JP2002126270A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for performing interesting variable display rich in variety. SOLUTION: A pair of first areas 311 is formed on an image display area by a display control board 300 and, while displaying identification information on the pair of first areas 311 after varying or stopping it, the pair of first areas 311 is formed to widen/narrow an interval between the pair of first areas 311. Then, the identification information to be displayed on the pair of first areas 311 to be displaced within the image display area is largely displaced as well and a game is prevented from becoming monotonous.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a variable display device and capable of providing a predetermined game value when a display result of the variable display device is a predetermined display result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine of this type has a variable display device including an image display area capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and a display result of the image display area is a predetermined identification information. In general, a gaming machine that can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the game condition is satisfied is obtained.

[0003]

However, such a conventional technique has a problem in that the structure of the image display area is uniform and has little change, and the variable display lacks interest.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine capable of performing a variety of interesting variable displays.

[0005]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] In a gaming machine having a variable display device (310) and capable of providing a predetermined game value when a display result of the variable display device (310) is a predetermined display result, the variable display device (310) ) In the first area (31) in the image display area.
1) includes a variable display control means (300) for performing a variable display control for deriving and displaying the display result in each of the pair of first areas (311) while forming the pair of the first areas (311); 300) can be formed by displacing at least one of the pair of first regions (311) so that the distance between the pair of first regions (311) is widened and narrowed. Machine.

[2] In a gaming machine having a variable display device (310), wherein a predetermined game value can be given when a display result of the variable display device (310) is a predetermined display result, First in the image display area of the device (310)
Variable display control means (3) for forming a pair of regions (311) and performing variable display control for deriving and displaying the display results in the pair of first regions (311), respectively.
00), wherein the variable display control means (300) can expand and contract each identification information to be displayed in the pair of first areas (311) in the same or parallel direction to each other. Gaming machine.

[3] The variable display control means (300)
Forming a second area (312) other than the first area (311) in the image display area and stopping and displaying specific identification information in at least one of the pair of first areas (311); The game information of the gaming machine is displayed in the second area (312) [1].
Or the gaming machine according to [2].

[4] The variable display control means (300)
Is formed when at least one of the pair of first regions (311) is displaced so that the distance between the pair of first regions (311) becomes wider or narrower, or when the pair of first regions (311) is formed. When the identification information to be displayed in 311) is expanded and contracted in the same or parallel direction to each other, identification information relating to reach is displayed in at least one of the pair of first areas (311). A gaming machine.

Next, the operation of the invention described in each of the above items will be described. The game is played using the image display area of the variable display device (310) of the gaming machine. The variable display control means (300) derives and displays the display result on the variable display device (310). When the display result is a predetermined display result, a predetermined game value can be given.

For example, a pair of first areas (311) are formed in the image display area by the variable display control means (300), and the identification information is variably displayed in the first area (311), and then stopped and displayed. Then, the display result is derived and displayed.

Before the identification information is stopped and displayed and the display result is derived and displayed, for example, when the identification information is variably displayed in the first area (311), a pair of first areas ( In some cases, the distance between the first region (311) and the first region (311) is changed, and the position of the identification information to be displayed in the first region (311) also changes. It is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous, and to enhance the playability.

As described above, the interval between the pair of first areas (311) where the identification information is displayed may be widened or narrowed, or the identification information itself may be displayed in a variable manner. That is, each piece of identification information to be displayed in each of the pair of first areas (311) may be expanded and contracted in the same or parallel directions. It is also possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous by expanding and displaying the identification information.

When the specific identification information is stopped and displayed in at least one of the pair of first areas (311), game information of the gaming machine may be displayed in the image display area. Based on the displayed game information of the gaming machine, the player can easily determine whether or not the game state is advantageous. The game information of the gaming machine is stored in the first area (3
It is displayed in the second area (312) formed other than 11).

Regardless of the type of identification information displayed in the first display area, such a pair of first areas (311) may be formed by displacing, or the identification information may be displayed in an expanded or contracted manner. When the identification information relating to the reach is displayed in the first region (311), the pair of first regions (311) may be displaced and formed.

[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 15 show a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is a gaming machine body 1 for executing a game of hitting a ball on a gaming board 2 and a card unit attached to the gaming machine and lending a ball by inserting a prepaid card (CR ball lending machine).
b.

First, the general outline of the gaming machine main body 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, at the lower right end of the front of the gaming machine main body 1,
A rotatable handle 5 is provided. By rotating the handle 5 to an arbitrary angle proportional to the launching force of the ball, a firing motor 653 (see FIG.
) Is driven so that balls are launched one by one onto the game board 2.

Loan balls and prize balls to be used for the game are stored in an upper tray 3 provided at a lower portion of the front of the gaming machine main body 1. A lower receiving tray 4 is provided below the upper receiving tray 3 for receiving a ball overflowing from the upper receiving tray 3 when a large amount of prize balls are paid out.
Is provided. In addition, on the upper right side of the upper tray 3, a frequency display section 12 for displaying the frequency of the prepaid card inserted in the card unit b, a lending button 9 for instructing lending of a ball from the card unit b, and a card discharging button. A return button 10 for instructing is provided.

The upper receiving tray 3 has a lower receiving tray 4 below it.
An upper tray ball removing lever 7 for transferring a ball to the lower tray 4 is similarly provided on the lower tray 4 for transferring a ball to a ball box (not shown) placed therebelow. 8
Is provided. An ashtray 6 for smokers is also provided beside the lower tray 4.

