JP2003275421A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent increase in program capacity of a game control means even when increasing dramatic game effects. <P>SOLUTION: A determining means 31a in fulfillment of an execution condition determines a determination result regarding a variable display determined when a variable display starting condition is fulfilled and a fluctuation pattern of a special graphic symbol in a variable display device 9 when the variable display execution condition is fulfilled. A game state determining means 13b determines at least whether to control in a special game state or not and the fluctuation pattern of the special graphic symbol in the variable display device 9 when the variable display starting condition is fulfilled. An effect control means 80B controls the variable display device 9, lamps, LEDs and a speaker 27 used as effect means. The determining means 31a in fulfillment of an execution condition and the game state determining means 31b use a common module 31e in determination of the fluctuation pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided with a variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information, and after a predetermined variable display execution condition is satisfied, identification is performed based on satisfaction of a variable display start condition. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that can start variable display of information and can be controlled to a specific game state advantageous for a player when the display result of the variable display of the identification information is a specific display result.

[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.
Further, a variable display device capable of variably displaying the identification information is provided, and when the display result of the variable display of the identification information is a specific display result, it is possible to control to a specific game state advantageous to the player. There is one configured.

The specific game state means a state that is advantageous to a player who is given a predetermined game value. Specifically, the specific game state, for example, the state of the variable winning ball device is advantageous for the player who can easily hit the ball (big hit gaming state), and the right for the player to have an advantageous state is generated. A predetermined game value is given such as a state in which the game condition is paid, a condition in which the prize game medium payout is easily established, or the like.

In a pachinko gaming machine, it is usually called "big hit" that the display result of the variable display device for displaying the special symbol (identification information) becomes a predetermined specific display result. 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, 15 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and the special winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number. 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 in the left-middle-right symbol) continue for a predetermined period of time, and stop in a state in which it coincides with a specific display result, A big hit occurs before the final result is displayed, because it swings, scales or is deformed, or multiple symbols fluctuate in sync with the same symbol, or the positions of the displayed symbols are swapped. The production performed in a state where the possibility continues (hereinafter, these states are referred to as reach states) is called reach production. Further, the reach state and the state thereof are referred to as the reach mode. Furthermore, the variable display including the reach effect is called the 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.

In the gaming machine, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game and deciding whether or not to enter the specific game state generally includes a microcomputer that executes the control based on the game control program. Then, the microcomputer, when the condition that the variation of the symbol (variable display of the identification information) can be started in the variable display device is established, determines which mode the variation pattern of the symbol in the game control program is. To run the program. The program for determining the variation pattern of the symbol is a relatively large-scale program such as generating a random number or comparing the generated random number value with a determination value.

[0007] In addition, for reasons such as abundant game production,
On the progress of the game, the timing other than the case where the condition that the variation of the symbol can be started in the variable display device is satisfied (for example, when the condition for starting the variation of the symbol is satisfied in the variable display device, the following is started. It is sometimes said that the pattern variation pattern is determined at the time of winning. The timing of the start winning is far from the timing at which the condition that the variation of the symbol can be started in the variable display device is established due to the progress of the game. Therefore, when determining the variation pattern of the symbol at the time of starting winning, etc.,
In the storage means for storing the program, a program for determining a variation pattern of the symbols at the time of starting winning is stored in the vicinity of a program part for controlling the starting winning.

[0008]

Then, in the progress of the game, if there are many timings for determining the variation pattern of the symbol, there are many programs for determining the variation pattern of the symbol in the storage means for storing the program. Therefore, the program capacity is increased. Since the game control means controls the progress of the entire game including the game effect on the game machine, the program capacity is originally large. If the program capacity is further increased in such a state, the program applied to the game effect on the gaming machine must be reduced and the game effect becomes poor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing the program capacity of the game control means from increasing even if the game effects are abundant.

[0010]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
After the variable display device (for example, the variable display device 9) capable of variably displaying the identification information is provided, and the predetermined execution condition of the variable display (for example, winning in the start winning area provided in the game area) is satisfied. The variable display of the identification information is started based on the establishment of the variable display start condition (for example, the variable display of the previous special symbol and the end of the big hit game state), and the display result of the identification information is the specific display result (for example, left A game machine that can be controlled to a specific game state (for example, a big hit game state) that is advantageous to the player when the middle right symbol becomes the same symbol), and controls the progress of the game based on the game control program. Game control means (eg CP
U56 and the like, and effects related to variable display of identification information (variable display device 9, lamp / LED, corresponding to variation pattern,
Effect means (for example, variable display device 9, lamp / LED, speaker 2) for executing an effect by the speaker 27.
7) and numerical value data for determining a specific display result used by the game control means for determining whether or not to give a specific display result (for example, a count value of a counter for generating a random number for jackpot determination). And updating the numerical data for display used to determine the type of variable display (for example, the count value of the counter for generating random numbers for reach determination and random pattern determination) Means (for example, the portion of the game control means that executes steps S17, S22, S24) and the execution condition of the variable display, the specific display result is displayed based on the specific display result determining numerical data. Determining means for determining whether or not the execution condition is satisfied, for determining whether the variable display type is determined based on the display numerical data (example For example, the part that executes steps S122 to S133 and step S175 in the game control means, and the specific display result determining numerical data and the displaying numerical data are extracted when the execution condition of the variable display is satisfied, and a predetermined storage area (for example, starting). Numerical data for determining the specific display result stored in a storage area of the RAM 55 provided according to the number of winning prizes stored) (for example, the processing of step S113 is executed) and stored in the storage area when the start condition of the variable display is satisfied, Numerical data for display is read out (for example, step S
53), and a process for determining whether to display the specific display result based on the read specific display result determination numerical data (for example, the process of step S56)
And the game state determining means for performing the processing for determining the type of variable display based on the read-out numerical value data for display (for example, the processing of step S65 or step S181), which is specified by the determining means when the execution condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the display result is to be displayed (for example, Y in step S124), a preliminary effect (for example, a possibility that a big jackpot may occur, to notify that effect at a stage before the specific display result is displayed. Even when it is determined that the specific display result is not displayed by the execution condition satisfaction determination means (for example, N in step S124) ,
When it is determined to execute a specific type of variable display that is also used when the specific display result is displayed (for example, normal reach, reach A, B, C that is also used when a big hit), the same effect as the preliminary effect is produced. In the game control program, there are a program module used by the game state determining means to determine the type of variable display and a program module used by the determining means when the execution condition is satisfied to determine the type of variable display. It is characterized in that it is configured as a common module (for example, a reach determination subroutine or a variation pattern determination / determination subroutine).

The game state determination means determines the type of variable display using a predetermined data table (eg, reach determination table), and the execution condition determination means determines the type of variable display by the game state determination means. It may be configured to determine the type of variable display using a predetermined data table used for this purpose.

The game control means transmits a command (variable pattern designation display control command or the like) indicating the type of variable display and controls the effect means based on the command from the game control means (for example, display control). Means, lamp control means, sound control means), and the game control means can specify the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied (for example, a control command for a jackpot winning designation, a deviant winning designation, a reach winning designation) ) Can be transmitted to the effect control means, and the effect control means determines, based on the reception of the determination result command, whether or not to perform the pre-effect by the effect means from the stage before the variable display start condition is satisfied. (For example, receive control commands for jackpot winning designation, out-of-range winning designation, reach winning designation, and receiving control commands for starting winning memory number designation. Based on, and to perform continuous announcement execution number of times does not exceed the number of start winning store (hold notice), it may be configured to the number of times of execution decision) as.

[0013] The game control means is capable of specifying a reserved memory number (for example, a winning prize memory number) which is the number of variable displays in which the variable display execution condition is satisfied but the variable display start condition is not satisfied. A command (for example, a display control command for designating the number of memory for starting winning prizes) can be transmitted to the effect control means (for example, display control means), and the effect control means displays the number of reserved memories based on the reception of the number of reserved memories command. The number-of-reserved-storages display control means (for example, the portion of the display control means that executes step S633) for controlling the number-of-storages display means (for example, the variable display device 9) is included. Includes information that can identify the result (display control command to specify the number of memory for starting winning prizes, display control command to specify lost winning prizes, display to specify winning prizes) And a display control command control command and the jackpot prize specified shared) it may be configured so.

The game control means is capable of specifying a reserved memory number (for example, a winning prize memory number) which is the number of variable displays in which the variable display execution condition is satisfied but the variable display start condition is not satisfied. A command (for example, a display control command for designating the number of memory for starting winning prizes) can be transmitted to the effect control means (for example, display control means), and the effect control means displays the number of reserved memories based on the reception of the number of reserved memories command. Including the reserved storage number display control means (for example, a portion of the display control means that executes step S633) for controlling the storage number display means (for example, the variable display device 9), the game control means satisfies the variable display execution condition. In this case, the pending storage number command and the determination result command are transmitted separately (for example, steps S121, S122, S124, S).
125, S132, S133 and S134, S135
May be configured to be executed independently).

The specific type of variable display is, for example, a reach variable display.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a type 1 pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. Figure 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine,
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front surface of the game board.

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, there is provided a variable display device (special variable display portion) 9 including a plurality of variable display portions for variably displaying symbols as identification information. The variable display device 9 includes, for example, “left”, “middle”,
There are three "right" variable display parts (symbol display areas).
The variable display portion may be a fixed area, but may be moved or changed in size in the display area of the variable display device 9 while the game is in progress. Further, the variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol starting memory display areas (starting memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the starting winning opening 14, that is, the number of starting winning memories. Effective start prize (start prize when the number of remembered start prizes is less than 4)
Every time there is, the start memory display area 18 for changing the display color (for example, changing from blue display to red display) is increased by one. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory display area 18 in which the display color is changed is decremented by 1. That is, the display color is returned to the original state.

Since the symbol display area and the starting memory display area 18 are provided separately, the number of starting winnings stored can be displayed even during variable display. Further, the starting memory display area 18 may be provided in a part of the symbol display area. In this case, the display of the number of winning memory for starting winning may be interrupted during the variable display. In addition, in this embodiment, the starting memory display area 1
8 is provided in the variable display device 9, but a display for displaying the number of memory for winning a prize for winning (special symbol starting memory display)
May be provided separately from the variable display device 9.

Below the variable display device 9, the start winning opening 1
A variable winning ball device 15 is provided. 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. Also,
A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the starting winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

At the lower part of the variable winning ball device 15, an opening / closing plate 20 is provided 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.

When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, a predetermined random number value is extracted unless the normal symbol start winning memory reaches the upper limit. And, if it is a state where the variable display whose display state changes in the normal symbol display device 10 can be started, the ordinary symbol display device 10
The variable display of the display of is started. Normally, if the variable display in which the display state changes on the symbol display 10 cannot be started, the value of the normal symbol start winning memory is incremented by 1.
In the vicinity of the normal symbol display device 10, there is provided a normal symbol starting memory display device 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of ordinary symbol starting winning prizes. 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. The special symbol and the ordinary symbol can be variably displayed on one variable display device. In that case, the special variable display section and the ordinary variable display section are realized by one variable display device.

