JP7205849B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game machine (pachinko machine) in which games are played by shooting game balls toward a game area formed on a game board.

In a game machine in which a game is played by shooting a game ball toward a game area formed on a game board, identification information is generated based on the game ball being detected by a predetermined detecting means (for example, a start sensor). (For example, a special symbol) is displayed in a stopped manner after being variably displayed. Then, when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific manner, a specific game (for example, a jackpot game) advantageous to the player is executed.

Such a game machine is generally provided with an effect display unit composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. It is possible to execute a suggestive effect (for example, reach effect, etc.). Then, by performing various effects in the effect display section, the expectation of the player for the stop display in the specific mode of the identification information is heightened (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-97966 A

However, since it has already become commonplace to perform various effects on the effect display unit in accordance with the variable display of the identification information, no matter how elaborate the effects are performed on the effect display unit, it will not be enough to make the game interesting. The problem was that it could no longer be raised sufficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine capable of executing an effect that further enhances the interest in a game, in addition to the effect performed by the effect display section.

In order to solve at least part of the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. i.e.
In a gaming machine in which a game is played by shooting game balls toward a game area formed on a game board,
identification information display means for variably displaying identification information and then stopping the display based on the detection of the game ball by the predetermined detection means;
specific game executing means for executing a specific game advantageous to the player when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific mode;
an effect display unit capable of displaying a suggestive effect suggesting the possibility that the identification information will be stopped and displayed in the specific mode in accordance with the variable display of the identification information;
an information display unit provided separately from the effect display unit for displaying game information, which is numerical values relating to the history of games performed in the gaming machine;
and an input detection means capable of detecting an input by a player,
Based on the fact that the input detection means detects the input after the start of the variable display of the identification information, the information display unit temporarily erases the game information being displayed, and after a predetermined blank period , displays the game information. It is possible to switch the display to useful information that contributes to the player by changing the display for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the display is returned to the game information.
It is characterized by

According to the present invention, in addition to the effect performed by the effect display section, it is possible to execute the effect that further enhances the interest in the game.

1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. FIG. It is an explanatory view showing the board surface configuration of the game board 20 of the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged segment display portion 50; FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one aspect of a symbol variation effect in the effect display device 41; It is a flow chart showing a rough flow of game control processing performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as control relating to the progress of the game. 4 is a flow chart showing special operation processing of the embodiment. It is an explanatory view conceptually showing a big hit determination table of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a variation pattern determination table; It is the flowchart which showed the fluctuation production|presentation process which CPU221 of the sub control board|substrate 220 performs. 4 is a flow chart showing display unit effect processing of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how the display of the display unit 45 is switched according to the operation of the direction button 10c by the player;

In order to clarify the content of the present invention described above, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine (game machine) of the type called "seven machine" or "digi-pachi" will be described. In the embodiment, "front" and "front" indicate "front with respect to the gaming machine", that is, "direction approaching the player (front side as viewed from the player)", and "back" and "front". "Back" indicates "rear side with respect to the gaming machine", that is, "direction away from the player (back side as seen from the player)". "Upper" means "upper" as seen from the player, "lower" means "lower" as seen from the player, and "left" as seen from the player. It indicates "left", and "right" indicates "right" as seen from the player.

A. Equipment configuration of pachinko machine:
A-1. Configuration of the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 is provided on the front face of the pachinko machine 1. As shown in FIG. One end (left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame 4 is rotatably supported with respect to the middle frame 3 . A game board 20 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (opened) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame 3, , the game board 20 is exposed. One end (left side in FIG. 1) of the middle frame 3 is rotatably supported with respect to the body frame 2 . The body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate members, and forms an outer frame of the pachinko machine 1 .

A window portion 4a is formed in a substantially central portion of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate is fitted in the window portion 4a. The player can visually recognize a later-described game area of the game board 20 arranged on the far side through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b). A small window portion 4c is formed in the lower right portion of the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted in the small window portion 4c. A player can visually recognize a segment display portion, which will be described later, of the game board 20 arranged on the far side through the small window portion 4c (transparent plate 4d).

An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right peripheral portion of the window portion 4a, and a left side lamp 5c is provided on the left peripheral portion of the window portion 4a. is provided. A pair of upper speakers 6a are provided on the upper left and right sides of the window portion 4a, and a lower speaker 6b is provided on the lower front side of the body frame 2. As shown in FIG. These upper lamp 5a, right side lamp 5b, left side lamp 5c, upper speaker 6a, and lower speaker 6b are driven in order to enhance the effect of the game.

An upper plate portion 7 is provided below the window portion 4a in the front frame 4. As shown in FIG. In the upper plate portion 7, game balls lent out via a card unit 242 (see FIG. 3) and game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 are stored. In addition, a lower plate portion 8 is provided below the upper plate portion 7, and a game ball lent out exceeding the capacity of the upper plate portion 7 and a game ball paid out exceeding the capacity of the upper plate portion 7 are used. A ball is stored.

A firing handle 9 that can be rotated by the player is provided on the right side of the lower plate portion 8 in the front frame 4 . A rotation shaft of the firing handle 9 is connected to a firing device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the far side of the firing handle 9 . Game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 are supplied to the launcher unit 261 . When the player rotates the firing handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the firing device unit 261, the firing motor built in the firing device unit 261 operates, and the game is played with strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9. A ball is launched.

A performance button 10a that can be pressed by the player is provided on the edge of the front side of the upper plate portion 7, and the left side of the lower plate portion 8 can be pressed and rotated by the player. A jog shuttle 10b is provided. Furthermore, a direction button 10c that can be pressed by the player is provided to the left of the effect button 10a. The direction button 10c consists of four buttons (up button, down button, left button, right button). These effect buttons 10a, jog shuttle 10b, and direction buttons 10c are effect operation units operated by the player, and when the player operates them when a predetermined condition is established, a predetermined game effect is performed. . The direction button 10c of this embodiment corresponds to the "input detection means" of the present invention.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the board configuration of the game board 20. As shown in FIG. As described above, the game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3 . As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed in the center of the game board 20 . A game ball shot from the shooting device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) passes between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23, is released to the game area 21, and flows down the game area 21 from above. Since the game area 21 is visible to the player through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b) of the front frame 4, the game ball flowing down the game area 21 can be visually recognized by the player through the window portion 4a as a matter of course. be.

A central device 40 is provided approximately in the center of the game area 21 , and an effect display device 41 is provided approximately in the center of the central device 40 . The production display device 41 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and can display various images for production on its display screen. Incidentally, the effect display device 41 of the present embodiment corresponds to the "effect display section" of the present invention. The display contents of the effect display device 41 will be described later using another drawing.

A normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41 ) in the game area 21 . When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 27, it is detected by the built-in gate sensor 27s (see FIG. 3) and flows downward.

Below the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21, a first start port 24 is provided. The first starting port 24 has an unchanging (constant) entry possibility of a game ball, and a game ball can be entered at all times. A game ball entered into the first starting hole 24 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage and detected by the first starting hole sensor 24s (see FIG. 3).

Below the first starting hole 24 in the game area 21, there is provided a second starting hole 25 in which the possibility of entering the game ball changes. The second starting port 25 of this embodiment has an opening/closing door 26 that can rotate with its upper end tilted forward about the lower end side. Or it is possible to change to a closed state in which it is difficult to enter (or difficult to enter) and an open state in which the opening/closing door 26 rotates forward and a game ball can enter (or is easy to enter). FIG. 2 shows a state in which the second starting port 25 is in an open state. A game ball entering the second starting hole 25 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage and detected by the second starting hole sensor 25s (see FIG. 3).

On the right side of the first starting hole 24 in the game area 21, there is provided a big prize winning hole 28 that opens forward in a substantially rectangular shape. The large winning opening 28 is provided with an opening/closing door 29 that can rotate with the upper end side tilted forward about the lower end side. The door 29 can be rotated forward to change to an open state in which a game ball can enter. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the big winning opening 28 is in an open state. A game ball entering the big winning hole 28 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the path and detected by the big winning hole sensor 28s (see FIG. 3).

