JP2008079816A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the interval of the shift of presentation stages appropriately irregular. <P>SOLUTION: When the play is in a bonus state, execution of an in-bonus presentation is determined. If the play is not in the bonus state, execution of a continuous presentation is determined according to the state of winning of an internal lottery and the result of display of a variable display device. When execution of the continuous presentation is determined, the continuous presentation (and the following additional presentation) are executed over a plurality of game rounds. On the other hand, a single presentation is executed according to the state of winning of the internal lottery in a game round in which the continuous presentation is not executed. The in-bonus presentation, the continuous presentation and additional presentation, and the single presentation are executed according to the presentation stage. One is added to the value in a stage shift counter every game in which these presentations are not executed and in which a replay is not won, and when the value in the stage shift counter reaches a prescribed value, the presentation stage is shifted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine, and in particular, to transition of a production stage to be performed.

  A slot machine generally includes a variable display device having a plurality of (usually three) reels having a plurality of types of symbols as identification information drawn on the outer periphery, and each reel has a start lever by a player. Rotation is started by operating, and when the player operates a stop button provided corresponding to each reel, the rotation is stopped within a range of a predetermined maximum delay time from the operation timing. . Then, a prize is generated according to the display mode derived when the rotation of all the reels is stopped. In order for winning of each combination to occur, generally, a winning flag must be set by winning an internal lottery performed in advance (usually when the start lever is operated).

  The number of medals to be paid out to the player, that is, the profit that the player can receive depends on whether the winning flag is set by winning the internal lottery, so the setting status of the winning flag, especially the player The setting status of the bonus winning flag accompanying the transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player is information that the player wants to know most. However, it is not possible to give the player an internal state as it is, and in many slot machines, such a setting state of the winning flag is indicated by production.

  Here, in order to distribute the control load required to execute such an effect, there are many cases in which the progress of the game and the execution of the effect are controlled by separate control circuits. With such a circuit configuration, when the execution of the performance is controlled by another control circuit based on a command sent from the control circuit for controlling the progress of the game, the specific fluctuation The production stage (production mode) of the production executed when the command is received is switched, and from the production data specified by the command when the variation pattern command is received, the current production stage (production mode) is supported. There was one which selects production data (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

JP 2005-152336 A (paragraphs 0084 and 0088)

  The specific variation command that changes the stage of production in Patent Document 1 is a command that indicates a specific reach pattern from a plurality of types of reach patterns. The reach pattern is determined by random lottery for each change (corresponding to one game in the slot machine), and is a problem in terms of probability. Therefore, the reach pattern may be determined as such a specific reach pattern. It may occur continuously (or frequently) or may not be determined to a specific reach pattern over a long period of time. For this reason, the transition of the production stage (production mode) may be continuous (or frequent), or the transition interval of the production stage (production mode) may be too large.

  On the other hand, if the effect stage is changed for each predetermined number of games (the number of fluctuations when applied to a pachinko gaming machine as in Patent Document 1), the transition interval of the effect stage is fixed. For this reason, it becomes possible for a player to grasp the number of digested games by changing the production stage. For example, when a player grasps the digestion of the number of games with a good break, the intention to stop the game becomes easier to work there. If the player carelessly gives a chance to stop the game, the operation rate of the slot machine may be reduced.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine capable of appropriately varying the interval at which the stage stage is shifted.

To achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the present invention includes:
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game value (medal), and a variable display device (variable display device 2) that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. ) Is a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which one game is completed when a display result is derived and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
Effect data storage means (effect stage storage area 122-1) for storing data indicating the effect stage of the currently executed effect among a plurality of types of effect stages (stage 1 to stage 3);
Effect execution determining means (steps S608 and S718) for determining whether or not to execute a predetermined effect (continuous effect, single effect, bonus effect) for each game;
An effect execution means (liquid crystal display) that executes the predetermined effect according to the effect stage indicated by the data stored in the effect data storage means when the effect stage execution means determines to execute the predetermined effect. Device 4, steps S710, S714, S716, S721, S807, S508),
Effect execution game number counting means (step S723) for counting the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed by the effect execution means after the effect stage has been transferred;
When the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games (10 games (5 games at RT1, 2 games at the time of winning a bonus)), it is stored in the effect data storage means. A slot machine comprising: an effect stage transition means (steps S726, S730, S733) for updating data indicating an effect stage that is present.

