JP2009106439A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of displaying an advertisement image high in advertisement value. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine, pseudo reels 4L, 4C and 4R are variably displayed by the start of a game, an internal winning combination is determined by drawing on the basis of the start of the game and a game state, and the variation of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C and 4R is stop-displayed on the basis of the internal winning combination. The advertisement image 101 is displayed, and the advertisement image 101 is not displayed in a predetermined period including at least a part of a period during which the pseudo reels 4L, 4C and 4R are stop-displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a pachislot gaming device, a pachinko gaming device, and other gaming machines.

  Conventionally, this type of gaming machine has been disclosed for use in displaying advertisements using a liquid crystal display device or the like provided on the front surface (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 19).

  For example, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, a specific advertisement display such as a trademark, a trade name, a character, and a catch phrase is a combination picture at the time of jackpot of a slot, and the advertisement effect that the advertisement display is perceived as psychologically preferable. Is configured to be.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 2 has a display film for displaying design characters such as advertisements and advertisements sandwiched in place on a see-through plate made of laminated glass, and is irradiated with light intermittently or at special times. So that the appeal, the advertisement and the like can be increased.

  In addition, for example, the gaming machines disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 are displayed on the karaoke monitor when waiting for a song between karaoke songs, and in the slot game machine connected to the karaoke control terminal, In addition, an advertisement character that displays characters such as a store name, a product name, etc., an advertisement character, a picture, and the like is provided, and a slot game is provided to the customer and the contents of the advertisement are stored unconsciously.

  In addition, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 5 includes a symbol variable display gaming machine that includes a symbol display unit that displays a plurality of types of symbols in a variable manner, and then stops each variable display and displays any symbol. The symbol display unit displays any symbol and predetermined advertisement information in a state that does not hinder the visual recognition of the symbol when the variable display of the symbol is stopped, and the player pays attention to the stopped symbol. The advertisement information comes to the eye naturally, and various advertisements can be effectively performed.

  In addition, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 6 is a gaming machine that causes a phenomenon that gives a player a sense of pleasure only for a predetermined period when a predetermined condition is established based on a player's gaming operation. Only during the period, the player is informed of the advertising information, and is configured to impress the player with a better image of the advertisement content.

  In addition, for example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 7 has an advertising display device that faces the player for a certain amount of time by allowing the advertising display device to face a space that exists in the front portion of the gaming machine housing that attracts the attention of the player or the like. Attention is paid to the advertisement displayed in the above, and the advertising revenue is included in the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine, so that the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 8 displays advertisement information on the display unit in addition to switching between displaying the first moving image on the display unit or displaying the second moving image on the display unit of the gaming machine. The third moving image to be displayed is switched so that the player can play the game without getting bored by increasing the types of moving images displayed on the display unit.

  Also, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 9 projects and displays an information display image such as an advertisement image on at least a part of the game board surface when a predetermined condition is satisfied, thereby displaying information dedicated to information display. The apparatus is configured to display various information such as advertisement images at a low cost and in a novel manner while avoiding the space in the store occupied by the apparatus.

  Further, for example, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 10, when the advertisement display determining unit determines the display of the advertisement based on the gaming state, the advertisement displaying unit displays the advertisement and determines the internal winning combination for drawing the game result. The means is configured so that a lottery is performed in a state in which a special profit is given, and the display of the advertisement is regarded as an opportunity for the player and is accepted with more welcome.

  In addition, for example, in the gaming machine system of Patent Document 11, a display image as a display means for games provided in a pachislot gaming apparatus displays an effect image or the like, and an advertising display means installed at a store in a pachinko hall The display device displays a game situation image composed of an image showing the behavior of a plurality of reels and an effect image, etc., and allows the player to grasp the game content, the effect content, and the current game situation. It is configured as follows.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 12 detects a player in a non-contact manner by a detecting means when a player who has not yet played a game passes near the gaming machine, and outputs a message such as a greeting However, the game is solicited as if talking to the player, and the player who has not yet played the game can actively attract interest and interest in the game.

  Further, for example, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 13, when the operator performs an input operation for selecting an advertisement image to be displayed on the display device by the operator using the operation unit, the gaming machine is stored in the advertisement image storage unit. The selected advertisement image is selected, and the selected advertisement image is displayed on the display device. The degree of freedom regarding the display of advertisements and the like can be expanded to increase the advertising effect for the player. Yes.

  In addition, for example, the gaming machine of Patent Document 14 is configured to determine the advertisement time based on the game information, incorporate the advertisement display element into the reel, efficiently replace the advertisement on the reel, and increase the advertisement amount. Has been.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 15 includes an advertisement game storage unit that stores information for executing an advertisement game related to one or more types of preset advertisements, and a normal game that executes a normal game. A game execution means, and an advertisement game execution means for stopping the normal game and executing the advertisement game when a predetermined game switching timing is detected during the progress of the normal game, and It is configured so that a player can play a game, make the player aware of information about the advertisement, and give a stronger impression.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 16 has various contents such as advertisements on a portion that has been simply functioning as a decorative board, in which a model name of a gaming machine or a decorative pattern has been drawn. It is configured to display an image, give a fresh taste to the gaming machine, and attract the interest of the player and those in the vicinity.

  Further, for example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 17 has an upper portion that displays at least a payout table at a normal time on an upper portion of a central image display device that displays an effect during gaming around the reel display windows of a plurality of rotationally driven reels. An image display device is provided, and a lower image display device that displays at least an image for identifying a model at a normal time is provided below the middle image display device, and displays of the middle image display device, the upper image display device, and the lower image display device are displayed. The contents will be controlled, and various information provided by the game shop or advertiser will be displayed on the upper image display device or lower image display device separately from the effects that the player always pays attention to, and will be notified on stickers, booklets, etc. Information can be efficiently notified on the gaming machine, thereby reducing human labor and cost on the game store side when notifying the player of this information. Bets are configured to allow.

  In addition, for example, according to the gaming machine described above, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 18 is used by a player or the like on a touch panel disposed in a partial area of the screen while performing an effect by an image display device. If the trajectory entered in the screen is displayed in the area where the touch panel is provided in the above screen, and no new game operation is performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last game operation performed by the player, The effect image and the trajectory image are switched to an image such as a demo image or an event notification. In other words, when the game is continuously performed, the memo function is realized, and when the game is not performed, an image such as a handwritten input character, number, or symbol is a demo image or an advertisement. When the memo function is realized and the memo function is not working, the handwriting input area (touch panel area) is blank and the event notification is displayed without giving a sense of incongruity. For example, the screen can be used effectively.

  In addition, for example, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 19, each of the advertisement planner, the advertiser trader, and the game machine design trader shares information related to the plan of the game machine with the advertisement, and the advertisement plan is raised. Will be produced in a planning system that shortens the period until actual production of pachinko machines, slot machines, and other pachinko machines incorporating advertising content, and the product name and appearance of the product in the main production department of the gaming machine Or, the service name is arranged, and the advertising effect is very high.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-39062 JP-A-7-88247 Registered Utility Model No. 3021019 Registered Utility Model No. 3029344 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-276664 JP 2003-144612 A JP 2004-8405 A JP 2004-81495 A JP 2004-121813 A JP 2004-321331 A JP 2005-296143 A JP 2005-304847 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-43211 JP 2006-333903 A JP 2006-337445 A JP 2006-341015 A JP 2006-346113 A JP 2007-29407 A JP 2007-151900 A

  However, in the inventions according to Patent Documents 1 to 19, there is a possibility that an advertisement or the like is displayed even when a game result is displayed and the player is concentrated on the result. In that case, there is a problem that the advertiser needs to provide an advertisement fee even during a period of low advertising effectiveness where the player does not pay attention to the advertisement. Furthermore, there is a problem that the player's concentration on the game may be lost and the displayed advertisement content may have a bad impression.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that displays an advertisement image having a high advertisement value.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a game start means for starting a game, a symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols by the start of the game, and the start and game state of the game. An internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination based on a lottery, a variation display stopping means for stopping and displaying the variation of the symbol based on the internal winning combination, an advertisement image display means for displaying an advertisement image, And an advertisement image non-display unit that hides the advertisement image during a predetermined period including at least a part of a period in which the symbols are stopped and displayed.

