JP2003210764A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of reducing a control load for controlling a generator and rendering various games through the generator. <P>SOLUTION: In a lamp process updating process, a lamp controlling CPU subtracts a value of a process timer in use currently if rendering is being carried out, and if a process timer is brought to a time-out and rendering is not ended, the process timer value set for the following address is set. According to contents of tables (a lamp execution table, an operation execution table) set in association with the set process timer value, setting is switched so that the lamp and an LED are turned on/off or a game rendering device is turned on/off. In this way, control of the generator is sequentially carried out according to contents of the tables, and consequently, the control load for controlling the generator can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or slot machine capable of executing variable display of identification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a game machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium is won in a prize area such as a winning opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are provided. There are things that are paid out to the player.
Furthermore, a variable display unit whose display state can be changed is provided,
There is one configured to give a predetermined game value to the player when the display result of the variable display section becomes a predetermined specific display mode.

The game value means that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the game area of the gaming machine is advantageous for a player who easily wins a hit ball, or is advantageous for the player. That is, a right is generated, or a condition for paying out a prize game medium is easily established. Further, when a predetermined amount of game balls or coins are awarded or points are added in accordance with the establishment of a predetermined condition such as winning, they are referred to as value or valuable value.

In the pachinko gaming machine, it is usually that the display result of the variable display section for displaying the 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 a big hit game state in which a hit ball is easy to win is entered. Then, in each opening period, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning holes are won, the winning holes are closed. The number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). In addition, the opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is decided for each opening,
Even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the special winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. If the predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the special winning opening) is not satisfied when the special winning opening is closed, the jackpot gaming state ends.

Further, in the variable display device, the symbols other than the symbol which is the final stop symbol (for example, the middle symbol of the left and right middle symbols) continue for a predetermined time, and stop and swing in a state in which it matches the specific display mode. , Scaled or deformed state, or multiple symbols fluctuate synchronously in the same symbol, or the position of the displayed symbol is swapped, the possibility of a big hit before the final result is displayed The effect that is performed in a state in which the above is continued (hereinafter, these states are referred to as the reach state) is referred to as the reach effect. A variable display including a reach effect is called a reach variable display. By changing the variation pattern in the reach state from the variation pattern in the normal state, the interest of the game is enhanced. When the display result of the symbols variably displayed on the variably display device does not satisfy the condition for reaching the reach state, the result is “out”, and the variably display state ends. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

[0006] The game effect during the game is performed by voice output, turning on / off the light emitter, display on the display device, or operation of an accessory (movable effect device) provided in the game area. In general, the game effect by operating the accessory is performed by the game control means controlling the accessory.

[0007]

As described above, when the game effect is produced by the operation of the accessory, since the game control means controls the accessory, the control load of the game control means. There was a problem that was large. It is conceivable that the electric parts control means other than the game control means will control the control of the character object, but each control program is prepared according to the difference in the content of the game effect by the character object, and various kinds of game effect can be achieved. In the case of using a role product, the capacity of the control program becomes enormous. Therefore, even if the electric component control means other than the game control means controls the accessory, it is difficult to efficiently control the accessory. Furthermore, when a large number of control programs are prepared, the processing load on the control means such as the game control means for controlling the accessory also increases. Therefore, in the end, it was not possible to efficiently perform various game effects according to various game states depending on the accessory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can reduce the control load for controlling a role object and can efficiently perform a variety of game effects by the role object. To do.

[0009]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A game machine capable of executing variable display of identification information, and game control means (eg, CP
Game control means including U56) and movable effect means used for game effect (for example, game effect devices 25A, 25B, 2)
9, 30, 33A, 33B) and effect control means (for example, a light emitter control means including the CPU 351 for lamp control) and the game control means, the effect content according to the variable display of the identification information (eg effect content. Fluctuation pattern including)
And a command transmission means (for example, a game control means including the CPU 56) that determines the command and a command (for example, a variation pattern command) indicating the effect content determined by the effect content determination means to the effect control means. For example, for the lamp control, the effect control means includes a game control means including the CPU 56) and the effect control means determines one operation pattern from a plurality of types of operation patterns of the movable effect means based on the received command. C
Each of the operation patterns is specified by the operation pattern data (for example, the data shown in FIG. 39) arranged according to the execution order, and each operation pattern data is the operation of the movable effect means. Time data indicating a mode data indicating a mode (for example, data indicating ON / OFF set in the motion execution table illustrated in FIG. 39) and a control time by the operation mode of the movable effect means based on the mode data (for example, a process illustrated in FIG. 39) It is configured by a combination of data indicating the operation period set as the timer set value), and the effect control means is commonly provided to execute a common program (for example, port output processing and solenoid output processing) for each operation pattern. Program), the movable effect means can be set according to the motion pattern data. Characterized in that the Gosuru.

A plurality of types of movable effect means are provided, and each operation pattern data is composed of a combination of a plurality of mode data indicating operation modes of the plurality of types of movable effect means with respect to one time data (for example, FIG. The operation pattern data shown in 51 may be configured).

The operation pattern data includes common pattern data commonly used in a plurality of kinds of operation patterns (for example, the operation pattern data shown in FIG. 39, which indicates an OFF state for a period of 500 ms, is used at two locations. This is common pattern data, and is also shown in FIGS.
The operation pattern data indicating the OFF state for the period of 500 ms shown in each are common pattern data used in a plurality of operation pattern tables. ) May be included.

The production control means also controls the production means (for example, a lamp / LED, which is at least different from the movable production means) provided in the game machine separately from the movable production means, and the pattern is obtained. The determining means may be configured to also determine one effect pattern from a plurality of effect patterns of the effect means based on a command (for example, a variation pattern command) from the game control means.

Each effect pattern has effect pattern data (for example, FIG. 40) arranged according to the execution order.
(Data consisting of a combination of data indicating the effect period set as the process timer set value shown in FIG. 4 and data indicating the lighting / extinguishing set in the lamp execution table), and the effect control means determines each effect pattern. Controlling the effect means according to effect pattern data, using a common program (for example, a program for executing the ramp process update process and a program commonly provided for executing the port output process and the solenoid output process) However, the effect pattern data may have a configuration in which the motion pattern data and the data have a common form. In the configuration in which the motion pattern data and the effect pattern data have a common form, for example, the operation pattern data is data indicating a signal level of a drive signal to an electric drive source for operating the movable effect means (for example, The effect pattern data is data indicating a signal level of a drive signal to the effect means (for example, "1" indicating lighting and "0" indicating extinction). “Data”) is included.

The operation pattern data and the effect pattern data are stored in separate storage tables (for example, the table shown in FIG. 37 in which the operation pattern is set and the table in which the variation pattern is set). May be. When there are many portions where the operation / stop timing of the movable rendering means and the execution / non-execution timing of the rendering means are different (for example, the rendering means does not often perform execution / non-execution, In the case where the movable effect means performs an effect such that the operation / stop state is frequently changed, and, for example, the movable effect means does not perform the effect such that the operation / stop state is frequently changed, but the luminous body which is the effect means is turned on. / When the effect is such that the lights are frequently switched.)
If the motion pattern data and the effect pattern data are provided as separate tables, the data capacity can be reduced. Therefore, the more the number of portions in which the operation / stop timing of the movable effect means and the execution / non-execution timing of the effect means are different, the more effective the above configuration is.

The operation pattern data and the effect pattern data may be collectively stored in a common storage table (for example, a table in which the data shown in FIG. 53 is set).

The pattern deciding means decides an operation pattern (for example, a notice effect operation pattern) and an effect pattern (for example, a notice effect effect pattern) which are not specified only by the command from the game control means, and an original deciding means (for example, for lamp control). The light emitter control unit including the CPU 351) may be included, and the unique determination unit may be configured to collectively determine the operation pattern and the effect pattern (for example, collectively determined according to the rule shown in FIG. 37). .

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine seen from the front (the front portion of the gaming board is not shown), and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front surface 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-type gaming machine or a slot machine.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 is composed of 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. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a frame-shaped glass door frame 2 that is provided in the game frame so as to be openable and closable. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanical parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding a game board described later). It is a structure including and.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is
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 plate (upper plate) 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided a surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball feed tray 3 and a hitting ball operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hit ball. Glass door frame 2
A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-shaped body that constitutes the game board 6 and various parts attached to the plate-shaped body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display device (special symbol display device) 9 including a plurality of variable display portions for variably displaying symbols as identification information is provided. The variable display device 9 includes, for example, “left”, “middle”,
There are three "right" variable display parts (symbol display areas).
A start winning opening 14 is provided below the variable display device 9. The winning ball that has entered the starting winning opening 14 is guided to the rear surface of the game board 6 and detected by the starting opening switch 14a. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the starting winning opening 14. Variable winning ball device 1
The solenoid 5 is opened by the solenoid 16.

At the bottom of the variable winning ball device 15, there is provided an opening / closing plate 20 which is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state). Opening plate 20
Is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. One of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6 (V winning area)
The entered winning balls are detected by the V winning switch 22, and the winning balls from the opening / closing plate 20 are detected by the count switch 23. On the back surface of the game board 6, a solenoid 21A for switching the route inside the special winning opening is also provided. Further, on the upper part of the variable display device 9, a special symbol starting memory indicator (hereinafter, referred to as starting memory indicator) 18 by four LEDs for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the starting winning port 14, that is, the number of starting memories. Is provided. Each time there is an effective start prize, the start memory indicator 18 increases the number of LEDs to be turned on by one.
Then, each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started,
Decrease the number of lit LEDs by 1.

When the game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, the variable display of the display of the normal symbol display 10 is started. In this embodiment, the variable display is performed by alternately turning on the left and right lamps (the pattern becomes visible when turned on), and for example, the left side lamp (“○”) is turned on at the end of the variable display. It will be a hit. And when the stop symbol on the normal 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. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display device 10, there is provided a normal symbol starting memory display device 41 having a display section with four LEDs for displaying the number of winning balls that have entered the gate 32. Each time there is a prize in the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increases the number of LEDs to be turned on by one. Then, each time the variable display of the normal symbol display device 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be turned on is reduced by 1.

In the game area 7, a game effect device (movable effect device) 25 (25A) used in various game effects.
And 25B), 29, 30, 33 (33A and 33)
B) is provided. Each game production device 25, 29, 3
Nos. 0 and 33 are formed so as to have different appearances, and have different structures. In addition, the game production device 25A and the game production device 25B
Are formed so as to have different shapes having different sizes and opposite sides. Further, the game effect device 33A and the game effect device 33B are formed to have different shapes in which the left and right sides are opposite. As described above, each game effect device 25
A, 25B, 29, 30, 33A and 33B are formed to have different designs (here, shapes such as shape and size). In addition, "the design is different" means
It is a concept including not only different shapes such as shape and size but also different colors and patterns. “Different design” also applies, for example, when the game effect device is formed imitating a character, and when the character is different (including, for example, only different colors or patterns). . Characters include, for example, articles such as people, animals, plants, automobiles, imaginary objects, and those that have these people and animals as motifs, and are represented as pictures or structures. It includes everything that can be done. Also, "different shapes" means all cases where the external shapes are different, for example,
Although the separate game effect devices are composed of the same character, the case where the poses of the respective characters are different is also included.

The game effecting devices 25A and 25B provided on the left side of the game area 7 are humanoid-shaped, respectively, and are solenoids 25 provided on the back surface of the game board 6.
The structure is such that the hands, feet, and head are operated by Aa and 25Ba. Specifically, the game effect device 25A, 2
5B enters the operating state shown in FIG. 3B when the solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba are repeatedly switched on / off in the stationary state shown in FIG. 3 (A). As shown in FIG. 2, the game effect devices 25A and 25B are attached to respective mounting boards, and are installed in the game area 7 together with the mounting boards. The mounting substrate is mounted so that a part thereof overlaps the launch passage so as not to interfere with the passage of a hit ball. In this way, the game area 7 having a limited installation area can be effectively used.