  In the slot machine, whether or not to execute a predetermined effect is determined for each game, and when it is determined to execute the predetermined effect, the predetermined effect is executed according to the effect stage at that time. . Here, the effect stage is shifted when the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games, but the effect execution game number counting means is the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed. Only count.

  For this reason, since the number of games until the production stage is updated differs depending on how many productions are performed, the transition interval of the production stage is not fixed to the same number of games. On the other hand, the transition of the production stage is continued as in the case of determining by lottery whether or not to shift the production stage for each game, or the production stage is not shifted over a very long period of time. There is no. In this way, the transition interval of the production stage can be varied appropriately.

  The predetermined effect may be an effect executed by a specific effect means among effects executed in the slot machine according to the first aspect. Moreover, it is good also as an effect which is performed according to the progress state of a game among the effects performed in the slot machine concerning the said 1st viewpoint, and shows (or suggests) the progress state of this game. For example, in the case of further comprising a predetermining unit that determines whether or not the derivation of the winning display result is allowed before the display result of the variable display device is derived for each game, the determination of the predetermining unit It can be an effect executed according to the result. The effect executed regardless of the progress of the game can be excluded from the predetermined effect. Further, in the case of further comprising game state control means for controlling the game state among a plurality of types of game states having different degrees of advantage for the player, an effect executed when the game state is controlled to a specific game state can do.

  Whether or not an effect other than the predetermined effect is executed when the predetermined effect and an effect other than the predetermined effect are included in the effects executed in the slot machine according to the first aspect Regardless of the fact that the predetermined effect has not been executed, the effect execution game number counting means counts the number of games and updates the data indicating the effect stage, but not only the predetermined effect but the predetermined effect other than the predetermined effect. The production can also be executed according to the production stage.

  The predetermined effect may include a continuous effect that lasts for a continuous effect period longer than at least one game. Since the predetermined effect is performed in each game from the start to the end of the continuous effect, the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means does not reach the predetermined game number during the continuous effect. The production stage is never changed. For this reason, it becomes possible to execute a continuous effect at the same effect stage from the start to the end, and the player does not feel uncomfortable. Note that the determination that whether or not the effect execution determining means executes a predetermined effect for each game is to determine whether or not to execute the predetermined effect with a certain probability (not 100%) by lottery. It includes not only the case where it is determined whether or not to execute a predetermined effect with a probability of 100% based on the situation in the previous game. In the case of a continuous effect, execution is determined with a certain probability in the first game, but execution of the effect in the game is determined with a probability of 100% based on the fact that the continuous effect is executed after the second game. Will be.

The slot machine according to the first aspect is
Prior to deriving the display result of the variable display device for each game, it may further comprise a pre-determining means (step S3) for determining whether or not the deriving of the winning display result is allowed. In this case,
In the game in which the effect execution game number counting means is determined by the prior determination means to permit the derivation of a specific display result (replay) of the winning display results, the effect execution means performs the predetermined operation. An effect execution game number counting prohibiting unit (step S722) that prohibits counting the number of games for which no effect has been executed can be included.

  Further, the effect execution game number counting means is not the game that has been determined to permit the derivation of the specific display result, but the execution of the effect in a game in which the specific display result is actually derived on the variable display device. An effect execution game number counting prohibiting means for prohibiting counting the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed by the means may be included.

  Here, the effect execution game number counting prohibiting means is a re-game display accompanied by a re-game that allows the next game to be played without using the game value for setting the bet amount as the specific display result. In the game in which it is determined that the derivation of the result (replay) is permitted, it may be prohibited to count the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed by the effect executing means.