  According to said structure, an advertisement image is not displayed in the predetermined period including at least one part of the period when a symbol is stopped and displayed. Thereby, the stop result of the change of the symbol based on the internal winning combination is displayed, and the advertisement is not displayed for a predetermined period including at least a part of the period in which the player pays attention to the stop display of the symbol. As a result, when the advertising fee is collected on a time-based basis, the advertiser may be able to reduce the advertising fee during a period in which the advertising image is not noticed.

  Further, since the display / non-display of the advertisement image is repeated, there is a possibility of attracting the player's attention as compared with the case where the advertisement image is always displayed, and the advertisement value may be increased.

  Further, the gaming machine of the present invention displays the variable display area of the symbols smaller than the stop display area of the symbols within the predetermined period during the variable display of the plurality of symbols outside the predetermined period. It further comprises a symbol area control means.

  According to the above configuration, the symbol variation display area is displayed smaller than the symbol stop display area within a predetermined period including at least a part of the period during which the symbol is stopped. Thereby, outside the predetermined period, not only the advertisement image is displayed but also the display area of the symbol is displayed small, so that the advertisement image may be made more conspicuous.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, line-of-sight information input means for inputting line-of-sight information indicating which the player is looking at, and the player visually observes the advertisement image based on the line-of-sight information. Visual judgment means for judging whether or not, and a visual counting means for counting the time and / or the number of times that the player views the advertisement image based on the judgment result of the visual judgment means. Features.

  According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the player is viewing the advertisement image based on the line-of-sight information that is input, and the time and / or the number of times the player views the advertisement image based on the determination result. Is supposed to count. Thereby, it is possible to take statistics about what kind of advertisement the player is interested in, and to reflect it in the advertisement content, the advertisement display timing, and the like.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is a so-called “pachi-slot machine”, which is operated by the player's operation so that a specific winning mode is established based on the symbols displayed by stopping the variation display of a plurality of symbols. Fluctuation display can be stopped. Note that the gaming machine plays a game using a game medium such as a coin or a medal, a game ball, a token, etc., or a card or the like that stores information on the game value given to or given to the player. In the following description, the game medium and the game value will be described as medals.

(Mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the gaming machine 1. A liquid crystal display device 5 is installed in front of the cabinet 2 forming the entire gaming machine 1. The liquid crystal display device 5 can display pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R (see FIG. 2) synchronized with three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, which will be described later, an effect image by a character, and the like. . The liquid crystal display device 5 will be described in detail later.

  A reel display window 2 a that opens obliquely upward is formed below the liquid crystal display device 5. Three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided at the back of the reel display window 2a. Each of the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R has a symbol row formed of a plurality of symbols on its outer peripheral surface. The symbol row consists of a plurality of types of symbols with code numbers “00” to “20”. Specifically, the pattern includes “red 7”, “blue 7”, “bell”, “watermelon”, “Replay”, and “cherry”. Each reel rotates at a constant speed (for example, 80 rpm). “Red 7” and “Blue 7” in the symbol sequence are set as constituting a specific winning mode. Here, the specific winning mode means a winning mode in which a bonus of BB (big bonus) or RB (regular bonus) described later is established.

  Each of the symbols of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R can be visually recognized from the front of the cabinet 2 in a vertical direction, a total of nine symbols. The pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 so as to rotate and stop synchronously while displaying the same symbols as the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. That is, when the start lever 6 is operated, the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R start rotating together with the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Therefore, even when the player performs the reel stop operation while visually recognizing the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R, the same game as when the player performs the reel stop operation while visually recognizing the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The result can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, five pay lines are set corresponding to the stop positions of nine visually recognizable symbols (FIG. 2 shows examples of pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R). That is, a top line 8b, a center line 8c, and a bottom line 8d that horizontally traverse three symbols arranged in the vertical direction are provided, and a cross down line 8a and a cross up line 8e that traverse diagonally. Each of these pay lines may be displayed so as to be visible to the player or may not be displayed.

  By operating a 1-BET button 11 and a maximum BET button 12, which will be described later, or by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 22, one winning line is provided (only the center line 8c). When two bets are made (the 1-BET button 11 is operated twice (pressed) or two medals are inserted), three (in addition to the center line 8c, the top line 8b, the bottom line 8d), the maximum number (this embodiment) In the case of 3 bets), 5 (3 cross-line 8a and cross-up line 8e) are activated in addition to 3 (2 bets). The winning lines 8a to 8e are related to success or failure of the winning combination. Specifically, the winning combination of the predetermined combination is established by stopping and displaying the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the predetermined combination in a predetermined position corresponding to any activated winning line. Will be. In the following description, the activated winning line may be referred to as an activated line.

  Returning to FIG. 1, on the left side of the reel display window 2a, a display unit 17 for displaying the number of payouts and the number of credits is provided. The display unit 17 is a 7-segment display and displays a numerical value of up to 4 digits. The left two-digit portion displays the number of stored medals (number of credits), and the right two-digit portion displays the number of medals paid out when a winning is established.

  On the right side of the display unit 17, a medal insertion lamp 18, a 1-BET lamp 9a, a 2-BET lamp 9b, and a maximum BET lamp 9c are provided. The medal insertion lamp 18 blinks when the medal insertion can be accepted. The 1-BET lamp 9a, the 2-BET lamp 9b, and the maximum BET lamp 9c are lit according to the number of medals (hereinafter, also referred to as BET number) bet to play one game (unit game). Note that one game ends when all reels are stopped, or when medals are paid out, when medals are paid out.

  A game start display lamp 19 and a replay lamp 20 are provided on the left side of the display unit 17. The game start display lamp 19 is lit when at least one of the pay lines 8a to 8e is activated. The replay lamp 20 is turned on when winning a “replay” described later. That is, when the replay lamp 20 is lit, the game can be started without inserting medals.

  A pedestal portion 10 having a horizontal surface is formed below the reel display window 2a and the display portion 17. On the left side of the pedestal 10, a 1-BET button 11 and a maximum BET button 12 are provided. The 1-BET button 11 makes one of the credited medals bet on the game by one pressing operation, and two of the credited medals by two pressing operations. The number of bets on the game. The maximum BET button 12 sets the maximum number of bets that can be bet on one game (three in this embodiment) to be bet on the game. By operating the BET buttons 11 and 12, the above-described pay lines 8a to 8e are activated.

  Further, a stored medal settlement button 14 (hereinafter referred to as a C / P button 14) is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal portion 10 to switch credit / payout of medals acquired by the player by a push operation. Yes. When “payout” is selected by switching the C / P button 14, medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 15 at the lower front, and the medals received are stored in the medal receiving unit 16. On the other hand, when “credit” is selected, the number of medals is stored as credits in a memory (for example, a RAM 33 described later) provided in the gaming machine 1.

  A start lever 6 for rotating the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by a player's operation is attached to the right side of the C / P button 14 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range. Three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R for stopping the rotation of the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided at the center of the front surface of the pedestal portion 10, respectively.

  On the right side of the pedestal portion 10, a medal slot 22 is provided. Furthermore, speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R are provided on the left and right above the cabinet 2. Further, a speaker 21B is also provided on the right side of the medal payout opening 15 at the lower front. In addition, an LED lamp 29 is provided between the speakers 21L and 21R, and blinks or the like in accordance with an effect corresponding to the gaming state.

(Liquid crystal display device 5)
Here, the structure of the liquid crystal display device 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display device 5 includes a front panel 51 including a protective glass 52 and a display plate 53, a transparent liquid crystal panel 54, a light guide plate 55, a reflective film 56, and fluorescent lamps 57a and 57b which are so-called white light sources. , Lamp holders 59a to 59d, and a table carrier package (TCP) on which an IC for driving a transparent liquid crystal panel is mounted. The TCP is formed by a flexible substrate (not shown) connected to a terminal portion of the transparent liquid crystal panel 54, etc. Composed.

