JP2001017674A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden of control concerning the pattern display of a game control means by avoiding the increase in the number of commands to be sent to a display control means in spite of increasing the kinds of pattern fluctuation. SOLUTION: A fluctuation pattern from the fluctuation start of ready n (which can be fluctuated again) to the finish of ready operation is equal to the fluctuation pattern of ready n (which cannot be fluctuated) (n=1 to 5). Consequently, a time from a timing A to a timing B is different according to the kind of the ready. However, a time since the finish of ready operation (a time of temporarily stopping a middle pattern: timing B) to defining of the whole patterns (timing C) after finishing re-fluctuation is controlled to be always constant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine or a coin game machine, and more particularly to a game machine including a variable display device whose display state can be changed, wherein a display result on the variable display device is predetermined. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a predetermined game value can be given when the display mode is changed to the display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a gaming machine, a variable display device having a variable display portion whose display state can be changed is provided, and when a display result of the variable display portion becomes a predetermined specific display mode, the player is provided with a variable display device. Some are configured to shift to an advantageous jackpot game state. The variable display device includes a plurality of variable display units, and is generally configured to display the display results of the plurality of variable display units at different times.
On the variable display section, for example, a plurality of identification information such as symbols are variably displayed. Usually, that the display result of the variable display unit is a combination of predetermined specific display modes,
It is called "big hit." In addition, the game value is a right to make the state of the variable prize ball device provided in the game area of the gaming machine advantageous for a player who is easy to win a hit ball, or a right for the player to be in an advantageous state. Or to generate.

[0003] When a big hit occurs, for example, a big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the state shifts to a big hit game state in which a hit ball is easy to win. Then, in each open period, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning prizes is won, the winning prize opening is closed. The number of opening of the special winning opening is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and if the opening time elapses even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the winning opening is closed. Further, if a predetermined condition (for example, winning in a V zone provided in the special winning opening) is not satisfied at the time when the special winning opening is closed, the big hit game is performed even if the predetermined number of times is not reached. The state ends.

[0004] In addition, among the combinations of the display modes of "outside" other than the combination of "big hit", at the stage where a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions has not been derived and displayed yet, the display results are already displayed. The state in which the display mode of the variable display unit that is derived and displayed satisfies the display condition that is a combination of the specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

The progress of a game in a game machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. The identification information, the character image, and the background image displayed on the variable display device are controlled by display control means operating according to display control command data from the game control means.
The identification information, the character image, and the background image displayed on the variable display device generally include a display control microcomputer and a video display processor (FIG. 1) that generates image data in accordance with instructions from the microcomputer and transfers the image data to the variable display device side. VDP), and the display control microcomputer has a large program capacity.

Accordingly, the microcomputer of the game control means having a limited program capacity cannot control the identification information and the like displayed on the variable display device, and is different from the board on which the microcomputer of the game control means is mounted. A display control microcomputer (display control means) mounted on a substrate is used. The variable display device may be realized by an image display device, or may be realized by a mechanical component such as a drum. Even when such a variable display device such as a drum type is used, the variable display device is generally controlled by a display control unit mounted on a display control substrate different from a substrate on which the game control unit is mounted. . When a variable display device such as a drum type is used, the display control means performs drive control and speed control of a motor or the like for driving each reel on which a plurality of symbols are drawn.

[0007]

Therefore, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game needs to transmit a command for display control to the display control means. Then, when trying to enrich the game effects by the display, the load on the game control means becomes very large. For example, when the types of design fluctuations are increased in order to enrich the variation of game effects, the number of types of commands also increases in accordance with the increased types of fluctuations. Therefore, the game control means must handle many types of commands, and the load on the variable display control of the game control means increases.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the number of commands sent to the display control means does not increase even if the type of symbol variation is increased,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the burden of controlling the display of symbols by game control means.

[0009]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
Including a variable display unit having a plurality of display areas in which the display state can be changed, starting the change of the symbol displayed in the display area according to the satisfaction of the condition for starting the change, the display result of the symbol is a predetermined identification A gaming machine that can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to a player on condition that the display mode is set,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game, and display control means for performing display control of the variable display unit, the game control means,
A jackpot determining means for determining whether or not to make a big hit, a display content determining means for determining the display content of the variable display section, and at least a symbol variation mode (variation period, etc.) based on the determination of the display content determining means Command output means that can output information that can be performed and information that can specify the stop symbol,
At least at the time of the big hit, a re-lottery operation mode capable of displaying a temporary symbol different from the final stop symbol and thereafter displaying the final symbol is included, and the display control means is configured to display a temporary symbol different from the final stop symbol. , A plurality of re-lottery operation modes in which the time until the symbol is finally determined is the same and the symbol change number of the final stop symbol with respect to the temporary symbol is different can be displayed.

The temporary symbol different from the final stop symbol may be in a specific display mode.

[0011] The game control means enters a special game state in which a big hit symbol is easily generated according to the type of the big hit symbol determined by the display content determining means when the big hit determination means decides to make a big hit. It may be configured to determine whether or not to shift.

The special game state is, for example, a probability variation state in which the big hit symbol occurrence probability is improved.

The re-lottery operation mode is, for example, a mode including a display effect of changing a character or a background image in addition to a change in a design.

The re-lottery operation mode is, for example, a mode including a display effect using a combination of a probable variable symbol and a non-probable variable symbol that generate a probability fluctuation state.

The display control means may be configured to maintain the symbol temporary stop state during the re-lottery operation.

The display control means may be configured to reduce the size of the symbol when performing the re-lottery operation.

[0017] The display control means may be configured to display a symbol at an end of the variable display section when performing a re-lottery operation.

The display control means may be configured so that the fluctuation pattern immediately before the final stop state in the re-lottery operation mode is a high-speed constant-speed fluctuation.

[0019]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 comprises:
It has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, a surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided. Behind the glass door frame 2,
The game board 6 is detachably attached. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display section 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a 7-segment L
A variable display device 8 including a variable display 10 using an ED is provided. In this embodiment, the variable display section 9 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. On the side of the variable display device 8, a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided. The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the starting winning opening 14 via the ball exit 13. In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 for detecting a hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11. In addition, the winning ball that entered the starting winning port 14 is
It is guided to the back of the game board 6 and is detected by the starting port switch 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

An opening / closing plate 20 which is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball apparatus 15. In this embodiment, the opening and closing plate 20 serves as a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. The winning ball that enters one (V zone) of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6 is detected by the V count switch 22. The winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. Variable display device 8
A start winning prize storage display 18 having four display sections for displaying the number of winning balls entering the starting winning prize port 14 is provided below. In this example, the start winning prize storage display 18 increases the number of lit display units by one each time there is a starting prize, with the upper limit being four. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display unit 9 is started, the number of the lit display units is reduced by one.

The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 19 and 24. Decorative lamps 25 are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7 so as to blink during the game.
There is an out port 26 for absorbing a hit ball that does not win. In addition, two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided at upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. A game effect LED 28a and a game effect lamp 2
8b and 28c are provided. And in this example,
A prize ball lamp 51 that lights up when a premium ball is paid out is provided near one of the speakers 27, and a ball out lamp 52 that lights up when a supply ball runs out is provided near the other speaker 27. Further, FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming table 1
Also shown is a card unit 50, which is installed adjacent to and allows lending of balls by inserting a prepaid card.

The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hitting ball rail, and thereafter, enters the game area 7.
Come down. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passage gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 is changed continuously. Further, when a hit ball enters the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening switch 17, the symbol in the variable display section 9 starts rotating if the symbol can be changed. If it is not possible to start changing the symbol, the start winning memory is increased by one. The start winning memory will be described later in detail. The rotation of the image in the variable display unit 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of big hit symbols, the game shifts to a big hit game state. That is, the opening and closing plate 20
Is released until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. Then, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning area while the opening and closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening and closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

If the combination of images in the variable display section 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next big hit increases. That is, a high probability state, which is more advantageous for the player, is obtained.

When the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol on the variable display 10 hits the symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened are increased.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a prize ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island, a prize ball is provided from above. Premium ball tank 3
8 is supplied. The prize ball in the prize ball tank 38 reaches the ball payout device through the guide gutter 39.

On the mechanism board 36, a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the variable display section 9 via the relay board 30, and a game control board (main board) covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer and the like. ) 31, a relay board 33 for relaying a signal between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of a prize ball is mounted. is set up. Further, the mechanism plate 36 includes
A hitting ball launching device 34 for shooting a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of a motor, and a lamp control board 35 for sending signals to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c are provided.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the rear. On the back of the game board 6, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the winning ball set cover 4 for guiding the winning ball winning each winning port and the winning ball device along a predetermined winning path.
0 is provided. Of the prize balls guided to the prize ball collection cover 40, those that have won through the opening and closing plate 20 are controlled so that the ball payout device 97 pays out a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15). The winnings through the starting winning opening 14 are controlled so that a ball payout device (not shown in FIG. 3) pays out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, six). Then, the winnings through the other winning ports 24 and the winning ball device are controlled so that the ball payout device pays out a relatively medium number of prize balls (for example, 10). Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the relay board 33 as an example.

