JP2001286631A - Game machine control method for preliminarily notifying special pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preliminarily notify special patterns without using a new command from a main board. SOLUTION: In a game machine including a main board including a microcomputer and a sub board, and in which the main board executes repeatedly a plurality of predetermined jobs whenever a synchronizing signal is inputted, at least a system is configured so as to renew a first counter determining a win/loss of a ball into a start winning opening whenever a synchronizing signal is inputted in the main board, input a command from the main board in the sub board, execute a job similar to a job to renew the first counter on the basis of the inputting of the command to renew a second counter, whenever the synchronization signal is inputted in the main board, the command is sent to the sub board to operate the second counter in synchronization with the first counter, and on the basis of the value of the second counter and a start winning signal sent from the main board, the occurrence of a jackpot is notified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a variable display game is performed by winning a bonus in a gaming machine, and more specifically, a gaming machine for notifying, at the start of the variable display, a hit / loss after the variable display, and The present invention relates to a gaming machine control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, winning in a special winning opening has been treated as a trigger of a special game, and a situation advantageous to a player has been produced with a certain probability of the winning. However, favorable situations did not occur immediately after winning, and the results were reported over time. This is to make the game a prosperous and entertaining game for the player, in which various ideas are devised.

[0003] When a prize is won, a ceremony is started for a predetermined period of time, and after the ceremony is completed, the prize result is displayed. If the result is a big hit, a situation advantageous to the player is created on the board only at that stage. It is. In a pachinko machine, this kind of so-called accessory is arranged at the center of the board and plays a central role in the game. Starting from a display device using a rotating drum, a display device using a rotating drum, as a display device that informs a player over time a result already determined at the time of winning a special winning opening, a liquid crystal display device, a CRT display device, other display devices And the like are used. The display format is to win a special winning opening,
Alternatively, according to another method, each of the plurality of display areas to be variably displayed in the display device screen is variably displayed for a predetermined period of time, and the above-described determination result is determined by a combination of symbols stopped when the variably displayed is stopped. In other words, the vehicle is stopped at a specific combination of stop symbols based on the above-described determination result. This final notification result to the player is, in the case of a big hit, advantageous to the player for the first time,
Gaming machines that generate a big hit state (special game state) for a predetermined time are generally known.

The above-mentioned display devices are usually called variable display devices, special symbol display devices, and variable display devices, and are arranged at the center of the board surface. The display surface is composed of, for example, a three-digit display area. During the variable display period, each display symbol in the three-column display area is moved downward, and when a preset time has elapsed, each display symbol is displayed. The game machine is sequentially stopped, and a big hit state is generated for the gaming machine at a timing when the stop symbols in the three-digit display area are in a special combination such as "7, 7, 7".

In the case of the above-described sequential stop, when two symbols stop and the combination is a part of a special combination, the reach state is maintained while the remaining one is variably displayed. There is known a gaming machine which informs a player of the fact and has a sense of expectation of a big hit. Various proposals have been made as a display mode of the variable display. As one of them, various changes such as a change in the change speed, a random change in the change time, a change in the movement once stopped, and the like are performed. In addition, various methods are used to display the reach state. As a result, when a special combination is reached, the form of the variable display itself in the previous stage is changed, and a new display is made to be in the variable display. Both aim to enhance the gameplay.

[0006]

The manner in which the special symbols described above are displayed in a variable manner occupies an important position in an accessory in a gaming machine. The display result, including how the information is used in the progress of the game, greatly affects the player's playing method, and the display itself plays a central role in the game. Furthermore, it is an important point that makes the player have a sense of expectation and makes the game more interesting. At present, it is a part of the gaming machine maker where further innovation is required.

In the case of a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, it is regulated by the "Rules on Approval of Game Machines and Verification of Model Type" established based on the so-called "Fun Management Law". Is required. This is the main CP of the control device using the microcomputer in the gaming machine.
The purpose is to significantly reduce the number of commands from the U board to the liquid crystal driving device, the sub CPU, and the like, to make the program of the main board easy to understand, and to have a purpose of greatly shortening the test period in the above-described verification. When viewed from the control contents or control method of the gaming machine described above, the control of light (lamp), sound, image effects, reach, etc. is performed on the liquid crystal substrate, the display substrate, and the emission control while leaving only the big hit symbol control on the main substrate. This means transferring to sub-boards such as a board, a prize ball control (payout) board, a sound effect board, and a relay board. Except for the sub-board that inputs the winning signal to the start winning port, etc., the sub-board that performs some final display output or device control only receives a greatly reduced command from the main board (the Without sending)
In accordance with a command from the main board, a predetermined specialized function is executed in a subordinate position.

