JP2009189876A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which a movement controlled performance member is prevented from influencing on a rolling direction of game balls. <P>SOLUTION: Display control arrangement includes a movement control arrangement to control movement of a performance member 1601. A front face configuration body 1800 for decorating the front face circumference of a display device 100 has a right-left asymmetric shape and has a cover in the front face to cover the performance member 1601 so as not to influence on a rolling direction of game balls rolling on a game board. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a gaming machine provided with a production member.

  In this type of conventional gaming machine, there is an effect member that is in the vicinity of the screen display unit of the symbol display device arranged in the center of the game board and that performs a predetermined operation by driving the drive unit, and a screen display unit Some have a drive control unit that controls the drive unit in accordance with a change in data displayed on the display (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-229024

  However, in this gaming machine, there is a possibility that the game ball rolling on the game board may collide with the directing member, and the game ball is desired despite the player aiming and firing the game ball. The rolling direction of the gaming ball is produced with no or very little possibility, because the rolling of the game ball may collide with the production member and the production member may be damaged. Proposal of a gaming machine that is not affected by the members for use is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent an effect member whose movement is controlled from affecting the rolling direction of a game ball.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) A game board on which a game ball can roll, a display device provided on the game board and capable of variably displaying identification information, main control means for controlling the overall operation of the game machine, and the main control Display control means for controlling display of the display device in response to a control command from the means, and a front structure for decorating the front periphery of the display device provided around the front surface of the display device in the game board And a display member that is provided on the front structure and performs a predetermined operation, the display control means includes a movement control means that performs movement control of the display member, and the front structure includes: It has a cover that covers the effect member so as not to affect the rolling direction of the game ball rolling on the game board. This prevents the game ball from colliding with the effect member by the cover, prevents damage to the effect member, and prevents the effect member from affecting the rolling direction of the game ball. . Furthermore, since the display control means includes a movement control means, the main control means is concerned about fraud that reduces the control burden of the main control means and intentionally improves the lottery probability for determining whether or not a big hit. By reducing the control capacity, fraud detection can be facilitated, and the inspection amount at the inspection organization can be reduced.

(2) In the above section (1), the front structure is asymmetrical in that the length extending from the right side to the right side of the display device is longer than the length extending from the left side to the left side of the display device. It is a shape, The said member for production is provided in the front surface of the right part of the said front structure. Thereby, a flow-down area of the game ball is secured in the left area opposite to the right area where the effect member is provided. In other words, a position where the launched game ball first reaches the surface of the game board, that is, an area where the game ball flows down at the upper left corner of the display device is secured, and a symbol start is arranged below the display device. The game area required for the game ball to flow down in the direction of the winning a prize opening or the big prize opening opened during the big hit is secured on the left side of the display device, so the flow area of the game ball is substantially limited. It is possible to provide an effect member.

  According to the present invention, the cover prevents the game ball from colliding with the effect member, thereby preventing the effect member from being damaged and preventing the effect member from affecting the rolling direction of the game ball. be able to. Furthermore, since the display control means includes the movement control means, it is possible to reduce the control burden on the main control means, facilitate fraud detection, and reduce the amount of inspection at the inspection organization.

It is typical explanatory drawing of a game board. It is a control block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a block block diagram of a special symbol display device. It is explanatory drawing of a character ROM memory map and palette data. It is a timing chart which shows the timing of command transmission / reception. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in a command data table area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in a command data table area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in a command data table area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the command stored in a command data table area | region. It is a general flowchart for demonstrating game control operation | movement of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control operation of CPU of a special symbol display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the data structure of a command. It is a timing chart which shows the command transmission timing for a symbol display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating command transmission. It is explanatory drawing of the structure part of the special symbol display apparatus added by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a mechanical character moving mechanism. It is a typical front view of the special symbol display device of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a cover. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the random number table for a movement determination. It is explanatory drawing of the random number table for a movement control pattern selection. It is explanatory drawing of a movement control pattern. It is a typical explanatory view of a section of a mechanical character moving mechanism.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the general configuration and operation of a gaming machine that performs display control by transmitting and receiving control commands will be described, and then the main operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the game board 10. There are three (left, middle, and right) display areas in the approximate center of the game board 10, and in each display area, identification information composed of symbols by numbers and characters is variably displayed. A special symbol display device 100 which constitutes a possible display device is disposed, and a special symbol start port 104 is disposed immediately below the special symbol display device 104, and a normal symbol operation gate 102 is provided on both sides of the special symbol start port 104. , 102 are arranged. In addition, a pair of opening and closing members 120 and 120 are provided so as to be opened and closed apart so as to form the special symbol starting port 104.

