JP2002336439A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of improving amusement in a game by providing various game production. SOLUTION: Drive control of a vibrating motor is started by a CPU for display control at the timing of replacing a low-speed varying pattern in a left pattern after high-speed varying in each pattern display area in a variable display device. A drive signal is repeatedly turned on and off in drive control to bring the vibrating motor into an operating state of intermittent vibrations. Accompanied by this, a ball-striking operating handle in contact with a player intermittently vibrates. The intermittent vibrations predict a ready-to-win state. Therefore, it is possible to provide production by the vibrations of the vibrating motor and improve amusement in the game.

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 machine or a slot machine capable of playing a predetermined game using a game medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a winning area such as a winning opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are obtained. Are paid out to players.
Furthermore, a variable display unit capable of changing the display state is provided,
There is a configuration in which a predetermined game value is provided to a player when a display result of the variable display unit has a predetermined specific display mode.

[0003] The game value means that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the game area of the gaming machine is in a state that is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a hit ball, or is in a state that is advantageous for the player. In other words, the right is to be generated, or the condition for paying out premium game media is easily established. Further, when a predetermined amount of game balls or coins are awarded or points are added in accordance with establishment of predetermined conditions such as winning, these are referred to as value or valuable value.

In a pachinko gaming machine, it is generally known that the display result of a variable display unit for displaying a special symbol (identification information) is a combination of predetermined specific display modes.
It is called "big hit." When a big hit occurs, for example, the 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). In addition, an opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening,
Even if the number of winnings does not reach the predetermined number, if the opening time elapses, the winning port is closed. If the predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the special winning opening) is not satisfied at the time when the special winning opening is closed, the big hit gaming state ends.

Further, in the variable display device, a symbol other than a symbol which is a final stop symbol (for example, a middle symbol of the left and right middle symbols) is stopped and rocked in a state where the symbol continues for a predetermined time and coincides with the specific display mode. There is a possibility that a big hit may occur before the final result is displayed due to the state of being enlarged, reduced or deformed, or the fact that multiple symbols fluctuate synchronously with the same symbol, the position of the displayed symbol is switched, etc. (Hereinafter, these states are referred to as reach states) are referred to as reach effects. A variable display including a reach effect is called a reach variable display. By making the fluctuation pattern different from the fluctuation pattern in the normal state in the reach state, the interest of the game is enhanced. If the display result of the symbol variably displayed on the variable display device does not satisfy the condition for reaching the reach state, the result is "missing" and the variable display state ends. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is performed by sound output, lighting / extinguishing of a light-emitting body, display on a display device, or by operation of a character (movable effect device) provided in a game area. However, there is a problem that the player may be bored only with the above-described game effects.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interest of a game by enabling various game effects.

[0008]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A game machine capable of playing a predetermined game using a game medium, provided in the game machine in accordance with a command from the game control means (for example, CPU 56) for controlling the progress of the game, and a command from the game control means. Component control means (for example, the display control CPU 101, the lamp control CPU 351, the sound control C) for controlling the electrical components (for example, the variable display device 9, the light emitter such as a lamp or LED, the speaker 27, etc.)
PU 701), launching means (for example, launching device 120) for launching a game medium used in a game, and launching operation means (for example, hitting operation handle 5) operated by a player to cause the launching means to launch the game medium. ) And vibration generating means (for example, a vibration motor 177) for vibrating the firing operation means, wherein the electric component control means controls the vibration generating means.

A game effect (for example, a reach effect, a big hit effect, a reach notice effect, a big hit notice effect, etc.) is performed using the electric component, and the electric component control means controls the vibration generating means in connection with the game effect by the electric component. It may be configured to operate.

The electric component includes a display (for example, a variable display device 9) for performing a display relating to a game effect, and the vibration generating means is configured to generate a vibration in accordance with the display content of the display. Is also good.

[0011] A reach effect may be performed as a game effect, and the vibration generating means may be configured to generate vibration in accordance with display contents of a display relating to the reach effect on the display.

The electric component includes a display for performing a display relating to a game effect, and the vibration generating means can notify that the display state of the display is in a predetermined display mode (for example, a reach, a big hit, a certain change). Vibration may be generated as a notice (for example, a reach notice, a big hit notice, a probable change notice).

The electric component includes a sound output unit (for example, a speaker 27) for outputting a sound related to a game effect, and the vibration generating unit is configured to generate a vibration in accordance with the sound output from the sound output unit. May be.

A structure may be provided with a vibration regulating means (for example, a vibration regulating circuit 93a) capable of regulating the operation of the vibration generating means when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

A detecting means (for example, a touch sensor 176) capable of detecting a player's contact with the firing operation means is provided, and the vibration restricting means restricts the operation of the vibration generating means when there is no detection by the detecting means. It may be configured as follows.

There is provided a restriction selecting means (for example, a vibration setting switch 190) capable of artificially selecting whether or not to restrict the operation of the vibration generating means, and the vibration restricting means selects the restriction by the restriction selecting means. In such a case, the operation of the vibration generating means may be restricted.

The firing control means (for example, the firing control board 9) including the firing means driving circuit (for example, the motor driving circuit 92b and the firing device driving circuit 92) for driving the firing means.
1) and a vibration generating means driving circuit (for example, a motor driving circuit 93b, a vibration device driving circuit 93) for driving the vibration generating means, and the vibration generating means driving circuit is provided in the firing control means. It may be configured.

The electric component control means may be configured to determine the operation content (for example, operation period, operation timing) of the vibration generation means.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One 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. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of the gaming board. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and can be applied to, for example, an image-based gaming machine or a slot machine.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be openable and closable. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape and provided in a game frame so as to be openable and closable. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be freely openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanical components and the like are attached, and various components attached to them (excluding a game board described later). And a structure including:

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1
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 (upper tray) 3. A surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided below the hitting ball supply tray 3. The hit ball operation handle 5 is an example of a launch operation means. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back of the glass door frame 2.
The game board 6 is a structure that includes a plate-like body constituting the board and various components attached to the plate-like body.
A game area 7 is formed on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device (special symbol display device) 9 including a plurality of variable display portions each of which variably displays a symbol as identification information. The variable display device 9 includes, for example, “left”, “middle”,
There are three “right” variable display sections (symbol display areas).
Below the variable display device 9, a start winning port 14 is provided. The winning ball that has entered the start winning port 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the starting port switch 14a. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. Variable winning ball device 1
5 is opened by a 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. Opening / closing plate 20
Is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. One of the winning balls guided to the back of the game board 6 from the opening / closing plate 20 (V winning area)
The winning ball entered is detected by the V winning switch 22, and the winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. On the back of the game board 6, there is also provided a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening. In addition, a special symbol start memory display (hereinafter referred to as a start memory display) 18 including four LEDs for displaying the number of effective winning balls in the start winning opening 14, that is, the number of start memories, is provided below the variable display device 9. Is provided. Every time there is a valid start winning, the start memory display 18 increases the number of the lighted LEDs by one.
Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started,
Reduce the number of lit LEDs by one.

When a game ball is won at the gate 32 and detected by the gate switch 32a, the variable display of the display of the ordinary symbol display 10 is started. In this embodiment, the variable display is performed by alternately lighting the left and right lamps (the symbols become visible when lit). For example, when the right lamp is lit at the end of the variable display, it is a hit. When the stop symbol on the ordinary symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined time. Ordinary symbol display 10
In the vicinity of, the number of winning balls entering the gate 32 is displayed.
A normal symbol start storage display 41 having a display unit with three LEDs is provided. Each time there is a prize in the gate 32, the ordinary symbol start storage display 41 sets the LED to light up by one.
increase. Then, every time the variable display of the ordinary symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be turned on is decreased by one.

The game board 6 has a plurality of winning ports 29, 30,
33, 39 are provided, winning holes 29, 30, 3 of the game ball
The prize for No. 3 is determined by winning port switches 29a and 30 respectively.
a, 33a, and 39a. Each winning opening 2
9, 30, 33, and 39 constitute a prize area provided on the game board 6 as an area for accepting a game medium and allowing a prize. The start winning port 14 for accepting a game medium and permitting a winning, and the big winning port also constitute a winning area. At the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 which are displayed blinking during the game, and at the lower part there is an out port 26 for absorbing hit balls which have not won. In addition, two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided at upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. A top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28
c is provided. Further, decorative LEDs are installed around each structure (such as a special winning opening) in the game area 7. The top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decorative LED are examples of a decorative illuminant provided in the gaming machine.

In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 which is lit when there is a remaining prize ball near the left frame lamp 28b.
Is provided, and near the top frame lamp 28a, a ball-out lamp 52 that is turned on when the supply ball has run out is provided.
As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present example is provided with a lamp or an LED as a light emitter at various places.

Also, on the upper left and right sides outside the game area 7,
Game effect devices (movable effect devices) 40A and 40B used in various game effects are provided. Each of the game effect devices 40A and 40B has a shape in which three spherical members are provided on the outer periphery of a columnar member forming a central portion, and has a structure in which, for example, a rotating operation is performed in accordance with the game effect. . Note that the game effect devices 40A, 40B
May be provided in any part of the game frame. Also,
Each of the game effect devices 40A and 40B may have any shape and may be formed to have different external shapes. Furthermore, the game production device 40A,
40B may be configured to operate differently.

The game effect devices 40A and 40B are each provided with a solenoid 4 provided on the back of the glass door frame 2.
0Aa, 40Ba (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)
With this structure, a rotating operation is performed. In this example,
When the gaming effect devices 40A and 40B are controlled so that the solenoids 40Aa and 40Ba are repeatedly turned on and off when the game device is at rest, the game effect devices 40A and 40B operate, for example, by a predetermined mechanism (for example, constituted by a gear or a cam). An operation state in which a rotation operation is performed accordingly. In this case, the predetermined mechanism is configured to apply an external force for rotating the game effect devices 40A and 40B in a rotating direction (for example, clockwise) when the solenoids 40Aa and 40Ba are turned on. At the same time, when the solenoids 40Aa and 40Ba are turned off, the game effect devices 40A and 40B
The structure is such that no external force is applied to it. In the above example, each of the game effect devices 40A and 40B is configured to operate by a solenoid. However, for example, a motor (in this case, it may be used in combination with a gear, a cam, or the like) is used. It may be configured to operate using other members.

FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 which is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and which allows a ball to be lent by inserting a prepaid card. The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 indicating whether the card unit 50 is in a usable state, a link stand direction indicator 153 indicating which side the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to, and a card. Unit 50
Inspect the card insertion indicator lamp 154 for indicating that a card is inserted in the card, the card insertion slot 155 for inserting a card as a recording medium, and the mechanism of the card reader / writer provided on the back of the card insertion slot 155. A card unit lock 156 is provided to release the card unit 50 when the card unit 50 is locked.

A game ball fired from the hitting ball firing device (the firing device 120) enters the game area 7 through the hitting ball rail, and then descends from the game area 7. When a hit ball enters the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening switch 14a, the special display starts variable display (variation) on the variable display device 9 if the variable display of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the variable display of the symbol can be started, the number of start storages is increased by one.

The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of the special symbols at the time of stop is a big hit symbol (specific display result), the state shifts to the big hit gaming state. That is, the opening and closing plate 2
0 is released until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. When a hit ball wins in the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V winning switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened.
Is released again. Generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

The combination of special symbols on the variable display device 9 at the time of stoppage is a big hit symbol with a probability variation (probably variable symbol).
, The probability of the next big hit increases. That is, it is a more advantageous state for the player, which is a probable change state.

When the ball hits the gate 32, the ordinary symbol display device 10 enters a state where the ordinary symbol is variably displayed. When the stop symbol on the ordinary symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15
Is open for a predetermined time. Furthermore, in the probable state,
The probability that the stop symbol in the ordinary symbol display 10 hits the symbol will be increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 will be opened will be increased. That is, the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are in a hit state,
It is raised in the case of a certain change state or the like, and changes from a disadvantageous state to a beneficial state for the player. The increase in the number of times of opening means that, for example, a member that does not normally perform the opening operation performs the opening operation (for example, becomes an open state).
It is a concept that also includes

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the hit ball operation handle 5. As shown in FIG. The hit ball operating handle 5 includes a base cover 161, a touch ring 162, a touch mounting board 163, a firing lever 164, and a handle board 165.
, Face attach 166, handle decoration 167
, A handle cover 168, and a handle drive shaft 169. Further, in this example, the hitting operation handle 5 has a structure in which a vibration motor 177 is incorporated.