The game effect device 29 provided on the right side of the game area 7 is formed so as to be a side face of an animal (for example, a human being), and a solenoid 29a provided on the back surface of the game board 6 causes the eyelids to fold. Opens and closes, solenoid 2
The mouth is opened and closed by 9b. Specifically, in the game effect device 29, when the solenoid 29a is turned on in the state shown in FIG. 3 (C), FIG. 3 (E).
The eyelids are closed as shown in Fig.
When is turned on, the operation is performed so that the mouth is opened as shown in FIG. When the solenoid 29a is turned off, the eyelid returns to the open state as shown in FIG. 3C, and when the solenoid 29b is turned off, the mouth is returned to the closed state as shown in FIG. 3C. The game effect device 29 is attached along a launch rail arranged on the outer periphery of the game area. In this way, the game area 7 having a limited installation area can be effectively used.
Most of the right side of the game area 7 is the installation area of the game effect device 29, and since the winning opening is not provided, as shown in FIG. 2, the game ball is above the normal symbol display device 10. The nails are arranged to prevent the passage of the. That is, the right side of the game area 7 is a dedicated area for installing the game effect device.

The game effecting devices 33A and 33B provided on the left and right of the opening / closing plate 20 in the game area 7 are humanoid with a handgun in their hands, and are provided on the back surface of the game board 6. Hands, feet, and head are operated by the solenoids 33Aa and 33Ba that are present, and a solenoid (not shown) is provided for overturning the game effect device 33A and for overturning the game effect device 33B. It is configured to fall sideways. Further, LEDs 34a, respectively on the muzzle parts of the pistols which form the game effect producing devices 33A, 33B.
34b is provided. Specifically, the game production device 3
3A enters the operating state shown in FIG. 4B when the solenoid 33Aa is repeatedly switched on and off in the stationary state shown in FIG. 4A. Further, when the game effect device 33A is in the operating state, the LED 34a is controlled to light up or blink. Further, in the game effect device 33A, when the falling solenoid is turned on in the stationary state shown in FIG. 4 (A), FIG. 4 (C)
As shown in, it falls sideways and falls.

The game effect device 30 provided on the upper part of the variable display device 9 is formed in a box shape imitating a treasure box, and a solenoid 30a provided on the back surface of the game board 6 is provided.
The box lid is designed to open and close. Specifically, in the game effect device 30, when the solenoid 30 is turned on in the stationary state shown in FIG. 4 (D),
As shown in FIG. 4 (E), the lid is opened. Then, when the solenoid 30 is turned off, the lid shown in FIG. 4D returns to the closed state.

In the above example, each game production device 25
Although A, 25B, 29, 30, 33A, and 33B were configured to operate by solenoids, other motors (in this case, may be used together with gears, cams, etc.) It may be configured to operate using a member.

Further, on the left side of the upper part of the game area 7, there is provided a game effecting part 36 formed by cutting out the board surface in the shape of the sun. The game effect production unit 36 produces an effect by shining the sun with a back lamp 36a provided on the back surface of the game board 6. Specifically, when the game effect device 36 is in the off state shown in FIG. 4 (F),
When the back lamp 36a is turned on and light is applied from the back of the portion cut out in the shape of the sun, the sun looks like it is shining as shown in FIG. 4 (G).

In addition, on the left and right upper parts outside the game area 7,
Two speakers 27 are provided which emit sound effects.
A top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7. Further, a decorative LED is installed around each structure (a special winning opening, etc.) in the game area 7. Sky frame lamp 28a,
The left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decorative LED are examples of the decorative light-emitting body provided in the game machine.

In this example, the prize ball lamp 51 that lights up when there is a remaining number of prize balls near the left frame lamp 28b.
Is provided, and a ball-out lamp 52 that is turned on when the supply ball runs out is provided near the top frame lamp 28a.
Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 which is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables a ball lending by inserting a prepaid card.

The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 indicating whether or not it is in a usable state, and a connecting stand direction indicator indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 the card unit 50 corresponds to. 153, a card insertion indicator lamp 154 indicating that a card has been inserted into the card unit 50, a card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and a card reader provided on the back surface of the card insertion slot 155. A card unit lock 156 is provided for opening the card unit 50 when checking the mechanism of the writer.

The game ball shot from the hitting ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends from the game area 7. When the ball hits the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening switch 14a, if the variable display of the symbol can be started, the variable display device 9 starts the variable display (variation) of the special symbol. If it is not in a state where variable display of symbols can be started, the number of starting memories is increased by 1.

The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 is stopped when a certain time has elapsed. If the special symbol combination at the time of stop is a big hit symbol, the big hit game state is entered. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a certain period of time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls are won. Then, when a hit ball enters the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is open and is detected by the V winning switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The continuation right can be generated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

A combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stop is a big hit symbol with probability variation (probability variation symbol)
In the case of the combination of, the probability of the next big hit is high. That is, the state of probability change is more advantageous for the player.

When the hit ball wins the gate 32, the normal symbol display 10 is in a state in which the normal symbol is variably displayed. Further, when the stop symbol in the normal symbol display device 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15
Remains open for a predetermined time. Furthermore, in the probable state,
The probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 will be a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. That is, the opening time and the number of times of opening the variable winning ball device 15 are in the hit state,
It is increased in the case of the probability change state, and changes from a disadvantageous state to the advantageous state for the player. It should be noted that the increase in the number of times of opening means that, for example, a member that normally does not perform the opening operation performs the opening operation (for example, becomes an open state).
It is a concept that includes things.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the main board 31. Note that FIG. 5 also shows the payout control board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the firing control board 91, and the symbol control board 80.
On the main board 31, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the program
Control circuit 53, gate switch 32a, starting opening switch 14a, V winning switch 22, count switch 23, winning opening switch 24a, full switch 4
8, ball cut switch 187, prize ball count switch 30
1A and the switch circuit 58 which gives the signal from the clear switch 921 to the basic circuit 53, and the variable winning ball device 15
A solenoid 16 that opens and closes, a solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening and closing plate 20, and a solenoid circuit 59 that drives a solenoid 21A for switching the path in the special winning opening according to a command from the basic circuit 53 are mounted.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the count switch short circuit signal is also transmitted to the basic circuit 53 through the switch circuit 58. Further, the gate switch 32a, the starting opening switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning opening switch 24a, the full tank switch 4
8, ball cut switch 187, prize ball count switch 30
The switch such as 1A may be what is called a sensor. That is, any name may be used as long as it is a game medium detecting means (a game ball detecting means in this example) capable of detecting a game ball.

Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the big hit information indicating the occurrence of the big hit, the effective starting information indicating the number of the starting winning balls used to start the variable display of the symbols on the variable display device 9, and the probability variation. An information output circuit 64 that outputs an information output signal such as probability variation information indicating that it has occurred 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, a RAM 55 as a storage means (fluctuation data storage means) used as a work data area (work area) and a stack area (save area),
CPU 56 and I performing control operation according to a program
An / O port portion 57 is included. In this embodiment, the ROM
54 and 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 built therein, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally provided or may be built therein.

A part or all of the RAM (which may be a RAM with built-in CPU) 55 is a backup RAM backed up by a backup power supply created in the power supply board 910. In other words, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped,
The contents of part or all of M55 are saved.

The hit ball launching device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 controls the ball to be fired at a speed according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 is a starting memory display device 18, a normal symbol starting memory display device 41, LEDs 34a, 34b, provided on the game board. In addition to controlling the display of the back lamp 36a, the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, and the right frame lamp 2 provided on the frame side.
8c, display control of the prize ball lamp 51 and the out-of-ball lamp 52 is performed. Further, the lamp control board 35 has a solenoid 25 for operating the game effect devices 25A and 25B.
Aa, 25Ba, a solenoid 29a for opening and closing the eyelids of the game effect device 29, a solenoid 29b for opening and closing the mouth of the game effect device 29, a solenoid 30a for opening and closing the lid of the game effect device 30, and the game effect devices 33A, 33B. Circuit 352 for driving the solenoids 33Aa and 33Ba for driving in accordance with a command from the light emitter control means.
Is installed. In addition, the solenoid circuit 352, in accordance with a command from the light emitter control means, the game effect device 33.
It also drives an unillustrated inversion solenoid for performing the inversion operation of A and 33B. The display control of the variable display device 9 that variably displays the special symbol and the normal symbol display 10 that variably displays the normal symbol is performed by the display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80.

FIG. 6 shows the circuit configuration in the symbol control board 80, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) 82 which is an example of realizing the variable display device 9, an ordinary symbol display device 10, an output port of the main substrate 31 (port 0). , 2) 570 and 572 and output buffer circuits 620 and 62A.
8-bit data is output from the output port (output port 2) 572, and a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal) is output from the output port 570.

The display control CPU 101 controls the control data R
It operates according to the program stored in the OM 102, and when the INT signal is input from the main board 31 via the noise filter 107 and the input buffer circuit 105B, the display control command is received via the input buffer circuit 105A. As the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B, for example, general-purpose ICs 74HC540 and 74HC14 can be used. If 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.

Then, the display control CPU 101 controls the display of the screen displayed on the LCD 82 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, the VDP 103 is given a command according to the display control command. VDP103
Reads out the necessary data from the character ROM 86. The VDP 103 displays the LCD 8 according to the input data.
Image data to be displayed on the LCD 2 is generated, and R, G, B signals and synchronizing signals are output to the LCD 82.

FIG. 6 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillating circuit 85 for giving an operating 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 including characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the LCD 82.

The input buffer circuits 105A and 105B are
The signal can be passed only in the direction from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80. Therefore, the pattern control board 8
There is no room for signals to be transmitted from the 0 side to the main board 31 side. That is, the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B constitute an irreversible information input means together with the input ports. Even if the circuit in the symbol control board 80 is tampered with, the 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 symbol control board 80, but output buffer circuits 620 and 62A capable of transmitting signals only in one direction.
By providing the main board 31 to the pattern control board 8
One-way signal transmission to 0 can be made more reliable. That is, the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A form an irreversible information output unit together with the output ports.

Further, as the noise filter 107 for blocking high frequency signals, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or ferrite beads is used. Even if the presence of the noise filter 107 causes noise on the display control command between the substrates, the noise will occur. The effect is eliminated. A noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 62A of the main board 31.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing signal transmitting / receiving portions 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.
A lamp control command indicating turning on / off of the a and LEDs 34a and 34b and turning on / off of the award ball lamp 51 and the out-of-ball lamp 52 is output from the main board 31 to the lamp control board 35. In addition, a lamp control command indicating the number of lighting of the start memory display 18 and the gate passage memory display 41 is also output from the main board 31 to the lamp control board 35.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lamp control commands relating to the lamp control are output ports (output ports 0, 3) 570, 5 of the I / O port section 57 in the basic circuit 53.
It is output from 73. Output port (output port 3) 57
3 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 570 outputs 1
The bit INT signal is output. In the lamp control board 35, the control command from the main board 31 is sent to the lamp control CPU via the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B.
351 is input. If the lamp control CPU 351 does not have an internal 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 turns on / off the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the back lamp 36a, and the LEDs 34a, 34b which are 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, the back lamp 36
The light-on / light-off signal is output to the a and the LEDs 34a and 34b. The lighting / extinguishing signals include the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the back lamp 36a,
It is output to the LEDs 34a and 34b. The lighting / extinguishing pattern is stored in the built-in ROM or the external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

On the main board 31, the CPU 56 controls the RA
When there is an unpaid remaining number of prize balls in the stored contents of M55, a control command for instructing lighting of the prize ball lamp 51 is output, and the out-of-ball switch installed upstream of the pay-out ball passage on the back of the game board is played. When the ball is no longer detected, a control command for instructing the lighting of the out-of-ball lamp 52 is output. In the lamp control board 35, each control command is sent to the lamp control CPU 351 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 out-of-ball lamp 52 according to the control commands. The lighting / extinguishing pattern is stored in the built-in ROM or the external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

Further, the lamp control CPU 351 outputs a lighting / extinguishing signal to the starting memory display 18 and the gate passage memory display 41 in response to the control command.

The input buffer circuits 355A and 355B are, for example, 74HC54 which is a general-purpose CMOS-IC.
0.74HC14 is used. Input buffer circuit 35
5A and 355B are the main board 31 and the lamp control board 35.
The signal can only be passed in the direction towards. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the lamp control board 35 side to the main board 31 side. Even if the circuit in the lamp control board 35 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side. A noise filter may be provided on the input side of the input buffer circuits 355A and 355B.

On the main board 31, the output port 5
Buffer circuits 620 and 63A are provided outside the 70 and 573. The buffer circuits 620 and 63A are, for example, 74HC250 and 7 that are general-purpose CMOS-ICs.
4HC14 is used. According to such a configuration, a signal input from the outside to the inside of the main board 31 is blocked, so that a signal line that may give a signal from the lamp control board 70 to the main board 31 is further reliably eliminated. be able to. A noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 63A.