Also, in the vicinity of each of the above-described gaming devices, there are provided other prize winning openings 30 into which game balls can enter, windmill-shaped wheels 31 that affect the path along which game balls flow, and numerous game pegs 32. there is A game ball entered into the other prize winning opening 30 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the path and detected by the other winning opening sensor 30s (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, at the bottom of the game area 21 and below the second start port 25, an out port 33 is provided, and the above-described first start port 24, second start port 25, big winning port 28, and other A game ball that does not enter any of the winning openings 30 is discharged from the out opening 33 to the back side of the game board 20.例文帳に追加

In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, game balls flowing down the area on the left side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) enter the above-described first starting port 24 due to the arrangement of the plurality of game nails 32 and the like. ball is possible. On the other hand, game balls flowing down the area on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) can pass through or enter the normal symbol operation gate 27, the second starting port 25, and the big prize winning port 28. be. Below, shooting a game ball so as to flow down the area on the left side of the central device 40 is also expressed as "left hitting", and shooting a game ball so as to flow down the area on the right side of the central device 40 is also referred to as "right-handed". In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game ball enters any one of the first start hole 24, the second start hole 25, and the winning hole 30, three game balls are paid out as prize balls. When a game ball enters the big winning hole 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

A display unit 45 composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs is provided below the big winning opening 28 in the game area 21 . In the display unit 45 of this embodiment, it is possible to display up to six alphanumeric characters and symbols by means of six 7-segment LEDs arranged in a row, and numerical data relating to games played on the pachinko machine 1 can be displayed as described later. It is designed to display. The display unit 45 of this embodiment corresponds to the "information display section" of the present invention.

Furthermore, a segment display section 50 is provided at the lower right side of the game area 21 on the game board 20 to display information related to the game by combining a plurality of LEDs. The segment display portion 50 can be visually recognized by the player through a small window portion 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. FIG. Note that the display contents of the segment display section 50 will be described later using another drawing.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. As illustrated, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of many control boards and various boards. Focusing on the functions, it can be roughly divided into a main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, a sub-control board 220 that controls the performance of the game, and an image under the control of the sub-control board 220. An image/audio control board 230 that controls display and sound output, a lamp control board 226 that controls lamp light emission under the control of the sub-control board 220, and a game ball rental and payout control. It is composed of a payout control board 240 and a launch control board 260 that controls the launch of game balls. These control boards include CPUs (CPUs 201, 221, 231, etc. in FIG. 3) that execute various logic operations and calculation operations, and ROMs (ROMs 202, 222 in FIG. 3) that store various programs and data executed by the CPUs. , 232, etc.), a RAM (RAMs 203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU temporarily stores data during program execution, input/output circuits, etc. It is

The main control board 200 includes a first starting hole sensor 24s that detects a game ball entering the first starting hole 24, a second starting hole sensor 25s that detects a game ball entering the second starting hole 25, A large winning opening sensor 28s for detecting a game ball entering the large winning opening 28, a gate sensor 27s for detecting a gaming ball passing through the normal symbol operation gate 27, and others for detecting a gaming ball entering the winning opening 30. A winning opening sensor 30s and the like are connected. When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the first starting sensor 24s, the second starting sensor 25s, the big winning sensor 28s, the gate sensor 27s, and the other winning sensor 30s. , and transmits a command corresponding to the sensor that has received the input of the detection signal to the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, and the like. The first starting opening sensor 24s and the second starting opening sensor 25s of this embodiment correspond to the "detection means" of the present invention.

The main control board 200 also includes a starter solenoid 26m for driving the open/close door 26 capable of switching between the open state and the closed state of the second starter port 25, and a starter solenoid 26m for switching between the open state and the closed state of the big prize winning port 28. A large winning opening solenoid 29m for driving the open/close door 29, a segment display section 50, and the like are connected. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits drive signals to the starting solenoid 26m, the big win solenoid 29m, and the segment display section 50, thereby controlling these operations.

The sub-control board 220 is connected to an image/audio control board 230, a lamp control board 226, an effect operation board 228, and the like. When receiving various commands from the main control board 200, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 analyzes the contents of the commands and performs game effects according to the contents. That is, to the image/audio control board 230, a command specifying a display image and an output sound is transmitted, and to the lamp control board 226, the upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, and the left side lamp 5c (hereinafter referred to as "various A game effect is performed by transmitting a command designating the light emission pattern of the lamps 5a to 5c. In addition, a display unit 45 in which six 7-segment LEDs are arranged is connected to the sub-control board 220, and the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 transmits a drive signal to the display unit 45 so that the display unit 45 display control. Furthermore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 controls the player's operation of the effect buttons 10a, the jog shuttle 10b, and the direction buttons 10c (hereinafter also referred to as "effect operation units 10a, 10b, and 10c") via the effect operation board 228. When detected, a game effect corresponding to the operation is performed.

The image/audio control board 230 includes a VDP 234 , an image ROM 235 and an audio ROM 236 in addition to a CPU 231 , a ROM 232 and a RAM 233 . Upon receiving a command from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 of the image/audio control board 230 instructs the VDP 234 to display an image corresponding to the command. The VDP 234 reads out image data (for example, sprite data, moving image data, etc.) used for displaying the instructed image from the image ROM 235 to generate an image and outputs it to the display screen of the effect display device 41 . When the CPU 231 of the image/audio control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 reads the voice data corresponding to the command from the voice ROM 236, and transmits the signal of the voice data to the amplifier board 224. Audio is output from the upper speaker 6a and the lower speaker 6b (hereinafter also referred to as "various speakers 6a and 6b").

The payout control board 240 is connected to a ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper tray 7, a card unit 242 provided in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, the detection signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240 . The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 while communicating data with the payout control board 240 to lend the game balls. Further, when the payout control board 240 receives a payout command instructing the payout of game balls from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 drives the payout motor 243 to pay out the game balls.

A firing control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240 , and a firing device unit 261 is connected to the firing control board 260 . The shooting device unit 261 has a shooting motor 262 for shooting game balls, a touch switch 263 for detecting that the player is touching the shooting handle 9, and the like. When the touch switch 263 detects that the player is touching the shooting handle 9, the shooting motor 262 is activated, and the game ball is shot with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the shooting handle 9.例文帳に追加

B. Game overview:
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game progresses as follows. When the player rotates the shooting handle 9 while the game balls are stored in the upper plate portion 7, the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 are supplied one by one to the shooting device unit 261, and as shown in FIG. It is shot toward the game area 21 described above. Since the strength with which the game ball is shot corresponds to the rotation angle of the shooting handle 9, the player can change the rotation angle of the shooting handle 9 to cause the game ball to flow down to the area desired by the player. For example, a game ball is shot so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) (left hitting), or a game ball flows down the right area of the central device 40 can be fired (or hit right).

As described above with reference to FIG. 2 , a game ball struck left can enter the first starting hole 24 . When the game ball enters the first starting port 24 and is detected by the first starting port sensor 24s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a big hit judgment random number) is acquired, and whether it is a big hit or not based on the value of the judgment random number. After performing a big hit determination to determine whether or not it is out, a variable display of the first special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as "first special symbol") is performed in the segment display section 50. FIG. Also, a right-handed game ball can enter the second starting port 25 . When the game ball enters the second starting hole 25 and is detected by the second starting hole sensor 25s, the judgment random number is acquired and the big hit is judged, and then the segment display part 50 displays the second special symbol. (hereinafter also referred to as "second special figure") is displayed. In addition, below, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the first special symbol and the second special symbol, it may simply be referred to as a "special symbol".

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged segment display section 50. As shown in FIG. As described above, the segment display portion 50 can be visually recognized by the player through the small window portion 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. FIG. As illustrated, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a first special figure display unit 51 that displays the first special figure and a second special figure display unit 52 that displays the second special figure. It consists of 9 LEDs. The first special figure and the second special figure are variably displayed by blinking nine LEDs (switching the LEDs to be lit) on the corresponding display units 51 and 52, and with a predetermined combination of LEDs lit Stop is displayed. At this time, if the result of the big hit determination is a big win, the LEDs of the combination corresponding to the big win pattern are lit up, and if the result is a loss, the LEDs of the combination corresponding to the winning pattern are lit up. Incidentally, the first special figure and the second special figure of the present embodiment correspond to the "identification information" of the present invention, and the first special figure display section 51 and the second special figure display section 52 of the present embodiment are , corresponds to the "identification information display means" of the present invention. Also, the jackpot pattern of the present embodiment corresponds to the "specific mode" of the present invention.