In order to perform the prize ball payout control, signals from the prize ball detection switch 99 for detecting all prize balls, the starting port switch 17 and the V count switch 22 are sent to the main board 31. Winning ball detection switch 9 on main board 31
9 is sent, the main board 31 sends the prize ball board 3
7 is sent a prize ball number signal. The winning is detected by the winning ball detecting switch 99. In this case, the main board 31 sends a winning ball number signal to the winning ball board 37. For example, when the winning ball detection switch 99 is turned on in response to the turning on of the starting port switch 17, "6" is output as the winning ball number signal, and the winning ball detection is performed in response to the turning on of the count switch 23 or the V count switch 22. When the switch 99 is turned on, “15” is output as the prize ball number signal. When the winning ball detection switch 99 is turned on when those switches are not turned on, the winning ball number signal becomes “1”.
"0" is output.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 31. FIG. 4 also shows the prize ball control board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80. On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 12,
A switch circuit 58 that supplies signals from the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning ball detection switch 99 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 that opens and closes the variable winning ball device 15, and the opening and closing plate 2.
A solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 21 for opening and closing the 0 according to a command from the basic circuit 53;
It includes a lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the variable display 10 by ED and the decorative lamp 25.

In addition, according to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used to start image display of the variable display section 9, and probability fluctuation have occurred. And an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information or the like indicating the fact to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation according to the control program, and an I / O port unit 57. The ROM 54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases.

Further, the main board 31 has an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on.
A periodic reset circuit 66 for periodically (eg, every 2 ms) giving a reset pulse to the basic circuit 53 to re-execute the game control program from the beginning, and decode an address signal given from the basic circuit 53. I
Address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting any I / O port in I / O port unit 57
Are provided. In addition, there is also switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball dispensing device 97, but these are omitted in FIG.

A hit ball launching device that hits and launches a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on a launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration in the display control board 80 by using the CRT 82 as an example of the variable display section 9 and the output ports (ports A and B) 571 and 572 of the main board 31.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram shown together with an output buffer circuit 63. Output control command data is output from the output port 571, and a strobe signal (INT signal) is output from the output port 572.

The display control CPU 101 controls the control data R
It operates according to the program stored in the OM 102, and receives a display control command via the input buffer circuit 105 when a strobe signal is input from the main board 31 via the noise filter 107 and the input buffer circuit 105. As the input buffer circuit 105, for example, a general-purpose IC
74HC244 can be used. In addition,
When the display control CPU 101 does not include an I / O port, the input buffer circuit 105 and the display control CP
An I / O port is provided between U101.

The display control CPU 101 controls display of a screen displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, a command corresponding to the display control command is given to the VDP 103. VDP103
Reads necessary data from the character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates a CRT 8 according to the input data.
2 is generated, and the image data is stored in the VRAM 87. Then, the image data in the VRAM 87 is converted into R, G, B signals, converted into analog signals by the DA converter 104, and output to the CRT 82.

FIG. 5 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, and a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, an animal, or an image composed of characters, graphics, or symbols displayed on the CRT 82.

The input buffer circuit 105 can pass a signal only in the direction from the main board 31 to the display control board 80. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the main board 31 side. Display control board 80
Even if the internal circuits are modified illegally, the signal output by the illegal modification is not transmitted to the main board 31 side. The outputs of the output ports 571 and 572 may be output to the display control board 80 as they are. However, by providing the output buffer circuit 63 capable of transmitting a signal in only one direction, the output from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 is provided. One-way signal transmission can be further ensured. Further, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 107 that cuts off a high-frequency signal. However, even if noise is present between display control commands between substrates due to the presence of the noise filter 107, the effect is eliminated. Is done.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the voice control command signal transmission portion on the main board 31 and the voice control board 70. In this embodiment, according to the progress of the game, the voice control command for instructing the voice output of the speaker 27 provided outside the game area 7 is:
It is output from the main board 31 to the voice control board 70.

As shown in FIG. 6, the voice control command is
The data is output from output ports (output ports C and D) 573 and 574 of the I / O port unit 57 in the basic circuit 53.
Voice control command data is output from the output port 573, and a strobe signal (INT) is output from the output port 574.
Signal) is output. In the audio control board 70, each signal from the main board 31 is input to the audio control CPU 701 via the input buffer circuit 705. When the audio control CPU 701 does not include an I / O port, the input buffer circuit 705 and the audio control CPU 701
And an I / O port is provided.

The voice synthesizing circuit 702 using, for example, a digital signal processor is
The sound and the sound effect corresponding to the instruction 01 are generated and output to the volume switching circuit 703. The volume switching circuit 703 sets the output level of the voice control CPU 701 to a level corresponding to the set volume and outputs the output level to the volume amplification circuit 704. The volume amplification circuit 704 outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 27.

As the input buffer circuit 705, for example,
74HC244 which is a general-purpose CMOS-IC is used. A low level (GND level) is always applied to the enable terminal of the 74HC244. Therefore, the output level of each buffer is the input level, that is, the main board 31.
Signal level has been determined. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the voice control board 70 side to the main board 31 side.
Therefore, even if the circuit in the voice control board 70 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is transmitted to the main board 31.
It does not reach the side. Note that the input buffer circuit 705
, A noise filter may be provided on the input side.

In the main board 31, the output port 5
A buffer circuit 67 is provided outside of 74 and 575. As the buffer circuit 67, for example, a general-purpose CMOS
-74HC244 which is IC is used. The enable terminal is always given a low level (GND level). According to such a configuration, since a signal input from the outside to the inside of the main board 31 is blocked, a signal line to which a signal may be supplied from the voice control board 70 to the main board 31 is more reliably eliminated. be able to.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the basic circuit 53 on the main board 31. As described above, this process is started, for example, every 2 ms by the reset pulse generated by the periodic reset circuit 66. When the CPU 56 is started, the CPU 56 first sets a clock monitor register built in the CPU 56 to a clock monitor enable state in order to make the clock monitor control operable (step S1). Note that the clock monitor control is a control in which a reset is automatically generated inside the CPU 56 when a decrease or stop of an input clock signal is detected.

Next, the CPU 56 performs a stack setting process for setting the designated address of the stack pointer (step S2). In this example, 00FFH is set in the stack pointer. Then, a system check process is performed (step S3). In the system check process, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the RAM 55 contains an error.
Processing such as initializing 5 is performed.

Next, after processing for setting the command data sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 is performed (display control data setting processing: step S
4), a process of outputting command data as display control command data is performed (display control data output process: step S5).

Next, processing for outputting the contents of the storage area for various output data to each output port is performed (data output processing: step S6). Further, the lamp timer is decremented by one, and when the lamp timer times out (when it becomes 0), the lamp data pointer is updated and a new value is set in the lamp timer (lamp timer processing: step S7).

Further, output data setting processing for setting output data such as data of the address indicated by the lamp data pointer, jackpot information, start information, and probability variation information output to the hall management computer in the storage area is performed (step S8). ). Further, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by a self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S9).

Next, a process of updating each counter indicating a random number for determination, such as a random number for big hit determination used in game control, is performed (step S10). FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows. (1) Random 1: Determines whether to generate a big hit (for big hit determination) (2) Random 2-1 to 2-3: For left and right middle out-of-design symbol determination (3) Random 3: Symbol for big hit (4) Random 4: Decide whether or not to reach when missing (for reach determination) (5) Random 5: Determine for reach type (for reach type determination)

In order to enhance the game effect, random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (5) are used. In step S10, the CPU 56 counts up (adds 1) a counter for generating the jackpot determination random number (1) and the jackpot symbol determination random number (3). That is, they are the random numbers for determination.

Next, the CPU 56 performs a special symbol process (step S11). In the special symbol process control, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Further, a normal symbol process is performed (step S12). In normal symbol processing, 7 segments L
A corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 by the ED in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

The CPU 56 further includes a switch circuit 58
, And performs necessary processing according to the switch state (switch processing: step S1).
3). In addition, a process of transmitting audio data in the process data described later to the audio control board 70 is performed (audio processing: step S14).

The basic circuit 53 further performs processing for updating the display random number (step S15). That is, the counter for generating random numbers 2, 4, and 5 is counted up (added by 1).

The basic circuit 53 includes a prize ball control board 37.
Is performed (step S16). That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a winning ball control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the winning ball control board 37. Award ball control board 3
The CPU for controlling a prize ball mounted on 7 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the received number of prize balls. After that, the basic circuit 53 repeats the display random number updating process in step S17 until the next reset pulse is given from the periodic reset circuit 66.

Next, a method of determining a symbol variably displayed on the variable display section 9 based on a winning in the starting winning opening 14 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 9 shows a process for determining that the hit ball has won the starting winning opening 14, and FIG. 10 shows a process for determining a variable display stop symbol of the variable display unit 9. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not to make a big hit.

When the hit ball wins the starting winning port 14 provided in the game board 6, the starting port sensor 17 is turned on. In the special symbol process process of step S11 of the main process, as shown in FIG. 9, when the CPU 56 determines that the start-up opening sensor 17 is turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S41), the number of startup winning storages becomes maximum. It is checked whether the value has reached 4 (step S4).
2). If the number of memorized start winnings has not reached 4, the number of memorized start winnings is incremented by 1 (step S43), and the value of the random number for jackpot symbol determination is extracted. Then, it is stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the value of the number of stored winning prizes (step S44). If the number of stored start winnings has reached 4, the process of increasing the number of stored start winnings is not performed. That is, in this embodiment, a maximum of four starting winning ports 17 are provided.
Can be stored.

Further, in the special symbol process process of step S11, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of start winning combinations as shown in FIG. 10 (step S50). If the start winning prize memory number is not 0, the value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the start prize storing number = 1 is read out (step S51), the value of the starting prize storing number is reduced by 1, and The value of the random number value storage area is shifted (step S52). That is, the number of start winning prize memories = n (n =
The values stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to (2, 3, 4) are stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of startup winning storage numbers = n-1.