The base cover 161 has an input terminal 170 to which a drive signal from the vibration device drive circuit 93 is input,
An output terminal 171 for outputting a detection signal from the touch sensor 176 and a signal from the single fire switch 175 to the fire control board 91 is provided. It should be noted that the drive signal from the vibration device drive circuit 93 causes the vibration motor 177
Is driven. The base cover 161 has bolts 173
a, a one shot push button 174 is attached,
In addition, the single firing switch 165 is operated by the bolt 173b.
Is attached. The single fire switch 165 is turned on when the single fire push button 174 is pressed.

The touch sensor 176 is attached to the touch ring 162 by bolts 173c, and is attached to the base cover 161 by bolts 173d to 173f together with the touch attachment board 163. Touch ring 1
Reference numeral 62 is formed of a metal material, and the outer wall thereof is exposed when the hitting operation handle 5 is assembled. Therefore, when the player is playing a game, the player's finger touches the outer wall of the touch ring 162. Then, the touch sensor 176 detects a voltage change based on the fact that the player's finger has touched the outer wall of the touch ring 162, and thereby the player has touched the hit ball operation handle 5 (that is, the game is performed). ) Is detected.

The handle substrate 165 has a bolt
With 173i, it is attached to the base cover 161 to which the touch ring 162 and the touch attachment board 163 are attached, with the firing lever 164 interposed therebetween. Each of the bolts 173g to 173i is attached to the base cover 161 through a rotation hole provided in the firing lever 164. At this time,
The handle drive shaft 169 has a locking projection 178 attached thereto, and is attached so as to penetrate the respective parts 161 to 165 and the handle collar 172.

The face attach 166 is connected to the vibration motor 1
77, and a handle cover 168 with bolts 173j to 173l together with a handle decoration 167.
Attached to. And the handle cover 168 is
It is attached to the face attach 166 by a bolt 173m. At this time, the bolt 173m is screwed into a bolt hole (not shown) provided in the face attach so as not to hinder the operation of the vibration motor 177. Note that the face attach 166 is attached to the handle cover 168 (this state corresponds to the hitting operation handle 5).
Is the same state as the operating state of the gaming machine attached to the gaming machine. In (), the vibration motor 177 is in a state of being installed in contact with the handle cover 168.

The handle cover 168 to which the face attach 166 and the handle decoration 167 are attached.
The part and the base cover 161 to which the handle board 165 and the like are attached are connected. In particular,
With the handle spring 179 interposed between the face attach 166 and the handle board 165, the projecting portion of the handle drive shaft 169 is passed through the center of the handle cover 168, and the face attach 166 and the handle board 16
Each part is connected by engaging 5 with. In the state where the hitting operation handle 5 is assembled, the firing lever 1
Reference numeral 64 denotes a state in which it is rotatable with respect to other parts such as the base cover 161. Further, the hitting ball operation handle 5 of the present example has a structure in which an operational feeling can be obtained by the elastic force of the handle spring 179 when the player rotates the firing lever 164 in the forward direction (clockwise direction).

It should be noted that if the handle motor drive shaft 169 is vibrated by the drive of the vibration motor 177, the adjustment of the firing amount of the game ball may be affected. Therefore, for example, the vibration motor 177 may be provided at a position where the handle drive shaft 169 does not vibrate due to the operation of the vibration motor 177 (a position where vibration does not affect the adjustment of the firing amount of the game ball). . Further, for example, the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 177 is
The operation may be such that the handle drive shaft 169 does not vibrate due to the operation 7 (the vibration does not vibrate so as to affect the adjustment of the launch amount of the game ball).

The location of the vibration motor 177 is not limited to the inside of the hitting operation handle 5, but may be set, for example, on the outer wall of the hitting operation handle 5 or on the game machine main body side.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the launching device (the launching means) 120. The launching device 120 has a hitting hammer 121 for hitting a game ball to be discharged to the game area 7.
And a stepping motor 122 serving as a driving source for the hitting hammer 121, and a ball supply device (not shown) for each firing of a game ball.
Is operated to sequentially feed game balls into the launching device 120, and a launching intensity adjusting unit (directly connected gear) 12 for adjusting the force of hitting the game balls by the hitting hammer 121.
4, an operation transmitting unit 125 that transmits a rotation operation amount (a degree of rotation) of the hit ball operation handle 5 to the firing intensity adjusting unit 124, and a firing control unit 126 that controls driving of the stepping motor 122. , And is mounted on a mounting substrate (a firing plate) 127. The mounting board 127 has mounting holes for mounting each component,
For example, a communication hole or the like for penetrating the drive shaft 128 is provided.

The impact hammer 121 is formed in an arm shape, and has a structure having a shaft hole through which the drive shaft 128 is inserted and an engaging portion with which the rod roller 129 of the lifting hammer 123 is engaged. In the hitting hammer 121, a contact portion when hitting a game ball is formed by a spring 121a. The impact hammer 121 is attached to the mounting board 127 so as to be rotatable about the drive shaft 128 by being fixed by bolting with the drive shaft 128 inserted in the shaft hole. In addition, in mounting such a hammer 121, a hit arm 1 having a rotatable arm roller 130a attached to a tip end portion thereof.
The hit arm 130 is fixed to the drive shaft 128 together with the hitting hammer 121 by bolting, and the hit arm 130 rotates integrally with the hitting hammer 121 about the drive shaft 128. The rotation of the hammer 121 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 is regulated by a hammer receiving rubber 131 fixed by bolts.

The stepping motor 122 is connected to the output shaft 13
2 is attached to the mounting board 127 so as to penetrate the mounting board 127. A drive cam 133 for transmitting the driving force of the stepping motor 122 to the impact hammer 121 via the hit arm 130 (arm roller 130a) is integrally attached to the output shaft 127.

The lifting hammer 123 is a rod-shaped rod shaft 1.
34, a rod pin 135 and a rod spring 136 screwed to the upper end of the rod shaft 134, and the rod shaft 13
And a rod roller 129 rotatably attached to the lower end of the base plate 4. The rod shaft 134 is inserted through a rod case 137 screwed to a mounting board 127, so that the rod shaft slidable in the vertical direction. Attached to. However, the rod spring 136 is connected to the rod case 137.
The upward movement is restricted by the restriction protrusion 137a formed at the upper end of the rod, so that the rod shaft 134 is always attached to the lower side. When the impact hammer 121 rotates clockwise in FIG. 4, the lifting hammer 123 (rod shaft 134) pushes up the rod roller 129 against the elastic force of the rod spring 136 by being pushed up by the engaging portion. When the ball is projected, the rod pin 135 operates the ball supply device to perform an operation of sending a game ball from the hit ball supply tray 3 onto a firing rail (not shown in FIG. 4). The state in which the lifting hammer 123 is raised to the uppermost position is the impact hammer 121.
Is set to a standby state for driving a game ball. In other words, when the lifting hammer 123 rises once and then descends, the game ball is supplied onto the firing rail, and the hitting hammer 12
By rotating in the firing direction from the state in which 1 is rotated in the opposite direction to the firing direction, game balls on the firing rail are fired, and the gaming board 6 is guided along the guide rail (not shown in FIG. 4).
Into the game area 7.

The emission intensity adjusting section 124 includes a mounting board 127
Is connected to a not-shown strong and weak gear provided on the opposite side of the gear. The strength of the launch of the game ball is adjusted by the strength gear. That is, the strength at which the game ball is fired is adjusted according to the operation amount (the degree of rotation) of the hit ball operation handle 5,
For example, as the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5 increases, the hitting hammer 121 is adjusted so as to hit the game ball more strongly. The stepping motor 12 is controlled based on an excitation pattern corresponding to the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5.
By driving 2, the strength at which the game ball is fired may be adjusted.

Next, the firing operation of the hitting ball of the firing device 120 will be described. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 5, the stepping motor 122 is driven accordingly, and the drive cam 133 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. Next, when the hit arm 130 and the hammer 121 are rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 4 by the rotation of the driving cam 133, the strength adjusting spring (not shown) provided on the back surface of the mounting board 127 is further twisted. Will be.

Thereafter, the driving cam 133 further rotates, and the driving cam 133 is moved to the hit arm 130 (the arm roller 1).
When the hit arm 130 and the hammer 121 are separated from 30a), the hit arm 130 and the hammer 121 rotate counterclockwise together with the drive shaft 128 by the restoring force of the strength adjusting spring. And
The hitting hammer 121 rotated in the counterclockwise direction hits the game ball sent from the ball supply device by the operation of the lifting / lowering hammer 123 with the spring 121a and shoots it into the game area 7. At this time, if the rotation degree of the strength adjusting spring is adjusted by operating the firing lever 154 of the hit ball operating handle 5, the strength adjusting spring associated with the backward driving (clockwise driving) of the striking hammer 121 is obtained. Can be adjusted. That is, the impact force (firing force) of the impact hammer 121 can be adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 31. FIG. 5 also shows the payout control board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80.
The pachinko machine 1 is provided on the main board 31 according to the program.
, A gate switch 32a, a starting port switch 14a, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23, winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a,
39a, full tank switch 48, ball out switch 187,
Prize ball count switch 301A and clear switch 9
Switch circuit 5 for providing a signal from circuit 21 to basic circuit
8, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 15,
A solenoid 21 for opening and closing the opening / closing plate 20, a solenoid 21A for switching the path in the winning opening, a solenoid 40Aa for operating the game effect device 40A, and a solenoid 40B for operating the game effect device 40B.
and a solenoid circuit 59 for driving a in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the count switch short-circuit signal is also transmitted to the basic circuit 53 via the switch circuit 58. Further, the gate switch 32a, the starting port switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a,
39a, full tank switch 48, ball out switch 187,
Switches such as the award ball count switch 301A may be called sensors. That is, a game medium detecting means capable of detecting a game ball (in this example, a game ball detecting means)
If so, its name does not matter. In particular, each of the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the prize port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a for detecting a prize is also a prize detecting means. The winning detection means may be a means for detecting each game ball separately winning in a plurality of winning openings. In addition, even if it is a passing gate such as the gate switch 32a, if a prize ball is paid out, the entry of a game ball to the passing gate is a prize, and a switch provided in the passing gate (for example, The gate switch 32a) serves as a winning detection means.

Also, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a jackpot, the effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used for starting the variable display of symbols on the variable display device 9, and the probability fluctuation are obtained. An information output circuit 64 for outputting an information output signal such as probability change information indicating occurrence to an external device such as a hall computer is mounted.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, and an R as storage means (means for storing variation data) used as a work memory.
AM55, a CPU 5 that performs a control operation according to a program
6 and an I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to have at least the RAM 55 therein.
The OM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally mounted or built-in.

A part or all of the RAM (may be a RAM with a built-in CPU) 55 is a backup RAM that is backed up by a backup power supply created on a power supply board (not shown). That is, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, a part or all of the content of the RAM 55 is stored for a predetermined period.

The firing control board 91 includes a firing device driving circuit (a firing means driving circuit) for controlling the driving of the driving motor 94.
A vibration device driving circuit (vibration generating means driving circuit) 93 for controlling the driving of the vibration motor 177 is provided. A firing device 120 that hits and fires a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94. The drive motor 94
Is adjusted according to the amount of operation of the operation knob 5.
That is, a hit ball is fired at a speed according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. The firing device drive circuit 92 outputs the detection signal from the touch sensor 176 that detects that the player has touched the operation knob 5 (that is, when the player has not touched the operation knob 5). The control which regulates the drive of the drive motor 94 is performed. Similarly, the vibration device driving circuit 93
Performs control for restricting driving of the vibration motor 177 when a detection signal is input from the touch sensor 176.

Vibration setting switch (regulation selecting means) 190
Is a switch that is provided on, for example, the back surface of the gaming machine and sets whether or not the vibration motor 177 can be operated by switching on / off. For example, when the vibration setting switch 190 is on, it indicates that the driving of the vibration motor 177 is restricted, and when it is off, it indicates that the driving of the vibration motor 177 is not restricted. The vibration setting switch 190 is operated by, for example, a game clerk. When the vibration setting switch 190 is turned on, the vibration device drive circuit 93 performs control for restricting the driving of the vibration motor 177. It should be noted that the vibration setting switch 190 may be used to set the level of vibration of the vibration motor 177. Further, the vibration setting switch 190 may be provided on the front of the gaming machine so that the player can operate it. With this configuration, it is possible to select whether or not to produce an effect by vibration according to the preference of each player.