  As described above, in the game in which it is determined that the derivation of the specific display result is permitted (or the specific display result is derived), the production stage is controlled by prohibiting the counting of the number of games by the production execution game number counting means. Further variation occurs in the interval of transition. In particular, by prohibiting counting of the number of games by the effect execution game number counting means in a game in which it is determined that the derivation of the replay display result is permitted (or the replay display result is derived), The derived next game has a meaning as a redo of the game, but it is possible to prevent the stage of the stage as a redo from being performed in a stage different from the previous game.

  The specific display result is not limited to the re-game display result, but may be a predetermined type of the small combination display result accompanied with the game value. In the case where it is determined whether the display result derived to the variable display device is a specific display result and counting of the number of games by the effect execution game number counting means is prohibited, the specific display result Is not limited to a winning display result such as the re-game display result or the small role display result, but may be a predetermined type of display results other than the winning display result (display result of lose).

In order to achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game value (medal), and a variable display device (variable display device 2) that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. ) Is a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which one game is completed when a display result is derived and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
Effect data storage means (effect stage storage area 122-1) for storing data indicating the effect stage of the effect currently being executed among a plurality of types of effect stages (stage 1 to stage 3);
Effect execution determining means (steps S608 and S718) for determining whether or not to execute a predetermined effect for each game;
An effect execution means (liquid crystal display) that executes the predetermined effect according to the effect stage indicated by the data stored in the effect data storage means when the effect stage execution means determines to execute the predetermined effect. Device 4, steps S710, S714, S716, S721, S807, S508),
Effect execution game number counting means for counting the number of games in which the predetermined effect has been executed by the effect execution means after the effect stage has been transferred;
When the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games (10 games (5 games at RT1, 2 games at the time of winning a bonus)), it is stored in the effect data storage means. And an effect stage transition means for updating data indicating the present effect stage.

  In the slot machine according to the second aspect, whether or not to execute a predetermined effect is determined for each game, and when it is determined to execute the predetermined effect, the predetermined effect is determined according to the effect stage at that time. The production is executed. Here, the production stage is shifted when the number of games counted by the production execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games, but the production execution game number counting means only counts the number of games for which production has been executed. .

  For this reason, since the number of games until the production stage is updated differs depending on how many productions are performed, the transition interval of the production stage is not fixed to the same number of games. On the other hand, the transition of the production stage is continued as in the case of determining by lottery whether or not to shift the production stage for each game, or the production stage is not shifted over a very long period of time. There is no. In this way, the transition interval of the production stage can be varied appropriately.

  The predetermined effect is the same as that of the slot machine according to the first aspect, and can include a continuous effect. Further, when there is an effect other than the predetermined effect in the effect executed in the slot machine according to the second aspect, the effect other than the predetermined effect is also executed according to the effect stage. This can be the same as in the case of the slot machine according to the first aspect.

The slot machine according to the second aspect is
Before the display result of the variable display device is derived for each game, it may further comprise a pre-determining means (step S3) for determining whether or not the derivation of the winning display result is allowed,
In the game in which the effect execution game number counting means is determined by the prior determination means to permit the derivation of a specific display result (replay) of the winning display results, the effect execution means performs the predetermined operation. An effect execution game number counting prohibiting unit that prohibits counting the number of games in which the effect has been executed may be included.

  Further, the effect execution game number counting means is not the game that has been determined to permit the derivation of the specific display result, but the execution of the effect in a game in which the specific display result is actually derived on the variable display device. An effect execution game number counting prohibiting unit that prohibits counting the number of games in which the predetermined effect has been executed by the means may be included.

  Here, the effect execution game number counting prohibiting means is a re-game display accompanied by a re-game that allows the next game to be played without using the game value for setting the bet amount as the specific display result. In the game in which it is determined that the derivation of the result (replay) is permitted, it may be prohibited to count the number of games in which the predetermined effect is executed by the effect executing means.

  As described above, in the game in which it is determined that the derivation of the specific display result is permitted (or the specific display result is derived), the production stage is controlled by prohibiting the counting of the number of games by the production execution game number counting means. Further variation occurs in the interval of transition. In particular, by prohibiting counting of the number of games by the effect execution game number counting means in a game in which it is determined that the derivation of the replay display result is permitted (or the replay display result is derived), The derived next game has a meaning as a redo of the game, but it is possible to prevent the stage of the stage as a redo from being performed in a stage different from the previous game. The specific display result is the same as that of the slot machine according to the first aspect.