Then, the CPU 56 determines a winning / losing based on the value read in step S51, that is, the value of the extracted big hit determining random number (step S53). Here, the random number for jackpot determination is 0 to 299.
Values in the range. As shown in FIG. 11, when the probability is low, for example, if the value is “3”, “big hit” is determined, and if the value is any other value, “miss” is determined.
Is determined. When the probability is high, for example, the value is "3",
If it is one of "7", "79", "103", and "107", it is determined as "big hit", and if it is any other value, it is determined as "out".

When it is determined that a big hit has occurred, the CPU 56
Determines the big hit symbol (fixed symbol) based on the value of the big hit symbol determining random number (step S62). The reach type determining random number (random 5) is extracted, and the reach type is determined based on the value (step S57).

If it is determined that there is a loss, the CPU 56
Determines whether to reach (step S58).
For example, when the value of random number 4 as a random number for reach determination is any one of “105” to “1530”,
Decide not to reach. Then, when the value of the reach determination random number is any of “0” to “104”, it is determined to be reach. When determining to reach, the CPU 56 determines a reach symbol.

In this embodiment, the left and right symbols are determined according to the value of random 2-1 (step S59). Also, the middle symbol is determined according to the value of the random 2-2 (step S60). That is, one of the symbols corresponding to the values 0 to 15 of the values of the random 2-1 and the random 2-2 is determined as the stop symbol. Here, if the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the random number corresponding to the middle symbol is determined as the middle symbol, so that it does not match the big hit symbol. I do. Then, the reach type determining random number (random 5) is extracted, and the reach type is determined based on the value (step S5).
7)

If it is determined in step S58 not to reach, the left and right middle symbols are determined according to the values of random 2-1 to 2-3 (step S61). As will be described later, in this embodiment, in the high probability state, a variation pattern in which the variation time is shortened is used as the variation pattern at the time of a loss. Therefore, in the high probability state, CP
U56 determines whether to use the normal variation pattern at the time of out-of-position or to use the shortened variation pattern, for example, using a predetermined random number or the like.

As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol change based on the winning start is a big hit, a reach mode, or a loss, and the combination of the respective stopped symbols is determined.

In the high-probability state, the probability of the next big hit increases, the time until the variable display of the variable display 10 is determined by the 7-segment LED is shortened, and the variable display of the variable display 10 is reduced. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may be configured to increase the number of times and the opening time of the variable winning ball device 15 at the time of hitting based on the result, or the probability of hitting based on the variable display result of the variable display 10 is high. It may be constituted so that it may become. Further, the present invention is also applicable to the pachinko gaming machine 1 in which only one or a plurality of these states occur.

For example, when the combination of symbols stopped in the variable display section 9 becomes a specific symbol, the probability of a big hit does not increase, but the variable winning ball device 15 at the time of hitting based on the variable display result of the variable display 10 does not increase. Even in a gaming machine in which the number of times of opening and the opening time are increased, if it is determined that the reach is to be made, it is determined whether or not the left and right stopped symbols match the display mode of the specific symbol, that is, which symbol is used to generate the reach state. The present invention is also applicable to gaming machines determined by means such as a predetermined random number. Further, the range of the random numbers and the random number values used in this embodiment is an example, and any random numbers may be used, and the range setting is arbitrary.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process process shown in FIG. 12 is a specific process of step S11 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process processing, the CPU 56 determines in step S3 shown in FIG.
One of the processes from 00 to S309 is performed. In each process, the following processes are performed.

Special symbol change waiting processing (step S30)
0): The start winning port 14 (in this embodiment, the winning port of the variable winning ball device 15) is hit and the start port sensor 17 is turned on. When the starting port sensor 17 is turned on, the starting winning memory number is increased by + if the starting winning memory number is not full.
1 and a big hit determination random number is extracted. That is, the processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

Special symbol determination processing (step S301):
When the state in which the variable display of the special symbol can be started, the number of start winning prize stored is confirmed. If the starting prize memory number is not 0,
It is determined whether to make a big hit or an out according to the value of the extracted big hit determining random number. That is, the first half of the process shown in FIG. 10 is executed.

Stop symbol setting processing (step S302):
The stop symbol of the left and right middle symbols is determined. That is, the middle half of the processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed.

Reach operation setting processing (step S30)
3): Whether or not to perform the reach operation is determined according to the value of the reach determination random number, and the type of the reach mode is determined according to the value of the reach random number. That is, the latter half of the process shown in FIG. 10 is executed.

All symbols change start processing (step S30)
4): In the variable display section 9, control is performed so that all symbols start to change. At this time, with respect to the display control board 80,
The left and right middle final stop symbols and information instructing the reach mode are transmitted. When a background or a character is also displayed on the variable display unit 9, control is performed so that display control command data corresponding to the background or character is transmitted to the display control board 80.

All symbols stop waiting processing (step S30)
5): Wait for the fluctuation period to end, and when the fluctuation period elapses, an all symbol stop command indicating that all symbols displayed on the variable display unit 9 should be stopped is displayed on the display control board 80.
Control to be sent to

Big hit display processing (step S306): If the stopped symbol is a combination of big hit symbols, the internal state (process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S307. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309. The combination of the big hit symbols is a combination in which the right and left middle symbols are aligned. Also, when the left and right symbols are aligned, it reaches reach.

Big winning opening opening process (step S30)
7): Control for opening the special winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening.

Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S30)
8): Control for transmitting display control command data of the special winning opening round display to the display control board 80, processing for confirming establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. If the closing condition of the special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S307 unless the end condition of the big hit gaming state is satisfied. If the jackpot gaming state end condition is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309.

Big hit end processing (step S309): A display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal flags and the like are returned to the initial state, and the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

As described above, when a ball is hit in the starting winning opening 14, the basic circuit 53 determines whether to make a big hit or a loose hit, a stop symbol, and a reach in the special symbol process of step S11 (see FIG. 7). The mode is determined, and a display control command corresponding to the determination is given to the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80. Display control C
The PU 101 controls the display of the variable display unit 9 according to a display control command from the main board 31.

Next, the variation of the symbol will be described using a specific example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a left and right middle symbol used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, each of the symbols displayed as the left and right middle symbols is
It is the same 12 symbols in the left and right. When the symbol of symbol number 12 is displayed, next, the symbol of symbol number 1 is displayed.
And the middle left and right symbols are, for example, "1", "3",
A high-probability state is established when stopping at "5", "7", "9" or "melon". That is, they become probable symbols.

FIGS. 14 to 17 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of display control commands relating to symbol variations transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 used in this embodiment. In this example, one display control command is composed of two bytes (CMD1, CMD2).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command for instructing a variation mode and stopping of all symbols. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, as the display control commands that can specify the variation mode, “out”, “all symbol variations at the time of probability variation”, “reach 1 (no re-variation)” to “reach 5 (no re-variation) )) And “reach 1 (with fluctuation)” to “reach 5 (with fluctuation)”. In the variation modes of reach 1 (with re-variation) to reach 5 (with re-variation), the variation modes of reach 1 (without re-variation) to reach 5 (without re-variation) are excluded from the variation mode. And the same variation pattern is used.

Note that the CPU 56 of the main board 31
, Reach 1 (with re-variation) to reach 5 (with re-variation), reach 1
One of the display control commands of (no re-change) to reach 5 (no re-change) is selected.

FIG. 15 shows a display control command indicating a stop symbol of the left symbol. As shown in FIG.
A stop symbol is designated by a display control command composed of byte control data CMD1 and CMD2. In addition,
In those designations, the control data CMD of the first byte
The value of 1 is “8B (H)”.

FIG. 16 shows a display control command indicating a stop symbol of a middle symbol. As shown in FIG.
A stop symbol is designated by a display control command composed of byte control data CMD1 and CMD2. In addition,
In those designations, the control data CMD of the first byte
The value of 1 is “8C (H)”.

FIG. 17 shows a display control command indicating a stop symbol of the right symbol. As shown in FIG.
A stop symbol is designated by a display control command composed of byte control data CMD1 and CMD2. In addition,
In those designations, the control data CMD of the first byte
The value of 1 is “8D (H)”.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the main board 31 is connected to the display control board 8.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command transmitted to 0.
As shown in FIG. 18, in this embodiment, a display control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 through eight signal lines of display control signals CD0 to CD7. Further, between the main board 31 and the display control board 80, a signal line of a display control signal INT for transmitting a strobe signal, a supply line of + 5V and + 12V serving as a power supply of the display control board 80, and a ground level are provided. Signal lines for supplying are also wired.

FIG. 19 shows the main board 31 to the game control board 8
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of a transmission timing of a display control command given to 0. In this example, the 2-byte display control data making up the display control command data is transmitted every 2 ms as shown in FIG. Then, a strobe signal (display control signal INT) is output in synchronization with each display control data. Since the display control CPU 101 is interrupted at the rising edge of the strobe signal,
The display control CPU 101 can fetch each display control data by the interrupt processing program.

Hereinafter, an example of a symbol variation pattern will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing an example of the change of the symbol at the time of the out of reach. FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing an example of the change of the symbol at the time of the reach (the case of the big hit and the case of the big hit). FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining re-variation of symbols.

