storage area to be determined in the first jackpot information storage area 110 or the second jackpot information storage area 120. The second jackpot judgment has priority over the first jackpot judgment. The configuration of the second jackpot information storage area 120 is the same as the configuration of the first jackpot information storage area 110. The first jackpot information storage area 110 and the second jackpot information storage area 120 are used in special symbol processing (see S6 and FIG. 6).

The first jackpot information storage area 110 is provided with a storage area number column 111, a first jackpot random number column 112, a first special symbol determination random number column 113, a first variation pattern determination random number column 114, and a pointer column 115. When the game ball wins the start winning opening 15, the count value of the random number acquisition counter, which is related to the first jackpot determination and is counted at that time, is acquired respectively. Each count value is stored in each column of the first jackpot information storage area 110 corresponding to the storage area number assigned in ascending order at the time of acquisition. In the first jackpot random number column 112, the first jackpot random number used for the first jackpot determination is stored. In the first special symbol determination random number column 113, the first special symbol determination random number used for determining the first special symbol is stored. In the first variation pattern determination random number column 114, the first variation pattern determination random number used for determining the first variation pattern indicating the variation time of the first special symbol is stored. In the pointer field 115, a pointer indicating a storage area number for which a random number has been acquired and has not yet been processed is stored. Four pointers, hold 1 to 4 indicating the order of acquiring random numbers, are provided, and the storage area numbers are pointed out in ascending order of their values.

As described above, the maximum number of first reserved balls is 4. When the game ball wins the start winning opening 15, if the number of first reserved balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are displayed in each column in ascending order of the value of the storage area number stored in the storage area number column 111. Is remembered. The CPU 51 writes a random number in each column corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer of the hold 1 in the determination area 130, updates the pointer, and performs various processes such as a first jackpot determination. When the processing related to the random numbers stored in the determination area 130 (specifically, the notification effect for notifying the jackpot determination result, the jackpot game executed when the jackpot determination result is a jackpot) is completed, the pointer of the hold 1 after the update is completed. A random number in each column corresponding to the storage area number indicated by is written in the determination area 130, and processing such as the first jackpot determination is repeated. The random numbers in the storage area for which processing has been completed may be appropriately deleted.

The second jackpot information storage area 120 is provided with a storage area number column 121, a second jackpot random number column 122, a second special symbol determination random number column 123, a second variation pattern determination random number column 124, and a pointer column 125. When the game ball wins the ordinary electric accessory 13, the count value of the random number acquisition counter, which is counted at that time, is acquired in relation to the second big hit determination. Each count value is stored in each column of the second jackpot information storage area 120 corresponding to the storage area number assigned in ascending order at the time of acquisition. In the second jackpot random number column 122, the second jackpot random number used for the second jackpot determination is stored. In the second special symbol determination random number column 123, the second special symbol determination random number used for determining the second special symbol is stored. In the second variation pattern determination random number column 124, a second variation pattern determination random number used for determining the second variation pattern indicating the variation time of the second special symbol is stored. In the pointer field 125, a pointer indicating a storage area number for which a random number has been acquired and has not yet been processed is stored. Four pointers, hold 1 to 4 indicating the order of acquiring random numbers, are provided, and the storage area numbers are pointed out in ascending order of their values.

As described above, the maximum number of second reserved balls is 4. When the game ball wins the ordinary electric accessory 13, if the number of second reserved balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are generated in each column in ascending order of the storage area number stored in the storage area number column 121. It will be remembered. The CPU 51 writes a random number in each column corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer of the hold 1 in the determination area 130, updates the pointer, and performs various processes such as a second jackpot determination. When the processing related to the random numbers stored in the determination area 130 (specifically, the notification effect for notifying the jackpot determination result, the jackpot game executed when the jackpot determination result is a jackpot) is completed, the pointer of the hold 1 after the update is completed. A random number in each column corresponding to the storage area number indicated by is written in the determination area 130, and processing such as a second jackpot determination is repeated. The random numbers in the storage area for which processing has been completed may be appropriately deleted.

In the following description, when the first jackpot random number and the second jackpot random number are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, they are referred to as jackpot random numbers. Further, when the first variation pattern determination random number and the second variation pattern determination random number are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, it is referred to as a variation pattern determination random number. Further, when the first jackpot information storage area 110 and the second jackpot information storage area 120 are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, the jackpot information storage area 100 is referred to. In addition, the jackpot random numbers for which the jackpot determination is held while stored in the jackpot information storage area 100, and various random numbers acquired together with the jackpot random numbers for which the jackpot determination is held and stored in the jackpot information storage area 100 are collectively referred to. It is called a pending random number. The number of the first reserved random numbers stored in the first jackpot information storage area 110 among the reserved random numbers corresponds to the number of first reserved balls. The number of the second reserved random numbers stored in the second jackpot information storage area 120 among the reserved random numbers corresponds to the number of second reserved balls. The RAM 52 is provided with a normal hit information storage area (not shown) for storing random numbers acquired when a game ball wins a prize in the normal symbol operating gate 12. The normal hit information storage area is also configured in the same manner as the jackpot information storage area 100.

Next, the flow of the game in the pachinko machine 1 will be schematically described. When the game ball wins the start winning opening 15, the first jackpot random number, the first special symbol determination random number, and the first variation pattern determination random number are acquired, and the first jackpot determination is performed. The first jackpot random number, the first special symbol determination random number, and the first variation pattern determination random number are acquired by reading the count value of the random number acquisition counter of the RAM 52 corresponding to each random number. In the first jackpot determination, it is determined whether the first jackpot random number is a jackpot or a miss. The first special symbol display 25 displays one of a plurality of first special symbols based on the result of the first jackpot determination and the first special symbol determination random number. In the process, the notification effect is executed according to the first fluctuation pattern. In the notification effect, the display screen 28 performs a variable display and a stop display of the demo symbol.

In the pachinko machine 1, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is equal to the production time of the notification effect that notifies the player of the result of the jackpot determination. The sub control board 60 controls the notification effect according to the fluctuation pattern determined by the main board 41. Specifically, the main board 41 starts the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the fluctuation pattern based on the fluctuation pattern determination random number. The sub-control board 60 starts the variation display of the demo symbol in synchronization with the start of the variation of the special symbol. When the fluctuation time of the special symbol ends, the main board 41 stops the fluctuation of the special symbol and causes the main board 41 to stop and display for a predetermined special symbol stop display time (for example, 0.8 seconds). The sub-control board 60 stops and displays the demo symbol in synchronization with the special symbol stop display time. Further, the sub-control board 60 executes a notification effect synchronized with the fluctuation pattern by the display screen 28, various illumination lamps, the speaker 48, etc., in addition to the demo design.