In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 is provided with the start memory display 18, the ordinary symbol start memory display 41 and the decorative lamp 25 provided on the game board. While performing display control, display control of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the award ball lamp 51, and the ball out lamp 52 provided on the frame side is performed. The display control of the variable display device 9 for variably displaying a special symbol and the ordinary symbol display 10 for variably displaying an ordinary symbol is controlled by a symbol control board 80.
This is performed by display control means mounted on the device.

FIG. 6 shows a launch control board (launch control means) 9.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of No. 1; FIG. 6 also shows a payout control board 37, a display control board 80, and the like. Launcher drive circuit 9 provided on launch control board 91
2 includes a firing control circuit 92a and a motor drive circuit 92b. The firing control circuit 92a receives the detection signal from the touch sensor 176 (ie, the player does not touch the operation knob 5), or receives the firing control signal from the payout control board 37. If there is no drive power supply, a process of shutting off the drive power supplied from a power supply board (not shown) is performed. When the drive power supply is cut off, the control of the drive motor 94 by the motor drive circuit 92b is regulated, and when the firing device is operating, the operation is stopped. When the firing device is not operating, the operation is stopped. The state is maintained.

The vibration device driving circuit 93 provided on the firing control board 91 includes a vibration regulating circuit 93a and a motor driving circuit 93b. When the detection signal from the touch sensor 176 is not input (that is, when the player is not in contact with the operation knob 5), the vibration control circuit 93a is not input with the drive signal from the display control board 80. Alternatively, when the vibration setting switch 190 is set to the ON state (regulated state), a process of cutting off the driving power supplied from a power supply board (not shown) is performed. When the drive power supply is cut off, the control of the vibration motor 177 by the motor drive circuit 93b is restricted, and when the vibration motor 177 is operating, the operation is stopped, and when the vibration motor 177 is not operating, Is maintained in that state.

As described above, in this example, the display control board 8
The operation of the vibration motor 177 is controlled by the drive signal from 0. Therefore, the display control board 80 can be caused to vibrate by the vibration motor 177 according to the display state on the variable display device 9. As described above, the vibration device driving circuit 93 that directly controls the vibration motor 177 includes:
Since the display control board is mounted not on the display control board 80 but on the emission control board 91, the vibration control of the vibration motor 177 can be easily performed without drastically changing the design of the conventionally used display control board for controlling the drive of the vibration motor 177. Can be performed. In particular,
One output port for outputting a drive signal (for example, output port 108: see FIG. 7) is provided, and a display control board capable of performing drive control of the vibration motor 177 only by changing a control program can be configured. become able to.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit configuration in the display control board 80, in which an LCD (liquid crystal display) 82, an ordinary symbol display 10, a firing control board 91,
Vibration motor 177, output ports (ports 0, 2) 570, 572 of main board 31, and output buffer circuit 62
It is a block diagram shown with 0,62A. Output port (output port 2) 572 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 570 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal).

The display control CPU 101 controls the control data R
It operates according to the program stored in the OM 102, and receives an INT signal from the main board 31 via the noise filter 107 and the input buffer circuit 105B, and receives a display control command via the input buffer circuit 105A. As the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B, for example, 74HC540 and 74HC14, which are general-purpose ICs, can be used. When the display control CPU 101 does not include an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B and the display control CPU 101.

The display control CPU 101 controls display of a screen displayed on the LCD 82 according to 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 controls the LCD 8 according to the input data.
2 to generate image data to be displayed on the LCD 2, and output R, G, B signals and a synchronization signal to the LCD 82.

FIG. 7 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, figures, or symbols displayed on the LCD 82.

The input buffer circuits 105A and 105B
The signal can be passed only in the direction from the main board 31 to the display control board 80. Therefore, the display control board 8
There is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the 0 side to the main board 31 side. That is, the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B together with the input ports constitute irreversible information input means. Even if a circuit in the display control board 80 is tampered with, a signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side.

The outputs of the output ports 570 and 572 may be directly output to the display control board 80, but the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A capable of transmitting signals only in one direction.
, The main board 31 to the display control board 8
One-way signal transmission to 0 can be more reliably performed. That is, the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A together constitute an irreversible information output unit with the output ports.

For example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 107 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. The effect is eliminated. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 62A of the main board 31.

FIG. 7 shows an output port 10 for outputting a drive signal for controlling the drive of the vibration motor 177.
8 are provided. The drive signal from the display control board 80 is output to the emission control board 91. Then, a control signal for directly controlling the vibration motor 177 according to the drive signal from the display control board 80 is output by the motor drive circuit 93 b (see FIG. 6) mounted on the emission control board 91. Therefore, in this example, the vibration motor 17
7 is indirectly controlled by the display control board 80.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a signal transmitting / receiving portion of the main board 31 and the lamp control board 35.
In this embodiment, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c provided outside the game area 7, and a back lamp 36 provided on the game board.
The main board 31 outputs a lamp control command from the main board 31 to the lamp control board 35, indicating that the LED a and the LEDs 34a and 34b are turned on and off, and that the award ball lamp 51 and the ball out lamp 52 are on and off. Further, a lamp control command indicating the number of lighting of the start storage display 18 and the gate passage storage display 41 is also output from the main board 31 to the lamp control board 35.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lamp control commands relating to the lamp control are output ports (output ports 0, 3) 570, 5 of the I / O port unit 57 in the basic circuit 53.
73. Output port (output port 3) 57
3 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 570 is 1
It outputs a bit INT signal. In the lamp control board 35, a control command from the main board 31 is transmitted to the CPU for lamp control via input buffer circuits 355A and 355B.
351. When the lamp control CPU 351 does not include an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B and the lamp control CPU 351.

In the lamp control board 35, the lamp control CPU 351 controls the lighting of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the back lamp 36a, and the LEDs 34a and 34b defined according to each control command. According to the light-off pattern, the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the back lamp 36
a, outputs a light-on / light-off signal to the LEDs 34a and 34b. The on / off signal includes a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, a right frame lamp 28c, a back lamp 36a,
Output to the LEDs 34a and 34b. The light-on / light-off pattern is stored in a built-in ROM or an external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

On the main board 31, the CPU 56
When there is an unpaid prize ball remaining in the memory content of M55, a control command for instructing lighting of the prize ball lamp 51 is output, and a ball-out switch installed upstream of the payout ball passage on the back of the game board is used for the game. When the ball is no longer detected, a control command for instructing lighting of the ball out lamp 52 is output. In the lamp control board 35, each control command is sent to the CPU 351 for lamp control via the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B.
To enter. The lamp control CPU 351 turns on / off the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball out lamp 52 according to the control commands. The light-on / light-off pattern is stored in a built-in ROM or an external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

Further, the lamp control CPU 351 outputs a light-on / light-off signal to the start storage display 18 and the gate passage storage display 41 according to the control command.

As the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B, for example, 74HC54 which is a general-purpose CMOS-IC
0,74HC14 is used. Input buffer circuit 35
5A and 355B are connected to the lamp control board 35 from the main board 31.
The signal can be passed only in the direction toward. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the lamp control board 35 side to the main board 31 side. For example, even if a circuit in the lamp control board 35 is tampered with, a signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the input side of the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B.

In the main board 31, the output port 5
Buffer circuits 620 and 63A are provided outside 70 and 573. As the buffer circuits 620 and 63A, for example, 74HC14 and 74 which are general-purpose CMOS-ICs
HC240 is used. 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 lamp control board 70 to the main board 31 is more reliably eliminated. be able to. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 63A.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the voice control command signal transmission portion and the voice control board 70 on the main board 31. 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. 9, the voice control command is
The data is output from output ports (output ports 0, 4) 570, 574 of the I / O port unit 57 in the basic circuit 53.
Output port (output port 4) 574 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 570 outputs 1-bit I
An NT signal is output. In the audio control board 70, each signal from the main board 31 is supplied to the input buffer circuit 705A,
The data is input to the CPU 701 for voice control via 705B.
If the audio control CPU 701 does not have an I / O port, the input buffer circuits 705A, 705
An I / O port is provided between B and the voice control CPU 701.

The voice synthesizing circuit 702 using a digital signal processor, for example,
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 circuits 705A and 705B, for example, 74HC54 which is a general-purpose CMOS-IC
0,74HC14 is used. Input buffer circuit 70
5A and 705B can pass signals only in the direction from the main board 31 to the voice control board 70. 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 a circuit in the voice control board 70 is tampered with, a signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the input side of the input buffer circuits 705A and 705B.

In the main board 31, the output port 5
Buffer circuits 620 and 67A are provided outside 70 and 574. As the buffer circuits 620 and 67A, for example, 74HC14 and 74 which are general-purpose CMOS-ICs
HC240 is used. 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. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 67A.

As described above, in order to send commands to the payout control board 37, the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the audio control board 70, the INT signal is output from the output port (output port 0) 570 of the main board 31. Is output to each electric component control board. In this case, for example, the output port 570 has an 8-bit configuration, bit 0 is an INT signal to the payout control board 37, and bit 1 is the display control board 80.
Signal to the lamp control board 35
The NT signal, bit 3 is used for outputting the INT signal to the audio control board 70.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. FIG.
0 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the game control means (CPU 56 and peripheral circuits such as ROM and RAM) on the main board 31. When the power is turned on to the gaming machine and the input level of the reset terminal becomes high level, the CPU 56 starts the main processing after step S1. In the main process, the CPU 56 first
Make the necessary initial settings.

In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to the interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and the stack pointer designated address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the internal device registers are initialized (step S4). After initializing a built-in device (built-in peripheral circuit) CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) (step S5), the RAM is set to an accessible state (step S6).

CPU 56 used in this embodiment
Incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). Also, CTC has two external clock / timer trigger inputs CLK / TRG2, 3
And two timer outputs ZC / TO0,1.

CPU 5 used in this embodiment
6, the following three modes are prepared as maskable interrupt modes. When an interrupt that can be masked occurs, the CPU 56 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter on the stack.

Interrupt mode 0: The built-in device that has issued the interrupt request receives the RST instruction (1 byte) or the CALL instruction (3 bytes).
Byte) on the internal data bus of the CPU. Therefore, the CPU 56 executes the instruction at the address corresponding to the RST instruction or the address specified by the CALL instruction. Upon reset, CPU 56 automatically switches to interrupt mode 0
become. Therefore, when it is desired to set the mode to the interrupt mode 1 or the interrupt mode 2, it is necessary to perform a process for setting the mode to the interrupt mode 1 or the interrupt mode 2 in the initial setting process.

Interrupt mode 1: When an interrupt is accepted,
In this mode, the camera always jumps to the address 0038 (h).

Interrupt mode 2: The address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) of the CPU 56 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output from the built-in device is the interrupt address. Mode. That is, the interrupt address is an address indicated by 2 bytes in which the upper address is the value of the specific register and the lower address is the interrupt vector. Therefore, an interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary (albeit skipped) even address. Each built-in device has a function of sending an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, it is possible to easily process an interrupt request from each built-in device, and it is possible to set an interrupt process at an arbitrary position in a program. Will be possible. Further, unlike the interrupt mode 1, it is easy to prepare an interrupt process for each interrupt occurrence factor. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 is set to the interrupt mode 2 in step S2 of the initial setting process.

Next, the CPU 56 checks the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 inputted via the input port only once (step S7). If ON is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes a normal initialization process (steps S11 to S15).
When the clear switch 921 is on (when pressed), a low-level clear switch signal is output. Note that, for example, the game clerk can easily execute the initialization process by starting power supply to the game machine while turning on the clear switch 921. That is, the RAM can be cleared.

If the clear switch 921 is not in the ON state, the data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, the processing for stopping the power supply such as the addition of parity data) is performed when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped. It is confirmed whether or not it has been performed (step S8). In this embodiment, when the power supply is stopped, a process for protecting the data in the backup RAM area is performed. The case where such protection processing has been performed is regarded as backup. After confirming that such a protection process has not been performed, the CPU 56 executes an initialization process.

When the backup is confirmed, the CPU 5
No. 6 performs data check (parity check in this example) of the backup RAM area (step S9). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in a checksum data area, and a checksum calculation start address is set in a pointer. In addition, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of data to be checked is set. Then, an exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the value of the pointer is increased by one, and the value of the number of checksum calculations is decremented by one. The above process is repeated until the value of the number of checksum calculations becomes zero. When the number of checksum calculation times becomes 0, the CPU 56 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area,
The inverted data is used as a checksum.