However, in a conventional gaming machine,
Various commands or parameters have been sent from the main board to the sub-board, particularly to the above-mentioned special symbol display control section, in order to give the player a sense of expectation and to make the game rich in interest.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of executing a function which has been conventionally performed even with a reduced command from the main board. In particular, in the prior art notification control of a stop symbol in a special symbol display. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a special symbol notice notification performed only on the special symbol display device side without using a new command from the main board.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in a gaming machine control method for a special symbol notice notification according to the present invention, a main board including a microcomputer and a main board including the microcomputer are provided. A sub-board that operates in response to a command, wherein the main board is a method of controlling a gaming machine that repeatedly executes a plurality of predetermined jobs for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board, For each input of the synchronization signal on the main board,
At least the first counter for determining the hitting / losing of the winning ball to the starting winning opening is updated, and a command output from the main board is input to the sub board every time the synchronization signal is input. The second counter is updated by executing a job similar to the job for updating the first counter, based on the command, and the command is transmitted to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input in the main board. Thereby, the second counter in the sub-board is operated in synchronization with the first counter of the main board, and the value of the second counter in the sub-board and the value transmitted from the main board are transmitted. The occurrence of a big hit is notified to the player based on the start winning signal.

The occurrence of the big hit is determined by at least one of the appearance of a character representing the big hit, the display of a mark showing the big hit, or the change of the display color of the special design on the display screen of the special design, Notify players.

Further, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by a method of turning on a display provided near the storage start number display.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention in which the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by a sound effect indicating the big hit in the sound effect generating device, the main board including the microcomputer; A sub-board that operates upon receiving a command, wherein the main board is a gaming machine that repeatedly executes a plurality of predetermined jobs for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board; A first counter means for determining at least a hitting / losing of a winning ball to a starting winning opening at every input of the synchronizing signal, and in the sub-substrate, from the main substrate for each input of the synchronizing signal. Executes a job similar to a job for inputting a command to be output and updating the first counter based on the input command. Second counter means updated by the main board, and transmitting the command to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input on the main board, thereby setting the second counter in the sub-board to the main board. Operating in synchronism with the first counter, and informing the player of the occurrence of the big hit based on the value of the second counter in the sub-board and the start winning signal transmitted from the main board. I did it.

The occurrence of the big hit is determined by at least one of the appearance of a character representing the big hit, the display of a mark showing the big hit, or the change of the display color of the special design on the display screen of the special design, Notify players.

Further, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by turning on a display provided near the storage start number display.

Further, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by a sound effect indicating the big hit in the sound effect generating device.

Also, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes a main board including a microcomputer, and a sub-board that operates by receiving a command from the main board.
The main board is a gaming machine that repeatedly executes a plurality of predetermined jobs for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board, and is updated on the main board every time the synchronization signal is input. Counter means;
In the sub-board, a command output from the main board is input every time the synchronization signal is input, and based on the input command, the job is updated by executing a job similar to the job for updating each of the plurality of counters. A plurality of counter means to be transmitted to the sub-substrate by transmitting the command to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input in the main board. Operate in synchronization with a counter, and based on the values of the plurality of counters in the sub-board and the start winning signal transmitted from the main board, change display of a special symbol display and designation of a stop symbol are performed. I made it.

[0018] Further, based on a value of one of the plurality of counters in the sub-board and a start winning signal transmitted from the main board, occurrence of a big hit is displayed in a special symbol. On the screen, the player is notified by at least one of the appearance of a character representing a big hit, the display of a mark showing a big hit, or the change of the display color of a special symbol.

Further, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by a sound effect indicating the big hit in the sound effect generating device.