The number of game balls that have won a prize in the start winning opening 15 during the notification effect is stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 up to a maximum of four as the first reserved ball number. The number of first reserved balls is displayed on the game information display 30 under the control of the CPU 51 (see FIG. 2) of the main board 41. Further, under the control of the CPU 61 (see FIG. 2) of the sub-control board 60 that has received the command indicating the number of first reserved balls from the CPU 51, the number of first reserved balls is also displayed on the first special symbol storage number display unit 285 of the display screen 28. Is displayed. As a result of the first jackpot determination, if it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot, a jackpot game in which the opening / closing member 19 of the jackpot 18 is opened is executed.

The pachinko machine 1 can generate a probability fluctuation state in which the probability of being determined as a "big hit" in the jackpot determination is about 1/96 after the jackpot game is completed. After the jackpot game is completed, the pachinko machine 1 shifts to the "probability fluctuation state and time saving state". The probability fluctuation state and the time saving state are also referred to as the probability variation time saving state. The jackpot types based on the first special symbol are, for example, "2R probability variation", "5R probability variation", "10R probability variation", and "15R probability variation". There are four types of jackpots based on the second special symbol, for example, "2R probability variation", "5R probability variation", "10R probability variation", and "15R probability variation". In the pachinko machine 1, a probability fluctuation state occurs at a rate of 100% after the end of the jackpot game, and a non-probability fluctuation state does not occur.

The jackpot type "R" indicates the number of rounds during one jackpot game. That is, "2R", "5R", "10R", and "15R" included in the type name of the jackpot type correspond to the abbreviation of the number of rounds predetermined for each jackpot type. For example, "10R probability change" indicates that the number of rounds repeated during one big hit game is 10 rounds, and the game state shifts to the probability change time saving state after the big hit game is completed. Therefore, the number of prize balls that a player can obtain in a jackpot game differs depending on the jackpot type. In the "2R probability change", the opening / closing member of the big winning opening 18 is opened / closed for two rounds during the big hit game, but the opening time of the opening / closing member is shorter than in other big hit games, so the game ball wins a prize. hard.

The pachinko machine 1 has a non-time saving state in which the opening / closing member of the starting electric accessory 16 is opened at a normal ratio, and a higher ratio of the opening / closing member of the starting electric accessory 16 being opened than in the non-time saving state. A time saving state can be generated after the jackpot game is completed. When shifting to the probability fluctuation state after the end of the jackpot game, for example, a time saving state of 100 times occurs. Therefore, when the probability variation time saving state started after the jackpot game ends ends, the pachinko machine 1 shifts to the “non-probability fluctuation state and non-time saving state”. The non-probability fluctuation state and the non-time saving state are also referred to as a "normal state". In the non-probability fluctuation state, the probability of being determined as a "big hit" in the jackpot determination is about 1/299.

When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 12, a normal hit determination is performed, and the determination result is displayed on the normal symbol display 27. The result of the normal hit determination is also displayed on the normal symbol display unit 284 of the display screen 28. The number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operating gate 12 during the variation display of the normal symbol is stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 as the number of normal reserved balls up to four. The number of normally reserved balls is displayed on the game information display 30 under the control of the CPU 51 of the main board 41. Further, the number of normal reserved balls is also displayed on the normal symbol storage number display unit 287 of the display screen 28 by the control of the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 that has received the command indicating the number of normal reserved balls from the CPU 51. As a result of the normal hit determination, if it is determined to be a normal hit, the opening / closing member 14 of the normal electric accessory 13 is opened.

When the game ball wins the ordinary electric accessory 13, the second jackpot random number, the second special symbol determination random number, and the second variation pattern determination random number are acquired, and the second jackpot determination is performed. The second jackpot random number, the second special symbol determination random number, and the second variation pattern determination random number are acquired by reading the count value of the random number acquisition counter of the RAM 52 corresponding to each random number. In the second jackpot determination, it is determined whether the second jackpot random number is a jackpot or a miss. The second special symbol display 26 displays one of the plurality of second special symbols based on the result of the second jackpot determination and the second special symbol determination random number.

In the process, as in the case of the first jackpot determination, the notification effect according to the second fluctuation pattern is executed. In the notification effect, the display screen 28 performs a variable display and a stop display of the demo symbol. The number of game balls that have won a prize in the ordinary electric accessory 13 during the notification effect is stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 up to a maximum of four as the second reserved ball number. The number of second reserved balls is displayed on the game information display 30 under the control of the CPU 51 of the main board 41. Further, the number of second reserved balls is also displayed on the second special symbol storage number display unit 286 of the display screen 28 by the control of the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 that has received the command indicating the number of second reserved balls from the CPU 51. As a result of the second jackpot determination, if it is determined to be a jackpot, a jackpot game in which the opening / closing member 19 of the jackpot 18 is opened is executed in the same manner as described above.

The operation of the pachinko machine 1 by the main board 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main process of the control program is executed by the CPU 51 when the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 2) detects an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as "S".

As shown in FIG. 4, when the main process is started, the command output process is first executed (S1). In the command output process, the control command is output to the sub control board 60, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, and the like. The control command output here is a control command stored in the command storage area in the main process executed last time.

Next, the switch read process is executed (S2). In the switch reading process, the game ball is detected from the detection results of the first start switch 72, the second start switch 73, the normal symbol operation switch 74, the large winning opening switch 75, and other switches (not shown) provided in the winning opening. Processing for detection is performed.

Next, the counter update process is executed (S3). In the counter update process, a predetermined amount of the count value of each random number acquisition counter stored in the RAM 52 is added. The count value of the counter that counts the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is subtracted by 1.

Next, the special electric accessory process is executed (S5). In the special electric accessory process, a process for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 19 of the jackpot 18) and a process relating to the gaming state generated after the jackpot game is completed are performed. When the jackpot game is started, a jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is started is generated and stored in the command storage area. The jackpot game start command is transmitted to the sub control board 60 in the command output process (S1) of the main process to be executed next time. The large winning opening 18 once opened is closed when the maximum opening time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls win a prize.

Next, special symbol processing is executed (S6). Although the details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination, determination of fluctuation pattern, determination of special symbol, and transition of game state is performed (see FIGS. 5 to 7).

Next, the normal electric accessory process is executed (S7). In the ordinary electric accessory process, a process for controlling the operation of the ordinary hit game (mainly the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 14 of the ordinary electric accessory 13) is performed when a normal hit occurs. If the time saving state is generated, the CPU 51 opens the opening / closing member 14 of the normal electric accessory 13 for a longer time than in the non-time saving state. If the time saving flag is ON, the CPU 51 determines that the time saving state is in progress.