The front surface of the game board 2 is covered with a glass frame 11 forming a space for moving the ball between the game board 2 and the game board 2. On the periphery of the game board 2, a game area is defined,
A guide rail 16 for guiding the hit ball to the upper portion of the game board 2 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, at the approximate center of the game board 2, a special symbol display device 310 is arranged as a variable display device. Also, at the top of the special symbol display device 310,
A special symbol holding LED 420 for lighting and displaying the number of held variable display operations in the special symbol display device 310 is provided integrally.

The starting port 21 is provided below the special symbol display device 310, and the special winning opening 24 is provided below the starting port 21. As described below, the starting opening 21 is a winning opening for securing the execution right of the display game executed on the special symbol display device 310, and the large winning opening 24 is capable of giving the game value to the player. A special game state is generated.

In the right place on the game board 2, there is a right sleeve winning opening 22.
a, left sleeve winning opening 22b, right drop winning opening 23a, left drop winning opening 23b, right normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126a, left normal symbol display device operating gate switch 1
In addition to various winning holes such as 26b and other role-playing objects such as the windmill 15, a large number of obstacle nails for changing the falling speed and direction of the hit ball are arranged. The center LED 425, the gate LED 426, the attacker LED 427, and the side LE that produce a decorative effect by emitting light are provided in various winning openings and accessories.
D428 and the like are also provided as appropriate.

At the bottom of the game board 2, an out port 29 for taking in a ball that has not won any of the winning ports and discharging the ball from the game board 2 is arranged. When a ball enters the out port 29, no privilege is given to the player, and no prize ball is paid out.

Further, above the game board 2, a game machine state lamp 422 which blinks according to the progress of various games, such as when a special game state occurs, is arranged. On the left and right sides of the game board 2, side case lamps 423, game frame state lamps 424, and the like are also provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, various control boards used for controlling the entire game and components related thereto are provided inside the game machine main body 1 and on the back side of the game board 2. These will be described in order.

Next, main components on the game board 2 will be described. The starting port 21 is generally called a starting chucker. The starting port 21 is provided with a condition device including a pair of movable pieces at both left and right ends of the winning port.
6 (see FIG. 4), each movable piece is opened and closed. The starting port 50 is configured as a so-called electric tulip accessory that changes into a normal second state (closed state) in which the ball is hard to win and a first state (open state) in which the ball is easy to win by opening and closing operations of the movable pieces. ing.

The winning of a ball in the starting port 21 is set as a starting condition for executing a display game on the special symbol display device 310 described below. As shown in FIG.
The starting port 21 is a starting port switch 12 for detecting a winning of a ball.
1 is provided inside. When the starting port switch 121 is turned ON upon detecting a winning ball, the starting port switch 121 outputs a starting winning signal to the main board (game control board) 100. The starting port switch 121 may be constituted by various sensors such as an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

The special symbol display device 310 is provided with a display area in which various symbols as identification information can be variably displayed on the screen, and is specifically constituted by a color liquid crystal display. However, the special symbol display device 310
May be configured using not only a monochrome liquid crystal display but also a fluorescent display tube or a cathode ray tube (CRT).

In the special symbol display device 310, a display game, which looks like a slot machine, is executed due to the winning of a ball into the starting port 21. In such a display game, a pair of first areas 311 and other second areas 312 are formed in the image display area of the special symbol display device 310.

Each first area 311 is composed of three areas, and the three areas form columns or rows. In each first area 311, the variable display of various symbols is started, the interval between the pair of first areas is changed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, each symbol is stopped and displayed one by one in each first area. Is set. The second area 312 is set so that game information of the gaming machine can be displayed.

As a result of the display game, the first area 31
The case where the three symbols stopped at 1 are all the same as, for example, “777” is defined as a special display mode. Before the special display mode is determined, when two other symbols except the last symbol are stopped, a state in which the two symbols match corresponds to the reach display mode.

When the result of the display game is finally determined in the special display mode, a special game state in which the special winning opening 24 described later is repeatedly opened and closed up to a predetermined number of times is formed. If the result of the display game is not finally determined to be the special display mode, it corresponds to the off display mode. The identification information used for the display game is 0 to
The design is not limited to simple figures such as the numeral 9 and the symbol, and may be, for example, a model imitating a specific character.

The special symbol holding LED 420 provided integrally on the upper side of the special symbol display device 310 is
Among the execution rights of the display game secured by winning the ball to the game, the number of execution rights that have not been executed (the number of suspensions) is displayed. A total of four special symbol holding LEDs 420 are provided, and in accordance with this number, unexecuted display games can be held up to four times at a time. That is,
The upper limit of the number of reservations is four, and the execution right of the display game is discarded for the upper limit. Special design hold LED420
Is to increase or decrease the number of lights, and to display the current number of suspensions.

The special winning opening 24 is generally called an attacker, and includes a solenoid (a special winning opening solenoid 1).
34, by operating a drive source such as the direction switching solenoid 135), the winning opening can be changed between a normal second state (closed state) where it is difficult for the ball to win and a first state (open state) where it is easy to win. Is configured.

The special winning opening 24 is controlled to open and close so as to produce a special game state when a special display mode is set in the display game. Here, the special game state is a state in which the opening and closing operation of returning to the second state for a short time after being maintained in the first state for a predetermined time is repeatedly performed up to a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 times). The inside of the special winning opening 24 is divided into a plurality of parts, and a part thereof is a specific winning area. The continuation condition for shifting to the next round is that a ball wins in this specific winning area in each round.