Further, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to the player by lighting a display unit provided in the vicinity of the storage start number display unit.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the same parts as those in the conventional example will be described only briefly, and the description will be limited only to the components related to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a board of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the whole including a main control section which is a main board of the gaming machine according to the present invention and peripheral circuits corresponding to sub-boards. Here, the parts corresponding to the main board are the input port 203, the CPU unit 200, the output port 213, the synchronization signal generator 220, and the clock generator 221.
It corresponds to the special symbol display device 100, the lamp display device 211, and the sound effect generator 212. The CPU 200, which is a processing device of the main control unit, operates by receiving a clock from the clock generator 221 and further operates by receiving a signal from the clock generator.
20 has received a synchronization signal. This synchronization signal is a pulse signal having a period of about 2 ms to 4 ms. The main control unit is reset by the pulse signal, and the flow shown in FIG. 4 is periodically repeated. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the special symbol display device 100 shown in FIG.
In order to control the display of the special symbol display section shown in
It has a configuration of a sub substrate including U. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an interrupt process for receiving a command from the CPU 200 of the main control unit, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a display control process for receiving the command. Further, the above-mentioned sub-substrate has a C
Although not shown, the main control unit CP shown in FIG.
Interrupt processing for receiving a command from U200;
Each control process is performed. Although the details of these control processes are different, they include the same flows as the process flows shown in steps S212 to S215 shown in FIG.

A storage start number display section 12 is provided above the special symbol display section 3 in FIG. This is usually 4 LEs
D is a display for notifying the player of the number of winnings in which the winning prize opening 2 for displaying a special symbol in a variable manner has been completed, but the control process relating to the winning has not been completed, and is stored up to four. It is possible. Normally, the lights are turned on in order from the left in accordance with the winning number. These lighting drives are driven by the lamp display device 211 shown in FIG.

A starting winning opening 2 for variably displaying a special symbol is provided below the special symbol display section 3 in FIG. 1, and a variable winning ball device 4 is provided below the opening. The variable prize ball device 4 is provided with a continuous prize area 6 which is a normal prize area and a large prize port 5 which is enlarged at the time of a big hit.

A special symbol start switch 204 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged inside the start winning opening 2. When a winning ball is present, this switch is operated, and a signal thereof is transmitted to the input port 2 shown in FIG.
It is told to 03. Microcontroller 2 of main control unit
4 operates in the flow shown in FIG. 4. In this case, in step S104, input port processing is performed, and a signal of this switch operation is taken into the microcomputer of the main control unit. Next step S1
At 05, the various switch states that have been input are respectively developed, and the data is passed to and processed by the subsequent jobs. The signal of the special symbol start switch 204 is processed in the succeeding job, and finally, in step S124, the output port 21
3. A predetermined command is sent to the CPU 301 of the special symbol display device 100 via the display command receiving circuit 302 (FIG. 3) so as to perform a predetermined display operation.

FIG. 7 shows an example of this type of command in the conventional method. The command shown in FIG. 7 is a command for starting the change of the special symbol, and after sending this command, the command for designating the stop symbol for the changing column shown in FIG. 8 is sent. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the state of the conventional example from the variable display to the stop display.

FIG. 9 shows an operation in the conventional example, in which a command signal sent from the main control unit to the special symbol display device,
The timing is shown.

The main control unit 200 executes step S104 at the time interval of the period of the synchronization signal (about 2 ms to 4 ms).
, So if you win the winning opening,
At most within 8 ms, a command for designating the start of symbol change is sent to the special symbol display device 100. This timing is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows the commands from the start of the symbol change to the final stop of all the symbols and the state thereof. In FIG. 9, each special symbol in the middle left and right starts to change at the same time at the timing of, and the stop symbol of the special symbol at the next timing is specified at the next timing, and the stop symbol of the special symbol at the center is specified at the timing of At the timing, the stop symbol of the right special symbol is designated, and at the timing, the fluctuation of all the symbols is stopped. FIG. 10 shows commands sent from the main control unit at the respective timings. When the special symbol at the left of the special symbol is designated at the timing, the fluctuation speed up to that point is usually reduced, and the vehicle finally stops at the designated symbol. This stop timing is near in FIG. Similarly, the special symbol in the middle stops near,
The special symbols on the right will stop in order at.

In the commands sent from these main control units, it is determined at which symbol to stop in accordance with the random numbers generated by the various random number updating processes in step S102 shown in FIG. The random number generated by the job in step S102 is determined in steps S103 to S1 shown in FIG.
It is constant during the execution of up to 24 consecutive jobs. In the next cycle, in the first stage, step S
Since it is updated by 102, it will be different from the value in the previous period (cycle). In this cycle, the processing of the starting winning ball is performed. When performing the processing of the starting winning ball, the various random numbers updated in step S102 are used, and the final combination of the stopped symbols is determined.

