JP2006181075A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can impart a game value of high game property to a player. <P>SOLUTION: It is judged from a special pattern judgment flag which of an upper and lower big prize-winning ports has been opened (or which of them is to be opened next) (S1603). When the number of times of opening is <6 in the case of the upper big prize-winning port or <15 in the case of the lower big prize-winning port, the machine is set to open the same big-prize winning port also at the next round, and a special status is set to be 4 (S1604 to 1611). Regarding RAM setting in the case of concrete opening in this case, a command is distinguished and delivered to a sub-control part also in the case of carrying out big winning performance except for ordinary performance such as promotion performance according to the number of times of rounding, button performance according to the number of times of rounding (including more performances of various kinds of characters). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that includes a plurality of big prize openings and controls effectively.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine generally called a pachinko machine draws a big hit by an internal program when a game ball wins a start winning opening provided on a game board. Then, when the lottery result is a big hit, a predetermined game value is given to the player. Such a gaming machine is equipped with a device for performing various effects related to the jackpot lottery result. For example, a special symbol display device capable of variably displaying a special symbol for notifying an actual lottery result composed of a plurality of numbers and figures and a directing symbol that draws the attention of the player There is something in the game board. In the following description, a special symbol refers to a symbol simply referred to as a symbol.

  Usually, such a predetermined game value is given by opening one large winning opening designed so that a larger number of game balls can win more than other winning openings. Specifically, one round is defined as a round from the opening of the grand prize opening until a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) of game balls are won or closed after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). It can be repeated up to the upper limit round (for example, 15 rounds) on the condition of passing through a specific area provided in the mouth.

  Here, in the conventional gaming machine, when the big winning opening is opened, the first game ball is guided to the specific area, and after the specific area is guided, the winning game ball is guided to the general area thereafter. If a single game ball wins a winning prize, the game proceeds to the next round, and the majority of the jackpot game becomes monotonous. Therefore, a gaming machine with a plurality of winning prizes is also considered. . In such a gaming machine, by opening a plurality of big winning holes and enabling one of these big winning holes for each round, to the big winning hole that has become effective for the player Adjust the launch handle so that you can win a prize and change the launch strength of the game ball so that you can not advance to the next round, give the player a thrill and eliminate the monotony of the jackpot game (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a plurality of display devices and a plurality of special winning openings are provided, and a special gaming state is generated in parallel in each display device, so that novel and high game playability is achieved, and drive control is performed in advance. If there is a big prize opening, the driving of the big prize opening which should be controlled after that is delayed, and a plurality of big prize openings are driven at different times, so that the game value is surely given to the player. A gaming machine that can be used has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, when each display result of the display device and the normal symbol display device becomes a specific display form within a predetermined period, priority is assigned to a plurality of large winning prizes to be driven, and the assigned priority order is set. On the basis of this, by delaying the driving of the high-priority winning opening having a low priority order, only one big winning opening is driven among a plurality of large winning openings to be driven and controlled, thereby ensuring the gaming value. A gaming machine that can be given to a person has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2004-16714 A JP 2003-205136 A JP 2003-205104 A

  However, in a game machine in which the two big winning holes are simply arranged on the left and right, the amount of adjustment of the launch handle is small, and even if the big winning hole is switched for each round, the effect of eliminating the monotony of the big hit game Is low.

  In addition, even in a gaming machine in which two big winning holes are arranged up and down, there is a problem that the effect of improving the gameability cannot be expected so much because the control that does not open the big winning holes is performed at the same time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a plurality of big prize winning openings are formed so that a transition of a state in which each of the big prize winning openings is opened at a predetermined ratio is generated. It is possible to give a player a higher gaming value by determining the winning prize opening to be opened and controlling the winning prize opening / closing means so as to open the decided winning prize opening. An object is to provide a gaming machine.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gaming machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine (100) transitions to a predetermined state with a predetermined probability to control opening and closing of a plurality of prize winning openings. (310), a prize winning opening / closing means (446) connected to the first control means for opening / closing a plurality of prize winning openings corresponding to a predetermined state, and a first command from the first control means. A second control means (340) that receives and performs a predetermined process, and is connected to the second control means and transitions to a predetermined state, receives a second command from the second control means, and enters a predetermined state. A gaming machine comprising a notification means (370) for performing a corresponding notification, wherein the first control means has a predetermined rate of transition of a state in which each of the plurality of prize winning openings is opened. In order to generate a large number of winning prizes, determine the winning prize opening that should be opened. And controlling the special winning opening and closing means to open the the winning opening.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the plurality of big prize openings are two big prize openings arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and the first control means is arranged vertically While one of the two prize winning openings arranged side by side is open, the prize winning openings other than the one winning prize opening are closed, and the number of times the upper prize winning opening is opened and the The special winning opening opening / closing means is controlled by changing the number of times the special winning opening is opened.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first control means sets the maximum opening time per time at the upper large winning opening and the lower large winning opening to be the same. The winning opening opening / closing means is controlled, and the first control means causes the notifying means to notify at least the number of times of opening every time one of the upper large winning opening and the lower large winning opening is opened. The first command is transmitted to the second control means, and the type of the first command is made different when the upper large winning opening is opened and when the lower large winning opening is opened.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third aspect, when the second control unit receives the first command transmitted from the first control unit, the notification unit sets at least the number of releases. A second command for notification is transmitted, and the type of the second command is the same when the upper large winning opening is opened and when the lower large winning opening is opened.

  As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the first control means has a plurality of transitions so that each of the plurality of large winning holes is opened at a predetermined rate. The prize winning opening to be opened is determined from among the prize winning openings, and the prize winning opening / closing means is controlled so as to open the decided prize winning opening, so that it is possible to give a player a more gaming value. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the gaming machine of this embodiment is a gaming board 101 for installing a gaming machine accessory or the like on the board, a special symbol display device 102, a production symbol display device 103, and one of two start winning openings. 1 start winning port 104, normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105, normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, normal symbol display device 107, and another start winning port (second start winning port) A normal electric accessory (tulip) 108, a first variable winning ball device 109 having an upper prize winning opening, a second variable winning ball apparatus 110 having a lower winning prize opening, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory display Mainly includes a lamp (holding lamp) 112, a normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113, a state notification indicator 121, and the like.

  The special symbol display device 102 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode), a dot matrix display device, and the like. The design is variably displayed. A special award (bonus) is given when the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a combination of a predetermined specific symbol. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 102 is a two-digit 7-segment LED. Here, the special prize is a point at which the game is switched from an ordinary state to an advantageous state (a big hit action or a big hit) that gives a predetermined game value such as paying out a large number of prize balls to the player.

  The production symbol display device 103 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Is displayed in a variable manner. As will be described in detail later, the display control unit that controls the effect symbol display device 103 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an image processing LSI (hereinafter referred to as VDP (hereinafter referred to as VDP)). Video Display Processor)), character ROM, video RAM, and the like. In the present embodiment, the effect symbol display device 103 has a variable display device capable of displaying an image such as a background and a plurality of symbols as a moving image. In the present embodiment, a gaming machine capable of displaying various effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 103 is assumed.