In this embodiment, at the time of detachment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0 (A), in the “left” symbol display area of the variable display section 9, first, the symbol is changed according to the pattern a. Pattern a is a pattern in which the fluctuation speed increases little by little. After that, the pattern b is fluctuated at a constant high speed. For example, after the symbol replacement control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, the three symbols are fluctuated according to the pattern c. Pattern c is
This is a pattern that gradually slows down and stops.

The display control CP of the display control board 80
U101 repeatedly fluctuates the left and right symbols in the opposite direction of the change direction until the middle symbol is determined. That is,
The left and right symbols are controlled to be displayed in a stopped state due to so-called swing fluctuation. The swing fluctuation means that the symbol is displayed swinging up and down. The swing fluctuation is performed until the final stop symbol (fixed symbol) is displayed. Therefore, the left and right middle symbols finally stop that the respective symbols have not yet been determined until the left and right middle symbols have finally stopped, that is, that there is a possibility that a big hit may be caused by each of the hit targets. You can expect up to. The swing fluctuation in the swing stop state may be controlled so that the symbol not only swings up and down, but also swings right and left or swings in other directions.

When a display control command for instructing to stop all the symbols is received from the main board 31, the swinging state of the left and right symbols is ended, and the left and right symbols are brought into a fixed state in which the middle symbols do not move. In addition, the swinging operation may be performed for the medium symbol after the fluctuation by the pattern c, and then the medium symbol may be set to the final state.

The display control CPU 101 controls the display of the symbol three symbols before the stop symbol at a predetermined timing in the symbol display area in the left and right so that the symbol change stops at the specified stop symbol. At the start of the change, the left and right stop symbols are notified, and the change pattern at the time of the loss is determined in advance.
The switching timing from the pattern a to the pattern b and the switching timing from the pattern b to the pattern c can be recognized, and a symbol three symbols before to be replaced can be determined. The determined replacement symbol is VDP103
And the VDP 103 displays the notified symbol regardless of the symbol displayed at that time.

FIG. 20B shows an example of a fluctuation pattern at the time of a loss in the probability fluctuation state. In this variation pattern, as shown in the figure, the left and right middle symbols are simultaneously stopped after the left and right middle symbols are changed according to the pattern a, the pattern b, and the pattern c.

FIG. 21A shows a reach mode in which the right and left middle symbols are determined after the reach operation with the middle symbols is performed, that is, a reach mode without re-variation. FIG.
As shown in (A), the left and right symbols stop after the fluctuation by the patterns a, b, and c is performed. At this time, the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol. Then, a reach operation in which the middle symbol fluctuates in a predetermined pattern is performed. As described above, in this embodiment, there are five types of reach 1 (no change) to reach 5 (no change) (see FIG. 14). The period of the reach operation is different depending on each mode.

When a display control command instructing stop of all symbols is received from the main board 31, the middle symbol stops,
The left and right middle symbols are fixed. Until the middle symbol stops, the left and right symbols may be made to swing and fluctuate.

FIG. 21B shows a reach mode in which the middle left and right symbols temporarily stop after the reach operation with the middle symbol is performed, and then the middle left and right symbols start to change again, that is, the reach mode when there is a re-change. Is shown. In this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern with re-fluctuation is reach 1 (with re-fluctuation).
~ 5 types of reach 5 (with fluctuations) (Fig. 1
4).

The variation pattern from the start of reach n (with re-variation) to the end of reach operation is the same as the variation pattern of reach n (without re-variation) (n = 1 to 5). Therefore, the time from timing A to timing B shown in FIG. 21B differs depending on the reach type. However, the time from the end of the reach operation (when the middle symbol is temporarily stopped: timing B) to the time when the re-variation ends and all symbols are determined (timing C) is always controlled to be constant. Hereinafter, a period between timing B and timing C is referred to as a re-lottery operation period, and a period during which the symbols are actually changing in the re-lottery operation period is referred to as a re-change period.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an image display example in the variation mode with re-variation shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, after the middle left and right symbols fluctuate ((a)
), The left and right symbols stop at the same symbol and reach is established (see (b)). Thereafter, the reach operation is performed, the middle symbol is stopped, and the big hit is determined (timing B: (c)
reference).

In this embodiment, the left and right middle symbols are temporarily stopped (temporarily stopped).
Under the control of U101, the middle left and right symbols are displayed small at the edges of the screen (see (d)). Also, the display control CP
U101 performs a game effect by displaying a character in motion using most of the screen. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the final stop symbol is a positively changing symbol (“7, 7, 7” in this example), and the temporary stop symbol (temporary stop symbol).
Is a non-probable jackpot symbol ("4,4,4" in this example)
In such a case, it is possible to make the player feel as if the non-probable variable design was changed to the probable design by the effect of the movement of the character.

Note that the display control CPU 101 may perform a game effect by controlling the display of the background, or by controlling the background and the character.

Then, when a predetermined timing comes,
The left and right middle symbols are fluctuated at a high speed and constant speed (see (e)), and stopped at a fixed symbol (see (f)). The left and right fixed symbols are symbols notified from the CPU 56 of the main board 31.
However, the temporary stop symbol illustrated in FIG. 22C is determined by the display control CPU 101.

That is, the display control CPU 101 determines a temporary stop symbol using a random number or the like. For example, if the random number generation range is set to 1 to 10 and the extracted random number value indicates the difference between the fixed symbol and the temporary stop symbol, the number of frames of the difference between the temporary stop symbol and the final stop symbol is 1 which becomes 1-10 designs
There will be zero types of variation patterns. In this embodiment, there are five types of fluctuation modes, Reach 1 (with re-variation) to Reach 5 (with re-variation), as fluctuation modes with re-variation. Will do.

However, the display control command handled by the CPU 56 of the main board 31 is only reach 1 (with re-variation).
To reach 5 (with fluctuations). That is, even if the variation pattern is increased, the number of display control commands does not increase, and the load on the CPU 56 of the main board 31, that is, the game control means does not increase. If the game control means is configured to notify the display control means up to the symbol change number at the time of re-change, 5
Since 0 types of display control commands are required, the load on the game control means increases accordingly.

[0105] Further, since the length of the period from the determination of the jackpot to the determination of all the symbols (re-lottery operation period) is the same in any of the fluctuation patterns including the re-change period, the game control means sets the reach mode with re-change. Is instructed to the display control means, the timing of determining all the symbols can be easily identified.

The number of display control commands is not increased, and
If the length of the re-lottery operation period is made variable by independent control of the display control means, the load on the game control means will not increase, but the game control means will not be able to recognize the timing of finalizing all symbols Would. Therefore, in reality, it is impossible to make the length of the re-lottery operation period variable by increasing the number of display control commands and independently controlling the display control means. However, when the length of the re-lottery operation period is made constant as in this embodiment, the game control means can recognize the timing of determining all symbols, as described above. The type of fluctuation can be increased without increasing.

In order to always keep the length of the re-lottery operation period constant, the display control means needs to perform symbol replacement control during the re-change period, for example. For example, when the re-lottery operation period is fixed at 5 seconds and the high-speed constant speed re-variation period is 1.0 second, the display control CPU 101 replaces the display symbol with the final stop symbol at the end of the re-variation period. .

In the present embodiment, reach 1 (no change) to reach 5 (no change) and reach 1 (no change)
Different display control commands are used for the case with and without the change, as in (with change) to reach 5 (with change), but the display control commands for reach 1 to reach 5 are different from each other. A display control command of “there is a change” may be used. In that case, the number of commands is reduced to six.

In this embodiment, the length of the re-lottery period is one type, but two or more types may be used. For example, reach 1 (with change) to reach 3 (with change)
, The re-lottery period may be constant at 5 seconds, and from Reach 4 (with re-variation) to Reach 5 (with re-variation), the re-lottery period may be constant at 8 seconds. Even if the gaming machine is configured in such a manner, the game control means can easily identify the timing of determining all symbols when the display control means is instructed to reach with re-variation, and the display control means The length of the re-lottery period is fixed (5 seconds or 8 seconds) by replacing and displaying the final stop symbol notified from the game control means at the end of the fluctuation period.
Can be

Hereinafter, the operation of the game control means and the display control means for realizing the symbol variation in which the re-lottery operation period is always kept constant will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the all symbol variation start process (step S304) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. When the reach mode and the stop symbol are determined in the stop symbol setting process and the reach operation setting process in steps S302 and S303, transmission control of a display control command for instructing them is performed. In step S304, the CPU 56 Waits for the completion of command transmission (step S304a). The completion of command transmission is
This is notified from the display control data output process (step S5) during the main process (see FIG. 7).

In this embodiment, when the CPU 56 starts changing the symbol, the commands [80 (H), 01 (H)] to [80 (H), 0C] shown in FIG.
(H)] to the display control board 80. Subsequently, a display control command indicating the determined left and right middle stop symbols (fixed symbols) is sent to the display control board 80. Therefore, in the command transmission completion processing of step S304a, it is confirmed whether or not transmission of all these commands has been completed. Note that the CPU 56 sends out the display control command indicating the left and right middle stop symbol, and then executes the commands [80 (H), 01 (H)] to [80 (H), 0C].
(H)].

When transmission of the display control command is completed, C
The PU 56 starts a fluctuation time timer for measuring the fluctuation time notified to the display control board 80 (Step S304b). Then, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S305 (step S305).
304c).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the wait for all symbols stop process (step S30) in the special symbol process shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows 5). In step S305, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the variable time timer has expired (step S305a). When the time is up, a display control command instructing to stop all symbols is set (step S305b). Then, a display control command data transmission request is set (step S305c),
The special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S306 (step S305d). The display control command data transmission request is referred to in the display control data setting process (step S3) in the main process (see FIG. 7).