In the power supply stop processing, a checksum is calculated by the same processing as the above processing, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. If power is restored after an unexpected power outage or other power outage, backup RA
Since the data in the M area should be stored, the check result (comparison result) becomes normal (match). If the check result is not normal, it means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state at the time of stopping the power supply, the initialization processing executed at the time of turning on the power and not at the time of recovery from the stop of the power supply is executed.

If the check result is normal, the CPU 56
Performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the display control means to the state at the time of stopping the power supply (step S10). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) stored in the backup RAM area is set in the PC, and the program returns to that address.

In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first sets R
An AM clear process is performed (step S11). In addition, a predetermined work area (for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer,
Special symbol process flag, payout command storage pointer,
A work area setting process of setting an initial value to a prize ball flag, a ball out flag, a payout stop flag, or the like, for selectively performing a process according to a control state (step S1)
2). Further, a process of transmitting a payout permission state designating command (hereinafter, referred to as a payable state designation command) indicating that the payout from the ball payout device 97 is possible is performed to the payout control board 37 (step S13). . Also,
Other sub-boards (lamp control board 35, sound control board 70,
A process of transmitting an initialization command for initializing the display control board 80) to each sub-board is executed (step S1).
4). As the initialization command, a command indicating the initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9 (for the display control board 80) or a command for turning off the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball out lamp 52 (for the lamp control board 35). And).

Then, the register of the CTC provided in the CPU 56 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically performed every 2 ms (step S15). That is,
A value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value.

Execution of initialization processing (steps S11 to S1)
When 5) is completed, the display random number updating process (step S17) and the initial value random number updating process (step S18) are repeatedly executed in the main process. When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed, the interrupt is prohibited (step S16), and when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are completed, the interrupt is enabled. Is performed (step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol to be displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number update process is a process of updating a count value of a counter for generating a display random number. . The initial value random number updating process is a process of updating the count value of a counter for generating the initial value random number. The initial value random number is a random number for determining an initial value of a count value of a counter (a jackpot determination random number generation counter) for generating a random number for determining whether or not to make a big hit. In the game control process described later, when the count value of the big hit determination random number generation counter makes one round, an initial value is set in the counter.

When the display random number updating process is executed, the interrupt is prohibited because the display random number updating process is also executed in the timer interrupt process described later. This is to avoid competing with. That is, if a timer interrupt occurs during the process of step S17 and the count value of the counter for generating the display random number is updated during the timer interrupt process, the continuity of the count value is lost. There are cases. However, such an inconvenience does not occur if the interrupt is prohibited during the processing in step S17.

When a timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 56
After performing the register save processing (step S20), the game control processing of steps S21 to S34 shown in FIG. 11 is executed. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first
Through the switch circuit 58, the detection signals of the switches such as the gate switch 32a, the starting port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 29a are input, and their states are determined (switch processing: step S2).
1).

Next, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S22).

Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit random number used for game control is performed (step S23).
The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number and the initial value random number (steps S24 and S25).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows. (1) Random 1: Determine whether or not to generate a big hit (for big hit determination = for special symbol determination) (2) Random 2-1 to 2-3: For left and right middle missing symbol determination (3) Random 3: Determine the combination of symbols at the time of the big hit (for the big hit symbol determination = for the special symbol determination) (4) Random 4: Determine the fluctuation pattern at the time of the reach (for the fluctuation pattern determination)

Note that random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (4) (for example, random numbers for initial value determination) are also used to enhance the game effect. In addition, the above (1) to (4)
It is desirable that the random numbers are not synchronized with each other. In step S23, the CPU 56 sets (1)
The counter for generating the jackpot determination random number of (3) and the jackpot symbol determination random number of (3) is counted up (addition of 1). That is, these are the random numbers for determination, and the other random numbers are the random numbers for display.

Further, the CPU 56 performs a special symbol process (step S26). 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 S27). In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. And the value of the normal symbol process flag is
It is updated during each process according to the game state.

Next, the CPU 56 sets a display control command relating to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and performs a process of transmitting the display control command (special symbol command control process: step S28). Further, a display control command relating to a normal symbol is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 55, and a process of transmitting the display control command is performed (ordinary symbol command control process: step S29).

Further, the CPU 56 performs an information output process for outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, and probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer (step S30).

Further, the CPU 56 issues a drive command to the solenoid circuit 59 when a predetermined condition is satisfied (step S31). In order to open or close the variable winning ball device 15 or the open / close plate 20, switch the game ball path in the special winning opening, or operate the game effect devices 40A and 40B, the solenoid circuit 59 is driven by a driving command. , 21, 21A, 40Aa, 40B
Drive a.

Then, the CPU 56 sets the winning opening switch 2
A prize ball process for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection signal 9a is executed (step S32). More specifically, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the payout control board 37 in response to a winning detection based on the turning on of the winning opening switch 29a. The payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls. afterwards,
The contents of the register are restored (step S33), and the interrupt permission state is set (step S34).

With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms.
In this embodiment, the game control process is executed in the timer interrupt process. However, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set.
The game control process may be executed in the main process.

In this example, the respective symbols displayed as the right and left middle symbols are the same 10 symbols from 0 to 9 in the left and right. Each symbol is assigned the same symbol number as the numerical value indicated by the symbol. When the symbol with the symbol number 9 (“9”) is displayed, next, the symbol with the symbol number 0 (“0”) is displayed. And the middle left and right symbols are, for example, "1", "3",
When the stops at "5", "7" or "9" are complete, a high probability state is set. That is, they become probable symbols.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol processing shown in FIG.
Is a specific process of step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 performs a variation reduction timer subtraction process (step S310), and then performs steps S300 to S300 according to the internal state.
309 is performed. The fluctuation shortening timer is a timer for setting the fluctuation time when the fluctuation time of the special symbol is shortened.

Special symbol change waiting process (step S30)
0): Start-up switch 14 after hitting the ball in the start-up prize port 14
Wait for 4a to turn on. When the start port switch 14a is turned on, if the number of stored start winnings is not full, the number of stored start winnings is incremented by one and a random number for determining a jackpot is extracted.

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.

Stop symbol setting processing (step S302):
The stop symbol of the left and right middle symbols is determined.

Reach operation setting processing (step S30)
3): It is determined whether or not to perform the reach operation based on the combination of the left and right stopped symbols, and if the reach is determined, the fluctuation period at the time of the reach is determined according to the value of the fluctuation pattern determination random number. decide.

All symbols change start processing (step S30)
4): The variable display device 9 is controlled so that all symbols start to change. At this time, the right and left middle final stop symbols and information instructing the variation mode are transmitted to the display control board 80. Upon completion of the processing, the internal state (process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S305.

All symbols stop waiting processing (step S30)
5): Control is performed such that all symbols displayed on the variable display device 9 are stopped when a predetermined time (time indicated by the fluctuation reduction timer in step S310) has elapsed. At this time, information for instructing the display control board 80 to stop all symbols is transmitted. If the stop symbol is a combination of big hit symbols, the internal state (process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S306. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

Opening process of opening the special winning opening (step S30)
6): 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. The execution time of the special winning opening process is set by the process timer, and the big hit flag (flag indicating that the big hit is being played) is set.
Do the set. Upon completion of the process, the internal state (process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S307.

Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S30)
7): Control for transmitting display control command data for 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. When the final closing condition of the special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S308.

Specific area effective time processing (step S30)
8): The presence or absence of the passage of the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and a process of confirming the establishment of the jackpot game state continuation condition is performed. If the condition of the jackpot game state continuation is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated to shift to step S306. If the big hit game state continuation condition is not satisfied within the predetermined effective time, or if all rounds have been completed, the internal state is set to step S
309 is updated.

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 state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a process for judging that the hit ball has won the starting winning opening 14. When the hit ball wins the starting winning port 14 provided in the game board 6, the starting port switch 14a is turned on. For example, in the special symbol change waiting process of step S300 of the special symbol process process, when the CPU 56 determines that the starting port switch 14a is turned on via the switch circuit 58 as shown in FIG. It is confirmed whether or not the winning storage number has reached the maximum value of 4 (step S42). If the number of memorized start winnings has not reached 4, the number of memorized start winnings is increased by 1 (step S43), and the value of each random number such as the random number for jackpot determination is extracted. Then, they are 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 4
The number of hit balls that have been won in each of the starting winning ports 14 can be stored.

In the special symbol process of step S26, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of start winning combinations as shown in FIG. 15 (step S51). 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 S52), and the value of the starting prize storing number is reduced by one.
In addition, the value of each random value storage area is shifted (step S53). That is, the number of starting winning memories = n (n = 2,
Each value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to (3, 4) is stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of startup winning storage = n-1.

Then, the CPU 56 determines the hit / miss based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted big hit determination random number (step S54).

When it is determined that the big hit is determined, a big hit symbol determining random number (random 3) is extracted, and a big hit symbol is determined according to the value (step S55). In this embodiment, each symbol of the symbol number set in the big hit symbol table according to the value of the extracted random 3 is determined as the big hit symbol. In the big hit symbol table, a left and right middle symbol number corresponding to each of a plurality of combinations of the big hit symbols is set. Further, the symbol variation pattern is determined based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted variation pattern determining random number (random 4) (step S56).

If it is determined that there is a loss, the CPU 56
Determines the symbols to be stopped in the case of not being a big hit. In this embodiment, the left symbol is determined according to the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted random 2-1 (step S57). Also, random 2-2
The middle symbol is determined according to the value (step S58). Then, the right symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-3 (step S59). Here, when 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 set as the stop symbol of the middle symbol so as not to match the big hit symbol. I do.

Further, when the left and right symbols are the same, that is, when it is determined that the reach is established, the CPU 56 reads out the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random number for determining a fluctuation pattern. A symbol variation pattern is determined based on the value of (random 4) (step S60).

In the high-probability state, when a variation pattern with a shortened variation time is used as the variation pattern at the time of disconnection, in the high-probability state, the CPU 56 uses or shortens the normal variation pattern at the time of disconnection. Whether to use the fluctuation pattern is determined using, for example, a predetermined random number.

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.

Note that the processing shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing in step S30 in the special symbol processing shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the processing when the processing of 1 to S303 is collectively shown.

Next, transmission of a display control command from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 will be described. In this embodiment, the display control command is the display control signal D
The signal is transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 through eight signal lines 0 to D7. The main board 31 and the display control board 8
A signal line of a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also provided between the signal lines.

When a control command is to be output from the game control means to another electrical component control board (sub-board), the start address of the command transmission table is set. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of three bytes, and INT data is set in the first byte. In the command data 1 of the second byte,
MODE data of the first byte of the control command is set. Then, in the command data 2 of the third byte, EXT data of the second byte of the control command is set.

Although the EXT data itself may be set in the command data 2 area, the command data 2
May be set to data for specifying an address of a table in which EXT data is stored. For example, if bit 7 (work area reference bit) of command data 2 is 0, EX
Indicates that the T data itself is set. Such EXT data is data in which bit 7 is 0.
In this embodiment, if the work area reference bit is 1, it indicates that the contents of the transmission buffer are used as EXT data. If the work area reference bit is 1, the other 7 bits may be configured to indicate that it is an offset for specifying the address of the table in which the EXT data is stored.

FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the INT data. Bit 0 in the INT data
Indicates whether a payout control command should be sent to the payout control board 37 or not. If bit 0 is "1", it indicates that a payout control command should be sent. Therefore, CPU5
6 is a prize ball process (step S3 of the timer interrupt process)
In 2), “01 (H)” is set in the INT data. Bit 1 in the INT data indicates whether a display control command should be sent to the display output control board 80 or not. If bit 1 is "1", it indicates that a display control command should be sent. Accordingly, the CPU 56 sets “02 (H)” in the INT data in, for example, the special symbol command control process (step S28 of the timer interrupt process).

Bits 2 and 3 of the INT data are bits indicating whether or not a lamp control command and a sound control command are to be sent, respectively. The INT data, the command data 1 and the command data 2 are set in the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer in the symbol processing or the like. When these commands are transmitted, the corresponding bit of the INT data is set to “1”, and MOD is added to command data 1 and command data 2.
E data and EXT data are set.