In this embodiment, the variable display of the normal symbol is performed by alternately turning on the left and right lamps (the symbol can be visually recognized when turned on), and the variable display is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 29.2 seconds). continue. Then, if the left lamp is lit at the end of the variable display, it is a win. Whether or not to win is determined by whether or not the value of the random number extracted when the game ball wins the gate 32 matches a predetermined hit determination value. When the display result of the variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is a hit, the variable winning ball device 15
Is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time, and the game balls are in a state where it is easy to win. That is, the state of the variable winning ball device 15, when the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a winning symbol,
The player's disadvantageous state changes to an advantageous state.

Furthermore, in the probability variation state as the special game state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and one of the opening time and the number of times of opening the variable winning ball device 15 or Both will be enhanced, which will be more advantageous for the player. Further, in a predetermined state such as the probability variation state, the variable display period (variation time) in the normal symbol display device 10 may be shortened, which may be more advantageous for the player.

The game board 6 has a plurality of winning openings 29, 30,
33, 39 are provided, and the winning openings 29, 30, 3 for gaming balls
The prizes for 3 are prize winning opening switches 29a, 30 respectively.
a, 33a, 39a. Around the left and right of the game area 7, decorative lamps 25 that are displayed blinking during the game
Is provided, and at the lower part, there is an outlet 26 for absorbing hit balls that have not been won. Further, two speakers 27 for producing sound effects and voices are provided on the upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a ceiling frame lamp 28
a, a left frame lamp 28b and a right frame lamp 28c are provided.

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 for indicating whether or not it is in an usable state, and a connecting board direction indicator for 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 releasing 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 memory for winning a prize for winning is increased by one.

The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 is stopped when a certain time has elapsed. When the combination of special symbols at the time of stop is a big hit symbol (specific display mode), the big hit game state is entered. That is, the opening / closing plate 2
0 is released until a fixed time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls are won. Then, when the hit ball enters the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is open and is detected by the V winning switch 22, the continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20
Is released 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 probability change state is a more advantageous state for the player (special game state).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the main board 31. Note that FIG. 3 also shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a firing control board 91, and a symbol control board 80.
On the main board 31, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the program
Control circuit 53, a gate switch 32a, a starting opening switch 14a, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23, winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a,
39a, full tank switch 48, out of ball switch 187,
Prize ball count switch 301A and clear switch 9
Switch circuit 5 for giving the signal from 21 to the basic circuit 53
8 and a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 15,
A solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20 and a solenoid circuit 59 for driving 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. 3, 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 port switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a,
39a, full tank switch 48, out of ball switch 187,
Switches such as the prize ball count switch 301A may be called a sensor. That is, a game medium detecting means capable of detecting a game ball (a game ball detecting means in this example)
If so, the name does not matter. It is the same in other embodiments that what is called a switch may be what is called a sensor, that is, the switch is an example of the game medium detecting means.

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 is a ROM 54 for storing a program for controlling a game, and R as a storage means (means for storing variation data) used as a work memory.
AM55, CPU5 which controls according to the program
6 and I / O port section 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. Note that the 1-chip microcomputer only needs to have at least the RAM 55 built therein, and
The OM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be external or built-in. The CPU 56 is the ROM 54
Since the control is executed according to the program stored in, the CPU 56 executing (or performing the process) hereinafter means that the CPU 56 specifically executes the control according to the program. This also applies to CPUs mounted on other boards than the main board 31.

Further, a part or all of the RAM (which may be a RAM with a 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 board 35 is used.
The lamp control means mounted on the normal board starting memory display 41 and the decorative lamp 2 provided on the game board.
5, the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, and the right frame lamp 28 provided on the frame side are controlled.
c, display control of the award ball lamp 51 and the out-of-ball lamp 52 is performed. Each lamp may be an LED or other type of light emitting body, and the LEDs used in this embodiment and other embodiments may be another type of light emitting body. That is, the lamp and the LED are examples of the light emitting body. Further, 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 ordinary symbol is performed by the display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80.

Since each control means controls the electric parts provided in the gaming machine, each control means is hereinafter referred to as an electric part control means, and the board on which the electric part control means is mounted is called an electric part control board. Sometimes. The electric component is a component (mechanical component, circuit, etc.) provided in the game machine and electrically operates. As the electric part control means, for example, a payout control means for controlling a ball payout device as an electric part, a display control means for controlling a variable display device for effect as an electric part, and a luminous body for effect control as an electric part. There are a lamp control means for controlling (lamps and LEDs) and a sound control means for controlling sound generation from a speaker for production as an electric component. Further, the display control means, the lamp control means, the sound control means, etc. for controlling the electric parts for production may be referred to as production control means.

FIG. 4 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. Further, in this embodiment, the command data is transmitted by parallel communication (8 bit parallel in this example), but it may be exchanged by serial communication.

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 according to the received display control command. Specifically, a command corresponding to the display control command is given to the VDP (video display processor) 103. The VDP 103 is the character RO
Read the required data from M86. VDP103 is
Image data to be displayed on the LCD 82 is generated according to the input data, and the R, G, B signals and the synchronization signal are set to L.
Output to CD82.

FIG. 4 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.

Noise filter 10 for cutting off high frequency signals
For example, a 3-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as 7, but the presence of the noise filter 107 eliminates the influence of noise on the display control command between the substrates. A noise filter may be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 62A of the main board 31.

The structure of the signal transmission / reception portion of the lamp control command between the main board 31 and the lamp control board 35,
The configuration of the signal transmission portion of the sound control command between the main board 31 and the sound control board 70 is the same as that of the main board 3 shown in FIG.
1 and the symbol control board 80 are configured similarly to the signal transmission / reception portion of the display control command.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. Figure 5
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 processing 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 inputted 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 S14).

If the clear switch 921 is not turned on, data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, processing when power supply is stopped such as addition of parity data) is performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped. It is confirmed whether or not (step S8). When it is confirmed that such protection processing is not performed, the CPU 56 executes initialization processing. Whether or not there is backup data in the backup RAM area is confirmed by, for example, the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process. In this example, if "55H" is set in the backup flag area, 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 step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the checksum calculated and stored by the same process in the power supply stop process. 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 this embodiment, it is checked whether or not the data in the backup RAM area is saved by using both the backup flag and the check data, but only one of them may be used. . That is,
Either backup flag or check data,
It may be used as a trigger for executing the state restoration process.

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 an initialization command for initializing the sub-boards (the payout control board 35 and each effect control board in this embodiment) to each sub-board is executed (step S13). Examples of the initialization command include a command indicating the initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9 (to the symbol control board 80) and a command for instructing turning off of the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball out lamp 52.

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 S14). 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 4) 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 saving process of the register (step S20), the game control process of steps S21 to S33 shown in FIG. 6 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, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each judgment random number such as a big hit judgment random number used for game control is performed (step S22).
The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the random number for initial value and a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number (steps S23 and S24).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. Each random number is used as follows. (1) Random 1: Decide whether to generate a big hit (for big hit judgment) (2) Random 2-1 to 2-3 (Random 2): For left edge middle right of special symbol Determining symbol (special symbol) Left middle right) (3) Random 3: Determine the combination of special symbols that generate a big hit (for big jack symbol determination) (4) Random 4: Determine the variation pattern of special symbols (for variation pattern determination) (5) Random 5: Determine whether or not to reach when big hit does not occur (for reach determination) (6) Random 6: Determine whether or not to generate hits based on ordinary symbols (for ordinary symbol hit determination) ( 7) Random 7: Determine initial value of random 1 (for determining random 1 initial value) (8) Random 8: Determine initial value of random 6 (for determining random 6 initial value)

In step S22 in the game control process shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 56 determines the random number for jackpot determination in (1), the random number for jackpot determination in (3), and the random number for regular symbol determination in (6). The counter is incremented (added by 1) to generate. That is, those are the judgment random numbers, and the other random numbers are the display random numbers or the initial value random numbers. In addition, in order to enhance the game effect,
Random numbers related to ordinary symbols other than the above random numbers (1) to (8) are also used.

Further, the CPU 56 carries out special symbol process processing (step S25). 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 S26). 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 a special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and carries out a process of transmitting a display control command (special symbol command control process: step S27). 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 S28).

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 S29).

Further, the CPU 56 causes the winning opening switch 29
The prize ball processing for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection signals of a, 30a, 33a and 39a is executed (step S).
30). Specifically, the winning opening switches 29a, 30a,
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 the turning on of either 33a or 39a. The payout control CPU 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.

Then, the CPU 56 executes a storage process for checking the increase / decrease in the number of memory for winning the winning prize (step S3).
1). In addition, a test terminal process for outputting a test signal for making it possible to confirm the control state of the gaming machine outside the gaming machine is executed (step S32). Further, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a drive command is issued to the solenoid circuit 59 (step S33). In order to open or close the variable winning ball device 15 or the opening / closing plate 20 or to switch the game ball passage in the special winning opening, the solenoid circuit 59 responds to the drive command with the solenoids 16, 21 and 2.
Drive 1A. After that, the contents of the register are restored (step S34), and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S35).

According to 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.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process process shown in FIG. 8 is a specific process of step S25 in the flowchart of FIG. CPU56, when performing the special symbol process processing,
The fluctuation reduction timer subtraction process (step S310) is performed,
If the starting opening switch 14a for detecting that the game ball has won in the starting winning opening 14 provided in the game board 6 is turned on, that is, the starting winning in which the gaming ball enters the starting winning opening 14 occurs. If so (step S311),
After performing the starting opening switch passage process (step S312), steps S300 to S308 are performed according to the internal state.
One of the above 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 normal processing (step S300):
Wait until the variable display of special symbols can be started.
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,
As a result of the variable display of the special symbols, it is determined whether or not to be a big hit. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S301.

Special symbol stop symbol setting process (step S3
01): The stop symbol of the left middle right symbol after the variable display of the special symbol is determined. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S302.

Fluctuation pattern setting process (step S30)
2): The variation pattern (variable display mode) of the variable display of the special symbol is determined according to the value of Random 4. Also, the variable time timer is started. At this time, the information for instructing the left middle right final stop symbol and the variation mode (variation pattern) is transmitted to the symbol control board 80. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S303.

Special symbol variation process (step S303):
When a predetermined time (time indicated by the variable time timer in step S302) elapses, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S304.

Special symbol stop process (step S304):
Control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display device 9 are stopped. Specifically, the display control command indicating the stop of the special symbol is set to be transmitted. Then, when the stop symbol is a combination of big hit symbols, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S305. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

Special winning opening opening processing (step S30
5): Start 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. Also, the process timer sets the execution time of the special winning opening opening process, and sets the big hit flag. Then, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated so as to shift to step S306.

Processing during the opening of the special winning opening (step S30
6): The control for sending the display control command 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, and the like are performed. When the closing condition for the last special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S307.

Specific area effective time processing (step S30
7): 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. If the conditions for continuation of the jackpot gaming state are met and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S305. 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 308.

Big hit end processing (step S308): control for causing the display control means to perform display control for notifying the player that the big hit game state has ended. Then, the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the variation pattern used in this embodiment. In FIG.
“EXT” indicates the EXT data of the second byte in the display control command having a 2-byte structure. That is, each variation pattern of the special symbol and the display control command are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. Further, "time" indicates a variation time of the special symbol (variable display period of the identification information).