As described above, in the special symbol process processing, the CPU 56 displays the information for specifying the variation mode at the start of the variation and the information for designating the stop symbol on the display control board 8.
Send to 0. Then, when the time of the fluctuation time timer expires, that is, when the time corresponding to the fluctuation mode instructed ends, information for instructing all symbol fluctuations is displayed on the display control board 80.
To send to. In the meantime, the CPU 56
Do not send display control commands to Therefore, the main substrate 31
The load required for the display control of the CPU 56 is greatly reduced.

FIG. 25 shows a display control data setting process (FIG. 7).
6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of step S4) in the main processing shown in FIG. In the display control data setting process, the CPU 56 first checks whether or not the data sending flag is set (step S41).
1). If not set, it is confirmed whether or not the transmission request flag of the display control command data is set (step S412). If the transmission request flag has been set, the transmission request flag is reset (step S4).
13). The display control command data to be transmitted is set in the output data storage area (step S41).
4), a port output request is set (step S41)
6). The transmission request flag of the display control command data is set in the special symbol process. The data sending flag is set in a display control data output process described later.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the display control data output processing (step S5) in the main processing shown in FIG. In the display control data output process, the CPU 56 determines whether a port output request has been set (step S421). If the port output request has been set, the port output request is reset (step S422), and the contents of the port storage area (the first byte of the display control command) are output to the output port 571 (step S423). Then, the port output counter is incremented by one (step S424). In addition, INT
The signal is set to low level (ON state) (step S42).
5), turning on the data sending flag (step S42)
6).

If the port output request has not been set, it is determined whether the value of the port output counter is 0 (step S431). Port output counter value is 0
If not, it is checked whether the value of the port output counter is 1 (step S432). If the value of the port output counter is 1, the INT signal is turned off (= 1) because it is the INT signal off timing for the first byte of the display control command (step S43).
3). Further, the value of the port output counter is increased by 1 (step S434).

If the value of the port output counter is 2 (step S435), the output timing of the second byte of the display control command has come, so the contents of the port storage area (the second byte of the display control command) Is output to the output port 571 (step S436). Then, the port output counter is incremented by 1 (step S437). Further, the INT signal is set to low level (step S43).
8).

When the value of the port output counter is not 2, that is, when the value is 3, the INT signal off timing for the second byte of the display control command is reached, and the value of the port output counter is cleared. At the same time (step S441), the INT signal is turned off (high level) (step S442). Further, the data sending flag is turned off (step S443).

In this embodiment, the display control data output process shown in FIG. 26 is executed once every 2 ms. Therefore, the data output process shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), one byte of data is output every 2 ms.

Next, the operation of the display control CPU 101 will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the display control CPU 101. In the main processing, the display control CPU 101 first initializes the RAM, the I / O port, the VDP 103, and the like (step S70).
1). Then, display control is performed so that a demonstration screen appears on the variable display unit 9 (step S70).
2). Thereafter, the display random number updating process (the update process of the counter for generating the display random number) is repeatedly executed (step S703). As a display random number handled by the display control CPU 101, for example, there is a random number for determining a temporary stop symbol before a re-lottery operation period.

In this embodiment, actual fluctuation control and the like are performed by a timer interrupt process. Timer interrupt is
For example, it occurs every 2 ms. As shown in FIG. 28, in the timer interrupt process, the display control CPU 101 executes a display control process process (step S711). In the display control process, a display control process according to the value of the display control process flag is performed.

The display control command from the main board 31 is I
It is received by the display control CPU 101 by the RQ2 interrupt. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the IRQ2 interrupt processing of the display control CPU 101. In the IRQ2 interrupt processing, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether the data receiving flag is set (step S601). If not set, this interrupt is an interrupt caused by the transmission of the first byte of display control data in the display control command data. Therefore, the pointer is cleared (step S602), and the data receiving flag is set (step S603). Then, control goes to a step S604. The pointer is the display control CPU 1
01 indicates in which byte in the display control command data storage area of the built-in RAM the received data is to be stored.

If the data receiving flag is set, the strobe signal is turned off (step S60).
4), the display control CPU 101 inputs data from the input port, and stores the input data at the address indicated by the pointer in the display control command data storage area (step S605).

Then, the display control CPU 101 increments the value of the pointer by one (step S606). When the value of the pointer becomes 2 (step S60)
7) Since the reception of the display control command data composed of 2 bytes has been completed, the data reception completion flag is set and the data reception flag is reset (steps S608 and S609). With the above processing, the display control data CMD1 and CMD2 are received by the display control board 80.

FIG. 30 shows a display control process in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 28 (step S711).
It is a flowchart which shows. In the display control process, step S7 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag.
Any one of the processes from 20 to S870 is performed. In each process, the following processes are performed.

Display control command reception waiting processing (step S720): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command capable of specifying a variation mode has been received by the IRQ2 interrupt processing.

Temporary stop symbol determination processing (step S75)
0): When performing re-variation, a temporary stop symbol before re-lottery is determined.

All symbols change start processing (step S78)
0): Control is performed so that the change of the middle left and right symbols is started.

Symbol change processing (step S810): The switching timing of each change state (change speed, background, character) constituting the change pattern is controlled, and the end of the change time is monitored. In addition, stop control and re-lottery control of the left and right symbols are performed.

All symbols stop wait setting process (step S84)
0): At the end of the fluctuation time, if a display control command instructing to stop all the symbols has been received, the control of stopping the fluctuation of the symbols and displaying the final stopped symbol (fixed symbol) is performed.

Big hit display processing (step S870): After the end of the fluctuation time, the control of the probability big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the display control command reception waiting process (step S720). In the display control command reception waiting process, the display control CP
U101 first confirms whether or not a display control command capable of specifying the variation mode has been received (step S721).
The display control commands that can specify the variation mode are the commands [80 (H), 01 (H)] to [80] shown in FIG.
(H), 0C (H)]. When a display control command capable of specifying the variation mode is received, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the temporary stop symbol determination processing (step S750) (step S72).
2).

The display control command transmitted first from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 is a command indicating a variation mode and a command for designating a stop symbol of the middle left and right symbols. It is stored in the storage area (see step S605 in FIG. 29).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the temporary stop symbol determination processing (step S750). In the temporary stop symbol determination processing, first, the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not the display control command that can specify the variation mode is not out of reach (step S751).
Specifically, if command A0 or A2 has been received, it is incorrect.

If it is a miss, it is checked whether the left and right stop symbols notified from the main board 31 are different (step S752). If they match, the right stop symbol is assumed to be shifted by one symbol (step S753). Then, the left and right stopped symbols are stored in a predetermined storage area (step S754). The monitoring timer is set to 7.9 seconds (step S752). 7.9
The second is a value having a margin with respect to the variation time of 7.8 seconds at the time of loss, and a predetermined process is performed when a command designating stop of all symbols cannot be received before the monitoring timer times out. .

If it is determined in step S751 that the command is not lost, that is, if the command [80 (H), 03
(H)] to [80 (H), 0C (H)], it is checked whether the left and right stop symbols are the same (step S756). If they are different, the right stop symbol is made the same as the left stop symbol (step S75).
7). Then, the left and right stopped symbols are stored in a predetermined storage area (step S754). Also, the display control CP
U101 is a command [80 (H), 03 (H)]-
0.1 in the fluctuation time according to [80 (H), 0C (H)]
The value obtained by adding the second is set in the monitoring timer (step S7).
59).

If the main board 31 is notified of the change mode with re-change, that is, the command [80
(H), 08 (H)] to [80 (H), 0C (H)] (step S760), a temporary stop symbol is determined based on a predetermined random number (step S761).

As described above, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 sends the command [80 (H), 01] sent from the main board 31 when starting variable display.
(H)] to [80 (H), 0C (H)] and the received left and right middle stop symbol are inconsistent, the stop symbol is corrected. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the left and right middle stop symbols for some reason, the error is corrected. The error is, for example, a case where a noise from the cable from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 causes a bit error in the command. As a result, the outlier determined by the game control means /
The display of the fixed symbol that is inconsistent with the reach is prevented.

Next, the display control CPU 101 determines to use a process table according to the variation mode (step S763). In each process table, each variation state (variation speed, variation period at that speed, and the like) in the variation mode is set. Each process table is set in the ROM. And the display control CP
U101 changes the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the all symbol variation start processing (step S780) (step S764).

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the process table. In each process table corresponding to each variation mode, design variation data such as a variation speed, a variation period at that speed, a background, and a character switching timing are set in a time series. Also, a process timer value for determining a fluctuation period at a certain speed is set. Each process table is composed of a plurality of process data in units of three bytes. Two bytes out of three bytes are used as a process timer value and one byte is used as symbol variation data. If all the symbol variation data cannot be represented by one byte, the size of the process table is set to, for example, 4 bytes.

The display control CPU 101 can know that some display state has to be changed by the expiration of the process timer. The display state to be changed can be known from the set value of the third byte of the next process data in the process table.

As an example, FIG. 34 shows a configuration example of a process table in a case where the variation pattern shown in FIG. 21B is used. The display control CPU 101 controls the V103DP so that the left and right middle symbols are changed at a low speed at the start of the symbol change. Then, the timer is started with the process timer value set at the beginning ((1)) of the process table. When the timer expires, the control state of the VDP 103 is changed with the control content set in the symbol variation data of (1),
The timer is started with the process timer value of (2).
When the timer expires, the control state of the VDP 103 is changed according to the control contents set in the symbol variation data of (2), and the timer is started with the process timer value of (3).