In this embodiment, a ring buffer and a transmission buffer are prepared for the payout control command as shown in FIG. In the prize ball processing, when the prize ball payout condition is satisfied, the number of prize balls according to the satisfied condition is sequentially set in the ring buffer. When sending out a payout control command relating to the number of winning balls,
One piece of data is transferred from the ring buffer to the transmission buffer. In the example shown in FIG. 16C, data corresponding to 12 payout control commands can be stored in the ring buffer. That is, there are 12 buffers. The number of buffers in the ring buffer may be a number corresponding to the number of winning ports for generating prize balls. This is because even in the case of simultaneous winning, data of a payout control command based on each winning can be stored.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a control command sent from the main board 31 to another electric component control board. In this embodiment, the control command has a 2-byte configuration, the first byte represents MODE (classification of command), and the second byte represents EXT (type of command). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always "1", and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always "0". As described above, the control command, which is a command to the electric component control board, is composed of a plurality of data, and is in a form in which each can be distinguished by the first bit. The command form shown in FIG. 17 is an example, and another command form may be used. For example, a control command composed of one byte or three or more bytes may be used. FIG. 17 illustrates a payout control command sent to the payout control board 37,
Control commands sent to other electrical component control boards have the same configuration.

FIG. 18 shows an 8-bit control signal CD0 to CD constituting a control command for each electric component control means.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a relationship between the signal No. 7 and an INT signal. As shown in FIG. 18, when a period indicated by A elapses after MODE or EXT data is output to an output port (any one of output ports 1 to 4), the CPU 56 outputs the data output. INT which is a signal indicating
Set the signal to high level (ON data). When the period indicated by B elapses therefrom, the INT signal is set to low level (off data). Further, when there is data to be transmitted next, that is, after the MODE data is transmitted, the data of the second byte is transmitted to the output port after a period indicated by C. Regarding the data of the second byte, the periods of A and B are the same as the case of the first byte.
Thus, the capture signal is output for each of the MODE and EXT data.

The period A is a period for the CPU 56 to prepare for sending a command, that is, a period required for processing for setting a sending command in the buffer, and a period for stabilizing data on the control signal line. That is, after the control signals CD0 to CD7 are output on the control signal line, an INT signal is output as a capture signal after a lapse of a predetermined period (period A: a part of the off output period). Also,
The period B (ON output period) is a period for stabilizing the INT signal. The period C (a part of the off-output period) is a period set so that the electric component control means can reliably take in data. In periods B and C,
The data on the signal line does not change. That is, the data output is maintained until the periods B and C elapse.

In this embodiment, a payout control command to the payout control board 37, a display control command to the display control board 80, a lamp control command to the lamp control board 35, and a sound control command to the sound control board 70 are: It is transmitted using the same command transmission processing routine (common module). Therefore, the period of B and C, that is, the period from the rise of the INT signal relating to the first byte to the start of transmission of the second byte of data, is longer than the reception processing time of the electric component control means which takes the longest time for command reception processing. Is also set to be longer.

Each electrical component control means detects that the INT signal has risen, and starts a process of fetching 1-byte data by, for example, an interrupt process.

Since the periods B and C are longer than the reception processing time of the electric component control means which takes the longest time for the command reception processing, the game control means controls the command transmission processing for each electric component control means by the common module. However, any of the electric component control means can reliably receive the control command from the game control means.

When a predetermined period has elapsed after the execution of the INT signal output processing, the CPU 56 is ready to transmit the next data.
It is longer than the period (period A) from sending the data before the T signal output process to starting to output the INT signal. As described above, the period A is a stabilization period in the command signal line, and the periods B and C are periods for securing the time required for the receiving side to capture data. Therefore, by making the period A shorter than the periods B and C, it is possible to obtain an effect that the receiving-side electric component control means can reliably receive a command, and complete the transmission of one command. This also has the effect of shortening the time required.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a display control command sent from the main board 31 for controlling the game to the display control board 80. In the example shown in FIG. 19, commands 8000 (H) to 80XX (H) are display control commands for specifying a special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 9 that variably displays a special symbol. Note that the command for designating the variation pattern also serves as the variation start instruction.

Commands 91XX, 92XX and 93X
X is a display control command for designating a left middle right stop symbol of a special symbol. The command 8F00 is a special symbol power-on display command (power-on display command) for instructing the initial display of the special symbol. Upon receiving the power-on display command, the display control means performs control to display a predetermined combination of special symbols on the variable display device 9. The command A0XX is a display control command (confirmation command) for instructing the stop of the variable display of the special symbol.

The command BXXX is a display control command sent from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. However, when the symbol display device 10 is normally controlled by the lamp control means, B1XX (H) and B2XX
(H) is not sent to the display control board 80. Also,
The command C000 (H) is a command for instructing a customer waiting demonstration. By such a command, the previous appearance display and the display of the name of the gaming machine are alternately displayed at a constant cycle.

The command C100 (H) is a special command transmitted when the power-off game state is stored in the backup RAM of the game control means when the power is turned on and the symbols are changing when the power is turned off. This is a symbol power failure recovery command. Upon receiving the special symbol power failure restoration command, the display control means starts control for displaying the instructed left and right symbols. The designated left and right middle symbols are commands to specify left and right middle stop symbols that are sent after the special symbol power failure recovery command, and commands to specify left and right middle stop symbols that were sent just before the power was turned off. This is the same command as

Commands D000 (H) to D400 (H)
Is a display control command related to a variation pattern of a normal symbol. However, when the symbol display 10 is normally controlled by the lamp control means, those commands are not sent to the display control board 80.

When the display control means of the display control board 80 receives the above-mentioned display control command from the game control means of the main board 31, the display control means changes to the contents shown in FIG. 19 or to the contents shown in FIG. The display state of the variable display device 9 and the ordinary symbol display 10 (when the display control means also controls the ordinary symbols) is changed according to the effect content determined based on the effect content (effect effect such as a notice effect in this example). .

Although a detailed description of the lamp control command and the voice control command is omitted, in this example, the commands 8XXX, AXXX, BXXX and CXXX are used.
Are used in common with the display control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command, for example, in a common control state.

Next, as an example of the electric component control means other than the game control means, a display control means including a display control CPU 101 will be described. In this example, the display control unit controls the driving of the vibration motor 177 (in this example, the processing in which a drive signal is output to the vibration motor 177 via the emission control board 91 is indirectly performed.
This is also an example of an electric component control unit that performs the drive control of (i).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the display control CPU 101. In the main process, first, an initialization process for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, and initializing a 2 ms timer for determining a display control activation interval is performed (step S701). After that, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for checking the monitoring of the timer interrupt flag (step S702). In the loop, a process of updating a counter for generating a predetermined random number is also performed (step S710). Then, as shown in FIG. 21, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). In the main processing, if the timer interrupt flag is set, the display control CPU 1
01 clears the flag (step S703),
The following variable display control processing is executed.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interruption is performed every 2 ms. That is, the variable display control process is activated every 2 ms. Further, in this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interruption processing, and the specific variable display control processing is executed in the main processing. However, the variable display control processing may be executed in the timer interruption processing. .

In the variable display control process, the display control C
The PU 101 first analyzes the received display control command (command analysis execution processing: step S704). Next, the display control CPU 101 performs a display control process (step S705). In the display control process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. Then, when driving the vibration motor 177, the display control CPU 101 outputs a drive signal to the emission control board 91 and issues a drive command to the vibration device drive circuit 93 (step S706). Then, the process returns to step S710.

In the present example, each random number is updated by a random number update process (step S710) in a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S702). The update of each random number is not limited to being performed in the random number update process, and may be performed in, for example, a timer interrupt process, or may be performed in both the random number update process and the timer interrupt process. Good.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S705) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process,
Step S800 according to the value of the display control process flag
To S805. In each process, the following processes are performed.

Display control command reception waiting processing (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received by the command reception interrupt processing. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a flag indicating that the variation pattern command has been received has been set. Such a flag is set when the display control command reception command sent from the main board 31 stored in the reception command buffer is a variable pattern command.

Performance mode determination processing (step S801):
The process of determining the reach effect contents and the notice effect contents, determining the effect mode according to the determined contents and the received change pattern command, and setting the fluctuation pattern table and the operation pattern table according to the determined effect mode. Do.

Specifically, the display control board 80 includes a random number for reach effect determination, a random number for reach notification determination, a random number for jackpot notification determination, and a random number for positive change notification determination.
Then, in the effect mode determination process in step S801, the display control CPU 101 determines whether to perform a jackpot announcement, a reach announcement, or a probable change announcement using the above-described random numbers. The type of effect (a plurality of types of effects are prepared in advance) is determined. In addition, the display control CPU 101 determines the type of reach effect (a plurality of types of effects are prepared in advance) in the case of reach using the above-described random numbers. As described above, in the present example, the display control CPU 101 determines whether to perform a re-lottery effect, perform a reach announcement, perform a jackpot announcement, or perform a probable change announcement. The effect contents (for example, the contents of the reach announcement effect) are determined. It should be noted that the display control command received from the main board 31 and capable of specifying the fluctuation time includes information on whether or not a big hit, a certainty big hit or not, and whether or not a reach is made.

Further, the display control CPU 101 determines the effect mode (variable display device) according to the effect contents determined in the effect mode determination process in step S801 and the display control command capable of specifying the received fluctuation time. 9 and the mode of the effect performed using the vibration motor 177). Then, the display control CPU 101 sets the variation pattern table (table in which the display pattern on the variable display device 9 is set) according to the determined effect mode.
Is specified, and a process of setting the variation pattern table as a variation pattern table to be used is performed. The display control CPU 101 also specifies an operation pattern table (table in which the operation pattern of the vibration motor 177 is set) set according to the determined effect mode, and uses the operation pattern table to use the operation pattern table. Is also set. When the operation pattern table to be used is set, the display control CPU 101
Sets the production start flag. The production start flag is
It is referred to in a drive signal output process described later. If there is no operation pattern table set according to the determined effect mode (if an effect in which the drive control of the vibration motor 177 is not performed is performed), the display control CPU 101
Does not set the operation pattern table or set the effect start flag. Then, the display control CPU 101
Performs the processing after step S802.

The above-mentioned variation pattern table is stored in a recording medium such as a ROM mounted on the display control board 80 or an external ROM. Each variation pattern table is provided corresponding to each presentation mode determined by the display control CPU 101 in the presentation mode determination process in step S801. Further, each fluctuation pattern table is configured by a plurality of fluctuation blocks, and each fluctuation state (a fluctuation speed, a fluctuation period at the speed, and the like) is set.

The operation pattern table described above is
Display control C in effect mode determination processing in step S801.
A plurality of operation pattern tables such as an operation pattern 1 to an operation pattern XX are stored in a recording medium such as a ROM. In the operation pattern table, data indicating turning on or off of the vibration motor 177 and data indicating an on or off period are set, respectively.

All symbols change start processing (step S80)
2): Control is performed so that the fluctuation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

Symbol variation processing (step S803): The switching timing of each variation state (variation speed, background, character) constituting the variation pattern is controlled, and the end of the variation time is monitored. Also, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

All symbols stop wait setting process (step S80)
4): At the end of the fluctuation time, if a display control command (confirmation command) for instructing to stop all the symbols has been received, the control for stopping the fluctuation of the symbols and displaying the stopped symbol (confirmed symbol) is performed.

Big hit display processing (step S805): After the end of the fluctuation time, the control of the probability big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the drive signal output process in step S706 in the display control main process. In the solenoid output process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the effect is being produced by the vibration motor 177 (step S706a). Whether or not an effect is being performed is determined based on the state of an effect flag, which will be described later.

If the effect is not being produced in step S706a, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the effect start flag is set (step S706b).
The effect start flag is a flag that is set when the operation pattern table is set as the use table in the process of step S801 described above. If the effect start flag is set, the display control CPU 10
1 clears the effect start flag (step S706c) and sets the effect flag (step S706c).
706d). Then, the display control CPU 101 starts an effect, outputs a drive signal to the vibration device drive circuit 93 according to the use table set in the above-described processing of step S801, and controls the drive of the vibration motor 177. (Step S706e).

If the effect is being produced in step S706a,
The display control CPU 101 continuously outputs the drive signal to the vibration device drive circuit 93 according to the use table, and continues the drive control of the vibration motor 177 (step S706f). Then, when the effect is finished (step S7)
06g), the display control CPU 101 clears the effect flag (step S706h). The effect start flag and the effect flag are stored, for example, in a predetermined area of a RAM included in the display control board 80.