In addition, even if the game ball enters the first start port 24 or the second start port 25, the condition for starting a new variable display is not satisfied during the variable display of the first special figure or the second special figure. In the case, the value of the judgment random number obtained by entering the first starting port 24 is stored as the first special figure reservation, and the value of the judgment random number obtained by entering the second starting port 25 is stored as the second special Store as figure pending. After that, when the condition for starting a new variable display of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) is satisfied, the big hit determination is performed based on the first special symbol reservation or the second special symbol reservation, and the corresponding special symbol The variable display of the pattern is performed. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, each of such first special figure suspension and second special figure suspension can be stored up to four.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 includes a first special figure reservation display unit 53 that displays the number of stored first special figure reservations (first special figure reservation number), and a second special figure reservation storage A second special figure reservation display unit 54 for displaying the number (second special figure reservation number) is provided, and each consists of two LEDs. In these pending display units 53 and 54, if the pending number is 0, both LEDs are turned off, if the pending number is 1, one LED is lit, and if the pending number is 2, Two LEDs light up, one LED blinks if the number of reservations is three, and two LEDs blink if the number of reservations is four.

When the first special symbol or the second special symbol is stop-displayed as a big win symbol, a big win game is executed in which the big winning opening 28 is opened. In the jackpot game, a round game is performed multiple times (for example, 15 times) is repeated. As described above, when game balls enter the big winning hole 28, 13 game balls are paid out as prize balls, so that the player can win a large amount of prize balls through the big win game. Incidentally, the jackpot game of the present embodiment corresponds to the "specific game" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display section 50 is provided with a right-handed display section 59 composed of two LEDs. As described above, a right-handed game ball can be entered into the big winning opening 28, and since right-handed hitting is advantageous for the player during the jackpot game, the right-handed hitting display section 59 displays two balls. Lighting the LED urges the player to hit to the right.

Further, as described above, the normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41), and the game ball struck to the right can pass through the normal symbol operation gate 27. . When the game ball passing through the normal pattern operation gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a normal pattern hit judgment random number) is acquired, and whether it is a normal pattern hit or not based on the value of the judgment random number. After the normal pattern hit determination is performed, the segment display unit 50 performs normal symbol variation display.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display section 50 is provided with a normal figure display section 56 composed of two left and right LEDs. The normal symbol is variably displayed by blinking two LEDs (switching the LED to be lit) in the normal symbol display unit 56, and is stopped while one LED is lit. At this time, if the result of the normal pattern hit determination is a normal pattern hit, the LED on the left side corresponding to the normal pattern hit pattern is lit, and if it is a loss, the right LED corresponding to the lost pattern is lit. Then, when the normal pattern is stopped and displayed in the normal pattern per pattern, the normal pattern per game is performed in which the second start port 25 is opened and then closed, so that the game ball is inserted into the second start port 25.例文帳に追加is likely to enter the ball (that is, the possibility that the second special figure will be displayed in a variable manner) is increased.

In addition, even if the game ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 27, if the conditions for starting a new variable display are not satisfied during the variable display of the normal symbol, the value of the acquired determination random number is reserved for the normal symbol. It is possible to store up to four items as After that, when the condition for starting a new variable display of normal symbols is satisfied, normal pattern hit determination and variable display of normal symbols are performed based on the normal pattern reservation. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a normal pattern hold display unit 57 composed of two LEDs. It is displayed on the display unit 57 .

The opening time of the second starting port 25 in the game per normal pattern differs depending on whether it is "electrical support state" or "non-electrical support state". In the electric support state, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer than in the non-electric support state. In addition, in the electric sapo state, the probability that the result of the normal pattern hit determination is a normal pattern hit is higher than in the non-electric support state (normal pattern hit probability), and the fluctuation time of the normal pattern is set short. Therefore, in the electric support state, the possibility that the game ball enters the second starting port 25 (that is, the possibility that the second special figure is displayed in a variable manner) increases compared to the non-electric support state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot symbols are provided, and they are roughly divided into "normal winning symbols" and "variable winning symbols", and special symbols (first special symbol or second special symbol) Even when the stop display is made in any of the jackpot symbols, the electric support state is set after the jackpot game ends. In the case of the normal winning pattern, the probability that the result of the jackpot determination will be a big win (jackpot probability) is set to a predetermined normal probability (low probability) after the end of the jackpot game, and the number of times the special pattern changes is a predetermined number. When it reaches (for example, 100 times), it is set to the non-electric support state. On the other hand, in the case of the probability variable winning pattern, the big winning probability is set to a high probability higher than the normal probability after the big winning game ends, and is continued until the next big winning game together with the electric support state. Below, the state in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability may be referred to as "probability variable state". In addition, in the electric sapo state, the fluctuation time of the special symbols (first special figure and second special figure) is set shorter than in the non-electric sapo state, so it is in the electric sapo state and the jackpot probability is normal probability The state set to may be referred to as a "time saving state".

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with an electric support display unit 58 composed of three LEDs. Indicates that the state is in progress. In addition, as described above, in the electric sapo state, the possibility of the game ball entering the second starting port 25 is higher than in the non-electric sapo state, and during the electric sapo state, it is advantageous for the player to hit right. Then, like during the jackpot game, the two LEDs of the right-handed display section 59 are turned on to urge the player to hit right.

In addition, in conjunction with the variable display of the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) described above, the effect display device 41 displays various images for effect (hereinafter also referred to as “symbol variation effect”). ) is performed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying one aspect of the symbol variation effect in the effect display device 41. As shown in FIG. On the display screen of the effect display device 41, three identification patterns 41a, 41b, 41c as effect patterns and a background image 41d as a background thereof can be displayed. When the variable display of the special symbols is started in the first special symbol display portion 51 or the second special symbol display portion 52 of the segment display portion 50, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are also displayed in the effect display device 41 with a plurality of numbers. (For example, 9 numbers from "1" to "9") are switched one after another and displayed variably. In addition, the identification pattern may be a design pattern such as letters, figures, symbols, etc., other than numbers, and it may be in a form that allows the player to identify the type.

FIG. 5(a) conceptually shows how the three identification patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are simultaneously variably displayed. When a predetermined time elapses after the start of the variable display, the left identification pattern 41a is first stopped and displayed as one of "1" to "9", then the right identification pattern 41c is stopped and finally displayed in the middle. The identification pattern 41b is stopped and displayed. The three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stop-displayed with a combination (separate eyes) of the same number when the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) is stopped and displayed as a missing symbol. On the other hand, when the special symbol is a big hit symbol and is stopped and displayed, a combination of the same numbers (coordinates) is stopped and displayed. In particular, when the special symbols are stop-displayed as odd winning symbols which are more advantageous for the player than the normal winning symbols, the identification symbols 41a, 41b and 41c are stop-displayed with the same odd number.

By making the display contents of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c on the effect display device 41 correspond to the display contents of the special symbols, two of the three identification symbols are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 5(b). If the numbers are the same when the number is the same, the player will pay attention to the variable display of the identification symbols (symbol variation performance), assuming that the identification symbols that are stopped and displayed at the end will also have the same numbers. In this way, the production performed while the last identification pattern is variably displayed in a state in which the two identification patterns are stopped and displayed as the same pattern is called "ready-to-win production". can be increased. Such a ready-to-reach effect is provided with a normal ready-to-reach effect (normal reach effect) and a reach effect (super reach effect) that lasts longer than the normal reach effect. , 41c are stopped at the second number (the degree of expectation for a big win).

In addition, at the bottom of the display screen of the effect display device 41, there are a first reservation display area 41e for indicating the first special figure reservation number and a second reservation display area 41f for indicating the second special figure reservation number. is set. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the same number of reserved symbols (circles in the drawing) as the first special figure reserved number are displayed in the first reserved display area 41e, and the same number of reserved symbols as the second special figure reserved number are displayed. It is displayed in the second reservation display area 41f. The example of FIG. 5 indicates that both the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are four. Of course, the number of reservations shown on the effect display device 41 matches the number of reservations shown in the first special figure reservation display section 53 and the second special figure reservation display section 54 of the segment display section 50 .