  The protective glass 52 and the display board 53 are comprised with the transparent member. On the back side of the display plate 53, various lamps and electric circuits for operating various display units are arranged (not shown).

  The transparent liquid crystal panel 54 is formed by sealing liquid crystal in a gap between a transparent substrate such as a glass plate on which a thin film transistor layer is formed and a transparent substrate facing the transparent substrate. The display mode of the transparent liquid crystal panel 54 is set to normally white. The normally white is a configuration in which white display is performed (light transmitted to the display surface side is visible from the outside) in a state where the liquid crystal is not driven.

  The light guide plate 55 is used to guide the light from the fluorescent lamps 57a and 57b to the transparent liquid crystal panel 54 (illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel 54), and is provided on the back side of the transparent liquid crystal panel 54. It is composed of a transparent member (having a light guiding function) such as an acrylic resin having a thickness.

  The reflective film 56 is, for example, a white polyester film or an aluminum thin film formed with a silver vapor deposition film, and reflects the light introduced into the light guide plate 55 toward the front side of the light guide plate 55.

  The fluorescent lamps 57 a and 57 b are arranged along the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the light guide plate 55, and both ends are supported by the lamp holder 59. The light emitted from the fluorescent lamps 57 a and 57 b is reflected by the reflection film 56 to illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel 54.

  In the gaming machine 1, the entire area of the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 5 is a non-transparent area. However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, only a part of the display screen of the liquid crystal display apparatus is transparent / non- It may be a region that switches to a transparent state, or may be a region that switches to the transparent / non-transparent state of the entire region. In this case, in the gaming machine 1, a region where the liquid crystal display device 5 is switched to the transmission state or the non-transmission state may be a non-reflection region, or the reflection film 56 may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the advertisement image 101 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 as the advertisement image display means. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the advertisement image 101 is displayed in an advertisement image area 102 at the upper part of the area where the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed.

  The advertisement image 101 starts to be displayed at the timing when the variable reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are started to be displayed in the unit game. As shown in FIG. 4B, any one of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R is displayed. Disappears at the timing when is stopped.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the pseudo reels 4 </ b> L, 4 </ b> C, and 4 </ b> R are variably displayed by operating the start lever 6 after betting a medal. During this time, the advertisement image 101 is displayed. Next, when one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R is operated by the player, the pseudo reel corresponding to the operated stop button is stopped. The advertisement image 101 is not displayed at the timing when any one of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R is stopped and displayed. Thereafter, after the remaining stop buttons are operated and all the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped and displayed, the advertisement image 101 is not displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed.

  That is, the advertisement image 101 is not displayed in a predetermined period including at least a part of a period (reel stop display period) in which the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped and displayed. Hereinafter, a period during which the advertisement image 101 is not displayed is referred to as an advertisement image non-display period.

  The non-display period of the advertisement image 101 is not limited to this, and may be a predetermined period that is determined in advance on the condition that at least a part of the reel stop display period is included.

  Immediately after the stop display of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R in the reel stop display period, it is conceivable that the player pays attention (visually) to the stop display of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R as a result of the game. That is, even if the advertisement image 101 is displayed during the stop display period of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R, the advertisement image 101 may not be noticed. As described above, the advertisement image 101 is not displayed in a predetermined period including at least a part of the reel stop display period in which the advertisement image 101 is considered not to be noticed. The display period of can be reduced. Thereby, for example, when the advertising fee is collected on a time-based basis, the advertiser may be able to reduce the advertising fee during a period in which the advertising image 101 is not noticed.

  Further, since the display / non-display of the advertisement image 101 is repeated, for example, there is a possibility that the player's attention may be attracted and the advertisement value may be further increased as compared with the case where the advertisement image 101 is always displayed. is there.

  When the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed in a variable manner outside the advertisement image non-display period, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed in a variable manner. The reel fluctuation display area 103a is displayed smaller than the reel stop display area 103b which is an area where the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped and displayed. As a result, when the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed in a variable manner outside the advertisement image non-display period, not only the advertisement image 101 but also the display area of the symbol is displayed in a small size, so that the advertisement image 101 is more conspicuous. I'm making things.

  The display areas of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R not only display the reel fluctuation display area 103a smaller than the reel stop display area 103b, but also increase the displayed reel fluctuation display area 103b over time, for example. It may be a display form or a display form in which the advertisement image area 102 is made smaller with time. As a result, not only the advertising effect can be improved, but also the production can be varied and the interest of the game can be improved.

(Electric configuration of gaming machine: main control circuit)
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation of the gaming machine 1 is controlled by a main control circuit 71 provided on the main board and a sub control circuit 72 provided on the sub board. The main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and is added with a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are main board side storage means.

  Connected to the CPU 31 are a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 36 and a sampling circuit 37 for generating a random number to be sampled. The random number generator 36 generates random numbers belonging to a certain numerical range. The sampling circuit 37 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 6 is operated. The CPU 31 determines an internal winning combination based on the random numbers sampled by the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 and the probability lottery table stored in the ROM 32.

  As a means for random number sampling, random number sampling may be executed in the microcomputer 30, that is, on the operation program of the CPU 31. In that case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by the control signal from the microcomputer 30 include various lamps (1-BET lamp 9a, 2-BET lamp 9b, maximum BET lamp 9c, medal insertion lamp 18, game start display lamp. 19, the replay lamp 20), the display unit 17 for displaying the number of payouts and the number of credits, and the above-mentioned hopper (drive unit for payout) that stores medals and pays out a predetermined number of medals according to the command of the hopper drive circuit 41 40) and stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R that rotationally drive the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  Furthermore, a motor drive circuit 39 that drives and controls the stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R, a hopper drive circuit 41 that drives and controls the hopper 40, a lamp drive circuit 45 that drives and controls various lamps, and a display unit that drives and controls the display unit 17. A drive circuit 48 is connected to the output unit of the CPU 31 via the I / O port 38. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 31, and controls the operation of each actuator.

  The main control circuit 71 is connected to input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for generating a control command. Main input signal generating means include a start switch 6S, a 1-BET switch 11S, a maximum BET switch 12S, a C / P switch 14S, a inserted medal sensor 22S, a reel stop signal circuit 46, a reel position detection circuit 47, and a payout completion signal. There is a circuit 44. These are also connected to the CPU 31 via the I / O port 38.

  The start switch 6S detects the operation of the start lever 6. The reel stop signal circuit 46 generates a stop signal in accordance with the operation of each stop button 7L, 7C, 7R. The payout completion signal circuit 44 generates a signal for detecting completion of the medal payout when the count value of the medal detection unit 40S (the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40) reaches the designated number data.

  The reel position detection circuit 47 receives the pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and supplies a reel position detection signal for detecting the position of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 grasps the current reel position based on the received reel position detection signal and transmits the reel position detection signal to the sub-control circuit 72.

  Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM 33 of the main control circuit 71. For example, the game state being executed, the number of inserted medals, and the like are stored. On the other hand, in the ROM 32 of the main control circuit 71, a probability lottery table used for determination of random number sampling performed every time the start lever 6 is operated (start operation), and the reel stop mode are determined according to the operation of the stop button. Various data tables such as a stop table group for the purpose, various control commands (commands) to be transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72, and the like are stored.

(Electric configuration of the gaming machine 1: sub-control circuit 72)
The main control circuit 71 is connected to the sub control circuit 72 so that commands and information can be output in one direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the sub control circuit 72 performs display control of the liquid crystal display device 5 based on a control command (command) from the main control circuit 71, sound output control from the speakers 21 </ b> L, 21 </ b> R, 21 </ b> B, The light output from the LED lamp 29 is controlled.

  The sub control circuit 72 is configured on a sub board different from the main board constituting the main control circuit 71, and includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “sub microcomputer”) 73 as a main component, An image control circuit 81 that controls the sound, a sound source IC 78 that controls sound output from the speakers 21L, 21R, and 21B, a power amplifier 79 as an amplifier, and an LED drive circuit 77 that drives the LED lamp 29.