Here, the various random numbers are random numbers for determining a hit / loss, a combination of symbols in the case of a hit, a stop symbol in each column in the case of a loss, and the like. Each counter repeats counting up to a predetermined number. Have been generated using the means.

The stop symbols determined at this stage are displayed over time as described above. In order to perform the display over this time, the main control unit performs the processing in step S10.
In the job No. 3, a basic timer updating process, which is the basis of time measurement, is performed. The basic unit of the basic timer is the period of the synchronization signal described above. Using this timer, measurement is performed by using the above-mentioned timings as starting points. Then, each command is transmitted based on the obtained timing.

In the above, a conventional example has been described with respect to the command itself sent from the main control unit, but the resulting operation itself as viewed from the outside of the special symbol display device is the same as the operation when the present invention is used. . Or rather,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a similar operation without using many commands as described above, and to further inform the player of new information that makes the player have expectations and enhances interest.

As described above, the main controller operates at a preset cycle. A sub-board that receives the command by sending at least one command in the cycle from the main control unit in which the cycle is repeated;
In the above-described embodiment, the special symbol display device side can have at least a timer having the same value as the timer generated in the job of step S103 in the main control unit. Paying attention to this, the present inventor has provided a program for executing the same job as the job of step S103 of the main control unit in the display control program of the special symbol display device.

The improvement will be described below. First, on the main control unit side, in step S124 shown in FIG.
This is performed on the target sub-substrate, in this embodiment, the special symbol display device. That is, a command is output. By doing in this way, a command is periodically sent from the main control unit to the special symbol display device. In the special symbol display device, every time this command is received, the same as step S103 of the main control unit is performed. And a timer similar to the main control unit can be provided inside the special symbol display device. At least the time from a certain point of time to a certain point of time is measured using this timer. This time measurement result is the same as that of the main substrate.

Here, the power reset signal at the time of turning on the power of the main substrate and the special symbol display device is made common, the phase of the power reset and the rise of the power are devised, and the initialization processing by the program at that time is similarly performed. Then, the absolute values of both timers can be made equal. In this case, it is conceivable that both may operate differently due to an instantaneous power failure or instantaneous voltage drop, but in such a case, use a command to periodically synchronize the timer, or In such a case, it is easy to perform synchronization by using a new synchronization command.

Although the timer has been described above, the main control unit executes step S102 in exactly the same way.
Can be generated by providing the special symbol display device with counter means for outputting exactly the same values as the various random numbers in the main control unit.

The various random numbers generated in step S102 of the main controller are also used to randomly set the time until the stop, as shown in FIG. 7, for example.
This randomness of the time is to further increase the degree of expectation and gameplay. In the case of a hit, the main control section must execute the control for opening the variable winning prize ball device 4 after the stop, in order to determine the execution timing, the value set at random. You need to know.
This is the same in the determination of hit / loss.

The main control section executes this job by a preset program at a preset cycle. Therefore, on the special symbol display device side, regarding the timing in the main control unit, a job similar to that of the main control unit, which operates according to the command cycle periodically transmitted from the main control unit once per cycle, is performed. By incorporating a program to be executed, a command output by the main control unit can be created internally. This allows the special symbol display device to execute the same operation as receiving the command without receiving a considerable number of commands from the main control unit. The important point is that, in the command sent from the main control unit in the past, when the content of the command and the transmission timing are generated based on various random numbers and the start winning signal,
Most of them can be generated with only minimal commands. For example, the display operation that is executed in response to winning of the start winning opening can cause the special symbol display device to execute the job executed by the conventional main control unit.

At least, the periodic command itself from the main control unit to the special symbol display device is required in a form added to the conventional method, but other signals are not changed as long as the AC power to the game device is stable. A timer and various random number counters, which do not need to be operated and operate in the same manner as the main controller, can be provided on the special symbol display device side. Therefore, when the special symbol display device generates various random numbers generated in synchronization with the main control portion described above, the main control portion simply sends a command to the special symbol display device that the winning winning opening has been won. In addition, many commands that the main control unit has performed on the special symbol display device can be omitted. This is because a configuration having the same parameters as when the main control unit executes a job, for example, the above-described various random numbers, a timer, and the like is possible.