Next, normal symbol processing is executed (S8). In the normal symbol processing, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 74 detects a game ball. Based on the acquired random numbers, processing such as normal collision detection and storage of commands for controlling fluctuations in normal symbols is performed. The normal hit determination is determined by each probability (99/100 in the time-saving state, 4/100 in the non-time-saving state) depending on whether or not the time-saving state occurs.

Next, the payout process (S10), the error check (S11), and the information output process (S12) are executed. In the payout process, the payout of prize balls is controlled. In the error check, when an error occurs, the error is notified using the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like. In the information output process, various information is output to the playground management computer (not shown). When the information output process is completed, the CPU 51 ends the main process.

The details of the special symbol processing (see S6 and FIG. 4) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. First, the flags used in the special symbol processing will be described. In the flag storage area of the RAM 52, a jackpot game state flag, a special symbol display state flag, a probability change flag, a time saving flag, and the like are stored as flags used in the special symbol processing. As for the jackpot game state flag, 1 is stored and turned ON during the jackpot game, and 0 is stored and turned OFF when the jackpot game is not in progress. The special symbol display status flag is 1 when either one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is fluctuating (during variable display), and when one of them is stopped and displayed (during stop display). 2. 0 is stored when neither the variable display nor the stop display is displayed. The probability change flag is turned ON by storing 1 during the probability change state. The time saving flag is turned ON by storing 1 during the time saving state.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the special symbol processing is started, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the starting winning opening 15 (S21). When the first start switch 72 provided in the start winning opening 15 detects the winning of the game ball, the flag corresponding to the first start switch 72 is turned ON in the switch reading process (S2, see FIG. 4) of the main process. .. If this flag is not ON, it is determined that the game ball has not won a prize (S21: NO), and the process proceeds to S26. If a game ball has won a prize in the start winning opening 15 (S21: YES), the flag is turned off and it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved balls is 4 (S22). If the number of first reserved balls stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 is 4 (S22: YES), the number of storable reserved balls has reached the upper limit, so the process proceeds to S26.

If the number of first reserved balls is not 4 (S22: NO), 1 is added to the number of first reserved balls (S23). Various random numbers are acquired and stored in the storage area having the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the first jackpot information storage area 110 (S25). Specifically, the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the first jackpot determination random number is stored in the first jackpot random number column 112, and the random number acquisition for the first special symbol determination random number is stored in the first special symbol determination random number column 113. The count value of the counter is stored, and the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the first variation pattern determination random number is stored in the first variation pattern determination random number column 114.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the ordinary electric accessory 13 (S26). When the second start switch 73 provided on the ordinary electric accessory 13 detects the winning of the game ball, the flag corresponding to the second start switch 73 is turned ON in the switch read process (S2, see FIG. 4) of the main process. Become. If this flag is not ON, it is determined that the game ball has not won a prize (S26: NO), and the process proceeds to S36 (see FIG. 6). If a game ball has won a prize in the ordinary electric accessory 13 (S26: YES), the flag is turned off and it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved balls is 4 (S27). If the number of second reserved balls stored in the reserved ball number storage area is 4 (S27: YES), the number of storable reserved balls has reached the upper limit, so the process proceeds to S36.

If the number of second reserved balls is not 4 (S27: NO), 1 is added to the number of second reserved balls (S28). Various random numbers are acquired and stored in the storage area having the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the second jackpot information storage area 120 (S30). Specifically, the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the second jackpot determination random number is stored in the second jackpot random number column 122, and the random number acquisition for the second special symbol determination random number is stored in the second special symbol determination random number column 123. The count value of the counter is stored, and the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the second variation pattern determination random number is stored in the second variation pattern determination random number column 124.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the game is in the jackpot game state (S36). When the jackpot game state flag is ON, it is determined that the jackpot game state is in progress (S36: YES), and the process returns to the main process. When the jackpot game state flag is OFF, it is determined that the jackpot game state is not in progress (S36: NO), and it is determined whether or not the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S37). .. If the special symbol display status flag is not 1, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not being displayed in a variable manner (S37: NO), and whether the first special symbol or the second special symbol is in the stopped state. Whether or not it is determined (S53). If the special symbol display status flag is not 2, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not in the stop display (S53: NO), the processing shifts to S61 (see FIG. 7), and the jackpot judgment, etc. Is processed.

In the present embodiment, in the jackpot determination, the second jackpot determination is prioritized over the first jackpot determination. As shown in FIG. 7, first, it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61). When the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61: YES), the second jackpot determination is performed, and the details will be described later. When the number of second reserved balls is 0 (S61: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved balls is 1 or more (S66). If the number of first reserved balls is 0 (S66: NO), the process returns to the main process.

When the number of first reserved balls is 1 or more (S66: YES), each random number corresponding to the storage area number pointed to by the pointer of the reserved 1 in the first jackpot information storage area 110 is written in the determination area 130 (S67). ). The pointer is updated and the number of first reserved balls is subtracted by 1 (S68).

Next, the first jackpot determination is performed according to whether or not it is in the probabilistic state (S70). In S70, it is specified whether or not the probabilistic state has occurred at the present time by referring to the state of the probabilistic flag. A probability change determination table or a non-probability change determination table is selected according to the result of specifying whether or not a probability change state has occurred.

Although not shown, the ROM 53 is provided with a probability change time determination table and a non-probability change time determination table as tables for performing the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination. The non-probability change determination table is a table used for the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination in the non-probability change state. In the non-probability change determination table, random numbers of the first jackpot random number and the second jackpot random number corresponding to "big hit" and "missing" are defined. The probability change determination table is a table used for the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination in the probability change state. Random values of the first jackpot random number and the second jackpot random number corresponding to "big hit" and "missing" are defined in the probability change determination table, respectively. Random values corresponding to jackpots are defined more in the probability change judgment table than in the non-probability change judgment table. As described above, the ratio of the random number value determined to be a big hit in the non-probability change determination table is 1/299, and the ratio of the random number value determined to be a big hit in the probability change determination table is 1/96.

In S70, when the probability change flag is ON, it is determined that the probability change state has occurred, and the probability change time determination table is selected. When the probability change flag is OFF, it is determined that the probability change state has not occurred, and the non-probability change determination table is selected. The selected probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is referred to, and it is determined whether the first jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S67 corresponds to "big hit" or "missing". As a result, the first jackpot determination based on the undetermined first jackpot random number is performed in the order in which the first jackpot random number is stored.