Further, in the present example, the lamp control CPU 35
1 is a solenoid 2 for issuing a drive command to the solenoid circuit 352 to operate the game effect devices 25A and 25B.
5Aa, 25Ba, a solenoid 29a for opening and closing the eyelid of the game effect device 29, a solenoid 29b for opening and closing the mouth of the game effect device 29, a solenoid 30a for opening and closing the lid of the game effect device 30, and the game effect devices 33A, 33B. The drive control of the solenoids 33Aa and 33Ba is performed. The CPU 351 for lamp control issues a drive command to the solenoid circuit 352, and the game effect device 33A,
It also controls the drive of a falling solenoid (not shown) for performing the falling operation of 33B. By the drive control by the lamp control CPU 351, each game effect device 25A, 25A
B, 29, 30, 33A and 33B are operated according to a predetermined operation pattern. The operation pattern is stored in the built-in ROM or the external ROM of the CPU 351 for lamp control, and the operation pattern to be executed is selected according to the effect contents, which will be described in detail later.

Although not shown, the configuration of the signal transmission portion of the sound control command between the main board 31 and the sound control board 70 is between the main board 31 and the pattern control board 80 shown in FIG. The signal transmission / reception portion of the display control command and the signal transmission / reception portion of the lamp control command between the main board 31 and the lamp control board 35 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. Figure 8
Is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the game control means (CPU 56 and peripheral circuits such as ROM and RAM) on the main board 31. When 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 makes necessary initial settings.

In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the 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 built-in device register is initialized (step S4). After initializing CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits) (step S5), the RAM is set to the accessible state (step S6).

CPU 56 used in this embodiment
Also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). Also, the 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 has the following three types of maskable interrupt modes. When a maskable interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter in the stack.

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

Interrupt mode 1: When an interrupt is accepted,
It is a mode to always fly 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 by the built-in device is the interrupt address. Is a mode indicating. 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, the interrupt processing can be installed at an arbitrary (although discrete) even address. Each built-in device has a function of transmitting an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, the interrupt request from each built-in device can be easily processed, and the interrupt process can be installed at an arbitrary position in the program. It will be possible. Further, unlike the interrupt mode 1, it is easy to prepare each interrupt process for each interrupt generation 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 confirms the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input through the input port only once (step S7). If ON is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes normal initialization processing (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 store staff can easily execute the initialization process by starting the power supply to the gaming machine while turning on the clear switch 921. That is, the RAM clear or the like can be performed.

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

In this embodiment, the backup RAM
Whether or not there is backup data in the area is confirmed by the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area during the power supply stop process. In this example, although not shown, “5
If "5H" is set, it means that there is backup (on state), and if a value other than "55H" is set, it means that there is no backup (off state).

After confirming that there is a backup, the CPU 5
6 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (step S9). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area, and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer. Further, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of checksum target data is set. Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area indicated by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the pointer value is incremented by 1, and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1. The above process is repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes zero. When the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0, the CPU 56 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area,
The data after inversion is used as the checksum.

In the power supply stop process, the checksum is calculated by the same process as the above process, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. If the power is restored after an unexpected power outage such as a power outage, backup RA
Since the data in the M area should have been saved, 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 was stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state when the power supply was stopped, the initialization process that is executed when the power is turned on, not when the power supply is restored from the stop, is executed.

If the check result is normal, the CPU 56
Performs a game state recovery 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 when the power supply was stopped (step S10). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) saved in the backup RAM area is set in the PC and the address is restored.

In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first executes R
AM clear processing is performed (step S11). Further, a predetermined work area (for example, a random number counter for normal symbol determination, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer,
Special symbol process flag, payout command storage pointer,
Work area setting processing for setting an initial value to a prize ball flag, out-of-ball flag, payout stop flag, or other flag for selectively performing processing according to the control state is performed (step S1).
2). Further, a process of transmitting a payout permission state designation command (hereinafter, referred to as a payable state designation command) for instructing that the ball can be paid out from the ball payout device 97 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 pattern control board 80) to each sub-board is executed (step S1).
4). As an initialization command, a command indicating the initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9 (for the symbol control board 80) and a command for instructing to turn off the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball out lamp 52 (for the lamp control board 35) Etc.)

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

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 updating process and the initial value random number updating process are executed, the interrupt disabled state is set (step S16), and when the display random number updating process and the initial value random number updating process are completed, the interrupt enabled state is set. (Step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining the symbol displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number updating process is a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number. . The initial value random number updating process is a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random numbers. The initial value random number is a random number for determining an initial value of a count value of a counter (big hit 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, the initial value is set to the counter.

The interrupt-prohibited state is set when the display random number updating process is executed, 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 prohibition state is set during the process of step S17.

When a timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 56
After performing the register save process (step S20), the game control process of steps S21 to S32 shown in FIG. 9 is executed. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first inputs the detection signals of switches such as the gate switch 32a, the starting opening switch 14a, the count switch 23 and the winning opening switch 24a via the switch circuit 58, and determines their states. (Switch processing: step S2
1).

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

Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit determination 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. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows. (1) Random 1: Determine whether to generate a big hit (for big hit determination = special symbol determination) (2) Random 2-1 to 2-3: For left and right middle out-of-range symbol determination (3) Random 3: Determine the combination of symbols at the time of big hit (for big hit symbol determination = for special symbol judgment) (4) Random 4: Determine fluctuation pattern at reach (for fluctuation pattern determination)

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

Further, the CPU 56 carries out special symbol process processing (step S26). In the special symbol process control, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the game state. Also, a normal symbol process process is performed (step S27). In the normal symbol process process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display device 10 in a predetermined order. And the value of the normal symbol process flag,
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). In addition, the display control command relating to the normal symbol is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and a process of transmitting the display control command is performed (normal symbol command control process: step S29).

Further, the CPU 56 performs an information output process for outputting data such as big hit information, starting information, probability variation information, etc. 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 opening / closing plate 20, a solenoid circuit 59 is provided.
Drives the solenoids 16, 21, 21A according to the drive command.

Then, the CPU 56 causes the winning opening switch 2
Prize ball processing is executed to set the number of prize balls based on the detection signal of 4a (step S32). Specifically, the payout control command indicating the number of prize balls is output to the payout control board 37 in response to the winning detection based on that the winning opening switch 24a is turned on. The payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 in response to a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls. afterwards,
The contents of the register are restored (step S33), and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S34).

By the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is activated every 2 ms.
In this embodiment, the game control process is executed in the timer interrupt process, but 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.

Now, the left and right middle symbols used in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, each of the symbols displayed as the left and right middle symbols is 10 symbols from the symbol number 0 (symbol “0”) to the symbol number 9 (symbol “9”), and the same symbol on the left and right sides. Used. Design number 9
When the symbol is displayed, the symbol number 0 is displayed next. And the left and right middle symbols are, for example, "1",
A high probability state is reached when all stops at "3", "5", "7" or "9". That is, they are the probability variation patterns.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a program for special symbol process processing executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process process shown in FIG. 11 is a specific process of step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. CPU56, when performing the special symbol process processing, after performing the variation reduction timer subtraction processing (step S310), depending on the internal state, steps S300 to S3.
One of the processings of No. 09 is performed. The fluctuation reduction timer is a timer for setting the fluctuation time when the fluctuation time of the special symbol is shortened.

Special symbol fluctuation waiting processing (step S30
0): A winning ball is won in the starting winning opening 14 and the starting opening switch 1
Wait for 4a to turn on. When the starting opening switch 14a is turned on, if the number of memory for winning the winning prize is not full, the number of memory for winning the winning prize is incremented by 1 and a random number for jackpot determination and the like are extracted.

Special symbol determination process (step S301):
When the variable display of the special symbols can be started, the number of memory for winning the winning start is confirmed. If the number of memory for winning a prize is not 0,
Depending on the value of the extracted big hit determination random number, it is decided whether to make a big hit or not.

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

Reach operation setting process (step S30)
3): It is determined whether or not the reach operation is performed based on the combination of the stop symbols in the left and right, and when it is determined to be the reach, the variation period at the reach is determined according to the value of the random number for the variation pattern determination. decide.

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

Waiting process for all symbols stop (step S30
5): When a predetermined time (time indicated by the fluctuation reduction timer in step S310) has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display device 9 are stopped. At this time, information designating the stop of all the symbols is transmitted to the symbol control board 80. Then, when 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.

Special winning opening opening processing (step S30
6): Start the control for opening the special winning opening. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening. In addition, the process timer sets the execution time of the process during opening of the special winning opening, and the big hit flag (a flag indicating that the big hit is in progress)
Set. When the processing is completed, 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): The control for sending the display control command data of the special winning opening round display to the symbol control board 80, the processing for confirming the establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, etc. are performed. When the final closing condition for the special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S308.

Specific area effective time processing (step S30
8): The presence or absence of passage of the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and the processing for confirming the establishment of the jackpot gaming state continuation condition is performed. When the conditions for continuation of the jackpot gaming state are satisfied, and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S306. If the jackpot gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within a predetermined effective time, or if all the rounds are finished, the internal state is set to step S.
Update to move to 309.

Big hit end processing (step S309): A display for notifying the player that the big hit game state has ended is displayed. When the display ends, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the processing for determining that the hit ball has won the starting winning opening 14. When the ball hits the starting winning opening 14 provided on the game board 6, the starting opening switch 14a is turned on. For example, in the special symbol variation waiting process of step S300 of the special symbol process process, the CPU 56 determines that the starting opening switch 14a is turned on via the switch circuit 58 as shown in FIG. 12 (step S41), and starts. It is confirmed whether or not the winning award memory number has reached the maximum value of 4 (step S42). If the number of memory of winning prizes for starting has not reached 4, the number of memory of winning prizes for starting 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 value storage area corresponding to the value of the number of memory for winning the winning prize (step S44). It should be noted that if the number of stored winning awards has reached 4, the process of increasing the number of stored starting awards is not performed. That is, in this embodiment, a maximum of 4
It is possible to store the number of hit balls that are won in each of the starting winning openings 14.

In the special symbol process processing of step S26, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of stored winning prizes as shown in FIG. 13 (step S51). If the number of memory of winning a prize for starting is not 0, the value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the number of memory of starting award winning = 1 is read (step S52), and the value of the number of memory for starting winning a prize is decreased by 1,
At the same time, the value in each random value storage area is shifted (step S53). That is, the number of memory for winning a prize for start = 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 memory for winning start winnings = n-1.

Then, the CPU 56 determines the hit / departure based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted big hit determination random number (step S54). Here, the big hit determination random number takes a value in the range of 0 to 299. As shown in FIG. 14, when the probability is low, for example, when the value is “3”, “big hit”
If it is any other value, it is determined to be “out”. When the probability is high, for example, the value is “3”, “7”,
If it is any one of "79", "103", and "107", it is determined as "big hit", and if it is any other value, it is determined as "off."

When it is determined to be a big hit, a big hit symbol determination 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 numbers set in the jackpot symbol table according to the value of the extracted random 3 is determined as the jackpot symbol. In the big hit symbol table, the symbol numbers in the left and right corresponding to each of a combination of a plurality of kinds of big hit symbols are set. Further, the variation pattern of the symbol is determined based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted variation pattern random number (random 4) (step S56).

If it is determined that the data is out of alignment, the CPU 56
Decides the stop symbol when it is not a big hit. In this embodiment, the left symbol is determined according to the value read out 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 of (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 middle symbol stop symbol so that it does not match the big hit symbol. To 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 the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random number for determining the fluctuation pattern. The variation pattern of the symbol is determined based on the value of (random 4) (step S60).

In the case of a high probability state, a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time may be used as a fluctuation pattern at the time of deviation. By doing so, it is possible to increase the number of fluctuations per hour and give the player many opportunities to be a big hit.

As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol variation based on the start winning is the big hit, the reach mode, or the off mode, and the combination of the respective stop symbols is determined. Further, since the variation pattern command corresponding to the above determination result is also determined, the variation pattern corresponding to the determination result is determined.

The process shown in FIG. 13 is step S30 in the special symbol process process shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the process when the processes of 1 to S303 are collectively shown.

Next, the transmission of the display control command from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80 will be described. Although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the display control command is composed of eight signal lines for the display control signals D0 to D7.
It is transmitted from 1 to the symbol control board 80. In addition, the main substrate 3
A signal line of a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also wired between 1 and the pattern control board 80. The same applies to the transmission of the lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 and the sound control command to the sound control board 70.