The "normal fluctuation" is a fluctuation pattern that does not involve the reach mode. What is "normal reach"?
It is a variation pattern that accompanies the reach mode, but the variation result (stop pattern) does not cause a big hit. "Reach A" is a variation pattern having a reach mode different from "normal reach". The different reach mode means that different modes of change (speed, rotation direction, etc.), characters, etc. appear in the reach change time. For example, in “normal”, the reach mode is realized by only one type of fluctuation mode, whereas in “reach A”, the reach mode including a plurality of fluctuation modes with different fluctuation speeds and fluctuation directions is realized.

"Reach B" is a variation pattern having a reach mode different from "normal reach" and "reach A". The "reach C" is a variation pattern having a reach mode different from the "normal reach", "reach A", and "reach B". In addition, "reach A", "reach B" and "reach C" may or may not be a big hit.

In this embodiment, a shortened display pattern is further used. The shortened display pattern is an extremely short variation pattern in which the variation time of the symbols on the left, middle and right sides is, for example, 1.0 second.

In this embodiment, the fluctuation patterns 1 to 14 are used at the time of high probability (during probability change) and at the time of low probability (during uncertain change = normal state), but the fluctuation pattern 1 at the time of high probability. It is also possible to shorten the fluctuation time of each of No. 14 to No. 14. Further, the variation pattern group used at the high probability (a plurality of variation patterns that can be used) and the variation pattern group used at the low probability may be separated.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the starting opening switch passage processing (step S312) which is executed when a starting winning occurs. In the starting opening switch passage processing, the CPU 56 determines that the number of stored starting winning prizes is the maximum value of 4
It is confirmed whether it has reached (step S111).
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 S112), the values of the respective random numbers such as the random numbers for jackpot determination are extracted, and they are stored in correspondence with the value of the number of memory of winning prizes for starting. The data is stored in the area (special symbol determination buffer) (step S113). Extracting a random number means reading a count value from a counter for generating a random number and using the read count value as a random number value. In step S114, random 1 to random 5 are extracted from the random numbers shown in FIG. And
A winning effect setting process is executed (step S115).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a winning effect setting process. In the winning effect processing, the CPU 5
The player 6 first sets a prize-winning flag indicating that the starting prize has been won (step S121). The winning flag is referred to in the storage process (step S31) executed after the end of the special symbol process process. Then CPU5
6 extracts random 1 from the counter for generating random 1 (random number for jackpot determination) (step S12
2) Execute the jackpot determination module. That is, the big hit determination subroutine is called (step S12).
3). When the big hit determination module determines that the big hit is based on the value of Random 1 (step S124), it is determined whether or not the probability variation big hit is obtained (step S125).

In the present embodiment, the special symbols on the left, middle and right sides are 12 kinds of "0" to "11", respectively, and the display of the special symbols is sequentially changed from "0" on the variable display device 9. The variation of the special symbol is realized by. The display of the display symbol may change discontinuously during the change of the special symbol. Further, when the final stop symbol (fixed symbol) of the special symbol is aligned in the left, middle and right, it is a big hit, and when the left and right are aligned, it is a reach. Then, in the case of a big hit, when the odd numbers are arranged, the high probability state is entered after the big hit game is over. Also, in the high probability state, when a big hit occurs, or when the special symbol is changed a predetermined number of times, the high probability state ends and returns to the low probability state.

Therefore, in step S124, the CPU 5
6, random 3 (random number for jackpot symbol determination) is extracted,
The jackpot design is determined based on the extracted random numbers, and if the determination result is an atypical number design, it is determined that the probability variation jackpot is achieved. If it is determined that the probability won't be a big jackpot, the data indicating the non-specific jackpot winning designation command is R as the winning command.
It is set to AM55 (step S126). When it is determined that the probability is a big jackpot, data indicating the specific jackpot winning designation command is set in the RAM 55 as a winning command (step S127).

When it is determined in step S124 that the jackpot is not a big hit, the random 5 is extracted from the counter for generating the random 5 (random number for reach determination) (step S131), and the reach determination module is executed. That is, the reach determination subroutine is called (step S132). If the reach determination module determines that the reach is achieved based on the value of Random 5 (step S133), the data indicating the reach winning designation command is set in the RAM 55 as the winning command (step S134). When it is determined that the reach is not reached, the data indicating the out-of-match winning designation command is set in the RAM 55 as the winning command (step S135).

Then, the data set as the winning command in the RAM 55 is stored in the area of the RAM 55 defined as the winning effect buffer (step S).
136). The data stored in the winning effect buffer is referred to in a storage process (step S31) executed after the special symbol process process is completed.

FIG. 12A is an explanatory view showing an example of the big hit judging table used in the big hit judging module. Further, FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reach determination table used in the reach determination module. As shown in FIG. 12A, in this embodiment,
When the probability is low (non-probability change), the jackpot judgment value is "3", and when the probability is high (probability change), the jackpot judgment value is "3",
These are "7", "79", "103", and "107". Further, as shown in FIG. 12 (B), when the probability is low (when the probability is uncertain)
Then, the reach judgment values are "0", "1", "11",
When the probability is high, the reach judgment value is “0”, “1”, “9”,
They are "11" and "12". Therefore, when the probability is high, the reach is more likely to occur than when the probability is low.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the big hit judging module. CPU in the jackpot determination process
First, 56 determines whether or not the state at that time is undergoing probable variation (step S141).
It is determined to use the high probability table in the jackpot determination table shown in (A) (step S14).
2). If the probability is not changing, it is decided to use the table at the time of low probability in the jackpot determination table (step S
143).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is a value matching the extracted random 1 value in the jackpot determination table (steps S144 and S145), and if there is a matching value, the jackpot is determined (step S146). ), If there is no matching value, it is determined not to be a big hit (step S147).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the reach determination module. In the reach determination process, the CPU
First, 56 determines whether or not the state at that time is in the process of probability change (step S151), and if it is in the process of probability change, FIG.
It is determined to use the high probability table in the reach determination table shown in (B) (step S15).
2). If the probability change is not in progress, it is determined to use the low probability table in the reach determination table (step S
152).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is a value in the reach determination table that matches the extracted random 5 value (steps S154 and S155), and if there is a matched value, the reach is determined (step S156). , If there is no matching value, it is determined not to reach (step S1).
57).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the special symbol normal process (step S300) in the special symbol process process. In the special symbol normal processing, CPU56
In the state where the fluctuation of the special symbol can be started (for example, when the value of the special symbol process flag is the value indicating step S300) (step S51), the value of the starting winning award memory number is confirmed ( Step S52). Specifically, the count value of the starting winning counter is confirmed. The case where the value of the special symbol process flag is the value indicating step S300 is a case where the symbol is not changed in the variable display device 9 and the jackpot game is not being performed.

If the number of memory for winning a prize for starting is not 0, each random number value stored in the storage area corresponding to the number of memory for winning a prize for starting = 1 is read out and stored in the random number buffer area of the RAM 55 (step S53). The value of the winning memory number is decremented by 1, and the contents of each storage area are shifted (step S54). That is, the number of memory for winning a prize for start = n (n =
Each random number value stored in the storage area corresponding to (2, 3, 4) is stored in the storage area corresponding to the number of memory for winning winning winnings = n-1.

Next, the CPU 56 reads the big hit determination random number from the random number storage buffer (step S55),
The jackpot determination module is executed (step S56).
If it is decided to make a big hit (step S5
7), the CPU 56 sets a big hit flag (step S58). Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the special symbol stop symbol setting process (step S59).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the special symbol stop symbol setting process (step S301) in the special symbol process process. In the special symbol stop symbol setting process, the CPU 56 confirms whether or not the big hit flag is set (step S61). When the big hit flag is set, the big hit design is decided according to the value of the big hit random number (random 3) (random 3 read in step S53) (step S6).
2). In this embodiment, each symbol of the symbol numbers set in the jackpot symbol table corresponding to the value of Random 3 is determined as the jackpot symbol. In the big hit symbol table, the symbol numbers on the left middle right corresponding to each of a combination of a plurality of kinds of big hit symbols are set. And
The value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the variation pattern setting process (step S63).

If the big hit flag is not set, the CPU 56 executes the reach determination module (step S65). Here, in the reach determination module, it is determined whether or not to reach based on the value of Random 3 read from the storage area in step S53, that is, the value stored in the random number buffer (step S64). The left and right symbols are determined according to the value of random 2-1 and the middle symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-2 (step S67). 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. Then, the process proceeds to step S63.

If it is decided not to reach in step S66, the stop symbol in the case of a loss is decided (step S68). Specifically, step S5
The value read in 3, that is, the random 2 that has been extracted
The left symbol is determined according to the value of -1, the middle symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-3, and the right symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-3. In addition, here, when the right and left symbols match, the right symbol is shifted by one symbol so that it does not become a reach. Then, the process proceeds to step S63. If the probability variation symbol is determined in step S62, the probability variation flag indicating that the probability variation state is entered after the jackpot game is over is set.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the storage process (step 31) in the 2 ms timer interrupt process. In the storage processing, the CPU 56 confirms whether or not the count value of the starting winning prize memory counter is the same as the count value of the previous starting winning prize memory counter (step S16).
1). If they are not the same, that is, if there is a change in the number of memory for winning a prize for winning, the address of the command transmission table for designating the memory for starting a prize for winning is set in the pointer (step S162), and the command setting is a subroutine. The process is executed (step S163). Then, the count value of the starting winning prize memory counter is set in the previous starting winning prize memory counter (step S164).

The display control command is transmitted to the symbol control board 80 by executing the command set process.
In this embodiment, each display control command that can be transmitted to the display control means is stored in the command transmission table of the ROM. In the command set processing, the CPU 5
6 sets the display control command data stored in the address of the ROM 54 indicated by the pointer to the output port for outputting the display control command data, and
The display control INT signal indicating that the command is transmitted is output.

When the winning flag is set (step S165), the address of the winning command transmission table corresponding to the data corresponding to the winning command stored in the winning effect buffer is set in the pointer. (Step S166), the command setting process which is a subroutine is executed (step S167).

By the above-mentioned processing, when the number of memory for starting prize winning changes, the display control command for designating the number of memory for starting winning prize is transmitted to the display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80 (steps S161 to S161). S163).
Further, when the number of stored winning awards is increased, a display control command of a specific big hit prize designation, a non-specific big hit prize designation, a reach prize designation or a deviant prize designation is transmitted (steps S112 and S115 shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11,
And steps S166 and S167 shown in FIG. 17). In this embodiment, when the jackpot is not the big hit, the display control command of the reach winning designation or the off-winning prize designation is transmitted, but when the jackpot is not the big hit, the display control command of the off-winning prize designation is always transmitted. You may do it. Hereinafter, the display control commands for the specific jackpot winning designation, the non-specific jackpot winning designation, the reach winning designation and the out-of-range winning designation may be referred to as a winning determination result command or a determination result command.