  Further, a special prize opening 106, a normal symbol display device 108, and an out port 114 are arranged in this order below the special symbol starting port 104, and further, a lamp is placed on both sides of the special symbol starting port 104 diagonally. Display devices 110 and 110 are disposed, and lamp display devices (more specifically, LED devices) 112 and 112 are also disposed in the vicinity of both end portions of the game board 10.

  When a game ball wins the special symbol start port 104, a random number lottery is performed, and when the lottery random number is a big hit value, at least one identification information variation display is started in each display area. A predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed on the active line by the special symbol display device 100, and the big winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern. Become.

  Further, when the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passage of the game ball, a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a small hit value, the display unit of the normal symbol display device 108 is set to a predetermined pattern (for example, “7 ”Or“ 3 ”), and then, when the opening / closing member 120 is opened and the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 104, the random number lottery is performed in the same manner. Is a big hit value, variable display in each display area is started, and then a special display device 100 displays a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) on the hit effective line. The winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, and a big hit state advantageous to the player is achieved. On the other hand, hit balls that are not won are discharged through the out port 114.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only the main part of the gaming machine in which gaming machine control is performed according to the progress of such a game. The main control unit 200 includes a microprocessor incorporating a CPU, and stores a variety of control commands including at least various commands for controlling the special symbol display device 100, which will be described later. A ROM 201 for storing a control program describing a region 202 and a series of gaming machine control procedures and a game control program such as control data and a RAM 203 for forming a work area are provided, and an integrated one-chip microcomputer is provided. ing. The game operation is performed by the main control unit 200 repeatedly executing this game control program in a predetermined cycle.

  The main control unit 200 is provided inside the special symbol start port 104 via the input port 210, and includes a special symbol start switch 304 for detecting the winning of the game ball to the special symbol start port 104, and the normal symbol operation gate 102. A normal symbol operation switch 306 that is provided inside and detects the passage of the game ball to the gate, and a big prize opening switch 308 that is provided inside the big prize opening 106 and detects the winning of the game ball to the big prize opening 106. The main control unit 200 is connected and can receive each detection signal.

  In addition, the main control unit 200 has three display units for displaying special symbols and characters via the output port 215, each of which can be independently variably displayed, and can be realized by an LCD or the like. 100, lamp display devices 110 and 112 for controlling lighting of the lamp, sound effect generating device 116 for generating sound effects, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a 7-segment display device, and an opening / closing member 120 for the special symbol start port 104 A start opening solenoid 300 for controlling opening and closing and a large winning opening operating solenoid 302 for controlling opening and closing of a wide opening and closing member of the large winning opening 106 are connected, and the main control unit 200 controls each device. The control signal can be transmitted.

  The main control unit 200 can transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing. The special symbol display device 100 is configured such that the CPU in the special symbol display device 100 performs fine display control without depending on the main control unit 200 based on the received command. Furthermore, the communication form by the one-way communication which only transmits a command from the main control part 200 to the special symbol display apparatus 100 is taken.

  Then, a special symbol display device 100 that performs a symbol display effect according to the winning of a game ball at the special symbol start opening 104, a sound effect generator 116 that performs a sound output effect by generating a sound effect together with the symbol display effect, and this A lamp display device 110 (112) that performs lighting on / off by performing lighting on / off control of a lighting unit (not shown) together with a symbol display effect constitutes a peripheral device group for effects.