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the first jackpot determination is a jackpot (S71). When the result of the first jackpot determination is a jackpot (S71: YES), the first special symbol indicating that the jackpot is a jackpot is determined (S72). Specifically, the first jackpot information storage area 110 is referred to, and the first special symbol corresponding to the value of the first special symbol determination random number acquired at the same time as the first jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S67. Is determined. In addition, the jackpot type is determined according to the determined first special symbol (S73). After that, the process shifts to S81. When the result of the first jackpot determination is out of order (S71: NO), a predetermined first special symbol indicating the out of place is determined (S75), and the process shifts to S81.

Further, in the second jackpot determination performed when the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61: YES), each random number corresponding to the storage area number pointed to by the pointer of the reserved 1 in the second jackpot information storage area 120 is It is written in the determination area 130 (S62). The pointer is updated and the number of second reserved balls is subtracted by 1 (S63). Next, the second jackpot determination is performed according to whether or not it is in the probabilistic state (S65). In S65, it is specified whether or not the probabilistic state has occurred at the present time by referring to the state of the probabilistic flag. The above-mentioned probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is selected according to the result of specifying whether or not the probability change state has occurred. The selected probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is referred to, and it is determined whether the second jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S62 corresponds to "big hit" or "missing". As a result, the second jackpot determination based on the undetermined second jackpot random number stored in the RAM 52 is performed in the order in which the second jackpot random number is stored.

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the second jackpot determination is a jackpot (S71). When the result of the second jackpot determination is a jackpot (S71: YES), a second special symbol indicating that it is a jackpot is determined (S72). Specifically, the second jackpot information storage area 120 is referred to, and the second special symbol corresponding to the value of the second special symbol determination random number acquired at the same time as the second jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S62. Is determined. In addition, the jackpot type is determined according to the determined second special symbol (S73). After that, the process shifts to S81. When the result of the second jackpot determination is out of order (S71: NO), a predetermined second special symbol indicating the out of place is determined (S75), and the process shifts to S81.

Next, a special symbol variation pattern determination process is performed (S81). The special symbol variation pattern determination process is a process of determining the first variation pattern and the second variation pattern. In the special symbol variation pattern determination process, in the symbol variation pattern determination table (not shown) stored in the ROM 53, whether the jackpot determination is the first jackpot determination or the second jackpot determination, or the gaming state at the time of the jackpot determination (normal). The table according to the state or probability change state and time saving state) and the result of the jackpot judgment (big hit or miss) is referred to, and the fluctuation pattern of the first special symbol or the second special symbol (first fluctuation pattern or second fluctuation pattern). Is determined.

In the present embodiment, when the determination result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the rate at which the fluctuation pattern accompanied by the “reach effect” is determined is high. The "reach effect" is an effect that suggests that the expectation of a big hit is high after a reach state is configured in which two of the three demo symbols stop at the same symbol, for example. On the other hand, if the determination result of the jackpot determination is incorrect, the rate at which the fluctuation pattern accompanied by the "reach effect" is determined becomes low.

When the special symbol variation pattern of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined, a special symbol variation pattern designation command for designating the determined special symbol variation pattern is stored in the command storage area (S82). The special symbol variation pattern designation command also includes a command for designating a jackpot symbol, a jackpot type, or a missed symbol. The special symbol variation pattern designation command is transmitted to the relay board 47 and the sub control board 60 in the command output process (see S1 and FIG. 4) of the main process to be executed next time. The first special symbol display 25 or the second special symbol display 26 of the symbol display unit 24 variablely displays the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 fluctuates and displays the demo symbol on the display screen 28 based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command. The fluctuation time of the first special symbol or the second special symbol determined according to the special symbol fluctuation pattern is set in the special symbol fluctuation time counter (S83). 1 indicating that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner is stored in the special symbol display status flag (S85), and the process returns to the main process.

Further, in the determination of S37 shown in FIG. 6, when 1 is stored in the special symbol display state flag, it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S37: YES). , It is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed (S38). If the count value of the special symbol fluctuation time counter set in the processing of S83 (see FIG. 7) is not 0, it is determined that the fluctuation time has not yet elapsed (S38: NO), and the processing returns to the main processing. On the other hand, when the count value of the special symbol fluctuation time counter is 0, it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S38: YES), and the special symbol stop command is stored in the command storage area (S50). The special symbol stop command is transmitted to the relay board 47 and the sub control board 60 by the command output process (see S1 and FIG. 4). The first special symbol display 25 or the second special symbol display 26 of the symbol display unit 24 stops and displays the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 stops and displays the demo symbol on the display screen 28 based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command. Next, a predetermined special symbol stop display time (0.8 seconds in this embodiment) is stored in the special symbol stop time counter (S51). 2 indicating that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is in the stop display is stored in the special symbol display status flag (S52), and the process returns to the main process.

Further, in the determination of S53, when 2 is stored in the special symbol display state flag, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are being stopped and displayed (S53: YES), and the special symbol is set in S51. Whether or not the stop display time has elapsed is determined by the count value of the special symbol stop time counter (S55). If the count value of the special symbol stop time counter is not 0, it is determined that the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S55: NO), and the process returns to the main process. When the stop display time has elapsed (S55: YES), 0 indicating that the first special symbol is neither variable display nor stop display, and the second special symbol is neither variable display nor stop display is the special symbol display. It is stored in the status flag (S56). Next, the game state transition process is performed (S57), and the process returns to the main process.

Although details are omitted, in the game state transition process, the flag control for shifting the game to the jackpot game when it is determined to be a jackpot, and the time saving state and the probability change state when a predetermined end condition is satisfied are set. Control of the flag for termination is performed. When the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the jackpot game state flag is turned ON, and the game state is shifted to the jackpot game state. In this case, the jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is started is stored in the command storage area, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 60 by the command output process (see S1 and FIG. 4). If the time is shortened before the start of the jackpot game, the time is reduced during the jackpot game, and the time saving flag is turned off. The probabilistic state and the time saving state are terminated if the predetermined termination conditions are satisfied. The CPU 51 shifts the gaming state to a non-probability change state and a non-time saving state (normal state).