The slot machine according to the first and second aspects is as follows.
Before the display result of the variable display device is derived for each game, a special display result (regular bonus, with a transition to a special gaming state (regular bonus, big bonus) advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state) A pre-determining means (step S3) for determining whether or not the derivation of a plurality of types of winning display results including the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) is permitted;
When it is determined by the pre-determining means that the derivation of the special display result is permitted, the determination that the derivation of the special display result is permitted until the special display result is derived based on the determination. Special decision carryover means (step S416) for carrying over may be further provided.

  In this case, in the slot machine according to the first and second aspects, the effect stage shift means sets the effect stage according to whether or not the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over. A transition game number determining means (step S724) for determining a predetermined number of games to be updated (2 games at the time of bonus winning: 10 games at the normal time) may be further provided.

  In this way, by determining the predetermined number of games for updating the production stage depending on whether the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over, special display is performed according to the frequency at which the production stage is updated. It is possible to give the player a sense of expectation that the decision to allow the derivation of the result has been carried over.

In this case,
The effect stage transition means determines whether or not to shift the effect stage when the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games (FIG. 8: Transition). The data indicating the stage is updated on the condition that the stage transition is determined by the stage stage transition determining means.
The effect stage transition determining means has a different probability (128/256 at the time of winning the bonus: 0/256 at the normal time) depending on whether or not the determination to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over. It can be determined that the stage is shifted.

Further, the effect stage transition means includes effect stage type determination means (FIG. 8: next stage, next stage) for determining the type of effect stage to be transferred, and the type of effect determined by the effect stage type determination means. Update the data to indicate the stage,
The stage stage type determining means has different ratios depending on whether or not the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over (when the bonus is won, the next stage is 8/256, the next stage is 120/256) : Normally, it is possible to determine the type of effect stage to be transferred at 240/256 for the next stage and 16/256 for the next stage.

  In this way, it is decided to shift the stage with different probabilities depending on whether the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over, or the type of stage to be shifted at different ratios As a result, the expectation that the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result will be carried over according to the difference in whether or not the stage has been transferred and the type of the stage that has been transferred. Can be given to players.

The slot machine according to the first and second aspects is as follows.
Game state control means (steps S112, S117, S308, S310, etc.) for controlling the game state among a plurality of types of game states (normal game state, RT1, RT2, regular bonus, big bonus) having different advantages for the player S312, S316, S406, S407, S410, S413, S415) may be further provided.

  In this case, in the slot machine according to the first and second aspects, a predetermined number of games (RT1) in which the effect stage transition unit updates the effect stage according to the gaming state controlled by the gaming state control unit. A transition game number determining means (step S728) that determines 5 games (10 games at normal times) may be further provided.

  In this way, by determining the predetermined number of games for updating the effect stage according to the control state of the game state, for example, the player can determine what game state is controlled according to the frequency at which the effect stage is updated. Can make you expect.

In this case,
The effect stage transition means determines whether or not to shift the effect stage when the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games (FIG. 8: Transition). The data indicating the stage is updated on the condition that the stage shift is determined by the stage shift determining means.
The effect stage transition determining means determines that the effect stage is shifted with a different probability (16/256 at RT1: 0/256 at normal time) depending on the gaming state controlled by the gaming state control means. Can be.

Further, the effect stage transition means includes effect stage type determination means (FIG. 8: next stage, next stage) for determining the type of effect stage to be transferred, and the type of effect determined by the effect stage type determination means. Update the data to indicate the stage,
The stage stage type determining means has different ratios according to the gaming state controlled by the gaming state control means (the next stage is 120/256 at RT1, the next stage is 120/256: the next stage is 240 at normal time. / 256, the stage can be determined in 16/256).