  The main control unit 200 is connected to a power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 that outputs a reset signal every predetermined time. Further, the reset circuit 213 receives a pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter from the main control unit 200 and a monitor signal for monitoring the current supply status from the power supply circuit 212.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the display control command sent from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 is a mode (MODE) that is an identifier for identifying the command classification and is 1-byte long digital information. , An event (EVENT) which is 1-byte digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed. FIGS. 6 to 9 show the display on the command data table area 202 stored in the ROM 201. A part of control command data is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the display control commands include “a command for changing a special symbol and specifying a variation pattern (first command)”, “a stop symbol on the left of the special symbol. “Command to specify (second command)”, “Command to specify stop symbol in special symbol (second command)”, “Command to specify stop symbol to the right of special symbol (second command)”, “ There is a command (third command) for stopping the special symbol. Note that the first command is a command that includes information for designating a variation pattern such as what pattern the symbol is variably displayed and what pattern the character is displayed. The main control unit 200 transmits these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variation display control when the game situation is such that the symbol variation display is started.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. The special symbol display device 100 supplies a power to the data receiving circuit 1140 (including a voltage converting circuit for converting the data level) for receiving a strobe signal and a command from the main control unit 200, and the voltage converting circuit and the like. A power supply circuit 1160, a CPU 1020 (display control means) that generates control data necessary for display control based on the received command and outputs the control data to the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060, and an operation procedure of the CPU 1020 are described. A program ROM 1040 having a built-in program, a RAM 1090 functioning as a work area or a buffer memory, an image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 for performing image development processing, and image data developed by the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 are temporarily stored. Storing video RAM 1080 and image processing L Character ROM 1180 storing data necessary for image development by I (VDP) 1060, LCD panel interface circuit 1100 for receiving and transmitting image data temporarily stored in video RAM 1080, and this LCD panel interface And an LCD panel 1120 for outputting a display image using the image data sent from the circuit 1100.

  When the CPU 1020 executes the control program recorded in the program ROM 1040, the following processing including a part of the characteristic part of the present invention is executed. The recording medium for recording the program is not limited to the ROM, and any recording medium can be used as long as it can record digital information and can access the recorded digital information. In addition, this control program may be downloaded from an information processing apparatus (not shown) via a communication network (not shown) (both wired and wireless).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the character ROM 1180 includes a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area storing actual character data, a palette data area storing character color data, and a character data area. It has a scenario data area in which information defining movement is stored, and the character data is stored in the character image data area after being compressed by a specific compression method, and is further shown in FIG. As described above, in the palette data area, a plurality of types in which color numbers and color codes are paired are stored.

  Then, when the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 gives the control data generated in response to the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 to the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 The character data acquired from the image data area is decompressed and colored with the color data acquired from the palette data area, and the image data temporarily developed at the position on the video RAM 1080 specified by the information acquired from the scenario data area By storing and temporarily storing the stored data to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100, the LCD panel 1120 performs various image displays including a change in the variable display speed.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing command transmission / reception timing. As described above, the command is composed of a 1-byte mode (MODE) and an event (EVENT) that is also 1-byte long. In this example, the main control unit 200 generates a strobe generated by itself when the command changes. Mode (MODE) information is transmitted in response to the first rising edge of the signal (DUSTB), and then event (EVENT) information is transmitted in response to the second rising edge of the strobe signal (DUSTB). Correspondingly, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 generates an interrupt when a strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives a command by this interrupt processing, and stores it in the RAM 1090.

  Next, a normal control operation performed by the main control unit 200 and the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (game control general flowchart) and FIG. The display control will be described to make it easier to understand the present invention. The series of processes shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the main control unit 200, and is executed from the top step using a reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) as a trigger. The process is to be executed repeatedly.

  First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated, and it is determined whether or not the first process has been executed since the power was turned on (step S110). . In the case of the first process after the power is turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to Step S200. In other cases (No), the process proceeds to Step S120.

  In step S200, a storage area clearing process is executed as an initialization process of the RAM 203. Next, in step S210, data for performing an initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count value of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for determining big hits, small hits, etc., which are formed in the RAM 203, is incremented. In step S130, various values used for game machine control are incremented. Update the timer value of the timer. Therefore, initialization such as RAM clearing and initial data set processing is performed when power is initially turned on, and a predetermined stack value is stacked in the stack area of the main control unit 200. Initialization such as updating is performed, and a second predetermined stack value corresponding to the initialization is stacked in the stack area of the main control unit 200.

  Next, in step S140, an input port process for reading and storing the detection signals output from the special symbol start switch 304, the normal symbol operation switch 306, and the special prize opening switch 308 via the input port 210 into an internal register (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to step S150, and a switch check process for grasping the data read and stored in the port input process is executed.

  Next, in step S160, the switch 304, 306, 308, etc. is checked for disconnection or short circuit. If these faults have occurred (Yes), the process proceeds to step S220. In this case (No), the process proceeds to step S180 (step S170).

  In step S180, data necessary for display control of the normal symbol display device 108 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and commands necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 (previously in FIGS. 6 to 9). (Including the described command) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are reduced (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 determines a necessary mode and event command in accordance with the game control with reference to the command data table area 202, and sets digital information indicating the determined mode and event in the RAM 203. Store in the area.