When a control command is to be output from the game control means to another electric component control board (sub board), the start address of the command transmission table is set. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of 3 bytes, and INT data is set in the 1st byte. In addition, the command data 1 in the second byte is
MODE data of the first byte of the control command is set. Then, in the command data 2 of the third byte, the EXT data of the second byte of the control command is set.

The EXT data itself may be set in the command data 2 area, but the command data 2
May be set with data for designating the address of the table in which the EXT data is stored. For example, if bit 7 (work area reference bit) of command data 2 is 0, command data 2 is 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 content of the transmission buffer is used as the EXT data. If the work area reference bit is 1, the other 7 bits can be configured to indicate that the other 7 bits are an offset for designating the address of the table in which the EXT data is stored.

FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram showing a structural example of INT data. Bit 0 in INT data
Indicates whether or not a payout control command should be sent to the payout control board 37. If bit 0 is "1", it indicates that the payout control command should be sent. Therefore, CPU5
6 is, for example, prize ball processing (step S3 of timer interrupt processing)
In 2), "01 (H)" is set in the INT data. Bit 1 in the INT data indicates whether or not a display control command should be sent to the symbol control board 80. If bit 1 is "1", it indicates that the display control command should be sent. Therefore, the CPU 56 sets "02 (H)" to the INT data in the special symbol command control process (step S28 of the timer interrupt process), for example.

Bits 2 and 3 of the INT data are bits indicating whether or not to send a lamp control command and a sound control command, respectively, and the CPU 56 outputs a special command at the timing to send these commands. In the symbol process processing or the like, INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 are set in the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer. When sending those commands, the corresponding bit of the INT data is set to "1", and the command data 1 and the command data 2 are MOD.
E data and EXT data are set.

In this embodiment, for the payout control command, a ring buffer and a transmission buffer are prepared as shown in FIG. 15 (C). Then, 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. Also, when sending the payout control command regarding the number of prize balls,
One data is transferred from the ring buffer to the transmission buffer. In the example shown in FIG. 15C, the ring buffer can store data corresponding to 12 payout control commands. That is, there are 12 buffers. The number of buffers in the ring buffer may be any number corresponding to the number of winning openings for generating prize balls. This is because even if the simultaneous winnings occur, it is possible to store the payout control command data based on the respective winnings.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the command form of the control command sent from the main board 31 to another electric component control board. In this embodiment, the control command has a 2-byte structure, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). 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 can be distinguished by the leading bit. The command form shown in FIG. 16 is an example, and other command forms may be used. For example, a control command composed of 1 byte or 3 bytes or more may be used.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the 8-bit control signal and the INT signal (strobe signal) which form the control command for the symbol control board 80. As shown in FIG. 17, when a predetermined period elapses after the MODE or EXT data is output to the output port, the CPU 56 outputs INT, which is a signal indicating the data output.
Turn on the signal. Further, when a predetermined period has passed from that point, the INT signal is turned off.

Although the lamp control command has been described here, each control command sent to another sub-board is also the same as that shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a display control command sent from the main board 31 which controls the game to the symbol control board 80. In the example shown in FIG. 18, commands 8000 (H) to 80XX (H) are display control commands for designating a variation pattern of the special symbol in the variable display device 9 that variably displays the special symbol. The command for designating the variation pattern also serves as a variation start instruction.

Commands 91XX (H), 92XX (H)
And 93XX (H) is a display control command for designating the left middle right stop symbol of the special symbol. Also, command 8
F00 (H) is a special symbol power-on display command (power-on display command) for instructing 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 A000 (H) is a display control command (decision command) for instructing to stop the variable display of the special symbol.

The command BXXX (H) 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 normal symbol display device 10 is controlled by the lamp control means, B1XX (H) and B1XX (H)
2XX (H) is not sent to the symbol control board 80.
The command C000 (H) is a command for instructing a customer waiting demonstration. By such a command, the previous hit display, the game machine name display, and the like are alternately displayed at regular intervals.

The command C100 (H) is specially sent when the game state at the time of power off is stored in the backup RAM of the game control means at the time of power on, and when the symbol is fluctuating at the time of power off. It is a symbol power failure recovery command. When the display control means receives the special symbol power failure recovery command, it starts control to display the instructed left and right middle symbols. The designated left and right middle symbols are commands that specify the stop symbols in the left and right that are sent after the special symbol power failure recovery command, and commands that specify the stop symbols in the left and right that were sent immediately before the power was turned off. Is the same command as.

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

When the display control means of the symbol control board 80 receives the above-mentioned display control command from the game control means of the main board 31, the variable display device 9 and the ordinary symbol display device 10 (in accordance with the contents shown in FIG. When the display control means normally controls the symbol), the display state is changed.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the lamp control command sent from the main board 31 for controlling the game to the lamp control board 35. The lamp control command also has a 2-byte structure of MODE and EXT. In the example shown in FIG. 19, commands 8000 (H) to 80XX
(H) is a lamp control command for designating the lamp / LED display control pattern corresponding to the variation pattern of the special symbol in the variable display device 9. Also, the command A0X
X (H) (X = an arbitrary value of 4 bits) is a lamp control command for instructing the lamp / LED display control pattern when the variable display of the special symbol is stopped. Command BXXX
(H) is a lamp control command for instructing the lamp / LED display control pattern from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. Then, the command C000 (H)
Is a lamp control command for instructing the lamp / LED display control pattern at the customer waiting demonstration.

Incidentally, the command 8XXX (H), AXXX
(H), BXXX (H) and CXXX (H) are lamp control commands sent from the game control means according to the game progress status. When the lamp control means receives the above-mentioned lamp control command from the game control means of the main board 31, it changes the display state of the lamp / LED according to the contents shown in FIG. In addition, command 8XXX (H), AX
XX (H), BXXX (H) and CXXX (H) are
It is commonly used in the same control state as the display control command and the voice control command, for example.

The command E0XX (H) is a lamp control command indicating the number of lighting of the start storage indicator 18. For example, the lamp control means turns on the number of displays designated by “XX (H)” in the start memory display 18. The command E1XX (H) is a lamp control command that indicates the number of the gate passage storage indicators 41 that are turned on. For example, the lamp control means turns on the number of displays designated by “XX (H)” in the gate passage storage display 41. That is, those commands are commands for instructing the control of the light-emitting body provided for notifying the information of the number of holdings. In addition, the command regarding the number of lighting of the starting memory display 18 and the gate passing memory display 41 may be configured to indicate an increase or decrease of the number of lighting.

Commands E201 (H) and E202
(H) is a lamp control command relating to the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 and includes commands E301 (H) and E3.
02 (H) is a lamp control command relating to the display state of the out-of-bulb lamp 52. The lamp control means is the main board 3
When the lamp control command of "E202 (H)" is received from the game control means of No. 1, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is changed to a predetermined display state when there is a prize ball remaining, and the lamp of "E201 (H)" is displayed. When the control command is received, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is changed to a predetermined display state as when there is no prize ball remaining. When the lamp control command of "E301 (H)" is received from the game control means of the main board 31, the display state of the out-of-ball lamp 52 is changed to the display state with a ball, and the lamp control command of "E302 (H)" is issued. When it is received, the display state of the out-of-ball lamp 52 is changed to the in-bulb display state.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a sound control command sent from the main board 31 for controlling a game to the sound control board 70. Sound control commands are MODE and E
It is a 2-byte structure of XT. In the example shown in FIG.
Command 8XXX (H) (X = arbitrary value of 4 bits)
Is a sound control command for designating a sound generation pattern in a variation period of the special symbol. Command BXXX (H)
(X = arbitrary value of 4 bits) is a sound control command that specifies a sound generation pattern from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. Other commands are sound control commands that are not related to special symbol variations and jackpot games. When the sound control means of the sound control board 70 receives the above-mentioned sound control command from the game control means of the main board 31, it changes the sound output state according to the contents shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the command set processing. The command set process is a process including a command output process and an INT signal output process. In the command setting process, the CPU 56 first saves the address of the command transmission table in the stack or the like (step S331). Then, the INT data of the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer is loaded into the argument 1 (step S332). The argument 1 is input information for the command transmission process described later. Further, the address indicating the command transmission table is incremented by 1 (step S333). Therefore, the address indicating the command transmission table matches the address of the command data 1.

Therefore, the CPU 56 sends the command data 1
Is read out and is set to the argument 2 (step S334).
The argument 2 is also input information for the command transmission process described later. Then, the command transmission processing routine is called (step S335).

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the command transmission processing routine. In the command transmission processing routine, the CPU 56 first sets the data set in the argument 1, that is, the INT data, in the work area determined as the comparison value (step S351).
Next, the number of transmissions = 4 is set in the work area determined as the number of processes (step S352). Then, the address of the port 1 for outputting the payout control signal is set to the IO address (step S353). In this embodiment, the address of port 1 is the address of the output port for outputting the payout control signal. Further, the addresses of the ports 2 to 4 are the addresses of the output ports for outputting the display control signal, the lamp control signal and the voice control signal.

Next, the CPU 56 shifts the comparison value right by 1 bit (step S354). As a result of the shift processing, it is confirmed whether the carry bit has become 1 (step S355). The carry bit has become 1, which means that the rightmost bit in the INT data is "1".
It means that it was. In this embodiment, the shift process is performed four times. For example, when it is specified that the payout control command should be sent, the carry bit becomes 1 in the first shift process.

When the carry bit becomes 1, the data set in the argument 2, in this case, the command data 1 (that is, MODE data) is output to the address set as the IO address (step S3
56). When the first shift processing is performed, the address of port 1 is set as the IO address, so the MODE data of the payout control command is set to port 1 at that time.
Is output to.

Next, the CPU 56 sets the IO address to 1
While adding (step S357), 1 is subtracted from the processing number (step S358). When the port 1 is shown before the addition, the address of the port 2 is set to the IO address by the addition process for the IO address. Port 2 is a port for outputting a display control command. Then, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of processes (step S359), and if the value is not 0,
It returns to step S354. The shift process is performed again in step S354.

In the second shift processing, the value of bit 1 in the INT data is pushed out, and the carry flag becomes "1" or "0" depending on the value of bit 1. Therefore,
A check is made to see if it is specified that a display control command should be sent. Similarly, by the third and fourth shift processes, it is checked whether or not the lamp control command and the sound control command should be sent. In this way, when each shift process is performed, the IO address has the IO address corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) checked by the shift process. It is set.

Therefore, when the carry flag becomes "1", the corresponding output port (port 1 to port 4)
A control command is sent to. That is, one common module can perform a process of sending a control command to each electric component control means.

Further, in this way, since it is determined which electric component control means the control command should be output only by the shift processing, it is determined which electric component control means the control command should be output. Processing has been simplified.

Next, the CPU 56 reads the contents of the argument 1 in which the INT data before the shift process is started (step S360), and outputs the read data to the port 0 (step S361). In this embodiment,
The address of port 0 is a port for outputting the INT signal for each control signal, and bit 0 of port 0
4 to 4 are the payout control INT signal and the display control IN, respectively.
It is a port for outputting a T signal, a lamp control INT signal, and a sound control INT signal. In the INT data, the bit corresponding to the output bit of the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) output in the processing of steps S351 to S359 becomes “1”. Has become. Therefore,
The INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) output to any of the ports 1 to 4 becomes high level.

Next, the CPU 56 sets a predetermined value in the wait counter (step S362), and decrements by 1 until the value becomes 0 (steps S363, S36).
4). When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, clear data (00) is set (step S365) and the data is output to port 0 (step S366). Therefore, the INT signal becomes low level. Then, a predetermined value is set in the wait counter (step S362), and 1 is subtracted until the value becomes 0 (step S368,
S369).

As described above, the 1st byte MODE data of the control command is transmitted. Therefore, CPU5
6, in step S336 shown in FIG. 21, 1 is added to the value indicating the command transmission table. Therefore, the area of the command data 2 in the third byte is designated. The CPU 56
The contents of the indicated command data 2 are loaded into the argument 2 (step S337). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the value of bit 7 (work area reference bit) of the command data 2 is "0" (step S339). If it is not 0, the contents of the transmission buffer are loaded into the argument 2 (step S341). If the extended data is used when the value of the work area reference bit is "1", the start address of the command extended data address table is set in the pointer and the command data is set in the pointer. The address is calculated by adding the values of bit 6 to bit 0 of 2. Then, the data of the area pointed to by the address is loaded into the argument 2.

Since data capable of specifying the number of prize balls is set in the transmission buffer, the data is set in the argument 2. If the extended data is used when the value of the work area reference bit is “1”, the command extended data address table contains
EXT data that can be sent to the electric component control means is sequentially set. Therefore, if the value of the work area reference bit is “1”, the EXT data in the command extension data address table according to the content of the command data 2 is loaded into the argument 2.