  When the game ball launched by the player wins, the start winning opening 104 detects a winning by generating a start signal of an internal special symbol start switch, and gives an opportunity for the symbol change of the special symbol display device 102. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 pass through the ball generated by the activation of the internal normal symbol operation switch when a game ball launched by the player passes. Is detected, and a normal symbol change trigger of the normal symbol display device 107 is given.

  The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays a normal symbol with a 7-segment LED or the like. The ordinary electric accessory 108 is opened when the ordinary symbol display device 107 stops displaying a specific ordinary symbol (small hit), and promotes winning to the start winning opening 104. In other words, the game ball that has entered the ordinary electric accessory 108 generates a start signal for the start switch on the back surface as in the case of the start winning opening 104 described above, and gives an opportunity for symbol variation of the special symbol display device 102. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the game ball wins either the start winning opening 104 or the ordinary electric accessory 108, the variation of the special symbol is started.

  When the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 are a combination of a specific symbol that is a predetermined stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102, that is, when a special symbol is obtained, In the subsequent jackpot operation, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surfaces of the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 performs the opening and closing operations. Which opening / closing member is opened depends on the lottery result of the built-in program.

  During the big hitting operation, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 is opened almost horizontally, and the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that accepts a game ball win is opened, and a number of games are played. Accept a ball prize. When a game ball wins the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the large winning opening switch inside the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is activated. When the signal is generated, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, and there is an opportunity to pay out the winning ball (out ball, safe ball) accompanying the winning. Given. The opening of the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds. In the present embodiment, the two maximum winning holes have the same maximum opening time. ) Or a predetermined number (the number of specified prize winning prizes, for example, 10, etc. In the present embodiment, the two prize winning openings have the same number of winning prizes, but they differ from each other) The game ball continues until the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 wins. This single opening is called a round.

  Furthermore, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 has a specific area (not shown) called a V zone therein. When at least one game ball passes through a specific area while the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that is performing the jackpot operation is opened, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 109 As a result of the activation signal of the specific area switch inside the variable winning ball apparatus 110, the gaming machine is given an opportunity to generate the right for the next round. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 6 rounds or 15 rounds). If the game ball does not pass the specific area during the round, the jackpot operation is terminated without continuing until the maximum round. In the present embodiment, when the game ball does not pass through the V zone when the grand prize opening is opened, the round is not continued. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the V zone is not provided, regardless of whether or not the game ball passes. The round can be continued.

  The gaming machine handle 111 has a touch sensor on its surface and is provided with a stop button (stop firing) 116. The touch sensor detects that the player has gripped the gaming machine handle 111, and in this state the gaming machine When the variable resistor inside the gaming machine handle 111 detects that the handle 111 is rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118, the ball launching device is given an opportunity to continuously launch gaming balls. The player turns the gaming machine handle 111 clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118 to adjust the launching route of the game ball launched onto the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the launching of the game ball of the ball launcher is stopped.

  The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 stores information on each ball that has won the start winning opening 104 or the ordinary electric accessory 108 during the variation of the special symbol, in a holding memory for each ball in the RAM of the main control unit described later. It lights up in conjunction with the storage (hereinafter referred to as holding of a ball), and notifies the number of times that the symbol (special symbol) can be varied continuously. Also, the winning ball to the start winning port 104 that is the target of the holding of the ball is called a holding ball.

  The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 stores information on each sphere that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol operation gate (right) 106 during the change of the normal symbol in each RAM on the main control unit. Lights in conjunction with storing in the holding memory for each ball, and notifies the number of times that the symbol (ordinary symbol) can be continuously varied. Note that the start memory can be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 like the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol.

  The status notification display 121 is, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, or the like, and displays a plurality of numbers or lights the LED. The display content is a display for informing the player of the state of the gaming machine at that time (for example, a short time state or a probability change state) as described later. Furthermore, at the time of the above-mentioned big hit, the status notification display 121 displays which of the two big winning prize openings is open. In this case, for example, two LEDs are arranged one above the other, and the upper LED is lit when the upper big prize opening is open, and the lower LED is lit when the lower big prize opening is opened. It is possible to display either one of the large winning openings that are opened.

  The gaming machine 100 also includes a shortening switch (not shown) that is an optical touch sensor attached to the gaming board 101. The objects, shortening switches, nails, etc. installed on the game board 101 are covered with a glass plate, and a game ball with a space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 falls. To go. When the special symbol display device 102 or the effect symbol display device 103 displays the special symbol or effect symbol in a variable manner, if the player holds his / her hand over the shortening switch via the glass plate, the shortening switch that detects this generates an activation signal. In addition, the variable display of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 can be stopped immediately or shortened and stopped.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a general gaming system including the gaming machine 100, the information display device 201, the hall computer 202, and the out-ball detection device 203. The information display device 201 is, for example, a display device installed in the upper part of the gaming machine 100, and notifies the player of the gaming state by a lamp, a screen, or the like according to a signal from the gaming machine 100 and an instruction from the hall computer 202. To do. The information display device 201 may apply a well-known game hall information disclosure system. For example, as the display of the game status (game data disclosure), for example, the number of symbol rotations, the number of jackpots, the exit ball, the difference ball, the total number of games And the like, and further capable of collecting personal data of the player are known. As the information disclosure system, various products such as Heiwa no Yobidas (trademark) are well known, and therefore the description of the control circuit is omitted.

  The hall computer 202 collects operational status data from each gaming machine 100 and the like, collects output from each out ball detection device 203, and manages the operation of the game hall. Alternatively, the gaming state of each information display device 201 is notified. Since the hall computer 202 is a well-known hall computer used in a game hall, its control circuit configuration is omitted.

  The out ball detection device 203 is installed inside an island facility composed of a game machine installation facility and a game ball supply system. A game ball discharged from the game machine through the game board surface (a game ball that has been launched, And an out ball detection signal is transmitted to the hall computer 202. Since the structure and control circuit configuration of the out-ball detecting device 203 are well known to those skilled in the art, description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. As shown in the figure, the control unit 300 is mainly composed of three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370. Due to fraud prevention and legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function and can be directly or indirectly connected to transmit to each other or in one direction. The main control unit 310 transmits a command and controls the entire game according to a random number generated internally based on the detection of a game ball by winning at the start winning opening, and directly controls the special symbol display device 102. . The sub control unit 340 transmits a command (second command) for controlling the display control unit 370 in accordance with a command (first command) transmitted from the main control unit 310, and is provided in a game area or the like. Control of blinking lamps, control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and control of moving objects for effects such as character figures provided in the game area and the like by controlling the rotation of the motor. The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device in accordance with a command transmitted from the sub control unit 340.

  Next, each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

(Configuration and function of main controller)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main control unit 310. The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, upper and lower prize winning solenoid output ports 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a special symbol. Operation memory indicator port 436, normal symbol operation memory indicator port 438, sub-control command output port (send design symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc.) 440, payout control command output port 442, external information output A port 444, an input port 426, and a status notification display port 445 are provided.