  Next, in step S195, in order to control the opening / closing member 120 of the special winning opening 106 and the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern, the start opening operating solenoid 300 and the large winning opening operating solenoid 302 are driven and controlled. Next, in step S220, a prize ball setting process for outputting control information for causing a prize ball payout device (not shown) to perform a payout operation is executed. Further, in steps S230, 240, 250, a gaming machine management device (not shown) An external information processing for outputting various game data, a display light control process for storing the lamp display devices 110 and 112 in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and a sound effect generating device 116 for controlling the lighting of the lamp display devices 110 and 112 corresponding to the gaming state. A command for controlling sound effect generation corresponding to the gaming state is sent to a predetermined area of the RAM 203. Executing the sound effect processing to be stored in.

  Next, in step S260, the data stored in the RAM 203 in each process is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output processing), and the device that receives this performs a control operation based on this. . Then, a strobe signal is first output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 are transmitted as shown in FIG. Thus, for example, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are transmitted to the special symbol display device 100 from the main control unit 200 and received.

  In step S270, a reset standby process is executed until a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 213. If a reset signal is input, the process proceeds to step S110 to continue gaming machine control. The reset waiting process includes updating the various random number generation counters described above.

  Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 that has received the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer, initializes the RAM 1090, initializes itself such as register clear, and the like, and determines in step S1102 whether a new command has been input. If it is determined that a new command for display control has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1104. Otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S1110.

  In step S1104, in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG. 5, the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 is copied to the RAM 1090, and it is checked whether or not the command is normal. Next, the CPU 1020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) in order to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200, and then in step S1108, the image In order to output to the processing LSI 1060, data in a necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated.

  Next, in step S1110, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained based on the symbol control data set in the RAM 1090 and set in the RAM 1090 to set the symbol display position. In S1112, the data necessary for the symbol speed control is acquired from a speed table (not shown) built in the program ROM 1040 and set in the RAM 1090. Next, in step S1114, the symbol offset value is calculated based on the velocity data. Update and prepare to perform symbol variation at the set speed.

  Next, in step S1116, animation data is acquired from an animation processing table (not shown) in which animation processing data set in the RAM 1090 is stored, and preparation for displaying a background image is performed. And determines whether the output permission flag is “1” (step S1118).

  If the output permission flag is not “1” (No), the process returns to Step S1102 and repeats the series of processes. On the other hand, if the output permission flag is “1” (Yes), the VDP is determined in Step S1120. Data set in the output buffer is output to the image processing LSI 1060. In response to this, the image processing LSI 1060 acquires the data in the character ROM 1180 and develops the image, and the image-developed data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 and sent to the LCD. An image is displayed on the panel 1120. In this way, symbol variation display, background image display, and the like are performed at the set speed at the set display position in the special symbol display device 100.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating an example of the transmission timing of a command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100, and an explanatory diagram of the transmission command. As can be understood by referring to these drawings, the main control unit 200 is illustrated. When a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning in the special symbol starting port 104 is satisfied, first, a command for starting symbol variation and designating a variation pattern is transmitted (circle 1), and then T1 After the elapse of time, a command for designating the left stop symbol is transmitted (circle 2), and after that, a command for designating the intermediate stop symbol is transmitted after the elapse of T2 time (circle 3), and the right stop symbol is elapsed after the elapse of T3 time. (Circle 4), and a command to stop all symbols after a lapse of T time from the start of fluctuation (circle 5). The CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 that has received the command performs a series of fluctuation display control by performing fine display control such as fluctuation speed change before receiving the command (circle 5), and T time has elapsed from the start of fluctuation. Later, the variable display control is terminated. Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the CPU 1020 is configured to execute drive control of the solenoid 1500 as will be described later in addition to the display control described above.

(Main part of the present invention)
(Configuration) As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 performs display control as described above, and imitates a character appearing during a display effect by driving the solenoid 1500. It also has a function of moving and controlling a mechanical character 1601 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) as an effect member formed of resin or the like. In this example, the mechanical character 1601 is configured to have a dog-like shape as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the protrusion 1511 provided in the vicinity of the tip of the plunger 1510 of the solenoid 1500 provided play in the opening 1610 provided on one end side of the generally doglegged crank 1600. It is fitted in the state. On the other hand, a protrusion 1611 provided on the back side of the mechanical character 1601 is fitted and fixed in a circular hole 1612 provided in the vicinity of the other end of the crank 1600. The crank 1600 itself is fixed to the protrusion 1512 so as to be rotatable, and is rotatable with the protrusion 1512 as a fulcrum.