  The sub microcomputer 73 includes a sub CPU 74 that performs a control operation in accordance with a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 71, a program ROM 75 serving as a sub board-side storage unit, and a work RAM 76. The sub control circuit 72 does not include a clock pulse generation circuit, a frequency divider, a random number generator, and a sampling circuit, but is configured to execute random number sampling on the operation program of the sub CPU 74.

  The program ROM 75 stores control programs such as various routines shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 to be executed by the sub CPU 74, various tables, and the like. The work RAM 76 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the control program is executed by the sub CPU 74. The work RAM 76 stores various data such as the internal winning combination received from the main control circuit 71 and the type of stop table corresponding to the internal winning combination.

  The image control circuit 81 includes an image control IC 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image ROM 86, and a video RAM 87. The image control IC 82 determines the display contents on the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the image control program based on the parameters set by the sub microcomputer 73.

  The image control work RAM 83 is configured as temporary storage means (buffer) when the image control program is executed by the image control IC 82. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image.

  The video RAM 87 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control IC 82 forms an image. The LED drive circuit 77 controls the LED lamp 29 based on a control command from the sub CPU 74. The sound source IC 78 can control the power amplifier 79 and adjust the volume of the speakers 21L, 21R, and 21B.

  The sub control circuit 72 functions as an advertisement image non-display unit that causes the image control circuit 81 to hide the advertisement image 101 during a predetermined period including at least a part of the reel stop display period. Further, the sub control circuit 72 causes the image control circuit 81 to display the reel fluctuation display area 103a smaller than the reel stop display area 103b during the fluctuation display of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R outside the advertisement image non-display period. It functions as a symbol area control means.

  The sub-control circuit 72 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104 as one of storage means. The HDD 104 stores a plurality of advertisement image data for displaying various advertisement images 101 on the liquid crystal display device 5, the number of times or the time set in advance for each advertisement image 101, and is accessed as appropriate from various routines described later. It has come to be.

(Ad data table)
Next, the advertisement data table will be described with reference to FIG. The advertisement data table is stored in the above-described HDD 104, is updated when the stored advertisement data is replaced, and is referred to when the advertisement data is displayed.

  The advertisement data table has an advertisement data field, a display time field, and an upper limit time field. In the advertisement data column, a plurality of data (advertisement data) respectively corresponding to the plurality of advertisement images 101 are stored. In the display time column, the time when each of the plurality of advertisement images 101 is displayed is stored, and the time is added according to the display time of the corresponding advertisement image 101. The upper limit time column stores an upper limit time for displaying each of the plurality of advertisement images 101, and the display time stored in the display time column does not exceed the upper limit time. In other words, the corresponding advertisement image is not displayed for the set upper limit time or longer. The upper limit time is set in advance, and is, for example, a value corresponding to the advertisement fee paid from the advertiser.

  In the present embodiment, the upper limit time is determined, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper limit number of times displayed on each advertisement image 101 may be determined in advance, and when the number of times the advertisement image 101 is displayed reaches the upper limit number, the corresponding advertisement image 101 may not be displayed thereafter. Further, for example, both the upper limit time and the upper limit number of times may be determined in advance, and the relationship between the advertisement fee and the advertisement display may be made clearer. Further, the upper limit time or the upper limit number of advertisement display may not be determined.

  The advertisement data table can be updated via a communication network (not shown). Specifically, a plurality of gaming machines 1 installed in the hall are connected to the hall server via a communication line network. In addition, the advertisement data table is updated or new advertisement data is added by distributing the advertisement data and the upper limit time from the hall server to each gaming machine 1, for example, outside business hours. It is like that. At this time, the display time in the display time column for the updated advertisement data is reset.

  The displayed advertisement image 101 is determined depending on which advertisement data stored in the advertisement data column is selected. Advertising data is selected at random. Specifically, a random random value is determined by random number sampling executed on the operation program of the sub CPU 74, and is determined from the remainder obtained by dividing the random value by the number of advertisement data that can be displayed in an advertisement. In this embodiment, for example, the random number value obtained by random number sampling is “21”, and the number of advertisement data that can be displayed (the display time has not reached the upper limit time) is “6” as shown in FIG. (The number of advertisement data excluding the advertisement data C), the remainder of dividing 21 by 6 is “3”, and “4” (“0” is the first) from the advertisement displayable advertisement data “ Advertisement data D "is selected.

  The selection of advertisement data is not limited to this. For example, it may be displayed in a preset order, or a random number table set for each number of advertisement data is stored in advance in the program ROM 75 or the like, and is switched based on a random number table that is switched according to the number of advertisement data. The advertisement data may be selected.

(Game state)
The gaming machine 1 configured as described above executes a game under four types of gaming states including “general gaming state”, “RT gaming state”, “RB gaming state”, and “BB gaming state”. Each of these “four types” of game states basically includes the types of roles that may be won internally, the probability of internally winning replays, the types of bonuses that can be established, and internal winnings. It is distinguished by the relationship with winning a prize.

  The “general gaming state” is a gaming state in which an expected value of a so-called “participation rate” (a gaming value given to a player with respect to a unit gaming value bet on a game) is smaller than “1”. This is the most unfavorable gaming state for the player compared to the gaming state.

  In the “general gaming state”, when BB or RB is won internally and BB or RB is not won, the symbol combinations corresponding to BB or RB are arranged along the winning line over one or more games. Is acceptable. That is, when an internal winning is made to BB or RB in the “general gaming state”, the internal winning combination is set as a carryover combination and is carried over to a subsequent game. Here, the carry-over of the internal winning combination means that the BB and RB can be won even if the BB and RB are not internally won in the next and subsequent games. In the present embodiment, when BB and RB are carried over, BB and RB are not won internally, and when BB and RB are won internally, winning of BB and RB is established. It has become.

  The “BB gaming state” is generated when the BB is won internally and the BB is won in the “general gaming state” or the “replay time (RT) gaming state”. The BB winning is established by arranging “red 7-red 7-red 7” or “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” along the active line in the “general gaming state”. The “BB gaming state” ends when the payout of a predetermined number of medals is completed. Further, in the present embodiment, “Red 7-Red 7-Red 7” and “Blue 7-Blue 7-Blue 7” have different internal winning combinations, and there is a possibility that they will be internally won at the same time.

  The “RB gaming state” has a higher expected value of the payout rate than the “general gaming state”, and is the most advantageous gaming state for the player as compared to other gaming states. In the present embodiment, the “RB gaming state” occurs when an RB (regular bonus) is won in the “general gaming state” or the “RT gaming state”. In other words, the RB winning is established by arranging “red 7-red 7-blue 7” along the active line in the “general gaming state” or the “RT gaming state”. The transition between the game states is performed when a combination of bonus symbols is displayed on the winning line.

  In the present embodiment, the “RT gaming state” is a gaming state that occurs after the “BB gaming state” or the “RB gaming state”. In the “RT gaming state”, the probability of winning a replay where the next game can be performed without inserting a medal is higher than in the “general gaming state”. That is, in the “RT gaming state”, there is a higher possibility that a game can be performed without reducing the number of medals than in the “general gaming state”, so that the number of medals can be increased little by little. Further, the “RT gaming state” is terminated when winning the “cherry small role” and shifts to the “general gaming state”.

  In the “RT gaming state”, a notification effect for navigating the player so as not to win the “cherry small role” may be executed. In addition, the start condition of the RT gaming state is not limited to after the “BB gaming state” or “RB gaming state”, and when the BB or RB is won internally, when the symbols of BB or RB are aligned, ”When a specific symbol is aligned, when“ BB gaming state ”or“ RB gaming state ”is completed, or when a predetermined number of games has elapsed since the specific symbol is aligned in“ general gaming state ”, It is good.

(Pattern combination and number of payouts)
Next, a description will be given of the relationship between the gaming state, the symbol combination indicating the winning, and the number of medals paid out. In the general gaming state, there is a possibility of winning “BB”, “RB”, “Replay”, “Watermelon Minor”, “Bell Minor” and “Cherry Minor” . “BB” is established by arranging “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” and “red 7-red 7-red 7” along the active line. The number of medals to be paid out when BB or RB is established is “0”. Further, “replay” is established by arranging “Replay-Replay-Replay”. When a re-game winning is established, the same number of medals as the number of inserted medals are automatically inserted, so that the player can play the next game without consuming the medals. In the case of a watermelon small part, a bell small part, and a cherry small part, six, ten, and six medals are paid out, respectively.