Next, the CPU 56 calls the command transmission processing routine (step S342). Therefore, M
EXT at the same timing as when transmitting ODE data
Data is sent out.

As described above, the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) having a 2-byte structure is transmitted to the corresponding electric component control means. The electric component control means starts the control command fetching process when the rising edge of the INT signal is detected, but for any electric component control means, a new signal from the game control means is signaled before the fetching process is completed. It is never printed on the line. That is, a reliable command reception process is performed in each electric component control means. In addition, each electric component control means is
The control command acquisition process may be started at the falling edge of the T signal. Further, the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, in the award ball process, when the award ball payout condition is satisfied, the data capable of specifying the award number is stored in the ring buffer capable of storing a plurality of data at the same time, and the award number is stored. When the payout control command designating the is sent, the data in the area of the ring buffer pointed by the read pointer is transferred to the transmission buffer. Therefore, even if a plurality of prize ball payout conditions are satisfied at the same time, the data capable of specifying the number of prize balls based on the satisfaction of those conditions is stored in the ring buffer, so that the command output process based on the satisfaction of each condition does not pose a problem. To be executed.

In this embodiment, a plurality of ring buffers are prepared for each control command (display control command, lamp control command, sound control command, payout control command) to each control means. For example, when data capable of specifying the control command is set in the ring buffer of the display control command, the lamp control command and the sound control command, a plurality of display control commands, lamp control commands and It is also possible to send the sound control command. That is, a plurality of control commands can be sent at the same time (meaning in the activation cycle of the game control process, that is, the 2 ms timer interrupt process). Since the transmission timings of those control commands occur at the same time in the progress of the game production, it is convenient to have such a configuration. However, since the payout control command is generated regardless of the progress of the game effect, in general, the display control command,
It is not sent at the same time as the lamp control command and the sound control command.

Next, the luminous body control means will be described as an example of the electric part control means other than the game control means. In the present example, the light emitter control means is also effect control means for controlling the game effect devices (movable effect means) 25A, 25B, 29, 30, 33A, 33B.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart 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 for initializing the registers, the RAM including the work area, the output port and the like (step S44).
1). Next, the received lamp control command is analyzed (command analysis execution process: step S442). Also,
The random number is updated according to the content of the received lamp control command (step S443).

Then, in accordance with the received lamp control command, command execution processing is executed, which is processing such as changing the lamp data to be used (step S444). In addition,
The lamp control command from the main board 31 is fetched by an interrupt process started in response to the input of the INT signal, and is stored in the RAM.
It is stored in the input buffer formed in.

Then, in this embodiment, the lamp control CPU 351 shifts to a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S445). And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the timer interrupt occurs, the lamp control CPU 351 sets the timer interrupt flag (step S450). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the CPU 351 for lamp control
Clears the flag (step S44
6) The lamp process update process and the port output process are performed (steps S447 and S448). Then, the lamp control CPU 351 has the game effect devices 25A, 25B,
When performing the effect by 29, 30, 33A, 33B,
A drive command is issued to the solenoid circuit 352 (step S4).
49: Solenoid output processing). Game production device 25A, 2
In order to operate the 5B, 29, 30, 33A, 33B, the solenoid circuit 352 operates the solenoids 16, 21, 21A, 25Aa, 25Ba, 29 according to the drive command.
a, 29b, 30a, 33Aa, 33Ba and the falling solenoid are driven. Then, it returns to step S442.

In this embodiment, the lighting pattern of the lamps / LEDs controlled to blink according to the progress of the game is RO
It is controlled according to the lamp data (data set in each fluctuation pattern table) stored in M. The ramp data is prepared for each type of control pattern. In this example, the lamp data is prepared for each effect mode determined by the control command indicating the type of fluctuation pattern designation shown in FIG. 19 and the effect content uniquely determined by the sub-board. Further, the lamp data is also prepared for each control command relating to other game effects transmitted from the game control means according to the game progress status.

In the lamp data, data indicating that the lamp / LED (for example, the back lamp 36a) is turned on or off, and data indicating a period of turning on or off (process timer value) are set. That is, data indicating the lighting pattern of the light emitter is stored in the control data area. The lamp control CPU 351 uses the lamp data in accordance with the lamp data corresponding to the determined effect mode.
By turning on or off the LED, 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 updating process, the value of the timer whose value is initialized according to the process timer value is subtracted, and when the timer times out, the data set to the next address in the ramp data is changed. Accordingly, it is determined to turn off or turn on the lamp / LED, and the 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 when the light is turned on / off.
Data for turning on or off the LED is output to the corresponding output port. Further, when the process timer value is set to the timer, it is also when the on / off is switched. Therefore, in the solenoid output process, the control signal for controlling the game effect device is the solenoid circuit 35.
2 is output.

Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt is taken every 2 ms. That is, the lamp process update process, the port output process, and the solenoid output process are activated every 2 ms.

Next, the lamp control command reception process from the main board 31 will be described. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing the lamp control command received from the main board 31. In this example, a ring buffer type command receiving buffer capable of storing 6 lamp control commands of 2 bytes is used. Therefore, the command receiving buffer is composed of the 12-byte area of the receiving command buffers 1-12.
Then, a command reception number counter indicating which area to store the received command is used. The command reception number counter takes a value of 0-11. It is not always necessary to use the ring buffer format. For example, in the symbol control board 80, the symbol designation command storage area is 3
It is also possible to have a buffer configuration such as one (2 × 3 = command reception buffer of 6 bytes) and one other command storage area for designating a variation pattern (2 × 1 = command reception buffer of 2 bytes). Similarly, the voice control means and the lamp control means may have a buffer format other than the ring buffer format. In this case, the display control means, the voice control means, and the lamp control means are controlled based on the latest command stored in the storage area such as the variation pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to promptly respond to the instruction from the main board 31.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the lamp control command receiving process by the interrupt process. Main board 31
The lamp control INT signal from the lamp control CPU
It is input to the interrupt terminal 351. For example, the main board 3
When the INT signal from 1 is turned on, the CPU 351 for lamp control interrupts. Then, the reception process of the lamp control command shown in FIG. 26 is started.

In the reception processing of the lamp control command,
The lamp control CPU 351 first saves each register in the stack (step S670). When an interrupt occurs, the lamp control CPU 351 automatically sets the interrupt prohibited state, but does not automatically change to the interrupt prohibited state C
When using a PU, it is preferable to issue an interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction) before executing the process of step S670. Then, the data is read from the input port assigned to the input of the lamp control command data (step S671). Then, it is confirmed whether or not it is the first byte of the display control command having the 2-byte structure (step S672).

Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is "1". The head bit is “1” in the MODE data (first byte) of the display control command having a 2-byte structure (see FIG. 16). Therefore, if the leading bit is "1", the lamp control CPU 351 determines that the valid first byte has been received, and stores the received command in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area (step). S67
3).

If it is not the first byte of the lamp control command, it is confirmed whether or not the first byte has already been received (step S674). Whether or not the data has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (reception command buffer).

If the first byte has already been received,
It is confirmed whether the first bit of the received 1 byte is "0". If the first bit is "0",
Assuming that the valid second byte has been received, the received command is stored in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (step S675). The first bit is "0" in the EXT data (second byte) of the lamp control command having a 2-byte structure (see FIG. 16). If the confirmation result in step S674 is that the first byte has already been received, the process ends if the first bit of the data received as the second byte is not "0".

When the command data of the second byte is stored in step S675, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (step S676). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (step S677), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (step S678). After that, the saved registers are restored (step S679),
The interrupt permission is set (step S680).

The lamp control command has a 2-byte structure, and the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) can be immediately distinguished on the receiving side. That is, the receiving side can immediately detect whether the data as MODE or the data as EXT is received by the first bit. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to easily determine whether or not proper data has been received. In addition, this is the payout control command,
The same applies to the display control command and the voice control command.

FIG. 27 shows command analysis processing (step S
442) is a flow chart showing a specific example. The lamp control command received from the main board 31 is stored in the received command buffer, but in the command analysis process, the content of the command stored in the received command buffer is confirmed.

In the command analysis process, the lamp control CPU 351 first confirms whether or not the received command is stored in the command reception buffer (step S6).
81). Whether it is stored or not is determined by comparing the value of the command reception counter with the read pointer. The case where both match is the case where the received command is not stored. When the received command is stored in the command reception buffer, the lamp control CP
The U 351 reads the received command from the command reception buffer (step S682). When read, the value of the read pointer is incremented by +1.

If the received command that has been read is a fluctuation pattern command (step S683), C for lamp control is used.
The PU 351 stores the EXT data of the command in the fluctuation pattern storage area (step S684) and sets the fluctuation pattern reception flag (step S685).
The fluctuation pattern storage area is the lamp control board 35.
Is provided in, for example, a RAM.

If the read received command is another lamp control command, the flag corresponding to the received command is set (step S686).

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number handled by the display control CPU 101. Note that the values of the respective random numbers shown in FIG. 28 are the same when the received command read in step S682 described above is a variation pattern command.
The random number value extracted by the processing of the lamp control CPU 351 is stored in a predetermined RAM area. Then, it is read and used in the effect mode determination process described later. The reach effect determination random number is used to determine the content of the reach effect when the reach effect is determined. The reach announcement determination random number is used to determine whether or not to give the reach announcement, and also to determine the effect contents when the reach announcement is given. The random number for jackpot notification is used to determine whether or not to give a jackpot notification, and also to determine the content of the effect when the jackpot notification is given. The random number for probability variation notification determination is used to determine whether or not to perform probability variation notification, and also to determine the effect contents when the probability variation notification is performed. The random number for re-lottery determination is used to determine whether or not to perform re-lottery when the jackpot is a big hit. Note that random numbers other than the above random numbers (for example, initial value determination random numbers) are also used in order to enhance the game effect. Moreover, it is desirable that the random numbers are periodically set to an initial value (for example, an initial value determined for each random number) so that the random numbers are not synchronized with each other.

In this example, each random number is updated by the random number value updating process (step S463) in the loop process for confirming the monitoring of the timer interrupt flag (step S465). The updating of each random number is not limited to the case of performing the random number value updating process, and may be performed by, for example, the timer interrupt process, or may be performed by both the random number value updating process and the timer interrupt process. May be.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the effect mode determination process. The effect mode determination process is performed in the command execution process (step S444). In the effect mode determination process, when the lamp control CPU 351 receives the lamp control command capable of specifying the variation time (step S820), whether or not the received lamp control command capable of specifying the variation time is a big hit. It is determined (step S821). The lamp control command that can specify the variation time includes information about whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not it is a probability variation big hit, and whether or not it reaches.

If it is a big hit, C for lamp control
The PU 351 extracts a random number for re-lottery determination (specifically,
The already extracted random number value is read from a predetermined area of the RAM. The same applies hereinafter), and it is determined whether or not to perform the re-lottery effect according to the value (step S822). Note that, for example, when the lamp control CPU 351 determines that the received fluctuation time is an uncertain change from the specified lamp control command, the process of step S822 may not be performed.

Next, the lamp control CPU 351 extracts the reach effect determination random number and determines the content of the reach effect according to the extracted random number (step S823). As shown in FIG. 30, six types of reach effects are prepared in this example, and the reach effect to be executed is determined according to the value of the extracted reach effect determination random number. In this example, as shown in FIG. 30, a selection rate of each reach effect when a big hit and a selection rate of each reach effect when a big hit are determined. That is, in this example, the selection table used at the time of a big hit and the selection table used at the time of out-of-range reach are used. For example, the reach 5 is selected with a probability of 20/100 at the time of a big hit, but is selected with a probability of 1/100 at the time of a missed reach. Here, the reach effect contents are determined using a selection table used during a big hit. The appearance rate for all fluctuations shown in FIG. 30 has a jackpot probability of 1/300 and a reach development rate of 1/10.
Is the value calculated as In addition, the jackpot reliability shown in FIG. 30 is a value indicating the rate of development into a jackpot when the corresponding reach effect is executed.