  When the solenoid 1500 is in an off state (OFF state), the plunger 1510 is in a protruding state, and the crank 1600 and the mechanical character 1601 are present at positions indicated by reference numerals B1 and B2, respectively. When the solenoid 1500 is turned on (ON state) from this state, the plunger 1510 is brought into a non-projecting state, so that the crank 1600 rotates clockwise with the projection 1512 as a fulcrum and the mechanical character 1601 moves to the right in the figure. , The positions of the crank 1600 and the mechanical character 1601 become the positions indicated by reference signs A1 and A2, respectively.

  In this state, when the solenoid 1500 is turned off again, the plunger 1510 is projected again, so that the crank 1600 rotates counterclockwise around the projection 1512 and the mechanical character 1601 moves leftward in the figure. By moving, the positions of the crank 1600 and the mechanical character 1601 are returned to the positions indicated by reference numerals B1 and B2, respectively. Thus, when the CPU 1020 performs on / off control of the solenoid 1500, the mechanical character 1601 is controlled to move between the first position (B2) and the second position (A2).

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a special symbol display device 100 when a mechanical character moving mechanism including a solenoid 1500 is provided in the vicinity of the special symbol display device 100 and a front structure 1800 described later provided around the front surface of the special symbol display device 100. FIG. The front surface of the LCD panel 1120 as a display area in the special symbol display device 100 is surrounded by a front structure 1800. As is apparent from FIG. 17, the front structure 1800 decorates the periphery of the front surface of the LCD panel 1120, and the length extending from the right side to the right side of the special symbol display device 100 is the special symbol display. The device 100 has a left-right asymmetric shape longer than the length extending from the left side to the left side of the device 100. The mechanical character 1601 is disposed on the front surface on the right side of the front structure 1800. Also, one mechanical character moving mechanism including the solenoid 1500 shown in FIG. 16 is provided in the vicinity of the right side of the LCD panel 1120 and in the right region of the front structure 1800. Accordingly, a game ball flowing area is secured on the opposite side of the front structure 1800 from the side where the mechanical character 1601 is provided, that is, on the left side. That is, while the launched game ball first reaches the surface of the game board 10, that is, in the vicinity of the special symbol display device 100 and the front structure 1800 right upper portion of the game board 10, a flow area of the game ball is secured, Special symbol display device 100 and special symbol display device necessary for the game ball to flow down toward the special symbol start port 104 disposed on the lower side of the front structure 1800 and the big winning port 106 opened during the big hit. 100 and the area of the front structure 1800 are secured on the left side of the front structure 1800 as a game ball flow-down area, so that the flow area of the game ball is not substantially limited, and in the vicinity of the special symbol display device 100. A mechanical character 1601 can be provided.

  The solenoid 1500, the protrusion 1512, and the like are fixed to a fixing member (not shown). Then, a cover 1700 (see FIG. 17) as a decorative member is mounted on the front side of the mechanical character 1601 existing on the foremost side in the mechanical character moving mechanism. Thus, even if the mechanical character 1601 is controlled to move, the rolling direction of the game ball is not affected. The cover 1700 can be realized by molding plastic or the like, but it goes without saying that the material and the like are not limited to this.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic side view (sectional view) of the symbol display device 100 of FIG. 17 viewed from the right side. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 17 and 23, when the mechanical character 1601 is viewed from the front side, the upper surface side, lower surface side, and both side surfaces cover the front side of the LCD panel 1120 and are attached to the game board 10. And a cover 1700 is attached to the front surface of the mechanical character 1601 covered with the front structure 1800. For this reason, the game ball is completely prevented from colliding with the mechanical character 1600.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the cover 1700 includes a transparent portion 1701 and a non-transparent portion 1702, and the presence direction of a boundary line (reference numeral Y) between the two portions is a vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 17, when the mechanical character 1601 is positioned at the position B2, the mechanical character 1601 is not visible from the player side by the non-transparent portion 1702, but on the other hand, the mechanical character 1601 is positioned. When moving to A2, the mechanical character 1601 is visible from the player side by the transparent portion 1701. Thus, when the solenoid 1500 is turned on, the mechanical character 1601 that has been hidden by the cover 1700 until then appears to appear from the right direction to the left direction.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the movement determination random number table 2000, and this movement determination random number table 2000 is stored in the program ROM 1040 of FIG. The CPU 1020 uses the RAM 1090 to cyclically count up movement determination random numbers from 0 to 19. If the selected movement determination random number is “0 to 15”, the mechanical character 1601 is not moved. On the other hand, if the selected movement determination random number is “16 to 19”, the mechanical character 1602 is changed. Control to move.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of the movement control pattern selection random number table 2100, and this movement control pattern selection random number table 2100 is stored in the program ROM 1040 of FIG. The CPU 1020 uses the RAM 1090 to cyclically count up the movement control pattern selection random number from 0 to 2. When the selected movement control pattern selection random number is “0”, the movement control pattern of the mechanical character 1601 is “pattern 1”, and when the selected movement control pattern selection random number is “1”, If the movement control pattern of the mechanical character 1601 is “pattern 2” and the selected random number for movement control pattern selection is “2”, the movement control pattern of the mechanical character 1601 is set to “pattern 3” to perform movement control.