When the timer times out,
With the control content set in the symbol variation data of (3), V
The control state of the DP 103 is changed, and the timer is started with the process timer value of (4). At this stage, the left and right middle symbols have the fluctuation speed increased one step in the fluctuation mode of the pattern a.

When the timer expires, the control state is changed based on the symbol variation data, and the timer is started using the next process timer value in the process table. Therefore, after all the symbols in the left and right have entered the high-speed fluctuation state by the pattern b ((9)
After 4.2 seconds have elapsed, the control state is changed so that the left symbol fluctuates at a medium speed in order to make the left symbol fluctuate according to pattern c (corresponding to (10)). ).

When the process timer of (11) to (13) times out, the reach is determined. Thereafter, the process timers corresponding to the respective fluctuation patterns during the reach operation are sequentially started (omitted in FIG. 34), and when the process timer of (14) times out, the big hit is determined and the temporary stop symbols in the left and right are stopped and displayed. You.

Further, a process timer for setting a temporary stop period of the middle left and right symbols is started (corresponding to (15)). When the process timer times out, a process timer for setting a re-change period is started. (Corresponding to (16)). When the process timer times out, the display control CPU 101 performs control to finally stop the left and right middle symbols.

Although the process table further includes a background and character switching timing, FIG. 34 omits data other than data relating to characters during the re-lottery operation period.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the whole symbol change start process (step S780). In the all symbol variation start processing, the display control CPU 101 starts the timer with the process timer value set first in the process table determined to be used (step S781). Further, based on the data indicating the variation state set in the third byte, the symbol variation control and the background and character display control are started (step S78).
2). Then, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the symbol change process (step S810) (step S783).

FIG. 36 shows a process during symbol change (step S8).
It is a flowchart which shows 10). In the symbol change processing, the display control CPU 101 checks whether the process timer has timed out (step S81).
1). If the process timer has timed out, the pointer indicating the data in the process table is incremented by +3 (step S812). Then, it is determined whether or not the data in the area pointed to by the pointer is an end code (step S).
813). If it is not the end code, the symbol variation control and the background and character display control are changed based on the data indicating the variation state set in the third byte of the process data indicated by the pointer (step S81).
4) Start the timer with the process timer value set in the first and second bytes (step S815).

If it is an end code in step S813, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S840) (step S816).

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (step S840). In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a display control command instructing to stop all symbols has been received (step S841). If the display control command instructing the stop of all the symbols has been received, the control to stop the symbols with the stored stop symbols is performed (step S84).
2). Then, a command non-reception timer is started to monitor the time until the reception of the next display control command (step S843).

If the display control command for designating the stop of all symbols has not been received, it is checked whether or not the monitoring timer has timed out (step S845). If a timeout has occurred, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and control is performed to display an error screen on the variable display unit 9 (step S846).

After performing the process of step S843, the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the big hit display process (step S870) (step S844).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the information on the variation of the symbol variably displayed on the variable display section 9 and the information on the stop symbol can be specified by the game control means, that is, the C of the main board 31.
It is sent from the PU 56 to the display control means, and the display control means
It controls the display and display switching of the background and the character irrespective of the pattern variation. Therefore, the number of display control commands sent from the game control means to the display control means for one symbol change is reduced.

Then, the game control means gives a display control command indicating stop of all symbols to the display control means at the end of the fluctuation period, and the display control means determines the symbol by the display control command indicating stop of all symbols. Therefore, the design is
It is definitely determined at the timing managed by the game control means.
As in this embodiment, the game control means transmits information that can specify the change time and information about the stop symbol at the time related to the start of the change of the symbol, and then the display control means determines the change pattern independently. In the case of performing symbol replacement control or the like, a substantial part of the display control is executed by the display control means.

Then, since the game control means cannot recognize the specific change pattern, if no countermeasures are taken, there is a possibility that the change is performed with the change time determined by the game control means. However, if the game control means is configured to give a display control command indicating all symbols stop to the display control means at the end of the fluctuation period, the symbols are definitely determined at the end of the fluctuation time determined by the game control means. . If an error display is performed when a display control command instructing stop of all symbols cannot be received, it is immediately recognized that an abnormality has occurred.

Further, in this embodiment, when a re-lottery period is included, the re-lottery period is the same regardless of the number of symbol changes of the final stop symbol with respect to the temporary stop symbol.
Therefore, when the game control means instructs the display control means of the reach mode with the re-change, it is possible to easily identify the timing of determining all symbols. Therefore, the game control means does not need to handle the number of display control commands corresponding to the number of changed frames (the difference between the temporary stop symbol and the final stop symbol) during the re-change period. That is, the game control means only needs to handle the number of display control commands according to the type of the reach mode, and even if the number of types of changed frames in the re-change period is large,
The control load related to the variable display of the game control means does not increase. Note that as described above, the re-lottery period in which the period length is constant may be one type or may be many types.

As shown in FIG. 22, during the re-lottery operation period, there is provided a temporary stop period in which the fluctuation of symbols is temporarily stopped. In that period, the display control CPU 101 and the VDP 103 operate the variable display section 9. , The display area of the left and right middle symbols is reduced, and is brought closer to the end of the variable display section 9. Then, in a wide area of the variable display unit 9,
The character is displayed in motion or the background is changed. Therefore, even if the re-change during the re-lottery period is a simple high-speed constant speed, the player has a greater sense of expectation due to the change in the character and the background. At this time, the middle left and right symbols are displayed small, so that the effect by the character and the background is not hindered.

In this embodiment, during the re-lottery operation period, the left and right middle symbols are temporarily stopped before the start of the re-change, but the high-speed change may be performed during that period. Even if such control is performed, the design does not hinder the effect of the re-lottery operation due to the change of the character or the background.

In the re-variation period, the right and left symbols are changed at high speed, and the symbols are finally stopped immediately after the period elapses. Therefore, the symbol variable display control in the re-variation period is easy. It is also effective to perform display control such that the temporary stop symbol is immediately replaced with the final stop symbol without the re-change period.

FIG. 38 is a timing chart showing another example (second embodiment) of the reach mode when there is a re-variation. Also in this example, the time from the end of the reach operation (when the middle symbol is temporarily stopped: timing B) to the time when the re-variation ends and all symbols are fixed (timing C) is always controlled to be constant. However, in this example, during the re-lottery operation period, the symbols are re-changed first, and after the re-change is performed again after the temporary stop period, the symbols are finally stopped.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol variation in the second embodiment shown in FIG. The variation mode as shown in FIG. 38 corresponds to a CRT or L
Although it can be realized by the variable display unit 9 such as a CD, it is also possible to use a variable display unit of a drum type. Therefore, FIG. 39 shows an example of a symbol variably displayed on the drum type variable display section. Note that a display control CPU is also provided when a drum-type variable display unit is used, and the display control CPU receives a display control command from the CPU 56 of the main board 31 and responds to the received display control command. The symbol variation control is performed.

As shown in FIG. 39, after the middle left and right symbols fluctuate (see (a)), the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol and reach is established (see (b)). After that, the reach operation by the middle symbol fluctuation is performed, the middle symbol stops, and the big hit is determined (see timing B: (c)). Then, in this embodiment, during the re-lottery operation period, the middle left and right symbols change temporarily and then temporarily stop (see (d) and (e)). At the time of the temporary stop, the display control CPU The middle symbol is controlled to swing up and down (see (e)). In other words, control is performed such that the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the motor that drives the medium symbol reel are repeated.

Further, at this time, the display control CPU performs the symbol display on the display unit such that the reach by the probable variable symbol and the reach by the non-probable symbol are established (see (e)). Further, when the player enters the probability change state, the combination of the probability change symbols is displayed to the player (see (f)). Then, after the middle left and right symbols change again (see (g)), the middle left and right symbols finally stop (see (h)).

Also in this example, the re-lottery operation period ((c) to (h) in FIG. 39) is always controlled to be constant. Also,
The temporary stop symbol illustrated in FIG. 39C is a display control C
It is determined by the PU based on a predetermined random number or the like. Accordingly, the display control CPU uses the determined temporary stop symbol as shown in FIG.
In order to temporarily stop the middle left and right symbols at the timing B shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to adjust the speed of symbol fluctuation.
For example, in the high-speed fluctuation period from the timing A to the reach determination shown in FIG. 38, the fluctuation speed, that is, the rotation speed of the motor driving the symbol reel is increased or decreased with respect to a predetermined speed.

The display control CPU adjusts the fluctuation speed in the symbol re-change period according to the number of frames of the difference between the temporarily stopped symbol and the fixed symbol in order to keep the length of the re-lottery operation period constant. I do. For example, when the number of frames of the difference is large, the fluctuation speed is increased (the rotation speed of the motor is increased), and when the number of frames of the difference is small, the fluctuation speed is reduced.

In the second embodiment, the player's expectation is improved by combining the display of the probable variable symbol and the non-probable variable symbol during the re-lottery operation period. Therefore, the display control is simpler than in the case of improving the player's expectation during the re-lottery operation period by the character and the background as in the first embodiment described above.