Further, the lamp control CPU 351 determines whether or not to reach reach announcement by extracting the reach announcement determination random number, and to determine which reach announcement effect to execute when the reach announcement is given (value). Step S824).
As shown in FIG. 31, in this example, in addition to the case of no reach announcement, four types of reach announcement effects are prepared. The lamp control CPU 351 determines either no reach announcement or a reach announcement effect to be executed according to the value of the extracted reach announcement determination random number. In this example,
As shown in FIG. 31, the selection rate of each reach notice production (including no notice) in the case of reach and the selection rate of each reach notice production (including no notice) in the case of not reach are set. There is. That is, in this example, the selection table used during reach and the selection table used during non-reach are used. For example, the reach notice 1 is selected with a probability of 10/100 at the time of reach, but is selected with a probability of 20/100 at the time of non-reach. Here, the presence / absence of the reach announcement and the effect contents when the reach announcement is given are determined using the selection table used at the reach. The appearance rate for all fluctuations shown in FIG. 31 is a value calculated assuming that the jackpot probability is 1/300 and the reach development rate is 1/10. In addition, the reach development reliability is when the relevant reach announcement production is executed (including no announcement).
Is a value indicating the rate of reach development.

Also, the lamp control CPU 351 extracts a random number for jackpot announcement determination and determines whether or not to give a jackpot announcement according to the value, and which jackpot announcement effect to execute when the jackpot announcement is given (( Step S825).
As shown in FIG. 32, in this example, in addition to the case of no big hit announcement (not shown in FIG. 32), three types of big hit announcement effects are prepared. The lamp control CPU 351 is
Depending on the value of the extracted random number for jackpot announcement determination, either no jackpot announcement or a jackpot announcement effect to be executed is determined. In addition, each jackpot notice production (including no notice)
In this example, as shown in FIG. 33, is selected according to whether it is a big hit, whether it is a reach, or the type of reach effect when it is a reach (type of reach determined in step S823). The rates are set to be different.
By setting in this way, the reliability of a big hit is made different for each big hit advance notice effect and for each combination of the big hit advance notice effect and the reach effect. For example, the big hit notice 1 is selected with a probability of 20/100 at the time of a big hit when the reach effect by the reach 1 is executed, but is selected with a probability of 10/100 at the time of a big hit. The appearance rate for all fluctuations shown in FIG. 33 is a value calculated assuming that the jackpot probability is 1/300 and the reach development rate is 1/10. In addition, the jackpot reliability shown in FIG. 34 is obtained when the corresponding jackpot notice production is executed (including no notice).
Is a value indicating the proportion of a big hit.

Further, the lamp control CPU 351 extracts the random number for probability variation notification determination and determines whether or not to perform the probability variation notification according to the value, and which probability variation notification effect is to be executed when the probability variation notification is performed ( Step S826). Fig. 35
As shown in, in this example, 1
There are different types of probabilistic notices. Lamp control C
The PU 351 decides no probability change notification or probability change notification 1 according to the value of the extracted random number for probability change notification determination. In addition, each probability change notice production (including no notice) is
As shown in FIG. 35, the selection rates are set to be different depending on whether the probability variation big hit is hit, the reach is hit, or the hit does not reach. By setting in this way, the reliability of the probability variation big hit is made different. For example, the probability variation notice 1 is selected with a probability of 70/100 in the case of a probability variation big hit, is selected with a probability of 5/100 in the case of a loss after the reach, and is selected without a reach. Is 1/1
Selected with a probability of 00. The appearance rate for all the fluctuations shown in FIG. 35 is a value calculated assuming that the jackpot probability is 1/300 and the reach development rate is 1/10. The probability variation jackpot reliability shown in FIG. 35 is a value indicating the probability of probability variation when the corresponding probability variation notice effect is executed (including no notice). Further, the probability variation jackpot reliability at the time of reach shown in FIG. 35 is a value indicating the rate of probability variation when the corresponding probability variation announcement effect is executed and the reach is further developed.

Then, the lamp control CPU 351 produces an effect mode (lamp / LED or game) according to the effect contents determined in steps S822 to S826 and the received lamp control command capable of specifying the variable time. The mode of the effect executed using the effect device is determined (step S827).

If the result is NO in step S821, the lamp control CPU 351 determines from the lamp control command capable of specifying the variation time whether the reach is reached or not (step S828). In the case of reach, the lamp control CPU 351 causes the above-described step S823.
~ The process of step S826 is executed. In this case, the lamp control CPU 351 extracts the random number for reach advance notice determination in the process of step S823, for example, and uses the above-mentioned out-of-range reach table to give a reach advance notice. Determines the contents of the reach announcement production of. Then, steps S823 to S826.
The effect mode is determined according to the effect contents determined in step S4 and the received lamp control command capable of specifying the variation time (step S827).

If it is not reach (step S828)
N), and the lamp control CPU 351 executes the above-described processing of steps S824 to S826. Then, the effect mode is determined according to the effect contents determined in steps S824 to S826 and the received lamp control command capable of specifying the variation time (step S827).

As described above, it is decided whether the re-lottery effect is to be given, the reach notice is given, the big hit notice is given, or the probability change notice is given, and the effect mode corresponding to the effect contents (specifically, The effect mode specified by the determined effect content and the content of the received lamp control command that can specify the variation time) is determined. As described above, in this example, FIG.
The jackpot reliability shown in 0, the reach development reliability shown in FIG. 31, the jackpot reliability shown in FIG. 34, and the probability variation jackpot reliability shown in FIG. 35 are the game production devices 25A, 25B, 29, 3 respectively.
It is configured to be different depending on the operation contents of 0, 33A and 33B. Therefore, the player can play each game production device 25.
By playing the game while paying attention to the operation contents of A, 25B, 29, 30, 33A, and 33B, it becomes possible to improve the interest of the game.

When the effect mode is determined, the lamp control CP
U351 identifies the variation pattern table in which the variation pattern according to the determined rendering mode is set, and sets the variation pattern table as the variation pattern table to be used (step S829). The fluctuation pattern table will be described later. Also, C for lamp control
The PU 351 identifies the motion pattern table in which the motion pattern corresponding to the determined rendering mode is set, and sets the motion pattern table as the motion pattern table to be used (step S830). When the operation pattern table to be used is set, the lamp control CPU 35
1 sets the production flag (step S83)
1). The flag during production is referred to in the lamp process update process described later. In addition, when there is no operation pattern table set according to the decided effect mode (when it is possible to effect that the operation of the game effect device is not performed), the process of step S830 is not performed. The operation pattern table will be described later. And a lamp control CPU
The control unit 351 starts the lighting / extinguishing control according to the fluctuation pattern set in the fluctuation pattern table to be used, and also starts the ON / OFF control according to the operation pattern set in the operation pattern data to be used ( Step S832). Specifically, in step S832,
A ramp execution table defined in correspondence with the first process timer value in the fluctuation pattern table (see FIG. 40).
(See FIG. 39) and the operation execution table defined in correspondence with the first process timer value in the operation pattern table (see FIG. 39).
Set to the on / off state indicated by. Depending on this setting,
Turning on / off the corresponding lamp / LED is executed in the port output process, and turning on / off the corresponding game effect device is executed in the solenoid output process.

36 and 37 show the lamp control CPU 3
Production mode determined based on the production content determined by 51, and game production devices 25A, 25B, 29, 30,
It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the operation pattern of 33A, 33B, and the lighting pattern (variation pattern) of a lamp and LED. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, in the present example, the action patterns and the variation patterns are associated with the effect modes determined based on the effect contents determined by the lamp control CPU 351. Therefore, it is configured such that one motion pattern and one variation pattern are determined in accordance with the determined effect mode. That is, the information specified by the lamp control command that can specify the received fluctuation time (whether it is a big hit, whether it is a probability change, or whether it is reach) and the information determined by the processing shown in FIG. 29 described above. (Reach production mode in case of reaching, re-lottery (including re-lottery production mode in case of re-lottery), reach announcement (including reach notice production mode in case of reaching notice), Whether or not to give a big hit notice (including a big hit notice effect mode when giving a big hit notice) or whether to give a probability change notice (including a probability change notice effect form when giving a probability change notice)
36, which is the result of the decision)
One motion pattern and one variation pattern are determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 36, the display mode of the symbol is determined to be “out”, and the reach effect by the reach 1 is set,
When it is decided to perform the effect by the reach announcement effect by the reach announcement 1, the effect using the game effect device can be executed by the operation pattern of "reach A2" (operation pattern A2 shown in FIG. 37). The change pattern of “reach A2” (change pattern A2 shown in FIG. 37) is determined to execute the lighting / extinguishing effect of the lamp / LED.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation pattern table used in this embodiment. Each operation pattern table is stored in a recording medium such as a ROM mounted on the lamp control board 35 or an external ROM. In this example, the operation pattern table shown in FIG. 38 is configured by a combination of operation blocks.
The lamp control CPU 351 executes a predetermined operation according to the operation pattern table.

As shown in FIG. 38, the operation pattern table is provided corresponding to each effect mode determined by the lamp control CPU 351 in the effect mode determination process of step S801 described above, and in this example, the operation pattern. An operation pattern table of 1 to operation pattern XX is stored in a recording medium such as a ROM. In the operation pattern table,
Solenoids 16, 21, 21A, 25Aa, 25Ba,
Data indicating that 29a, 29b, 30a, 33Aa, and 33Ba are turned on or off, and data indicating an on or off period are set. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 39, data (operation content data) indicating the control state (on or off) of the period is set corresponding to the data indicating the period (operation period data). . Then, when performing the operation, the operation period data set in the operation pattern table is sequentially referred to,
The control is executed in accordance with the operation content data defined corresponding to the period. In this example, the operation pattern table (the table in which the operation array data is set) is
A plurality of operation pattern data composed of a combination of operation period data and operation content data is provided, and each operation pattern data is arranged according to an operation order (execution order). In the example shown in FIG. 39, in the operation pattern 2, the game effect device 25A is set to a waiting time of 500 m.
After turning off for s, turn on for 100 ms, turn off for 500 ms, then turn back 100 m
The production of reach notice 1 is performed, for example, by turning on.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the fluctuation pattern table. The fluctuation pattern table is stored in a recording medium such as a ROM mounted on the lamp control board 35 or an external ROM. 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. In the control data area, there are set an initialization data table used for initialization of registers, RAM, output port, etc., a storage display LED display table used for control of turning on / off of the start storage indicator 18, etc., and lamp data. The change pattern table, the operation pattern table in which the operation data is set, and the like are stored. In the control program area, main processing programs, initialization processing, command recognition processing, and command execution processing are stored, and also specific lamp / LED processing, lamp process update processing, port output processing, solenoid output Stores programs for processing, command reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing.

Each variation pattern table is provided corresponding to each effect mode determined by the lamp control CPU 351 in the effect mode determination process described above. Further, in each fluctuation pattern table, data indicating the lighting pattern of the lamp / LED (for example, the ceiling frame lamp 28a) is stored. In each fluctuation pattern table, the lamp / LED lighting pattern as shown in FIG.
It is set corresponding to the rendering mode determined by the PU 351. Similar to the operation pattern table, the fluctuation pattern table is set with data indicating that the lamp / LED is turned on or off, and data indicating an on or off period. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 40, data (effect content data) indicating a control state (on or off) of the period is set corresponding to data indicating the period (effect period data). . Then, when the effect is executed, the effect period data set in the variation pattern table is sequentially referred to, and the control is executed in accordance with the effect content data set corresponding to the period. In this example, the variation pattern table (effect pattern table: table in which effect array data is set) includes a plurality of effect pattern data composed of a combination of effect period data and effect content data, and each effect pattern data is effect. It is configured by being arranged according to the order (execution order).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 39, "1" is set in the operation execution table as data indicating that the control signal for the game effect device is turned on,
“0” is set in the operation execution table as data indicating turning off. Further, as shown in FIG. 40, "1" is set in the lamp execution table as data indicating that the lamp / LED is turned on (turned on), and is turned off (off).
“0” is set in the ramp execution table as data indicating that the ramp is to be performed. That is, the game effect device is turned on /
1-bit data is used as the data indicating the OFF state and the ON / OFF state of the lamp / LED. In this example, since the timer interrupt is generated every 2 ms, the process timer set value is 250 (500 ms / 2 ms) in the case of 500 ms, for example.
Is set.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart showing an example of the ramp process updating process in step S447. In the lamp process update processing, the lamp control CPU 351
Confirms whether or not production is in progress (step S447).
a). This confirmation is performed depending on whether or not the in-production flag is set. If the performance is being performed, the value of the process timer currently in use is subtracted (step S447).
b). Next, the lamp control CPU 351 determines that the process timer has timed out (step S447).
c), it is determined whether or not to end the effect (step S44).
7d). In this determination, if the end code is set to the address next to the address where the process timer value indicating the initial value of the timer that has timed out is set, it is determined that the production is ended, and the end code must be set. If it is determined that the production is not finished.