On the lower left and right sides of the special winning opening 24, a pair of ordinary symbol display devices 140, 140 are provided. Each ordinary symbol display device 140 is specifically a 7 segment LED
It is composed of a display and the like. Each ordinary symbol display device 14
On 0, a general-purpose game in which a one-digit number is stopped and displayed after the display content fluctuates over a predetermined period is developed.

In each of the normal symbol display device operation gates disposed on the left and right of the special symbol display device 310, the right ordinary symbol display device activation gate switch 126a and the left ordinary symbol display device activation gate switch 126b detect passage of a ball. , Corresponding left and right ordinary symbol display devices 14
The normal figure game is started on 0.

As a result of the ordinary game, when a specific number such as "7" or "3" is stopped, the winning state is determined, and other numbers are determined to be out. When the hitting mode is determined, an opening / closing operation in which each movable piece of the starting port 21 is temporarily displaced to an open state is executed. Here, the opening time of each movable piece is set so as to change in accordance with the type of the hit mode.

Further, the ordinary symbol holding LED 421 provided near each ordinary symbol display device 140 has the execution authority of the ordinary symbol game secured by the winning of the ball to the above-mentioned ordinary symbol display device operation gate. The number of items that have not been executed (the number of items on hold) is displayed. Normal design hold LE
Two D421s are provided on each of the left and right sides.
It is set to be able to be held up to once. Normal design hold L
The ED 421 increases or decreases the number of lights, and displays the current number of suspensions.

Next, various control boards used for controlling the gaming machine body 1 will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are block diagrams showing various control boards used for controlling the gaming machine main body 1 and components related thereto. 5 and 6,
As a control board, a main board (also called a game control board) 10
0, payout control board 200, display control board 300, lamp control board 400, voice control board 500, emission control board 6
00, a power supply board 700 is shown.

First, the main substrate 100 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The main board 100 operates based on a clock generated by the clock circuit 108 inside the main board. Further, the clock generated by the clock circuit 108 is output to the internal timer 10.
The interrupt signal at a fixed time interval obtained by dividing the frequency by
02, the CPU 102
Reset. The CPU 102 performs a series of operations by executing, at each reset, a process divided so as to end in a time shorter than the reset interval.

The starting port switch 121, the right normal symbol display operation gate switch 126a, the left normal symbol display operation gate switch 126b, the right sleeve winning opening switch 122.
a, a left sleeve winning opening switch 122b, a right down winning opening switch 123a, and a left down winning opening switch 123b are switches for detecting a winning of a ball, and an input signal from these switches is sent to the gate circuit 110. Supplied.

The accessory continuous operation switch 124, the count switch 125, the left prize ball detection switch 130a, the right prize ball detection switch 130b, and the shot ball out switch 13
1. Each input signal from the glass frame open detection switch 132 and the overflow switch 133 is supplied to the gate circuit 111.

The addresses of the gate circuits 110 and 111 are as follows:
It is set in the address space of the CPU 102 by a memory mapped I / O method. An address signal output from the CPU 102 and a write / read control signal are decoded by an address decode circuit 113 in accordance with a system clock output from the CPU 102 to generate a chip select signal.

The gate circuit 1 is controlled by the chip select signal.
When 10, 111 are selected, the starting port switch 12
Each input signal from 1 etc. is output to the data bus through the gate circuit. Each input signal on the data bus is detected a plurality of times by an interrupt signal generated at fixed time intervals until the next reset, and chattering prevention processing is performed. Stored in the area.

The input signal from the starting port switch 121 is 5
As the prize ball signal of the individual prize ball, the right sleeve winning port switch 12
The input signals from the 2a, the left sleeve winning opening switch 122b, the right down winning opening switch 123a, and the left down winning opening switch 123b are each a prize ball signal of 8 prize balls, and further, the accessory continuous operation device switch 124 and the count switch 12
The input signal from 5 is treated as a winning ball signal of 15 winning balls, and the winning number detected by each switch is stored in a designated RAM area. At the same time, the total number of winning balls for each winning opening is calculated by the CPU 102 and stored in the designated RAM area.

In addition, random numbers are respectively set to input signals from the starting port switch 121, the right normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126a, and the left normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126b, and these values are stored in the RAM.
Stored in the area. Based on this data, the gaming state of the gaming machine body 1 is set, and the data is output to each control board. Each random value is generated by the CPU 102,
The one-chip microcomputer 101 including the CPU 102 serves as a game state determining means for setting a game state of the gaming machine main body 1.

Output data to each control board passes through a buffer 114 provided in the middle of a data bus, and is further output to latch circuits 112a to 112g through an output data bus. By arranging the buffer 114 in the middle of the data bus connecting the output latch circuit and the CPU 102, the bus signal flows in one direction, which is a measure for preventing fraud.

5 start port switch prize ball RAM area, left and right sleeve prize port switch, left and right drop prize port switch 8 prize ball R
Since there are data in the RAM area, the AM area, the continuous actuating device switch, and the 15 count switches,
The PU 102 sequentially outputs the 8-bit winning ball data set for each winning ball number to the latch circuit 112a through the data bus and the output data bus. In synchronism with this, an interrupt signal to the payout control board 200 and a control signal of a strobe signal are output to the latch circuit 112e through a data bus and an output data bus.

When the chip select signal obtained by decoding by the address decode circuit 113 controlled by the memory mapped I / O is sequentially output to the latch circuits 112a and 112e, the 8-bit prize ball data is latched.
2a, an interrupt signal and a strobe signal control signal are latched by a latch circuit 112e, respectively, and an output signal composed of an 8-bit parallel prize ball output signal, an interrupt signal, and a 2-bit control signal of a strobe signal is output to a payout control board. Is output as prize ball data.