In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of times of variable display of special symbols performed in the normal state where the game state is neither the probability variable state nor the time saving state (hereinafter referred to as the number of times of normal fluctuation) is counted. During the normal state, the display unit 45 displays the number of normal fluctuations. This normal time fluctuation frequency is reset when a big hit game occurs. Furthermore, when the jackpot game continues due to the continuation of the variable state, the cumulative number of game balls paid out as prize balls during the consecutive game (hereinafter, the number of consecutive game prize balls) is counted. During the jackpot game or during the variable probability state, the display unit 45 displays the number of consecutive prize balls. It should be noted that the normal fluctuation count and the number of consecutive winning balls in this embodiment correspond to the "game information" of the present invention.

C. Control contents of the pachinko machine of this embodiment:
C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as control relating to the progress of the game. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 executes the game control process of FIG. 6 based on the timer interrupt that occurs at a predetermined period (for example, every 4 msec). In the following description, description of well-known processing such as initialization processing of the CPU 201, interrupt prohibition processing, and interrupt enable processing will be omitted.

When the game control process is started, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first performs an output process (S10). In the main control board 200 of this embodiment, various commands to be sent to various control boards including the sub-control board 220 are temporarily stored in an output buffer secured in the RAM 203 in each process described later. In the output process (S10), various commands stored in the output buffer are transmitted to various control boards. By doing so, for example, the sub-control board 220 controls an effect in accordance with the progress of the game, and the payout control board 240 pays out game balls.

After the output process (S10), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs the input process (S20). As described above, when a game ball enters any one of the first starting hole 24, the second starting hole 25, the big winning hole 28, and the other winning hole 30, the game ball is paid out as a prize ball. . Therefore, in the input process (S20), various sensors (first starting hole sensor 24s, second starting hole sensor 25s, big winning hole sensor 28s, other winning hole sensor 30s, etc.) that detect entering balls detect game balls. determine whether it did. Then, when the game ball is detected, a payout command for instructing the payout of the game ball is stored in the output buffer described above. The payout command thus stored in the output buffer is transmitted to the payout control board 240 in the next output process (S10). Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the payout command is also transmitted to the sub-control board 220 . The sub-control board 220 can count the above-mentioned number of consecutive game prize balls based on the received payout command. display.

After completing the input process (S20), next, a random number update process (S30) is performed. As described above, the general pattern hit determination and the special symbol jackpot determination are performed based on a predetermined determination random number value. In addition to this, various decisions to be described later are made based on the value of the dedicated random number. These random numbers are updated in the random number update process (S30). In addition, the update of the random number is not only in the random number update process (S30) in the game control process, but also from the time the game control process is once finished until the next game control process is started (timer interrupt occurs). It may be done in between. Alternatively, a dedicated circuit for updating the random number may be provided, and the random number may be updated by this dedicated circuit.

After completing the random number update process (S30), the gate sensor detection process (S40) is performed. In the gate sensor detection process (S40), when the game ball is detected by the gate sensor 27s, it is determined whether or not the number of general pattern reservations has reached the upper limit ("4" in this embodiment). , Acquires the determination random number per normal pattern, etc., and stores the obtained random value in the RAM 203 as a normal pattern hold.

Following the gate sensor detection process (S40), the starting door sensor detection process (S50) is performed. In the starting opening sensor detection process (S50), when the game ball is detected by the first starting opening sensor 24s, it is determined whether or not the number of first special figure reservations has reached the upper limit ("4" in this embodiment). If not reached, a predetermined determination random number is acquired, and the acquired random number is stored in the RAM 203 as the first special figure reservation. Also, when the game ball is detected by the second starting opening sensor 25s, it is determined whether the number of second special figure reservations has reached the upper limit ("4" in this embodiment). Acquire the determination random number, and store the acquired random value in the RAM 203 as the second special figure reservation. Here, as the judgment random number, the big hit judgment random number for judging the big hit, the symbol determination random number for deciding the type of the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed with the special symbol in the case of the big hit, and the start of the variable display of the special symbol. Acquire a variation pattern determination random number or the like for determining the variation pattern from to stop display.

When the starting port sensor detection process (S50) ends, next, normal operation process (S60) is performed. In the normal operation process (S60), mainly the following processes are performed. First, it is determined whether or not normal symbols are being displayed in a variable manner or a game per normal pattern is being executed. When neither normal pattern variable display nor normal pattern winning game is being executed, after confirming that a predetermined fixed time has passed since normal pattern stop display, whether normal pattern suspension is stored determine whether or not If the general pattern reservation is stored, the first stored general pattern reservation is read, and the normal pattern per determination is performed based on the read general pattern reservation (normal pattern per determination random number value). In addition, as described above, in the electric sapo state, the probability per normal is set higher than in the non-electrical support state, for example, in the non-electrical support state, the probability per normal is set to 1/100 , In the electric sapo state, the probability per normal pattern is set to 99/100.

Then, based on the result of the normal pattern hit determination, it is determined whether the normal pattern should be stop-displayed as a normal pattern-hit pattern or should be stop-displayed as a losing pattern. Further, the fluctuation time of the normal design is set, and the fluctuation display of the normal design is started. As described above, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the normal pattern is set shorter than in the non-electric support state. Variation time is set to 1 second.

When the variable display of the normal pattern is in progress, it is determined whether or not the variable time has passed, and when the variable time has passed, the normal pattern is stopped and displayed with the determined normal pattern winning or losing pattern. , "1" is subtracted from the number of general pattern reservations. Then, after waiting for the fixed time to pass, if the stopped and displayed normal symbol is a lost symbol, the process of starting the variable display of the normal symbol again is performed. On the other hand, when the stopped and displayed normal symbol is a normal per pattern, a normal per per pattern game is started.

During the regular game, after driving the starting port solenoid 26m to open the second starting port 25, after the opening time elapses, processing is performed to return it to the closed state. As described above, in the electric support state, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer than in the non-electric support state, for example, in the non-electric support state, it is set to 0.3 seconds (0.1 seconds × 3 times open). While it is set, it is set to 4.5 seconds (1.5 seconds x 3 times open) in the electric sapo state. After the normal operation process (S60) is completed in this way, the special operation process (S70) is subsequently performed.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the special operation process of this embodiment. When the special action process (S70) is started, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the first special figure or the second special figure is being variably displayed (S71). If neither the first special figure nor the second special figure is being variably displayed (S71: no), then it is determined whether or not the first special figure or the second special figure is being definite displayed ( S72). After the special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern) is stop-displayed, the stop-displayed state is maintained until a predetermined time elapses in order to fix the stopped-displayed pattern (jackpot pattern or winning pattern). By doing so, confirmation display is performed.

When neither the first special figure nor the second special figure is being displayed as finalized (S72: no), it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set to ON (S73). The jackpot flag is a flag indicating that the jackpot game is in progress, and the RAM 203 of the main control board 200 has a storage area for the jackpot flag. If the jackpot flag is not set to ON, that is, if the jackpot game is not in progress (S73: no), then whether the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are "0" (S74). When both the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are "0" (S74: yes), the special operation process of FIG. 7 is terminated without starting the variable display of the special symbol. , returns to the game control process of FIG.

On the other hand, if the first special figure reservation number or the second special figure reservation number is not "0" (S74: no), the various judgment random numbers (jackpot judgment random number, design decision Random number, variation pattern determination random number) is read out (S75). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, if the second special figure suspension is first stored, the first stored second special figure suspension is read, and if the second special figure suspension is not stored, the first It is designed to read the first special figure reservation stored in. Therefore, when both the first special figure reservation and the second special figure reservation are stored, the second special figure reservation is read with priority over the first special figure reservation (the second special figure reservation is preferentially digested). Therefore, reading the first special figure reservation is limited to when the second special figure reservation is not stored.

After reading out the second special figure reservation or the first special figure reservation in this manner, a big hit determination process (S76) is performed. In the big hit determination process (S76), the value of the big hit determination random number read as the second special figure reservation or the first special figure reservation is used to perform the big hit determination while referring to the big hit determination table. The jackpot determination table is a table in which the value of the jackpot determination random number is associated with the jackpot determination result of “big hit” or “loss”, and is stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200 in advance. In addition, as described above, during the variable probability state, the probability of the big hit is set to a high probability higher than the normal probability, and the big hit is more likely to occur than in the non-variable state. It is divided into one for the state and the other for the state.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the jackpot determination table of this embodiment. FIG. 8(a) shows the jackpot determination table for the non-variable probability state, and FIG. 8(b) shows the jackpot determination table for the variable probability state. As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the jackpot determination table for the non-probable variable state, random numbers 0 to 217 out of random numbers 0 to 65535 are set to "jackpot", and the remaining random numbers are set to " Out" is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8(b), in the jackpot determination table for the variable probability state, "jackpot" is set to the random numbers of 0 to 655 out of the random numbers of 0 to 65535, and the remaining random numbers are "Out" is set.