An aspect of the notification effect executed on the display screen 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 and 9 illustrate a display screen 28 in a standard display state (hereinafter, basic mode) in which a special effect (for example, a jackpot game effect, a specific effect described later, a reach effect, etc.) is not performed. Specifically, as a notification effect executed on the display screen 28, a plurality of patterns are provided according to the designated variation pattern described later. Of these plurality of patterns of notification effects, FIG. 8 illustrates a standard pattern notification effect, and FIG. 9 illustrates a specific pattern notification effect different from the standard pattern. In order to facilitate understanding, in the display screens 28 shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 12 to 15, the normal symbol display unit 284, the first special symbol storage number display unit 285, and the second special symbol shown in FIG. 1 are shown. The storage number display unit 286 and the normal symbol storage number display unit 287 are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment displays a stop display after three demo symbols (D1 symbol, D2 symbol, and D3 symbol) composed of a plurality of effect symbols are variablely displayed. The result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player by executing the notification effect of notifying the result of the jackpot determination by the combination of the D1 to D3 symbols. For example, the D1 to D3 symbols are composed of eight types of effect symbols that are common to each other. Each effect symbol includes a symbol image 101 and an identification image 102. The symbol image 101 is an image depicting a character, an object, a motif, or the like peculiar to the corresponding effect symbol, and indirectly and decoratively symbolizes the effect symbol. The identification image 102 is an image on which numbers, symbols, alphabets, etc. for identifying the corresponding effect symbol are drawn, and suggests the effect symbol more directly than the symbol image 101.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the notification effect of the standard pattern, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol are integrally displayed and controlled on the same fluctuation line, respectively, as in the known gaming machine. Specifically, three variable lines LN1 to LN3 arranged in the left-right direction are provided on the display screen 28. In the effect symbols on the variable lines LN1 and LN2, the identification image 102 is integrally displayed on the front side of the symbol image 101. In the present embodiment, only the identification image 102 is displayed in the effect symbol on the variable line LN3. Instead, similarly to the variable lines LN1 and LN2, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol may be integrally displayed on the variable line LN3.

In the notification effect of the standard pattern, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D1 symbol are displayed in a vertical direction on the variation line LN1 and then stopped and displayed in a predetermined stop area. The symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D2 symbol are variablely displayed in the vertical direction on the variable line LN2, and then stopped and displayed in a predetermined stop area. The identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D3 symbol is variablely displayed in the vertical direction on the variable line LN3, and then stopped and displayed in a predetermined stop area. The stop display is performed in the order of the D1 to D3 symbols, and the result of the jackpot determination is notified by the combination of the confirmed and displayed D1 to D3 symbols. If a reach state occurs in which the D1 and D2 symbols are aligned with the same effect symbol during the notification effect, the known reach effect is executed.

As described above, in the notification effect of the standard pattern, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol are integrally displayed on at least two variable lines LN1 and LN2. Therefore, the player of the pachinko machine 1 can grasp the correspondence between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol by visually observing the notification effect of the standard pattern. Since the notification effect of the standard pattern is the same as that known, only the notification effect of the specific pattern will be described in the following description.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the notification effect of the specific pattern, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol are displayed and controlled on different fluctuation lines. Specifically, the identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D1 symbol is displayed and controlled on the identification variation line L1. One of the plurality of identification images 102 variablely displayed on the identification variation line L1 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1. In the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic aspect, the identification image 102 is variably displayed on the identification variation line L1 in the upper right portion of the display screen 28, and then stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1.

The identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D2 symbol is displayed and controlled on the identification variation line L2. One of the plurality of identification images 102 variablely displayed on the identification variation line L2 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T2. In the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic aspect, the identification image 102 is variably displayed on the identification variation line L2 in the center on the right side of the display screen 28, and then stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T2.

The identification image 102 of each effect symbol constituting the D3 symbol is displayed and controlled on the identification variation line L3. One of the plurality of identification images 102 variablely displayed on the identification variation line L3 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3. In the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic aspect, the identification image 102 is variably displayed on the identification variation line L3 in the lower right portion of the display screen 28, and then stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3.

The plurality of symbol images 101 common to the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed and controlled on the symbol variation line LC. One of the plurality of symbol images 101 variablely displayed on the symbol fluctuation line LC is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. That is, in the present embodiment, the fluctuation line of the symbol image 101 unique to each D1 to D3 symbol is not provided, and the symbol image 101 of the D1 to D3 symbols is displayed and controlled only by the common symbol fluctuation line LC. In the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic embodiment, the symbol image 101 is variablely displayed on the symbol fluctuation line LC and then stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC in substantially the entire area except the right side portion of the display screen 28. ..

In the notification effect of the specific pattern, each symbol image 101 is attached with a correspondence mark 101A which is an image showing a correspondence relationship with the corresponding identification image 102. The corresponding mark 101A of the present embodiment is an image drawn by reducing the same notation as the identification image 102 corresponding to the symbol image 101. The corresponding mark 101A may be displayed on each symbol image 101 even in the notification effect of the standard pattern (see FIG. 8).

In the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic aspect, the identification variation lines L1 to L3 (and the identification stop areas T1 to T3) are arranged in the vertical direction along the right side portion of the display screen 28. The display sizes of the identification images 102 displayed on the identification variation lines L1 to L3 (and the identification stop areas T1 to T3) are equal to each other. The display size of the symbol image 101 displayed on the symbol fluctuation line LC (and the symbol stop area TC) is larger than the display size of the above-mentioned identification image 102. Therefore, the symbol image 101 displayed on the symbol variation line LC (and the symbol stop area TC) is better than the identification image 102 displayed on the identification variation lines L1 to L3 (and the identification stop areas T1 to T3). Has a great impact on the visual sense of.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display screen 28 of the image display device 8 has a horizontally long rectangular shape. Then, along the right side, which is the short side of the display screen 28, the identification variation lines L1 to L3 (and the identification stop areas T1 to T3) are provided side by side in the vertical direction. As a result, a large area where the symbol image 101 can be displayed on the display screen 28 (that is, the symbol fluctuation line LC and the symbol stop area TC) is secured, so that the symbol image 101 can be displayed in a larger size, and the symbol image 101 can be displayed. The effect of the effect is enhanced.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15, details of the sub-control board processing performed on the sub-control board 60 will be described. In the sub-control board processing, a process of controlling the effect by the image display device 8, various illumination lamps, the speaker 48, etc. is performed according to the command transmitted from the main board 41. In particular, in the sub-control board processing, the notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination is controlled. The sub-control board processing is executed by the CPU 61 according to the program stored in the ROM 63.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the sub-control board processing is started, the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 waits for the main board 41 to receive a special symbol variation pattern designation command, a special symbol stop command, or a jackpot game start command. (S101: NO, S103: NO, S106: NO, S101). When the special symbol variation pattern specification command is received (S101: YES), the variation pattern (designated variation pattern) specified by the received special symbol variation pattern specification command is stored in the RAM 62, and the notification effect control process described later is executed. (S102).

Next, it is determined whether or not a special symbol stop command has been received from the main board 41 (S103). When the special symbol stop command is received (S103: YES), the combination of demo symbols indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination is stopped and displayed (S105), and the notification effect ends.

Next, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game start command has been received from the main board 41 (S106). When the jackpot game start command is received (S106: YES), the production is controlled according to the jackpot game as the jackpot game is started on the main board 41 (S107). When the jackpot game is completed, the process returns to the judgment of S101.