  In the BB game state, there is a possibility of winning a replay (replay), a watermelon small part, a bell small part, or a cherry small part. In this embodiment, BB and RB are not won in the BB gaming state.

  In the RB game state, there is a possibility of winning a replay (replay), a watermelon small part, a bell small part, and a cherry small part. In the case of a watermelon small part, a bell small part, and a cherry small part, six, ten, and six medals are paid out, respectively. In the present embodiment, in the RB gaming state, “BB” and “RB” are not won.

(Operation of the gaming machine 1)
First, when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 1 is in a state where a game can be executed by executing the main routine of FIG. 9 in the main control circuit 71, and an effect processing routine (not shown) is executed in the sub-control circuit 72. By executing this, the liquid crystal display device 5 displays an effect image or the like, outputs sound from the speakers 21L, 21R, and 21B, or enters a state where these can be performed.

(Operation of the main control circuit 71)
In the above configuration, the operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described.

  First, when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 1 plays a game by executing the main routine and the like of FIG. 9 in the main control circuit 71, and at the sub-control circuit 72, the mini game routine of FIG. By executing the routines and the like independently, the liquid crystal display device 5 can display the effect image.

(Main routine)
Specifically, when a main routine or the like is executed by the main control circuit 71, as shown in FIG. 8, after the initialization at the start of the game is performed (S1), a predetermined storage in the RAM 33 at the end of the game is performed. The contents are erased (S2).

  Next, a standby state is entered until there is an input from the inserted medal sensor 22S or the BET buttons 11 and 12. If there is an input, a medal insertion signal is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72 (S3). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the start switch 6S is turned on by operating the start lever 6 (S4). If the start switch 6S is not turned on (S4: NO), S4 is re-executed and waits until the start lever 6 is operated. On the other hand, when the start switch 6S is turned on (S4: YES), execution is shifted to reel rotation processing (S5), and then random numbers for lottery are extracted (S6). Then, by executing the game state monitoring process, the game state such as the bonus game state such as the BB game state / RB game state, the general game state, and the replay time (RT) game state in the current game is confirmed and set ( S7). That is, the game state of the current game is set to any one of the bonus game state such as the BB game state and the RB game state, the general game state, and the replay time (RT) game state.

  When the game state of the current game is confirmed (S7), in the probability lottery process based on the probability lottery table (not shown), an internal winning combination corresponding to the gaming state is lottered (S8), and information on the selected internal winning combination is obtained. Stored in the sub-control circuit 72. In the present embodiment, a small combination and a bonus can be drawn simultaneously, and in the RT gaming state, the winning probability of the replay combination is set to a value increased.

  When the internal winning combination is determined, stop table group selection processing is executed (S9). Then, after the reel rotation stop process is executed and the number of sliding frames is determined at the timing when any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R is operated, the reels are rotated by the number of sliding frames and then stopped ( S10).

  Thereafter, a winning combination (a winning combination) is identified on the basis of the symbol stop state of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by winning determination (winning search) (S11). In this embodiment, it is assumed that there is a carryover of the bonus flag, but no carryover of the small part flag and no stock of the bonus flag.

  Then, a medal credit or payout is performed according to the gaming state (S12). There is no payout at the time of winning a bonus, and payout is made only at the time of winning a small role.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a bonus gaming state such as a BB gaming state or an RB gaming state (S13). If the gaming state is not a bonus gaming state such as a BB gaming state or an RB gaming state (S13: NO), a bonus such as “red 7-red 7-red 7”, “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7”, etc. It is determined whether or not a prize has been won (S14). If the bonus is won (S14: YES), a bonus start signal is output to the sub-control circuit 72 (S15), and S2 is re-executed. When the game is re-executed, the bonus game state is set when the game state monitoring process for the next game is executed (see S7).

  On the other hand, if the bonus has not been won (S14: NO), it is determined whether or not the RT has ended (S16), such as when the number of RTs becomes “0” or a cherry is won. If the RT has not ended (S16: NO), the RT count stored in the RAM 33 is subtracted and S2 is executed again. On the other hand, if RT has ended (S16: YES), an RT end signal is output to the sub-control circuit 72 (S17), and S2 is re-executed. When the game is re-executed, the game state monitoring process at the time of the next game is set to the general game state (see S7).

  On the other hand, in S13, when it is determined that the gaming state is a bonus gaming state such as a BB gaming state or an RB gaming state (S13: YES), a bonus “payout number check process” is performed (S18). . It should be noted that the bonus gaming state ends when a predetermined payout number is reached in the bonus “payout number check process”.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the bonus is over (S19). If it is determined that the bonus is not over (S19: NO), S2 is re-executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the bonus is over (S19: YES), it is determined whether RT has been started (S20). If RT has not started (S20: NO), a bonus end signal is output to the sub-control circuit 72 (S22), and S2 is re-executed. When the game is re-executed, the game state monitoring process at the time of the next game is set to the general game state (see S7). On the other hand, when RT is started (S20: YES), an RT start signal is output to the sub-control circuit 72 (S21), and S2 is re-executed. Note that a predetermined number of RTs is set according to the type of bonus. When S2 is re-executed, the RT gaming state is set when the gaming state monitoring process for the next game is executed (see S7).

(Operation of gaming machine 1: sub-control circuit 72)
When various processes are executed by the main routine in the main control circuit 71, results and contents corresponding to the processes are input to the sub-control circuit 72 as commands and data. In the sub-control circuit 72, various routines shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, which will be described later, an effect processing routine (not shown), and the like are executed independently. Then, the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, 4R, an effect image based on the command, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 by executing the effect processing routine. For example, when a command indicating the insertion of medals is input, an effect image that prompts the user to operate the start lever 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5. Further, with the production from the liquid crystal display device 5 or independently, the production with the light output from the LED lamp 29 and the production with the sound output from the speakers 21L, 21R, and 21B are performed.

(Operation of sub-control circuit 72: advertisement display switching processing routine)
Next, the control operation of the sub CPU 74 of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the advertisement display switching process routine shown in FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 74 determines whether or not a medal insertion signal has been received from the main control circuit 71 (S100). Specifically, it is determined whether or not a medal insertion signal transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 has been received in the medal insertion process in step S3 of the main routine shown in FIG. In the medal insertion process of the main routine, a medal insertion signal is transmitted even when medals are stored. When no medal insertion signal is received (S100: NO), this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when a medal insertion signal is received (S100: YES), advertisement image display processing is executed (S102). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, processing such as displaying the advertisement image 101 in the advertisement image area 102 above the area where the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed is performed. The advertisement image display process will be described in detail later using the flowchart of the advertisement image display process routine of FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation signal has been received (S104). Specifically, in the reel rotation process of step S5 of the main routine shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation signal transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 has been received. If no reel rotation signal is received (S104: NO), this routine is terminated.

  Here, this routine is finished with the advertisement image 101 being displayed. However, when the game is not performed for a certain period of time while the advertisement image 101 is displayed by a processing routine (not shown), the advertisement image 101 is not displayed. It is controlled to display. That is, when it is considered that a player who is not playing a game is not in front of the gaming machine 1, the advertisement fee can be reduced by hiding the advertisement image 101. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described control, and the processing for hiding the advertisement image 101 may be executed before the end of this routine.

  When the reel rotation signal is received in step S104, the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed in the reel fluctuation display area 103a that is smaller than the reel stop display area 103b (S106). As a result, when the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed in a variable manner outside the advertisement image non-display period, not only the advertisement image 101 but also the display area of the symbol is displayed in a small size, so that the advertisement image 101 is more noticeable I'm making things.

  Next, it is determined whether any of the reel stop signals has been received (S108). Specifically, in the reel rotation stop process in step S10 of the main routine shown in FIG. 9, one of the left reel stop signal, middle reel stop signal, and right reel stop signal transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 is received. It is determined whether or not. When any of the reel stop signals is not received (S108: NO), the process waits for a predetermined time until any of the reel stop signals is received.