Next, a lamp control CPU 351 mounted on a lamp control board 35 which is an example of an electric component control means.
The operation of the lamp control means including the above will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the lamp control CPU 351. In the main process, the lamp control CPU 351 first executes an initialization process of initializing a register, a RAM including a work area, an output port, and the like (step S441). Next, it is determined whether a lamp control command has been received from the main board 31 (step S442: command confirmation processing). Further, a process of updating the random number according to the content of the received lamp control command is performed (step S443).

Next, a command execution process for changing lamp data to be used is performed in accordance with the received lamp control command (step S444). In addition,
The lamp control command from the main board 31 is fetched in an interrupt process started in response to the input of the INT signal, and is stored in the RAM.
Are stored in the input buffer formed in the.

Thereafter, in this embodiment, the lamp control CPU 351 shifts to a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S445). Then, when a timer interrupt occurs, the ramp control CPU 351 sets a timer interrupt flag. In the main processing, if the timer interrupt flag is set, the lamp control C
The PU 351 clears the flag (Step S446), and performs a ramp process update process and a port output process (Steps S447, S448).

In this embodiment, the lighting pattern of the lamp / LED that is controlled to blink in accordance with the progress of the game is RO
It is controlled according to the lamp data stored in M.
Further, in this embodiment, the lamp control board 35 has the same random number as the random number provided on the display control board 80 for determining the effect contents. Each of these random numbers has an initial value set in response to, for example, a control command for initial value setting sent periodically from the main board 31, for example. It is updated in synchronization with the random number. That is, in this embodiment, since the timer interruption in each of the boards 70, 80, and 35 is performed for the same period (specifically, for every 2 ms), each of the random numbers of the lamp control board 35 is different from the other. Is controlled so as to have the same value as the corresponding random number of the electric component control boards 80 and 70. Accordingly, if the lamp data is set so that the effect determined by the display control board 80 and the effect determined by the lamp control board 35 are mutually related effects based on the same random number value, The lamp control board 35 includes the display control board 80 described above.
By the same processing as described above, for example, it is possible to select lamp data for executing an effect related to the effect performed by the display control board 80.

The ramp data is prepared for each type of control pattern. In this example, the lamp data is prepared for each effect mode determined from the control command indicating the type of the change pattern designation and the determined effect contents, similarly to the change pattern and the operation pattern on the display control board 80. The ramp data is also prepared for each control command related to other game effects sent from the game control means according to the game progress status.

In the lamp data, data indicating that the lamp / LED is to be turned on or off, and data indicating the period of turning on or off (process timer value) are set. That is, the data indicating the lighting pattern of the light emitter is stored in the control data area. The lamp control CPU 351 turns on or off the lamp / LED in accordance with the lamp data corresponding to the determined effect mode, so that it is possible to perform an effect that matches the effect by the other electric component control boards 80 and 70.

In the ramp process update process, a process of subtracting the value of the timer in which the value corresponding to the process timer value is initially set is performed. The lamp / LED is determined to be turned off or lit accordingly, and a process timer value according to the determination result is set in the timer. Also, when the process timer value is set to the timer, it is the time when the switching of the light-on / off is performed.
Data for turning on or off the LED is output to the corresponding output port.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt is performed every 2 ms. That is, the ramp process update process and the port output process are activated every 2 ms.

Here, the address map of the ROM mounted on the lamp control board 35 will be described. The ROM area includes a control data area and a control program area.
The control data area includes an initialization data table used for initialization of a register, a RAM, an output port, etc., a storage display LED display table used for turning on / off the start storage display 18, and a lamp described later. Data is stored. In the control program area, a main processing program, initialization processing,
Each program for command recognition processing and command execution processing is stored, and programs for specific lamp / LED processing, lamp process update processing, port output processing, command reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing are also stored.

In this embodiment, data indicating the lighting pattern of the lamp / LED is stored in the lamp data in the control data area. In the lighting patterns of the lamps / LEDs stored in the lamp data, the lighting patterns of the lamps / LEDs are determined according to the determined effect mode. That is, in this example, the lighting pattern of the lamp / LED stored in the lamp data is set such that the lighting of the lamp / LED is performed in synchronization with the variation of the display performed on the display control board 80. ing. Then, in the lamp process updating process (step S447) in the main process, turning on / off of the lamp / LED is controlled with reference to the lamp data. Therefore, a ramp or a lamp selected in accordance with the rendering mode determined based on the variation pattern command from the main board 31 and the rendering content determined in accordance with the value of the extracted random number.
When the control is performed according to the lighting pattern of the LED, the turning on / off of the lamp / LED is controlled in synchronization with the display on the display control board 80.

Next, the operation of the sound control means (sound control means) including the sound control CPU 701 mounted on the sound control board 70 as an example of the electric component control means will be described. FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the sound control CPU 701. In the main process, the sound control CPU 701 first executes an initialization process for initializing a register, a RAM including a work area, an output port, and the like (step S461). Next, it is determined whether a sound control command has been received from the main board 31 (step S462: command confirmation processing). Further, a process of updating the random number according to the content of the received sound control command is performed (step S463).

Next, the sound control CPU 701 performs a command execution process, such as a process of changing voice data to be used, according to the received sound control command (step S464). Note that the sound control command from the main board 31 is captured by an interrupt process started in response to the input of the INT signal, and stored in an input buffer formed in the RAM.

Thereafter, in this embodiment, the sound control C
The PU 701 monitors the timer interrupt flag (Step S4
65). When a timer interrupt occurs, the sound control CPU 701 sets a timer interrupt flag. In the main processing, if the timer interrupt flag is set, the CPU 701 for sound control
Clears the flag (step S46).
6), a voice process update process and a port output process are performed (steps S467 and S468).

In this embodiment, the sound pattern output from the speaker 27 in accordance with the progress of the game is controlled in accordance with the sound data stored in the ROM. Also,
In this embodiment, the sound control board 70 has the same random number as that of the display control board 80 for determining the effect contents. Each random number is, for example, the main board 31
For example, the initial value is set in response to the reception of a control command for setting an initial value, which is periodically sent from the CPU, and is updated in synchronization with the corresponding random numbers of the other electric component control boards 80 and 35. That is, in this embodiment, since the timer interruption in each of the boards 70, 80, and 35 is performed for the same period (specifically, for every 2 ms), each of the random numbers of the lamp control board 35 is different from the other. Is controlled so as to have the same value as the corresponding random number of the electric component control boards 80 and 70. Accordingly, the effect determined by the display control board 80 based on the same random number value and the sound control board 70
If the sound data is set so that the effect determined by is the effect related to each other, the sound control board 70
By the same processing as that of the display control board 80 described above, for example, it is possible to select audio data for performing an effect related to the effect performed by the display control board 80.

The audio data is prepared for each type of control pattern. In this example, the audio data is prepared for each effect mode determined from the control command indicating the type of the change pattern designation and the determined effect contents, similarly to the change pattern and the operation pattern on the display control board 80. The audio data is also prepared for each control command related to other game effects sent from the game control means according to the game progress state.

The voice synthesizing circuit 702 includes a transfer request signal (SIRQ) and a serial clock signal (SIC
K), a serial data signal (SI) and a transfer end signal (SRDY). Voice synthesis circuit 702
When SIRQ goes low, SI is fetched one bit at a time in synchronization with SICK, and when SRDY goes low, data consisting of each SI
Is interpreted as two audio data.

In each voice data, data corresponding to the serial data signal output to the voice synthesis circuit 702 and data indicating the duration (process timer value) of the voice generated according to the data are set. I have. That is, the control data stores data indicating an output pattern from the sound generating means (the speaker 27 in this example). The sound control CPU 701 performs sound output control in accordance with sound data corresponding to the determined effect mode,
It is possible to perform an effect that matches the effect produced by the other electric component control boards 80 and 35.

In the audio process updating process, a process of subtracting the value of the timer in which the value corresponding to the process timer value is initially set is performed, and when the timer times out, the data set to the next address in the audio data is updated. Accordingly, it is determined to change to the output sound, and a process timer value according to the determination result is set in the timer. Further, when the process timer value is set to the timer, the output audio is switched, and therefore, in the port output process (step S468), the output audio is output through the output port for outputting data to the audio synthesis circuit 702.
Data corresponding to the new output voice is output to the voice synthesis circuit 702.

More specifically, the voice control CPU 701
In the port output processing, the SIRQ is turned on (low level), the data (voice command) read from the ROM (voice command data area) is output as SI in synchronization with SICK, and when the output is completed, SRDY is set to low level. I do. When receiving the data by the SI, the voice synthesis circuit 702 generates a voice according to the received data.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt is performed every 2 ms. That is, the voice process updating process and the port output process are activated every 2 ms.

Here, the RO mounted on the sound control board 70 is
The address map of M will be described. The ROM area includes a control data area and a control program area. The control data area stores an initialization data table used when initializing registers, RAMs, output ports, and the like. In the control data area, an address of a program in which a process corresponding to the upper byte (MODE data) of the voice control command is stored, and a MOD
A command upper byte table in which an address table corresponding to the E data is set is stored. In the command execution process (step S466), the contents of the command upper byte table are referred to according to the MODE data of the received voice control command, and the corresponding process (program) is executed. In the process, data in the audio data selection table stored next to the command upper byte table in the control data area is specified according to the address table and the lower byte (EXT data) of the received voice control command. . Then, the audio data indicated by the specified data is selected.

The control program area stores a main processing program and programs for initialization processing, command recognition processing, and command execution processing. Also,
A voice address selection program is also stored.
Further, the control program area stores voice process update processing, port output processing, command reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing.

In this embodiment, the speech synthesis circuit 702
Is stored in the voice command data in the control data area. Then, in the voice process updating process (step S467) in the main process, the voice data is referred to, and the output voice is controlled with reference to the voice command data. In this embodiment, data (voice command data) indicating a voice output pattern is stored in the voice data in the control data area. As the sound output pattern stored in the sound data, the sound output pattern is determined corresponding to the determined effect mode.
That is, in this example, the pattern of the audio output stored in the audio data is set so that the audio output is performed in synchronization with the variation of the display executed on the display control board 80. Then, in the audio process update process (step S467) in the main process, the audio output is controlled with reference to the audio data. Therefore, when the control is performed by the audio output pattern selected according to the effect pattern determined based on the variation pattern command from the main board 31 and the effect content determined by the extracted random number value, the display on the display control board 80 is performed. The audio output is controlled in synchronism with.

Next, an example of a display state of the variable display device 9 and an operation state of the vibration motor 177 at that time will be described.

First, an example in which the vibration by the vibration motor 177 is used as a reach announcement effect will be described. FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timings of the drive control process of the vibration motor 177 and the variable display process executed by the display control CPU 101 when performing the reach announcement effect. The processing of the vibration motor shown in FIG. 26 may be used as a jackpot announcement effect or a probable change announcement effect. FIG. 26 shows a game production device 40.
The ON / OFF timings of the solenoids 40Aa and 40Ba that drive A and 40B are also shown.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 26, the “left” on the variable display
High-speed fluctuation is performed in the "right" and "middle" symbol display areas. Thereafter, at the timing of the left symbol replacement, a symbol (here, “4”) three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed in the symbol display area of “left”, and the three symbols are changed at a low speed. Controlled. In the present example, the drive control of the vibration motor 177 is started by the display control CPU 101 at the timing of the left symbol replacement. In this example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the drive signal is repeatedly turned on / off, and the vibration motor 177 is in an intermittently vibrating operation state, and accordingly, the hitting ball operation handle 5 with which the player is in contact intermittently vibrates. It will be. This intermittent vibration serves as a reach notice. Then, the display control CPU 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a start timing of the left symbol swinging variation, in which the symbol is repeatedly varied in the “left” symbol display area in a direction opposite to the forward direction of the variation direction. That is, display control is performed in a so-called fluctuation state. The swing fluctuation means that a display in which the design swings up and down is made. It should be noted that the swing fluctuation may not be a form of swinging the symbol up and down, but may be a form of swinging the symbol right and left.