The details of the notification effect control process (S102) will be described with reference to FIG. In the notification effect, based on the designated variation pattern stored in the RAM 62, along with the variation display of the D1 to D3 symbols described above, the sound output from the speaker 48, the light emission control of various lighting members, and the effect operation by a movable body (not shown). Etc. can be executed. In the following, in order to simplify the description, the description will be centered on the variation display of the D1 to D3 symbols on the display screen 28 when the designated variation pattern corresponds to the notification effect of the specific pattern.

In the notification effect control process (S102), the CPU 431 of the effect control board 43 causes the image display device 8 to display the symbol image 101 based on the symbol image data stored in the symbol image storage area of the CGROM 432. The CPU 431 causes the image display device 8 to display the identification image 102 based on the identification image data stored in the identification image storage area of the CGROM 432.

On the display screen 28, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 can be displayed in various display modes (for example, movement, rotation, operation, etc.). The sub-control board 60 and the effect control board 43 control the display mode of the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 based on the symbol image data and the identification image data. For example, the display control of the symbol image 101 based on the symbol image data and the display control of the identification image 102 based on the identification image data are independently executed by the image display device 8.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the notification effect control process is started, all the symbols (D1 to D3 symbols) are first changed (S111). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, on the display screen 28 (see FIG. 9) of the basic mode, the plurality of identification images 102 constituting the D1 to D3 symbols are respectively the identification variation lines L1 to L3. It is displayed in a variable manner so that it rotates at high speed in the left-right direction on the top. At the same time, the plurality of symbol images 101 common to the D1 to D3 symbols are variably displayed so as to move at high speed from the back side to the front side of the display screen 28 in an arcuate locus.

Next, it is determined whether or not the designated variation pattern stored in the RAM 62 includes a specific effect (S112). When the designated variation pattern does not include the specific effect (S112: NO), it is determined whether or not the designated variation pattern stored in the RAM 62 includes the reach effect (S114). When the designated variation pattern does not include the reach effect (S114: NO), the designated variation pattern is, in principle, a variation pattern corresponding to "off". In this case, on the display screen 28 of the basic aspect, the stop display of the D1 to D3 symbols is executed as follows.

First, the stop display of the D1 symbol is executed (S115). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12B, one of the identification images 102 being displayed in a variable manner on the identification variation line L1 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1. In synchronization with this, among the symbol images 101 that are variablely displayed on the symbol variable line LC, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 that is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. .. As a result, one effect symbol as the D1 symbol is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1 and the symbol stop area TC. At this time, the fluctuation display of the identification fluctuation lines L2 and L3 is still continued.

Next, after the symbol image 101 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop region TC for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), the fluctuation display of the symbol fluctuation line LC is restarted (S116). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12C, the symbol variation line LC is in a state where the symbol image 101 stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC is erased and the identification image 102 of the D1 symbol is stopped and displayed. Above, the variable display of the symbol image 101 is restarted.

Next, the stop display of the D2 symbol is executed (S117). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13A, one of the identification images 102 being displayed in a variable manner on the identification variation line L2 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T2. At the same time, among the symbol images 101 that are variablely displayed on the symbol variable line LC, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 that is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T2 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. .. As a result, one effect symbol as the D2 symbol is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T2 and the symbol stop area TC. At this time, the fluctuation display of the identification fluctuation line L3 is still continued.

Next, after the symbol image 101 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop region TC for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), the fluctuation display of the symbol fluctuation line LC is restarted (S118). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13B, the symbol image 101 stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC is erased, and the identification images 102 of the D1 and D2 symbols are stopped and displayed. The fluctuation display of the symbol image 101 is resumed on the fluctuation line LC.

Finally, the stop display of the D3 symbol is executed (S119). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13C, one of the identification images 102 being displayed in a variable manner on the identification variation line L3 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3. At the same time, among the symbol images 101 that are variablely displayed on the symbol variable line LC, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 that is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. .. As a result, one effect symbol as the D3 symbol is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3 and the symbol stop area TC. After the execution of S119, the process returns to the sub-control board process (see FIG. 10).

As described above, the D1 to D3 symbols stopped and displayed in the notification effect control process (S102) are in a temporary stop state until the special symbol stop command is received. When the special symbol stop command is received in the sub-control board processing (see FIG. 10) after the D1 to D3 symbols are stopped and displayed (S103: YES), the combination of the stopped symbols in the D1 to D3 symbols is confirmed (S105). ). The result of the jackpot determination is notified by the symbol combination of the D1 to D3 symbols that are confirmed and displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 13C, since the D1 to D3 symbols are not doublet combinations, "missing" is notified as a result of the jackpot determination. Then, the state in which the D1 to D3 symbols are stopped and displayed is maintained as described above until the next notification effect is executed. Therefore, the symbol image 101 of the D3 symbol (that is, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 of the D3 symbol) is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC until the next notification effect is executed.

On the other hand, when the designated variation pattern includes the specific effect (S112: YES), the specific effect is executed (S113). The specific effect is an effect that suggests that the expectation for a jackpot or reach effect is higher than usual, and has an effect content different from the basic mode. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the specific effect is executed, the display mode of the identification variation lines L1 to L3 is changed while the variation display of the identification variation lines L1 to L3 is continued. Moreover, the symbol fluctuation line LC is hidden. In the example shown in FIG. 14A, the identification variation lines L1 to L3 are displayed in a smaller size than in the basic mode, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction at the center of the upper part of the display screen 28. In each of the identification variation lines L1 to L3, the plurality of identification images 102 are variablely displayed so as to rotate at high speed in the vertical direction. Further, the effect image 103 peculiar to the specific effect is displayed on substantially the entire area except the upper portion of the display screen 28 to notify that the specific effect is being executed.

After the execution of S113, the above-mentioned S114 is executed. At this time, when the designated variation pattern does not include the reach effect (S114: NO), the display screen 28 of the basic mode is switched to, and the above-mentioned S115 to S119 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) are executed. On the other hand, when the designated variation pattern includes the reach effect (S114: YES), the following processing is executed.

First, after switching to the display screen 28 of the basic mode, the simultaneous stop display of the D1 and D2 symbols is executed (S120). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14B, among the identification images 102 that are variablely displayed on the identification variation lines L1 and L2, the same identification image 102 is stopped and displayed at the same time in the identification stop areas T1 and T2. .. In synchronization with this, among the symbol images 101 that are variablely displayed on the symbol variable line LC, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 that is stopped and displayed in the identification stop areas T1 and T2 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. Will be done. As a result, the effect symbols common to the D1 and D2 symbols are stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T1 and T2 and the symbol stop area TC.