  When one of the reel stop signals is received (S108: YES), the advertisement image non-display process is executed (S110). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, processing such as non-display is performed at the timing when any one of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R is stopped and displayed. The advertisement image non-display process will be described later in detail using the flowchart of the advertisement image non-display process routine of FIG. Then, the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are displayed on the reel stop display area 103b that is larger than the reel fluctuation display area 103a (S112).

  Next, it is determined whether or not an all-reel stop signal has been received (S114). Specifically, in the reel rotation stop process in step S10 of the main routine shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not an all reel stop signal transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 has been received. When not receiving all the reel stop signals (S114: NO), it waits for a predetermined time until receiving the all reels stop signal.

  Thereafter, the process waits for a predetermined time (S116), executes an advertisement image display process similar to step S102 (S118), and ends this routine.

  As described above, the advertisement image 101 is not displayed in a predetermined period including at least a part of the reel stop display period in which the advertisement image 101 is considered not to be noticed. The display period of can be reduced. Thereby, for example, when the advertising fee is collected on a time-based basis, the advertiser may be able to reduce the advertising fee during a period in which the advertising image 101 is not noticed.

  Further, since the display / non-display of the advertisement image 101 is repeated, for example, there is a possibility that the player's attention may be attracted and the advertisement value may be further increased as compared with the case where the advertisement image 101 is always displayed. is there.

(Operation of sub-control circuit 72: advertisement image display processing routine)
Next, the control operation of the sub CPU 74 of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the advertisement image display processing routine shown in FIG. The advertisement image display processing routine is a processing routine called from the advertisement display switching processing routine described with reference to FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 74 acquires the number of advertiseable data from the advertisement data table (S200). Specifically, referring to the advertisement data table shown in FIG. 8, the number of advertisement data whose display time is not longer than the upper limit time is counted. Next, a random value is acquired (S202). Specifically, a random random number value is acquired by random number sampling executed on the operation program of the sub CPU 74. In the present embodiment, an integer value of 0 to 256 is acquired, but is not limited to this numerical range.

  Then, the advertisement data to be displayed is determined based on the number of data that can be advertised and the random value (S206). Specifically, the remainder obtained by dividing the random number value acquired in step S202 by the number of available advertisement data acquired in step S200 is calculated, and the advertisement data that can display the advertisement corresponding to the remaining numerical value is selected, and the advertisement The advertisement data to be displayed.

  Thereafter, the advertisement image 101 is displayed based on the determined advertisement data (S206), the second count is started (S208), and this routine is finished.

Here, the count of seconds is stored in the work RAM 76 in order to measure the time for which the advertisement image 101 is displayed. At the start of counting seconds, the display start time of the advertisement image 101 is stored in the work RAM 76. The end of the second count is executed by the advertisement image non-display processing routine shown in FIG. 12 described later, and the display end time of the advertisement image 101 is stored in the work RAM 76 and the advertisement stored at the start of the second count is also stored. The display time of the advertisement image 101 is calculated from the display start time and display end time of the image 101.
(Operation of sub-control circuit 72: advertisement image non-display processing routine)
Next, the control operation of the sub CPU 74 of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the advertisement image display processing routine shown in FIG. The advertisement image display process routine is a process routine that is called from the advertisement display switching process routine described with reference to FIG. 10 or when the advertisement image 101 is displayed and a game is not executed for a predetermined time.

  First, the sub CPU 74 hides the advertisement image 101 (S300). Next, the second count is finished (S302). Specifically, as described above, the display end time of the advertisement image 101 is stored in the work RAM 76, and the advertisement image 101 is calculated from the display start time and the display end time of the advertisement image 101 stored at the time of counting the seconds. The display time of is calculated. Thereafter, the counted number of seconds is added to the display time of the advertisement data table (S304), and this routine ends.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member same as 1st Embodiment, and the description and drawing are abbreviate | omitted.

(Mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 1)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the gaming machine 1. Unlike the first embodiment, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a line-of-sight information input port 107 on the right side of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R. As shown in FIG. 13, the line-of-sight information input port 107 is an input jack that can be connected to the line-of-sight tracking device 106 that can output line-of-sight information indicating what the player is looking at. The line-of-sight tracking device 106 has a goggle shape and is fixed to the player's head. The line-of-sight tracking apparatus 106 acquires line-of-sight information from its own tilt and black eye position information and outputs it to the outside. In the present embodiment, the game machine 1 is input via the line-of-sight information input port 107. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, two types of advertisement images 101 are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen.

(Electric configuration of gaming machine 1)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the sub control circuit 72 of the present embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a line-of-sight information input circuit 105. The line-of-sight information input circuit 105 is a circuit to which line-of-sight information output from the line-of-sight tracking device 106 connected to the line-of-sight information input port 107 is input. Is transmitted to the sub-microcomputer 73. In the present embodiment, an electric circuit is used. However, software or both may be used. In the present embodiment, the line-of-sight tracking device 106 is used to output line-of-sight information, but the present invention is not limited to this.

(Operation of gaming machine 1: sub-control circuit 72)
The sub-control circuit 72 executes a line-of-sight information analysis processing routine shown in FIG. 15 in parallel with the processing routine of the first embodiment.

(Operation of sub-control circuit 72: line-of-sight information analysis routine)
Here, the control operation of the sub CPU 74 of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the line-of-sight information analysis processing routine shown in FIG. Although not shown, the line-of-sight information data signal is repeatedly received and received from the line-of-sight information input circuit 105 during execution of this routine.

  First, the sub CPU 74 determines whether or not the advertisement image 101 is displayed (S400). When the advertisement image 101 is not displayed (S400: NO), the process waits for a predetermined time and repeatedly executes the process of step S400. On the other hand, when the advertisement image 101 is displayed (S400: YES), the line-of-sight target position is acquired from the line-of-sight information data signal transmitted from the line-of-sight information input circuit 105 (S402).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the line-of-sight target position is included in the advertisement image area 102 where the advertisement image 101 is displayed (S404). When the line-of-sight target position is included in the advertisement image area 102 where the advertisement image 101 is displayed (S404: YES), the advertisement effective count is started (S406). Specifically, the advertisement effective count is started only when the advertisement effective count is not started. Thereafter, the processes of steps S402, S404, and S406 are repeated.

  Here, the advertisement effective count indicates the number of seconds that the player is watching the advertisement image 101 and is stored in the HDD 104. At the start of the advertisement effective count, the advertisement viewing start time of the player is stored in the work RAM 76. At the end of the advertisement effective count, the player's advertisement viewing start time of the advertisement image 101 is stored in the work RAM 76, and the player's advertisement viewing start time and viewing end time stored at the start of the advertisement effective count are used to play the game. The advertisement viewing time of the person is calculated. The calculated advertisement viewing time is stored in the HDD 104 for each of a plurality of advertisement data. In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of displayed advertisement images 101, the advertisement effective count is calculated for each advertisement image 101.

  In the present embodiment, the number of seconds that the player is looking at the advertisement image 101 is counted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of times may be counted instead of the time, or both the time and the number of times may be counted.

  On the other hand, when the line-of-sight target position is not included in the advertisement image area 102 where the advertisement image 101 is displayed in step S404 (S404: NO), the advertisement valid count is ended (S408), and the process proceeds to step S400. Return.

  In this way, it is determined whether or not the player is viewing the advertisement image 101 based on the line-of-sight information that is input, and the time and / or the number of times that the player views the advertisement image 101 is counted based on the determination result. It is supposed to be. Thereby, it is possible to take statistics about what kind of advertisement the player is interested in, and to reflect it in the advertisement content, the advertisement display timing, and the like. For example, when two types of advertisements are displayed at the same time, it is possible to take statistics about which advertisement the player pays attention to, so that the advertisement can be displayed and marketed.