In the jackpot judgment, the value of the jackpot judgment random number read out as the second special figure hold or the first special figure hold corresponds to "jackpot" by referring to the big hit judgment table selected according to whether the variable probability state It is determined whether it is a value (jackpot value) or a value (outlier) corresponding to "outlier". Thereby, in the example shown in FIG. ” is obtained.

In this way, if the result of the big-hit determination is a big-hit, a big-hit symbol to be stopped and displayed is determined. As described above, a plurality of jackpot symbols are provided, and they are roughly divided into normal winning symbols and odd winning symbols. The determination of the jackpot design is performed while referring to a jackpot design determination table (not shown) using the value of the symbol determination random number read out as the second special design reservation or the first special design reservation. The jackpot symbol determination table is a table in which the value of the symbol determination random number is associated with a plurality of jackpot symbols, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200 . Then, the jackpot symbol associated with the value of the read symbol determination random number is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed (stop symbol), and stored in the RAM 203 . On the other hand, if the result of the big hit determination is a failure, the failure symbol is stored in the RAM 203 as a stop symbol.

After the big hit determination process (S76) as described above, a variation pattern determination process (S77) is performed. Here, the variation pattern is for identifying the time (variation time) from when the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) starts the variable display to the stop display. The fluctuation patterns set have different fluctuation times. In the variation pattern determination process (S77), while referring to the variation pattern determination table, using the value of the variation pattern determination random number read as the second special figure reservation or the first special figure reservation, the special symbol to start the variation display Determining fluctuation patterns. Incidentally, the fluctuation pattern determination table is pre-stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200 .

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually exemplifying the variation pattern determination table. As shown in the figure, in the variation pattern determination table, the value of the variation pattern determination random number is associated with the variation pattern ID assigned to each of the plurality of variation patterns, and is set for the plurality of variation patterns. The variable times are different from each other. Such a variation pattern determination table is roughly divided into a table for the variable probability state, a table for the time saving state, and a table for the normal state according to the game state. As described above, the electric support state is set in the variable probability state and the time saving state, but the electric support state is not set in the normal state. In addition, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the special symbols (first special symbol and second special symbol) is set shorter than in the non-electrical support state. Therefore, in the variation pattern determination table for the probability variable state and the time saving state, a variation pattern with a shorter variation time than the variation pattern determination table for the normal state is set.

The variation pattern determination table, which is broadly classified according to the game state, is subdivided into a big win table and a losing table according to the result of the big win determination. When the result of judging a big hit is a big hit, the above-mentioned ready-to-win effect is often performed, and in order to make it easier to secure the execution time, the table for big wins has a longer fluctuation time than the table for winning. fluctuation pattern is set. Further, the subdivision of various variation pattern determination tables is not limited to this, and may be subdivided according to the type of special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol), for example. Furthermore, it may be subdivided according to the number of special figure reservations that are stored, and as the number of special figure reservations increases, the variation pattern in which the variation pattern with a shorter variation time is set in order to expedite the digestion of the reservation A decision table may also be used.

In the variation pattern determination process (S77), while referring to the variation pattern determination table selected according to the current game state, the result of the big hit determination, the type of special symbol, the number of special symbols pending, etc., The variation pattern associated with the value of the variation pattern determination random number read as the second special figure reservation or the first special figure reservation is determined as the current variation pattern.

When the variation pattern determination process (S77) ends, the variation display of the special symbols is started (S78). Also, a variation pattern designation command for designating a variation pattern and a stop design designation command for designating a stop design are stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 . These commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). As will be described later, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives these commands to cause the effect display device 41 to perform a symbol variation effect in accordance with the variable display of the special symbols.

When the variable display of the special symbol is started in this way, the special action process of FIG. 7 is temporarily terminated, and the game control process of FIG. 6 is returned to. In the game control process, following the special action process (S70), the pending number process (S90) is performed. In the pending number processing (S90), the stored first special figure pending number and second special figure pending number are confirmed, and a pending number transmission command indicating these pending numbers is stored in the output buffer of the RAM203. This pending number transmission command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10), and when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the command, the first special figure pending number and the second special figure pending The increase or decrease in the number is confirmed, and if the number is increased, a reserved symbol is added to the first reserved display area 41e or the second reserved display area 41f of the effect display device 41, and if the number is reduced, the reserved symbol is deleted.

After the pending number process (S90) is performed, the game control process of FIG. 6 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt occurs every 4 msec, the game control process of FIG. 6 is executed again. Then, when a series of processes after the output process (S10) are performed and the special action process (S70) is restarted, it is determined in the determination of S71 shown in FIG. (S71: yes), special symbol stop processing (S79) is performed.

In the special symbol stop processing (S79), first, it is determined whether or not the variation time of the special symbols being displayed has elapsed. As described above, the variation time of the special symbols is set to the variation pattern determined at the start of the variation display, and if the variation time has not yet passed, the special symbol stop processing ( S79) is ended, the special action process of FIG. 7 is also ended, and the game control process of FIG. 6 is returned to.

After that, while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6, when the fluctuation time of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) during variable display has passed, the stored stop symbol (jackpot symbol or missing symbol) ) to stop and display the special symbol. Also, with the stop display of the special symbol (end of the variable display), if it is the second special symbol, "1" is subtracted from the second special symbol reservation number, and if it is the first special symbol, the first special symbol reservation number Subtract "1" from Furthermore, the time (determined time) during which the stop-displayed special symbols are to be determined and displayed is set. Then, the variable stop command indicating the stop display of the special symbol is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). In the sub-control board 220, if the game state is the normal state, the above-described normal time fluctuation count is counted and displayed on the display unit 45, and when the fluctuation stop command is received, the normal time fluctuation count is set to "1". to add.

When the special action process of FIG. 7 is finished in a state in which the special symbols are stopped and displayed (confirmed display) in this way, in the next special action process, it is determined that the special symbols are being confirmed and displayed (S72: yes), a special symbol determination process (S80) is performed. In the special symbol confirmation process (S80), it is first determined whether or not the confirmation time has passed since the special symbol was stopped and displayed. The special action process of FIG. 7 is also terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

After that, when the special symbol confirmation time elapses, it is determined whether the confirmed and displayed special symbol is a jackpot symbol or a winning symbol. If the fixed and displayed special symbol is a missing symbol, then it is determined whether or not the game is in the time saving state. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of variations of the special symbols is counted by the time-saving counter during the time-saving state. there is As mentioned above, in the non-probability variable state and electric sapo state (time saving state), when the number of fluctuations of the special symbol reaches a predetermined number (eg 100 times), it is set to the non-electric sapo state (normal state) there is Therefore, when the number of fluctuations counted by the time-saving counter reaches a predetermined number, the electric support state is ended and the game state is set to the normal state. Also, if it is not in the time saving state, but in the variable probability state or in the normal state, the special operation process of FIG. 7 is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, when the confirmed and displayed special pattern is a big win pattern, the big win flag indicating that the big win game is in progress is set to ON, and the opening pattern of the big win opening 28 in the big win game (number of rounds, number of rounds, open time, closed time, etc.). Also, a jackpot start command indicating the start of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). When the sub-control board 220 receives the jackpot start command, it resets the number of normal fluctuations if the normal fluctuation number is being counted, and starts counting the number of winning balls.

When the special action process of FIG. 7 is finished with the big hit flag set to ON in this way, in the next special action process, it is judged in S73 that the big hit flag is set to ON (S73: yes). , a big hit game process (S81) is performed. In the jackpot game process (S81), the round game is started by first driving the jackpot solenoid 29m to open the jackpot 28. After that, when the opening time elapses or a specified number of game balls enter the big winning hole 28, the big winning hole 28 is closed to end the round game, and the next round game is played after the closing time elapses. to start. Then, when the set number of rounds is completely consumed, the jackpot flag is set to OFF. Also, a jackpot end command indicating the end of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). It should be noted that the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 of this embodiment, which performs the jackpot game processing, corresponds to the "specific game executing means" of the present invention.