As a result, a reach state occurs in which two of the three D1 to D3 symbols stop at the same effect symbol, so that the reach effect is started (S121). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14C, a message indicating that "reach" has occurred is first displayed on the display screen 28. After that, in the following reach effect, the variation display of the identification variation line L3 is continued, and the variation display of the symbol variation line LC is restarted (S122). The reach effect is an effect that suggests that the expectation for a big hit is high, and has an effect content different from the basic mode and the specific effect. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the reach effect is executed, the display mode of each identification image 102 of the D1 and D2 symbols stopped and displayed, the identification variation line L3, and the symbol variation line LC The display mode of is changed.

In the example shown in FIG. 15A, each identification image 102 of the D1 and D2 symbols stopped and displayed is displayed at the lower left and the lower right of the display screen 28, respectively. The identification variation line L3 and the symbol variation line LC are arranged at the center of the display screen 28. The identification image 102 displayed on the identification variation line L3 is enlarged and displayed more than the basic aspect. The symbol image 101 displayed on the symbol variation line LC is displayed behind the identification image 102 displayed on the identification variation line L3. Further, on the identification variation line L3, the plurality of identification images 102 are irregularly displayed so as to move at a low speed from the back side to the front side of the display screen 28 in a predetermined order. At the same time, in the symbol variation line LC, the plurality of symbol images 101 are switched and variablely displayed so that the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 displayed on the identification variation line L3 is displayed.

Finally, the stop display of the D3 symbol is executed in the reach effect (S123). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15B, one of the identification images 102 being displayed in a variable manner on the identification variation line L3 is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3. At the same time, among the symbol images 101 that are variablely displayed on the symbol variable line LC, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 that is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3 is stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC. .. As a result, one effect symbol as the D3 symbol is stopped and displayed in the identification stop area T3 and the symbol stop area TC. After the execution of S123, the process returns to the sub-control board process (see FIG. 10).

After that, when the special symbol stop command is received as described above (S103: YES), the combination of the stop symbols in the D1 to D3 symbols is determined (S105). The result of the jackpot determination is notified by the symbol combination of the D1 to D3 symbols that are confirmed and displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 15C, the identification images 102 of the D1 to D3 symbols are all confirmed and displayed with the same number "8", and the symbol image 101 common to all the D1 to D3 symbols is displayed. , "Big hit" is notified as a result of the big hit determination. In this case, the jackpot game is started on the main board 41, the jackpot game start command is received in the sub control board processing (see FIG. 10) (S106: YES), and the effect corresponding to the jackpot game is executed (S106: YES). S107).

When the D3 symbol is stopped and displayed in S123 with an effect symbol (symbol image 101 and identification image 102) different from the D1 and D2 symbols (that is, when it is notified that the result of the hit determination is out of order), It is possible to switch to the same basic mode as in FIG. 13 (C) described above. In this case, similarly to after the execution of S119, the state in which the D1 to D3 symbols are stopped and displayed is maintained until the next notification effect is executed.

By the way, as described above, the player of the pachinko machine 1 can grasp in advance the correspondence between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol by the notification effect of the standard pattern (see FIG. 8). Therefore, even if the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 are separately displayed and controlled in the above-mentioned notification effect of the specific pattern, the player of the pachinko machine 1 can recognize the correspondence between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102.

In addition to this, in the notification effect of the specific pattern, the corresponding mark 101A is attached to each symbol image 101 as described above (see FIG. 9 and the like). The correspondence mark 101A is an image that assists the player to more clearly grasp the correspondence relationship between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102. Therefore, the player can more accurately grasp the correspondence relationship between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 at the time of executing the notification effect based on the correspondence mark 101A. For example, when the above-mentioned D1 to D3 symbols are stopped and displayed, the identification image 102 stopped and displayed in the identification stop areas T1 to T3 is visually checked to see which effect symbol the symbol image 101 stopped and displayed in the symbol stop area TC corresponds to. It can be identified without doing it.

Further, on the display screen 28 of the basic aspect, the identification image 102 of the D1 to D3 symbols is displayed on the right side of the symbol image 101 of the D1 to D3 symbols. The corresponding mark 101A is provided at a position close to the identification image 102 (that is, the right side portion of the symbol image 101) in the symbol image 101. That is, since the correspondence mark 101A is displayed at a position closer to the identification image 102, the player can more accurately grasp the correspondence relationship between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 based on the correspondence mark 101A.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the image display device 8 capable of displaying a plurality of predetermined effect symbols and the sub-control for displaying and controlling the plurality of effect symbols on the image display device 8 It includes a substrate 60 (specifically, a CPU 61). Each of the plurality of effect symbols includes a symbol image 101, which is an image showing a symbol unique to the effect symbol, and an identification image 102, which is an image for identifying the effect symbol. In the image display device 8, the symbol fluctuation line LC in which a plurality of symbol images 101 included in the plurality of effect symbols are uniformly and variablely displayed, and the plurality of identification images 102 included in the plurality of effect symbols are variablely displayed. A plurality of identification variation lines L1 to L3 are included.

The sub-control board 60 variablely displays a plurality of identification images 102 on each of the plurality of identification variation lines L1 to L3 according to the result of the game, and then displays the identification images 102 on each of the plurality of identification variation lines L1 to L3. Executes a notification effect to stop and display. The sub-control board 60 variably displays a plurality of symbol images 101 on the symbol variation line LC in the notification effect, and synchronizes with the stop display of the identification image 102 on any of the plurality of identification variation lines L1 to L3. Then, the symbol image 101 corresponding to the identification image 102 is stopped and displayed on the symbol fluctuation line LC (S102).

According to this, at the time of the effect notification, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each effect symbol are displayed in a variable manner independently of each other. Therefore, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 can be independently displayed and controlled (for example, enlargement / reduction, change, operation, etc. of the image) in the changing effect symbol. Therefore, the display mode of the changing effect symbol can be changed more freely.

For example, when the effect symbol is enlarged and displayed at the time of the effect notification, it is not necessary to enlarge and display the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 as one, and only the symbol image 101 can be enlarged and displayed. Further, when the display mode of the effect symbol that performs a predetermined effect operation is dynamically changed, it is not necessary to dynamically change the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 as a unit, and only the symbol image 101 can be dynamically changed. .. In this way, since only a part of the effect symbol (for example, the symbol image 101) can be independently displayed and controlled, the processing load for changing the display mode of the effect symbol is compared with the case where the entire effect symbol is displayed and controlled. Can be suppressed, and the display mode of the effect symbol can be changed more quickly.