The jackpot and reach (see steps S123 and S132) determined when the start winning is generated are conditions for starting the variable display on the variable display device 9 (execution conditions and start conditions). Absent)
It was decided based on the establishment of. When a condition (start condition) for starting variable display is satisfied in the variable display device 9, whether or not to make a big hit again,
Further, it is determined whether or not the out-reach is performed (see steps S56 and S65). Then, the display result of the actual variable display is derived based on the determination result (see steps S62, S67, S68). However, the random number value used when the variable display start condition is satisfied is the value that is extracted and stored in the storage area when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. Therefore, when the start condition of the variable display is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the probability variation big hit, whether it is the non-determination variation big hit, and whether it is the outly reach.
It is the same as the determination result when the variable display execution condition is satisfied.

This is because the process of step S113, which is a process of extracting predetermined numerical data used when the variable display start condition is satisfied, and the winning effect setting process corresponding to the determination when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. This is because is completed within one timer interrupt process and does not change during that period.

Further, the game control means transmits a start prize winning memory number designating command as a reserved memory number command before the determination result command (step S in the storing process).
162 and S163 are processed in steps S166 and S167.
It is executed before the processing of. Therefore, the display control means can make a decision regarding continuous notice based on the latest number of pending storages.

Next, a method of sending a control command from the game control means to the display control means will be described. FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing signal lines of a display control command transmitted from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80. As shown in FIG. 18, in this embodiment, the display control command is
The display control signals D0 to D7 are transmitted from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80 through eight signal lines. Further, between the main board 31 and the symbol control board 80, a signal line of a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal (display control INT signal) is also wired. Although an example of the display control command is shown in FIG. 18, control commands to other electric component control boards are also transmitted by eight signal lines and one INT signal signal line.

In this embodiment, the display control command has a 2-byte structure, the first byte indicates MODE (command classification), and the second byte indicates EXT (command type). First bit of MODE data (bit 7)
Is always "1", and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always "0". Note that such a command form 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.

As shown in FIG. 19, the 8-bit display control command data of the display control command is the display control INT.
It is output in synchronization with the signal. The display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80 detects that the display control INT signal has risen, and starts the process of fetching 1-byte data by the interrupt process. Therefore, when viewed from the display control means, the display control INT signal corresponds to a capture signal that triggers the capture of the display control command data.

The display control command is sent only once so that the display control means can recognize it. In this example, “recognizable” means that the level of the display control INT signal changes, and “recognitionally sent only once” means, for example, that the first byte and the second byte of the display control command data are transmitted. Accordingly, the display control INT signal is output once in a pulse shape (rectangular wave shape). The display control INT signal may have a polarity opposite to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the display control command sent to the symbol control board 80. In the example shown in FIG. 20, commands 8000 (H) -80
0E (H) is a variable display device 9 that variably displays special symbols
It is a display control command for designating the variation pattern of the special symbol. The command for designating the variation pattern (variation pattern command) also serves as a variation start instruction. The command 800E (H) is a command for designating a shortened display pattern.

The command 88XX (H) (X = arbitrary value of 4 bits) is a display control command relating to a variation pattern of a normal symbol. The command 89XX (H) is a display control command for designating a stop symbol of a normal symbol. The command 8A00 (H) is a display control command for instructing to stop the variable display of the normal symbols.

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. A symbol number is set in "XX". Also, the command A000 (H) is
It is a display control 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. Then, the commands C000 (H) to EXXXX
(H) is a display control command relating to the display state of the variable display device 9 which is not related to the variation of the special symbol and the big hit game.

The command C3XX (H) is a determination result command transmitted when a start winning is generated. C30
0 (H) is a display control command for specifying an out-of-win prize (out-of-win prize specifying command), and C301 (H) is a display control command for specifying an out-win prize (reach winning specifying command)
C302 (H) is a display control command (non-specific jackpot winning designation command) that specifies non-specific jackpot winning, and C303 (H) is a display control command (specific jackpot winning designation command) that specifies specific jackpot winning. . Also,
The command D000 (H) is a display control command for designating a customer waiting demonstration.

The command E0XX (H) is a display control command indicating the number of start memory display areas 18 for changing the display color in the display area for displaying the number of start prize winning memories in the variable display device 9. For example, the display control means changes the display color of the number of starting memory display areas 18 designated by “XX (H)” in each starting memory display area 18. That is, the command E0XX (H) is a command for instructing control of the display area provided for notifying the information of the number of holdings. It should be noted that the command relating to the number of start-up storage display areas 18 for changing the display color may be configured to indicate an increase or decrease in the number of areas for changing the display color. Further, in this embodiment, since the upper limit value of the starting winning award memory is 4, "XX" is any of 0-4.

The command E400 (H) is a command transmitted when the high-probability state changes to the low-probability state, and the command E401 (H) when the low-probability state changes to the high-probability state. This is the command to be sent.

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, according to the contents shown in FIG. Change the display status.

The lamp control means and the sound control means are also sent the lamp control command and the sound control command in the same form as the display control command. The lamp control means changes the display state of the lamp / LED when receiving the lamp control command, and the sound control means performs control to change the sound output mode from the speaker 27 when receiving the sound control command.

Further, the variable display start designation command indicating the start of variable display and the variable display mode designation command capable of specifying the variable display mode are realized by the display control command for designating the variation pattern, and the display result of the identification information can be specified. The identification information designation command is realized by the display control command of the left symbol designation, the middle symbol designation, the right symbol designation, and the variable display end designation command indicating the end of the variable display is realized by the display control command of the special symbol stop. There is. Further, in the present embodiment, the display control command for designating the variation pattern is also used as the variable display start designation command indicating the start of the variable display and the variable display manner designation command capable of specifying the variable display manner. The designation command and the variable display mode designation command capable of specifying the variable display mode may be separated.

FIG. 21 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. 21, the command 80XX (H) (X = an arbitrary value of 4 bits) corresponds to the variation pattern of the special symbol in the variable display device 9, that is, the effect content related to the display result deriving operation in the variable display device 9. This is a lamp control command for specifying a changing lamp / LED (light emitting means such as a lamp provided for a game machine and a light emitting means such as an LED) display control pattern. Also, command A000
(H) is a lamp / LE when variable display of special symbols is stopped
It is a lamp control command for instructing the D display control pattern, and the 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.

The command C3XX (H) is a determination result command transmitted when a start winning is generated. C30
0 (H) is a lamp control command for specifying a win prize (a win prize specifying command), C301 (H) is a lamp control command for specifying a reach prize (reach prize specifying command), and C302 (H) is a non-specific jackpot. Lamp control command to specify winning (non-specific jackpot winning command)
C303 (H) is a lamp control command (specified jackpot winning designation command) for designating a specified jackpot winning combination.
The command D000 (H) is a lamp control command for instructing the lamp / LED display control pattern at the customer waiting demonstration.

The commands 80XX (H), 9XXX
(H), AXXX (H), BXXX (H) and CXX
X (H) is a lamp control command sent from the game control means according to the game progress status. Upon receiving the above-mentioned lamp control command, the lamp control means changes the display state of the lamp / LED according to the contents shown in FIG. Note that the commands 8XXX (H), 9XXX
(H), AXXX (H), BXXX (H) and CXX
X (H) is commonly used with the display control command and the sound control command in a common control state, for example.

The command E0XX (H) is a lamp control command for designating the number of memory for winning the winning prize. The game control means,
At the time of transmitting the display control command for designating the number of stored winning prizes for E0XX (H), the lamp control command, which is the same data, is also transmitted to the lamp control board 35. However,
The lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 does not notify the starting winning prize memory number based on the reception of the sound control command for designating the starting winning prize memory number,
For example, the sound control command for specifying the number of memory for winning the winning prize is used for the control related to the continuous announcement. Also, the command E1XX
(H) is a lamp control command that indicates the number of lights of the normal symbol starting memory display 41. For example, the lamp control means is normally "XX" in the symbol starting memory display 41.
The number of display devices designated by "(H)" is turned on.

Commands E200 (H) and E201
(H) is a lamp control command relating to the display state of the prize ball lamp 51, and includes commands E300 (H) and E3.
01 (H) is a lamp control command related to the display state of the out-of-bulb lamp 52. When the lamp control means receives the lamp control command "E201 (H)" from the game control means, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is changed to a predetermined display state as the case where there is a prize ball remaining, and "E200".
When the lamp control command of "(H)" is received, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is changed to a display state that is predetermined as a case where there is no remaining prize ball. When the lamp control command of "E300 (H)" is received, the display state of the out-of-bulb lamp 52 is changed to the display state with a ball, and "E301 (H)".
When the lamp control command is received, the display state of the out-of-ball lamp 52 is changed to the out-of-ball display state.

The command E400 (H) is a lamp control command indicating that the low probability state (normal state) has been entered, and the command E401 (H) indicates that the high probability state (probability change state) has been entered. It is a lamp control command shown.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the voice control command sent from the main board 31 for controlling the game to the sound control board 70. Voice control commands are also MODE
And EXT have a 2-byte structure. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the command 80XX (H) (X = an arbitrary value of 4 bits) is a voice control command for designating the sound generation pattern in the variable period of the special symbol. Command BXXX
(H) is a voice 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 voice 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 voice 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.

Mand C3XX (H) is a determination result command transmitted when a start winning is generated. C
300 (H) is a display control command for specifying a win prize (a win prize specifying command), C301 (H) is a display control command for specifying a reach prize (reach prize specifying command), and C302 (H) is a non-specific jackpot. It is a display control command (non-specific jackpot winning designation command) for specifying a prize, and C303 (H) is a display control command (specific jackpot winning specifying command) for specifying a jackpot.

Further, in this embodiment, when the game control means transmits the E5XX (H) display control command, it also transmits the same sound control command to the sound control board 70. Further, when transmitting the display control command for designating the number of memory for starting winning prize of E0XX (H), the sound control command which is the same data is also transmitted to the sound control board 70. However, the sound control means mounted on the sound control board 70 does not notify the start winning prize memory number based on the reception of the sound control command for specifying the start winning prize memory number. The sound control command of is used for control related to continuous notice.

FIG. 23 shows a variable display device 9, a lamp / LED for informing a game state (in this embodiment, the ceiling frame lamp 2).
8a, left frame lamp 28b and right frame lamp 28c) and an explanation of an example of a notice effect (effect for notifying that there is a big hit or a reach) executed using the speaker 27. It is a figure. FIG. 23
As illustrated in (A) to (B), in this embodiment, the variable display device 9 can perform two types of notice effects by displaying a character or the like that appears in the background (a portion other than the symbol display area). It is possible. The notice A shown in FIG. 23 (A) and the notice B shown in FIG. 23 (B) are consecutive notices (holding notices: based on the result of the lottery whether or not to be a jackpot executed when the start winning occurs). It is a notice effect other than the notice effect that is continuously executed with the maximum number of starting winnings stored in the variable display of the special symbols a plurality of times.

Further, it is possible to perform four types of continuous notice effects as shown in FIGS. 23 (C) to (F). FIG. 23
In the variable display device 9, the continuous notice A shown in (C) is
This is a notice effect by displaying characters or the like that appear in the background. The continuous notice B shown in FIG. 23D is the variable display device 9
And a notice effect using the speaker 27. FIG. 23
The continuous notice C shown in (E) is a notice effect using the variable display device 9 and the lamp / LED. The continuous announcement D shown in FIG. 23 (F) is an announcement effect using the variable display device 9, the lamp / LED, and the speaker 27.