  In the movement control in the pattern 1, as shown in FIG. 22A, the solenoid 1500 is turned on only once and the mechanical character 1601 is made to appear from the right to the left and moved backward. In the movement control in pattern 2, as shown in FIG. 22B, first, the solenoid 1500 is turned on, the mechanical character 1601 is moved backward from the right direction once in the left direction, and the solenoid 1500 again. Is turned on and the mechanical character 1601 is moved backward from the right to the left. Thus, according to the control in the control pattern 2, the movement control is performed so that the mechanical character 1601 appears twice in total.

  In the movement control in pattern 3, as shown in FIG. 22C, first, the solenoid 1500 is turned on to cause the mechanical character 1601 to move backward from the right direction once in the left direction, and again the solenoid 1500. Is turned on and the mechanical character 1601 is moved backward from the right direction to the left, and the solenoid 1500 is turned on and the mechanical character 1601 is moved backward from the right to the left. Thus, according to the control in the control pattern 3, the movement control is performed so that the mechanical character 1601 appears three times in total.

  Next, the operation of the main part will be described with reference to FIG. Assume that the first command and the second command are received. First, the CPU 1020 determines that the variation pattern specified by the first command is a specific variation pattern, for example, among the 17 types of variation patterns shown in FIG. 17) Determine whether or not. If the variation pattern specified by the first command is a specific variation pattern (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1910. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S1930.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S1910, the CPU 1020 draws a random number for movement determination, refers to the stored contents of the random number table for movement determination 2000, and if the random number value selected is “0 to 15” (No ) Go to Step S1930. On the other hand, referring to the stored contents of the movement determination random number table 2000, if the selected random number value is “16 to 19” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1920.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S1920, the CPU 1020 draws a random number for movement control pattern selection, refers to the stored contents of the movement control pattern selection random number table 2100, and refers to the movement control pattern corresponding to the selected random number value. Select. That is, when the lottery random numbers are “0”, “1”, and “2”, “control pattern 1”, “control pattern 2”, and “control pattern 3” are selected as the movement control patterns, respectively.

  Next, in step S1930, CPU 1020 performs symbol variation display or the like corresponding to the designated variation pattern on LCD panel 1120. At this time, if the character image to be introduced is the same as that of the mechanical character 1601, the effect is further enhanced. Further, in response to performing an action that causes another character image to appear and invites the mechanical character 1601, for example, “Is welcome! XXX (character name)”, the mechanical character 1601 is displayed on the left side of the drawing. There are many special effects such as moving and appearing.

  Next, in step S1940, CPU 1020 performs movement control using the control pattern selected in step S1920 only when “moving” is previously selected in step S1910. As described above, when the control pattern 1 is selected, as shown in FIG. 22A, the solenoid 1500 is turned on and off once, and when the control pattern 2 is selected, the control pattern 2 is selected as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22B, the solenoid 1500 is turned on and off twice, and when the control pattern 3 is selected, the solenoid 1500 is turned on and off three times as shown in FIG. Thus, movement control of the mechanical character 1601 according to the selected control pattern is performed.

  Next, when the CPU 1020 receives the third command, in step S1950, the symbol previously designated by the second command is displayed on the LCD panel 1120 as the left, middle and right stop symbols.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the collision of the game ball to the mechanical character 1601 as the effect member is prevented by the cover 1700 (decorative member) and the front structure 1800, and the mechanical character 1601 rolls the game ball. It is possible not to affect the direction. Since the cover 1700 is provided in the vicinity of the side of the LCD panel 1120, which is the display area of the special symbol display device 100, the cover 1700 is attached so that it does not easily affect the rolling direction of the game ball during normal gaming. Yes.