  An effect symbol designation command (first command) is a command for designating a stop symbol of an effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103, and a variation pattern command (first command) is an effect symbol display device. This is a command for designating the mode of screen fluctuation such as reach, disappointment, special prize, etc. displayed in 103.

  The main control unit 310 receives various switches (a special symbol start switch 410, a normal symbol operation switch 412, an upper prize port switch 414 as a game ball detection means, a lower major prize port switch 415, a specific area, and the like through an input port 426. Data is input from the switch 416, the shortening switch 119, and other switches 418) and processed. The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 102, the special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, the normal symbol display device 103, the normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (via the output ports 428 to 438, 444, and 445). (Holding lamp) 113, status notification indicator 121, upper and lower prize winning solenoid 446, ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448, and external information output unit 454 are directly controlled. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 also transmits a sub control command (such as a design symbol designation command and a variation pattern command) to the sub control unit 340 to control the sub control unit 340 by command transmission. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls. Details of direct control of the special symbol display device 102 by the main control unit 310 and control by command transmission to the sub control unit 340 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail. The special symbol start switch 410 generates a start signal when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the start winning opening 104 or the starting winning opening provided in the ordinary electric accessory passes through this switch to generate a win. The special symbol display device 102 is detected and given an opportunity for symbol variation.

  The normal symbol operation switch 412 is activated when a game ball which has been launched by a player and has passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. Occurs, and gives an opportunity to change the normal symbol of the normal symbol display device 107. The upper prize winning switch 414 and the lower prize winning switch 415 are game balls that won the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 in the subsequent jackpot operation when a special prize was awarded. When the player passes this switch, an activation signal is generated, and the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball.

  The specific area switch 416 generates an activation signal when a game ball that has passed the specific area passes through this switch while the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 or the second variable winning ball apparatus 110 is opened, and the main control unit 310 detects the generation of the right of the next round. The shortening switch 119 is a switch that allows the player to forcibly stop the variation display of the special symbol display device 102 or the effect symbol display device 103 immediately or to shorten and stop it.

  As the other switch 418, an activation signal is sent when a game ball that has won a prize other than the start winning opening 104, the first variable winning ball apparatus 109, and the second variable winning ball apparatus 110 passes this switch. The main control unit 310 detects a winning of a game ball.

  The CPU 422 is a circuit that controls the entire main control unit, and the ROM 420 stores a program for controlling a gaming machine executed on the main control unit 310. Specifically, the ROM 420 stores a game control program that is executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 to 17 that define the contents of the game control process performed by the CPU of the main control unit 310. The ROM 420 further stores values of various parameters for controlling the gaming machine such as an effect designating command for instructing the sub-control unit 340 and a variation pattern command. The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and the like, and has a holding memory for storing information of each holding ball. .

  The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures, and the normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and graphics. The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times that the special symbol can be continuously changed. The normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the number of times that the normal symbol can be continuously changed.

  The status notification display 121 is, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, and the like, and displays information related to gaming functions by displaying a plurality of numbers or turning on the LEDs. To do. The display content is a display for notifying the player of the state of the gaming machine (for example, the time-short state or the probability variation state).

  The upper and lower big prize opening solenoids 446 are one of the components inside the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 and the second variable winning ball apparatus 110, and when the prize is won, The opening / closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surfaces of the variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 are selectively opened based on an instruction from the main control unit 310.

  When the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying the small hit normal symbol, the normal electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the normal electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310. The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310, and when the special symbol start switch 410, the upper big prize port switch 414, the lower big prize port switch 415, or other switches 418, etc., detect a prize. The prize ball dispensing device 452 is instructed to pay out the prize balls.

  The external information output unit 454 is a board for providing information from the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 to the outside (information display device 201, hall computer 202, etc.). The hall computer 202 and the information display device 201 are electrically connected to the gaming machine via an external information output unit 454 of the gaming machine. The CPU of the main control unit 310 receives information (signals) that knows the stop of symbol variation, the jackpot state, the probability variation state, etc. via the external information output unit 454, for example, jackpot signal, winning number signal, start signal, probability variation signal , Output a short time signal or a door open signal to an external device.

(Configuration and function of sub-control unit)
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 340. Similar to the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340 includes a CPU 514, a RAM 512, a ROM 510, various input ports 516, and various output ports 518. The sub-control unit 340 receives a sub-control command (production symbol designation command or the like) transmitted from the main control unit 310 in particular, and creates a liquid crystal display command (second command) according to the production symbol designation command. To the display control unit 370. Further, the sub-control unit 340 performs blinking control of the lamp display device 520, generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the effect movable object 524, and the like. As described above, the sub-control unit 340 is useful for reducing the load on the main control unit 310 by specially performing control related to effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, sound effect generation, and control of movable objects. ing.

  In addition, when the sub-control unit 340 receives the variation pattern command (command ID value: “A0” H or “A1” H) and the production symbol designation command (command ID value: “B1” H), the notice designation command ( Command ID values “95” H to “98” H) are internally generated and transmitted to the display control unit 370. The notice designation command is a command for designating a display for notifying the player of the occurrence of a jackpot or reach. FIG. 19 shows an example of the relationship between the contents of the notice designation command (command ID value and EVENT value) and the display contents (forecast contents). The notice designation commands whose command ID values are “95” H, “96” H, and “97” H are commands that designate a notice effect to be performed when most of the variation patterns are selected. The notice designation command having a command ID value of “98” H is a command for designating a notice effect that is performed when a specific variation pattern (reach pattern) is selected. The reason why the command ID values are different is that the command ID values may overlap depending on the variation pattern command. Note that “reach” is a combination of symbols (same symbol) that uses a plurality of symbol columns (usually three columns), stops the two symbol columns first, and the display result that has already been stopped is displayed. It is a display state that satisfies the condition of a combination of jackpot symbol), and is an effect that gives expectation to the stop of the final stop symbol.

  The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the sub-control unit 340. The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. The movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area or the like whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

  The sub control unit 340 receives an input from the effect changeover switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103, and can control the operation of the effect movable object 524. In this way, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

(Configuration and function of display control unit)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the display control unit 370.
In particular, the display control unit 370 receives the liquid crystal display command (second command) transmitted from the sub control unit 340, and fluctuates and stops the effect design of the effect design display device 103 according to the liquid crystal display command. Alternatively, it has a function of receiving a notice designation command and displaying a notice. Hereinafter, a case of a liquid crystal display command will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the control circuit configuration of the display control unit 370 of this embodiment includes an input port 618 that receives a second command, a CPU 620, a program ROM 610, a RAM 612, an image processing LSI (VDP) 622, a character ROM 616, A video RAM 614 and an output port 624 are provided. The input port 618 receives a liquid crystal display command from the sub-control unit 340 and passes it to the CPU 620. The CPU 620 performs image processing and image display control according to the program stored in the program ROM 610. The program ROM 610 stores a program for image processing executed by the CPU 620, and specifically stores an image display control program that defines the contents of image display control performed by the CPU 620.

  Further, the program ROM 620 stores VDP 622 control data to be mapped and written to the data register of the VDP 622, various parameter values for controlling image display, and the like. The RAM 612 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 develops image data such as sprite / scroll for display on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from the CPU 620 in the video RAM 614, and effects symbol display via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Image data is output and displayed in the display area of the device 103. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT display, or the like, and visually displays a video signal of an image output from the VDP 622.

  For display control, a color palette (hereinafter referred to as a palette) in which a plurality of specific color data are arranged and set is often used. This embodiment VDP 622 incorporates four palettes that define 256 colors, processes four layers, and performs image processing by associating one palette with each layer. The VDP 622 synthesizes image data set for each of the four layers in accordance with an output instruction from the CPU 620, and outputs the synthesized image data to the effect symbol display device 103 for display.

  Specifically, the VDP 622 converts the image data into color data based on the color data of the palette specified by the image data on the video RAM 614, and the color data is converted into analog RGB video signals as the effect symbol display device 103. Output to and display. The image data here includes an index (array number) for the palette.

  The VDP 622 of the present embodiment has a specification in which each of R, G, B, and I (intensity) per pixel is controlled by 8 bits of 3 bits, and 4096 colors (= 8 × 8 × 8 × 8) Have the ability to handle Since the VDP 622 performs image processing by associating palettes capable of setting 256 colors with each of the four layers, each palette displays up to 1024 colors out of 4096 colors from 256 colors × 4 layers = 1024. Is possible.

  The character ROM 616 stores image data such as sprite / scroll that the VDP 622 that has received an instruction from the CPU 620 expands in the video RAM 614. Also, four pallet data to be set in the four pallets built in the VDP 622 are stored. Further, the image data is compressed by run length encoding, predictive encoding, Huffman encoding, and other known compression techniques, and is stored in the character ROM 616. Note that the image displayed in the case of a big win varies depending on the number of rounds, but the same round is the same when the upper big prize opening is opened and when the lower big prize opening is opened. It has become a thing.

  In the video RAM 614, the image data to be output in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is developed and temporarily stored by the VDP 622. In this embodiment, the image data set for each of the four layers is temporarily stored in the video RAM 614, and the four layers of image data are combined by the screen buffer on the video RAM 614 to generate combined image data.

(Game control processing procedure by the main control unit)
Next, the main procedure of the game control process executed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 will be described. Processing related to the above-described operation of the gaming machine of this embodiment is performed according to the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 7 is a game control interrupt process performed when the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 reads and executes a game control program stored in the ROM 420.

  In this process, two types of interrupt processing routines are started in parallel every first interrupt period (for example, 4 msec) and second interrupt period (for example, 2 msec) shorter than the first interrupt period. moving. If necessary, interrupt processing for each third predetermined period, interrupt processing for each fourth predetermined period, and the like can be performed so that the interrupt processing cycles do not overlap. In FIG. 7, when the gaming machine is turned on, the main control unit 310 clears the RAM 424 and performs initial setting (S710), and then sends an initial command (for example, RAM clear processing) to the sub control unit 340. , Initial symbol determination processing, etc. In addition, when there is a power-off state, power-return processing is also included) (S712), and instructions for initial settings related to images, lamps, sounds, games, etc. are given. .

  First, the first interrupt process related to game control for each first interrupt period (for example, 4 msec) will be described. In the command output management process (S714), the main control unit 310 creates a variation pattern command and an effect symbol designating command (first design) created in the special game management process (S716) described later and set in the command storage area of the RAM 424. Command) to the sub-control unit 340. First, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted. If there is a command to be transmitted, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. If there is no command to be output, this processing ends as it is.

  Receiving the effect symbol designation command and the variation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command to the display control unit 370. Upon receiving this liquid crystal display command, the display control unit 370 controls the effect design of the effect design display device 103 for a predetermined change time, and then stops at the design specified by the liquid crystal display command. Here, the contents of the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described using a table.

  FIG. 8 shows contents such as a command (effect designating command) transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340 and a command (liquid crystal display command) transmitted from the sub-control unit receiving each command to the display control unit. It is a table | surface which shows. Referring to FIG. 8, the command identifies a specific type of control information in the gaming state in the gaming state identified as the “command ID” part for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state. It is understood that this is a 2-byte command composed of two parts, “EVENT” part.

  The “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H (hexadecimal number), and the “EVENT” portion is any one of 11 values “00” to “0A” H. . Further, the “command ID” portion of the liquid crystal design designation command is “B2” H or “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is any value from “00” to “09” H. As can be seen from FIG. 8, regarding the special effect symbols 0-9 at the time of determining the jackpot, the value of the “EVENT” portion of the effect symbol designating command and the value of the “EVENT” portion of the liquid crystal display command are the same. Therefore, for example, when the special effect symbol 7 is designated at the time of determining the jackpot, the main control unit transmits an effect symbol designation command of “B1” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the sub-control unit 340. The sub-control unit 340 that has received the effect designating command transmits a liquid crystal display command of “B2” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”.

  On the other hand, regarding the special effect design 10 designation at the time of determining the deviation, the production design designation command is “B1” H + “0A” H, and the liquid crystal display command is “B1” H + “00” H. The symbol stops with a combination of detachment.

  Next, in the special game management process (S716), the main control unit 310 performs control related to the game such as symbol variation and accessory control. At the time of starting the change of the special symbol due to the reservation or digestion of the winning ball or the holding ball to the starting winning port 104, the reach random number read from the reach random number loop counter on the RAM 424, the symbol random number read from the symbol random number loop counter, and the starting winning port 104 Based on the jackpot random number of the winning ball or the jackpot random number stored in the holding memory of the reserved ball, the main control unit 310 performs the variation pattern command, the production symbol designation command, the special symbol (left), and the special symbol (right). ) In the command storage area of the RAM 424. The system of the effect designating command has already been described in the command output management process (S714).

  Further, the main control unit 310 instructs the upper and lower big prize opening operation solenoids 446 to open the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 or the second variable winning ball apparatus 110 for a predetermined time during the big hitting operation. The big winning opening opening data and the big winning opening closing data are stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. Further, the main control unit 310 controls variation of the special symbol (left) and the special symbol (right) for a predetermined variation time via the special symbol display output port 432, and stores the special symbol (left) stored in the RAM 424. ) And special symbols (right). Each stop symbol is displayed on a special symbol display device 102 of 7 segments consisting of two digits.

  In this way, in step S716, the main control unit 310 does not control the special symbol by sending a special symbol designation command to another control unit, but the special symbol is output via the special symbol display output port 432. Control directly. Here, “direct control” is a process of changing the special symbol by sending a control signal related to display driving directly from the special symbol display output port of the main control unit 310 to the special symbol display device 102. For example, a signal (command) from a CPU is directly sent without judgment by another CPU, or control is performed without a time delay (time lag) due to an interrupt or the like.

  Here, FIG. 9 is a table showing the relationship between the special symbol and the effect symbol in the case of jackpot and loss. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the jackpot random number is a jackpot, when the jackpot symbol random number (100 patterns from 0 to 99) acquired from the jackpot symbol random number loop counter is “3”, the main control unit 310 is special. “03” is displayed as a special symbol on the symbol display device 102. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the main control unit 310 creates an effect designating command (command ID value is “B1” H including the value “07” H corresponding to the special design “03” as the EVENT value. ) To the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (command ID value is “B2” H) that similarly includes “07” H as an EVENT value to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot random number is lost, when the lost symbol random number (21 types from 0 to 20) acquired from the lost special symbol random number loop counter is “1”, the main control unit 310 applies a special symbol to the special symbol display device 102. "-(Hyphen) 1" is displayed as a symbol. Then, main control unit 310 transmits an effect symbol designation command (command ID value is “B1” H) including the value “0A” H corresponding to special symbol “−1” as an EVENT value to sub-control unit 340. . Next, the sub-control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (command ID value is “B1” H, EVENT value is “00” H) to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the command for liquid crystal display stops the offending design corresponding to the variation pattern command received from the main control unit 310 via the sub control unit 340 for the effect design that is changing on the effect design display device 103. Let

  Since the opening / closing process of the special winning opening in the special game management process will be described later, the normal game management process (S718) will be described next. When the normal symbol starts to change due to the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), based on the small hit random number on the RAM 424, the main control unit In step 310, stop symbol data of a normal symbol is prepared. This process is performed when it is determined that the normal symbol change is started while the main control unit 310 performs the normal game management process.

  In the external information processing (S720), game state information from the main control unit 310 is transmitted to the outside of the gaming machine (mainly the hall computer 202 and the information display device 201) via the external information output unit 454. The main control unit 310 opens and closes the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 based on the special winning opening opening data and the special winning opening closing data stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. This is instructed to the upper and lower prize winning solenoids 446 (S721). In the other random number update process (S722), the main control unit 310 updates a random number other than the jackpot random number and the jackpot symbol random number (reach random number, missed symbol random number, etc.).

  Next, an interrupt processing routine for executing a second interrupt process every second interrupt period (for example, 2 msec), that is, a process for performing random number update and switch check will be described. First, in the winning lottery random number updating process (S730), the main control unit 310 increments (+1) the jackpot random number loop counter on the RAM 424 every second interrupt period, thereby winning the jackpot random number and jackpot symbol for the special prize. At the same time as updating the random number, the small hit random number for normal symbols is updated. In the present embodiment, the loop counter means a counter that cyclically updates a value from 0 to a predetermined maximum value.

  Next, in the input process (S732), when the main control unit 310 detects the winning ball to the starting winning port 104 or the starting winning port provided in the ordinary electric accessory by the special symbol starting switch 410, the big hit random number loop The jackpot random number is read from the counter and stored on the RAM 424. At this time, the special symbol operation memory counter on the RAM 424 is set to 1. When the special symbol start switch 410 detects that the ball has won the start winning opening 104 during the special symbol variation, the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number and the big hit symbol random number from the big hit random number loop counter, and holds them on the RAM 424. Store in the ball's hold memory (hold ball). At this time, the special symbol operation memory counter on the RAM 424 is incremented. In step S732, when the accumulated value exceeds a predetermined value, no further value is added. Each time this step is repeatedly executed during the special symbol fluctuation, the value of each jackpot random number is continuously stored in the reserved memory on the RAM 424 for a plurality of reserved balls.

  Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 calculates a small hit random number from the small hit random number loop counter. Read and store on RAM 424. Further, the main control unit 310 detects the winning at the start winning port 104 by the special symbol start switch 410, the first variable winning ball device 109 at the time of the big hit operation by the upper large winning port switch 414 or the lower large winning port switch 415 or Detection of winning in the second variable winning ball device 110, and detection of winning in other winning ports other than the start winning port 104, the first variable winning ball device 109, and the second variable winning ball device 110 by the switch 418. The result is stored on the RAM 424. In particular, when a winning detection is made to the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110, the main control unit 310 also increments (+1) the big winning counter on the RAM 424. It is controlled so that the counter is not incremented except during the big hit (in the normal state) (there is a prize ball). Further, the main control unit 310 turns on the V flag on the RAM 424 when the specific area switch 416 detects a game ball that has passed through the specific area. Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the generation of the activation signal of the shortening switch 119, the main control unit 310 turns on the shortening switch flag.

  In the winning ball payout management process (S734), detection of winning at the starting winning hole 104 by the special symbol start switch 410 stored in the RAM 424 in the input process (S732), the upper prize winning port switch 414, the lower prize winning port switch 415 , Winning detection to the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 at the time of the jackpot operation, and the start winning opening 104 by the switch 418, the first variable winning ball device 109, the second variable winning game For each result of winning detection to other winning ports other than the ball apparatus 110, the main control unit 310 stores the number of payout balls corresponding to each preset number of winning balls in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. To do.

  The main control unit 310 instructs the prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball by a command output based on the number of prize balls paid out stored in the RAM 424.

(Details of special game management process: control of special prize opening)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the special game management process of the present embodiment, and shows the detailed process of step S716 of the main flow shown in FIG. The special game management process is executed by combining several processes, details of which will be described later with reference to FIGS. Therefore, the special game management process is performed in the entire process shown in FIGS.

  As described above, in each process of the present embodiment, the program, including this special game management process, performs a loop operation while checking the status (operation state information) until a change in a predetermined state occurs. When the change occurs, a predetermined process is performed and the contents are stored in a predetermined area, and the process returns to the loop after waiting for the next process to be executed. Similarly, in the next process, the status is checked and the process is continued in accordance with the status.

  This process will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Each process to be specifically executed (in FIG. 10, special symbol variation start waiting processing (S1003), special symbol variation processing (S1004), special symbol stop display processing) (S1005), special electric accessory start process (S1006), special electric accessory release process (S1007), special electric accessory closing process (S1008), special electric accessory end weight process (S1009)) are designated. A special game management status (hereinafter referred to as “special status”) is set during the previous processing, and is distributed to the processing designated in step S1001.

  That is, in the flowchart of the special game management process, first, the special status is checked to determine the jump destination address, and the process jumps to each process (S1001, 1102). Next, the process indicated by the determined address destination is executed. Specifically, when the special status is 0, a special symbol variation start waiting process is performed (S1003), details of which will be described later with reference to FIGS. When the special status is 1, the determined special symbol is variably displayed, the special status is set to 2 (S1004), and after a predetermined condition, for example, a certain time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and the predetermined display is performed. If it is a big hit, the special status is set to 3, and if it is off, the special status is returned to 0 (S1005).

  Next, when the special status is 3, a process for preparing to open the special winning opening is executed (S1006), the special status is set to 4 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14), Actually, one of the winning prize openings is opened (S1007), and the special status is set to 5 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 15). Specifically, the main control unit 310 sets a round counter (counter for counting the number of rounds during the big hit operation) and a release timer (a timer for measuring the opening time of the big winning opening during one round) on the RAM 424 to a predetermined value. And set the interval timer (the timer that measures the closing time of the big winning opening between rounds) to a predetermined value (several seconds), and the V flag (the flag that is turned on when the game ball passes the specific area) Is turned OFF, and the big prize opening counter (counter that counts the number of game balls won in the big prize opening during one round) is set to zero. Specifically, the round counter is set to 15 rounds, and the release timer is set to 30 seconds. When the special status is 5, the special winning opening is closed (S1008), the special status is set to 6 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 16), and the above process end weight process (S1009) is performed. (Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 17).

  The overall processing of the special game management process has been described with reference to FIG. 10. Next, the special symbol variation start waiting process (S1003) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this process, in step S732, a special symbol to be displayed is determined by detection, and it is determined whether or not it is a big hit, and the information is stored in a predetermined area. Specifically, when the game ball wins the start winning opening 104, the number of game balls won in the special symbol operation memory counter is accumulated as described in step S732 (that is, when the counter is 0). Means that the player has not won, and if it is not 0, it means that the player has won at least once.Normally, this counter is subtracted every time this process is performed.) “01” H is set in the upper jackpot flag area, and the jackpot symbol random number is stored in the jackpot symbol random number storage area.

  Referring to FIG. 11 showing step S1003, the special symbol operation memory counter is first loaded and checked (S1101, 1102). If the special symbol operation memory counter is 0 as a result of the check, the symbols are not changed, the processing for setting the customer waiting state (demonstration image display processing) is performed, and the processing returns to the normal processing (S1103, 1104). If it is determined in step S1103 that the counter is not 0, the storage area (holding memory) is shifted, and it is determined whether the contents of the storage area are read and the jackpot is lottery (S1105, 1106).

  First, based on the jackpot random number related to the special symbol variation stored in the RAM 424, the special symbol variation special prize to be started is determined. When the jackpot random number does not match the value of the special prize, the jackpot flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that it matches the value of the special prize, the jackpot flag is turned ON (“01” H). Further, when the probability variation flag is ON (when probability changes), the number of special prize determination values for determining a special prize is increased to increase the special prize probability. If the hour / middle flag is ON, the hour / hour variation counter on the RAM 424 is decremented (−1). If the hour / hour variation counter is 0 as a result, the hour / middle flag is turned OFF (S1106).

  After the information required for the special symbol variation is set, the main control unit 310 sets the normal rendering time (seconds) to a predetermined value corresponding to the rendering symbol variation uniquely determined from the variation pattern ID. A special symbol variation timer for monitoring symbol variation and a shortened switch timer for monitoring the activation signal generation of the shortening switch are set to normal performance time (seconds). The normal performance time (seconds) is unique for each variation pattern ID, and the number of seconds differs for each variation pattern ID. Based on the above information, settings for special symbol fluctuations in steps S1004 and 1005 are performed as follows, and the special status is changed to 1 by setting the fluctuation start (S1107 to 1109).

  Referring to FIG. 12 showing step S1107, the jackpot flag is read (S1201), and if the value is checked and the jackpot is not a jackpot (the flag is not “01” H), the main control unit 310 causes the special symbol random number to be lost. A plurality of symbols and fluctuation patterns to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 and the production symbol display device 103 are determined from the off-set symbol random numbers (21 values of 0 to 20; see FIG. 9) read from the loop counter. . That is, the main control unit 310 stops the combination of special symbols to be stopped, the command ID value (“B1” H) of the effect symbol designation command, and the EVENT value (any one value from “00” H to “0A” H). Is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S1202 to 1204). If the value of the jackpot flag is checked and the jackpot (the jackpot flag is “01” H) (S1202), the jackpot symbol random number (100 values from 0 to 99) read from the jackpot symbol random number loop counter. See FIG. ) Determines a plurality of symbols and variation patterns to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 (S1205 to 1206).

  Here, FIG. 13 shows the process of determining the jackpot stop symbol (S1205). Referring to FIG. 13, the jackpot symbol random number is read out, the table shown in FIG. 9 is referred to, the stop symbol number is determined, and stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S1301). That is, the main control unit 310 suspends the special symbol combination to be stopped, the command ID value (“B1” H) of the effect symbol designation command, and the EVENT value (any one value from “01” H to “09” H). Is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S1301). Similarly, the jackpot symbol random number is read out, the special symbol determination data is determined, and it is determined which of a plurality of big prize winning ports is to be controlled. The determined special symbol determination data is stored in the special symbol determination flag area (S1302, 1303), and the process returns to the special symbol variation setting process shown in FIG. A predetermined value is set as the variation time data of the special symbol together with the stop symbol and the variation pattern (S1207), and this processing ends and returns to the normal processing. As a result of this processing, the value of the special symbol variation timer is set, and the display changes until this timer expires in step S1004. If the big hit flag is “01” H in step S1005, the special status is set to 3 and the big win is large. The winning opening is opened.

  If the jackpot flag is OFF in the process of step S1005, the special status is set to 0 and the special symbol stop display timer is set.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the special symbol determination data takes four values “00” H to “03” H, and “00” H to “02” H in the case of a big hit as will be described later. In this case, the upper large prize opening is opened, and in the case of “03” H, the lower large prize opening is opened. The special symbol determination data is randomly assigned to the jackpot symbol random number, and the values “00” H to “03” H appear with almost the same probability. Therefore, in this embodiment, the probability of opening the top prize winning opening of “00” H to “02” H is higher in the case of a big hit. In the present embodiment, as described above, by setting the special symbol determination data, it is possible to improve the gameability by accurately controlling the top and bottom big winning mouths, but not limited to this, the special method is used. The set value of the symbol determination data can be changed variously.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the special electric accessory starting process (S1006) will be described. FIG. 14 shows a jackpot process after the special status becomes 3 in step S1005. The value of the special symbol stop display timer is read to determine whether the timer value is 0, that is, whether it has timed out (S1401, 1402). If it is determined that it has timed out, the special symbol determination flag is checked. (S1404). If this flag is not “03” H, the command is set as described above (S1403). That is, a command is set for notifying the sub-control unit 340 of the open state of the big prize opening from the main control unit 310. Specifically, “91” H is stored as a command ID value in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and “01” H to “06” H are specified as predetermined values on the RAM 424 depending on the current round number. Stored in the area.

  When the setting of the command to the sub-control unit 340 is completed, opening data is set in a predetermined port so as to open the upper prize winning opening by direct control of the solenoid (S1405). When this flag is “03” H, a command for designating a lower prize winning slot is set as in the case where the flag is not “03” H (S1407). Specifically, “91” H is stored as a command ID value in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and “21” H to “2F” H are specified as predetermined values on the RAM 424 according to the current round number. Stored in the area. Thereafter, data is set in a predetermined port so as to open the lower prize winning opening (S1406), and in any case, the special status is finally changed to 4 (S1408).

  The specific RAM setting at the time of opening will be described. In this embodiment, an effect image indicating that the opening number designation command for notifying at least the number of times of opening shown in FIG. For display, the main control unit 310 sends it to the sub-control unit 340. For this reason, the main control unit 310 stores the corresponding command ID and EVENT value in a predetermined area of the RAM (in the processing of each flow). S1403, S1407). For example, in the case of the first opening at the time of the normal presentation of the upper large winning opening, the command ID is set to “91” H, “EVENT” is set to “01” H, and when the lower large winning opening is opened, the command ID is set to “91”. “21” H is set in “H” and “EVENT”. As shown in FIG. 18, even in the case of performing a jackpot effect other than the normal effect, for example, a promotion effect according to the number of rounds, a button effect (with various character effects) according to the number of rounds, etc. Then, a dedicated command, that is, a different type of command is transferred to the sub-control unit and displayed for each special winning slot and the number of rounds. In other words, when the special winning opening is opened, a different command (first command) is output for each special winning opening, and the image effect during the big hit displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 has the same content. As a result, the same effect image mode is set, and different types of first commands are set and output for each special winning opening so that the special winning opening to be opened can be identified.

  As described above, when preparation for opening the big prize opening is made, a corresponding command is sent from the main control unit 310 to the sub control unit 340 by the output management process (S714) described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 340 is informed whether the winning opening is open, and the sub-control unit 340 performs a predetermined process. That is, the command having the command ID and the EVENT value set in the RAM in steps S1403 and 1407 described above is sent from the main control unit 310 to the sub control unit 340. For example, when “91” H is set in the command ID and “01” H is set in EVENT as described above, the main control unit 310 issues a command corresponding to this shown in FIG. Predetermined processing that is performed at the time of the first opening of the upper prize winning opening (normal display of the design symbol display device, round image display, driving of moving objects such as figures, blinking of lamps, generation of sound effects Etc.) is performed. When the command ID is set to “91” H and EVENT is set to “21” H, the main control unit 310 issues a command corresponding to this shown in FIG. You will recognize the opening of your mouth. The main control unit 310 of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a part of the memory backed up by a backup power source and the like, and information such as the open state of the big prize opening is also backed up. Recovery from unforeseen circumstances such as power interruptions even if the sub-control unit does not store information such as whether the big prize opening that is open at the time is up or down, or how many times it is open It is possible to perform an effect process that is continued from before the power is turned off.

  In this case, as described above, as shown in FIG. 18, the main control unit 310 issues a release count designation command (first command) to the sub control unit 340, and the sub control unit 340 further includes a display control unit (symbol) 370, Commands are issued to the lamp control (lamp) 520, the sound control (sound) 522, and the movable object control (motor, solenoid) 524, respectively. As a result, the design fluctuates, the lamp lights up / flashes, and the movable object attached to the board operates to further enhance the effect. The display control unit 370 will be described more specifically. When the sub control unit 340 receives the opening number designation command, the sub control unit 340 notifies the display control unit 370 of at least the number of opening times as shown in FIG. Command). As a result, the display control unit 370 displays a symbol corresponding to the number of times of opening. As shown in FIG. 18, the second command is used when the upper size winning opening is opened and the lower size winning opening is opened. If they are the same, the commands are of the same type. That is, the command transmitted from the sub-control unit 340 when the upper prize opening is opened for the second time is such that the command ID is set to “91” H and the EVENT value is set to “02” H, whereas the lower prize winning opening The command transmitted at the time of the second release is also set with the command ID “91” H and the EVENT value “02” H. Therefore, the symbol displayed by the display control unit 370 differs depending on the number of times the big prize opening is opened, but does not differ depending on whether the big prize opening being opened is the upper side or the lower side. In this way, by using the same command at the top and bottom large winning openings, the types of commands stored in the sub-control means 340 can be reduced, and the storage capacity can be reduced.

  After the special winning opening opening time timer is set as described above, the special status is set to 4, and the special electric accessory release process (S1007) is performed as shown in FIG. First, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the grand prize opening was opened (S1501, 1502). If not, the count value of the game balls to be awarded in the big prize opening is a fixed number. When it is not satisfied, the opening is continued (S1503-1509). Specifically, the opening data of the big prize opening is stored in a predetermined RAM (S1506, S1509), and the main control unit 310 is also stored in the RAM 424 when winning detection to the variable winning ball devices 109, 110 is detected. The winning prize counter is incremented (+1) (S1504, S1507). In the present embodiment, the same control is applied to the upper and lower big prize openings, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Therefore, the big prize opening is opened until a predetermined time has elapsed from the opening or until a predetermined number of game balls have been won, and if any of the conditions is met, the closing setting process is performed for the closing process. The special status is changed to 5 (S1510, 1511). When such a setting is performed, as shown in FIG. 7, the special winning opening is closed, and then the closing process is performed. The closing process of the big prize opening will be described with reference to FIG.

  Explaining here the opening / closing process of the special winning opening, as described above, the main control unit 310 performs the first variable based on the special winning opening opening data and the large winning opening closing data stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424. The opening / closing process is performed by instructing the upper and lower large winning opening solenoid 446 to open or close the winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 (S721).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the special electric accessory closing process (S1008) when the special status is 5. In this process, after the big prize opening is closed in each round, it is further determined whether to open the next round and continue the next round, or to end the process as it is, and to execute a process corresponding thereto. In other words, the special winning opening closing timer is updated (a predetermined value is subtracted), and as a result, when the timer has not timed out (large winning opening closing timer = 0), the routine returns to the normal procedure. A special electric accessory closing process is performed (S1601 to S1602).

  Referring to FIG. 16, first, it is determined by the special symbol determination flag whether the top or bottom large winning opening has been opened (or opened next) (S1603), and the number of times of opening is the top large winning opening. If it is less than 6 and if it is less than 15 in the case of the lower major prize opening, the same big prize opening is set to be opened in the next round, and the special status is set to 4 (S1604 to 1611). The specific RAM setting at the time of opening will be described. In this embodiment, the command shown in FIG. 18 is mainly sent from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340 to indicate the opening of the big winning opening. The main control unit 310 stores the corresponding command ID and EVENT value in a predetermined area of the RAM (S1605 or S1609 in the processing of each flow). For example, in the case of the first opening at the time of the normal presentation of the upper prize winning opening, the command ID “91” H and the event “01” H are set in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and the lower winning prize opening is opened. In this case, “91” H is set as the command ID, and “21” H is set as the predetermined area on the RAM 424. As shown in FIG. 18, even in the case of performing a jackpot effect other than the normal effect, for example, a promotion effect corresponding to the number of rounds, a button effect corresponding to the number of rounds (with various character effects), the command is the type of effect ( Each performance mode is distinguished and passed to the sub-control unit.

  As described above, when preparation for opening the big prize opening is made, a corresponding command is sent from the main control unit 310 to the sub control unit 340 by the output management process (S714) described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 340 is informed whether the winning opening is open, and the sub-control unit 340 performs a predetermined process. That is, the values of the command ID and EVENT set in the RAM in steps S1605 and 1609 described above are read, set as commands, and sent from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340. For example, when “91” H is set in the command ID and “01” H is set in EVENT as described above, the main control unit 310 issues a command corresponding to this shown in FIG. Predetermined processing (driving a movable object such as a figure, blinking a lamp, generating a sound effect, etc.) that is performed at the first opening of the upper stage winning opening is performed. When the command ID is set to “91” H and EVENT is set to “21” H, the main control unit 310 issues a command corresponding to this shown in FIG. You will recognize the opening of your mouth. By the above command control, even if the sub-control unit or the like does not store information such as whether the big prize opening that is open at that time is up or down, or how many times it is open, the power is cut off Even during restoration, etc., it is possible to perform an effect process that has been continued from before the power was turned off.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, a command is issued from the main control unit 310 to the sub control unit 340 as described above, and the sub control unit 340 further includes a display control unit (symbol) 370, lamp control (lamp) 520, and voice control. Commands are issued to (sound) 522 and movable object control (motor, solenoid) 524, respectively. As a result, the design fluctuates, the lamp lights up / flashes, and the movable object attached to the board operates to further enhance the effect.

  Returning to the description of the flow shown in FIG. 16, if the number of times of opening is 6 or more in the case of the upper prize winning opening and 15 or more in the case of the lower prize winning opening, the value of the big winning end process, for example, the value of the big winning opening closing weight timer is set. The set special status is changed to 6 (S1612, 1613). Here, the number of times of opening, such as 6 for the upper prize opening and 15 for the lower prize opening, is different for each big winning opening (specifically, in order to increase the number of prize balls paid out to the player). However, the value is not limited to this and can be set to an appropriate value suitable for the system.

  In the present embodiment, in step S1612, it is determined whether or not to shift to a probability variation (hereinafter simply referred to as probability variation) state after the jackpot is finished, and processing such as notifying of the probability variation state is performed when it is determined to be in the probability variation state. For example, special symbols are displayed on the special symbol display device in two rows, and notification is made by changing a large demo symbol for performing the effect on the front of the effect symbol display device. Here, the probability variation refers to the probability of a special prize inside a gaming machine in a game after digesting the jackpot motion of a special symbol combination, for example, a special prize of “7, 7, 7” among the special symbol combinations. This is a function that improves the (low probability) state. In general, such a probability change (high probability) state of a gaming machine with a probability change function is continued until the next jackpot is acquired, and during the probability change, the background color of the special symbol display device is generally changed, and the player is being changed. Inform you.

  The transition to the probability variation state is determined by various methods, for example, a method of transitioning with a certain probability by lottery, but in this embodiment, the transition method to the probability variation state at the upper prize winning port and the lower major prize winning port is determined. It is changing. In other words, lottery is performed when the jackpot process for the upper winning prize is completed, and the process shifts to the probability change state with a predetermined probability, while the process is performed so that it always shifts to the probability change state for the lower prize winning opening. . As described above, by performing different processing at the upper and lower big prize opening, it is possible to further improve the game play. Of course, it may be set so that the number of winning balls differs between the upper and lower big winning openings.

  When the jackpot ends, special electric accessory end weight processing (S1009) in the case of special status 6 shown in FIG. 17 is performed. That is, the time of the special winning awaiting mouth weight is updated (predetermined value is subtracted) (S1701). When the timer value is 0 as a result of the update, the start RAM is set for each special symbol state and the special status is changed to 0. (S1702 to S1704). In other words, in the normal gaming state (low probability), clear the winning prize opening number counter, etc., and in addition to this, set the probability variation start designation in the special game operation designation transmission request buffer, etc. Thus, the operation state is shifted to the operation state at the time of the probability fluctuation, and for the short time operation, the short time state notification designation is set in the transmission request buffer for the short time state notification designation so that the operation state can be shifted to the short operation state (S1703). . In either case, the special status is set to 0 and the process returns to normal processing (S1704).

  As described above, according to the control of the big prize opening of the present embodiment, the game ball is easier to win in the upper big prize opening among the plurality of big prize openings, but once the big big prize opening hits a big hit Then, the round lasts longer than the top prize opening, and the state of advantage to the player is different, so the gameability is improved skillfully.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 310 of the gaming machine recognizes which of the upper and lower big prize opening is open and performs control, and controls by different commands in the upper and lower sides. For example, when the sub-control unit 340 does not have such information, for example, when the power is cut off, the correct prize winning opening can be stored even after the power is restored. The opening can be controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming machine has been described in which two large winning holes are provided and arranged in the upper and lower directions, but the present invention is provided with a plurality of large winning holes, and these are appropriately controlled. Needless to say, as long as the control method having the features of the present invention is provided, the present invention is not limited to the number or positions of the big prize winning openings.

It is a figure which shows an example of the front general view of the game machine using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the game system using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the sub-control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the display control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game control of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the command in the game machine of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the design random number in the gaming machine of this invention, a special design, and an effect design. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special game management process. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the command related to the big prize opening in the gaming machine of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the content (command ID value and EVENT value) of the notification designation | designated command which a sub-control part produces | generates, and display content (warning content).

Explanation of symbols

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Normal electric accessory (tulip)
109 First variable winning ball apparatus 110 having a top prize opening 110 Second variable winning ball apparatus 111 having a bottom prize opening 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
119 Abbreviated switch 120 Production changeover switch 121 Status notification indicator 201 Information display device 202 Hall computer 203 Out ball detection device 310 Main control unit 340 Sub control unit 370 Display control unit 422 CPU
420 ROM
424 RAM
428 Upper and lower grand prize opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 440 Sub control command output port (production symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc. Send)
Command output port 436 for payout control Special symbol operation memory indicator light port 438 Normal symbol operation memory indicator light port 444 External information output port 426 Input port 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 Upper prize port switch 415 Lower large prize opening switch 416 Specific area switch 418 Other switches 450 Discharge control unit 452 Prize ball payout device 446 Upper and lower large prize opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 514 CPU
512 RAM
510 ROM
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Movable object 618 Input port 620 CPU
610 Program ROM
612 RAM
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
616 Character ROM
614 Video RAM
624 output port

Claims (4)

A first control means for controlling the opening and closing of a plurality of big prize openings by changing to a predetermined state with a predetermined probability, and a plurality of big prizes corresponding to the predetermined state, connected to the first control means. A prize opening opening / closing means for opening / closing the mouth, a second control means for receiving a first command from the first control means and performing a predetermined process, and the predetermined control means connected to the second control means A gaming machine comprising: notification means for receiving a second command from the second control means and making a notification corresponding to the predetermined state upon transition to a state;
The first control means is configured so that a transition to a state where each of the plurality of prize winning openings is opened occurs at a predetermined rate, so that the prize winning to be opened among the plurality of prize winning openings. A gaming machine characterized by determining a mouth and controlling the prize winning opening / closing means to open the determined prize winning opening. The plurality of large winning openings are two large winning openings arranged side by side vertically,
The first control means closes a grand prize port other than the one big prize port while opening one of the two big prize holes arranged side by side in the vertical direction, 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper winning opening / closing means is controlled by making the number of times of opening the upper winning opening different from the opening number of the lower winning opening. The first control means controls the big prize opening / closing means with the same maximum opening time per time at the upper big prize opening and the lower big prize opening,
Further, the first control means outputs a first command for notifying at least the number of times of opening by the notifying means every time one of the upper winning prize opening and the lower winning prize opening is opened. The first command is transmitted to the second control means, and the type of the first command is made different between when the upper large winning opening is opened and when the lower large winning opening is opened. 2. The gaming machine according to 2. When the second control unit receives the first command transmitted from the first control unit, the second control unit transmits a second command for causing the notification unit to notify at least the number of times of opening, and 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the same type of the second command is used when the large winning opening is opened and when the lower winning opening is opened. 5.

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