Furthermore, the game state after the end of the big win game is set according to the type of the confirmed and displayed big win symbol. That is, if the jackpot pattern is a probability variation pattern, it is set to a probability variation state (an electric sapo state in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability), and if the jackpot pattern is a normal hit pattern, the time saving state (the jackpot probability is a normal probability (Electric support state set to ). Also, a game state designation command indicating the game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

When the special action process of FIG. 7 is ended with the big hit flag set to OFF in this way, in the next special action process, the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are not "0" (S74 : no), a process (S75 to S78) for newly starting variable display of special symbols is performed.

The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 progresses the game on the pachinko machine 1 by repeatedly performing the above-described game control processing. Further, as described above, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits various commands toward the sub control board 220 while executing game control processing. Then, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines specific contents of the presentation based on the received command, and designates display contents and sound contents to the image/sound control board 230, the lamp control board 226, and the display unit 45. Various game effects using the effect display device 41, various speakers 6a and 6b, various lamps 5a to 5c, and the display unit 45 are executed. In the following, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes for the control of the pattern variation effect performed by the effect display device 41 and the display on the display unit 45 in accordance with the variable display of the first special figure and the second special figure. Processing (fluctuation effect processing) will be described.

C-2. Fluctuation effect processing:
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the variation effect processing performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220. As shown in FIG. This variable effect processing is performed based on a timer interrupt that occurs at a predetermined cycle. In the following description, description of well-known processing such as initialization processing of the CPU 221, interrupt prohibition processing, and interrupt enable processing will be omitted.

When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the variation effect process, it first determines whether or not a variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 200 (S100). As described above, the variation pattern specification command is a command that specifies the variation pattern of the special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) whose variation display is started in the segment display section 50 . Then, when the variation pattern designation command is received (S100: yes), the process of determining the contents of the symbol variation effect to be executed by the effect display device 41 in accordance with the variable display of the special symbol (effect content determination process) is performed ( S101).

The symbol variation effect of this embodiment includes not only the variable display of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c, but also the above-described ready-to-win effect (normal reach effect, super reach effect), character effect, full rotation effect, and the like. The character effect is a effect in which one of a plurality of characters appears during the variable display of the identification patterns 41a, 41b, 41c. The frequency of appearance of each character differs depending on the result of the judgment of the big hit (whether it is a big hit or not), and the possibility that the identification patterns 41a, 41b, 41c are stopped and displayed with double eyes (the degree of expectation of a big hit) is determined according to the type of characters that have appeared. show. In addition, the all-rotation effect means that the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are temporarily stopped while swinging in a special combination (for example, "7-7-8") that does not have the same number, and then the rotation is restarted. It is an effect that slowly continues the rotation in a state where all of 41a, 41b, and 41c have the same number, and then stops. The all-rotation effect of the present embodiment indicates confirmation that the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stop-displayed with double eyes (big hit confirmation). A large number of such symbol variation productions are provided, and the time required for execution of the production (production execution time) is different. Incidentally, the symbol variation effect of the present embodiment corresponds to the "suggestion effect" of the present invention.

In the effect content determination process (S101), the symbol variation effect to be executed is determined according to the variation pattern specified by the variation pattern specification command. As described above, the variation pattern corresponds to the variation time of the special symbol, and the effect execution time of the design variation effect provided in large numbers matches the variation time corresponding to any of the variation patterns. Therefore, the pattern variation performance of the performance execution time corresponding to the variation pattern is determined as the current pattern variation performance from among many pattern variation performances. Incidentally, when a variation pattern with a short variation time is specified, the performance execution time of the pattern variation performance is naturally short, and if there is no time to perform the ready-to-win performance, etc., the identification patterns 41a, 41b, 41c are variably displayed for a moment. Only pattern variation effect is determined.

When the effect content determination process (S101) is completed as described above, the symbol variation effect is started (S102). That is, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 transmits to the image/audio control board 230 a command designating the symbol variation effect determined in the effect content determination process (S101). The image/audio control board 230 that has received the command displays an image corresponding to the command on the effect display device 41, and outputs audio corresponding to the command from the various speakers 6a and 6b. As a result, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c start to be variably displayed on the effect display device 41, and after that, a ready-to-win effect, a character effect, and a full-rotation effect are performed.

When the symbol variation effect is started, next, it is determined whether or not the operation of the direction button 10c is detected (S103). Then, when the operation of the direction button 10c is detected (S103: yes), it is determined whether or not the execution conditions for the effect using the display unit 45 (hereinafter referred to as display unit effect) are met (S104). In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game state is the normal state and the symbol variation effect is being executed (after the special symbol variable display is started), the direction button 10c is operated, the display unit effect is executed. It has become. Further, even if the symbol variation effect is being executed, if the display unit effect has already been executed, no new display unit effect is performed, and the display unit effect is performed once per one time variation display of the special symbol. Only Then, when the conditions for execution of the display unit effect are satisfied (S104: yes), display unit effect processing (S105) is performed. Incidentally, the content displayed on the display unit 45 as the display unit effect of this embodiment corresponds to the "useful information" of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the display unit effect processing of this embodiment. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the display unit rendering process (S105), the display of the display unit 45 is all minus (-) (S111). As described above, the display unit 45 of this embodiment is composed of six 7-segment LEDs and can display up to six alphanumeric characters and symbols. In the normal state, the display unit 45 displays the number of fluctuations during normal operation, but in S111, minus (-) is displayed on all six 7-segment LEDs.

When the display of the display unit 45 is thus switched to "------", it is determined whether or not the operation of the up button of the direction buttons 10c has been detected (S112). As described above, the direction button 10c of this embodiment has four buttons (up button, down button, left button, right button) corresponding to the four directions of up, down, left, and right, respectively. If so (S112: yes), then it is determined whether or not the symbol variation effect determined in the above-described effect content determination process of S101 is the ready-to-win effect (S113). Then, when the pattern variation effect is the ready-to-win effect (S113: yes), the display of the display unit 45 is switched to the character string "reach" for notifying the occurrence of the ready-to-win effect (S114).

On the other hand, if the pattern variation effect is not the ready-to-win effect (S113: no), the process of S114 is omitted, and the display unit of FIG. The effect processing is ended, and the process returns to the variable effect processing of FIG. 10 . Incidentally, the process of S114 may be executed only in the case of the super ready-to-win effect among the ready-to-win effects, and the process of S114 may be omitted in the case of the normal ready-to-win effect, thereby announcing the occurrence of the super ready-to-win effect.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S112 that the operation of the up button has not been detected (S112: no), then it is determined whether or not the operation of the down button of the direction buttons 10c has been detected (S115). Then, when the operation of the lower button is detected (S115: yes), it is determined whether or not the stop symbol of the special symbol is a jackpot symbol (S116). As described above, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 can grasp the stop design of the special design based on the stop design designation command from the main control board 200, and when the stop design is the jackpot design ( S116: yes), the display of the display unit 45 is switched to the premium display "510 God" for notifying the confirmation of the big hit (identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41 are stopped and displayed with double eyes) (S117).

On the other hand, if the stop symbol of the special symbol is not the jackpot symbol (S116: no), the process of S117 is omitted, and the display unit 45 continues to display "------" as shown in FIG. The display unit effect processing is ended, and the variable effect processing of FIG. 10 is returned to.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S115 that the operation of the down button has not been detected (S115: no), then it is determined whether or not the operation of the left button of the direction buttons 10c has been detected (S118). Then, when the operation of the left button is detected (S118: yes), it is determined whether or not the symbol variation effect determined in the effect content determination process of S101 is the character effect (S119). As described above, the character presentation is such that one of a plurality of characters appears during the variable display of the identification patterns 41a, 41b, 41c, and the degree of expectation for a big hit is expressed by the type of character that has appeared. In addition, when a different number is attached to each of a plurality of characters and the pattern variation effect is the character effect (S119: yes), the display on the display unit 45 is switched to the number of the character appearing as the character effect. (S120), the character to appear is announced. It should be noted that the color of the character may be displayed instead of the number as long as the type of character can be identified.