  Further, the CPU 1020 controls the movement of the mechanical character 1601 in a predetermined movement mode so that the mechanical character 1601 can move to the first position (B2) and the second position (B1). When the mecha character 1601 is located at the first position, the mecha character 1601 is not visible from the player side, so that the appearance and exit behavior of the mecha character 1601 can be realized, and the effect is rich. Note that the mechanical character 1601 may be visible when the second position is the normal position, and when the mechanical character 1601 moves to the first position, the mechanical character 1601 may appear. It is only necessary to exchange the positions of the transparent portion 1701 and the non-transparent portion 1702 in FIG. According to this, the movement of the mechanical character 1601 between the two positions allows the mechanical character 1601 to move in and out. With a simple configuration, for example, when the mechanical character 1601 appears at a position where it can be seen, it can be a big hit. It can be used for a configuration for notifying that the performance has increased.

  The CPU 1020 further includes means for performing display control using the special symbol display device 100 in response to a control command from the main control unit 200 for overall control of the operation of the gaming machine, in addition to performing movement control. Therefore, the effects as described above can be performed while reducing the control burden on the main control unit 200.

  Further, in the above description, the cover 1700 is attached. However, the movement area of the mechanical character 1601 is not particularly attached to the LCD panel 1120 which is the display area of the special symbol display device 100 without attaching the cover 1700. As compared with the case where the mechanical character 1601 moves so as to cross the space in front of the LCD panel 1120 just by arranging the moving mechanism shown in FIG. The influence of 1601 on the rolling direction of the game ball can be minimized. That is, the mechanical character 1601 does not move in a wide space in front of the display area, and the possibility of a game ball colliding can be minimized.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it becomes possible to give a various deformation | transformation and change to the said embodiment within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the specific gaming state as the trigger of the production member may be set to a big hit, a reach, a notice of them, a symbol change, every predetermined time, etc. You may use for the structure which displays the lottery result of whether or not, and the structure which displays the lottery result of a normal symbol. Also, the random number range shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 may be changed as appropriate, the moving mechanism may be other than a crank, the number of control patterns may be more than one or three, and the special symbol display device The overall shape of 100 is other than that shown in FIG. 17, the shape of the LCD panel 1120 is round or oval in addition to the rectangular shape, a plurality of mechanical characters 1601 are provided, and the display device Are provided separately, and the mechanical character 1601 is driven by an electric drive source such as a motor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 100 Special symbol display apparatus 102 Normal symbol operation gate 104 Special symbol start opening 106 Grand prize opening 110 Lamp display apparatus 112 Lamp display apparatus 114 Out opening 116 Sound effect generator 120 Opening / closing member 200 Main control part 201 ROM
202 Command data table area 203 RAM
210 Input port 213 Reset circuit 212 Power supply circuit 215 Output port 300 Start opening solenoid 302 Large winning opening operation solenoid 304 Special symbol starting switch 306 Normal symbol operating switch 308 Large winning opening switch 1020 CPU
1040 Program ROM
1060 Image processing LSI
1080 video RAM
1090 RAM
1100 LCD panel interface circuit 1120 LCD panel 1140 Data receiving circuit 1160 Power supply circuit 1180 Character ROM
1500 Solenoid 1600 Crank 1601 Mechanical character 1700 Cover 1800 Front structure 2000 Movement determination random number table 2100 Movement control pattern selection random number table

Claims (2)

A game board in which a game ball can roll,
A display device provided on the game board and capable of variably displaying the identification information;
Main control means for overall control of the operation of the gaming machine;
Display control means for performing display control of the display device in response to a control command from the main control means;
A front structure provided around the front surface of the display device in the game board for decorating the front periphery of the display device;
Provided in the front structure, and a production member that performs a predetermined operation,
The display control means includes movement control means for performing movement control of the effect member,
The front structure has a left-right asymmetric shape and has a cover that covers the effect member so as not to affect the rolling direction of the game ball rolling on the game board. Machine. The front structure is a left-right asymmetric shape whose length extending from the right side to the right side of the display device is longer than the length extending from the left side to the left side of the display device,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect member is provided on a front surface of a right portion of the front structure.

Images