Note that the example of the notice effect shown in FIG. 23 is an example, and more kinds of notice effects may be performed. For example, in the consecutive notices B and C, different production modes may be realized by changing the sound generation patterns, and in the consecutive notices C and D, different production modes may be realized by changing the blinking patterns of the lamps / LEDs. May be realized. Further, in the consecutive notices A to D, different presentation modes may be realized by changing the type of character. Even when more types of continuous announcement productions are performed, the production control means determines which production means is used to give the continuous advance notice and which production mode is used to give the continuous advance notice. And it is decided independently based on the reception of the control command that specifies the number of memory for winning a prize.

Next, the operation of the display control means will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the display control CPU 101. In the main process, first
Initialization processing is performed to clear the RAM area, set various initial values, and initialize the 2 ms timer for determining the activation interval of the display control (step S70).
1). After that, the display control CPU 101 shifts to the loop processing for confirming the monitoring of the timer interrupt flag (step S702). As shown in FIG. 25, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following display control process.

In this embodiment, the timer interruption is 2 ms.
It costs each time. That is, the 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 display control process is executed in the main process, but the display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process.

In the display control process, the display control CPU
First, the 101 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 processing,
A process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from the processes according to the control state. Then, the process of updating the advance random number counter is executed (step S70).
6). After that, the process returns to the process of confirming the timer interrupt flag in step S702.

Next, the display control command receiving process from the main board 31 will be described. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing the display control command received from the main board 31. In this example, a ring buffer type command reception buffer capable of storing six 2-byte display control commands 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, three symbol designating command storage areas (2 × 3 = 6 byte command receiving buffer) and one command storage area for other variable pattern designations ( 2 × 1 = 2 byte command receiving buffer). Similarly, the sound 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 sound 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.

27 and 28 are flowcharts showing a concrete example of the command analysis process (step S704). The display control command received from the main board 31 is stored in the received command buffer, but in the command analysis processing, the display control CPU 101 confirms the content of the command stored in the command reception buffer.

In command analysis processing, C for display control is used.
The PU 101 first confirms whether or not a received command is stored in the command reception buffer (step S61).
1). Whether it is stored or not is determined by comparing the value of the command reception number 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 receiving buffer, the CP for display control
U101 reads the received command from the command reception buffer (step S612). When read, the value of the read pointer is incremented by +1.

If the received display control command is the display control command (91XX (H)) designating the special symbol left (step S613), the display control CPU 101 displays "X".
Data indicating the left symbol indicated by "X" is stored in the left symbol storage area in the RAM (step S614). In addition, a display control command (92XX
(H)) (step S616), C for display control
The PU 101 stores the data indicating the medium symbol indicated by "XX" in the medium symbol storage area in the RAM (step S617). Then, if it is a display control command (93XX (H)) for designating the special symbol right (step S61).
8), the display control CPU 101 stores the data indicating the right symbol indicated by "XX" in the right symbol storage area in the RAM (step S619).

If the received display control command is the display control command for designating the variation pattern (step S6)
21), the display control CPU 101 uses the command E
The XT data is stored in the fluctuation pattern data storage area (step S622), and the fluctuation pattern reception flag is set (step S623).

If the received display control command is the display control command for designating the number of memory for winning the winning prize (step S63).
1), the display control CPU 101 updates the number of stored winning awards in the starting prize winning number storage area in the RAM to the number designated by the display control command (step S632). Also,
The number of starting memory display areas 18 whose display color changes in the variable display device 9 is updated (step S633). Further, the value of the random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S63
4). The random number counter is a counter for generating a random number for determining whether or not to execute the continuous announcement. In this embodiment, the count value of the random number counter takes a value in the range of 0 to 126, and when the count value becomes 127, the value is returned to 0.

If the received display control command is a display control command for specifying a winning prize (step S63).
5) The display control CPU 101 increments the value of the random number counter by 1 (step S636), extracts the random number by reading the count value of the random number counter (step S637), and determines the continuous announcement (step S636).
638). Also when the received display control command is the display control command for specifying the reach winning a prize (step S63).
9) The value of the random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S640), the random number is extracted (step S641), and the continuous announcement is determined (step S642).

Also, when the received display control command is a non-specific big hit winning designation display control command (step S651), the value of the random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S652) and a random number is extracted (step S6).
53), determination of continuous notice is made (step S654).
Furthermore, even when the received display control command is a display control command for designating a specific jackpot winning (step S65).
5) The value of the random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S656), a random number is extracted (step S657), and continuous notice is determined (step S658).

Then, if the received command read in step S612 is another display control command, a flag corresponding to the received command is set (step S659).

Next, the determination of continuous notice will be described.
29 and 30 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a relationship between the number of stored winning awards and the number of times of execution of continuous notice. (A) shows the relationship between the number of memory of winning start winnings and the number of times of execution of continuous notice when a display control command for specifying a winning a prize is received, (B)
Indicates the relationship between the number of memory for winning start prizes and the number of times of execution of continuous notice when a display control command specifying reach winning is received,
(C) shows the relationship between the number of stored winning prizes and the number of executions of the continuous notice when a display control command for designating a non-specific big hit prize is received. And (D) shows the relationship between the number of starting winning prizes stored and the number of executions of continuous notice when a display control command for designating a specific jackpot winning is received.

As shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, in this embodiment, when the display control command designating the award winning is received, the continuous announcement cannot be executed. When the display control command for specifying the reach winning a prize is received, if the value of the random number matches 7, 29, 79 or 124 (the continuous notification determination value), the continuous notification can be executed, and the display of the non-specific big hit winning award is displayed. When a control command is received, the random number value is 7 to 27 or 105 to 124 (continuous advance notice judgment value)
If it matches with, continuous notice can be executed. Then, when the display control command for designating the specific jackpot winning is received, if the value of the random number matches 3 to 67 or 85 to 124 (continuous notice determination value), continuous notice can be executed.

When the display control command designating the reach winning is received, in addition to the continuous notice using the variable display device 9 (continuous notice A), the variable display device 9 and the speaker 27 are used.
Or continuous notice using lamp / LED (continuous notice B,
C) is feasible. Further, when the display control commands for the non-specific big hit prize designation and the specific big hit prize designation are received, a continuous notice (continuous notice D) using the variable display device 9, the speaker 27 and the lamp / LED can be executed.

In this embodiment, when the result of variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device (stop symbol) is off, the continuous notice effect does not appear. That is, since the game control means makes a determination relating to the variation pattern when the start winning occurs, the variation pattern of the symbol used when the result of the variable display is out of sync, the variation of the symbol actually starts. If the result of the variable display is off according to the determination result of the game control means, the display control means does not select the continuous announcement effect. That is, the continuous announcement effect appears when it is determined at the time of starting winning that the result of the variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device is a big hit or a reach (a reach that does not become a big hit). Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the variation pattern used in the case of a big hit is also used in the case of a reach (a reach that does not become a big hit). That is, when it is determined that a big hit is not generated when the start winning is generated, a specific variation pattern (normal reach, reach A, reach B, reach C in the example shown in FIG. 9) which is also generated during the big hit is determined. It is possible to execute the continuous notice production when the above is performed.

FIG. 31 shows steps S638, S642.
11 is a flowchart showing an example of determination processing of continuous notice executed in S654 and S658. In the continuous announcement determination process, the display control CPU 101 first determines whether or not a continuous announcement is being executed (step S661). Whether or not it is being executed can be determined by the continuous announcement executing flag which is an internal flag set during the execution. If the continuous notice is not being executed, the continuous notice determination table is selected (step S662). The continuous notice determination table is a table in which the information shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is set, and corresponds to the information shown in FIG. 29 (A) when a display control command designating a winning prize is received. When the table is selected and the display control command of the reach winning designation is received, the table corresponding to the information shown in FIG. 29 (B) is selected, and when the display control command of the non-specific jackpot winning designation is received, the figure is displayed. The table corresponding to the information shown in FIG. 30 (C) is selected, and when the display control command for designating the specific jackpot winning is received, the table corresponding to the information shown in FIG. 30 (D) is selected.

When the variable display of the special symbol due to the shortening variation is executed, the display control means does not perform the notice effect.

Then, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not the continuous notice determination value that is the same as the value of the extracted random number is set in the continuous notice determination table (step S
663) If there is a match, the type and execution count of the corresponding continuous notice are extracted from the continuous notice determination table. If the execution count is not 0 (step S664),
The type of the continuous notice is stored in the notice type buffer in the RAM, the execution count is stored in the execution count buffer in the RAM (step S665), and the continuous notice lottery flag is set (step S666).

Through the above processing, the random number counter specifies the number of memory for starting winning prize, the designation of outlier winning, the designation of reach winning,
Step forward every time a display control command for non-specific jackpot winning designation or specific jackpot winning designation is received, and a continuous notice is given when a display control command for out-of-range winning designation, reach winning designation, non-specific jackpot winning designation, or specific jackpot winning designation is received A lottery on whether or not to perform is performed. When it is decided to give the consecutive notice, the type of the consecutive notice is decided, and the number of times of execution decided in advance is decided according to the number of memories for starting winnings at that time. And, which display means is used to give the continuous notice, and which production mode is used to give the continuous notice, the display control means receives the determination result command and the display control command for designating the number of memory for starting winning prizes. It will be decided independently based on this.

In addition, for example, in the consecutive notices B and C,
Different production modes can be realized by using different sound generation patterns, and lamps L
29 and FIG. 29, even when different types of consecutive notice effects are performed by changing the blinking pattern of the ED to realize different effect modes, or by changing the types of characters in the continuous notice A to D. In the continuous notice determination table based on the information shown in 30, if a large number of effect modes are set, which effect means is used to give the continuous effect, and which effect mode gives the continuous effect. It is possible for the display control means to uniquely determine the height based on the reception of the determination result command and the display control command for designating the number of memory for winning the winning prize.

Like the display control means, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 and the sound control means mounted on the sound control board 70 are lamps for which a judgment result command and a start winning award memory number are designated. Based on the reception of the control command and the sound control command, it is independently determined whether or not to give the continuous notice and in which presentation mode the continuous notice is given. In this embodiment, since the same control command as the display control command is transmitted to the lamp control means and the sound control means, the lamp control means and the sound control means perform the effect control synchronized with the control of the display control means. It can be performed.

As will be described later, the display control CPU 101
When the variable display device 9 performs variable display of the special symbol after the number of executions which is not 0 is determined, the notice effect (continuous notice) is controlled in the variable display period of the special symbol for the number of executions. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the determination result when the number of memory for winning start prize is 0 is also set in the continuous notice determination table, but the display control command for designating the number of memory for winning start prize is set to be higher than the determination result command. If the number of memory for starting winning is 0 and the number of memory for starting winning is 0, continuous notice is not given. Therefore, the data for the case of storing number of starting winning for 0 may not be set in the consecutive notice determination table. Even if it is not set, the display control means can determine not to give the continuous notice when the number of memory for starting prize winning is 0, based on the received display control command for specifying the number of memory for starting winning prize.

FIG. 32 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
~ Any one of S806 is performed. In each process, the following process is executed.