(Outline of this embodiment)
As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a game start means (start lever 6, start switch 6S, 1-BET button 11, 1-BET switch 11S, maximum BET button 12, maximum BET) for starting a game. Switch 12S, etc.), symbol display means (sub-control circuit 72, liquid crystal display device 5, etc.) for variably displaying a plurality of symbols (pseudo reels 4L, 4C, 4R) by the start of the game, the start of the game and the game state Internal winning combination determining means (main control circuit 71 etc.) for determining the internal winning combination based on the lottery, and variable display stop means (main control circuit 71, stopping based on the internal winning combination for stopping and displaying the variation of the symbol Buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, etc.), advertisement image display means for displaying the advertisement image 101 (sub-control circuit 72, liquid crystal display device 5, etc.), and the period during which the symbol is stopped and displayed In certain period including the least part, it is the advertisement image 101 hide the advertisement image hidden unit (sub-control circuit 72, a liquid crystal display device 5, etc.) and the configuration including the.

  According to said structure, an advertisement image is not displayed in the predetermined period including at least one part of the period when a symbol is stopped and displayed. Thereby, the stop result of the change of the symbol based on the internal winning combination is displayed, and the advertisement is not displayed for a predetermined period including at least a part of the period in which the player pays attention to the stop display of the symbol. As a result, when the advertising fee is collected on a time-based basis, the advertiser may be able to reduce the advertising fee during a period in which the advertising image is not noticed.

  Further, since the display / non-display of the advertisement image is repeated, there is a possibility of attracting the player's attention as compared with the case where the advertisement image is always displayed, and the advertisement value may be increased.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the symbol variation display area 103a is displayed smaller than the reel variation display area 103a within the predetermined period during the variable display of a plurality of symbols outside the predetermined period. Control means (sub-control circuit 72, liquid crystal display device 5 and the like) is further provided.

  According to the above configuration, the symbol variation display area is displayed smaller than the symbol stop display area within a predetermined period including at least a part of the period during which the symbol is stopped. Thereby, outside the predetermined period, not only the advertisement image is displayed but also the display area of the symbol is displayed small, so that the advertisement image may be made more conspicuous.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the line-of-sight information input means (line-of-sight information input circuit 105) for inputting line-of-sight information indicating which the player is looking at, and the player based on the line-of-sight information Based on the determination result of the visual determination means (sub control circuit 72) for determining whether or not the advertisement image is viewed and the visual determination means, the time and / or the number of times that the player views the advertisement image is counted. It is good also as a structure further provided with a visual counting means (sub control circuit 72).

  According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the player is viewing the advertisement image based on the line-of-sight information that is input, and the time and / or the number of times that the player views the advertisement image is determined based on the determination result. It comes to count. Thereby, it is possible to take statistics about what kind of advertisement the player is interested in, and to reflect it in the advertisement content, the advertisement display timing, and the like.

(Modification of this embodiment)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, it only showed the specific example and does not specifically limit this invention, A specific structure etc. can change a design suitably. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

  In addition, the gaming machines of the first and second embodiments may include the following configurations in addition to or in addition to the configurations in the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R that synchronize with the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, as a gaming machine having only the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, an advertising image may be displayed and hidden according to the variation display. That is, the size may not be changed in the area where the symbol variation display and the stop display are performed.

  Further, for example, the non-display period of the advertisement image 101 is not limited to this, and may be a predetermined period that is predetermined on the condition that at least a part of the reel stop display period is included. For example, the advertisement image 101 may be emphasized by displaying the advertisement image 101 until all of the pseudo reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped and displayed.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the upper limit time for displaying the advertisement is determined in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper limit number of times displayed on each advertisement image 101 may be determined in advance, and when the number of times the advertisement image 101 is displayed reaches the upper limit number, the corresponding advertisement image 101 may not be displayed thereafter. Further, for example, both the upper limit time and the upper limit number of times may be determined in advance, and the relationship between the advertisement fee and the advertisement display may be made clearer. Thereby, an advertising fee can be charged to the advertiser according to the time and / or the number of times of advertisement display.

  Further, for example, the method for selecting the advertisement data to be displayed is not limited to this. For example, it may be displayed in a preset order, or a random number table set for each number of advertisement data is stored in advance in the program ROM 75 or the like, and is switched based on a random number table that is switched according to the number of advertisement data. The advertisement data may be selected. As a result, the calculation steps can be reduced and the burden on the sub-control circuit 72 can be reduced.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the number of seconds for which the player is looking at the advertisement image 101 is counted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of times may be counted instead of the time, or both the time and the number of times may be counted. As a result, it is possible to acquire more detailed data on whether or not the advertisement is valid.

  For example, in the second embodiment, the line-of-sight tracking device 106 as the line-of-sight information input unit inputs the line-of-sight information to the line-of-sight information input circuit 105, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gaming machine 1 may be provided with an optical sensor that detects only the direction of the player's face and inputs it as line-of-sight information. According to this, when the face direction is facing the advertisement, it may be determined that the advertisement is viewed. As a result, expenses can be reduced.

  The gaming machine also has a game value providing means for providing a player with a game value when a predetermined game result is displayed, and an internal winning combination for determining a predetermined combination as an internal winning combination based on a game start command signal. Specific to the determination means, the stop control means for displaying the winning mode on the variation display means based on the internal winning combination, the effect display control means for displaying the effect mode related to the game on the effect display means, and the game result display means Before the game result is displayed, the notice display control means for displaying the notice mode on the notice display means that the specific game result may be displayed, and the specific game result is displayed on the game result display means. Prior to display, a notice display control means for displaying a notice mode on the notice display means that a specific game result is displayed, a display control means for controlling display of the game result display means, and a game result display means Is a display stop command means provided at a position where the player can operate to output a stop command signal for stopping the variable display of part or all of the variable display means, and an internal winning combination determining means for a predetermined unit game. Internal winning combination carry-over means to carry over a specific combination determined as an internal winning combination as an internal winning combination in the next unit game, and a specific to store and store a specific combination determined by the internal winning combination determination means as an internal winning combination There may be provided at least one or more combination accumulating means and accumulated specific combination winning means that uses the specific combination stored and stored by the specific combination accumulation means as an internal winning combination.

  Here, the above-mentioned “game result display means” includes a change display means, an effect display means, a notice display means, and the like. They may be separate display devices, or may be predetermined display units (sprites, 3D objects having different depths) provided in a single display device. Further, they may be displayed in an overlapping manner. Further, one or more sounds, 1 or more lights, 1 or more colors, 1 or more images, 1 or more odors, or any one of one or more feels (vibration, pressure) The player may be notified by a plurality or all of them.

  The “game value giving means” includes advantageous state generating means such as a program for giving (paying out) game values (coins), and also includes payout of award media, recording on a magnetic card, and game score addition.

  The “display control means” includes a stop control means, an effect display control means, a notice display control means, and the like. It may be provided on a single substrate, may be provided on a plurality of separate substrates, or the stop control means may be provided on the same substrate as the internal winning combination determining means. Furthermore, the effect display control means and the notification display control means may be provided on a separate board from the internal winning combination determining means. (It may be a separate body.)

  The “variable display means” displays a still image, a moving image, and the like, and is composed of one or a plurality of symbol display units that display a moving display using a reel or a disk, and variably display or stop a plurality of types of symbols. . For example, a pachislot machine or video slot symbol, a pachinko special symbol, a sound diagram, a judgment symbol, or the like is displayed. Moreover, what is necessary is just to display a specific winning mode as a game result.

  The “display stop command means” may output a signal for stopping one, a plurality, or all of the variable display, such as an effect display means, a fluctuation display means, a notice display means, etc. One may be provided corresponding to the part (the display part is a symbol display part or the like). Alternatively, a plurality of display units may be provided corresponding to one display unit (the display unit is a symbol display unit or the like).

  The “advantageous state generating means” may be anything as long as it continues to be advantageous to the player during a plurality of game units. For example, a program for performing generation determination, continuation determination, midway end determination, generation, continuation, end, and the like. The “internal winning combination determining means” includes an internal winning combination lottery means, an internal winning combination carry over means, a specific combination accumulating means, an accumulated specific combination winning means, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the “game machine” includes a pachinko machine, a pachislot machine, a video slot, and the like. The “game result” includes a winning mode, a losing mode, a production mode, a notification mode, and the like. The “specific winning mode” includes a specific symbol display (“3”, “7”, etc.), a specific symbol combination display (“777”, “776”, etc.), and a specific symbol among a plurality of symbols. Contains (single cherry, double cherry, etc.).