The payout control board 200 shown in FIG. 7 controls the ball discharging mechanism to discharge a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball data. The discharged prize ball is detected by the left prize ball detection switch 130a and the right prize ball detection switch 130b,
The detection signal is output to the gate circuit 211. When the chip select signal is output from the address decode circuit 213 to the gate circuit 211, the detection signals output from the left prize ball detection switch 130a and the right prize ball detection switch 130b are output on the data bus and taken in by the CPU 102.

Based on these detection signals, the total number of awarded balls actually paid out is calculated by the CPU 102, the value is subtracted from the data stored in the RAM area, and the data of the total number of awarded balls is updated in real time. An output signal is output to the latch circuit 112f for each set number of ejected prize balls, and is output to the outside in synchronization with the chip select signal of the address decode circuit 113.

A random number is obtained for each of the input signals of the winning start switch 121, the right normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126a, and the left normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126b, and based on the random numbers, the CPU 102 performs the game effect. The type is determined, and game state effect data is generated and stored in the RAM area.

Display control board 30 as variable display control means
To 0, display effect data (game state effect data) to be displayed in the first area 311 and the second area 312 is output. That is, an 8-bit recognition code from the CPU 102,
When the display state effect 8-bit data is sequentially output to the latch circuit 112b through the data bus, an interrupt signal to the display control board 300 and a 2-bit control signal of each strobe signal are output to the latch circuit 112e so as to synchronize with them. Is done.

These signals are sequentially latched by the latch circuit at the timing based on the chip select signal decoded and output from the address decode circuit 113 controlled by the memory mapped I / O, and are output in parallel.
Data to be variably displayed in the first area 311 in time series,
Data to displace and display area 311 and second area 31
2 are sequentially output to the display control board 300 as display effect data.

In synchronization with the display effect data, 8-bit parallel lamp display output data and a control signal are output to the lamp control display board 400 through the latch circuit 112c. The 8-bit parallel sound source output data and the control signal are output to the audio control board 500 through the latch circuit 112d in synchronization with the display effect data. That is, the chip select signal is output from the address decode circuit in synchronization with the timing at which each data is output to the data bus, and the data on the data bus is latched by the latch circuits 112c and 112d. Is output.

When the game state is the special game state (big hit), control data of the special winning opening solenoid 134 is output to the latch circuit 112g in synchronization with the game state effect data,
Further, the chip select signal from the address decode circuit 113 is input to the latch circuit 112g. As a result, the control data of the special winning opening solenoid 134 is output from the latch circuit 112g, the special winning opening solenoid 134 is driven, the large winning opening 24 is opened and closed, and the ball is moved to the special winning opening 24.
Can be guided to

When the accessory continuous operation device switch 124 disposed in a specific area inside the special winning opening 24 detects a ball, a ball detection signal is output, and this signal is output to the data bus via the gate circuit 111 and sent to the CPU 102. It is captured.
As a result of the detection processing based on the ball detection signal output from the accessory continuous operation device switch 124, the direction switching solenoid 13
5 is output to the latch circuit 112g, and the direction switching solenoid 135 is braked. At the same time, round continuation data indicating whether or not to continue the big hit state in the next round is stored in the RAM area based on the ball detection signal output from the accessory continuous operation device switch 124.

When the direction switching solenoid 135 is braked, the number of balls is counted by the count switch 125 disposed in the special winning opening 24. When the total count of the data counted by the count switch 125 reaches a predetermined number, the output data of the latch circuit 112g is changed, the special winning opening solenoid 134 and the direction switching solenoid 135 are deactivated, and one big hit round is performed. Ends. After a predetermined time, if the round continuation data indicates continuation of the round, the jackpot state round continues further by the above-described control method.

Right Normal Symbol Display Device Operation Gate Switch 1
26a, left normal symbol display device operation gate switch 126
A random value is obtained for each of the input signals from b. On the basis of this random number, the ordinary symbol display device 140
The display control data of the (normal symbol LED1, the ordinary symbol LED2) is generated, and is output from the CPU 102 to the latch circuit 112g via the data bus. Then, each time a chip select signal is output from the address decode circuit 113, a normal symbol LED display is performed for a fixed time.

If the result of obtaining the random number value is a hit, the braking data of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 136 is
2 is output to the latch circuit 112g, and is output from the latch circuit 112g for a certain period of time in response to the chip select signal from the address decode circuit 113 to control the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 136. For this reason, a state in which the ball easily enters the starting port 21 in the game board 2 occurs.

When power is supplied to the main board 100, a reset signal is supplied from the power board 700, and each device on the main board 100 is reset. Thereafter, the system reset signal becomes inactive, and each device transits to the active state. When the system reset signal changes to the inactive state, the reset signal to the one-chip microcomputer 101 becomes inactive after a certain period of time due to clock synchronization and delay processing by the delay circuit 109. As a result, the one-chip microcomputer 101 enters the operating state, and the operating state of the main board 100 is maintained. After that, the initialization of the one-chip microcomputer 101 is performed.

When the power supply externally supplied to the gaming machine is unstable, the power failure detection signal from the power supply board 700 is sent to the one-chip microcomputer 101 by the NMI (non-maskable interrupt).
The one-chip microcomputer 101 performs a save operation of each storage area.

Specifically, after detecting the prize ball detection data for a certain period of time, the data of the power failure processing determination is stored in the RAM area to protect the RAM 104. That is, when the power supply voltage decreases, the power supply
A backup power supply DC5VBB is supplied to M104,
The storage state of the RAM 104 is maintained.