Fluctuating pattern 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 varying time is received. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not a flag (fluctuation pattern reception flag) indicating that the fluctuation pattern command has been received is set. The fluctuation pattern reception flag is
It is set when it is confirmed that the display control command for designating the variation pattern is received (step S62).
3).

Advance notice selection process (step S801): Whether or not to give advance notice effect and the type of advance notice effect to be performed are determined.

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

Process during symbol fluctuation (step S803): The switching timing of each fluctuation state (fluctuation speed) 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 waiting setting process (step S80
4): At the end of the fluctuation time, if the display control command (display control command of special symbol stop) instructing to stop all the symbols is received, the control for stopping the fluctuation of the symbols and displaying the stopped symbol (determined symbol) is performed. To do.

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

Processing during the big hit game (step S80
6): The big hit game is controlled. For example, when a display control command for displaying before opening the special winning opening or displaying when opening the special winning opening is received, display control of the number of rounds is performed.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a structural example of process data set for each variation pattern table. The process data is composed of a plurality of combinations of process timer set values and display control execution data. Each display control execution data describes each variation mode forming the variation pattern. Further, the process timer set value is set with the change time in the change mode. The display control CPU 101 refers to the process data and performs control to variably display the symbols in the variation mode set in the display control execution data only for the time set in the process timer set value.

The process data shown in FIG. 33 is stored in the ROM of the symbol control board 80. The process data is prepared for each variation pattern. Also, it is prepared according to the type of notice production.
For example, the process data for executing the notice production of the notice A with the variation pattern 10 is the notice B with the variation pattern 10.
It is prepared separately from the process data when executing the notice production. Therefore, the display control CPU 101 selects the process data to be used according to the variation pattern and the type of notice effect.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the variable pattern command reception waiting process (step S800) in the display control process process shown in FIG. In the variation pattern command reception waiting process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not the variation pattern reception flag is set (step S871). If it is set, that flag is reset (step S87).
2). Then, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the notice selection process (step S801) (step S873).

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the advance notice selection process (step S801) in the display control process process shown in FIG. In the notice selection process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not the continuous notice is being executed (step S811). If not running
It is confirmed whether or not the continuous notice lottery flag is set (step S812). If the continuous notice lottery flag has been set, that is, if it has been decided to give a continuous notice, the continuous notice lottery flag is reset (step S813), and the content of the execution count buffer is set in the execution count counter. Yes (step S814). Then, the flag for continuous notice execution is set (step S81).
5).

Further, the timer for determining the notice start time corresponding to the decided notice effect is started (step S81).
6). Then, the display control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the all symbol variation start process (step S802) (step S817). The advance notice start time determination timer is a timer for determining the timing of starting the advance notice production after the variation of the symbol is started in the variable display device 9.

If it is confirmed in step S811 that the continuous notice is being executed, the display control CPU 101 decrements the execution counter by -1 (step S821). If the execution counter is not 0, the process proceeds to step S816 (step S822). ). When the execution count counter reaches 0, it means that the continuous notice for the determined execution count has already been completed. In that case, step S825
Move to.

In step S812, when it is confirmed that the continuous notice lottery flag is not set, notice production by notice A or notice B is performed. Alternatively, the notice production is not performed. Specifically, a random number value is extracted from the advance notice random number counter (step S82).
5) If the user gives or does not give a notice based on the random number, it is determined which of the notice A and the notice B is to be used for the notice effect if the notice is given (step S826). For example, a table in which the judgment values corresponding to each of "not foreknowledge / notice for notice" / "notice for notice" are set is prepared in the ROM, and by comparing the random number value with the judgment value, the notice is given. If so, it is determined which of the notice A and the notice B is used for the notice effect. Notice A
Alternatively, when it is determined to perform the notice effect of the notice B (step S827), the process proceeds to step S816.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing the all symbol variation start process (step S802) in the display control process process. In the all symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 101 first selects process data to be used (step S881). Then, the process timer corresponding to the display control execution data 1 is started (step S882). Further, LCD control is performed based on the display control execution data 1 in the process data (step S883). For example, a signal according to the contents of the display control execution data 1 is given to the variable display device 9 using an LCD. An address of the ROM may be set in the display control execution data, more detailed control data may be stored in an area starting from the address, and the LCD control may be performed according to the control data.

After that, the variable time timer (timer according to the variable time of the special symbol) is started (step S88).
4), the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the symbol variation process (step S885).

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing the symbol changing process (step S803) in the display control process process. In the process of changing symbols, CP for display control
U101 confirms whether the timer for determining the advance notice start time has timed out (step S831). If the time-out has occurred, the VDP 103 is controlled so that the display is performed based on the previously decided notice effect (step S832). Here, the advance notice effect may be executed using a pattern table (data in which a plurality of combinations of timer setting values and control execution tables are collected) for executing the advance notice effect, but it is set for each variation pattern table. It is also possible to further divide the set process data according to the type of the notice effect and set the process data, and use the process data according to the variation pattern to be realized and the notice effect to be executed. When using the process data according to the variation pattern and the notice effect, the display control of the notice effect is executed according to the content of the process data together with the variable display of the symbol.

When the process timer times out (step S833), the display control CPU 101 determines that the process timer has timed out.
The display control execution data is switched (step S83).
4). That is, in the process data, the process timer set next is started, and the VDP 103 is controlled according to the contents of the display control execution data set next. Therefore, the VDP 103
The display state of the variable display device 9 is controlled according to the contents of the display control execution table.

Then, if the variable time timer has timed out (step S835), the monitoring timer for monitoring the reception of the display control command for stopping the special symbol is started (step S836), and the value of the display control process flag is set to all. The value corresponding to the symbol stop waiting process is set (step S837).

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (step S804) in the display control process process. In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not a display control command (display control command of special symbol stop) for instructing all symbol stop is received (step S841). If the display control command instructing to stop all the symbols has been received, control is performed to stop the symbols with the stored stop symbols (step S842).

When the big hit symbol is displayed in step S842, the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to the big hit display process (step S8).
05) is set (step S844).
Then, the value of the execution number counter indicating the number of times of execution of the continuous notification is cleared (step S846), and the flag for executing the continuous notification is reset (step S84).
7). When the big hit symbol is not displayed in step S842 (when the outlying symbol is displayed), the display control CPU
101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the variable pattern command reception waiting process (step S800) (step S844).

When the display control command designating the stop of all the symbols is not received, it is confirmed whether or not the monitoring timer has timed out (step S848). If a time-out has occurred, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and control is performed to display an error screen on the variable display device 9 (step S849). Then, the process proceeds to step S843.

As described above, the game control means mounted on the main board 31 is based on the establishment of the execution condition of the variable display start in the variable display device 9 (specifically, the occurrence of the start winning). A process for determining the type of fluctuation pattern is executed. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to reach is equivalent to the processing for determining the type of variation pattern. When the variable display device 9 satisfies the condition (start condition) for starting variable display, the process for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed again. The same program module (reach determination subroutine) is used in the processing for determining the type of fluctuation pattern and the processing for determining the type of fluctuation pattern. Therefore, even if the processing for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed even when the execution condition of the variable display start is satisfied, it is possible to suppress the increase in the capacity of the control program in the game control means. .

In particular, even when it is determined that the execution condition in the game control means when the execution condition is satisfied is determined not to be controlled to the specific game state (big hit game state), it is controlled to the specific game state. When the type of variable display mode of specific identification information (normal reach, reach A, reach B, reach C in the example shown in FIG. 9) that is also used is determined, the same effect as the pre-effect (that is, continuous notice) Even if it is configured to be able to execute, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the control program in the game control means.

Embodiment 2. In the above-described embodiment, the variation pattern used in the case of an outlier that does not become a reach, the variation pattern used in the case of a reach, and the variation pattern used in the case of a big hit are determined. That is, in the case of reach, the variation patterns of variation pattern numbers 2 to 10 are used, and in the case of a big hit, the variation patterns of variation pattern numbers 11 to 14 are used (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the determination or determination as to whether to reach or jackpot corresponds to the determination or determination of the type of variation pattern.

At the time of the start winning, it is not determined which variation pattern (any of the variation patterns of the variation pattern numbers 1 to 15) is specifically set. However, at the time of winning the start prize, the variation pattern number 1
It is also possible to determine up to which of the fluctuating patterns from 15 to 15.

FIG. 39 is a determination result command (variation pattern effect designation display used to determine which variation pattern is specifically used in variable display of special symbols among display control commands at the time of starting winning) It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a control command. Note that display control commands other than the display control commands shown in FIG.
It is the same as that shown in 0. Further, the lamp control command and the sound control command in the same form as the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect are transmitted from the game control means to the lamp control means and the sound control means. As shown in FIG. 39, in this embodiment, a determination result command (special symbol variation pattern 1) corresponding to each of the variation pattern designation display control commands transmitted from the game control means to the display control means at the start of variable display. Effect designation ~ display control command of effect designation of special symbol variation pattern 14 and effect designation of special symbol shortened display pattern) is prepared.

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing the winning effect setting process executed by the game control means in this embodiment. In this case, when it is determined to be a big hit in step S124, a big hit symbol determination subroutine is executed (step S171), and further, a variation pattern determination subroutine as a variation pattern determination module is executed (step S172). . Then, the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect corresponding to the variation pattern determined in step S172 is set in a predetermined area of the RAM (step S173). Next, the set display control command for designating the variation pattern effect is set in the effect buffer (step S174). In the big hit symbol determination subroutine, the CPU 56 reads out random 3 from the storage area of each random number and determines the big hit symbol according to the value of random 3.

If it is determined in step S133 that the reach is reached, the reach symbol determination subroutine is executed (step S175), and the variation pattern determination subroutine is executed (step S176). Then, the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect corresponding to the variation pattern determined in step S176 is set (step S177). Then, it transfers to step S174. In the reach design determination subroutine,
The CPU 56 selects random 2-1 from the storage area of each random number.
2-3 is read, and the reach symbol is determined according to the values of random 2-1 and 2-3.

If it is determined in step S133 that there is a deviation, a deviation symbol determination subroutine is executed (step S178), and a variation pattern determination subroutine is executed (step S179). Then, the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect corresponding to the variation pattern determined in step S179 is set (step S180). Then, it transfers to step S174. It should be noted that in the outlier symbol determination subroutine, the CPU 56
Reads random 2-1 to 2-3 from the storage area of each random number, and determines a deviating symbol according to the value of random 2-1 to 2-3.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the variation pattern setting process in the special symbol process process executed by the game control means. The variation pattern setting process is executed when the variation of the special symbol can be started in the variable display device 9. In the variation pattern setting process, the CPU 56
Executes a variation pattern determination subroutine as a variation pattern determination module (step S181).
Further, the variation time timer is set to a time corresponding to the determined variation pattern (step S182), and the special symbol process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the special symbol variation process (step S183).

FIG. 42 is a variation pattern determination subroutine (step S17) that is executed when a start winning occurs.
2, S176, S179) and a variable pattern determination subroutine (step S181) executed when variable display is started.
The variation pattern determination subroutine and the variation pattern determination subroutine are common subroutines.