Here, the counter means for generating various random numbers is a counter which is added and updated every time the flow of FIG. 4 is repeated, and is generated in the RAM 202 in the main control unit of FIG. This counter includes a counter that determines whether or not the winning is a big hit when a game ball wins the starting winning opening, a counter that determines a stop symbol after the fluctuation display in this big hit, and a stop symbol in a loss. Contains a counter for each column.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart including a job generated in the special symbol display device using the above-described counter as a sub-board. In step S250, a synchronization process of a counter that generates a random number in response to a command transmitted from the main control unit in each cycle is performed.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the synchronizing relationship between the counter means provided for the main and the sub described above. Here, symbols of the same shape indicate the same type of signal or job execution time. The main and sub are in the same gaming machine, and the power is turned on at the same time. In the initial state after the power is turned on, the power supply is in a reset state, and after this release, the initial setting is performed in each state.

Steps S130 and S131 in FIG.
Steps S120 to S124 subsequent to are jobs for initial setting for the sub. First, a command for the first sub-board in the main is output in step S124. Thereafter, a synchronization signal is input in the main, and step S102 is executed. On the other hand, on the sub side, the flow of FIG.
In FIG. 11 according to the present invention to which 50 has been added, it is determined in step S213 that a new command has been input.
Therefore, step S250 is executed every time a command is input from the main control unit. This step S25
0 performs the counter synchronization process. This processing basically executes the same processing as steps S102 and S103 in FIG. That is, the updating process of the counter means for generating various random numbers is executed.

Thereafter, on the main side, step S in FIG.
The job from S108 to S124 is executed, and step S1
The process using the various random numbers and the timer value updated by the job of 02 and S103 is executed. Also on the sub side, various random numbers and timer values updated in step S215 are used in subsequent steps S216 to S221, and the corresponding job is executed.

It is assumed that 0 (zero) is initially set in the initialization after the power is turned on, and the main steps S102 and S10 are executed.
3, and assuming that the updating process of +1 has been performed in the sub-side step S215, the values of both are 0 at the time of transmission and reception of the first command, and at the time of transmission and reception of the subsequent command, Both become 1.

However, in FIG. 12, when the winning prize hole is won at the timing shown in FIG. 12, the main side uses the random number updated just before, and then sends a command to the sub side (this command includes (Including a start winning signal), and the sub-side performs an updating process based on the sent command, and then processes the newly sent starting winning signal, that is, determines whether it is a hit or a loss. . Assuming that the timing shown in the figure is an example, the main side determines the random number updated three times, and the sub side determines the hit / los, for example, based on the random number updated four times. Here, various random numbers processed in step S102 of FIG.
When the probability of hit / loss is set to 1/300, a counter for counting up the random number between 0 and 299 by +1 is used. When the number of random numbers for determining one line of special symbols is fifteen, a counter that counts up from 0 to 14 by +1 is used. As described above, although the respective maximum count-up values are different, the counter configuration is still the same.

Therefore, one method for solving the above-mentioned problem can be solved by setting the initial set values of the respective counters on the sub side to the respective maximum count values. This can be included in the initial setting of the sub side or in the command sent first from the main side.
By doing so, the same counter value can be obtained and used on both sides.

In place of the above-described method, it is also possible to adopt a method of storing and using the counter value before updating on the sub-board side.

In the manner described above, the sub-side can determine at least the same content as the determination of the hit / losing made on the main side for the game ball that has won the starting winning opening.

However, as described above, what is executed in the special symbol display device is only related to the display of the table special symbol, and is determined to be a big hit. The role of executing the control itself is still left in the main control unit, but is rather restricted by the above-described regulation.

Although the microcomputer in the main control section is defined and restricted under the above-mentioned regulations, the microcomputer in the special symbol control device has no such restriction. Therefore, a high-performance microcomputer can be used for the special symbol control device. This means that the special symbol control device can execute the same program in a shorter execution time than the execution time of the program executed in the main control unit.

As described above, by configuring the main control unit and the special symbol display device as a system, the special symbol display device can control the display without receiving the command sent from the main controller. It is possible to execute.
More precisely, at the timing of winning the start winning opening, the main control section inputs that the special symbol start switch has been activated in step S104 of FIG.
At step 4, the special symbol display device transmits the special winning image to the special symbol display device, and the special symbol display device receives the data. (Such as a big hit or not) is possible. Also, based on the determination result, how to display (for example, FIGS. 7 to 10)
) Can perform the same operation as in accordance with the command received conventionally from the main control unit. At least, a notice of the result can be notified before starting the variable display without adding a new command to the conventional method.