On the other hand, if the pattern variation effect is not the character effect (S119: no), the processing of S120 is omitted, and the display unit of FIG. The effect processing is ended, and the process returns to the variable effect processing of FIG. 10 .

On the other hand, if it is determined in S118 that the operation of the left button has not been detected (S118: no), it is determined that the operation of the right button of the direction buttons 10c has been detected. It is determined whether or not the determined symbol variation effect is the full rotation effect (S121). As described above, in the all-rotation effect, the identification patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are temporarily stopped by a special combination (three-digit number), then the rotation is resumed, and the rotation is continued slowly with all the same numbers. After that, the display stops. Then, when the pattern variation effect is the full rotation effect (S121: yes), the display of the display unit 45 is switched to a 3-digit number temporarily stopped in the full rotation effect (S122). As a result, when the same combination as the three-digit number displayed on the display unit 45 is arranged in the identification patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c, it can be shown to the player as if it were a mission to develop into a full rotation.

On the other hand, if the symbol variation effect is not the full rotation effect (S121: no), it is determined whether or not to display a three-digit number on the display unit 45 as a simulated mission disguised as a mission (S123). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, whether or not to perform a simulated mission is determined by a lottery performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220. When a simulated mission is performed (S123: yes), a display The display of the unit 45 is switched to an arbitrary three-digit number (S124).

On the other hand, if the simulated mission is not performed (S123: no), the processing of S122 and S124 is omitted, and the display unit effect processing of FIG. Then, the process returns to the variable effect processing of FIG.

The above is a description of the display unit effect processing (S105) that is performed in the variable effect processing when the operation of the direction button 10c is detected (S103: yes) and the display unit effect execution conditions are met (S104: yes). However, if the operation of the direction button 10c is not detected (S103: no), or if the conditions for executing the display unit effect are not satisfied (S104: no), the process of S105 is omitted, and the display unit It is determined whether or not the performance execution time has elapsed (S106). The execution time of the display unit effect of the present embodiment is set shorter than the fluctuation time of the special symbol, and when the execution time has passed (S106: yes), the display of the display unit 45 is displayed normally (that is, normal time variation number), and the display unit presentation is terminated (S107). In addition, the display unit effect may be continued until the special symbol is stopped and displayed (end of the symbol variation effect).

On the other hand, if the execution time of the display unit effect has not yet passed, or if the display unit effect has not been executed from the beginning (S106: no), the process of S107 is omitted, and then the change from the main control board 200 is performed. It is determined whether or not a stop command has been received (S108). Then, when the fluctuation stop command is not received (S108: no), while continuing the pattern fluctuation production, the fluctuation production process of FIG. Execute the variation production process.

Then, if the pattern variation effect is being executed, no variation pattern designation command is newly transmitted from the main control board 200, and in the determination of S100, the variation pattern designation command has not been received (S100: no ), omitting the processing of S101-S102 and performing the above-described series of processing (S103-S107) relating to the display unit effect, and then determining again whether or not the fluctuation stop command has been received (S108).

When the variation stop command is received (S108: yes), the symbol variation effect is terminated (S109). At this time, the combination of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c stopped and displayed on the effect display device 41 is determined based on the stop symbol designation command from the main control board 200, and the stop symbol of the special symbol is the missing symbol. If there is, it is a combination that does not match with the same number (barake), whereas if it is a big hit pattern, it is a combination that matches the same number (double), especially if it is a probability variation pattern, the same odd number are aligned with the numbers of

When the symbol variation effect is finished in this way, the variation effect process of FIG. 10 is temporarily terminated. In addition, as described above, the sub-control board 220 counts the normal fluctuation frequency when the game state is normal, and when the fluctuation stop command is received, the normal fluctuation frequency displayed on the display unit 45 is 1” is added. After that, when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the variation effect processing of FIG. 10 is executed again. Then, when a new variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 200 (S100: yes), a series of processes after the effect content determination process (S101) are performed.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how the display of the display unit 45 is switched according to the player's operation of the direction button 10c as the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes the variable effect processing. First, FIG. 12(a) shows the state before the display unit effect is performed. As described above, during the normal state, the display unit 45 displays the number of times of normal fluctuation. The display unit 45 of this embodiment can display a numerical value of up to six digits. It shows that the number of times of display is 192 times.

From the state of FIG. 12(a), when the direction button 10c is operated after the start of the variable display of the special symbols (during the execution of the symbol variation effect) and the execution condition of the display unit effect is satisfied, the condition shown in FIG. 12(b) is satisfied. ), the display of the six 7-segment LEDs of the display unit 45 is switched to minus (-), and "------" is displayed. In this way, before the display unit effect is performed, the display of the display unit 45 is temporarily switched from the numerical value representing the number of fluctuations during normal operation to "------", thereby displaying the number as the display unit effect. Even in this case, it is possible to clarify the difference between the normal time fluctuation count and the display unit effect.

Then, when the upper button of the direction button 10c is operated, if the pattern variation effect performed by the effect display device 41 is the ready-to-win effect, the display unit 45 displays the ready-to-win effect as shown in FIG. 12(c). A character string "rEAch" is displayed to foretell the occurrence. Note that the display unit 45 of this embodiment uses a 7-segment LED, and because there are restrictions on display, capital letters and small letters of the alphabet are mixed. Also, if the pattern variation effect is not a ready-to-win effect, the display unit 45 does not display "rEAch", but keeps displaying "------". Therefore, a player who is interested in the ready-to-win effect can obtain desired information (whether or not the ready-to-win effect develops) by actively operating the upper button of the direction button 10c. It is possible to increase the interest in the game by making the player expect that the occurrence of will be announced.

On the other hand, when the lower button of the direction button 10c is operated, if the stop symbol of the special symbol is a big hit symbol, a premium display "" for notifying the determination of the big hit is displayed on the display unit 45 as shown in FIG. 12(d). 510 God" is displayed. Incidentally, if the stop symbol of the special symbol is a missing symbol, the display unit 45 does not display "510God", but keeps displaying "------". Therefore, a player who is directly interested in winning or losing can obtain the desired information (whether it is a big win or a loss) by actively operating the lower button of the direction button 10c. It is possible to make the player expect the appearance of the display and enhance the interest in the game.

Further, when the left button of the direction button 10c is operated, the display unit 45 displays the number of the character appearing on the effect display device 41 as the character effect if the pattern variation effect performed by the effect display device 41 is the character effect. Is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 12(e), "no4" is displayed, foreshadowing the appearance of the number 4 character. As described above, in the character presentation, the degree of expectation for a big hit is represented by the type of character that appears. Incidentally, if the pattern variation effect is not a character effect, the number is not displayed on the display unit 45, and "------" remains displayed. Therefore, a player who is interested in the character presentation can obtain desired information (types of characters appearing in the character presentation) by positively operating the left button of the direction button 10c, thereby expecting a big hit. Amusement in the game can be heightened by making the player expect that the appearance of a high-quality character is predicted.

Furthermore, when the right button of the direction button 10c is operated, if the pattern variation effect performed by the effect display device 41 is a full rotation effect, three digits temporarily stop at the identification patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c in the full rotation effect. A number is displayed on the display unit 45 . In the example shown in FIG. 12(f), "778 ALL" is displayed, and in addition to the three-digit number "778" for temporary stop, "ALL" for notifying the full rotation effect is attached. As described above, the combination of the 3-digit number displayed on the display unit 45 and the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c temporarily stopped on the effect display device 41 coincides with each other and develops into full rotation. You can make it look like you've accomplished your mission. Also, even if the pattern variation effect is not a full rotation effect, an arbitrary 3-digit number may be displayed on the display unit 45 as a simulated mission, and in this case, the same 3-digit number displayed on the display unit 45 The combination does not temporarily stop at the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c, and naturally does not develop into a full rotation. If the simulated mission is not performed, the display unit 45 will not display the three-digit number, and will continue to display "------". Therefore, a player who is interested in a mission that develops into a full rotation can actively operate the right button of the direction button 10c to obtain desired information (identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c to develop into a full rotation). 3-digit number to be temporarily stopped at ) can be obtained, and the player can expect that the mission will be achieved and progress to full rotation, and the amusement of the game can be enhanced.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the player operates the direction button 10c after the start of the variable display of the special symbols in the normal state (during execution of the symbol variation effect), the display unit effect is displayed. In this display unit effect, since useful information such as a notice that contributes to the player is displayed on the display unit 45, the player is urged to actively operate the direction button 10c, and the display The display content of the unit 45 can be expected to be advantageous to the player, and the amusement of the game can be enhanced. The display unit effect is performed simply by using the display unit 45 provided for displaying the game information related to the game performed in the pachinko machine 1, such as the number of fluctuations in normal times and the number of winning balls for consecutive games. At the same time, it is possible to attract the player's attention to the display unit performance by giving the unexpectedness that the useful information is displayed on the display unit 45, which is not originally subjected to the performance. .