  The “disappearance mode” includes modes other than the winning mode displayed on the variation display means, the production mode, the notification mode, and the like. The “predetermined game result” includes a winning mode and the like. “Direction mode” is a mode in which waiting for customers, during game, between games, winning (front, middle, rear), advantageous state (front, middle, rear), etc., or their game information (game guidance) Including the notification mode and other modes, characters such as “big hit”, “bonus”, “out”, and the number of continuations of the advantageous state are also included.

  The “notice mode” includes a mode for notifying a player that a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination may be determined, a mode for notifying a player, and a production mode thereof. . “Do n’t you? ","bell? ”,“ A big hit? ], “Bonus winning? ], "Game procedure navigation function win? ”Etc. are also included. The “notification mode” is a mode in which the player is notified that a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination has been determined, or a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination is not determined. This includes a mode for notifying the player of this, and a production mode. “Big hit confirmed”, “Bonus confirmed”, “Outgoed confirmed”, “Bell confirmed”, “Game procedure navigation function win? ”Etc. are also included.

  “Aspect” includes one or more symbol (moving / still) images, one or more character (moving / still) images, one or more background (moving / still) images, one or more balloons (moving / still) ) Image, one or more characters, one figure, predetermined operation of one or more movable objects, etc. One or more lamps are lit, blinking, etc. One or more speaker sounds are included. “Game information” includes game concept (background), game rules, operation explanation, reach eye, chance eye, role / replay explanation, advantageous state (BB, RB, etc.), advantageous state (BB, RB, etc.) , Probability, number of games elapsed since a predetermined time (bonus, BB, RB, predetermined operation, etc.).

  The “game start command means” includes a start lever, a switch such as a spin button, a game medium input, a symbol start port (gate), and the like. The “display stop command means” includes a button, a lever, a program (time measuring means), and the like. “Design display means” includes CRT, LCD, plasma display, 7-segment display, dot matrix, lamp, LED, fluorescent lamp, EL, electronic paper, flexible LED, flexible liquid crystal, liquid crystal projector, reel, disk, movable object, etc. including. The thing with which they were provided in plural, the thing with which they were combined, etc. are included.

  The “internal winning combination” includes one or more combinations determined as an internal winning combination by the internal winning combination determining means from a plurality of combinations. The “winning combination” includes a combination in which a winning mode corresponding to the internal winning combination is displayed. “Game value” includes payout of award media (coins, medals, game balls), game result storage media (predetermined writing to a magnetic card, etc., replay, score addition, occurrence of advantageous state, etc.) (Prize medium) ”includes coins, medals, game balls, money, banknotes, magnetic cards, and the like.

  In addition, one or more of the following may be applied as a combination in a pachislot or the like. A single bonus or internal winning combination in which the probability that the small winning combination is determined to be an internal winning combination by the internal winning combination determining means is high for only one unit game (1 game). Regular bonus that determines the chance that the small role will be determined as an internal winning combination is high only during multiple unit games, and the probability that the internal winning combination determination means determines the regular bonus as an internal winning combination only during multiple unit games An internal winning combination navigating function for notifying information regarding the big bonus having a high probability and the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means before the operation of the display stop command means by the player. A push order navigating function for notifying information related to the stop pattern selected by the stop pattern selection means before the player operates the display stop command means. A game procedure navigation function for notifying a game procedure that is advantageous to a player.

  For example, the internal winning combination navigating function described above is a reel stop pattern (for example, the first left reel is first notified before the left, middle, and right reel stop buttons corresponding to the left reel, middle reel, and right reel are stopped. , Then stop the middle reel, and finally stop the right reel, similarly left reel stop → right reel stop → middle reel stop pattern, middle reel stop → right reel stop → left reel stop pattern, 6 types of left reel stop → left reel stop → right reel stop pattern, right reel stop → left reel stop → middle reel stop pattern, right reel stop → middle reel stop → left reel stop pattern, etc.) In addition, a reel stop navigating function or the like in which a predetermined winning mode is obtained in the fluctuation display means by stopping the right reel stop button is included. The reel stop navigation function is a predetermined time (for example, first, second, third, etc.) without navigating the stop order of all reels (including image display means for variably displaying symbols other than reels). It also includes a navigation function for notifying the player of the reel to be stopped. In addition, the variable display means may include a predetermined winning mode when the reel is stopped in a state where a predetermined symbol is displayed on the reel to be stopped a predetermined time. Also included is a function for stopping a symbol with a minimum movement (or a substantially minimum fluctuation) from an output of a stop command signal from a display stop command means by a player, and a replay that can start a game of one unit game without inserting a game medium.

  In addition, one unit game may be applied as follows, for example. From the output of the game start command signal from the game start command means to the display of the game result. From the operation of the start lever until the game result is displayed on the fluctuation display means (predetermined display means). From the operation of the start lever until a specific display (for example, specific character information, a specific character, a specific image) is displayed on a predetermined display means. It is configured to output a game start command signal when the bet button is operated by the player, or when the game medal is inserted by the player, etc., and the change display means from the operation of the bet button or the insertion of the game medal Until the game result is displayed. It is configured to output a game start command signal when the bet button is operated by the player, or when a game medal is inserted by the player, etc., and a predetermined display is made from the operation of the bet button or insertion of the game medal. Until a specific display is displayed on the means. From the time when the symbol starting means for outputting the game start command signal detects winning or passing of a game medium (for example, a game ball) until the game result is displayed on the fluctuation display means (predetermined display means). A specific display (for example, specific character information, specific character, specific image) is displayed on the predetermined display means after the symbol starting means for outputting the game start command signal detects winning or passing of the game medium. Until. In addition, a plurality of unit games of continuous or intermittent multiple times may be applied to the plurality of unit games.

The perspective view of the gaming machine of the first embodiment. The front view of a liquid crystal display device. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a liquid crystal display device. The front view of the liquid crystal display device which shows the display form of an advertisement image. Explanatory drawing which shows advertisement image display timing. The block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit of a game machine. The block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit of the game machine of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the advertisement data table of an Example. The figure which shows the flowchart of a main routine. The figure which shows the flowchart of an advertisement display switching process routine. The figure which shows the flowchart of an advertisement image display process routine. The figure which shows the flowchart of an advertisement image non-display process routine. The perspective view of the game machine of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit of the gaming machine of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart of the gaze information analysis processing routine of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Cabinet 3L * 3C * 3R Reel 4L * 4C * 4R Pseudo reel 5 Liquid crystal display device 6 Start lever 6S Start switch 7L * 7C * 7R Stop button 11 1-BET button 11S 1-BET switch 12 Maximum BET button 12S Maximum BET switch 71 Main control circuit 72 Sub control circuit 101 Advertisement image 102 Advertisement image area 103a Reel fluctuation display area 103b Reel stop display area 104 HDD
105 Gaze Information Input Circuit 106 Gaze Tracking Device 107 Gaze Information Input Port

Claims (3)

Game starting means for starting a game;
A symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols at the start of the game;
An internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination by lottery based on the start of the game and the gaming state;
Based on the internal winning combination, the fluctuation display stop means for stopping and displaying the fluctuation of the symbol,
An advertisement image display means for displaying an advertisement image;
A gaming machine, comprising: an advertisement image non-display unit that hides the advertisement image during a predetermined period including at least a part of a period during which the symbol is stopped and displayed.   A symbol area control means for displaying the symbol variation display area smaller than the symbol stop display area within the predetermined period during the variable display of the plurality of symbols outside the predetermined period. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is characterized. Line-of-sight information input means for inputting line-of-sight information indicating which the player is watching;
Based on the line-of-sight information, visual determination means for determining whether or not the player is viewing the advertisement image;
The visual counting means for counting the time and / or the number of times that the player views the advertisement image based on the determination result of the visual determination means, further comprising: Gaming machine.

Images