The next time power is supplied, upon recognizing that a power failure has occurred based on the presence or absence of power failure processing determination data, the one-chip microcomputer 101 performs a power failure recovery process. At the time of initialization, if the RAM initialization signal is active, the CPU 102 detects data of the I / O port 106 and initializes the RAM area.

The signal that the ball has been cut by the shot ball cut switch 131 and the signal that the clogged ball of the prize ball has been detected by the overflow switch 133 on the lower plate of the game board are sent to the one-chip microcomputer 101 through the gate circuit 111 and the data bus. It is captured. After the data conversion, these signals are output from the latch circuit 112a to the payout control board 200 in the same configuration as the prize ball output data. The latch circuit 1
The outputs 12a to 112g are unidirectional and take an irreversible output form.

The main board 100 operates based on a clock generated by the clock circuit 108 inside the main board. Further, the internal timer 107 generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 102 at regular time intervals by the frequency dividing operation. The CPU 102
Various processes are performed at regular intervals when the interrupt signal is input.

Next, the payout control base 200 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. The payout control board 200 performs one-way communication only for reception from the main board 100, and performs 8-bit parallel prize ball data, a prize ball data control signal 1, and a prize ball data control signal 2
Receiving the communication data composed of.

When the award ball data control signal 1 is input to the counter circuit 202 of the one-chip microcomputer 201, the counter circuit 202 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 203. As a result, the award ball data control signal 1 becomes C
The fetch of prize ball data to the PU 203 is used as a trigger.

The CPU 203 has an address decode circuit 2
13, a gate select signal is supplied to the gate circuit 212,
Output to the gate circuit 211, and the gate circuits 212 and 211
The award ball data and various signals input to the RAM 205 are fetched via a gate circuit and a data bus, and are stored in the RAM 205. Then, the payout operation is sequentially performed with the number of award balls corresponding to the captured award ball data.

The CPU 203 outputs a prize ball path switching signal to the latch circuit 215 via the data bus, and at the same time, causes the address decode circuit 213 to output a chip select signal. As a result, the prize ball path switching signal is output to the solenoid 224, and the prize ball path for the payout operation is secured. Thereafter, a stop release signal of the payout stop solenoid signal is output to the latch circuit 214 and the payout motor 222 is output.
The payout motor control signals 1, 2, 3, and 4 are sequentially output to perform a prize ball payout operation while controlling the motor rotation according to the output timing of the chip select signal.

With reference to the clock of the clock circuit 209,
Interrupt signal at fixed time intervals by internal timer 208
Generated for U203, the detection signal of the winning ball payout ball is taken into the data bus at this interrupt timing, and when the predetermined number of winning balls is detected, the drive of the payout stop solenoid 223 and the payout motor 222 is stopped. The prize ball payout ball is detected by the right prize ball detection switch 130 installed on the ball lending route.
b, performed by the left prize ball detection switch 130a. These detection signals are taken into the data bus by outputting a chip select signal to the gate circuit 211.

The ball lending operation is performed by transmitting and receiving a ball lending signal to and from the card unit (CR ball lending machine) b through the gate circuit 211 and the latch circuit 215.
During the ball lending operation, the CPU 203 sends a ball lending path switching signal through the latch circuit 215 to the path switching solenoid 2.
24, a ball lending route is secured, a right lending ball detection switch 220a and a left lending ball detection switch 220b installed on the ball lending route detect a lending ball, and a payout operation is performed.

In the ball lending operation, information is output from latch circuit 215 to the outside at regular intervals. In a state where the transmission and reception of the ball lending signal is normal, a firing permission signal is output from the latch circuit 215 to the firing control board 600 in an active state. Further, when an abnormality occurs in transmission and reception of the ball lending signal, the firing permission signal changes to an inactive state, and the ball cannot be fired. However, when the transmission and reception of the ball lending signal returns to a normal state, the ball can be fired.

In addition, in the payout operation, the main board 10
From 0, when the prize ball data detects a signal to cut a shot ball of the switch 131 for shooting a ball and an overflow detection signal of an overflow switch 133 installed near the lower tray 4 of the gaming machine body 1, the payout control board 200 Stops the payout operation. The payout operation is restarted by transmitting each release signal to the prize ball data.

When power is supplied to the dispensing control board 200, a system reset signal is supplied from the power supply board 700, and each device of the dispensing control board 200 is reset. Thereafter, the reset signal is in an inactive state, and each device transits to an active state.

By the delay processing of the clock synchronization / delay circuit 210, the reset signal to the one-chip microcomputer 201 becomes inactive after a lapse of a predetermined time from the change of the original reset signal to the inactive state. After a certain period of time from when the original reset signal became inactive,
The one-chip microcomputer 201 enters the operating state, and the operating state of the payout control board 200 is maintained. After that, the initial setting of the one-chip microcomputer 201 is performed.

When the power supply externally supplied to the gaming machine is unstable, the power supply
A power failure detection signal is supplied to an MI (non-maskable interrupt) 206, and the one-chip microcomputer 201 performs a save operation of each storage area. Specifically, after detecting prize ball detection data for a certain period of time, the RAM
The power failure processing determination data is stored in the area, and the RAM 205 is protected.

When the power supply voltage drops, the power supply board 70
0V DC5V as backup power supply to RAM205
BB is supplied, and the storage state of the RAM 205 is held. When the power is supplied again, the one-chip microcomputer 201 recognizes the existence of the data of the power failure processing determination, and performs the power failure recovery processing. At the time of initialization, if the RAM initialization signal is in the active state, the CPU 203 sets the I / O port 20
7, the RAM area is initialized.