By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, the effect symbol including the symbol image is displayed and controlled by a plurality of variable lines. Since the symbol image is an image for production that is easy for the player to see, it is displayed in a size larger than the identification image. In the conventional gaming machine, since the symbol image is displayed on each of a plurality of variable lines, the size of each symbol image is restricted due to the screen size, and there is a possibility that the effect of the symbol image is weakened. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of symbol images 101 are displayed and controlled by only one symbol fluctuation line LC, the restriction on the size of the symbol image 101 is small. Therefore, the symbol image 101 can be displayed in a larger size, and the effect of the symbol image 101 can be improved.

Further, in the conventional gaming machine, since the effect symbol integrally includes the symbol image and the identification image, the symbol image and the identification image are displayed and controlled by the same fluctuation line. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 are displayed and controlled by different fluctuation lines. Since the effect of the effect can be enhanced by such a new effect notification that has never existed before, the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, in the conventional gaming machine, in order to visually check the symbol image at the time of the notification effect, the player has to visually recognize all the plurality of variable lines in which the effect symbol is variablely displayed. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the player only needs to visually check one symbol fluctuation line LC in order to visually recognize the symbol image 101 at the time of the notification effect. Therefore, since it is easy for the player to visually grasp the fluctuation and the stop of the symbol image 101, the interest of the game can be improved.

Further, when the sub-control board 60 stops and displays the symbol image 101 on the symbol variation line LC, when the variation display of the plurality of identification images 102 is continued on any of the plurality of identification variation lines L1 to L3, The symbol image 101 stopped and displayed on the symbol variation line LC is erased, and the variation display of the plurality of symbol images 101 is continued on the symbol variation line LC (S116, S118, S122).

According to this, the symbol image 101 is sequentially stopped and displayed on the symbol variation line LC in synchronization with the identification image 102 being sequentially stopped and displayed on each of the identification variation lines L1 to L3. Further, when any of the D1 to D3 symbols is changing, the stopped display symbol image 101 is erased, and the change display is executed again on the symbol change line LC. Therefore, the symbol variation line LC can stop and display the three symbol images 101 corresponding to the D1 to D3 symbols in one place in sequence without the need to separately provide a region for stopping and displaying the three symbol images 101. The player can grasp the result of the game based on the combination of the symbol images 101 which are sequentially stopped and displayed by only visually observing the symbol fluctuation line LC.

Each of the plurality of symbol images 101 includes a correspondence mark 101A which is an image showing a correspondence relationship with the corresponding identification image 102. According to this, as described above, the player can accurately grasp the correspondence relationship between the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 at the time of the notification effect based on the correspondence mark 101A.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 corresponds to the "game machine" of the present invention. The image display device 8 corresponds to the "image display means" of the present invention. The sub-control board 60 (specifically, CPU 61) corresponds to the "display control means" of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko machines but also to slot machines, pachicom machines, arrange ball machines and the like. The number of special symbols is not limited, and for example, one special symbol may be used.

In the above embodiment, the case where the notification effect is performed by the three demo symbols (D1 to D3 symbols) is illustrated, but the number of demo symbols used in the notification effect is not limited to this. That is, the plurality of identification variation lines is not limited to three (identification variation lines L1 to L3), and may be two or four or more. The plurality of effect symbols constituting the D1 to D3 symbols are not limited to eight types, and may be two or more types. The arrangement of the plurality of identification fluctuation lines L1 to L3, the display mode of the fluctuation and stop of each symbol image 101, the arrangement of the symbol fluctuation line LC, the display mode of the fluctuation and stop of each identification image 102, etc. are also the game specifications of the pachinko machine 1. It may be designed according to the above.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the display screen 28 has a horizontally long rectangular shape is illustrated (see FIGS. 8, 9, etc.), but the display screen 28 may have another shape. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the display screen 28 has a vertically long rectangular shape. Then, along the right side which is the long side of the display screen 28, the identification variation lines L1 to L3 (and the identification stop areas T1 to T3) are provided side by side in the vertical direction. In this case, the area on which the identification images 102 of the D1 to D3 symbols can be displayed on the display screen 28 (that is, the identification variation lines L1 to L3 and the identification stop areas T1 to T3) is larger than the horizontally long screen example shown in FIG. Large and easy to secure.

All elements described in claims, specifications and drawings (eg, display means, movable means, corresponding images, etc.) are physically single unless explicitly stated to consciously limit the number. The number may be plural, and the arrangement may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the names (element names) given to the elements are merely given for convenience in the description of the present case, and are not particularly conscious of the fact that they have a special meaning. Therefore, the element name alone does not limit the interpretation of what the element is. For example, the "display means" may be a single hardware or a software. Furthermore, whether a plurality of elements among all the above elements are appropriately integrally configured or one element is divided into a plurality of elements can be easily considered by those skilled in the art. Therefore, since it is clear that all patterns are within the assumed range even if all the patterns are not described in the specification, etc., it is stated that they are clearly excluded in the claims, etc. It goes without saying that all of them are included in the scope of rights according to the present invention unless otherwise stated. Therefore, simply adopting a structural difference within that range in a gaming machine because it is not described in the present embodiment does not mean that the right according to the present invention has been circumvented. .. The same applies to differences in the configuration and shape of each element, which can be easily considered by those skilled in the art from this embodiment.

1 Pachinko machine 8 Image display device 60 Sub-control board 101 Symbol image 101A Corresponding mark 102 Identification image L1 to L3 Identification fluctuation line LC Symbol fluctuation line

Claims (2)

An image display means capable of displaying a plurality of predetermined production patterns, and
The image display means includes a display control means for displaying and controlling the plurality of effect symbols.
Each of the plurality of effect symbols includes a symbol image which is an image showing a symbol unique to the effect symbol and an identification image which is an image for identifying the effect symbol.
The image display means
A symbol fluctuation line in which a plurality of the symbol images included in the plurality of effect symbols are displayed in a common manner and a symbol fluctuation line.
The plurality of identification images included in the plurality of effect symbols include a plurality of identification variation lines that are variablely displayed.
The display control means
After the plurality of identification images are variablely displayed on each of the plurality of identification variable lines according to the result of the game, a notification effect is executed in which the identification images are stopped and displayed on each of the plurality of identification variable lines.
In the notification effect, the plurality of symbol images are variedly displayed on the symbol variation line, and the identification image is stopped and displayed on any of the plurality of identification variation lines, and the identification image is supported. The symbol image to be displayed is stopped and displayed at the symbol fluctuation line .
When the symbol image is stopped and displayed on the symbol fluctuation line, if the fluctuation display of the plurality of identification images is continued on any of the plurality of identification fluctuation lines, the symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol fluctuation line. to erase an image, a game machine, wherein you continue a variable display of the symbol images in the symbol change line. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of symbol images includes a correspondence mark which is an image showing a correspondence relationship with the corresponding identification image.

Images