In the variation pattern determination / determination subroutine, the CPU 56 reads out random number 4 (variation pattern determination random number) from the storage area of each random number (step S
191). Then, when it is determined that the stop symbols on the left, middle, and right of the special symbol are the same (step S19)
2) The fluctuation pattern is determined or determined based on the fluctuation pattern table at the time of a big hit and the value of Random 4 (step S193).

If it is determined that the stop symbols on the left and right of the special symbol are the same (step S194), it is confirmed whether or not the left and right symbols are different by one symbol (step S1).
95). If 1 pattern is different, reach (± 1 pattern difference)
The fluctuation pattern is determined or determined based on the fluctuation pattern table at time and the value of Random 4 (step S
196). Random 4 and random pattern table at the time of reach (if there is no difference in ± 1 pattern)
The fluctuation pattern is determined or determined based on the value of (step S197). Then, when it is determined that the stop symbols on the left and right of the special symbol do not match (step S194), the variation pattern is determined or determined based on the variation pattern table at the time of deviation and the value of Random 4 ( Step S197).

The variation pattern table at the time of a big hit,
The variation pattern table at the time of reach (± 1 pattern difference), the variation pattern table at the time of reach (when not ± 1 pattern difference) and the variation pattern table at the time of deviation have information indicating the variation pattern that can be used in each case. , Is set with the corresponding numerical value. Then, the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the numerical value that matches the value of Random 4 is determined or determined as the fluctuation pattern used in the variable display.

Also, a variation pattern table at the time of a big hit,
The variation pattern table at the time of reach (± 1 symbol difference), the variation pattern table at the time of reach (if not ± 1 symbol difference), and the variation pattern table at the time of deviation are the winning effect setting process executed when the start winning occurs. , And is commonly used in the fluctuation pattern setting process executed when the variable display can be started. That is, a predetermined data table used in the process for determining the type of the variable display mode of the identification information by the game state determining means, and a process for determining the type of the variable display mode of the identification information in the execution condition satisfaction determining means. It is common with the predetermined data table used for.

Also, step S174 shown in FIG.
The content of the effect buffer set in step S3 is a storage process executed after the end of the special symbol process process (step S3).
It is referred to in 1) and transmitted as a display control command to the display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80.

In the first embodiment, the display control means determines the result of the out-of-range winning designation, the reach winning designation, and the big hit winning designation (non-specific big hit winning designation and specific big hit winning designation) transmitted when the start winning occurs. Although the form of the advance notice is determined according to the command and the number of starting prize winning memories, in the present embodiment, the display control means is the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect and the starting winning prize memory transmitted when the starting winning prize occurs. The form of the notice is determined according to the number.

The variation pattern of the symbols determined at the time when the start winning is generated (steps S172, S176,
S179) is determined based on the satisfaction of the condition for starting the variable display on the variable display device 9 (the execution condition, not the start condition).
When the condition (start condition) for starting the variable display is satisfied in the variable display device 9, the random display 4 is performed again.
The variation pattern of the symbol is determined based on the value of (see step S181). The random number value (random 4) used when the variable display start condition is satisfied is a value that is extracted and stored in the storage area when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. Therefore, the variation pattern of the symbol determined when the variable display start condition is satisfied is the same as the determination result when the variable display execution condition is satisfied.

This is because the process of step S113, which is a process of extracting predetermined numerical data used when the variable display start condition is satisfied, and the winning effect setting process corresponding to the determination when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. This is because is completed within one timer interrupt process and does not change during that period.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to determine the type of advance notice. FIG. 43A shows a variation pattern #
2 shows an example of how to determine the form of the notice when the display control command of the production designation is received. FIG. 43 (B) shows the type of the notice when the display control command of the variation pattern # 11 production is received. Here is an example of how to make a decision. Note that FIG.
Data corresponding to the contents shown in R is used as the notice selection table.
Stored in OM. Further, FIG. 43 shows only an example of the case where the display control command for designating the variation pattern # 2 effect and the variation pattern # 11 is received, but the variation pattern # 2 effect specification excluding the normal variation and the shortened variation is shown. The advance notice selection table is stored in the ROM for each of the display control commands for designating the variation pattern # 14 effect.

Further, instead of executing the continuous announcement for all the variation patterns, it is possible to execute the continuous announcement for only a specific plurality of variation patterns. For example, when the special symbols of the fluctuation patterns # 1 and # 2 are changed, it is also easy not to give the continuous notice.

In this embodiment, the display control means can determine whether or not to give a notice and the type of the notice when giving a notice, corresponding to a specific variation pattern. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the load on the game control means does not increase even if the types of the notices are increased and the contents of the game effect are enriched.

As described above, the game control means mounted on the main board 31 is based on the fulfillment of the execution condition of the variable display start in the variable display device 9 (specifically, the occurrence of the start winning). A process for determining the type of fluctuation pattern is executed. When the variable display device 9 satisfies the condition (start condition) for starting variable display, the process for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed again. The same program module (fluctuation pattern determination / determination subroutine) is used in the processing for determining the variation pattern type and the processing for determining the variation pattern type. Therefore, even if the processing for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed even when the execution condition of the variable display start is satisfied, it is possible to suppress the increase in the capacity of the control program in the game control means. .

In particular, even when it is determined that the execution condition in the game control means when the execution condition is satisfied is determined not to be controlled to the specific game state (big hit game state), it is controlled to the specific game state. When the type of variable display mode of specific identification information (normal reach, reach A, reach B, reach C in the example shown in FIG. 9) that is also used is determined, the same effect as the pre-effect (that is, continuous notice) Even if it is configured to be able to execute, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the control program in the game control means.

Third Embodiment In each of the above embodiments,
The display control means, the lamp control means and the sound control means are independent, but they may be integrated into one effect control means. FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in the case where one effect control means is provided. In this embodiment, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 80A, the normal symbol start memory display 41 and the decorative lamp 25, etc. provided on the game board based on the effect control command from the game control means. Display control, and the top frame lamp 28a and the left frame lamp 28 provided on the frame side.
b, the right frame lamp 28c, the prize ball lamp 51, and the out-of-ball lamp 52 are displayed. The effect control command is the same control command as the display control command in each of the above-described embodiments.

A drive signal for driving the lamp / LED is created in the lamp driver board 35A. In addition, when the game machine is provided with a movable member as an effect means, a drive signal for driving the effect drive means 61 such as a motor or a solenoid for driving the movable member is also the lamp driver board 35A. Created in.

Also, a variable display device 9 for variably displaying special symbols and a normal symbol display 10 for variably displaying ordinary symbols.
The display control of is also executed by the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 80A based on the effect control command. Further, the effect control means outputs the sound number data to the audio output board 70A based on the effect control command. In the voice output board 70A, the effect control board 8
The sound number data from 0A is input to a voice synthesis IC by, for example, a digital signal processor. The voice synthesis IC converts the data corresponding to the sound number data into the voice data R.
The sound is read out from the OM, and a sound or a sound effect according to the read data is generated and output to the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit amplifies the output level of the voice synthesizing IC to a level corresponding to the volume set by the volume and outputs a voice signal to the speaker 27.
Output to.

With such a configuration, the production control board 80A
The effect control means installed in is equivalent to all of the display control means, lamp control means and sound control means in the first and second embodiments.

Then, as in the case of the first and second embodiments, the effect control means determines which effect means is used to give the continuous notice and by which effect mode the continuous notice is given. It is decided based on the reception of the result command and the control command for specifying the number of memory for winning a prize. In addition, the game control means mounted on the main board 31 determines the type of the variation pattern based on the establishment of the execution condition of the variable display start in the variable display device 9 (specifically, the occurrence of the start winning). The variable display device 9 is executed.
When the condition for starting the variable display (starting condition) is satisfied, the process for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed again. Then, the same program module is used in the processing for determining the type of the variation pattern and the processing for determining the type of the variation pattern. Therefore, even if the processing for determining the type of the variation pattern is executed even when the execution condition of the variable display start is satisfied, the burden on the game control means and the capacity of the control program in the game control means increase. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 45, in the game control means 31A, the numerical data updating means 31d updates the determination data and the display data. In addition, the execution condition determination unit 31a determines whether the variable display determination result and the determination result relating to the variable display determined when the variable display start condition is satisfied when the variable display execution condition is satisfied (when the start winning occurs). Determined as a variation pattern of the special symbol. Further, the game state determining means 31b determines whether or not to control at least the specific game state and the variation pattern of the special symbol in the variable display device 9 when the variable display start condition is satisfied. Then, the determination result command transmitting means 31c sends a determination result command that can specify the determination result by the execution condition satisfaction determination means,
It is transmitted to the effect control means 80B before the variable display start condition based on the variable display execution condition is satisfied. The effect control means 80B controls the variable display device 9, the lamp / LED, and the speaker 27 as an effect means.
Further, the execution condition satisfaction determination means 31a and the game state determination means 31b use the common module 31e in the process of determining or determining the variation pattern.

As described above, the effect control means is
Whether or not to execute a continuous notice (pending notice) based on the result determined by the game control means at the time of starting winning (whether or not to reach a big hit based on the value of the random number extracted at the time of starting winning) If it is executed, the number of times of execution is determined. Further, during the execution of the continuous notice, the notice effect in the form of notice A and notice B is not performed (because the process shifts from step S811 to S821). If a big hit occurs, the continuous announcement ends even if the continuous announcement for the number of times of execution has not been completed (step S847).
reference).

For example, in the case where the variable display device 9 is fluctuating the symbols, a display control command indicating that the number of memory for winning a prize for winning is "4" and a display control command for designating a big hit prize are received. Imagine a case. And
In the determination of whether or not to give consecutive notices, it is decided that the notices are consecutively given, and the number of executions is four. Further, it is assumed that the determination results corresponding to the starting winning memory of 1, 2, 3 are not big hits. In that case, after the current variation of the symbol ends, a big hit occurs as a result of the fourth variation of the symbol. In addition, after the current variation of the symbol is completed, the continuous announcement effect is executed when the first to the fourth variation of the symbol is performed. Then, a big hit occurs as a result of the fourth variation of the symbol. That is, the fact that a big hit occurs as a result of the fourth variation of the symbol can be given to the player by a predetermined notification (that is, a notice effect) during the variation of the symbol of the previous symbol.

As illustrated in FIG. 33, when it is determined that a big win will occur when a start winning occurs, it is determined that continuous notice is given with a higher probability than in the case where no big win occurs. Moreover, it is executed many times. Therefore,
The reliability of the continuous announcement (the rate at which a big hit actually occurs when the continuous announcement is executed) is high, and the player can strongly expect the big hit to occur due to the occurrence of the continuous announcement.