The display control CPU 101 sets the “left”
At the same time as the third symbol (here, “6”) in the low-speed fluctuation in the symbol display area is displayed (ie, at the timing of the right symbol replacement), the “right” of the variable display device 9 is displayed. In the symbol display area, a symbol (here, “4”) three symbols before the stop symbol in the “right” symbol display area is displayed, and control is performed so that the three symbols are changed at a low speed. Next, at the start timing of the right symbol swing variation, the display is controlled to the swing variation state in the “right” symbol display area. After that, the display control CPU 101
Executes the swing fluctuation control of the left and right symbols until the middle symbol is determined. In addition, the display control CPU 101 performs a reach change (reach effect) in the “right” symbol display area. In the present example, while the reach fluctuation is being performed in the variable display device 9, the drive control of the solenoids 40Aa and 40Ba is performed under the control of the CPU 56, and ON / OFF is repeatedly performed here. Solenoid 40Aa, 40
When Ba is repeatedly turned on / off, the game effect devices 40A and 40B rotate. This operation becomes a reach effect (strictly, a part of the reach effect). And
At the start timing of the middle symbol swing fluctuation, the display is controlled to the swing fluctuation state in the "medium" symbol display area.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the left and right symbols are in the low-speed fluctuation state, the drive signal of the vibration motor 177 is intermittently adjusted according to the symbol movement displayed in each symbol display area. Is output. Therefore, the game effect is performed as if the player can feel the movement of the symbol through the hit ball operation handle 5. Further, in the present example, after the left and right symbols are in the swing variation state, at the timing before the reach variation is started in the middle symbol, the display control CPU 10
With 1, the drive signal is maintained in the off state, and the operation state of the vibration motor 177 ends. And
When a display control command instructing stop of all the symbols is received from the main board 31, the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols is ended, and the left and right symbols are fixed so that the middle symbols do not move.

Next, an example in which the vibration by the vibration motor 177 is used as a reach effect will be described. FIG. 27 shows a display control CPU 10 when a reach effect is performed.
6 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timings of a drive control process and a variable display process of a vibration motor 177 executed by a first control process. The process of the vibration motor shown in FIG. 27 may be used as a jackpot announcement effect or a probable change announcement effect.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 27, the “left” on the variable display
High-speed fluctuation is performed in the "right" and "middle" symbol display areas. Thereafter, at the timing of the left symbol replacement, a symbol (here, “4”) three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed in the symbol display area of “left”, and the three symbols are changed at a low speed. Controlled. And a display control CPU.
101 is the start timing of the left symbol swing fluctuation, which is "left"
In the symbol display area, the display is controlled to be in the fluctuation state.

The display control CPU 101 sets “left”
At the same time as the third symbol (here, “6”) in the low-speed fluctuation in the symbol display area is displayed (ie, at the timing of the right symbol replacement), the “right” of the variable display device 9 is displayed. In the symbol display area, a symbol (here, “4”) three symbols before the stop symbol in the “right” symbol display area is displayed, and control is performed so that the three symbols are changed at a low speed. Next, at the start timing of the right symbol swing variation, the display is controlled to the swing variation state in the “right” symbol display area. After that, the display control CPU 101
Executes the swing fluctuation control of the left and right symbols until the middle symbol is determined.

Next, the display control CPU 101
The reach is changed in the "medium" symbol display area. In this example, a character (for example, a person or an animal) is displayed on the variable display device 9 by the reach variation. In this example, the display control CPU is used at the appearance timing of the character.
The drive control of the vibration motor 177 is started by 101. In this example, as shown in FIG. 27, the drive signal is turned on at the same time as the appearance of the character, and the vibration motor 177 is continuously vibrated while the character is displayed. The ball hitting operation handle 5 that is in contact with vibrates. This vibration becomes a reach effect (strictly, a part of the reach effect). As described above, the vibration motor 17
Since the drive signal of No. 7 is output, a game effect is performed as if the player can feel the movement of the character through the hit ball operation handle 5. In this case, the driving signal is output in accordance with the movement of the character displayed on the variable display device 9 to vibrate the vibration motor 177 instead of simply outputting the driving signal in accordance with the appearance period of the character (for example, It is possible to vibrate as the character steps, or to vibrate when the character collides with an obstacle or the like.) It can be performed effectively.

When the reach fluctuation ends, the display control CPU 101 controls the display in the "medium" symbol display area to the fluctuation state at the start timing of the medium symbol fluctuation fluctuation. When a display control command instructing stop of all the symbols is received from the main board 31, the swing fluctuation 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.

As described above, the vibration generating means (for example, the vibrating means for vibrating the firing operation means (ball hitting handle 5))
Since the vibration motor 177) is provided, it is possible to perform a variety of game effects (eg, a reach effect, a reach announcement effect, a jackpot announcement effect, a positive change announcement effect) including an effect by the vibration generating means. Can be improved.

Further, as described above, the electric component control means (display control means in the above-described example) determines whether or not to operate the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration motor 177) and operates the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration motor 177). In addition, the operation content is also determined, and a drive signal is output to the emission control means (for example, the emission control board 91) in accordance with the determined content, so that the drive control of the vibration generation means (the drive control by the electric component control means) is performed. ). Then, as described above, the vibration generating means driving circuit (for example, the motor driving circuit 93b) mounted on the firing control means generates the vibration in accordance with the driving signal from the electric component control means (display control means in the above-described example). It is configured to perform control for actually driving the means (drive control in the vibration generation means drive circuit). As described above, since the drive control of the vibration generating unit is performed by the electric component control unit (the display control unit in the above-described example), the effect by the vibration generating unit can be performed without increasing the control load of the game control unit. A variety of game effects can enhance the interest of the game.

Further, as described above, a game effect is performed using the display (for example, the variable display device 9), and the electric component control means (display control means) controls the vibration generation means in connection with the game effect by the display. (For example, the vibration motor 177) is configured to operate, so that a variety of game effects can be performed by the display and the vibration generation means, and the interest of the game can be improved.

As described above, when the predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the regulation state is set by the vibration setting switch 190, the touch sensor 176 determines that the player is not in contact with the hit ball operation handle. (In the case of sensing), it is provided with a vibration restricting means (for example, a vibration restricting circuit 93a) capable of restricting the operation of the vibration generating means. When it is not desired to operate the vibration generating means, it is possible to control the vibration generating means so as not to operate.

As described above, when the vibration restricting means (for example, the vibration restricting circuit 93a) selects the restriction by the restriction selecting means (for example, the vibration setting switch 190), the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration setting switch 190). For example, since the operation of the vibration motor 177) is restricted, it is possible to control not to operate the vibration generating means in accordance with the result of selection by the restriction selecting means. For example, it is possible to set so that the vibration generating means does not operate according to the judgment of a game clerk or the like.

As described above, the vibration restricting means (for example, the vibration restricting circuit 93a) restricts the operation of the vibration generating means when there is no detection by the detecting means (for example, the touch sensor 176). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vibration generating means from performing useless operations. In other words, even if the vibration motor is vibrated when the player is not in contact with the hitting operation handle 5, the player cannot sense the vibration, resulting in a useless operation. Such waste can be prevented.

As described above, the vibration generating means driving circuit (for example, the motor driving circuit 93b and the vibration device driving circuit 93) is provided with the firing control means (for example, the firing control board 9).
Since the display control board 80 does not need to be provided with a vibration generating means driving circuit,
Circuit design becomes easy.

As described above, since the electric component control means (display control means in the above-described example) is configured to determine the operation contents of the vibration generation means (for example, the vibration motor 177), It is possible to prevent the control load of the control means from increasing.

Furthermore, as described above, the game effect device 4
Since the reach effect is performed by operating the 0A and 40B, the interest of the game can be improved. Further, since the game effect devices 40A and 40B are provided on the glass door frame, they can be continuously used even when the game board 6 is replaced, and the glass door frames have the same configuration. A plurality of gaming machines, game effect devices 40A,
An effect by 40B can be performed. In addition, you may make it perform other game effects, such as a big hit effect and a notice effect, by the operation of the game effect devices 40A and 40B. With this configuration, the game effect devices 40A, 40A
By the operation of B, the player can be notified of the gaming state.

In the above embodiment, the display control means controls the drive of the vibration generating means. However, the other electric component control means (lamp control means, sound control means) controls the vibration generation means. You may make it. According to this structure, since the drive control of the vibration generating means is performed by the electric component control means (the lamp control means and the sound control means), the effect by the vibration generating means is included without increasing the control load of the game control means. A variety of game effects can enhance the interest of the game. Further, in a case where the drive control of the vibration generating means is performed by other electric component control means (lamp control means, sound control means) in the same manner as in the above-described example, the electric components (light emitters such as lamps and LEDs, The vibration generating means is operated in connection with the game effect by the sound output means such as the speaker 27, and various game effects can be performed by the electric component and the vibration generating means.
It is possible to improve the interest of the game.

Here, when the vibration control means is controlled by the sound control means, the vibration motor 177 is controlled.
In the following, an example in which vibrations caused by is used as a reach effect and a big hit effect will be described. FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timings of a drive control process of the vibration motor 177 executed by the sound control CPU 701 and a variable display process executed by the display control CPU 101 when a reach effect is performed. FIG. 28 shows an example in which a reach effect and a big hit effect are performed, but only one of the effects may be performed by the vibration motor 177. Here, a detailed description of a portion that performs the same process as the process illustrated in FIG. 27 described above is omitted.

In this example, at the start timing of the reach fluctuation in the "middle" symbol display area, the sound control CPU 7
01, sound output of the melody sound and the bass sound is started from the left and right speakers 27 and the vibration motor 1
The drive control of 77 is started. CPU 701 for sound control
When the reach fluctuation ends, the display control is performed in the fluctuation state in the "medium" symbol display area at the start timing of the medium symbol fluctuation fluctuation. When a display control command for instructing all symbols to stop is received from the main board 31, the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and the left and right symbols are determined to be in a fixed state in which the symbols are not moved. Is started. In this example, the drive control of the vibration motor 177 is continuously performed until the end of the big hit. That is, the reach effect and the big hit effect are performed by the vibration operation by the vibration motor 177.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 28, the drive signal is turned on / off in accordance with the on / off of the bass sound in the sound output during the production, and the vibration is generated during the period in which the bass sound is being output. The motor 177 vibrates, and the vibration motor 177 does not vibrate during a period in which the bass sound is not output. This vibration becomes a reach effect (strictly, a part of the reach effect) and a big hit effect (strictly, a part of the big hit effect). As described above, since the drive signal of the vibration motor 177 is output in accordance with the output state of the base sound, the game effect can be made full of presence.

As described above, in the case where the vibration control means is controlled by the sound control means, the effect by the sound output means as an electrical component and the effect by the vibration generation means can be performed in a more associated manner. Become like Similarly, if the vibration generating means is controlled by the lamp control means, the light emitting body (a lamp or an LE
The effect by D) and the effect by the vibration generating means can be performed in a more associated manner.

Further, as described above, the electric component includes the sound output means (for example, the speaker 27) for outputting sounds related to the game performance, and the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration motor 17).
In the case where 7) is configured to vibrate in accordance with the sound output from the sound output means, various game effects can be performed by the sound output means and the vibration generation means, and the interest of the game is increased. Can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the vibration generating means driving circuit (for example, the vibration device driving circuit 93, the motor driving circuit 93b) is mounted on the firing control means (for example, the firing control board 91). Alternatively, it may be configured to be mounted on an electric component control board (for example, any one of the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70) for controlling the drive of the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration motor 177). FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 31 and the like in a case where the vibration generation unit driving circuit is mounted on the display control board 80. Here, the description of each unit configured similarly to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 described above is omitted. In this example, as shown in FIG. 29, the vibration device driving circuit 93 is mounted on the display control board 80, and the display control board 80 directly controls the vibration motor 177 (without passing through the emission control board 91). ing. With such a configuration, the various effects described above can be obtained without changing the configuration of the launch control board 91.

In the above embodiment, the display control means of the display control board 80 outputs a drive signal to drive and control the vibration generating means (for example, the vibration motor 177). An effect control unit that controls electric components (for example, various electric components such as the variable display device 9, a lamp / LED, and a speaker) may output a drive signal to perform drive control of the vibration generating unit.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 31 and the like when an effect control board 500 including effect control means is provided. Here, the description of each unit configured similarly to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 described above is omitted. The effect control board 500 includes a display control board 80, a lamp control board 35, and a sound control board 70.
It has the various functions that are provided simultaneously. That is, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 500 controls the display of the variable display device 9 for variably displaying special symbols and the ordinary symbol display 10 for variably displaying ordinary symbols. The effect control means mounted on the effect control board 500 controls the display of the start memory display 18 and the normal symbol start memory display 41 provided on the game board, and is provided on the frame side. The display control of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the award ball lamp 51, and the ball out lamp 52 is performed. Further, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 500 includes the speaker 2
7 is controlled.