When it is determined that the effect is not finished, the lamp control CPU 351 sets the process timer value set at the address next to the address at which the process timer value indicating the initial value of the timer that has timed out is set. It is set (step S447e). Then, according to the contents of the table (lamp execution table, operation execution table) set corresponding to the set process timer value, the lighting / extinguishing of the lamp / LED and the on / off setting of the game effect device are switched ( Step S447f). If the lamp / LED is not turned on / off and the game effect device is not turned on / off, the setting is not switched.

When it is determined in step S447d that the effect should be ended, the lamp control CPU 351 sets the lighting / extinguishing state to the off state when the effect by the lamp / LED is ended, and the game effect is produced. When finishing the effect by the device, the on / off state is set to the off state (step S447g). When the effect by the lamp / LED and the effect by the game effect device are finished, the lamp control CPU 351 clears the effect flag (step S447h).

In this embodiment, step S447f.
Depending on the setting state of step S447g or step S447g, the lamp / LED is turned on / off in the port output process (step S448).
The turn-off control is executed, and the solenoid output process (step S
At 449), ON / OFF control of the game effect device is executed.

That is, in this embodiment, the lighting / lighting-out state of the lamp / LED is set by the same program (control program for executing the lamp process update processing), and the gaming effecting device is turned on / off. To set. Further, port output processing (step S44
8) is a process of executing lighting / extinguishing control of the lamp / LED according to the setting in step S832 of the effect mode determination process and the setting states of steps S447f and S447g of the lamp process update process, and the solenoid output process ( Step S449) is a process for executing ON / OFF control of the game effect device according to the setting in step S832 of the effect mode determination process and the setting states of step S447f and step S447g of the lamp process update process.
That is, both the port output process (step S448) and the solenoid output process (step S449) are processes for turning on (on) or extinguishing (off) depending on the set state, so the port output process (step S448).
And the solenoid output process (step S449) can be realized by a common program.

Next, the operation of the effect control means other than the light emitter control means will be described. First, the display control CPU 10 mounted on the symbol control board 80, which is an example of effect control means.
The operation of the display control means including 1 will be described.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart 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 the display control activation interval is performed (step S701). After that, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for confirming 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. 43, when the timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets the timer interrupt flag (step S711). In the main process, 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 interrupt is taken 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 interrupt process, and the specific variable display control process is executed in the main process, but the variable display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process. .

In the variable display control process, C for display control is used.
The PU 101 first analyzes the received display control command (command analysis execution process: step S704). Next, the display control CPU 101 performs display control process processing (step S705). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from the processes according to the control state. Then, it returns to step S710.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart showing the display control process process (step S705) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process processing,
Step S800 according to the value of the display control process flag
One of the processes from S805 to S805 is performed. In each process, the following process is executed.

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

Rendering mode determination processing (step S801):
A process of determining the reach effect content and the notice effect content, determining the effect mode according to the determined content and the received variation pattern command, and setting the fluctuation pattern table and the motion pattern table according to the determined effect mode. To do. That is, the same processing as steps S821 to S829 of FIG. 29 described above is executed.

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

Processing during symbol fluctuation (step S803): The switching timing of each fluctuation state (fluctuation speed, background, character) forming the fluctuation pattern is controlled, and the end of the fluctuation time is monitored. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

All symbol stop wait setting process (step S80
4): At the end of the variation time, if the display control command (decision command) for instructing the stop of all the symbols is received, the variation of the symbols is stopped and the control for displaying the stopped symbol (determined symbol) is performed.

Big hit display process (step S805): After the end of the variation time, the probability variation big hit display or the normal big hit display is controlled.

In this embodiment, the pattern control board 80
Like the lamp control board 35, has the same random number as that shown in FIG. For example, each random number is set with an initial value in response to the reception of a control command for initial value setting, which is periodically sent from the main board 31, for example, and corresponding to the other electric component control boards 35 and 70. It is updated in synchronization with the random number. That is, in this embodiment,
Since it is said that the timer interrupt in each of the boards 70, 80, 35 is taken at the same period (specifically, every 2 ms),
Each random number that the symbol control board 80 has is controlled to be the same value as the corresponding random number of the other electric component control boards 35 and 70. Therefore, based on the same random number value, the effect determined by the symbol control board 80 and the effect determined by the lamp control board 35 are data showing the variation pattern of the identification information such that they are related to each other. If set, the symbol control board 80 can select data indicating a variation pattern for executing an effect related to the effect executed by the lamp control board 35, for example, by the same processing as the lamp control board 35 described above. It will be possible.

Next, an example of the operation state of the game effect device will be described. Here, description will be given by taking an example of an effect using the game effect device 25A based on the reach notice 1 (see FIG. 31). FIG. 45 is a timing chart showing the timing of the drive process of the solenoid 25Aa executed by the lamp control CPU 351 in the production according to the reach notice 1. Figure 4
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation state of the game effect device 25A when the processing of FIG. 45 is being executed. Note that FIG. 46 also shows the display state of the variable display device 9.

In the reach notice 1, first, "left", "middle", and "right" on the variable display device 9 at the timing of the start of fluctuation.
High-speed fluctuations are performed in the symbol display area (see FIG. 46).
(A)). During high-speed fluctuation (FIG. 46 (B)), the lamp control CPU 351 starts ON / OFF control of the solenoid 25Aa, and the hand, foot, and head of the game production device 25A are in an operating state in which the operation is performed in small steps (FIG. 46
(B)). This action becomes the reach notice. Solenoid 2
In the 5Aa on / off control, control is performed in such a manner that the ON state is performed at intervals of, for example, 500 ms for 100 ms in accordance with an operation pattern including reach advance notice 1 (for example, operation pattern 2 (see FIG. 39)). Then, at the timing of the left symbol replacement, 3 of the stop symbol in the symbol display area of "left"
The symbol before the symbol is displayed, and control is performed so that the variation of the three symbols is performed by the low speed variation. Then, at the start timing of the left symbol shake fluctuation, in the "left" symbol display area,
The symbol is repeatedly changed in the forward and reverse directions of the changing direction (FIG. 46 (C)). That is, the display control is performed in a so-called shaking fluctuation state. Swing fluctuation means that a display is displayed in which the design shakes up and down. It should be noted that the fluctuation fluctuation may be a mode of swaying the pattern left and right instead of a mode of oscillating the pattern up and down.

[0205] At the same time when the swing fluctuation is started in the "left" symbol display area, "right" in the variable display device 9 is started.
In the symbol display area, at the timing of the right symbol replacement, the symbol three symbols before the stop symbol is displayed in the symbol display area "right", and the three symbols are controlled to be changed by the low speed variation. . Then, at the start timing of the right symbol fluctuation variation, display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area (FIG. 46 (D)). Further, in this example, the solenoid 25Aa is maintained in the off state by the lamp control CPU 351 at the start timing of the right symbol swing fluctuation, and the operation state of the game effect device 25A ends (FIG. 46 (d)). . In this example, FIG.
Although the case has been described in which the reach is reached as shown in (D), the reach may not be reached in some cases.

Thereafter, the display control CPU 101 executes the swing fluctuation control of the left and right symbols until the middle symbol is determined.
Then, when the display control command for instructing to stop 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 middle symbols are in a fixed state in which they do not move.

FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing a structure of a characteristic portion in the above-mentioned gaming machine of this example. As shown in FIG. 47, the gaming machine of the present example is a gaming machine capable of executing variable display of identification information, and game control means 561 for controlling the progress of the game and movable used for the game effect. The effect control means 356 for controlling the effect means 357 is provided, and the game control means 561 determines the effect content according to the variable display of the identification information. The effect content determination means 561a and the effect content determined by the effect content determination means 561a. The effect control means 356 includes a command transmitting means 561b for transmitting a command indicating the content to the effect control means 356, and the effect control means 356 selects one operation from a plurality of operation patterns of the movable effect means 357 based on the received command. Each operation pattern includes a pattern determining means 356a for determining a pattern.
Each is specified by the motion pattern data arranged according to the motion order, and each motion pattern data is a mode data indicating the motion mode of the movable effect means 357 and a time indicating the control time by the operation mode of the movable effect means 357 based on the mode data The effect control unit 356 is configured by a combination of data, and is characterized by controlling the movable effect unit 357 according to the operation pattern data, using a common program for each operation pattern.

As described above, the lamp control CPU
351 is the same control program (a program for executing the ramp process update process of step S447,
And a program for executing the solenoid output process of step S449), the operation pattern data is sequentially referred to, and the game effect device is operated in accordance with the operation period data and the operation content data forming the operation pattern data. Lamp control CPU 351
It is possible to control the game effect device, and it is possible to reduce the control load on the CPU 56 when performing the effect by the game effect device. In addition, the same control program (a program for executing the ramp process updating process of step S447, and step S44
(9) Program for executing solenoid output processing)
Since it is possible to control the operation of all the game effect devices, it is possible to reduce the control load on the lamp control CPU 351. In this way, it is possible to reduce the control load of the game control means (for example, CPU 56) and the effect control means (for example, CPU 351 for lamp control), so that it is possible to execute a wide variety of effects using the game effect device. Become.

As described above, the lamp control CP
U351 is a lamp / LED in addition to the control of the game production device
Since the control is also performed, it is possible to improve the efficiency of control when performing the effect by the game effect device.
Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a microcomputer for controlling the game effect device, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the game machine.

As described above, the CP for lamp control is used.
U351 determines the effect pattern (variation pattern) of the lamp / LED based on the received variation pattern command, and the lamp / LE based on the determined effect pattern.
Since the lighting control of D is executed and the production pattern data and the operation pattern data are separately provided and used, the lighting / extinguishing control of the lamp / LED and the operation control of the game production device are distinguished. It can be executed, and the processing can be simplified. Further, since the effect pattern data and the action pattern data are separately provided, the data can be easily created and the data capacity can be reduced. That is, when there are many portions where the lighting / lighting-off timing of the lamp / LED and the operation / stop timing of the game effect device are different (for example, the lamp / LED
Depending on the case, a complicated effect that turns on / off frequently is performed, but in the game effect device, a simple operation is performed in which the operation / stop does not change much. Further, for example, the game effect device performs a complicated operation in which the operation / stop is frequently switched, but the lamp / LED is turned on / lighted.
When a simple performance is performed in which the lights do not change so much. ), If the effect pattern data and the operation pattern data are provided in common, the other period data that does not need to be switched in accordance with one switching timing (lighting / lighting switching timing or operation / stop switching timing) Need to be separated. If there are many portions where the period data is divided even though there is no need to switch the control state, the data capacity will increase. However, if the effect pattern data and the action pattern data are separately provided, the period data is not divided even though it is not necessary to switch the data, and the data capacity is reduced. Of.

Further, as described above, the operation content data is data indicating the signal level of the drive signal to the electric drive source for operating the game effect device (“1” if ON, if OFF) The effect content data is data indicating the signal level of the drive signal to the lamp / LED (“1” for lighting, “0” for extinguishing the lamp), and the lamp control CPU 351. Is a common control program (a program for executing the ramp process update process of step S447 that is commonly used)
Since it is configured to control the game effect device and the lamp / LED by using, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the control program for controlling the game effect device and the lamp / LED. As described above, the program for executing the port output process of step S448 and the program for executing the solenoid output process of step S449 can be easily configured in common. With this configuration, the capacity of the control program can be further reduced.

Further, as described above, the lamp control C
PU351, the operation contents and the lamp L by the game effect device not specified only by the command from the CPU56
Since the unique determining means is configured to collectively determine the operation content and the effect content in accordance with the rule shown in FIG. 37, the CPU 56 includes all the operation content. Also, since it is not necessary to determine the effect contents, the control load on the CPU 56 can be reduced. Further, since the operation content and the effect content are collectively determined according to the rule shown in FIG. 37, the control load on the lamp control CPU 351 is also reduced. Further, since the operation contents by the game effect device and the effect contents by the lamp / LED are collectively determined, if the corresponding operation and effect are set in advance, the lamp / LED corresponding to the operation contents by the game effect device. It becomes easy to decide the effect contents by.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation pattern data is configured such that one operation period data corresponds to one operation content data, but one operation period data includes a plurality of operation content data. It may have a corresponding configuration. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 48, a plurality of operation content data (here, 2
It is set). And when performing the action,
The operation period data set in the operation pattern table is sequentially referred to, and control is executed according to each operation content data set corresponding to the period. According to the operation pattern shown in FIG. 48, in the operation pattern 3, after the game effect device 25A and the game effect device 25B are turned off during the waiting time of 500 ms, 100
Reach advance notice 1 by turning on for a period of ms, turning off for a period of 500 ms, and then turning on for 100 ms again.
Is produced.