In the first embodiment, the display control means also controls the display of the number of memory for winning the start winnings, and the game control means specifies the display control command for the award winning designation, the display control command for the award winning designation, and the jackpot winning designation. Separately from the display control commands, the display control commands for designating the number of memory for winning a prize for start-up are transmitted before the display control commands are transmitted. Further, in the second embodiment, the display control command for designating the number of memory for winning the winning prize is transmitted separately from the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect. However, the display control command for designating the number of memory for winning a prize for start-up, the display control command for designating an outlier prize, the display control command for designating a reach prize, and the display control command for designating a big hit prize may be combined. Also,
The display control command for designating the number of memory for winning a prize for start-up may be combined with the display control command for designating the variation pattern effect. That is, the command for the number of stored memories may be configured to include information that can specify the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied and the variation pattern effect designation. For example, E5
8-bit EX in XX (H) display control command
Of the T data, 4 bits are assigned to outlying winning designation, reach winning designation and jackpot winning designation, and the other 4 bits are assigned to start winning memory number designation.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the game control means determines the variable display mode of the identification information as the specific variable display mode when the start condition of the variable display is satisfied (in the above-mentioned embodiments, the left and right modes). It is determined whether or not the pattern is uniform), and when the variable display execution condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is the reach mode as a specific variable display mode. The variable display mode of is not limited to the reach mode. Other variable display modes may be used as long as they are variable display modes that can be distinguished from other variable display modes that can appear. For example, the left-middle-right design may be a variable display mode in which the left-middle-right design is finalized (finally stopped) after being temporarily stopped at a specific design such as a so-called chance and restarting the variable display.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the effect control means executes the continuous announcement effect based on the winning judgment result command, but it is not limited to the continuous announcement effect and other effects may be executed. Good. For example, the overall effect from the start of variable display on the variable display device 9 to displaying the display result, the effect during the big hit game (for example, the effect during the big hit game is a story development, and the effect control means performs a lottery. During the jackpot game, the content of the story is selected from a plurality of stories by lottery), and various effects such as an effect of selecting a probability change or a shortened time may be executed.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the continuous notice and the notices A and B are displayed by the character. However, the notice notice may take any form, for example, a slip notice ( A notice effect is performed by changing the variation mode of a special symbol such as a production effect that changes several symbols at high speed in a low speed variation state) or a return effect (effect that changes in the opposite direction after passing the stop position of the symbol). You may do it. Further, the notice effect may be performed by changing the background.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the maximum number of memory for winning the winning a prize is four, but other numbers may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the determination process (step S11) in the winning confirmation process (see FIG. 12).
5 to step S119) is started when there is a winning in the starting winning opening, but if the gaming machine has a configuration in which variable display is not started unless there are a plurality of winnings, a plurality of The determination process may be started on the condition that a prize has been won. In addition, winning is recognized only during a period in which a predetermined variable winning device (for example, a second type variable winning ball device) is in an advantageous state (for example, a period from when the opening operation is performed until a predetermined period elapses). In such a case, the determination process may be started on the condition that the game ball is won during the period.

In each of the above embodiments, the "specific game state" means a state advantageous to the player to whom a predetermined game value is given. Specifically, the "specific game state" is, for example, a state in which the state of the variable winning ball device is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a hit ball (big hit gaming state), and a right to be a state advantageous for the player. Is a state in which a predetermined game value is given, such as a state in which the game is generated, a state in which the prize game medium payout condition is easily established.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the "special game state" means a state that is advantageous to the player who is apt to be a big hit. Specifically, "special game state"
Is, for example, a probability variation state in which the probability that the special symbols are arranged in a big jackpot pattern is a high probability state, a time saving state in which the number of fluctuations of the ordinary symbol per unit time is increased, and an opening period and the number of times of opening the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. It is a high-probability state in which the probability of a big hit such as the extended extension state is increased. In the time saving state, since the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened is increased, the number of winnings per unit time is increased, and the number of times the special symbol is variably displayed per unit time is increased. Can be said to have been raised. Similarly, in the extended open state, the number of winnings per unit time is increased because the opening period and the number of times of opening the variable winning ball device 15 are increased, and the number of times the special symbol is displayed variable per unit time is increased. Therefore, it can be said that the probability of being a big hit is increased.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, in the variable display device 9, a continuous notice may appear even when the variation (variable display) of the special symbol is executed by any variation pattern except the shortened variation. However, it is also possible to configure not to give the continuous notice when the variation of the special symbol is executed by the variation pattern (normal variation in the example shown in FIG. 9) which is not used during the big hit.

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. 2 types of pachinko gaming machines, or the symbols that are variably displayed based on the starting winnings are released when the combination of the symbols is the predetermined symbol. The predetermined right is generated or continues when there is a prize for the predetermined electric accessory. The present invention can be applied to a three-type pachinko gaming machine.

[0227]

As described above, in the invention described in claim 1, when the execution condition satisfaction determining means determines that the specific display result is displayed, the specific display result is displayed to that effect. Pre-production for notifying at the previous stage can be executed by using the production means, and even when the execution condition establishment determination means determines that the specific display result is not displayed, When it is determined to execute a specific type of variable display that is also used when the display result is displayed, it is possible to execute the same effect as the preliminary effect, and the game state determination means can be changed in the game control program. The common module is a program module used to determine the type of display and a program module used by the execution condition satisfaction determination means to determine the type of variable display. Therefore, when the execution condition is satisfied, when it is determined that the specific game state is not controlled, the type of variable display mode of the specific identification information is determined based on the display numerical data. In this case, even if the same effect as the pre-effect is executed, it is possible to prevent the program capacity of the game control means having the upper limit restriction on the capacity from being increased.

In the invention according to claim 2, the game state determining means determines the type of variable display by using a predetermined data table, and the execution condition determination means determines the type of variable display by the game state determining means. Since it is configured to determine the type of variable display using a predetermined data table used for determination, the data table is shared and the capacity of the data table is also saved in the data area with the upper limit regulation of the capacity. be able to.

In the invention according to claim 3, the game control means can transmit a determination result command capable of specifying the determination result by the execution condition satisfaction determination means to the effect control means,
Since the effect control means is configured to determine, based on the reception of the determination result command, whether or not to perform the pre-effect by the effect means from the stage before the condition for starting the variable display is satisfied, Even if pre-production is performed before the start condition is satisfied, the load on the game control means does not increase.

In the invention according to claim 4, the game control means can transmit the hold storage number command to the effect control means, and the effect control means displays the hold storage number based on the reception of the hold storage number command. Since the number-of-reserved-storages display control means for controlling the number-of-reserved-storages display means is included, and the number-of-reserved-storages command is configured to include information capable of specifying the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied, the game control means It is possible to reduce the number of commands transmitted from the production control means to the production control means.

In the invention according to claim 5, the game control means can transmit the hold storage number command to the effect control means, and the effect control means displays the hold storage number based on the reception of the hold storage number command. It includes a reserved storage number display control means for controlling the reserved storage number display means, and is configured to separately transmit the reserved storage number command and the determination result command when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. , The role of the command becomes clear, and the effect control means can easily identify both commands.

In the invention according to claim 6, since the variable display of the specific type is the variable display for reach, when the variable display mode for reach is determined, the same effect as the pre-effect is executed. Even in this case, it is possible not to increase the program capacity of the game control means having a capacity upper limit.

[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 showing the front surface of the game board with the glass door frame removed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a game control board (main board).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a symbol control board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a CPU on a main board.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a 2 ms timer interrupt process.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a special symbol process process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a variation pattern.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a starting opening switch passage process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a winning effect setting process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a big hit determination table and a reach determination table.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a big hit determination module.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a reach determination module.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing special symbol normal processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a special symbol stop symbol setting process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a storage process.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a control command.

FIG. 19 is a timing diagram showing a relationship between an 8-bit control signal forming a control command and an INT signal.

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

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a lamp control command.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a sound control command.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notice effect.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the display control CPU.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a command reception buffer.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing command analysis processing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing command analysis processing.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the number of stored winning awards and the number of executions of continuous notice.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between the number of stored winning awards and the number of executions of continuous notice.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a judgment process of continuous advance notice.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing display control process processing.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of process data.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a variable pattern command command reception waiting process.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a notice selection process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an all symbol variation start process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing processing during symbol fluctuation.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a waiting process for all symbols.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a determination result command (display control command for designating a variation pattern effect).

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing a winning effect setting process in the second embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern setting process.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern determination subroutine.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to determine the type of advance notice in the second embodiment.

It is the block diagram which shows the constitution example when one production control expedient is provided.

FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko machine 9 Variable display 31 Main board 35 lamp control board 56 CPU 70 sound control board 80 symbol control board 101 Display control CPU

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Takeishi             2-23-3 Higashi 2-33, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo             Inside Dydo F term (reference) 2C088 AA33 AA35 AA36 AA37 AA39                       AA42 BA09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information, wherein variable display of identification information is started based on satisfaction of a start condition of variable display after a predetermined execution condition of variable display is satisfied. However, when the display result of the identification information becomes a specific display result, the game machine can be controlled to a specific game state advantageous to the player, and game control for controlling the progress of the game based on the game control program. Means and effect means for performing an effect related to the variable display of identification information, the game control means, the specific display result determination numerical value used to determine whether or not the specific display result Numerical data updating means for updating the data and also for updating the numerical data for display used for determining the type of the variable display, and when the execution condition of the variable display is satisfied. A process for determining whether or not the specific display result will be displayed based on the specific display result determination numerical data, and a process for determining the type of the variable display based on the display numerical data. Execution condition satisfaction determination means, and when the variable display execution condition is satisfied, the specific display result determination numerical data and the display numerical data are extracted and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the variable display start condition is satisfied. At the same time, the specific display result determination numerical data and the display numerical data stored in the storage area are read, and it is determined whether or not to display the specific display result based on the read specific display result determination numerical data. Processing for
And a game state determining means for performing a process for determining the type of the variable display based on the read numerical value data for display, and the specific display result may be displayed by the determining means when the execution condition is satisfied. When it is determined, it is possible to execute a pre-production for notifying that effect at a stage before the specific display result is displayed, using the production means, and determining when the execution condition is satisfied. Even when it is determined by the means that the specific display result is not displayed, when the specific type variable display that is also used when the specific display result is displayed is determined to be executed, the advance The same effect as the effect can be executed, and in the game control program, the program mode used by the game state determining means to determine the type of the variable display. Gaming machine, characterized in that the program module Yuru and the execution condition is satisfied when the determination means uses to determine the type of the variable display is configured as a common module. 2. The game state determination means determines the type of variable display using a predetermined data table, and the execution condition determination means determines the type of variable display by the game state determination means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the type of the variable display is determined using the predetermined data table to be used. 3. The game control means includes a production control means for transmitting a command indicating the type of variable display and controlling the production means based on the command from the game control means, and the game control means executes A determination result command capable of specifying the determination result by the determination means when the condition is satisfied can be transmitted to the effect control means, and the effect control means satisfies the variable display start condition based on the reception of the determination result command. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is determined from a previous stage whether or not to perform a preliminary effect by the effect means. 4. The game control means produces a holding storage number command capable of specifying the holding storage number, which is the number of times of variable display in which the variable display execution condition is satisfied but the variable display start condition is not satisfied. The effect control means includes a reserved storage number display control means for controlling the reserved storage number display means for displaying the reserved storage number based on the reception of the reserved storage number command, and the reserved storage The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the number command includes information capable of specifying a determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied. 5. The game control means produces a holding storage number command capable of specifying the holding storage number, which is the number of times of variable display in which the variable display execution condition is satisfied but the variable display start condition is not satisfied. The production control means includes a reserved storage number display control means for controlling the reserved storage number display means for displaying the reserved storage number based on the reception of the reserved storage number command, and the game control 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the means transmits the reserved storage number command and the determination result command separately when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific type of variable display is a reach variable display.