In FIG. 1, the number-of-start-ups display section 12 above the special symbol display section 2 indicates that a plurality of game balls have won the start winning opening 2 and the winning result of the winning game balls is not displayed. Or the number of times. Usually, this number is determined to be up to four times. Depending on the number of times, 1
In the case of times, the left one is illuminated, in the case of two times, the left two are illuminated, and in the case of four times, all four displays are illuminated. As the result for each winning ball is displayed on the lower special symbol display section, the lights are sequentially turned off from the display of the lighting state on the rightmost side.

Lighting of this display means that the game ball to the starting winning opening wins, and that the winning is treated as a winning in which a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the winning prize is won in the starting winning opening, but this display cannot be turned on as a result, for example, if five game balls are won consecutively for a short time, the fifth prize is not stored, so the variable display is displayed. Do not cause. Therefore, the command from the main control unit for driving this display is not only the meaning of the command sent when the player wins the start winning opening, but also displays an actual variable display, and determines whether or not the winning is a big hit. Means the existence of a winning ball.

When displaying the number of stored starts, it is necessary to output some data for displaying the number from the main control unit. For example, four displays as shown in FIG. 1 are sent individually or as combined data. In each case, a winning prize ball that needs to be determined is shown.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a signal indicating the winning is input, and the lamp display device shown in FIG. Display 1 of “hit notice” driven by 211
3 were provided. A counter is also provided for the CPU in the lamp driving device to determine whether or not the above is a big hit. When a winning command signal is received from the main control unit, the counter value is fetched. Lighting control is performed in the case of a hit according to this value. The details will be described below.

The above-mentioned advance notice is displayed in the memory start number display unit 1
For example, if there is a winning ball for which a big hit has been determined in any of the stored winning balls displayed in 2, the light is turned on, and the lighting start timing is set to the time when the big hit is determined. The turning-off is performed in such a way that the variable display is performed on the winning ball determined to be a big hit and synchronized with the end of the display of the displayed stopped symbol. Here, the above-described counter for judging a big hit and a counter for generating at least a random element for determining the timing of each variable display are provided in the CPU in the lamp display device, and these counter values are set. The main control unit that actually controls, and the same counter value through commands sent from the main control unit to each sub-board (peripheral board) in synchronization with the corresponding counters in the special symbol display device (Random value). Therefore, it is possible to include the main control unit and perform the hit notice display control in synchronization with the timing of the variable display of the special symbol display device.

Of course, in the above-described control, the command input from the main control other than the command for synchronization may be only a winning signal to the starting port. Similarly, regarding the control of the four display contents of the conventional memory start number display unit 12, a winning signal (command) to the start port is received without receiving a command for each display state from the main control unit. Only with this, it is possible to perform lighting / light-out control in accordance with the operation timing of the other sub-boards. That is, since it is possible to predict the timing of the variable display inside the lamp display device without receiving the ON / OFF control command of each of the four LEDs, it is possible to predict when the winning command is received, or The display control is to be performed in the same way as the display control which has been performed by the main control unit in relation to the special symbol display device in a way that should be displayed at the start of the variable display due to the next winning after the display is completed. Is possible. The newly provided counter for determining the random element relates to the determination of the big hit and the fluctuation time of the symbol. Needless to say, a program for obtaining the timing relating to the above is also added.

As for this lighting, continuous lighting or blinking lighting is possible. In the latter case, it is effective to change the blinking cycle in accordance with the order of big hits in the number of memory starts. For example, if the first fluctuating one is a big hit, the blinking cycle is short, and if it is the fourth one, it is the slowest. The number of the big hit can be effectively notified to the player.

Although not shown, in another embodiment, a special character display device 100 is used to make a special character display appear on the special symbol display section 3 of FIG. Can also. in this case,
As a result, it is effective to perform the change display period before the big hit display. Also, changing the notice character according to the number of the memorized hit is effective in increasing the interest of the game and giving the sense of expectation.

In the above-described embodiment, the special symbol display device and the lamp display device have been described as the sub-substrates, but the same operation is performed by the sound effect generator 212 shown in FIG.
Can be implemented. For example, when there is a winning ball for determining whether or not a big hit has occurred, generating a sound for notifying the player of the winning ball also makes the game interesting. In this case, it is necessary to obtain the presence of the prize ball to be determined in the special symbol display device from the main control unit. Also, as time passes, and as to whether or not the number of the number of memory starts is a big hit, by executing the same job as the job provided in the special symbol display device,
The sound effect can be generated in synchronization with the display content of the special symbol display device, but independently.