The effect control board 500 performs various controls in accordance with control instructions from the main board 31 by effect control commands. The effect control command is set so that the same control instruction as the display control command, the lamp control command, and the sound control command can be performed. Therefore, the control executed by each of the electric component control boards 80, 35, and 70 can be performed by the effect control board 500 alone. Further, the effect control board 500 performs drive signal output processing (FIG. 23) in the same manner as the display control board 80 described above.
Reference) and the vibration motor 1
The drive control of 77 is performed.

With the above configuration, the production control board 5
The control of 00 makes it possible to control the driving of the vibration generating means. Therefore, the interest of the game can be improved without increasing the control load of the game control means. Further, when the effect control unit is configured to independently control each electric component and the vibration generation unit as described above, for example, a display device (for example, the variable display device 9), a light-emitting body such as a lamp or an LED (for example, LEDs 34a, 34
b), and even in the case where the effect is produced using electrical components belonging to a plurality of types (different types of display, sound, light, etc.) such as an audio output device (for example, speaker 27), a synchronized effect can be easily achieved. As a result, it is possible to perform the effect by the vibration generating means which is more associated with the effect by each electric component. Furthermore, when the effect control means is configured to control each of the game effect devices and each electric component independently, the control command for instructing the effect may be output only to the effect control board 500. Can be reduced.
In the case where the effect control means is configured to control each of the game effect devices and each electric component independently, a random number (random number for determining the effect content) and an effect mode for determining an effect mode such as a control program. The configuration is changed to each substrate (for example, substrates 80 and 3).
5, 70), it is not necessary to provide them for each stage, so that it is possible to perform synchronized effects with a simple configuration. Further, when the effect control means is configured to control each of the game effect devices and each electric component independently, a process for determining the effect mode is performed for each substrate (for example, the substrates 80, 35, and 70). Since it is not necessary to execute the duplication, the control load of the gaming machine as a whole is reduced. Further, the control of each of the gaming effect devices and the electric components described above is performed by a plurality of substrates (for example, the substrates 80 and 3).
5, 70), the synchronization may be temporarily lost. However, if the effect control means is configured to independently control each game effect device and each electric component, such a situation may occur. However, synchronized production can be performed reliably.

A setting switch for selecting a type (display, sound, light, or the like) may be provided, and it may be set as to which type the effect is to be produced by the vibration of the vibration motor 177. According to this structure, it is possible to select and set the effect by the vibration of the vibration motor 177 to the effect by the electric component belonging to which type by the judgment of the game store clerk or the like.

Further, the effect control board may have a structure including the functions of any two boards, instead of the structure including the functions of the three boards 80, 35, and 70 as described above.
In this case, the effect control board is, for example, the display control board 80
And a function including the functions of the display control board 80 and the sound control board 70.

In the above-described embodiment, the display control board 80 determines the contents of the effect and controls the vibration generating means (the vibration motor 177). It may be configured to determine whether or not to perform the reach announcement, the reach effect mode, and whether or not to perform the re-lottery effect (except for the case where the re-lottery effect is always performed). For example, the game control means determines which of the reach effect modes to perform the reach effect, and the display control means determines whether or not to perform the reach announcement in accordance with the reach effect mode determined by the game control means, What is necessary is just to determine whether to perform a reach announcement according to an aspect. According to this example, the reach announcement effect according to the reach effect mode determined by the game control means,
This can be determined on the display control means side. In this case, an effect may be performed only by the effect control by the display control unit, or an effect synchronized with the effect by the sound control unit or the lamp control unit may be performed as in the above-described example.

In the above-described embodiment, the vibration generating means (vibration motor 177) is configured to perform a plurality of types of different vibration operations depending on the effect. (Operation start timing, operation end timing, operation speed, operation interval, etc.). With this configuration, various vibration operations can be performed at various timings.

In this case, the reliability (for example, the big hit reliability, the reach development reliability, the certainty big hit reliability, the certain big hit reliability at the time of the reach, etc.) may be made different depending on the difference of the vibration operation. The jackpot reliability is a value indicating a rate of developing into a jackpot when the corresponding reach effect or jackpot notice effect is executed. The reach development reliability is a value indicating a rate of development to reach when the relevant reach announcement effect is executed. The probability change jackpot reliability is determined when the relevant probability change notice effect is executed,
This is a value that indicates the probability of change. The probability change probability of hit at the time of the reach is a value indicating the probability of the probability change when the relevant probability change announcement effect is executed and the reach is further developed. For example, if the start timing of the vibration operation is early, the reliability (such as the jackpot reliability or the reach development reliability) increases, and if the start timing of the vibration operation is slow, the reliability decreases. The reliability can be made different depending on the timing at which the generating means is vibrated.

In the above-described embodiment, the game effect devices 40A and 40B are configured to rotate. However, the game effect devices 40A and 40B are configured to perform a plurality of types of operations, and are variably displayed according to the operation contents. The effect contents displayed on the device 9 may have different degrees of reliability. The plurality of types of operations include, for example, operating only one of the game effect devices 40A and 40B,
This is realized by performing a plurality of operations of rotating in the forward rotation and rotating in the reverse rotation, or by rotating at different rotational speeds.

In the above-described embodiment, the vibration motor 177 is provided on the hit ball operation handle 5. However, a light-emitting body such as an LED is further provided, and the light-emitting body is provided in accordance with the vibration of the vibration motor 177. You may make it light.

In the above-described embodiment, the vibration motor 177 is used as the vibration generating means. However, the vibration generating means may be, for example, an eccentric motor or the like used as a vibrator mounted on a portable telephone terminal device or the like. It may be a vibration member or an electric drive source (for example, a solenoid) that directly vibrates the hit ball operation handle 5. Further, the vibration generating means may be a structural member that mechanically vibrates the hit ball operation handle 5, in which components such as a gear and a rotating body are connected to an electric drive source.

[0230] Also, the game effect device 40 provided in the game frame.
In addition to the effect by only the operation of A and 40B, the effect may be configured to be combined with another electric component such as a lamp, for example. According to this structure, it is possible to produce an effect using a composite device (for example, a red light mounted on a police car) in which the operation of the game effect device and the lamp are combined. In addition, the operation of the game effect devices 40A and 40B may notify the player of a game state (during a big hit, a certain change, or a state where an error such as a broken ball has occurred).

In the above embodiment, the vibration motor 177 is controlled in accordance with the operation pattern table. However, the vibration motor 177 is controlled by using data used for controlling the electric components on the electric component control board. 17
7 may be configured to be controlled. For example, when the vibration motor 177 is vibrated in synchronization with the sound, the program that controls the vibration motor 177 refers to the data indicating the low tone of the sound data, and vibrates the vibration motor 177 according to the output of the low sound. What should be done is. Further, for example, the vibration motor 177 is synchronized with turning on / off of the light emitter.
When the lamp is vibrated, the lamp data is
The vibration motor 177 may be caused to vibrate in accordance with the turning on / off of the light-emitting body with reference to a program for controlling the light-emitting body.

Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of each of the above-described embodiments, when the stop symbol of the special symbol variably displayed on the variable display device 9 based on the winning start becomes a predetermined symbol combination, the predetermined game value is reduced. Although it was a first-class pachinko gaming machine that can be given to a player, a predetermined game value that can be given to a player when there is a prize in a predetermined area of an electric accessory that is opened based on a start winning prize. Two types of pachinko machines,
A third-type pachinko gaming machine in which a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize in a predetermined electric auditory product that is opened when a stop symbol of a symbol variably displayed based on a start winning prize is a predetermined combination of symbols. The present invention can be applied to such cases.

[0233]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game machine is a game machine capable of playing a predetermined game by using a game medium, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game, and the game control. Electric component control means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine in response to a command from the means, firing means for firing a game medium used for the game, and a player for firing the game medium to the firing means by a player. A game control means, comprising: a fired operating means to be operated; and a vibration generating means for vibrating the fired operating means, wherein the electric component control means controls the vibration generating means. It is possible to perform various game effects, including effects by vibration generation means, without increasing the control burden of
The interest of the game can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a game effect is performed using the electric component, and the electric component control means is configured to operate the vibration generating means in connection with the game effect by the electric component. Various game effects can be performed with the electric components and the vibration generating means, and the interest of the game can be improved.

[0235] According to the invention of claim 3, the electric component includes a display for performing a display related to the game effect, and the vibration generating means is configured to generate vibration in accordance with the display content of the display. Therefore, various game effects can be performed with the display and the vibration generating means, and the interest of the game can be improved.

[0236] According to the invention described in claim 4, a reach effect is performed as a game effect, and the vibration generating means is configured to generate vibration in accordance with display contents of a display related to the reach effect on the display. Therefore, a reach effect can be performed by the display and the vibration generating means, and the interest of the game can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the vibration generating means is configured to generate vibration as an advance notice that can notify that the display state of the display is in a predetermined display mode, Since the player can predict the display state of the display device by the vibration of the means, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0238] In the invention according to claim 6, the electric component includes sound output means for outputting a sound relating to a game effect, and the vibration generating means generates vibration in accordance with the sound output from the sound output means. With this configuration, various game effects can be performed by the sound output means and the vibration generation means, and the interest of the game can be improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the vibration generating means is provided with the vibration restricting means capable of restricting the operation of the vibration generating means when a predetermined condition is satisfied, so that the vibration generating means is controlled so as not to operate. It becomes possible.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the vibration restricting means is configured to restrict the operation of the vibration generating means when there is no detection by the detecting means, the vibration generating means performs an unnecessary operation. Can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the vibration restricting means is configured to restrict the operation of the vibration generating means when the restriction is selected by the restriction selecting means. Can be controlled so as not to operate the vibration generating means in accordance with the selection result of.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the vibration generating means driving circuit is provided in the firing control means, the circuit design becomes easy.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the electric component control means is configured to determine the operation content of the vibration generating means, it is possible to prevent the control load of the game control means from increasing. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of a hit ball operation handle.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the launching device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration on a main board.

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

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display control circuit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in a lamp control board.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the audio control board.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a CPU on a main board.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a 2 ms timer interrupt process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a stop symbol for variable display and a process of determining a variation pattern.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command transmission table and the like.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a control command.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing a relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal which constitute a control command.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the content of a display control command.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a main process executed by a display control CPU.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a display control process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a drive signal output process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a main process executed by a lamp control CPU.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by a sound control CPU.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timing of the variable display device, the vibration motor, and the game effect device.

FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timing of the variable display device and the vibration motor.

FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timing of the variable display device, the audio output, and the vibration motor.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing another example of the circuit configuration on the main board.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing still another example of the circuit configuration on the main board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 pachinko gaming machine 5 hitting operation handle 9 variable display device 31 main substrate 35 lamp control substrate 56 CPU 59 solenoid circuit 70 sound control substrate 80 display control substrate 91 launch control substrate 94 drive motor 120 launch device 176 touch sensor 177 vibration motor

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game machine capable of playing a predetermined game using a game medium, comprising: a game control means for controlling the progress of the game; and a game machine provided in response to a command from the game control means. Electrical component control means for controlling the electrical components provided, firing means for firing game media used in games, firing operating means operated by a player to cause the firing means to fire game media, and firing A gaming machine, comprising: vibration generating means for vibrating an operating means, wherein the electric component control means controls the vibration generating means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a game effect is performed using the electric component, and the electric component control means operates the vibration generating means in connection with the game effect by the electric component. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the electric component includes a display for performing a display related to a game effect, and the vibration generating means generates vibration in accordance with the display content of the display. 4. A reach effect is performed as a game effect, and the vibration generating means generates vibration in accordance with display contents of a display relating to the reach effect by the display.
The gaming machine described. 5. The electric component includes a display for performing a display related to a game effect, and the vibration generating means generates vibration as a preliminary notification that can notify that a display state of the display is in a predetermined display mode. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein 6. The electric component includes sound output means for outputting a sound relating to a game effect, and the vibration generating means generates vibration in accordance with the sound output from the sound output means. The gaming machine according to any one of the above. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration restricting means capable of restricting an operation of the vibration generating means when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising detection means for detecting contact of the player with the firing operation means, wherein the vibration restriction means restricts the operation of the vibration generation means when no detection is made by the detection means. Gaming machine. 9. A vibration control device comprising: a restriction selecting unit which can artificially select whether or not to restrict the operation of the vibration generating unit. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the operation of the generating means is regulated. 10. A firing control means including a firing means driving circuit for driving a firing means, and a vibration generating means driving circuit for driving a vibration generating means, wherein the vibration generating means driving circuit comprises: The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is provided in the launch control means. 11. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the electric component control means determines an operation content of the vibration generating means.