Next, the display control board 300 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The display control board 300 mainly includes a special symbol display device (variable display device) 310 installed on the game board 2.
Control. The display control board 300 includes a display control ROM 302 that stores a predetermined image processing procedure (program) and image control data, and a display control CPU 301 that reads and executes the predetermined image processing procedure.

The display control board 300 has a display control RAM 303 for storing information obtained by executing the image processing procedure by the display control CPU 301.
And an input / output interface 306 for inputting / outputting instruction information from the main board 100, each control IC in the display control board, and the like, and control instruction information obtained by the display control CPU 301 via the input / output interface 306. Further, it has an image control IC 304 for generating a specific image.

Further, the display control board 300 is provided with the image control I
An image data ROM 305 which is managed by the C 304 and stores various images as data, and a display control CPU
A test test terminal 3 for outputting a signal to the outside for confirming that the image 301 is operating normally and an image is displayed
07 etc.

Instruction information is input to the display control CPU 301 from the main board 100 via the input / output interface 306 by parallel communication. Display control CP
U301 executes the contents of the input instruction information in accordance with the image processing procedure stored in the display control ROM 302, and organizes and stores the information in the display control RAM 303 while giving specific instructions to the image control IC 304. I do.

The image control IC 304 is a display control CPU.
In accordance with the instruction of 301, a specific video signal is generated with reference to the image data ROM 305 and output to the display device.
In the block diagram of FIG. 8, a VRAM which is an area for temporarily storing image data, pallet (color) information, and the like generated by the image control IC 304 is not shown, but the image control IC 304 has a built-in VRAM. A one-chip microcomputer may be used.

The reset signal from the power supply board 700 is input from the power supply board 700 to the display control CPU 301 when the game machine body 1 is powered on. Thereafter, the display control CPU 301 initializes each control circuit in the display control board 300 according to the image control procedure stored in the display control ROM 302.

Next, the lamp control board 400 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The lamp control board 400 includes a gaming machine status lamp 4 installed on the front of the gaming machine main body 1 or on the gaming board 2.
22, side case lamp 423, various LEDs 424 ~
Lighting control of 428, 420, 421, etc. is performed.

The lamp control board 400 includes a lamp control ROM 402 storing predetermined lamp control processing procedures (programs) and control data, a lamp control CPU 401 for reading and executing predetermined lamp control processing procedures, and a lamp control CPU 401. Lamp control RAM 40 for storing information obtained by executing the lamp control processing procedure
3 and instruction information from the main board 100 and the lamp control board 4
00, an input / output interface 404 for inputting / outputting to / from each control circuit and the like, and a lamp control board 40 via the input / output interface by the lamp control CPU 401.
It is composed of a driver circuit 405 for driving the lighting signal of each lamp / LED connected to 0 and the like.

Instruction information is input to the lamp control CPU 401 from the main board 100 via the input / output interface 404 by parallel communication. Lamp control CPU
Reference numeral 401 denotes a lamp control RO for the content of the input instruction information.
The driver circuit 405 is operated according to the lamp control processing procedure stored in the M402, and the information is organized and stored in the lamp control RAM 403 to turn on / off each connected lamp / LED.

The reset signal from the power supply board 700 is input from the power supply board 700 to the lamp control CPU 401 when the game machine body 1 is powered on. Then, the lamp control CPU 401 initializes each control circuit in the lamp control board according to the control procedure stored in the lamp control ROM 402.

Next, the sound control board 500 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The audio control board 500 is used for the gaming machine main body 1.
When the game is in a game state, the sound effect and the sound by the game effect are controlled. When it is not in the gaming state, control such as a warning sound for notifying an abnormal state of the gaming machine body 1 is performed.

The voice control board 500 includes a voice control ROM 502 for storing a predetermined voice processing procedure (program) and control data, a voice control CPU 501 for reading and executing the predetermined voice control procedure, and a voice processing CPU 501 for controlling the voice processing. A voice control RAM 503 for storing information obtained by executing the procedure; an input / output interface 506 for inputting / outputting instruction information from the main board 100 and each control IC in the voice control board 500;
01, a voice control IC 504 that obtains control instruction information via an input / output interface and generates a specific voice.
And a voice data ROM 505 which is managed by the voice control IC 504 and stores various voices as data, and an amplifier circuit 507 for amplifying the voice signal generated from the voice control IC 504.

The voice control CPU 501 receives instruction information from the main board 100 via the input / output interface 506 by parallel communication. Voice control CPU 501
Stores the content of the input instruction information in the voice control ROM 502
, And instructs the voice control IC 504 while organizing and storing information in the voice control RAM 503.

The voice control IC 504 includes a voice control CPU 5
01, refer to the audio data ROM 505,
A specific audio signal is generated and output to the amplifier circuit 507. The reset signal from the power supply board is output from the power supply board 700 when the pachinko machine is powered on.
The voice control CPU 501 inputs the voice control R
According to the voice control procedure stored in the OM 503, each control circuit in the voice control board is initialized.

Next, the emission control board 600 shown in FIG. 11 will be described. The launch control board 600 includes the launch motor 6
Signals from an oscillation circuit 601, a frequency dividing circuit 602, and a touch sensor 651 in a handle portion 650 are circuits that generate pulses for setting the number of rotations of the pulse motor used in the motor 53 to a predetermined number of rotations. , Stop switch 65
2, a reset signal from the power supply board 700, and a firing permission signal from the payout control board 200, and a motor drive signal control circuit 603 that generates a firing motor drive signal; and a pulse motor (the firing motor 653). ) And a driver circuit 604 for exciting each coil.