In particular, adding a new job to the sub-side, which can use a higher-order microprocessor in terms of performance and processing speed, compared to the main-side microprocessor having restrictions, requires at least a reduction in the processing time of the job. In terms of points it is relatively easy.

Next, as described above, one embodiment of the synchronization and the initialization of the respective counters provided when the power is turned on will be described.

Normally, when a game machine is turned on, a demonstration display is provided. This is because, at the timing set after the power is turned on, a “command for displaying a demo after the power is turned on” is sent to the special symbol display device. Performs output control for the built-in demo.

Here, when the reset of the CPU of the main control unit and the CPU of the sub-board shown in FIG. 2 is not performed using one reset signal, that is, the power supply distributed on each board is When using the power reset signal generated by using the circuit, it is normal that the power reset signal is released simultaneously on each board after the power is turned on because the circuit is independent or there are differences in circuit constants etc. Impossible. In this case, at least the above-mentioned “command for displaying a demo after power-on” is
It is used as a command for synchronizing or initializing each counter between the main control unit and the special symbol display device. A similar command is sent as a "power-on command" to each sub-board including at least the CPU therein, and each sub-board receives this command to initialize the counter in synchronization with the main control unit. It becomes possible.

The transmission of the above-mentioned "command for demonstration display after power-on" is performed after a lapse of time sufficient for the reset of the sub-board including all the CPUs and the initialization of the CPUs of the sub-boards. By outputting the data later, the counters provided for the respective devices can be synchronized and initialized.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the present embodiment. However, it is easy to change to the following form without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, when winning in the starting winning opening, in addition to determining whether or not a big hit, (1) a random selection of a combination of special symbols to be stopped when the big hit is determined, and (2) a loss is determined. In this case, select a combination of special symbols to stop, or select a stop symbol in each row. (3) Selection for variation time. (4) Selection for variation speed. (5) Selection for variation mode for variation mode from variation start to variation stop. A job relating to a random element can be held on the sub side in the same way as the main side, and can be operated synchronously. However, in this case, it is necessary to have a signal having a timing substantially common to both of them, and the method is limited to a method in which the value is changed in advance by a method common to both in each cycle of the signal.

Further, the sub-board is provided with a register for holding the data before the counter value is incremented with respect to the provided counter, thereby eliminating the deviation of the random value after the transmission or reception of the command. Is also possible.

In the above description, synchronizing the counters for determining the respective random elements in the main control unit and the sub-board does not necessarily mean that the counter values coincide in time. This means that the same random value is obtained from the counter for one command.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, the functions of the sub-side can be increased without increasing the number of commands for the sub-board of the main board of the gaming machine. At the same time, the number of commands sent from the main board to the sub-board can be reduced.

In particular, without increasing the number of new commands,
It is possible to execute a notice of winning of a winning ball, which is displayed on the storage start number display section but does not display the final result, only on the sub-board (special symbol display device) side. This has a positive effect on super-intelligentization.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a board of a pachinko gaming machine which is an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing the entirety of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, including a main controller and peripheral circuits thereof.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a special symbol display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an entire program of a main control unit of the pachinko gaming machine in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process for receiving a command from a main control unit in a program of a special symbol display device of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display control process performed in response to a command from a main control unit in a program for a special symbol display device of a pachinko gaming machine in a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a table showing commands sent from the main control unit to the special symbol display device in one embodiment of the related art, and is a table showing a change start command of a special symbol.

FIG. 8 is a table showing commands sent from the main control unit to the special symbol display device in one embodiment of the related art, and is a table showing commands for designating stop symbols in the special symbols.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a timing relationship between a command sent from a main control unit and display of a special symbol according to an embodiment of the related art.