In this embodiment, the case where the variable display unit of the drum type is used has been described. However, the same display control can be performed by using the variable display unit 9 of the image display type. Further, when the image display type variable display section 9 is used, the symbol change can be immediately changed to the high speed constant speed change in the re-change period in the re-lottery period. When the variable display unit is an image display type, the speed adjustment control is not performed during the fluctuation period, and a predetermined symbol is replaced and displayed at the end of the fluctuation period, so that the fluctuation speed during the fluctuation period is always the same even if the fluctuation speed is always the same. Can be realized.

FIG. 40 is a timing chart showing still another example (third embodiment) of the reach mode when there is a re-variation. Also in this example, the time from the end of the reach operation (when the middle symbol is temporarily stopped: timing B) to the time when the re-variation ends and all symbols are fixed (timing C) is always controlled to be constant. In this example, during the re-lottery operation period,
The symbols are finally stopped after the frame feed change is performed in a state where the left and right middle symbols match.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol variation in the third embodiment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 41, after the left and right middle symbols fluctuate (see (a)), the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol and reach is established (see (b)). After that, the reach operation due to the fluctuation of the middle symbol is performed,
The middle symbol also stops and the big hit is determined (Timing B:
(C)). Then, in this embodiment, after the frame feed fluctuation is performed during the re-lottery operation period ((d)
), And the middle left and right symbols are finally stopped (see (e)).

In this embodiment, the number of frames to be sent during the re-lottery operation is always kept constant. In the example shown in FIG. 40, the number of frames to be sent is always five. However, the display control CPU 101 does not always display the symbols variably in order, but randomly displays the symbols frame by frame as illustrated in FIG. In each of the examples shown in FIG. 42, the final stop symbol is "7, 7, 7" and the temporary stop symbol is "4, 4, 4", but the displayed symbols in the middle are different. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the temporary stop symbol is
For example, it is determined by the display control CPU 101 based on a random number or the like.

In this embodiment, it is easy to keep the length of the re-lottery operation period constant. However, the display control CPU 101 determines the symbol display order based on, for example, a predetermined random number or the like in order to perform a random symbol change. When the feed time for one frame elapses, the VDP
103 is instructed to display the next symbol. As described above, the random symbol fluctuation is controlled by the display control CPU 1.
01. Therefore, even when such a symbol change is performed, the load on the game control means does not increase.

FIG. 43 is a timing chart showing still another example (fourth embodiment) of the reach mode when there is a re-variation. Also in this example, the time from the end of the reach operation (when the middle symbol is temporarily stopped: timing B) to the time when the re-variation ends and all symbols are fixed (timing C) is always controlled to be constant. However, in this example, in the re-lottery operation period, the symbol is finally stopped after a fluctuation pattern including a temporary stop and a high-speed fluctuation of the symbol is repeated a predetermined number of times (one or more times).

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol variation in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The variation mode shown in FIG. 43 is based on a CRT or L
Although it can be realized by the variable display section 9 such as a CD, it is also possible to use a drum-type variable display section. Therefore, FIG. 44 shows an example of a symbol variably displayed on the drum type variable display section. As shown in FIG. 44, after the left and right middle symbols fluctuate (see (a)), the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol and reach is established (see (b)). After that, the reach operation by the middle symbol fluctuation is performed, the middle symbol stops, and the big hit is determined (see timing B: (c)).

Then, in this embodiment, during the re-lottery operation period, a high-speed re-fluctuation is performed after a pause period is set (see (d)). After the pause period and the high-speed re-variation are repeated a predetermined number of times (see (e)), the middle left and right symbols are finally stopped (see (f)).

Also in the fourth embodiment, the re-lottery operation period ((c) to (f) in FIG. 44) is always controlled to be constant. Further, the temporary stop symbol illustrated in FIG.
It is determined based on a predetermined random number or the like by the display control CPU that controls each symbol reel. Therefore, the display control CPU needs to adjust the speed of the symbol change in order to temporarily stop the middle left and right symbols at the timing B shown in FIG. 43 with the determined temporary stop symbol. For example, in the high-speed fluctuation period from the timing A shown in FIG. 43 until the reach is determined, the fluctuation speed, that is, the rotation speed of the motor driving the symbol reel is increased or decreased with respect to a predetermined speed.

In order to keep the length of the re-lottery operation period constant, the fluctuation speed in the symbol re-change period is adjusted according to the number of frames of the difference between the temporarily stopped symbol and the fixed symbol. For example, when the number of frames of the difference is large, the fluctuation speed in one or a plurality of re-variation periods is increased (the rotation speed of the motor is increased).
What is necessary is just to slow down the fluctuation speed in one or more re-fluctuation periods.

In the fourth embodiment, the player's sense of expectation is improved by combining the symbol suspension and the high-speed fluctuation during the re-lottery operation period. Therefore, the display control is simpler than in the case where the player's expectation during the re-lottery operation period is improved by the character or the background. And even when performing such a symbol variation control,
The control for determining the temporary stop symbols and keeping the length of the re-lottery operation period constant is executed by the display control CPU. Therefore, the burden on the game control means does not increase.

In this embodiment, the case where the variable display unit of the drum type is used has been described. However, the same display control can be performed by using the variable display unit 9 of the image display type. When the variable display unit is an image display type, the speed adjustment control is not performed during the fluctuation period, and a predetermined symbol is replaced and displayed at the end of the fluctuation period, so that the fluctuation speed during the fluctuation period is always the same even if the fluctuation speed is always the same. Can be realized. Further, a fluctuation pattern in which the symbol pause and the high-speed fluctuation are each executed once during the re-lottery operation period may be used.

As described above, in the third embodiment, in a gaming machine capable of temporarily stopping and displaying a symbol different from the big hit symbol at the time of a big hit, and finally confirming and displaying the final symbol. The control means determines that the length of the re-lottery operation period by symbol frame feeding is constant, the number of frames to be sent is always constant, and the frame feeding order is random, so the display control command handled by the game control means. An abundant re-lottery operation can be performed without increasing the number, and the sense of expectation of the player during the re-lottery operation period can be improved by simple display control.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, in a gaming machine capable of temporarily displaying a symbol different from the big hit symbol at the time of a big hit and then finally displaying the final symbol, the display control means is provided. In addition, the length of the re-lottery operation period is made constant, and during the re-lottery operation period, the symbols are temporarily stopped and the high-speed re-variation is performed at least once, so that the number of display control commands handled by the game control means does not increase. It is possible to perform an abundant re-lottery operation and improve the player's expectation during the re-lottery operation period by simple display control.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the game effect has been focused on the symbols and the like during the re-lottery period. However, the player's expectation by the sound effect emitted from the speaker 27 from the start of the symbol change to the determination of the big hit. The feeling may be improved.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a symbol display example in such an embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 45 (A) is a symbol display example in the case of a loss. FIG.
As shown in (A), when the left symbol is stopped, a sound effect (for example, “Doon”) is generated from the speaker 27.

The example shown in FIGS. 45A and 45B is a symbol display example in the case of reach. In the case of the reach, a sound effect is generated from the speaker 27 when the left symbol is stopped, and a sound effect (for example, “Dune”) is also generated from the speaker 27 when the right symbol is stopped. Further, during the reach operation, when the big hit expectation is high, a special effect sound (for example, “Duddoon”) is generated each time the medium symbol that becomes the big hit passes through the display area. When the jackpot expectation is low, no special sound effect is generated.
The big hit expectation is determined by, for example, the CPU 56.
It is 80% when it is determined to be a jackpot, and 2% when it is determined not to be a jackpot.
0%. In this case, 80% of the symbol variations determined to be a big hit are symbol variations accompanied by special sound effects.

The following describes a method of controlling the sound effects and the special sound effects as shown in FIG. FIG.
It is an explanatory view showing the data structure of special symbol process data used in the special symbol process processing in this embodiment. The special design process data is
Are stored in the ROM 54 of the basic circuit 53.
Then, each process (steps S300 to S309 in FIG. 12) in the special symbol process processing is performed according to each data set in the special symbol process data.
It performs symbol variation control, lamp / LED control, and voice control. That is, each process (steps S300 to S30)
Process data corresponding to 9) is stored in the ROM 55.

In this embodiment, the process data is
It is assumed that one or more data groups each composed of 5 bytes are collected. A process timer value is set in the first byte and the second byte of the 5-byte data group. In the third byte, lamp control command data is set. The voice control command data is set in the fourth byte. In the fifth byte, special symbol display control data (display control command) is set. At the end of the special symbol process data, an end code indicating the end of the process is added. Assuming that the process timer based on the process timer value set in the first and second bytes times out, the process based on the data in the third, fourth, and fifth bytes and the start of the process timer based on the next process timer value are performed.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of an example of special symbol process data. For example, the process data corresponding to the symbol fluctuation accompanied by the generation of the sound effect at the time of stopping the left symbol and the right symbol indicates 5-byte data which is referred to when the process timer times out at the timing of stopping the left symbol. That is, the process timer value corresponding to the time until the right symbol stops is set in the first and second bytes,
In the fourth byte, it is set that a voice control command of the right symbol stop sound effect is sent to the voice control board 70. Therefore, when the process timer based on the process timer value corresponding to the time from the stop of the left symbol to the stop of the right symbol times out, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a voice control command for instructing the right symbol stop sound effect to the voice control board 70. Can be sent.