The handle portion 650 is provided with a touch sensor 65 for detecting whether or not the player is touching the handle 5.
1. A stop switch 652 that allows the player to arbitrarily stop firing the ball, a pulse motor 653 (fire motor) for firing the ball, and the like.

When the game machine body 1 is powered on, the reset signal from the power supply board 700 is input from the power supply board 700 to the motor drive signal control circuit 603 to initialize each circuit of the firing control board 600.

Touch sensor 651 in handle 650
Outputs a signal indicating that firing is possible when the player is touching the steering wheel 5, and outputs a signal indicating that firing is not possible if the player is not touching the steering wheel 5 To the motor drive signal control circuit 603.

[0097] The stop switch 652 is a switch provided so that the player can arbitrarily stop firing the ball. When the stop switch 652 is operated by the player, the motor drive signal control circuit 603 is provided. And outputs a ball firing signal when the stop switch 652 is not input.

The stop switch 652 outputs the same signal as the state input from the stop switch 652 when the player does not operate the stop switch 652 at all and the steering wheel 5 is not rotated. I do. That is, due to the internal structure of the handle 5, when the handle 5 is not rotating, the signal from the stop switch 652 is input. That is, after the game machine main body 1 is powered on, the reset signal is input to the motor drive signal control circuit 603, each circuit is initialized, and the player touches the handle 5 to rotate the game machine. Only then is the ball fired.

Next, the power supply substrate 700 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. Full-wave rectification of AC 24 V supplied from the outside is performed by a diode bridge rectifier, and a DC power supply DC 24
Generate V. Smoothing is performed by a condenser through a diode through a 24 V DC power supply to generate a 32 V DC power supply.
DC24V and DC32V are unstable power supplies.

24 V DC is supplied to the power supply circuit 701,
A constant voltage power supply of stable power supply DC18V, DC12V, DC5V is generated, and the main board 100, the payout control board 2
00, the lamp control board 400, the voice control board 5
00, the display control board 300, the emission control board 60
0 is supplied.

The generated DC 5 V constant-voltage power supply is connected to the capacitor of the backup circuit 702 through a diode to generate a DC 5 VBB backup power supply, and the DC 5 VBB is connected to the main board 100 and the payout control board 2.
00 is supplied. The AC24V is supplied to the card unit connection board 900, and is used as a power supply for communication between the payout control board 200 and the card unit b and a power supply for the operation panel board a.

The voltage level of the DC 24 V power supply is detected by voltage detection circuit 708 and output to delay circuit 707. The delay circuit 707 has a delay time of an internal time constant of 500 msec, and the continuous output time of the voltage detection circuit 708 is
If the time constant is not larger than 7, the delay circuit 707 does not output an output signal. For this reason, the voltage fluctuation and the stop of the power when the voltage level of the DC 24 V power supply is smaller than the time constant of the delay circuit 707 are ignored, and the power failure detection signal is not output from the power supply board to the outside.

When an input signal larger than the time constant is input to the delay circuit 707, the delay circuit 707 outputs the power failure detection signal to the main board 100, the payout control board 200, and the shift register 7.
04 is output to the serial input terminal. To the 8-bit shift register 704, a clock having a period of 20 milliseconds is always input from the clock circuit 706.

Here, the 8-bit data input terminal is fixed to zero. For this reason, when the power failure detection signal is input to the 8-bit shift register 704, a reset signal is sent from the 8-bit shift register 704 after 8 clocks (about 160 msec) to the main board 100, the payout control board 200,
The signals are output to the emission control board 600, the display control board 300, the lamp control board 400, and the audio control board 500.

At the time of power-on and after the recovery from power failure, the time constant of the delay circuit 707, the power-failure detection signal and the reset signal are output in an active state from the time of peripheral circuit power-on. After the time constant of the delay circuit 707, the power failure detection signal becomes inactive, and the reset signal is output inactive after eight clocks of the 8-bit shift register 704.
The RAM initialization signal is output to the main board 100 and the payout control board 200 in an active state by manually pressing the RAM initialization switch 705.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing identification information and game information displayed on the special symbol display device 310 when a determination has been made that the game state of the gaming machine is to be advantageously controlled for the player, and a display result thereof. .

On the basis of the display effect data (game state effect data) output to the display control board 300, a pair of upper and lower first regions 31 is displayed in the image display area of the special symbol display device 310.
1 is formed, and the identification information is variably displayed in the pair of first regions 311 (FIG. 13A). Next, each first area 311
The identification information is stopped and displayed in one or two of the three areas (FIG. 13B).

In each area of the pair of first areas 311, identification information is variably displayed or stopped and displayed, but the interval between the pair of first areas 311 is repeated repeatedly. In such repetition, the lower first region 311
The identification information is stopped and displayed in the three areas as "6, 5, 8" (FIG. 13c). Furthermore, the upper first region 31
The specific identification information stopped and displayed in the three areas 1 matches “2, 2, 2”, and the display result becomes a predetermined display result (FIG. 13D).

As described above, when the display result becomes a predetermined display result, the game information of the gaming machine is displayed in the second area 312 which is an area other than the first area 311 above the image display area, as "big hit", " R1 ”(FIG. 13
e). “R1” indicates that the number of rounds is one. As a result, after the game is over, it is possible to control the gaming state which is advantageous for the player in the gaming state in which the special winning opening 24 is opened and closed once.

On the other hand, when it is not determined that the gaming state of the gaming machine is to be advantageously controlled for the player, the identification information “5,
6 and 7 "and the display is stopped. Also, the game information of the gaming machine is not displayed in the second area 312.