FIG. 10 is a table for explaining commands sent from the main control unit at each timing shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a display control process performed in response to a command from the main control unit in a program of a special symbol display device for a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a time chart illustrating an example of updating a synchronization counter between a main control unit and a special symbol display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming board 2 Starting winning opening 3 Special symbol display unit 4 Variable winning ball unit 5 Large winning opening 6 Continuous winning ball area 7 Ordinary symbol display 8 Ordinary symbol operating gate 12 Memory start number display unit 13 Notice display per hit 100 Special symbol display unit 200 CPU of main control unit 203 Input port 204 Special symbol start switch 209 Variable winning device 208 Power supply circuit 213 Output port 220 Synchronous signal generator 221 Clock generator 301 Microcomputer of special symbol display device 302 Display command signal receiving circuit 304 Image processing LSI 305 LCD display 306 Program ROM

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A main board including a microcomputer, and a sub board that operates in response to a command from the main board, wherein the main board is provided for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board. A method for controlling a gaming machine which repeatedly executes a plurality of predetermined jobs, wherein at least a hit / loss of a winning ball to a starting winning port is determined for each input of the synchronization signal on the main board. A job similar to the job of updating a counter, inputting a command output from the main substrate every time the synchronization signal is input to the sub-substrate, and updating the first counter based on the input command And updating the second counter by transmitting the command to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input in the main board. By operating the second counter in the sub-board in synchronization with the first counter of the main board, the value of the second counter in the sub-board and the value transmitted from the main board A gaming machine control method for notifying a special symbol notice, which notifies a player of occurrence of a big hit based on a start winning signal. 2. In the sub-substrate, the occurrence of the big hit is displayed on a special symbol display screen,
The special symbol notice according to claim 1, wherein the player is notified by at least one of an appearance of a character indicating a large jackpot, a display of a symbol indicating a large jackpot, and a change of a display color of the special symbol. Game machine control method for notification. 3. The sub-board according to claim 1, wherein the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by a method of turning on a display unit provided near a storage start number display unit. A game machine control method for special symbol notice notification. 4. The special symbol advance notice according to claim 1, wherein, in the sub-substrate, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by a sound effect indicating a big hit in a sound effect generating device. Gaming machine control method. 5. A main board including a microcomputer, and a sub-board that operates in response to a command from the main board, wherein the main board is set in advance for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board. A gaming machine for repeatedly executing a plurality of predetermined jobs, wherein the first counter means for determining at least a winning ball hitting / losing to a starting winning port, which is updated every time the synchronization signal is input on the main board. In the sub-board, a command output from the main board is input every time the synchronization signal is input, and a job similar to the job for updating the first counter is executed based on the input command. Second counter means to be updated, wherein the command is transmitted to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input in the main board. By operating the second counter in the sub-board in synchronization with the first counter of the main board, the value of the second counter in the sub-board and the transmission from the main board A gaming machine for notifying a player of the occurrence of a big hit on the basis of a starting winning signal. 6. In the sub-substrate, the occurrence of the big hit is displayed in a special symbol display screen,
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the player is notified by at least one of an appearance of a character representing a big hit, a display of a mark showing a big hit, or a change of a display color of a special symbol. 7. The player according to claim 5, wherein in the sub-board, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by turning on a display unit provided in the vicinity of the storage start number display unit. Gaming machine. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein in the sub-board, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by a sound effect indicating a big hit in a sound effect generating device. 9. A main board including a microcomputer, and a sub-board that operates in response to a command from the main board, wherein the main board is provided for each input of a synchronization signal input to the main board. A gaming machine that repeatedly executes a plurality of predetermined jobs, wherein the main board is updated each time the synchronization signal is input. A command output from the main board is input, and based on the input command, a plurality of counter means updated by execution of each job similar to the job for updating each of the plurality of counters, By transmitting the command to the sub-board every time the synchronization signal is input to the sub-board, The plurality of counters are operated in synchronization with the plurality of counters of the main board, and based on the values of the plurality of counters in the sub-board and a start winning signal transmitted from the main board, a special symbol is provided. A gaming machine characterized in that the display is changed and a stop symbol is specified. 10. The sub-board, further comprising: generating a jackpot based on a value of one of the plurality of counters in the sub-board and a start winning signal transmitted from the main board. In the display screen of the special symbol, the player is notified by at least one of the appearance of a character indicating a big hit, the display of a mark indicating the big hit, or the change of the display color of the special symbol. A gaming machine according to claim 9. 11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein in the sub-board, the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by a sound effect indicating a big hit in a sound effect generating device. 12. The sub-substrate according to claim 10, wherein the occurrence of the big hit is notified to a player by turning on a display unit provided in the vicinity of the storage start number display unit. Gaming machine.