In addition, the direction button 10c of this embodiment has four buttons (up button, down button, left button, right button) corresponding to the four directions of up, down, left, and right, respectively. Useful information for notifying whether or not the game will be performed is provided, and when the lower button is operated, useful information for notifying whether the player wins or loses is provided. In addition, when the left button is operated, useful information foretelling the character that will appear in the character production is provided, and when the right button is operated, useful information for notifying the three-digit number that will be temporarily stopped before developing into a full rotation is provided. be done. As a result, it is possible to provide a new game feature in which the player can select the useful information that the player wants to know by operating the direction buttons 10c, so that it is possible to further improve the game interest.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to the wording of each claim as long as it does not depart from the scope described in each claim. Improvements can also be added as appropriate based on the knowledge that those skilled in the art generally have, as well as the range that can be easily replaced from them.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the "information display section" of the present invention was explained by taking the display unit 45 composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs as an example. If it is provided separately from the (effect display unit) and can display game information related to the game played on the pachinko machine 1, it is not limited to the 7-segment LED, but the 14-segment LED, the dot matrix LED, or the liquid crystal display. may be However, although the 7-segment LED used in this embodiment is sufficient for displaying numbers, it has limitations compared to the 14-segment LED when trying to display characters such as alphabets. It is limited to use for displaying By displaying useful information on such a 7-segment LED according to the player's operation of the direction button 10c, it is possible to enhance the unexpectedness and attract the player's attention.

In addition, the game information displayed on the display unit 45 is not limited to the number of normal fluctuations and the number of winning balls in the game, as long as it relates to the game played in the pachinko machine 1. The number of times of display, the number of game balls shot from the shooting device unit 261, and the like may be displayed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 that gives the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out the game balls supplied from the island facility of the game hall. I explained an example. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a game profit in a form different from "payout of game balls". For example, by storing data indicating the amount of profit (magnitude of game value) corresponding to the entry of a game ball into various ball entrances, a game profit (game The present invention can also be applied to a type of pachinko machine that gives a player a value), and in this case also, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Pachinko machines that convert game profits (game values) into data and give them to players include machines that circulate and use a plurality of game balls built into the pachinko machine. , a pachinko machine (a so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return game balls ejected to the back side of the game board through various ball inlets or outlets to the shooting position again and shoot them.

<Gaming machines A1 to A5 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiment>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as gaming machines A1 to A5 as follows.

<Game machine A1>
In a gaming machine in which a game is played by shooting game balls toward a game area formed on a game board,
identification information display means for variably displaying identification information and then stopping the display based on the detection of the game ball by the predetermined detection means;
specific game executing means for executing a specific game advantageous to the player when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific mode;
an effect display unit capable of displaying a suggestive effect suggesting the possibility that the identification information will be stopped and displayed in the specific mode in accordance with the variable display of the identification information;
an information display unit provided separately from the performance display unit and capable of displaying game information related to a game played on the gaming machine;
and an input detection means capable of detecting an input by a player,
Based on the fact that the input detection means detects the input after the start of the variable display of the identification information, the information display section changes the game information to beneficial information that contributes to the player through the variable display for a predetermined period of time. A gaming machine characterized in that the display can be switched.

In such a gaming machine A1, if the player performs an input operation after starting the variable display of the identification information, useful information can be obtained from the variable display. It is possible to make the player expect that the useful information is advantageous to the player, thereby enhancing the interest in the game. Such useful information can be easily provided by using the information display section provided for displaying the game information, and it is possible to provide the useful information in a simple manner. It is possible to attract the player's attention by giving unexpectedness that useful information is displayed on the information display part.

<Game machine A2>
In gaming machine A1,
A gaming machine, wherein the information display section can switch and display the suggestive effect performed in the effect display section to the useful information that contributes to the player.

In such a game machine A2, it is possible to prompt a player who is interested in a suggestive effect to make a positive input action, and to make the player expect to be notified of a suggestive effect that is advantageous to the player. Amusement interest can be enhanced.

<Game machine A3>
In gaming machine A1 or gaming machine A2,
wherein, when the identification information is stop-displayed in the specific mode, the information display unit can switch and display the useful information for notifying that the identification information will be stop-displayed in the specific mode. Characteristic game machine.

In such a gaming machine A3, it is possible to prompt a player who is interested in whether or not the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific manner to actively perform an input operation. It is possible to increase the interest in the game by making the player expect to be notified of.

<Game machine A4>
In any one gaming machine from gaming machines A1 to A3,
The input detection means is capable of detecting a plurality of types of inputs by the player,
In the information display unit, it is possible to switch and display different useful information for each type of input detected by the input detection means, and to change display of the identification information being executed, any one A gaming machine capable of displaying the useful information.

With such a gaming machine A4, it is possible to provide a new game feature in which the player can select the useful information that the player wants to know by means of an input operation.

<Game machine A5>
In any one gaming machine from gaming machines A1 to A4,
The gaming machine, wherein the information display unit is composed of a plurality of 7-segment displays, and is capable of displaying a multi-digit numerical value related to a game played on the gaming machine as the game information.

In such a game machine A5, a 7-segment display is sufficient for displaying numbers, but when trying to display letters such as alphabets, there are limitations compared to a 14-segment display or a liquid crystal display. Therefore, by displaying useful information according to the player's input operation on the 7-segment display, which is originally used only for displaying game-related numerical values, it is possible to increase the unexpectedness and attract the player's attention. can.

<Gaming machine B1 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiment>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment described above can be regarded as the following game machine B1.

<Game machine B1>
In a gaming machine in which a game is played by shooting game balls toward a game area formed on a game board,
identification information display means for variably displaying identification information and then stopping the display based on the detection of the game ball by the predetermined detection means;
specific game executing means for executing a specific game advantageous to the player when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific mode;
an effect display unit capable of displaying a suggestive effect suggesting the possibility that the identification information will be stopped and displayed in the specific mode in accordance with the variable display of the identification information;
an information display unit provided separately from the performance display unit and capable of displaying game information related to a game played on the gaming machine;
and an input detection means capable of detecting an input by a player,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the display content can be switched in the information display unit based on detection of the input by the input detection means after starting the variable display of the identification information.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for gaming machines used in gaming halls.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Pachinko machine (gaming machine), 4... Front frame, 4a... Window part,
4b...Transparent plate, 10c...Direction button (input detection means),
20... Game board, 21... Game area, 24... First start port,
24s... first starting port sensor (detection means), 25... second starting port,
25s... Second starting port sensor (detection means), 27... Normal symbol operation gate,
28... Grand prize opening, 41... Effect display device (effect display unit),
41a, 41b, 41c... identification pattern, 45... display unit (information display section),
50... Segment display section, 51... First special figure display section (identification information display means),
52... Second special figure display unit (identification information display means), 200... Main control board,
201...CPU (Specific game execution means), 220...Sub control board,
221 CPU.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine in which a game is played by shooting game balls toward a game area formed on a game board,
identification information display means for variably displaying identification information and then stopping the display based on the detection of the game ball by the predetermined detection means;
specific game executing means for executing a specific game advantageous to the player when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a specific mode;
an effect display unit capable of displaying a suggestive effect suggesting the possibility that the identification information will be stopped and displayed in the specific mode in accordance with the variable display of the identification information;
an information display unit provided separately from the effect display unit for displaying game information, which is numerical values relating to the history of games performed in the gaming machine;
and an input detection means capable of detecting an input by a player,
Based on the fact that the input detection means detects the input after the start of the variable display of the identification information, the information display unit temporarily erases the game information being displayed, and after a predetermined blank period , displays the game information. It is possible to switch the display to useful information that contributes to the player by changing the display for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the display is returned to the game information.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images