The case where the pair of upper and lower first regions 311 are formed in the image display area of the special symbol display device 310 has been described above. As shown in FIG.
The pair of left and right first regions 311 may be set in the ten image display regions.

A pair of left and right first areas 311 is formed (FIG. 14A), and identification information is variably displayed or stopped in each of the pair of first areas 311 (FIG. 14).
b). Eventually, the first region 311 on the left is displaced leftward, while the first region on the right is displaced rightward, and the left and right pair of first regions 311 are separated from each other left and right (FIG. 14c). Are approached to each other, and the width of the interval between the pair of left and right first regions 311 is repeated.

Then, for example, the left first region 311
In the three areas, the identification information is stopped and displayed as “2, 2, 2”, and the display result becomes a predetermined display result (FIG. 14).
d), game information of the gaming machine is displayed in the second area 312 (FIG. 14e). As a result, after the game is over, it is possible to control the gaming state to be advantageous to the player.

That is, when the interval between the pair of first areas 311 becomes wider and narrower, the display result becomes a predetermined result, and after the game ends, it is possible to control the game state to be advantageous to the player.

On the other hand, when the interval between the pair of first regions 311 is in a predetermined wide or narrow state, that is, when the pair of first regions 311 is formed at a predetermined position, the display result becomes a predetermined result and the game ends. Later, the game state may be controlled to be advantageous to the player.

As described above, even if the interval between the pair of first regions 311 is widened or narrowed, or the interval between the pair of first regions 311 is set to a predetermined widened state, the display result is not necessarily obtained. Is not always the predetermined result.

In the above-described embodiment, the width of the space between the pair of first regions 311 formed in the image display region of the special symbol display device 310 occurs without notice.
As shown in FIG. 15C, when two of the three pieces of identification information to be stopped and displayed in the three areas of the upper first area 311 are in a reach state in which they match, such as “2, 2”, the state is referred to as the reach state. After the advance notice, a pair of first areas 3
The interval between 11 may be made wider and smaller.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to a pachinko game machine, the present invention can be similarly applied to a ball game machine such as a smart ball game machine or an arrange ball game machine which is controlled by a program. Even in such a case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0119]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a pair of first areas are formed in the image display area by the variable display control means, and identification information is variably displayed or stopped in the pair of first areas. Since the pair of first regions is formed so that the distance between the pair of first regions is widened and narrowed, the identification information displayed on the pair of first regions displaced in the image display region in this manner. Is also displaced to prevent the game from becoming monotonous, and a varied and interesting variable display can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a game board of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an attached state of various control boards used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of various control boards used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a payout control board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a display control board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a lamp control board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an audio control board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a launch control board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a power supply board used for controlling the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing identification information, game information, and the like displayed on a special symbol display device when it is determined that the gaming state of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is advantageously controlled for the player; It is a figure showing the display result.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a special symbol display device according to one embodiment of the present invention in which a pair of left and right first regions is formed in an image display region.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a case where a reach state occurs in one of the first regions according to an embodiment of the present invention, and then the distance between the pair of first regions becomes wider and narrower.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine main body 2 ... Game board 3 ... Top tray 4 ... Bottom tray 5 ... Handle 6 ... Ashtray 7 ... Top tray ball removal lever 8 ... Bottom tray ball removal lever 9 ... Lending button 10 ... Return button 11 ... Glass frame 12 ... frequency display unit 15 ... windmill 16 ... guide rail 21 ... starting opening 22a ... right sleeve winning opening 22b ... left sleeve winning opening 23a ... right drop winning opening 23b ... left drop winning opening 24 ... large winning opening 101 ... one chip microcomputer ( Gaming state determining means) 126a: Right normal symbol display device operating gate switch 126b: Left normal symbol display device operating gate switch 134: Large winning opening solenoid 135: Direction switching solenoid 140: Normal symbol display device 200: Payout control board 300: Display Control board (variable display control means) 310 special symbol display device (variable display device) 311 first region 312 2 areas 400 lamp control board 420 special symbol holding LED 421 normal symbol holding LED 422 gaming machine status lamp 423 side case lamp 424 gaming frame status lamp 425 center LED 426 gate LED 427 attacker LED 428 Side LED 500 Voice control board 600 Launch control board 653 Launch motor 700 Power board

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine having a variable display device, wherein a predetermined game value can be given when a display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined display result, wherein a variable display device has an image display area. A pair of first regions; and a variable display control unit for performing variable display control for deriving and displaying the display results in the pair of first regions, respectively, wherein the variable display control unit includes the pair of first regions. A gaming machine characterized in that it can be formed by displacing at least one of the pair of first regions so that the distance between the regions is widened and narrowed. 2. A gaming machine having a variable display device, wherein a predetermined game value can be given when a display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined display result, wherein a second display is provided in an image display area of the variable display device. A pair of first regions; and a variable display control unit for performing variable display control for deriving and displaying the display results in the pair of first regions, respectively, wherein the variable display control unit includes the pair of first regions. A gaming machine characterized in that each piece of identification information to be displayed in an area can be expanded and contracted in the same or parallel directions. 3. The variable display control means forms a second area other than the first area in the image display area,
3. The game according to claim 1, wherein when specific identification information is stopped and displayed in at least one of the pair of first areas, game information of a gaming machine is displayed in the second area. Machine. 4. The variable display control means according to claim 1, wherein:
When displacing at least one of the pair of first regions so that the distance between the regions is increased or decreased, or
When the identification information to be displayed in the pair of first areas is displayed in the same or parallel to each other, the identification information relating to the reach is displayed in at least one of the pair of first areas. A gaming machine characterized by: