JP2007260435A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent put-out of tokens before a sub reel is stopped. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine 1 includes three main reels Ra1, Ra2 and Ra3, three sub reels Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3, a start lever 6, and stop buttons 7a, 7b and 7c. A main CPU decides the show time, and informs a sub CPU. The sub CPU carries out the show with the sub reels. After the show time passed, the main CPU carries out put-out of tokens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine.

  A slot machine generally includes three reels, three reel stop buttons corresponding to each reel, and a start lever for starting a game. When the player depresses the start lever, all reels rotate at the same time, and each reel stops at the timing when the player depresses each reel stop button. Of the combinations of symbols arranged on the winning line in a state where the reels are stopped, a combination of symbols that gives a game value is called a role. When a combination of symbols composing a combination on the effective winning line is completed, a winning is made, and the player can obtain the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination. That is, when the state where the reels are stopped is a state (predetermined state) that is a combination of symbols constituting the winning combination, the winning combination is awarded and a game value corresponding to the winning winning combination is given.

  Here, winning is determined by two steps. The first step is called internal lottery. In the internal lottery, the lottery is executed at the operation timing of the start lever, which prize group is determined to be won or lost, and internal lottery information indicating the lottery result is generated. Here, the prize group refers to a group of one or a plurality of roles and corresponds to a lottery category. That is, a prize group and a combination may correspond one-to-one, or a plurality of combinations may correspond to one prize group.

  In the second step, the reel stop position is controlled in accordance with the operation of the reel stop button. If the internal lottery information indicates a loss, even if the player operates the reel stop button at the timing when the symbol that constitutes a certain role reaches the valid winning line, the reel stop timing is delayed, Control is performed so that symbols constituting the winning combination do not stop on a valid winning line. On the other hand, if the prize group which is an internal lottery is won, even if the operation timing of the reel stop button is slightly early, the pull-in control is performed so that the symbols constituting the role corresponding to the prize group stop on the winning line. The However, if the operation timing of the reel stop button is significantly deviated, no prize will be awarded. In other words, in order for a player to win a prize, it is necessary to win a prize group by internal lottery and align the winning prize group on an effective prize line.

  By the way, a certain type of slot machine includes a sub effect device in addition to the main reel. This effect device is composed of three reels or a liquid crystal display device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine that includes a variable display unit configured by reels and an image display unit as a rendering device, and interlocks changes in both symbols. In addition, this slot machine has a large image display unit arranged in the center of the casing and a small variable display unit arranged in the peripheral part, so that the player can easily see the effects displayed on the image display unit. is doing.

JP 2002-793A (Claim 1, Summary)

  However, in the conventional slot machine, the display of the main variable display unit and the sub image display unit are variably displayed, and when the player operates the reel stop button, the two stop in conjunction with each other. Therefore, the display of the image display unit cannot be continued after the variable display of the main variable display unit is stopped. For this reason, there was a limit to the production of elaborate taste.

  Also, in the conventional slot machine, the stopping mode of each reel that wins a winning is based on the condition that the same kind of symbols are aligned. Therefore, the sub image display unit is arranged in the central part, and the main variable display unit Even if is placed in the periphery, the player can see the result of the game at a glance at the variable display portion. For this reason, there is a problem that regardless of what kind of effect is produced in the sub image display unit, the effect is interesting.

  In addition, if a winning combination is won, a medal corresponding to the winning combination will be paid out. However, since the medal was paid out in conjunction with the main variable display stop, the main symbol stopped. After that, there is a problem that it is not interesting no matter how the presentation is performed in the sub image display unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine that improves the taste of production.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The slot machine according to the present invention includes a first display means (4A) having a main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a display row (Rb1, Rb2) capable of variably displaying the plurality of symbols. , Rb3), a start operation unit (6) for outputting a start instruction signal in response to the player's start operation, and a stop instruction signal (44a, 45a in response to the player's stop operation). 46a), a stop operation unit (7a, 7b, 7c) for outputting,
The start instruction signal is detected to start the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) are rotated at a constant speed, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a), the first control means (31) for controlling the first display means (4A) to stop the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and from the detection of the start instruction signal The variable display of the second display means (4B) is started during a period until the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is stopped, and after the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is stopped, Second control means (55) for controlling the second display means (4B) so as to stop variable display of the second display means (4B), and stop of the first display means (4A) When the mode is a predetermined mode, the stop instruction output from the payout means (31, S26) for paying out a quantity of game media corresponding to the stop mode and the stop operation unit (7a, 7b, 7c) Determining means (31, S25) for determining a time from when the signal is detected by the first control means (31) until the payout means starts payout as an effect adjustment time, the payout means (31, S26) adjusting a payout start time for starting the payout of the game medium based on the effect adjustment time so that the game medium is paid out after the variable display of the second display means is finally stopped. It is characterized by.
According to this invention, the game medium can be paid out after the variable display on the second display means stops.

  In addition, the slot machine according to the present invention is capable of variably displaying the first display means (4A) having a plurality of main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) each displaying a plurality of symbols. Second display means (4B) having various display rows (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3), a start operation unit (6) for outputting a start instruction signal in response to a player's start operation, and the plurality of main reels (Ra1) , Ra2, Ra3) and a plurality of stop operation units (7a, 7b, 7c) that output a plurality of stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) in response to the player's stop operation, After detecting the start instruction signal and starting rotation of all of the plurality of main reels (7a, 7b, 7c), all of the plurality of main reels (7a, 7b, 7c) are rotated at a constant speed. ,in front The main reels 7a, 7b, 7c) corresponding to the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) detected by detecting each of the plurality of stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are stopped. First control means (31) for controlling one display means (4A), and the second control means in a period from detection of the start instruction signal to stop of rotation of the plurality of main reels (7a, 7b, 7c). The variable display of the display means (4B) is started, and the variable display of the second display means (4B) is stopped after all the rotations of the plurality of main reels (7a, 7b, 7c) are stopped. When the stop mode of the second control unit (55) for controlling the 2 display unit (4B) and the first display unit (4A) is a predetermined mode, the amount of game media corresponding to the stop mode is paid Payer (31, S26) and the stop instruction signal output last among the plurality of stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) output for each operation of the plurality of stop operation units is the first control means ( 31) determining means (31, S25) for determining a time from when the payout means starts to payout as an effect adjustment time until the payout means (31, S26) is detected in the second display. The payout start time for starting the payout of the game medium is adjusted based on the effect adjustment time so that the game medium is paid out after the variable display of the means (4B) is finally stopped. According to this invention, the game medium can be paid out after the variable display on the second display means stops. Here, it is preferable that the second control means (55) controls the stop mode of the second display means (4B) according to the effect adjustment time.

  Moreover, the following invention can be grasped | ascertained from this whole specification. The slot machine according to the present invention includes a first display means (4A) having a main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a display row (Rb1, Rb2) capable of variably displaying the plurality of symbols. , Rb3), the second display means (4B), the start operation means (6) for outputting a start instruction signal in response to the player's start operation, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a) in response to the player's stop operation. 46a) and a stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c) that outputs the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) by detecting the start instruction signal and starting the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3, Ra3) is rotated at a constant speed, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are detected to stop the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). The first control means (31) for controlling the first display means (4A) and the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) stop rotating after the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) start rotating. A first process for controlling the second display means (4B) to rotate the display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) at the same speed as the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), A second process for selectively executing the second display means (4B) to rotate the display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) at a speed different from that of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). A slot machine, comprising: 2 control means (55).

  According to this invention, since the second control means selectively executes the first process and the second process, in the second display means, is the rotation speed of the display row the same as the rotation speed of the main reel? You can selectively run different things. That is, it is alternatively controlled whether the variable display of the display row is subordinate to the variable display of the main reel or independent of the main reel as irrelevant. In this way, by controlling the display row in relation to the main reel, a variety of effects can be produced. Here, the difference in speed includes, for example, the case of slow rotation in which the rotation speed of the display row is set slower than the rotation speed of the main reel.

  Another slot machine according to the present invention includes a first display means (4A) having a main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a display row (Rb1) capable of variably displaying the plurality of symbols. , Rb2, Rb3), a second display means (4B), a start operation means (6) for outputting a start instruction signal according to the player's start operation, and a stop instruction signal (44a) according to the player's stop operation. , 45a, 46a) and stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c), and the start instruction signal is detected to start rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and the main reels (Ra1, Ra, Ra2, Ra3) are rotated at a constant speed, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are detected to stop the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). The first control means (31) for controlling the first display means (4A) and the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) rotate after the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) start to rotate. A first process for controlling the second display means (4B) to rotate the display rows (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) at the same speed as the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) before stopping; Second control means (55) for selectively executing a second process for controlling the second display means (4B) so that the rotation of the display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) does not reach a constant speed; Prepare.

  According to the present invention, the main reel rotates at a constant speed. On the other hand, the second control means controls the variable display so that the display row is rotated at the same speed as the main reel (constant speed) or the rotation is not constant. That is, it is alternatively controlled whether the variable display of the display row is subordinate to the variable display of the main reel or independent of the main reel as irrelevant. In this way, by controlling the display row in relation to the main reel, a variety of effects can be produced. Here, “the rotation does not reach a constant speed” includes, for example, a frame feed in which the display row is rotated by a predetermined angle to be stopped and the rotation and the stop are repeated.

  Another slot machine according to the present invention includes a first display means (4A) having a main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a display row (Rb1) capable of variably displaying the plurality of symbols. , Rb2, Rb3), a second display means (4B), a start operation means (6) for outputting a start instruction signal according to the player's start operation, and a stop instruction signal (44a) according to the player's stop operation. , 45a, 46a) and stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c), and the start instruction signal is detected to start rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and a predetermined acceleration period has elapsed. After that, the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) are rotated at a constant speed, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are detected to detect the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, R). 3) The first control means (31) for controlling the first display means (4A) to stop the rotation and the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) after the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) have started to rotate. The second display means is configured to accelerate and rotate the display rows (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) in the same acceleration period as the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) until the rotation of Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) stops. The second display means (4B) is configured to accelerate and rotate the display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) in a first process for controlling (4B) and an acceleration period different from that of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). And a second control means (55) for selectively executing a second process for controlling.

  According to this invention, since the second control means selectively executes the first process and the second process, in the second display means, the acceleration period of the display row is made the same as the acceleration period of the main reel. You can selectively run different things. That is, it is alternatively controlled whether the variable display of the display row is subordinate to the variable display of the main reel or independent of the main reel as irrelevant. In this way, by controlling the display row in relation to the main reel, a variety of effects can be produced. For example, if it is assumed that the rotation speed after the acceleration period ends is the same between the main reel and the display column, if the display column acceleration period is longer than the main reel acceleration period, the variable display in the display column is Compared to the reel, the average acceleration during the period is slow acceleration. If the acceleration period of the display row is shorter than the acceleration period of the main reel, the variable display of the display row becomes high-speed acceleration with a large average acceleration during the period compared to the main reel.

  Another slot machine according to the present invention includes a first display means (4A) having a main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, and a display column in which the plurality of symbols can be variably displayed. Second display means (4B) having (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3), start operation means (6) for outputting a start instruction signal in response to the player's start operation, and stop instruction signal in response to the player's stop operation Stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c) for outputting (44a, 45a, 46a), and the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is started by detecting the start instruction signal, and the main reel ( Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) are rotated at a constant speed, the first display means (4A) is controlled, and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are detected to detect the main reel (Ra1). The first control means (31) for controlling the first display means (4A) so as to stop the rotation of Ra2, Ra3) and the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) after starting the rotation The display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) are variably displayed in the same direction as the rotation direction of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) before the reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) stop rotating. The first process for controlling the second display means (4B) and the display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) to be variably displayed in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). Second control means (55) for selectively executing a second process for controlling the second display means (4B).

  According to the present invention, since the second control means selectively executes the first process and the second process, in the second display means, is the rotation direction of the display row the same as the rotation direction of the main reel? You can selectively run different things. That is, it is alternatively controlled whether the variable display of the display row is subordinate to the variable display of the main reel or independent of the main reel as irrelevant. In this way, by controlling the display row in relation to the main reel, a variety of effects can be produced. This second process includes a case where the rotation direction of the display row is controlled in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the main reel at the start of rotation of the display row.

  In the slot machine described above, the second display means (4B) is composed of an image display device (91) capable of variably displaying images of a plurality of types of symbols, and the display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) are the images. Displayed as an image on the display device (91), the second control means (55) includes image storage means (58) for storing symbol image data (DG) indicating the image of the symbol, and the image display device (91). ) Display storage means (90) for storing display image data indicating an image to be displayed, and supply means for reading out the display image data from the display storage means (90) and supplying it to the image display device (91). (55), and by reading the symbol image data (DG) from the image storage means (58) and writing it to the display storage means (90), the display storage means (90) And updating means for updating the 憶 contents (55) is preferably provided with a. In this case, since the display row can be displayed as an image, a variety of effects difficult with a physical reel can be achieved.

  In the slot machine described above, the first control means (31) receives start information for instructing the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) upon detection of the start instruction signal, and the second control means (55). When the stop instruction signal (44a, 45a, 46a) is detected, stop operation information for instructing a stop operation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is output to the second control means (55). The second control means (55) executes the first process or the second process according to a predetermined rule during a period from when the start information is input to when the stop operation information is input, The second process is performed after the stop operation information is input. According to the present invention, after the player performs the stop operation, the second process is executed, so that a variety of rich effects can be performed regardless of the rotation of the main reel. Here, in the period from the start information input to the stop operation information input, the first process and the second process may be switched multiple times. For example, the first process → the second process → the second The processing state may be changed as in one process. Moreover, you may perform only a 1st process in the period after input start information until stop operation information is input.

  In the slot machine described above, the first control means (31) receives start information for instructing the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) upon detection of the start instruction signal, and the second control means (55). When the stop instruction signal (44a, 45a, 46a) is detected, stop operation information for instructing a stop operation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is output to the second control means (55). The second control means (55) selects and executes the first process or the second process according to a predetermined rule during a period from when the start information is input to when the stop operation information is input. Then, it is preferable to control the second display means (4B) so as to stop the variable display in response to the input of the stop operation information. According to the present invention, after the start information is input and the stop operation information is input, the first process and the second process are selectively executed, and after the player performs the stop operation, It becomes possible to stop the variable display of 2 display means.

  In the slot machine described above, the first control means (31) receives start information for instructing the rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) upon detection of the start instruction signal, and the second control means (55). When the stop instruction signal (44a, 45a, 46a) is detected, stop operation information for instructing a stop operation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is output to the second control means (55). The second control means (55) continues one of the first process and the second process selected according to a predetermined rule for a period from when the start information is input until a predetermined time elapses. It is preferable to execute the other process of the first process and the second process after the predetermined time has elapsed. According to the present invention, since the process can be switched between a period from when the start information is input until a predetermined time elapses and a subsequent period, it is possible to improve the presentation effect. More specifically, the second control means includes timer means for measuring time, and when the start information is detected, the timer means starts measurement, and the measured value of the timer means reaches a predetermined time. Determination means for determining whether or not the predetermined time has been reached by the determination means, and the other process may be executed. Further, when stop operation information is input before a predetermined time has elapsed, the process may be shifted from one process to the other process.

  In the slot machine described above, the first display means (4A) includes a plurality of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and the second display means (4B) includes the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). The corresponding display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) are provided, and the stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c) includes the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) and the display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3). ) And outputs the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a), and the first control means (31) detects the start instruction signal and the main reels (Ra1, Ra2). , Ra3) start information for instructing the start of rotation is output to the second control means (55) and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a). When detected, each stop operation information instructing a stop operation of each main reel (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3) is output to the second control means (55), and the second control means (55) The period from the input of the first stop operation to the input of the stop operation information associated with the first stop operation is the first process selected according to a predetermined rule for each of the display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) or the One of the second processes is continuously executed, and when the stop operation information associated with the first stop operation is input, variable display of the display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) corresponding to the stop operation information The second display means (4B) is controlled so as to stop the display, and at least one display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) among the other display rows (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) during variable display is displayed. It is preferred to perform the other processing that is not selected by the period to.

  According to the present invention, when the first stop operation is performed, the corresponding main reel and the display column are stopped. Thereafter, for at least one of the other display columns, the first stop is performed after the start information is input. A process that is not selected in the period until the stop operation information associated with the operation is input is selected. For example, it is assumed that the main reel is composed of three pieces of left, middle, and right, and these reels are rotated by normal rotation. In this case, the second display means includes three display columns of left, middle, and right. The display mode in which these display rows are rotated in the normal direction corresponds to the first process. If the second control means first selects the first process and first operates the stop operation means corresponding to the left main reel, the variable display of the left main reel and the left display column is stopped. In this case, the second control means executes the second process on at least one of the middle display row and the right display row. For example, the display mode of the middle display row is reversed. This makes it possible to produce a variety of effects.

  In the slot machine described above, the first display means (4A) includes a plurality of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and the second display means (4B) includes the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). Display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) corresponding to each of them are provided, and the stop operation means (7a, 7b, 7c) are provided corresponding to each of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3), and the stop Each of the instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) is outputted, and when the first control means (31) detects the start instruction signal, the first control means (31) provides start information for instructing the start of rotation of the main reels (Ra1, Ra2, Ra3). When output to the second control means (55) and the stop instruction signals (44a, 45a, 46a) are detected, the main reels (Ra1, R) are detected. 2, Ra3) each stop operation information for instructing each stop operation is output to the second control means (55), and the second control means (55) receives at least one of the start information after the start information is input. One of the first processing and the second processing is selected and executed for display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3), and at least for the other display columns (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3) It is preferable to execute the other process different from the one display row (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3).

  According to this invention, since the second display means includes the display sequence in which the first process is executed and the display sequence in which the second process is executed, it is possible to make various effects. For example, when the display column is composed of three columns, left, middle, and right, the left display column and the right display column display a display mode that is forward and reverse, and the middle display column displays a display mode that is reversed. Also good.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the taste of the performance by the second display means.

<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1: External configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the slot machine 1 includes a main body 2 and a front door 3 attached to the front surface of the main body 2. A first display portion 10 </ b> A is provided on the upper right side of the front door 3. On the other hand, a second display portion 10 </ b> B is provided in the middle center of the front door 3. Since the second display unit 10B is larger in size than the first display unit 10A and is arranged at the center of the slot machine 1 rather than the first display unit 10A, the second display unit 10B is more sensitive to the player than the first display unit 10A. Easy to see. A first display window 4A and a second display window 4B are provided in front of the first display unit 10A and the second display unit 10B. The first display window 4A and the second display window 4B are formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, for example. In addition, three pay lines L1 to L5 are provided horizontally and obliquely on the first display window 4A and the second display window 4B.

  In addition, an auxiliary display section 11 is provided on the left side of the second display window 4B. The auxiliary display unit 11 includes five LEDs corresponding to the pay lines L1 to L5, respectively. Note that the auxiliary display unit 11 may be provided around the first display window 4A. When the player inserts medals or performs a bet operation to be described later, the number of pay lines L1 to L5 corresponding to the number of bets becomes valid. In this slot machine 1, the winning line L1 is valid when the number of bets is one, the winning lines L1 to L3 are valid when the number of bets is two, and the winning lines L1 to L1 when the number of bets is three. L5 becomes effective. Each LED constituting the auxiliary display unit 11 is turned on when the corresponding winning line L1 to L5 is valid, and is turned off when the corresponding winning line L1 to L5 is invalid. Thus, the player can know which winning lines L1 to L5 are valid.

  Inside the first display window 4A, three rows of left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3 each having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof are rotatably provided. Inside the 4B, three rows of left, middle and right reels Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3, each of which has a plurality of types of symbols drawn on each outer peripheral surface, are rotatably provided. The left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3 as display columns are controlled to rotate (variable display) and stop by signals from a main board, which will be described later, while the left, middle, and right reels Rb1 as display columns are controlled. The rotation (variable display) and stop of Rb2 and Rb3 are controlled by a signal from a sub-board described later.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3, and FIG. 3 shows the detailed structure of the right reel Rb3. Each of the reels Rb1 to Rb3 has an annular shape, and various designs are printed on the surface thereof. A light shielding film S that shields light is formed on the back surface of the right reel Rb3 except for a part thereof. In the portion where the light shielding film S is formed, light is not transmitted even if light is irradiated from the back side. On the other hand, the light shielding film S is not formed on each design portion, and the uneven member P for scattering light is formed on the back surface of the right reel Rb3. In addition, the reel of each design part is white and translucent. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the concavo-convex member P is formed inside the contour portion of the symbol “7”.

  A right reel illumination unit 670 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the right reel Rb3. The right reel lighting unit 670 includes upper, middle, and lower shades partitioned by a light shielding wall. A light source 67 is provided in each of the upper, middle, and lower shades. As the light source 67, a cold cathode tube, an LED, or a light bulb can be used.

  Further, a light shielding piece 491 is provided on a part of the right reel Rb3 so as to protrude from the reel body, and traverses the photo sensor 492 when the right reel Rb3 rotates. The photo sensor 492 functions as a right reel position detection sensor 49B (see FIG. 11) that detects the rotational position of the right reel Rb3. The structure of the left reel Rb1 and the middle reel Rb2 and the peripheral configuration thereof are the same as the structure of the right reel Rb3 and the peripheral configuration thereof described with reference to FIG. 3, and the left reel Rb1 and the middle reel Rb2 are also rotated. Left and middle reel rotation position detection sensors 47B and 48B are provided. The output signals of these sensors are sent to the sub board.

  Further, the left / middle / right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3 of the first display unit 10A are configured in the same manner as the second display unit 10B described above. However, these reels are provided with left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47C, 48C, and 49C for the sub board in addition to the left, middle, and right reel position detection sensors 47A, 48A, and 49A for the main board. ing. In this example, the left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47A, 48A, 49A for the main board and the left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47C, 48C, 49C for the sub board are provided independently. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47A, 48A, and 49A may be used also for the sub-board. From these sensors, a reference point passage signal that becomes active at the timing when the light shielding piece passes through the photosensor in one rotation is generated as a detection signal.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. Below the second display window 4B, there is provided an operation unit OP on which various operation members for the player to execute the game are arranged. The operation unit OP includes a medal slot 5, a start lever 6, left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, a credit button 8, and a BET button 15.

  The medal slot 5 is provided on the lower right side of the second display window 4B so that a medal can be inserted. When one medal is inserted, the winning line L1 is activated, when two medals are inserted, the winning lines L1 to L3 are activated, and when three medals are inserted, the winning lines L1 to L5 are activated. Further, when the player inserts more than 3 medals, the slot machine 1 stores the number of medals of 4 or more as credits.

  The BET button 15 is provided on the lower left side of the second display window 4B. The BET button 15 is used for designating the number of medals bet by the player in one game. By operating the BET button 15 by the player, the stored medals can be bet without inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 5. Therefore, the winning lines L1 to L5 are appropriately enabled according to the number of medals designated by operating the BET button 15. The relationship between the number of medals designated by the operation of the BET button 15 and the valid pay lines L1 to L5 is the same as when medals are directly inserted.

  The start lever 6 is provided below the BET button 15. The start lever 6 is used by the player to instruct the start of the game. When the player depresses the start lever 6, the left / middle / right reels Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 and the left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, Rb3 start to rotate at the same time, and the first display unit 10A and the second display unit The 10B symbol is variably displayed.

  Left, middle and right reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b and 7 c are provided on the right side of the start lever 6. The left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c are operated by the first display window 4A and the second display window 4B. The left / middle / right reels Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 and the left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2 , Rb3 are used to stop each.

  On the left side of the start lever 6, a credit button 8 for determining whether or not to store medals in the slot machine 1 is provided. The player can change whether the credit is valid or invalid by operating the credit button 8. In a predetermined case, medals are paid out to the player from the medal payout opening 10 a and stored in the medal tray 10.

<1-2: Relationship between roles and symbols>
FIG. 4 shows an example of symbols displayed on the left / middle / right reels Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 and the left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, Rb3. As shown in this figure, 21 symbols and 6 types of symbols are displayed on each reel, and symbol numbers PN = 1 to 21 are assigned to each symbol. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between left, middle, and right, the left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3 of the first display unit 10A are simply referred to as main reels, and the second display unit 10B The left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3 are simply referred to as sub-reels.

  FIG. 5 shows the correspondence between the symbols of the sub reels and the symbols of the main reel. As shown in this figure, a symbol having a sub reel is associated with a symbol different for each of the left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3. For example, the symbol “7” of the sub reel is associated with the symbol “1” of the left reel Ra1, the symbol “3” of the middle reel Ra2, and the symbol “4” of the right reel Ra3.

  The combination of symbols is broadly divided into a “role” that gives game value and a “losing” worthless. The winning combination is a combination of symbols stopped on an effective pay line in a state where each main reel as a display row is stopped, in a predetermined manner. In this example, since the symbols of the main reels are associated with the symbols of the sub reels, a predetermined combination of symbols stopped on the effective winning line of the second display unit 10B in a state where each sub reel is stopped. The thing of an aspect corresponds to a role.

  FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the winning combination and the symbols of the sub reel and main reel. In this embodiment, a BB role, an RB role, a plum role, a bell role, a cherry role, and a replay role are adopted as the role. Arrangement of symbols constituting a combination on an effective winning line is called winning, and the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. The medal is inserted into the slot machine 1 when starting the game, and is necessary for the player to continue the game. That is, the medal can be said to be a game medium having a game value such as continuation of the game.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the symbols constituting the role of the main reel are different in advance on the activated pay line to be bet out of the plurality of pay lines L1 to L5 of the first display unit 10A. This is a mode in which the types of symbols are arranged, and the symbols constituting the role of the sub reel are modes in which the same type of symbols are arranged on the activated winning line among the plurality of winning lines L1 to L5 of the second display unit 10B. . The role of this embodiment includes the following.

  1) BB role This role is a combination of symbols of symbol number PN = 21 on the left reel Ra1, Rb1, middle reel Ra2, Rb2, right reel Ra3, Rb3, and the stop mode of the sub reel is "7-7-7" The stop mode of the main reel is “1-3-4”.

  2) RB role This role is a combination of symbols of symbol number PN = 5 in the left reel Ra1, Rb1, middle reel Ra2, Rb2, right reel Ra3, Rb3, and the stop mode of the sub reel is "BAR-BAR-BAR". The stop mode of the main reel is “2-5-3”.

  3) Bell role This role consists of symbols with symbol numbers PN = 16, 12, 9 or 2 on the left reels Ra1, Rb1, symbols with symbol numbers PN = 20, 17, 13, 9, or 3 on the middle reels Ra2, Rb2. It is a combination of symbols of symbol numbers PN = 18, 13, 9, or 1 on the right reels Ra3 and Rb3, the stop mode of the sub reel is “bell-bell-bell”, and the stop mode of the main reel is “5-6-7”. It is.

  5) Plum role This role is a symbol of symbol number PN = 18, 15, 9 or 2 on the left reel Ra1, Rb1, a symbol of symbol number PN = 18, 14, 10, 6 or 1 on the middle reel Ra2, Rb2. It is a combination of symbols of symbol numbers PN = 19, 14, 10, 6 or 2 in the right reels Ra3 and Rb3, the stop mode of the sub reel is “Plum-Plum-Plum”, and the stop mode of the main reel is “4-1-1- 2 ”.

  6) Cherry role This role can be achieved by stopping the symbol number PN = 20, 13 or 6 on the left reels Ra1 and Rb1 that has been activated among the winning lines L1 to L5. It has nothing to do with it. That is, the stop mode of the sub reel is “Cherry-?-?”, And the stop mode of the main reel is “6-?-?”.

  7) Replay role This role consists of symbols with symbol numbers PN = 19, 17, 10 or 3 on the left reels Ra1, Rb1, symbols with symbol numbers PN = 19, 15, 11, 7, or 2 on the middle reels Ra2, Rb2. This is a combination of symbols of the symbol numbers PN = 20, 15, 11, 7 or 3 in the right reels Ra3 and Rb3. The sub-reel stop mode is “Replay-Replay-Replay”, and the main reel stop mode is “7-4- 1 ”. Even if a replay role is established, no medals are paid out, but replay is possible. Re-playing means playing a game again without newly inserting medals.

  For these roles, game values to be given to the player for each role are determined in advance. For a combination, a combination with 1 to 15 payouts, a combination with an advantageous gaming state such as a big bonus or regular bonus, regardless of whether or not there is a payout due to winning, and a medal with no payout Without replaying the game, there is a role in which a re-game that can be played under the same number of medal insertion conditions is given again. Further, not all of these combinations are always determined as prizes in any gaming state. It is possible to have a combination that is established as a prize in one gaming state but not established as a prize in another gaming state. That is, the game value given to the player for each winning combination is determined in advance for each gaming state and is not always constant.

  In this embodiment, the game value given to the player in the normal gaming state is paid out by 15 pieces for the plum role, 10 pieces for the bell role, and 2 pieces for the cherry role, and the replay role can be replayed. It becomes a role to become.

  Among various types of roles, a combination corresponding to a relatively low game value such as a payout of about 2 to 15 cards such as a bell role, a cherry role, and a plum role or a replay is collectively referred to as a small role. . On the other hand, when the RB combination wins, 15 payouts are made and the gaming state shifts to a specific gaming state called a regular bonus (hereinafter abbreviated as “RB” where appropriate). With the regular bonus, the jack game can be played 12 times, and the RB period ends when the jack game is played 12 times or a maximum of 8 times. The jack game is played by betting one medal and enabling only the central pay line L1. A replay role is adopted as the role of the jack game. When the symbols constituting this combination are aligned with the winning line L1, the slot machine 1 pays out 15 medals. In other words, in the normal gaming state, even if the replay combination is complete, replay can only be performed, but in the jack game performed during the regular bonus period, 15 medals will be paid out when the symbols constituting the replay combination are complete. Can do. In addition, during the big bonus described later, a replay role is assigned to the regular bonus award. In addition, since a jack game that is not in the normal gaming state is played in the RB gaming state, it can be said that the RB gaming state is an advantageous gaming state for the player as compared to the normal gaming state.

  Further, when winning the BB combination, the gaming state shifts from a normal gaming state to a special gaming state called a big bonus (hereinafter, the big bonus is abbreviated as “BB” as necessary). During the big bonus period, in addition to being able to play regular bonuses up to three times, it is possible to establish a small role game with a high winning probability state up to 30 times. The big bonus is a more advantageous gaming state compared to the regular bonus. In the following description, the former is referred to as BB RB and the latter is referred to as a single RB in order to distinguish between the regular bonus in the big bonus and the regular bonus that has been won independently.

<1-3: Electrical configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control device that controls the game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a circuit configuration including peripheral devices related to the present invention among those constituting the slot machine 1.

  The control device includes main board 30A and sub board 30B as main components. The main board 30A includes a main CPU 31, a clock generation circuit 32, a sequence generation circuit 33, a RAM 34, a ROM 35, a transmission timing control circuit 36, a data transmission circuit 37, an input port 38, and an output port 39.

  The main CPU 31 is connected to each component of the main board 30A excluding the transmission timing control circuit 36 via a bus (not shown). The main CPU 31 executes the first control program CP1 and controls each component. The first control program CP1 describes how to operate the entire slot machine 1. For this reason, the main CPU 31 functions as a control center of the slot machine 1. The clock generation circuit 32 includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal resonator, generates a fixed-cycle reference clock signal CLK, and supplies it to the main CPU 31 and the sequence generator 33.

  The sequence generator 33 is composed of a high-speed ring counter, and counts the reference clock signal CLK to generate count data CD. The numerical value range of the count data CD is, for example, 0 to 59999, depending on the contents stored in the prize group lottery table TBL1 described later. The count data CD is constantly supplied to the main CPU 31, and the main CPU 31 detects the timing when the player depresses the start lever 6, and samples the count data CD at the timing to generate the sampling data SD.

  Since the player cannot know the value of the count data CD, the timing at which the start lever 6 is pushed down by the player is random. Therefore, the value of the sampling data SD is equivalent to a value sampled from a random number. Since the sequence generator 33 operates in synchronization with the reference clock signal CLK, the cycle of the count data CD is extremely short. For example, if the frequency of the reference clock signal CLK is 30 MHz, the time required for the value of the count data CD to change from “0” to “59999” is 2 msec. Therefore, even if the player can know the value of the count data CD by unauthorized means, it is impossible to cause the main CPU 31 to generate the sampling data SD having a desired value by operating the start lever 6.

  Next, the RAM 34 functions as a work area of the main CPU 31 and stores intermediate results of arithmetic processing, data generated as necessary, flags used for various controls, and the like. For example, internal lottery data ISD indicating the result of the internal lottery is stored in the RAM 34.

  In addition to the first control program CP1, the ROM 35 stores a prize group lottery table group TBL1, a stop table group TBL2, a winning symbol combination table TBL3, and the like. In the winning symbol combination table TBL3, combinations of winning symbol combinations and medal payout numbers for winning combinations are stored in association with each other.

  As described above, the types of roles in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment include the BB role, the RB role, the bell role, the cherry role, the plum role, and the replay role. The establishment of the BB combination is an opportunity to shift to the big bonus, while the establishment of the RB combination is an opportunity to shift to the regular bonus. In addition, the game value that a player can acquire varies depending on the type of small role. Since the control of the slot machine 1 requires control according to the difference in game value, it is convenient to classify various roles by paying attention to the game value. Therefore, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment assigns each prize group corresponding to these roles. The prize group corresponding to the BB role, the prize group corresponding to the RB role, the RB prize, the prize group corresponding to the Bell role, the prize group corresponding to the Plum role, the prize corresponding to the Cherry role The group is called the Cherry Prize, and the prize group corresponding to the replay role is called the Replay Prize.

  The prize group lottery table group TBL1 includes a plurality of prize group lottery tables. The main CPU 31 performs an internal lottery using a prize group lottery table selected according to the gaming state. As a prize group lottery table, a table used for a normal game, a table used for a big bonus game, and a table used for a regular bonus game are prepared.

  FIG. 8 shows the stored contents of the prize group lottery table TBL11 for the base game. As shown in this figure, the prize group lottery table TBL11 stores lottery division data in the first to seventh storage areas ADR1 to ADR7, respectively. The value of the lottery category data indicates the width of the lottery category corresponding to each prize group. For example, the lottery classification data stored in the first storage area ADR1 corresponds to the loss, and the value is “54000”. The lottery classification data stored in the seventh storage area ADR7 corresponds to the BB prize, and the value is “300”. Therefore, the probability of winning the BB prize is 1/180 of the probability of winning the loss.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main CPU 31 in the internal lottery process using the prize group lottery table TBL11. First, the main CPU 31 performs an initialization process (step S1). Specifically, the value of the variable N is cleared to “0” and the value stored in the internal register is cleared to “0”.

  Next, the main CPU 31 stores the sampling data SD in the internal register (step S2), and subsequently changes the value of the variable N to N + 1 (step S3). Thereafter, the main CPU 31 reads lottery classification data from the Nth storage area (step S4). In the process immediately after the initialization process, since the value of the variable N is “1”, the lottery classification data is read from the first storage area ADR1. The value in this case is “54000”.

  Next, the main CPU 31 reads the stored contents of the internal register, adds the read data value and the lottery classification data value, and stores the added value in the internal register (step S5). As a result, the content stored in the internal register is updated from the original data value to the added value.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the added value is greater than or equal to the reference value (step S6). The reference value is equal to the sum of the values of the lottery classification data stored in the first to seventh storage areas ADR1 to ADR7.

  If the added value is less than the reference value, the main CPU 31 returns the process to step S3, and repeats the processes from step S3 to step S6 until the added value becomes equal to or greater than the reference value. When the added value is equal to or greater than the reference value, the main CPU 31 advances the process to step S7, determines a prize group according to the value of the variable N, and generates internal lottery data ISD. Specifically, when N = 1, it is lost, when N = 2, a replay prize, when N = 3, a cherry prize, when N = 4, a bell prize, when N = 5, a plum prize, when N = 6, an RB prize When N = 7, it is determined that the BB prize is won. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the correspondence between the sampling data SD and the prize group is lost at SD = 59999-6000, replay prize at SD = 5999-4200, cherry prize at SD = 4199-3000, It corresponds to the Bell Award at SD = 2999-1740, the Plum Award at SD = 1799-900, the RB Award at SD = 899-300, and the BB Award at SD = 299-0.

  Then, the main CPU 31 generates internal lottery data ISD based on the determination result. The internal lottery data ISD is 8-bit data. The first bit is the BB prize, the second bit is the RB prize, the third bit is the Bell prize, the fourth bit is the plum prize, the fifth bit is the cherry prize, Each bit is assigned a replay award. If any prize is won by the internal lottery, the main CPU 31 sets the value of the corresponding bit to “1”, otherwise sets the value of the bit to “0”. Therefore, by referring to the internal lottery data ISD, it is possible to know whether the player has won or lost, and the winning group that has won.

  In the following description, the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD is called a BB winning flag, and the second bit is called an RB winning flag. Then, setting the BB winning flag or the RB winning flag to “1” is called “set”, and setting “0” is called “clear”. The same applies to small roles. With regard to a small role, even if a game is won by an internal lottery, no medal will be paid out unless the game is won. However, if the RB prize and the BB prize are won in an internal lottery of a certain game, the BB prize flag or the BB prize flag is not cleared until the game is won in the subsequent game without clearing the BB prize flag or the RB prize flag. The RB winning flag is not deleted. This is called carrying over the winning flag.

  Next, the stop table group TBL2 is composed of a plurality of stop tables. In each stop table, a symbol number PN displayed on the center winning line L1 and shift frame number data indicating the shift frame number are stored in association with each other. Here, the number of misplaced frames is the number of symbols that advance from when the player depresses each of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c until each left / middle / right reel Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 stops. I mean.

  Since each of the left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3 rotates at high speed, even if the player operates the stop button aiming at a specific symbol, skill is required to stop the desired symbol. There are individual differences in the mastery of the stop button operation. In particular, it is difficult for a player with low moving eyesight to stop a desired symbol. On the other hand, a highly skilled player can operate the stop button when a desired symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  However, in order for a low-skilled player to enjoy the game, it is necessary to make it easy to align the symbols to some extent. On the other hand, when the result of the internal lottery is lost, it is necessary to control the rotation of the reel so that the combination is not established There is. The stop table is used to control such reel rotation. The stop positions of the left, middle and right reels Ra1, Ra2 and Ra3 are determined with reference to a stop table.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The transmission timing control circuit 36 and the data transmission circuit 37 shown in the figure transmit various information generated by the main CPU 31 to the sub-board 30B. The information transmitted to the sub-board 30B includes internal lottery data ISD, effect adjustment time, start lever 6 operation timing, stop symbol number, stop button number for specifying the stopped reel stop button, and the like.

  Next, the input port 38 is an input interface for signals supplied from various sensors described later. On the other hand, the output port 39 is an output interface for supplying control signals to each motor and various devices.

  The main input signal generating means connected to the input port 38 and generating various input signals includes the following. The inserted medal detection sensor 41 detects a medal inserted through the medal slot 5 and generates one output pulse for one medal. Therefore, the main CPU 31 can detect the number of inserted medals by counting the output pulses.

  The BET button sensor 42 detects the operation of the BET button 15. The start lever sensor 43 detects the operation of the start lever 6. The left / middle / right reel stop button sensors 44, 45, 46 detect operations of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, respectively, and output stop instruction signals 44a, 45a, 46a. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47, 48, 49 detect the rotation positions of the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3, and generate reference point passing signals 47a, 48a, 49a (detection signals). .

  The right reel position detection sensor 49A includes a photosensor 492, an amplifier, and a comparator shown in FIGS. Photosensor 492 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When the light receiving unit outputs a light reception signal at a level corresponding to the amount of light received, the amplifier amplifies the light reception signal. The comparator compares the output signal of the amplifier with a predetermined threshold value to generate a reference point passing signal 49a, and outputs this as an output signal of the right reel position detection sensor 49A. When the right reel R3 rotates, the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. 2 passes through the photosensor 492 once per rotation. Therefore, the rotation position of the right reel R3 can be detected by the reference point passage signal 49a. The left / middle position detection sensors 47A and 48A are configured in the same manner as the right reel position detection sensor 49A.

  Main means connected to the output port 39 and supplied with various output signals include a medal payout mechanism 70 and left / middle / right reel drive motors 51A, 52A, 53A. The medal payout mechanism 70 includes a hopper that stores medals in the slot machine 1, a disk mechanism that discharges medals from the hopper to the medal receiver 10, a counter that counts medals, and the like, based on a control signal from the main CPU 31. To eject the indicated number of medals.

  The left / middle / right reel drive motors 51A, 52A, and 53A are motors that rotate and drive the left, middle, and right reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3, respectively, and are configured by stepping motors in this example. Therefore, the main CPU 31 adjusts the number of pulses of the drive signals 51a, 52a, 53a supplied to the left / middle / right reel drive motors 51A, 52A, 53A, thereby controlling the left / middle / right reels Ra1, Ra2, Ra3. It is possible to accurately determine the stop position.

  Each motor 51A, 52A, 53A is configured to rotate once by 420 pulses. As described above, since 21 symbols are formed on each of the reels Ra1, Ra2, and Ra3, one symbol can be advanced by supplying 20 pulses to the motor. The main CPU 31 counts the number of pulses supplied to the motors 51A, 52A, and 53A, and holds the count result as position data MD1, MD2, and MD3. The values of the position data MD1, MD2, MD3 are cleared at the timing when the reference point passage signals 47a, 48a, 49a become active.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the relationship among the reference point passage signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3. As shown in this figure, when the reference point passing signal 49a rises from the low level to the high level at time t1, the value of the position data MD3 is cleared. Time t1 is timing when the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. At this time, the symbol (7) of symbol number PN = 1 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4A as the rotation position of the right reel Ra3. In other words, the attachment position of the light shielding piece 491 and the photo sensor 492 is determined so that the symbol is displayed in the middle of the display window 4A.

  When 20 pulses are supplied to the right reel drive motor 53 as the drive signal 53a during the period from time t1 to time t2, the right reel drive motor 53 rotates the right reel Ra3 by 1/21. As a result, the symbol (2) of symbol number PN = 2 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4A. Thereafter, the symbols are sequentially displayed in the same manner, and when the time t3 is reached, the right reel Ra3 makes one rotation and the symbol (7) with the symbol number PN = 1 is displayed again. Thus, since the reference point passing signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3 are closely related, the main CPU 31 detects the symbol display state based on the position data MD3. Can do.

  As for the left reel Ra1 and the middle reel Ra2, as with the right reel Ra3 described above, the main CPU 31 can detect the display state of the symbols based on the position data MD1 and MD2. These points are also the same for the sub-board 30B, and the sub CPU 55 can detect the display state of the symbols based on the position data.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the sub-board 30B and its peripheral configuration. The sub board 30B includes a sub CPU 55, a data input circuit 56, a clock generation circuit 57, a ROM 58, and a RAM 59.

  The sub CPU 55 functions as a control center for controlling the sub board 30B in accordance with the second control program CP2. At this time, the sub CPU 55 executes various lotteries. Any method may be used for the lottery. For example, the lottery may be selected when the sampling data SD is received from the main board 30A and the sampling data SD takes a predetermined value. Or it is good also as winning when generating a random number with software and sampling the value and taking a predetermined value.

  The data input circuit 56 is an interface that receives various types of information transmitted from the data transmission circuit 37 described above and delivers them to the sub CPU 55. The clock generation circuit 57 generates a clock signal and supplies it to the sub CPU 55.

  In addition to the second control program CP2, the ROM 58 stores a stop data table group and a symbol arrangement table. The symbol arrangement table stores a symbol number and a symbol type in association with each sub reel. The RAM 59 functions as a work area for the sub CPU 55 and stores data, flags, and the like that are being processed according to the second control program CP2.

  The left / middle / right backlights 65 to 67 are controlled to be turned on / off according to a command from the sub CPU 55. For example, when a specific prize group (for example, a bell prize) is won by an internal lottery, the left / middle / right backlights 65 to 67 are changed in order of pushing the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c. Use to inform. Specifically, the backlight corresponding to the button to be pressed next is turned on, while the other backlights are turned off.

  Further, the sub board 30B includes a sound LSI 61, an audio ROM 62, and an audio processing circuit 63. The sound ROM 62 stores sound data for generating various sound effects. The sound LSI 61 reads out sound data from the sound ROM 62 at a predetermined timing based on a command from the sub CPU 55, performs a predetermined process, and outputs it to the sound processing circuit 63. The audio processing circuit 63 DA-converts the sound data to generate an audio signal, amplifies the audio signal to a predetermined level, and supplies it to the speaker 68. Thereby, a sound effect is emitted from the speaker 68.

  The sub-board 30B includes left / middle / right drive motors 51B, 52B, 53B, left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47B, 48B, 49B, and left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47C, 48C, 49C. Connected with. The left / middle / right drive motors 51B, 52B, and 53B are motors that rotate the sub reels Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47B, 48B, and 49B detect the rotation of the sub reels Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3 and output reference point passage signals 47b, 48b, and 49b. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47C, 48C, and 49C detect the rotation of the main reel and output reference point passing signals 47c, 48c, and 49c.

  By the way, in order to prevent the storage device such as the ROM and the sub-board 30B main body from being illegally replaced, a so-called “sealing” may be performed when the case housing the sub-board 30B is fixed to the main body 2. . For sealing, a sealing member having identification information such as letters and numbers is used. When removing the sub board case from the gaming machine main body, the member having the identification information which is a seal must be destroyed, and the removal of the sub board case is monitored based on the destruction.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a sealing structure of the sub-board 30B. A sub-board case 300 is disposed on the side surface of the main body 2. The sub board case 300 accommodates the sub board 30B therein. The sub board case 300 is fixed to the main body 2 using two screws 301 and 302 above the sub board case 300. Through holes 303 and 304 are provided in the heads of the screws 301 and 302. The sealing member 305 with identification information is passed through the through holes 303 and 304.

  The sealing member 305 has an insertion part 30a and a band part 30b, and has a single band shape. One end thereof is inserted into the insertion portion 30a at the other end thereof to form an annular shape, and the inserted one end cannot be removed due to the shape feature of the insertion portion 30a and the band portion 30b. To release the ring, the band 30b is cut with a tool such as a nipper. In the embodiment, a member generally called “binding band” used for bundling a plurality of electric wirings is used. The sealing member 305 is a metal such as resin or wire having elasticity that can be easily bent by human power, and allows the heads of the two screws to communicate even if the directions of the through holes 303 and 305 are not aligned. be able to. Moreover, if it is resin, the plate-shaped location which provides identification information should just be integrally shape | molded at the end of the strip-shaped location which passes along the through-holes 303 and 304 like illustration. In the case of a metal such as a wire, a plate-like member that gives identification information may be provided separately from the wire, or may be formed integrally by forging or welding.

  Although not shown in the drawing, a projection inserted into the main body 2 is provided below the sub-board case 300 and is fixed by screws 301 and 302 above the sub-board case 300, so that the lower side of the sub-board case 300 is separated from the main body 2. It will not come off. Therefore, it is not necessary to screw the lower side of the sub board case 300 with screws.

<1-4: Overall operation of slot machine>
Next, the overall operation of the slot machine 1 will be described. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the operation of the main CPU 31 controlling from the start to the end of one game. The main CPU 31 determines whether or not the player has made a bet operation based on detection signals from the inserted medal detection sensor 41 and the BET button sensor 42 (step S11). Proceed to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the player has operated the start lever 6 based on the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43. When the player operates the start lever 6, the main CPU 31 performs a process for prohibiting a bet operation (step S13). If the bet operation is prohibited, even if the player inserts a medal or operates the BET button 15 during the period until the prohibition is canceled, the acceptance is rejected.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a prize group lottery table according to the game mode in accordance with the first control program CP1 (step S14). Specifically, a table corresponding to a game mode such as a base game, an RB game, or a BB game is selected from the prize group lottery table group TBL1. In this case, the main CPU 31 refers to the RB flag, the BB flag, and the like stored in the RAM 34, specifies the game mode of the game, and selects a table based on the result. For example, if the game is a normal game (including an AT game), it is detected that the RB flag and the BB flag are cleared, and the prize group lottery table TBL11 is selected from the prize group lottery table group TBL1. .

  Next, the main CPU 31 executes an internal lottery process using the prize group lottery table TBL1 set in step S14 (step S15), and sets a winning flag indicating a winning group or a lost game (step S16). The internal lottery process and the setting of the winning flag are performed according to the following procedure. First, the main CPU 31 samples the count data CD and obtains the sampling data SD at the timing when the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43 becomes active. Second, the main CPU 31 generates internal lottery data ISD with reference to the prize group lottery table. For example, if the prize group lottery table TBL11 shown in FIG. 8 is used and the value of the sampling data SD is “150”, the internal lottery data ISD indicates that the BB prize is won. In this case, the main CPU 31 sets a winning flag in the internal lottery data ISD in the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD. Thereafter, the main CPU 31 transmits a winning flag (internal lottery data ISD) to the sub-board 30B (step S17).

  Next, the main CPU 31 executes an effect adjustment time setting process (step S18). FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect adjustment time setting process. The main CPU 31 sequentially determines based on the internal lottery data ISD whether or not the Plum Prize, Bell Prize, Cherry Prize, or JAC Prize has been won, or whether the RB in BB has been won (Steps S50 to S53, S59). When these prize groups are won in the internal lottery, the production adjustment time is set to “0” (steps S54 to S57).

  On the other hand, if none of the above-described prize groups is won in the internal lottery, the main CPU 31 determines whether it is a single RB win, a BB win, or a lose (steps S58, S60, S61). The adjustment time is determined by lottery (steps S62 to S65). As the production adjustment time, for example, a plurality of times such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds are predetermined, and the main CPU 31 generates production adjustment time information that indicates the production adjustment time selected as the lottery result. To do. Here, the production adjustment time information may directly indicate the production adjustment time, or may indicate which production adjustment time has been selected from among the production adjustment times determined in advance. Also good. In the latter mode, the production adjustment time is converted into a command. For example, 5 seconds is associated with T1, 10 seconds is associated with T2, 20 seconds is associated with T3, and T1, T2, or T3 is rendered as a command. It is generated as adjustment time information. In this case, the correspondence between the command type (T1, T2, T3) and the effect adjustment time (5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds) is preferably held in the memory on both the main board 30A and the sub board 30B. .

  When the effect adjustment time is determined in this way, the main CPU 31 advances the process to step S19 shown in FIG. 13, and transmits effect adjustment time information for instructing the effect adjustment time to the sub-board 30B (step S19).

  Next, the CPU 31 selects a reel stop data group based on the internal lottery data ISD (step S20). For example, based on the BB flag indicating that the BB game is being played, it is determined whether or not the BB game is being played. If the determination result is negative, the main CPU 31 selects the stop table group TBL2. While the normal stop table is selected, if the determination result is affirmative, the main CPU 31 selects the BB stop table from the stop table group TBL2.

  Next, the main CPU 31 executes a reel rotation process (step S21). Specifically, the drive signals 51a to 53a are activated. Then, the rotation shafts of the left / middle / right reel drive motors 51A to 53A start to rotate, and the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 rotate accordingly.

  Thereafter, the main CPU 31 executes a reel rotation stop process (step S22). FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the reel rotation stop process. First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the rotation speed of each main reel has reached a specified speed (step S70). Specifically, the main CPU 31 detects the frequencies of the detection signals 47a to 49a, and executes the determination in step S70 depending on whether or not the detected frequency has reached a frequency corresponding to the specified speed.

  When the rotation speed of the main reel reaches the specified speed, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the first button stop operation has been performed based on the stop instruction signals 44a to 46a (step S71).

  When the first stop operation of the reel stop button is detected, the main CPU 31 acquires the stop button number (button type) of the currently pressed reel stop buttons 7a to 7c (step S72), and immediately after the stop operation. The symbol number PN is acquired (step S73). Specifically, the main CPU 31 detects the timing at which the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c are pressed down based on the stop instruction signals 44a to 46a from the reel stop button sensors 44 to 46, and the symbol number at the timing. Get PN. In this example, the stop button number “1” is assigned to the reel stop button 7a, the stop button number “2” is assigned to the reel stop button 7b, and the stop button number “3” is assigned to the reel stop button 7c.

  Next, the main CPU 31 limits the usable stop data table group from the stop data table group selected in step S20 based on the internal lottery data ISD, the stop button number, etc. (step S74), and stops. A combination of stop data tables for each operation order is specified (step S75). Thereafter, the main CPU 31 specifies a combination of stop data tables used for the first stop (step S76), and if there are a plurality of combinations, determines a stop table used for the first stop by lottery or the like. (Step S77).

  Next, the main CPU 31 refers to the determined stop table, obtains the advance frame number (step S78), and calculates the stop symbol number from the pressed symbol number and the advance frame number (step S79). The stop symbol number is a symbol number when the main reel is stopped. Thereafter, the main CPU 31 transmits the button number and the stop symbol number to the sub-board 30B (step S80), and stops the main reel that has been stopped based on the stop symbol number (step S81).

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a second button stop operation has been performed based on the stop instruction signals 44a to 46a (step S82). If there is a second button stop operation, the second stop process is performed. Execute (step S83). Thereafter, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the third button stop operation has been performed based on the stop instruction signals 44a to 46a (step S84). If there is a third button stop operation, the third stop process is performed. Execute (Step S85). Since the second stop process and the third stop process are the same as the processes from step S72 to step S81 described above, description thereof will be omitted. Then, the main CPU 31 generates a winning flag based on the stop symbol number determined by the first to third stop operations (step S86). The winning flag functions as winning information indicating a winning combination or loss. As described above, in the reel rotation stop processing, information (stop button number) for identifying the operated reel stop button and information (stop symbol number) indicating the stop symbol in each stop operation from the start to the sub-board 30B. Sent to. Here, the information for identifying the reel stop button corresponds to stop operation information indicating a stop operation of the main reel.

  Returning to FIG. When the reel rotation process ends, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a replay prize has been won (step S23). When winning the replay prize, the same winning line as the winning line activated in the previous game is automatically activated without performing a betting operation. For this reason, when the replay prize is won, the main CPU 31 clears the replay winning flag (step S24), and then returns the process to step S12.

  On the other hand, when the replay prize is not won, the main CPU 31 sets the effect adjustment time determined in step S18 in the timer and starts the timer subtraction process (step S25). The main CPU 31 determines whether or not the timer value has become “0” (step S26). When the timer value becomes “0”, a payout process described later is executed. During the period from when the rotation of the main reel stops until the performance adjustment time elapses, medals are prohibited from being paid out even if any winning combination is won, and medals are paid out after the performance adjustment time has elapsed. The The main CPU 31 that executes steps S25 and S26 functions as an adjusting unit that adjusts the medal payout start time based on the effect adjustment time so that the medal is paid out after the rotation of the sub reels is finally stopped. In this example, the payout start time is adjusted based on the effect adjustment time so that medals are paid out after the effect adjustment time has elapsed since the winning flag was generated in step S86.

  In addition, the stop instruction signals 44a to 46a output from the button sensors 44 to 46 corresponding to the last operated button among the plurality of reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c are detected, and the effect adjustment is performed from the detected time. The medal payout start time may be adjusted based on the effect adjustment time so that the medal is paid out after a lapse of time. In this case, when the determination condition of step S84 shown in FIG. 16 is affirmed and the third button stop is detected, the processes of step S25 and step S26 are executed, and the determination of step S26 is affirmed. In addition, the process may be advanced to step S27 shown in FIG.

  This point is important in the production by the sub reel. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the arrangement of the symbols of the main reels is determined so that different types of symbols are arranged on the first display portion 10A even if any winning combination is won. ing. Therefore, the player cannot immediately determine whether or not the player has won a winning combination even when the variable display on the first display unit 10A is stopped. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform various effects by rotating the sub-reel even after the main reel stops. However, when a medal is paid out after winning a winning combination, the player knows that the player has won a winning combination from the situation, and on the other hand, if there is no paying out, it detects that the player has lost. For this reason, the effect of the sub reel performed after the main reel is stopped becomes meaningless. Therefore, on the basis of the stop of the main reel, the payout of medals is prohibited until the effect adjustment time elapses, while the effect adjustment time information is transmitted to the sub-board 30B, and the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c are stopped. By sending the stop button number / stop symbol number each time, the stop timing of the main reel is notified to the sub-board 30B, and on the sub-board 30B, an appropriate effect is made based on the effect adjustment time and the stop timing of the main reel. It made it possible to select.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sequentially determines whether or not a watermelon award, a bell award, a cherry award, or a plum award has been won based on the winning flag (steps S27 to S30), and refers to the winning symbol combination table TBL3. Each unit is controlled to pay out the number of medals according to the winning combination (steps S31 to S34).

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not an RB game is in progress (step S35). In the present embodiment, an RB flag indicating that an RB game is in progress is set in an RB game start process (steps S39 and S42) described later, and the RB flag is cleared in an RB game end determination process (step S36). It has become. Therefore, whether or not the RB game is in progress is determined based on whether the RB flag is set or cleared.

  When determining that the RB game is being played, the main CPU 31 advances the process to step S36 and executes an RB game end determination process. In the RB game end determination process, it is determined whether or not the RB game has been performed a predetermined number of times, and when the RB game has been performed a predetermined number of times, the RB flag is cleared.

  On the other hand, if the RB game is not being played, the determination result in step S35 is “NO”, and the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a single RB award has been won (step S37). When winning the single RB award, the main CPU 31 pays out a predetermined number of medals (step S38) and executes an RB game start process (step S39). In this process, the RB flag is set. If the single RB prize has not been won, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the RB prize is in BB (step S40). If it is an RB prize in the BB prize, the main CPU 31 pays out a predetermined number of medals (step S41), and executes an RB game start process (step S42). In this process, the RB flag is set.

  Next, if the RB prize in the BB has not been won, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB game is in progress (step S43). Similar to the processing related to the RB game described above, in the present embodiment, a BB flag indicating that the BB game is in progress is set in the BB game start processing (step S47) described later, and the BB game end determination processing (step S44). In BB, the BB flag is cleared. Therefore, whether or not the BB game is in progress is determined based on whether the BB flag is set or cleared.

  When the BB game is being played, the main CPU 31 executes a BB game end determination process (step S44). In this process, when the BIC bonus game has reached a predetermined number of games (for example, 30 games) or when the last RB in the BB is finished, it is determined that the BB game is finished.

  If it is not during the BB game, it is determined based on the winning flag whether the BB is won or not (step S45). If the BB prize is won, the main CPU 31 executes the medal payout process (step S45). S46), a BB game start process is executed (step S47).

  Thereafter, the main CPU 31 executes a one-game end process (step S48). In this process, the main CPU 31 first determines whether or not a BB prize or RB prize has been missed. The loss of the BB prize or the RB prize means that the BB prize or the RB prize cannot be won in the state where the BB prize or the RB prize is won in the internal lottery process (step S15). The main CPU 31 determines that the BB prize or RB prize has been missed when the winning flag is set and the RB winning flag or the BB winning flag is cleared, while in other cases, the BB prize or It is determined that no RB prize has been missed. If not missed, the RB winning flag and the BB winning flag are cleared and the data value of each bit of the internal lottery data ISD is cleared to “0”. Thereby, carry over of the winning flag is canceled. On the other hand, if there is a loss, the main CPU 31 does not clear the RB winning flag and the BB winning flag. Thereafter, the main CPU 31 cancels the prohibition of the betting operation (step S49). Thereby, the RB winning flag and the BB winning flag are carried over to the next game.

  The effect adjustment time process executed in steps S25 and S26 may be executed as necessary in the processes after step S22, for example, immediately before step S36 or immediately before step S41. May be executed.

<1-5: Sub-substrate processing>
Next, processing of the sub CPU 55 in the sub substrate 30B will be described. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the contents of the entire process of one game in the sub reel. This process proceeds when the sub CPU 55 repeatedly executes the second control program CP2 in a predetermined cycle independently of the control program CP1 executed by the main CPU 31. There are a first process and a second process as a process of changing the display mode of the sub reel by the sub CPU 55. In the first process, the display mode of the sub reel is changed in accordance with the rotation of the main reel, while in the second process, the display mode of the sub reel is not changed in accordance with the rotation of the main reel. In other words, in the first process, the display mode of the sub reels is changed so as to correspond to the display mode of the symbols displayed on the first display window 4A as the main reel rotates. The display mode of the sub reels is varied so that the display mode is different from the display mode of the symbols displayed on the first display window 4A.

  The display mode of the symbol displayed in the first display window 4A means the behavior of the symbol displayed there, for example, normal rotation in which the symbol moves from top to bottom and reverse rotation in which the symbol moves from bottom to top. This corresponds to the rotation direction of the main reel, the rotation speed of the main reel, the rotation acceleration of the main reel, whether the main reel is stopped or rotated, whether the main reel is rotating at a constant speed, frame feed, or the like. In the first process, for example, if the main reel is rotating forward, the sub reel is also rotating forward, and if the rotation of the main reel is started and accelerated, the sub reel is the same. However, it is not necessary for all of the symbol behaviors such as forward / reverse rotation, speed, acceleration, stop / movement, normal / frame advance, and at least one of them corresponds.

  First, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the winning acquisition flag is “1” (step S90). The winning acquisition flag is set to “1” when the internal lottery information is acquired from the main board 30A for each game. When receiving the internal lottery information, the sub CPU 55 executes a sub reel variable mode selection process (step S91).

  FIG. 19 shows the processing contents of the sub reel variable mode selection processing. In this process, the sub CPU 110 selects a variable display pattern for the first process based on the internal lottery information (step S110). As described above, the first process is to change the display mode of the sub reels in accordance with the rotation of the main reel, but there are various patterns in the variable display corresponding to the rotation of the main reel. For example, a control pattern for controlling the rotation speed of the sub reel to approach the rotation speed of the main reel, or a control pattern for controlling the rotation phase of the sub reel in synchronization with the rotation phase of the main reel. And the case where the rotation phase of the main reel rotates by one frame shift and the case where the main reel rotates by two frame shifts.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 determines the stop position of the sub reel at the time of winning based on the internal lottery information (step S112), and also determines the stop position of the sub reel at the time of non-winning (step S113). That is, the final stop positions of the sub reels are determined for each sub reel separately for winning and non-winning.

  When the internal lottery information indicates that a winning combination is won, the main reel and sub-reel are drawn so that the symbols that make up the winning combination are drawn on the main reel winning line and no winning combination other than the winning combination is won. The stop position is controlled. Further, when the internal lottery information indicates a loss, the stop positions of the main reel and the sub reel are controlled so that all winning combinations are not won. However, even if the winning is performed by internal lottery, depending on the operation timing of the reel stop button of the player, the symbols constituting the winning combination may not be drawn into the winning line information. The stop position of the sub reel at the time of winning in step S112 means the stop position of the sub reel when there is a possibility of winning. That is, in the description of FIG. 19, it is unclear whether or not the final winning will be made at the first and second stop stages, but there are valid symbols related to the main reel winning line, and the winning The case where there is a possibility is included in the concept of winning.

Returning to FIG. When the sub reel variable mode selection process ends (step S91), the sub CPU 55 advances the process to step S92, determines whether or not the left main reel start flag is “1”, and the flag is “1”. If so, the left sub-reel starting process is executed (step S93). Similarly, the sub CPU 55 executes the starting process for the middle sub reel and the right sub reel (steps S94 to S97). Each main reel start flag is set to “1” when the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c output from the left, middle and right reel position detection sensors 47C to 49C provided on the main reel are activated.
Details of this point will be described later.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start process of the left sub reel. The same starting process is executed for the middle and right sub reels. The sub CPU 55 selects a variable display pattern for left sub reel processing based on the internal lottery information (step S120), and controls variable display based on the selected variable display pattern (step S121). The variable display pattern means a variable mode of display content.

  Returning to FIG. In step S98, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not all the sub reels are started, and repeats the processing from step S92 to step S97 until the rotation of all the sub reels is started.

  Thereafter, the sub CPU 55 advances the processing to step S99 shown in FIG. 18, determines whether or not the left main reel stop flag is “1” (step S99), and if the flag is “1”. A left sub-reel stop process is executed (step S100). Similarly, the sub CPU 55 refers to each main reel stop flag and executes stop processing for the middle sub reel and the right sub reel (steps S101 to S104). Each main reel stop flag is generated based on the stop button number transmitted from the main CPU 31. That is, when a stop button number for instructing to press the left reel stop button 7a is input to the sub-board 30B, the sub CPU 55 sets the left main reel stop flag to “1”, and the input stop button number is set to the middle reel. When instructing to press the stop button 7b, the middle main reel stop flag is set to "1". When the input stop button number instructs to press the right reel stop button 7c, the right main reel stop flag is set. Set to “1”. In the present embodiment, the sub reel rotation control by the sub reel start process corresponds to the first process described above, while the sub reel rotation control by the sub reel stop process corresponds to the second process described above. Then, switching between the first process and the second process described above is executed in accordance with the operation of each reel stop button.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of the left sub-reel stop process. As shown in this figure, the sub CPU 55 selects a variable display pattern for the second process based on the input stop information (step S130). Here, the stop information is information indicating the stop position of the left main reel, and corresponds to, for example, the number of drive pulses from the reference point or the stop symbol number described above. The stop information is generated by the main CPU 31 of the main board 30A and transmitted to the sub board 30B. Here, as the variable display pattern for the second process, a plurality of variable display patterns are prepared including that the second process is not executed.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not to execute the second process based on the variable display pattern selected in step S130 (step S131). When executing the second process, variable display is started with the variable display pattern for the second process (step S132). Then, based on the stop information, it is determined whether there is a winning or possibility (step S133). At this time, the internal lottery information is referred to. That is, when the winning combination with the internal lottery information is instructed, it is determined whether or not the symbols constituting the combination on the main reel can be drawn on the winning line. In addition, the determination of whether or not a winning is made is performed when the operation of the left reel stop button 7a is the last stopping operation, and the determination of the possibility of winning is made from the beginning to immediately before the end, that is, the first and the first. It is executed in the second stop operation.

  When winning or there is a possibility of winning, the sub CPU 55 controls the left reel drive motor 51B so that the sub reel is stopped at the stop position of the sub reel at the time of winning (step S134). On the other hand, if there is no winning or no possibility, the sub CPU 55 controls the left reel drive motor 51B so that the sub reel is stopped at the sub reel stop position at the time of non-winning (step S134).

  For example, when the BB combination is won in the internal lottery and the player makes the first stop operation, the symbols constituting the BB combination stop on the winning line (that is, there is a possibility that BB may win) Performs stop control according to the stop mode selected when there is a possibility of winning. That is, until the stop operation is received, synchronous control with the rotation of the main reel is performed, and after the stop operation, the stop position of the sub reel is adjusted according to the determined stop mode.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of the second process. FIG. 2A shows an example of reverse rotation. In the variable display pattern, the rotation speed of the sub reel becomes negative after the first processing is completed. That is, the sub reel rotates in the reverse direction. For example, the case where the sub-reel is stopped after one frame is stopped, and the sub-reel is rotated backward by one frame to stop the symbols constituting the winning combination on the winning line. FIG. 5B shows an example of frame advance. In the variable display pattern, after the first process is completed, the sub reel is rotated three times in the forward direction. In this example, frame advance of three frames is realized by controlling the sub reel so that one frame is advanced by one rotation.

  If the determination condition is negative in step S131, that is, if the second process is not executed, the sub CPU 55 advances the process to step S136 and continues variable display with the variable display pattern for the first process. (Step S136). Then, based on the stop information, it is determined whether there is a winning or possibility (step S133). The determination of whether or not a prize is won is executed when the operation of the left reel stop button 7a is the last stop operation, and the possibility of winning is determined from the beginning to the last, that is, the first and second It is executed in the stop operation. In this case, the rotation of the main reel and the rotation of the sub reel are as shown in FIG.

  When winning or there is a possibility of winning, the sub CPU 55 controls the left reel drive motor 51B so that the sub reel is stopped at the stop position of the sub reel at the time of winning (step S134). On the other hand, if there is no winning or no possibility, the sub CPU 55 controls the left reel drive motor 51B so that the sub reel is stopped at the sub reel stop position at the time of non-winning (step S134). In this case, the rotation of the main reel and the rotation of the sub reel are as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the sub reels are stopped from three time lengths of 0 sec (for example, FIG. 22C), sec (for example, FIG. 22A), and 6 sec (for example, FIG. 22B). There are a plurality of variable stop modes. Here, the effect time means the length of the effect of the variable stop mode performed when the asynchronous control is changed to the asynchronous control, that is, the time of the second process.

  The main CPU 31 transmits the internal lottery information and the effect adjustment time selected by the lottery to the sub CPU 55. The effect adjustment time is used to select a stop mode at the time of stopping at least the last sub reel to be stopped (step S130 described above). For example, when the internal lottery information indicates winning of BB and the production adjustment time is 6 sec, a 6 sec variable stop mode for BB is selected. When the symbols related to the BB winning are arranged in the stop operation immediately before the last from the beginning, for example, the frame feed stop mode shown in FIG. 22 (B) is selected as the third stop mode in the sub reel. Control is executed so that the sub reels stop 6 seconds after the transition to the second process. On the other hand, after 6 seconds have elapsed since the main reels were completely stopped, the main CPU 31 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the BB prize to the credit or the medal tray, and shifts to the BB game.

  Here, when it is determined that the arrangement of symbols related to BB winning is not aligned during the stop operation, the stop information of the main reel is obtained by the communication means even in the control of the sub reel, so the effect for BB loss Select. At this time, in the sub reel, it is possible to derive a reach action-like 6-second variable stop effect that informs the BB that he has won. In the middle of the stop operation, when it is determined that the symbols related to the BB winning line are not aligned, the main CPU 31 transmits information of 0 sec as the effect adjustment time by the communication means, so that the sub CPU 55 is for BB. It is also possible to stop in the stop mode of 0 sec for the spillover effect. That is, when it is determined that there is no possibility of winning according to each stop operation timing immediately before the first to the last, the main CPU 31 detects this, changes the effect adjustment time, and changes the effect adjustment. The time (for example, 0 sec) may be transmitted to the sub CPU 55. In this case, the main CPU 31 may omit the time delay process and shift to the next game.

  As described above, the production adjustment time information is transmitted to the sub CPU 55 according to the internal lottery result, and the information different from the previously sent production adjustment time is sent again even after the operation is stopped. It may be. Further, the effect adjustment time may be determined after the last stop operation and transmitted to the sub CPU 55.

  Here, what is important is that the payout control is delayed after the sub-reel is completely stopped, and it is not always necessary to equalize the time of the second processing of the sub-reel and the delay time. Preferably, the payout control is slightly slower. Better.

  Returning to FIG. The sub CPU 55 determines whether or not all the sub reels are stopped (step S105), and repeats the processing from step S99 to step S105 until all the sub reels are stopped. When all the sub reels are stopped, various flags are cleared (step S106). The above is the outline of the processing until the sub reel starts rotating and finally stops.

  Next, processing executed by the sub CPU 55 will be described in more detail. 23 to 25 are flowcharts showing the processing contents of the timer interrupt processing executed by the sub CPU 55. The timer interrupt process is executed at a predetermined cycle, for example, a 2 msec cycle. First, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not a command is input from the main board 30A (step S140). If there is a command input, the sub CPU 55 advances the process to step S141 to determine whether or not the command is internal lottery information. When the condition of step S141 is affirmed, the sub CPU 55 acquires internal lottery information (step S142), and sets a winning acquisition flag to “1”.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the command has left / middle / right stop information (steps S144, 147, and 150). The main CPU 31 generates left stop information in response to the pressing of the left reel stop button 7a and outputs the left stop information to the sub-board 30B, and the intermediate stop information in response to the press of the middle / right reel stop buttons 7b and 7c. And right stop information is generated and output to the sub-board 30B.

  If the command is left stop information, the sub CPU 55 acquires the left stop information (step S145), and sets the left main reel stop flag to “1” (step S146). If the command is intermediate stop information, the sub CPU 55 acquires the intermediate stop information (step S147) and sets the intermediate main reel stop flag to “1” (step S149). Further, if the command is right stop information, the sub CPU 55 acquires the right stop information (step S151), and sets the right main reel stop flag to “1” (step S152).

  Thereafter, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the reference pass signal 47c of the sub reel position detection sensor 47C is detected (step S153). If this is detected, whether the left reel start flag is “1”. If it is not “1”, variable display of the left sub reel, that is, rotation is started (step S155), and the left main reel start flag is set to “1” (step S156). ). On the other hand, if the left main reel start flag is “1”, the sub CPU 55 advances the process to step S157 to execute the left sub reel phase / speed adjustment process. When rotation of the left main reel is detected (step S153), the left main reel start flag is set (step S156), and when the left main reel start flag is “1”, the left sub reel phase / speed adjustment process is executed. Thus, the left sub-reel phase / speed adjustment process corresponds to the first process described above. Similar to steps S153 to S157, processing relating to the middle sub-reel is executed in steps S158 to S162, and processing relating to the right sub-reel is executed in steps S163 to S167.

  In steps S168 to S170, when the sub CPU 55 detects the reference point passage signals 47b to 49b output from the left, middle and right sub reel position detection sensors 47B to 49B, the sub CPU 55 displays the phase shift counters for the left, middle and right sub reels. Clear (steps S171 to S173). Each phase shift counter is constituted by, for example, an internal register of the sub CPU 55 or a RAM 59. The count value of each phase shift counter is used for sub reel phase / speed adjustment processing.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the left main reel start flag is “1” (step S174). If the determination condition is affirmative, the count value of the left sub reel speed counter is set to “1”. Increment (step S175), and further increment the count value of the phase shift counter of the left sub-reel by “1” (step S176).

  Further, the same processing is executed for the middle main reel and the middle sub reel (steps S177 to S179), and the same processing is also executed for the right main reel and the right sub reel (steps S177 to S179). Each sub reel speed counter is constituted by, for example, an internal register of the sub CPU 55 or a RAM 59. The count value of each sub reel speed counter is used for sub reel phase / speed adjustment processing.

  Next, the phase / speed adjustment processing of the left sub reel will be described in detail. In this process, the rotation of the left sub reel is controlled using the count values of the left reel speed counter and the left sub reel phase shift counter. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the phase / speed adjustment processing of the left sub reel. The sub CPU 55 stores the left reel speed counter value in a predetermined memory (for example, the RAM 59) (step S200). As shown in FIG. 23, the phase / speed adjustment processing is executed when the reference point passing signal 47c becomes active. That is, the phase / speed adjustment process is executed once per rotation of the left main reel. As described in step S175, the count value of the left reel speed counter is the interrupt period (2 msec) when the left main reel start flag is “1”, that is, during the period in which the left main reel is rotating. The count value is incremented by “1”. Accordingly, the count value of the left reel speed counter per rotation corresponds to speed information indicating the rotation speed of the left main reel. The predetermined memory stores the left reel count value for the past 10 revolutions.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 clears the left reel speed counter in order to measure the speed of the next rotation (step S201). Thereafter, the sub CPU 55 accesses the memory and calculates the average value of the speed counter values for the past 10 revolutions (step S202). The average value of the speed information thus obtained is used for the rotation control of the left sub reel.

  Since the timer interrupt and the rotation operation of the main reel operate asynchronously, even if the main reel rotates at a truly constant speed, a count error occurs. Further, since the main reel has a mechanical configuration, there is some error in rotational operation. Furthermore, since the pulse signal of the drive motor is generated by software, it originally contains an error. Therefore, as described above, the number of measurement pulses for 10 rotations is always held, the average value is obtained, and the rotation speed of the sub reel is controlled with this as a target. Therefore, the meaning that the speed of the main reel and the speed of the sub reel are controlled to the same speed means that the speed of the main reel and the speed of the sub reel are controlled to be substantially the same.

  Next, the sub CPU 55 calculates a half value (1/2) of the average value of the speed counter values (step S203), and further calculates a difference by subtracting the half value from the left reel phase shift counter value (step S203). S204). The left sub reel phase shift counter is cleared (step S205).

  The count value of the phase shift counter of the left sub reel starts when the left main reel passes the reference point (photo sensor mounting position) and the reference point passing signal 47c becomes active, and the left sub reel is set to the reference point (photo sensor The time until the reference point passage signal 47b becomes active after passing the attachment position) is shown. That is, the left reel phase shift counter value is phase difference information indicating the phase difference between the left main reel and the left sub reel. In this example, the reference point of the reel position detection sensor 47A for the main board 30A provided on the left main reel and the reference point of the reel position detection sensor 47B for the sub board 30B are set at positions different by 180 degrees. . The left sub reel rotates the left sub reel so that the timing at which the reel passes the reference point of the reel position detection sensor 47C and the timing at which the left main reel passes the reference point of the reel position detection sensor 47A coincide. The phase is adjusted. That is, assuming that the rotation reference of the left main reel is the reference point of the reel position detection sensor 47C, the left sub reel is rotated at a phase shifted by 180 degrees (predetermined value) with respect to the left main reel. That is, the left sub reel is controlled so that the phase difference between the rotation phase of the left main reel and the rotation phase of the left sub reel approaches a predetermined value (180 degrees in this example).

  Next, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the difference value is within a predetermined allowable value range (step S206). If the difference value is outside the allowable value range, the sub CPU 55 determines whether or not the difference value is positive. If it is positive, the speed counter average value is corrected to positive to generate a control count value. On the other hand, the count value for control is generated by correcting the average value of the speed counter to minus.

  Thereafter, the sub CPU 55 calculates the speed from the count value (step S210), and controls to set the speed of the left sub reel. That is, in this example, the rotation speed of the left sub reel is adjusted by feedforward control with the rotation speed of the left main reel as a target, and the rotation phase is adjusted by feedback control.

  By this phase / speed adjustment processing, acceleration control is performed when detection of the sub reel is delayed with reference to detection of the main reel, and deceleration operation is performed when the sub reel is advanced. When the rotation speed value of the main reel obtained by the average value processing is delayed due to the determination of the phase advance / delay, a predetermined speed value is added to the rotation speed value of the obtained main reel, The rotation speed value of the sub reel is used. Here, the degree of phase delay may be determined in stages, and plus values may be set to +1, +2, and +3 according to the stages. If it is determined that the phase is advanced, a predetermined speed value is subtracted from the rotation speed value of the main reel. For example, when one rotation is performed at 75 msec and the phase is delayed, a speed that is originally 0.2 msec faster than 75 msc of the main reel is set such that 75 msec is 75.2 msec. Further, when the phase shift amount is large, for example, it is controlled to be +1 msec, such as 76 msec.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the main reel starts to rotate by operating the start lever 6, the sub CPU 55 detects the rotation of the main reel with the reel position detection sensors 47C to 49C, The first process is started so that the sub reel rotates in accordance with the rotation of the main reel, and the variable display by the sub reel is switched from the first process to the second process in response to the operation timing of the reel stop button. In the first process, the speed and phase of both reels are synchronized. Further, the symbols of the sub reels are arranged so that the symbols constituting the combination are the same type of symbols. Therefore, the player stops the predetermined symbol on the main reel winning line by operating the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b and 7c at the timing when the symbol constituting the combination is within the predetermined pull-in range while looking at the sub reel. It is possible to win a prize. In this case, because the stop symbols of each main reel are lined up at first glance, the player cannot easily know whether or not they have won a prize just by looking at the main reel. Will do. In the sub-reel, the second process such as reverse rotation and frame advance is executed with a display pattern for effects irrespective of the rotation of the main reel, so that various effects can be performed with the reels.

<1-6: Modification of First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the following modifications are possible.

  (1) In the first embodiment described above, in order to detect the rotation of the main reel, the reel position detection sensors 47A to 49A used for controlling the rotation of the main reel itself and the rotation of the sub reel are controlled. Although the reel position detection sensors 47C to 49C used are provided, these may also be used.

  (2) In the first process described above, the speed and phase of the sub reel are controlled so as to approach the rotation of the main reel as a target, but either one may be controlled.

  (3) Further, in the second process described above, effect processing such as blinking the left / middle / right backlights 65, 66, 67 while the left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, Rb3 are rotating may be added. Good.

<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the slot machine of the first embodiment described above, the sub CPU 55 directly detects the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c generated by the reel position detection sensors 47C to 49C. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the main CPU 31 (first control means) detects that the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c are activated, generates a detection command, and passes the data transmission circuit 37. Transmit to the sub-board 30B. In this case, the sub CPU 55 of the sub board 30B confirms whether or not the detection command is input from the main board 30A at the timer interruption interval (2 msec), and the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c indicate the input timing of the detection command. Treat as the timing to become active. Alternatively, the interrupt process may be executed when a detection command is input.

  Here, since various commands are included in the command in addition to the detection command, the sub CPU 55 needs to measure the generation interval of only the detection command and perform speed information based on the measurement result. Note that the main board 30A and the sub board 30B are connected with a predetermined line, and the predetermined line is activated so that the reference point passing signals 47c to 49c are activated from the main board 30A to the sub board 30B. It may be transmitted. In this case, since the transmission is through a dedicated line, the step of determining the type of command can be omitted.

  The main board 30A and the sub board 30B operate asynchronously using different clock signals, and from the viewpoint of fraud prevention, information such as commands sent from the main board 30A is randomly delayed and transmitted. May be. Even in such a case, it is possible to remove noise accompanying transmission, specifically, an error due to a random delay time, by executing the above average value processing.

  Also in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, reel position detection sensors 47A to 49A used for controlling the rotation of the main reel itself and a reel position detection sensor 47C used for controlling the rotation of the sub reel. -49C may also be used.

<3. Third Embodiment>
In the first and second embodiments described above, a slot machine employing a mechanical sub-reel has been described as an example of the second display unit 10B. However, the slot machine according to the third embodiment includes the second display unit 10B. An image display device is used.

  FIG. 27 shows an external configuration of the slot machine according to the third embodiment. The slot machine 1 is provided with an image display device 91 in the center. The image display device 91 may be any device as long as it can electrically display an image. For example, the image display device 91 can be configured by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, a plasma display, a CRT, or the like. In the present embodiment, three display columns imitating the above-described sub reels are displayed on the image display device 91 as video reels. Each of the video reels in this example displays 21 symbols and 7 types of symbols as in the sub reels shown in FIG.

  Next, an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. The slot machine 1 is configured in the same manner as the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 11 except for the detailed configuration of the sub-board 30B. FIG. 28 shows a block diagram of a sub-board 30B and its peripheral circuits according to the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, since the image display device 91 is used instead of the sub reel, the reel position detection sensors 47B to 49C used in the first embodiment are not provided. The ROM 58 stores symbol image data DG indicating images of symbols disposed on the sub reels. The symbol image data DG is managed separately for each symbol type, and is read from the ROM 59 as necessary. In this example, seven symbol image data DG1 to DG7 such as “7”, “plum”, “bell”, “cherry”, “replay”, and “BAR” are stored in the ROM 58. Further, the ROM 58 stores address information indicating the storage areas of the symbol image data DG1 to DG7 and symbol codes for identifying the symbol image data in association with each other. The sub CPU 55 generates a sequence of symbol codes in accordance with the control program CP2, controls the display order of symbols, acquires address information corresponding to the symbol codes, and reads the symbol image data DG1 to DG7 from the ROM 58. , Transfer to the VRAM 90. The ROM 58 functions as an image storage unit that stores the symbol image data DG.

  In addition, data is sequentially read from the VRAM 90 and supplied to the image display device 91 as display image data. The sub CPU 55 writes the design image data DG read from the ROM 58 in the vertical blanking period to the VRAM 90, and reads and supplies the display image data from the VRAM 90 in the display period. That is, the sub CPU 55 functions as a supply unit that supplies display image data to the image display device 91 and also functions as an update unit that updates the storage contents of the VRAM 90.

  The sub CPU 55 controls the display position of the symbol on the screen. In order to draw so that symbols flow from the top to the bottom of the screen, the Y-axis direction of the screen is incremented for each step. When changing the movement speed of the symbol, for example, control is performed so that the Y-axis address is moved by one step every 10 vertical blanking periods and is changed every 8 vertical blanking periods. Since the symbol movement speed is determined by the relationship between the display image data update cycle and the write address increment, the movement step may be changed with the update cycle constant. In addition, continuous values are used as addresses for designating storage areas of the VRAM 90, and there is no concept of X-axis and Y-axis. Therefore, the sub CPU 55 converts the X and Y addresses into real addresses and writes the symbol image data DG in a predetermined storage area.

  As described above, the sub CPU 55 updates the display image data by writing the symbol image data DG in the VRAM 90. However, the first process of controlling the second display unit 10B so as to obtain a display mode according to the rotation of the main reel. As in the first embodiment, the second process for controlling the display mode is executed regardless of the rotation of the main reel.

  That is, the sub CPU 55 detects the rotation speed of each main reel based on the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c. Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 26 in the first embodiment, the rotation of the main reel based on the number of timer interruptions generated between a certain reference point passing signal and the next reference point passing signal. Detect speed. At this time, the average value of the past rotation speed is calculated, and the average value is set as the rotation speed value of the main reel, as in the first embodiment. Then, the sub CPU 55 updates the stored contents of the VRAM 90 so that the moving speed of the display image matches the detected rotation speed. Further, since the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c are phase information indicating the rotation phase of the main reel, the sub CPU 55 determines that the corresponding symbol image is predetermined at the timing when each reference point passage signal 47c to 49c becomes active. The writing to the VRAM 90 is controlled so as to be displayed at the position. Thereby, the first process is executed.

  Matching the phases of the main reel and the video reel means matching the symbol position corresponding to the reference position of the main reel with the symbol position of the symbol image data DG. In the case of a video reel, since there is no mechanical restriction, the position to be used as a reference point is arbitrary, but from the viewpoint of facilitating control, it is preferable to set the head of the symbol image data DG as the reference position. .

  In the phase matching process, when the sub CPU 55 detects the main reel reference position, the video reel display position may be forcibly returned to the top. However, if the phases are not synchronized, it will appear to the player that the symbol image will suddenly fly. For this reason, the video reel image may be returned to the beginning step by step, or may be controlled so as to be gradually adjusted during the next round.

  On the other hand, the second process is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21 in the first embodiment except that the control target is the image display device 91 instead of the sub reel. That is, the writing to the VRAM 90 is controlled based on the stop position (in this example, the stop symbol) of the sub reels at the time of winning and not winning.

  In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the main CPU 31 (first control means) detects that the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c are activated, generates a detection command, and transmits data. The signal is transmitted to the sub-board 30B via the circuit 37. In this case, the sub CPU 55 of the sub board 30B confirms whether or not the detection command is input from the main board 30A at the timer interruption interval (2 msec), and the reference point passage signals 47c to 49c indicate the input timing of the detection command. Treat as the timing to become active. Alternatively, the interrupt process may be executed when a detection command is input. Further, the detection command may be transmitted through a dedicated line. In addition, the reel position detection sensors 47A to 49A used for controlling the rotation of the main reel itself and the reel position detection sensors 47C to 49C used for controlling the rotation of the sub reels may be combined.

<4: Modification>
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the most practical and preferred embodiments at the present time, the invention is limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. However, the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a gaming machine and a control method therefor are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Must be understood as being. For example, the following modifications are naturally included in the present invention.

  (1) In each embodiment described above, when the player operates the start lever 6, the main CPU 31 detects a detection signal from the start lever sensor 43 and transmits it to the sub CPU 55 as start information. When the reel stop buttons 7a to 7b are operated, detection signals 44a to 46a from the left / middle / right reel stop button sensors 44 to 46 are detected and transmitted to the sub CPU 55 as stop operation information. Here, the sub CPU 55 executes the first process or the second process according to a predetermined rule during the period from when the start information is input to when the stop operation information is input, and after the stop operation information is input, the second process is performed. May be executed. Alternatively, the sub CPU 55 executes the first process or the second process according to a predetermined rule during a period from when the rotation of the main reel (the rotation of the first display unit) is detected until the stop operation information is input. The second process may be executed after the stop operation information is input.

  For example, during rotation, that is, during a period from when start information is input to when stop operation information is input, rotation control of the sub reels is performed from synchronous control (first process) to asynchronous control (second process). Alternatively, it may be switched to a high speed rotation by a predetermined amount and returned to the synchronous rotation again. In this way, instead of shifting from the first process to the second process and finally stopping, during the period from when the start information is input to when the stop operation information is input, temporarily during synchronization control. You may return to synchronous control after asynchronous control.

  (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, when the phases of the main reel and the sub reel (including the video reel) coincide with each other, it may be controlled not to align the phases thereafter, and speed control is performed. Is the same. In this case, the sub reels may be controlled to rotate at a constant speed.

  (3) In each of the embodiments described above, in the first process, the rotation of the sub-reel or the display of the video reel is synchronized with the rotation of the main reel. May rotate in conjunction with each other. In this case, even if the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c are operated at the timing when the player has reached the position where the desired symbol is to be stopped, the stop symbol is shifted. For example, as shown in FIG. If the pull-in range is 4 frames, “7” can be pulled by operating the stop button at the timing of symbol number PN = 12 to 21 in the stop operation of the middle reel Rb2 and the right reel Rb3. .

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of types of symbols displayed on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 are configured by sets of figures with different numbers, but the symbols of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 and the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 The correspondence relationship may be as shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the plurality of types of symbols displayed on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 are configured by pairs of figures having the same shape and different colors. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the symbols are displayed on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3. The plurality of types of symbols are constituted by sets of figures having different corner shapes. According to these examples, it is difficult to determine whether or not the player has won a prize even if he / she looks at the main reels Ra1 to Ra3, and the player's interest can be attracted to the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3.

  Further, the plurality of types of symbols displayed on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 may be configured by a set of figures having the same color and different shapes, that is, the same color and different shapes. In this case, the printing plate production cost and the printing process can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced. In addition, the plurality of types of symbols displayed on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 may be a set of figures obtained by rotating a figure of a predetermined shape by different angles. For example, “Δ” obtained by rotating the graphic “Δ” by 0 degrees and “▽” rotated by 180 degrees may be included.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of types of symbols displayed on each of the plurality of main reels Ra1 to Ra3 has a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of types of symbols displayed on each of the plurality of sub reels Rb1 to Rb3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some or all of the symbols on the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 may correspond to a plurality of types of symbols on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3. Conversely, some or all of the symbols on the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 may correspond to a plurality of types of symbols on the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3.

  Further, the number of sub-reels does not necessarily match the number of main reels, and may be larger or smaller than the number of main reels. Furthermore, for example, the number of rows of the sub reels may not be the same as that of the main reel, and may be only one row, for example. The number of sub-reel winning lines may not be the same as that of the main reel, and may include, for example, eight winning lines. Further, when the image display device 91 is used as the second display unit 10B, it is not always necessary to display a display row on the image display device 91. For example, a roulette game may be displayed. In this case, since a game completely different from the main reel can be displayed, the degree of freedom of the game in the slot machine can be expanded and its preference can be greatly improved. Further, it may be an animation in which a plurality of symbols move vertically or horizontally or diagonally, an animation in which a plurality of symbols arranged in an annular shape rotate, or an animation in which symbols are displayed one by one. In short, the variable speed of an image such as an animation in the first process corresponds to the rotation of the main reel, and any image can be displayed in the second process regardless of the rotation of the main reel. Such an image may be used. Further, when the sub reel is a video reel, it is possible to perform various effects by animation after the variable display of the video reel is stopped. Accordingly, the payout control may be performed after the animation starts.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, after starting an effect based on the effect adjustment time, stop operation information such as a stop symbol and a stop button number may be obtained to change the effect mode. For example, if the BB prize is won by internal lottery but is not won, it is determined that no prize has been won when the last reel stop button is operated. In this case, after stopping the sub reel in a mode that does not win a prize, the sub reel is controlled to perform re-rotation, and the sub reel is stopped in a mode to win the BB prize, and the internal winning of the BB prize is confirmed. You may notify a player. Since the player plays by looking only at the sub-reel, it is better to notify the player with a reach than the mode of winning the BB prize. Alternatively, the production may be stopped only when the prize is not received and the presentation is stopped.

(7) Next, some examples of the first processing and the second processing of the sub reel will be described. FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 show the behavior of the sub reel according to the modification. In these drawings, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the rotation speed of the sub reel. The solid line indicates the period, and the dotted line indicates the change in the sub reel speed. Further, in this example, it is assumed that the main reel is rotating forward, and the first process and the second process are distinguished by the rotation direction of the sub reel. Accordingly, in the first process, the sub reel is rotated forward (rotation in the same direction as the main reel), and in the second process, the sub reel is rotated reverse (rotation in the direction opposite to the main reel).

  In the example of FIG. 31A, the sub CPU 55 executes the first process or the second process in the period T1 from when the start information A is input to the sub CPU 55 until the stop operation information B is input. The start information A is information that directly or indirectly indicates the start of rotation of the main reel, and may be a start flag obtained by detecting the rotation of the main reel, or the start lever sensor 43. Or a command obtained by detecting the detection signal by the main CPU 31. Further, the stop operation information B is obtained by detecting stop instruction signals 44a, 45a, 46a from the left / middle / right reel stop button sensors 44 to 46, or the main CPU 31 detecting the stop instruction signals 44a, 45a, 46a. It may be a stop button number.

  For example, when the sub reel is rotated forward as indicated by the dotted line, the process in the period T1 is the first process. The sub CPU 55 determines whether to select the first process or the second process according to the control program. For example, the second process may be executed when a predetermined winning flag included in the internal lottery data ISD transmitted from the main CPU 31 is set. More specifically, a winning flag, a BB winning flag, or an RB winning flag corresponding to a predetermined small combination is applicable.

  When the player operates the stop buttons 7a to 7c, the main CPU 31 starts stop control so as to stop the rotation of the corresponding main reel, and transmits a stop button number to the sub CPU 55. The sub CPU 55 detects this and starts control to reverse the sub reel.

  In the period T2, the rotation of the main reel is stopped and the sub reel is reversely rotated. Accordingly, in the period T2, the sub CPU 55 executes the second process. In this example, the rotation of the sub reel is continuously shifted from the normal rotation to the reverse rotation. However, the rotation of the sub reel may be temporarily stopped and then reversed.

  Next, in FIG. 31B, in the period T1, the sub CPU 55 selects and executes the first process or the second process, and controls the sub reels to stop the variable display when the stop operation information B is input. An example is shown. When the start information A is supplied, the sub CPU 55 selects and executes the first process or the second process, and controls the reel drive motor to stop the sub reels when the stop operation information B is input. For example, when the sub reel is reversed as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 31B, the sub CPU 55 selects the second process.

  Next, in FIG. 31C, during the period from when the start information A is input to the sub CPU 55 until a predetermined time elapses, one of the first process and the second process selected according to a predetermined rule is continued. An example is shown in which the other process of the first process and the second process is executed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Here, the time is divided into a period T3 and a period T4 before and after the elapse of a predetermined time. When the sub CPU 55 selects the first process in the period T3, the sub CPU 55 selects the second process in the period T4. When the sub CPU 55 selects the second process in the period T3, the sub CPU 55 selects the first process in the period T4.

  More specifically, the sub CPU 55 has a timer function for measuring time by counting interrupt signals of a predetermined cycle, and when the start information A is detected, the sub CPU 55 starts measurement using the timer function, It is determined whether or not the measured value has reached a predetermined time. Then, after determining that the predetermined time has been reached, the sub CPU 55 executes the other process. In addition, when the stop operation information B is input before the predetermined time elapses, the process may be shifted from one process to the other process.

  For example, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 31C, when the sub reel rotates normally in the period T3, the sub CPU 55 selects the first process, and when the sub reel rotates in the period T4, the sub CPU 55 2 Select a process.

  Next, in FIG. 32A, a period T5 from when the start information A is input to the sub CPU 55 until the stop operation information B associated with the first stop operation is input is a predetermined rule for each sub reel. One of the first process and the second process selected according to the above is continuously executed, and when the stop operation information B associated with the first stop operation is input, the sub reel corresponding to the stop operation information is stopped. An example is shown in which the other process that is not selected in the period T5 is executed on at least one of the other sub-reels that are rotating. It is assumed that the time after the period T5 is a period T6 and the player first operates the left reel stop button 7a.

  In this case, when detecting the start information A, the sub CPU 55 selects and executes the first process or the second process for each sub reel. In the example shown in FIG. 32A, the sub CPU 55 selects the first process for all the sub reels, and controls to rotate the left, middle, and right sub reels in the normal direction. Thereafter, when the player operates the left reel stop button 7a, the stop button number is supplied as stop operation information B from the main CPU 31 to the sub CPU 55. When the sub CPU 55 detects the stop operation information B, the sub CPU 55 controls to stop the rotation of the left sub reel, and reverses the rotation direction of the middle and right sub reels. In this state, the middle and right main reels are rotating. Therefore, the sub CPU 55 executes the second process that was not selected in the period T5 for the middle and right sub reels in the period T6.

  In this example, the processing state of the other sub reels is changed in response to the input of the stop operation information B of a certain main reel, so that the processing between a plurality of sub reels can be associated, and the presentation preference is greatly improved. be able to.

  Next, in FIG. 32B, after the start information A is input to the sub CPU 55, one of the first process and the second process is selected and executed for at least one sub reel. An example is shown in which the other process different from that of at least one sub reel is executed for the sub reel.

  In this example, when the start information A is input, the sub CPU 55 executes the first process on the left sub reel to control the left sub reel to rotate forward, while the sub CPU 55 performs the first process on the middle and right sub reels. Control to reverse the middle and right sub reels by executing 2 processes. As a result, when the player operates the start lever 6, the behavior of at least one of the sub reels can be made different from the behavior of the other sub reels. As a result, the preference for performance by the sub reel is greatly improved. Of course, the selection of the first process and the second process described above may be combined as appropriate. In addition, this modification has been described by taking a mechanical sub-reel as the second display unit 10B. However, as in the third embodiment described above, an image display device is used instead of the sub-reel, and the sub-reel is imitated there. A display column may be displayed.

(8) Next, slow rotation will be described as an example of the second processing of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3. In this case, the CPU 31 supplies driving pulses 51a to 53a of 400 steps to the left, middle and right driving motors 51 to 53 in order to rotate the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 once. The main CPU 31 generates drive pulses 51a to 53a for one step every time an interrupt signal is generated at intervals of 2 milliseconds. Therefore, the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 rotate once in 400 steps, that is, 800 milliseconds. Thereby, the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 can be rotated at a constant speed of 75 rpm. In this case, since it is predetermined that the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 make one rotation in 800 milliseconds, the sub CPU 55 does not need to measure the speed of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3, and makes one rotation in 800 milliseconds. Treat as reference speed.

  On the other hand, the sub CPU 55 supplies driving pulses 51b to 53b of 400 steps to the left / middle / right drive motors 51B to 53B in order to rotate the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 once. When executing the first process, the sub CPU 55 generates drive pulses 51b to 53b for one step for every generation of an interrupt signal at intervals of 2 milliseconds for the left, middle and right drive motors 51B to 53B. . In this case, the rotation speeds of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 are the same as those of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3. That is, in the first process, the sub CPU 55 controls the angular velocities of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 so as to be the same as the angular velocities of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3. When executing the second process, the sub CPU 55 generates drive pulses 51b to 53b for one step for each of the left, middle and right drive motors 51B to 53B, for example, every 4 milliseconds. In this case, it is only necessary to divide the interrupt signal by 1/2 to generate the drive pulses 51b to 53b. Thereby, the slow rotation of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 can be realized. High speed rotation may be executed by setting the sub CPU 55 so that the pulse widths of the drive pulses 51b to 53b are narrower than the pulse widths of the drive pulses 51a to 53a. In this manner, the sub CPU 55 can execute the second process of rotating the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 at a speed (angular speed) different from the rotation speed of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3.

(9) Next, the slow start will be described as an example of the second processing of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3. As shown in FIG. 33, the rotation period Tm from the rotation start to the rotation stop of the main reels Ra1 to Ra3 includes an acceleration period Tm1 for accelerating the rotation speed, a constant speed period Tm2 for rotating at a constant speed, and a constant speed. It can be divided into a deceleration period Tm3 in which the rotation speed is reduced to stop the rotation. Similarly, the rotation period Ts from the start of rotation of the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 to the stop of rotation can be divided into an acceleration period Ts1, a constant speed period Ts2, and a deceleration period Ts3. In this example, in the constant speed period Tm2 and the constant speed period Ts2, the main CPU 31 and the sub CPU 55 generate one drive pulse 51a to 53a, 51b to 53b for each interrupt signal having a cycle of 2 milliseconds, and the main reel Ra1. To Ra3 and the sub reels Rb1 to Rb3 are driven.

Next, in the acceleration period Tm1, the main CPU 31 generates drive pulses 51a to 53a according to a predetermined acceleration pattern. Specifically, it is as follows.
1) The process of generating one drive pulse for 10 interrupt signals is repeated twice.
2) The process of generating one drive pulse for five interrupt signals is repeated three times.
3) The process of generating one drive pulse for three interrupt signals is repeated four times.
4) A process of generating one drive pulse for one interrupt signal is executed once.
As a result, ten drive pulses 51a to 53a are generated with a total of 48 interrupt signals. As a result, the acceleration period Tm1 becomes 96 milliseconds.

On the other hand, the sub CPU 55 executes the acceleration pattern described above in the first process, and executes another acceleration pattern in the second process. The example shown in FIG. 33 is an example in which the second process is selected in the acceleration period Ts2. In this case, the sub CPU 55 generates drive pulses 51b to 53b according to the following acceleration pattern.
1) The process of generating one drive pulse for 15 interruption signals is repeated twice.
2) The process of generating one drive pulse for 10 interrupt signals is repeated 3 times.
3) The process of generating one drive pulse for five interrupt signals is repeated four times.
4) The process of generating one drive pulse for three interrupt signals is repeated five times.
5) The process of generating one drive pulse for the two interrupt signals is repeated twice.
6) The process of generating one drive pulse for one interrupt signal is repeated once.
Thus, 17 drive pulses 51b to 53b are generated with a total of 100 interrupt signals. As a result, the acceleration period Ts1 is 200 milliseconds. Thereby, slow acceleration can be performed. Note that the sub CPU 55 may execute high-speed acceleration with the acceleration period Ts1 shorter than the acceleration period Tm as the second process.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing left / middle / right reels Rb1, Rb2, Rb3 and peripheral configuration. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of right reel Rb3 and a peripheral part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the symbol displayed on left / middle / right reel Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 and left / middle / right reel Rb1, Rb2, Rb3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the design of a sub reel, and the design of a main reel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a symbol and the symbol of a sub reel and a main reel. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of prize group lottery table TBL11. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of main CPU31 in an internal lottery process. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the detection signal 49a, symbol number PN, drive signal 53a, and position data MD3. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the sub board | substrate 30B. It is a perspective view which shows the sealing structure of the sub board | substrate 30B. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the main CPU 31. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of production adjustment time setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a reel rotation stop process. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of a sub CPU 55. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a sub reel variable aspect selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the starting process of a left sub reel. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the stop process of a left sub reel. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a 2nd process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the timer interruption process which sub CPU55 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the timer interruption process following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the timer interruption process following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the phase and speed adjustment process of a left sub reel. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the slot machine which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of sub board 30B and its peripheral circuit concerning a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between a symbol of a main reel and a symbol of a sub reel of a slot machine 1 according to a modification. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between a symbol of a main reel and a symbol of a sub reel of a slot machine 1 according to a modification. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a first process and a second process of the slot machine 1 according to a modification. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a first process and a second process of the slot machine 1 according to a modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the slow acceleration which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 6 Start lever 7a, 7b, 7c Reel stop button 10A 1st display part 10B 2nd display part 30A Main board 30B Sub board 31 Main CPU
55 Sub CPU
58 ROM
Ra1-Ra3 Left / Middle / Right reel (Main reel)
Rb1 to Rb3 Left / Middle / Right reel (sub reel)

Claims (3)

First display means comprising a main reel on which a plurality of symbols are displayed;
A second display means having a display row capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols;
A start operation unit that outputs a start instruction signal in accordance with a player's start operation;
A stop operation unit that outputs a stop instruction signal in response to the player's stop operation;
After the start instruction signal is detected and rotation of the main reel is started, the main reel is rotated at a constant speed, and the stop instruction signal is detected and rotation of the main reel is stopped. First control means for controlling the display means;
The variable display of the second display means is started during the period from the detection of the start instruction signal to the stop of the rotation of the main reel, and the variable display of the second display means is stopped after the rotation of the main reel is stopped. Second control means for controlling the second display means,
When the stop mode of the first display means is a predetermined mode, payout means for paying out a quantity of game media according to the stop mode;
Determining means for determining the time from when the stop instruction signal output from the stop operation unit is detected by the first control means until the payout means starts payout as an effect adjustment time;
The payout means adjusts a payout start time to start paying out the game medium based on the effect adjustment time so that the game medium is paid out after the variable display of the second display means is finally stopped. A slot machine characterized by that. First display means including a plurality of main reels each displaying a plurality of symbols;
A second display means having a display row capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols;
A start operation unit that outputs a start instruction signal in accordance with a player's start operation;
A plurality of stop operation units that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of main reels and that output a plurality of stop instruction signals in response to a player's stop operation;
After detecting the start instruction signal and starting all the rotations of the plurality of main reels, all the plurality of main reels are rotated at a constant speed, and each of the plurality of stop instruction signals is detected and detected. First control means for controlling the first display means to stop the rotation of the main reel corresponding to the stop instruction signal,
The variable display of the second display means is started in a period from detection of the start instruction signal to stop of rotation of all of the plurality of main reels, and after the rotation of all of the plurality of main reels has stopped, the second display Second control means for controlling the second display means to stop variable display of the display means;
When the stop mode of the first display means is a predetermined mode, payout means for paying out a quantity of game media according to the stop mode;
From when the first control means detects a stop instruction signal output last among the plurality of stop instruction signals output for each operation of the plurality of stop operation sections, until the payout means starts payout Determining means for determining time as production adjustment time,
The payout means adjusts a payout start time to start paying out the game medium based on the effect adjustment time so that the game medium is paid out after the variable display of the second display means is finally stopped. A slot machine characterized by that. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit controls a stop mode of the second display unit according to the effect adjustment time.

Images