Here, an example of the operation state of the game effect device according to the operation pattern shown in FIG. 48 will be described. Here, the game effect device 2 based on the reach notice 2 (see FIG. 31)
5A and the effect using the game effect device 25B will be described as an example. FIG. 49 shows a solenoid 25Aa executed by the lamp control CPU 351 in the production according to the reach notice 2.
It is a timing chart which shows the timing of a drive process of 25Ba. FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operating states of the game effect devices 25A and 25B when the processing of FIG. 49 is being executed. Note that FIG. 50 also shows the display state of the variable display device 9.

In the reach notice 2, first, "left", "middle", and "right" on the variable display device 9 at the timing of the start of fluctuation.
High-speed fluctuations are performed in the symbol display area (see FIG. 50).
(A)). During high speed fluctuation (FIG. 50 (B)), the solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba are controlled by the lamp control CPU 351.
ON / OFF control is started, and the game effect device 25A, 2
The hand, foot, and head of 5B move in small steps (FIG. 50 (b)). This action becomes the reach notice.
The on / off control of the solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba is performed by an operation pattern including the reach notice 2 (for example, operation pattern 3).
(See FIG. 48)), for example, 1 at 500 ms intervals.
Control for turning on for a period of 00 ms is executed. After that, at the timing of the left symbol replacement, the symbol 3 symbols before the stop symbol is displayed in the symbol display area of "left", and the fluctuation of the 3 symbols is controlled by the low speed variation. Then, at the start timing of the left symbol wobbling fluctuation, display control is performed in the wobbling fluctuation state in which the symbol is repeatedly fluctuated in the positive and negative directions of the fluctuation direction in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 50 (C)).

At the same time when the swing fluctuation is started in the "left" symbol display area, "right" in the variable display device 9 is started.
In the symbol display area, at the timing of the right symbol replacement, the symbol three symbols before the stop symbol is displayed in the symbol display area "right", and the three symbols are controlled to be changed by the low speed variation. . Then, at the start timing of the right symbol fluctuation variation, the display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area (FIG. 50 (D)). Further, in the present example, the solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba are maintained in the off state by the lamp control CPU 351 at the start timing of the right symbol fluctuation fluctuation, and the game effect device 25
The operation state of A and 25B ends (FIG. 50 (d)). In this example, the case has been described in which the reach is reached as shown in FIG. 50D, but the reach may not be reached in some cases.

After that, the display control CPU 101 executes the swing fluctuation control of the left and right symbols until the middle symbol is determined.
Then, when the display control command for instructing to stop 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 middle symbols are in a fixed state where they do not move.

As described above, in the case where a plurality of operation content data correspond to one operation period data, it is not necessary to provide operation period data and operation content data for each operation of each game effect device. The total amount of operation pattern data can be reduced. Note that, similarly, a plurality of effect content data may correspond to one effect period data.

In the above example, the plurality of pieces of operation content data corresponding to one piece of operation period data have the same content, but they may have different content. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 51, in the operation of the game effect device according to the operation pattern 3, the operation pattern table may be set so that the game effect device 25A and the game effect device 25B operate at different timings. Good. In the example shown in FIG. 51, as shown in FIG. 52, the lamp control CPU 351 turns off the waiting time solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba of 500 ms, and then switches the game effect device 25A and the game effect device 25B every 200 ms. Alternately, control is performed to turn on for a period of 200 ms. Even with this configuration, the total amount of operation pattern data can be reduced.

Further, although not particularly mentioned in the above-mentioned embodiment, the same operation pattern data is commonly used in one or two or more operation pattern tables (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 39, 1). The same operation pattern data indicating to be in the off state for 500 ms is commonly used in the operation pattern table of No. 50. Further, the operation pattern table shown in FIG. The same operation pattern data indicating the off state during the period is commonly used.). If the configuration is such that the operation pattern data (common data) commonly used is used, the total amount of the operation pattern data can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the effect pattern data and the action pattern data are separately provided and used, but the effect pattern data and the action pattern data may be commonly used. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 53, one period data (data having a role of action period data and effect period data) may be provided with action content data and effect content data in association with each other. . In the example shown in FIG. 53, as shown in FIG.
After turning off the waiting time solenoids 25Aa and 25Ba of 0 ms and turning off the predetermined lamps and LEDs, the predetermined lamps and LEDs are turned on, and every 200 ms, the game effect device 25A and the game effect are produced. Control is performed to alternately turn on the device 25B for a period of 200 ms. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the total data amount of the motion pattern data and the effect pattern data.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above-mentioned embodiment, a combination of operation content data of a plurality of game effect devices associated with one operation period data (8 according to the above-mentioned embodiment). The combination of the operation content data of the individual game effect devices is 8 such as "01100001".
It becomes bit data. In this case, each bit corresponds to the on / off state of each game effect device. ) Is defined by data having a small capacity (for example, the combination of the operation content data of “01100001” is defined as “0001”. In this example, since it is defined by 4-bit data, 16 types of operations are defined. A combination of content data can be defined.) It may be configured. If configured as described above, the operation content data can be configured without using the number of bits corresponding to the number of game effect devices,
It becomes possible to reduce the total amount of operation content data. The same applies to the effect content data.

In the above-described embodiment, the lamp control CPU 351 controls the game effect device, but the display control CPU 101 and the sound control CPU 70.
1 may be configured to control the game effect device.

Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of each of the above-described embodiments has a predetermined game value when the stop symbol of the special symbol which is variably displayed on the variable display device 9 based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbols. It was a first-class pachinko game machine that can be awarded to the player, but if there is a prize in the predetermined area of the electric auditors to be released based on the starting prize, it becomes possible to give the player a predetermined game value. Two types of pachinko machines,
It is a third-class pachinko game machine in which a predetermined right is generated or continues when there is a prize for a predetermined electric accessory that is released when a stop symbol that is variably displayed based on a start winning is a combination of a predetermined symbol. However, the present invention can be applied.

[0225]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the effect control means includes a pattern determining means for determining one operation pattern from a plurality of kinds of operation patterns of the movable effect means based on the received command. Each motion pattern is specified by the motion pattern data arranged according to the execution order, and each motion pattern data indicates the mode data indicating the motion mode of the movable effect means and the control time by the operation mode of the movable effect means based on the mode data. Composed of a combination of time data shown, the effect control means can control the movable effect means according to the operation pattern data by using a common program for each operation pattern, and the movable effect of the game control means and the effect control means. This has the effect of reducing the control load when performing the effect by means.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a plurality of types of movable effect means are provided, and each operation pattern data has a plurality of modes indicating the operation mode of the plurality of types of movable effect means with respect to one time data. Since it is composed of a combination of data, it is possible to reduce the total amount of operation pattern data.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the motion pattern data is configured to include common pattern data commonly used in a plurality of types of motion patterns, the total amount of motion pattern data can be reduced. it can.

In the invention according to claim 4, the production control means also controls the production means provided in the gaming machine separately from the movable production means, and the pattern determining means is based on the command from the game control means. Since it is configured to determine even one production pattern from a plurality of production patterns of production means, it becomes possible to control both the movable production means and the production means by the production control means,
It is possible to improve the efficiency of control when performing the effect by the movable effect means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, each effect pattern is specified by the effect pattern data arranged according to the execution order, and the effect control means uses the common program for each effect pattern to effect the effect pattern. Since the effect means is controlled according to the data and the effect pattern data is the data in the same form as the motion pattern data, the efficiency of data creation can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the operation pattern data and the effect pattern data are stored in separate storage tables, respectively, so that the data can be easily created.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the motion pattern data and the effect pattern data are collectively stored in a common storage table, the control of the movable effect means and effect means is simple processing. Can be run with.

In the invention according to claim 8, the pattern deciding means includes an original deciding means for deciding an operation pattern and an effect pattern which are not specified only by the command from the game control means, and the original deciding means, the operation pattern and the effect pattern. Since it is configured to collectively determine
It is possible to reduce the control load of the game control means, and it is easy to perform an effect in which the movable effect means and the effect means are synchronized.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

It is the explanation drawing which shows the example of operation of the game production device.

It is the explanation drawing which shows the example of operation of the game production device.

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

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in a lamp control board.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a CPU on a main board.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a 2 ms timer interrupt process.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of determining that a hit ball has won a starting winning opening.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of determining a variable display stop symbol and a process of determining a variation pattern.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a big hit determination process.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command transmission table and the like.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a control command.

FIG. 17 is a timing diagram showing a relationship between an 8-bit control signal forming a control command and an INT signal.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a display control command.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a lamp control command.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a voice control command.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing example of command set processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a command transmission processing routine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a lamp control CPU.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the lamp control CPU.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a command reception buffer.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a command reception interrupt process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing command analysis processing.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number handled by the display control means.

It is the flowchart which shows the production mode decision processing.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing types of reach effects and the like.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing types of reach announcement effects and the like.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing types of big hit announcement effects.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection rate and an appearance rate of a big hit announcement effect.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing the jackpot reliability of the jackpot announcement effect.

It is the explanation drawing which shows the kind and the like of probability change announcement production.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the effect contents, the operation pattern of the game effect device, and the variation pattern of the light emitters.

It is the explanation drawing which shows the relationship of production contents, the operational pattern of the game production device and the fluctuation pattern of the luminous body.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation pattern table.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of an operation pattern.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a variation pattern.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a lamp process updating process executed by the lamp controlling CPU.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the display control CPU.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the display control CPU.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a display control process process.

FIG. 45 is a timing chart showing an example of a drive state of a reach advance notice 1 solenoid.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation state of the game effect device in the reach notice 1.

FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game machine.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the content of the operation pattern.

[Fig. 49] Fig. 49 is a timing chart showing an example of a drive state of a reach advance notice 2 solenoid.

50 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation state of the game effect device in the reach notice 2; FIG.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the content of the operation pattern.

FIG. 52 is a timing chart showing another example of the driving state of the solenoid.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of an operation pattern and a variation pattern.

FIG. 54 is a timing chart showing an example of a driving state of a solenoid and a lighting state of a light emitting body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko gaming machine 9 Variable display device 16,21,21A, 25Aa, 25Ba, 29a, 2
9b, 30a, 33Aa, 33Ba Solenoids 25A, 25B, 29, 30, 33A, 33B Game production device (movable production means) 31 Main board 35 Lamp control board 56 CPU 351 Lamp control CPU 352 Solenoid circuit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game machine capable of executing variable display of identification information, comprising game control means for controlling progress of a game, and effect control means for controlling movable effect means used for game effect. The game control means transmits to the effect control means a effect content determination means for determining effect content according to the variable display of the identification information and a command indicating the effect content determined by the effect content determination means. And the command control means, the effect control means includes a pattern determination means for determining one operation pattern from a plurality of types of operation patterns of the movable effect means based on the received command, each operation pattern, Each is specified by the motion pattern data arranged according to the execution order, and each motion pattern data is a mode data indicating the motion mode of the movable effect means. Data and the time data indicating the control time according to the operation mode of the movable effect means based on the mode data, and the effect control means uses the common program for each operation pattern to generate the operation pattern data. A gaming machine characterized by controlling the movable effect means according to the above. 2. A plurality of types of movable effect means are provided, and each operation pattern is composed of a combination of a plurality of mode data indicating respective operation modes of the plurality of types of movable effect means with respect to one time data. The gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation pattern data includes common pattern data commonly used in a plurality of types of operation patterns. 4. The effect control means also controls the effect means provided in the gaming machine separately from the movable effect means, and the pattern determining means controls the plurality of effect means based on a command from the game control means. 4. One of the three effect patterns is also determined, and claim 1 to claim 3.
The gaming machine according to any one of the above. 5. Each effect pattern is specified by effect pattern data arranged according to the execution order, and the effect control means uses a common program for each effect pattern, and in accordance with the effect pattern data. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the effect pattern data is data having a common form with the motion pattern data. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the motion pattern data and the effect pattern data are stored in separate storage tables. 7. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the operation pattern data and the effect pattern data are collectively stored in a common storage table. 8. The pattern deciding means includes an original deciding means for deciding an operation pattern and an effect pattern which are not specified only by a command from the game control means, and the original deciding means collectively includes the operation pattern and the effect pattern. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which is determined by.