FIG. 48 shows the main board 31 to the voice control board 7.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of voice control command data sent to 0. Each voice control command data shown in FIG. 48 is composed of 8 bits, and specifies the type of sound effect. As mentioned above, each special symbol process data,
It contains one or more data groups, each consisting of 5 bytes. When the process timer based on the timer value stored in the first and second bytes of each data group times out, the next 5-byte data group is used.
That is, the lamp control command data in the data group is sent to the lamp control board 35, and the voice control command data is sent to the voice control board 70. In the example shown in FIG. 48, the commands [02 (H)], [0
3 (H)] corresponds to the sound effect generation instruction, and [04 (H)]
Corresponds to the special sound effect generation instruction.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a process of starting all symbol fluctuations in the special symbol process in this embodiment (step S30).
It is a flowchart which shows 4). Step S302,
When the reach mode and the stop symbol are determined in the stop symbol setting process and the reach operation setting process in S303, transmission control of a display control command for designating the reach mode and the stop symbol is performed.
First, it waits for the completion of command transmission (step S304)
a).

When the transmission of the display control command is completed, C
The PU 56 selects special symbol process data corresponding to the symbol variation mode (step S304d), and starts the process timer using the process timer values set in the first and second bytes of the special symbol process data (step S304e). ). Then, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S305 (step S304c).

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process waiting process (step S30).
It is a flowchart which shows 5). In step S305, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the time of the process timer has expired (step S305e). When the time is up, it is checked whether the data set next in the process data is an end code (step S3).
05f). If it is not the end code, the lamp control command, the voice control command, and the display control command are sent according to the data set in the third, fourth, and fifth bytes of the process data (step S305g,
305h, 305i).

When an end code in the special symbol process data is detected, a display control command for instructing stop of all symbols is set (step S305b). And
A display control command data transmission request is set (step S305c), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S306 (step S305).
d).

By the control using the special symbol process data as described above, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 controls the sound control for instructing the generation of the sound effect and the special sound effect at appropriate timing (the timing illustrated in FIG. 45). Commands can be sent to the voice control board 70. In the voice control board 70, the voice control command is transmitted to the voice control CPU 7
01 (see FIG. 6). And C for voice control
The PU 701 drives the speaker 27 based on the received command.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a voice IC control process by the voice control CPU 701. Voice I
In the C control process, the voice control CPU 701 checks whether the communication end flag is set (step S132). The communication end flag is a flag that is set when a voice control command is received in a process (not shown) for receiving the voice control command. If the communication end flag is set, the communication end flag is reset (step S133), and the voice LSI corresponding to the voice control command stored in the received command storage area in the process of receiving the voice control command is performed.
The control data is read from the ROM (step S13)
4).

ROM mounted on audio control board 70
48 stores control data for causing a voice synthesis circuit (voice synthesis LSI; for example, a digital signal processor) 702 to generate a sound corresponding to each voice control command shown in FIG. The voice control CPU 701 reads control data corresponding to each received voice control command data from the ROM.

In this embodiment, the speech synthesis circuit 702
Are controlled by a transfer request signal (SIRQ), a serial clock signal (SICK), a serial data signal (SI), and a transfer end signal (SRDY). When the SIRQ goes low, the speech synthesis circuit 702
Synchronize with ICK, fetch SI one bit at a time,
When Y becomes low level, the data consisting of each SI received so far is interpreted as one audio reproduction data. Accordingly, the voice control CPU 701 turns on SIRQ (low level) (step S135), outputs the control data read from the ROM as SI in synchronization with SICK (step S136), and when the output is completed, turns the SRDY low. The level is set (step S137). When receiving the control data through the SI, the voice synthesis circuit 702 generates a voice corresponding to the received control data.

As described above, in this embodiment, the sound effect or the special effect sound is generated when the symbol is stopped in accordance with the expectation of the occurrence of the big hit. Can enhance the interest of the people.

[0199]

As described above, according to the present invention, the game machine is controlled by the display control means so that the time from when a temporary symbol different from the final stop symbol is displayed to when the symbol is finally determined is the same. And, since it is configured so that a plurality of re-lottering operation modes in which the number of symbol changes of the final stop symbol with respect to the temporary symbol is different can be displayed, the type of symbol variation can be changed without increasing the number of commands sent to the display control means. As a result, even if the number of types of symbol fluctuations is increased, there is an effect that the load of control on symbol display of the game control means can be reduced.

In the case where the temporary symbol at the start of the re-lottery operation mode is the specific display mode, the specific display mode that produces an advantageous state is once presented to the player, thereby further increasing the player's expectation. As a result, the interest of the game can be further enhanced.

Further, in a case where it is determined whether or not to shift to a special game state in which a big hit symbol is likely to be generated according to the type of the big hit symbol determined by the display content determining means. Has an effect that it is easy to understand that the player enters the special game state.

When the special game state is the probability fluctuation state, there is an effect that it is easy to understand that the player enters the probability fluctuation state.

When the re-lottery operation mode includes a display effect of changing a character or a background image, a change in the character or the background can give a great sense of expectation to the player.

When the re-lottery operation mode includes a display effect based on a combination of a probable variation symbol and a non-probability variation symbol that generates a probability variation state, the player's sense of expectation can be improved only by the combination of the symbol display. Therefore, not only in the case of using the image display-type variable display unit, but also in a gaming machine using a mechanical variable display unit such as a drum type, it is possible to perform a game effect that improves a player's expectation.

When the display control means is configured to maintain the symbol temporary stop state during the re-lottery operation, it is possible to prevent the effect of the character or background from being hindered by the variable display of the symbol. Absent.

Even if the display control means is configured to reduce the size of the symbol during the re-lottery operation, the effect of the character or the background is not hindered by the symbol.

[0207] Even when the display control means is configured to display the symbol toward the end of the variable display portion when performing the re-lottery operation, the effect of the character or the background is obstructed by the symbol. There is no.

When the display control means is configured so that the fluctuation pattern immediately before the final stop state in the re-lottery operation mode is a high-speed constant-speed fluctuation, the symbol re-variation control in the re-lottery operation is facilitated. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration on a main board.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a display control board.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of an audio control board.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing of the basic circuit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of determining that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a stop symbol for variable display and a process of determining a reach type.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a jackpot determination process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process process.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a left and right middle symbol displayed on the variable display section.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command capable of specifying a variable display mode of symbols and a display control command for instructing stop of all symbols.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command for a left symbol stop symbol.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command of a stop symbol of a middle symbol.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command of a right symbol stop symbol.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing display control command data transmitted from the main board to the display control board.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing an example of transmission timing of display control command data.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing an example of a change in a symbol at the time of a non-reach out of position.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing an example of a change of a symbol at the time of a reach.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining re-variation of a symbol.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an all symbol variation start process in the special symbol process process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process in the special symbol process process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of display control data setting processing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating display control data output processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating main processing of a display control CPU.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of the display control CPU.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an IRQ2 interrupt process of the display control CPU.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a display control process.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a display control command reception waiting process of the display control process process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a temporary stop symbol determination process of the display control process process.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a display control process table.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display control process table.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process of the display control process process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an entire symbol change start process of the display control process process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process of the display control process process.

FIG. 38 is a timing chart showing a second embodiment of the reach mode when there is a re-variation.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol fluctuation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a timing chart showing a third embodiment of the reach mode when there is a re-variation.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol variation in the third embodiment.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of random frame advance.

FIG. 43 is a timing chart showing a fourth embodiment of the reach mode when there is a re-variation;

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbol fluctuation according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a symbol change in which a player's expectation is improved by sound effects.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of special symbol process data.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of an example of special symbol process data.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of voice control command data.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing an all symbol variation start process of the special symbol process process.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process of the special symbol process process.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing audio IC control processing by the audio control CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Variable display unit 31 Game control board (main board) 53 Basic circuit 56 CPU 63 Output buffer circuit 70 Audio control board 80 Display control board 101 Display control CPU 102 Control data ROM 103 VDP 105 Input buffer circuit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A variable display unit having a plurality of display areas whose display states are changeable, wherein a symbol displayed in the display area is started to change according to a condition for starting the change, and a display result of the symbol is displayed. Is a gaming machine controllable to a gaming state advantageous to a player on condition that a predetermined display mode is set, and a game control means for controlling a progress of the game; and a display control of the variable display section. Display control means for performing, the game control means, a jackpot determining means for determining whether or not a big hit, display content determining means for determining the display content of the variable display unit, the display content determining means Based on the determination, the command output means that can output at least information that can specify the variation mode of the symbol and information that can specify the stop symbol, the variation mode of the symbol includes at least a final stop at the time of a big hit A re-lottery operation mode capable of displaying a temporary symbol different from the final symbol and thereafter displaying a final stop symbol is included. A gaming machine characterized in that it is possible to display a plurality of re-lottery operation modes in which the time until a symbol is finally determined is the same and the number of symbol changes of the final stop symbol with respect to the temporary symbol is different. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the temporary symbol different from the final stop symbol is a specific display mode. 3. A special game in which a big hit symbol is easily generated according to the type of the big hit symbol determined by the display content determining means when the big hit determining means determines that the big hit is determined. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to shift to a state. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the special game state is a probability variation state in which the big hit symbol occurrence probability is improved. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the re-lottery operation mode includes a display effect of changing a character or a background image in addition to a change in a design. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the re-lottery operation mode includes a display effect based on a combination of a probable variable symbol and a non-probable variable symbol for generating a probability variation state. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the display control means maintains the symbol temporarily stopped state during the re-lottery operation. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the display control means reduces the size of the symbol when performing the re-lottery operation. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the display control means displays a symbol at an end of the variable display section when performing a re-lottery operation. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means sets the fluctuation pattern immediately before the final stop state in the re-lottery operation mode to high-speed constant-speed fluctuation.