  In this way, it is determined whether or not the stage has been shifted by deciding to shift the stage according to the control state of the gaming state or by determining the type of stage to be shifted at a different ratio. It is possible to make the player expect what gaming state is controlled in accordance with the difference and the type of the stage stage that has been transferred.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to this embodiment. The front door of the slot machine 1 can be opened by inserting a key into the locking device 19 and rotating it clockwise. A variable display device 2 is provided on the upper front side of the slot machine 1. Inside the variable display device 2, a reel unit 3 including three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is provided. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated / stopped by driving the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR (see FIG. 3), respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, a plurality of mutually distinguishable types such as “7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “watermelon”, “cherry”, and “bell”, respectively. Are drawn in a predetermined order. For any of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, “JAC” and “Bell” are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less at the maximum. The “watermelons” for the middle and right reels 3C and 3R are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are displayed on the variable display device 2 in the upper, middle, and lower three stages.

  In the reel unit 3, for each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR (see FIG. 3) for detecting the reference position, and a reel lamp 3LP (see FIG. 3) for irradiating light from the back surface. 3). In this slot machine 1, in any game state, the game can be started only when the bet number is set to 3, and a total of 5 winning lines, 3 in the upper, middle and lower tiers and 2 in the diagonal line, are provided. Is set.

  Various display units are provided around the variable display device 2. Below the variable display device 2, a game number display unit 21, a credit display unit 22, and a payout display unit 23 are provided. The game number display unit 21 includes a game number display 51 (see FIG. 3) using a 7-segment display, and counts the number of games and the number of winnings in a regular bonus (including a case where it is provided during a big bonus) described later. The counter value to be displayed is displayed. The game number display unit 21 may be used to display the value of a counter that counts the number of medals paid out during a big bonus, which will be described later. Furthermore, the game number display unit 21 is also used to display a code (error code) corresponding to the type of error that has occurred.

  The credit display unit 22 is constituted by a credit display 52 (see FIG. 3) using a 7-segment display, and displays the number of credits accumulated as data according to the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out coins as will be described later. The payout display unit 23 is composed of a 7-segment display payout display 53 (see FIG. 3), and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning is achieved.

  On the left side of the variable display device 2, a one-bet display unit 24, two-bet display units 25 and 26, and three-bet display units 27 and 28 are provided. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 indicate that each of the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting lamps 54 to 58 (see FIG. 3) is turned on corresponding to the winning line. The winning line in the game is shown to the player. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 are also configured so that the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting lamps 54-58 are in a blinking state when a winning combination to be described later is made, The winning line that won the role described later is shown to the player.

  On the right side of the variable display device 2, an insertion instruction display unit 29, a start display unit 30, a weight display unit 31, a replay display unit 32, and a game over display unit 33 are provided. The insertion instruction display unit 29 indicates that a medal can be inserted by turning on the insertion instruction lamp 59 (see FIG. 3). The start display unit 30 indicates that the start lamp 60 (see FIG. 3) is turned on, so that the start can be started, that is, the operation of the start lever 11 can be accepted. The weight display unit 31 indicates that a weight to be described later is applied when the weight lamp 61 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. The replay display unit 32 indicates that a replay winning that will be described later has been made when the replay lamp 62 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. The game over display unit 33 indicates that the slot machine 1 has been stopped by turning on the game over lamp 63 (see FIG. 3).

  On the upper side of the variable display device 2, a liquid crystal display 4 is provided as a production means. The liquid crystal display 4 displays images for various effects according to the gaming state, the setting status of the winning flag, or the type of symbol derived to the variable display device 2. Various effects to be described later are performed by effects displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. Further, the liquid crystal display 4 can display various information directly or indirectly related to the game.

  Further, a medal slot 13, a single BET button 14, a MAXBET button 15, a settlement button 16, and an effect mode switching button 17 are provided on the horizontal surface of the trapezoidal portion provided below the variable display device 2. It has been. The BET button lamps 70a and 70b (see FIG. 3), which are turned on when the number of bets can be set from the credits (maximum 50) accumulated as data, are arranged inside the single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15. Has been.

  The medal insertion slot 13 is for a player to insert a medal from here, and when insertion of a medal is detected by the insertion medal sensor 44 (see FIG. 3) when the insertion instruction display unit 29 is lit, A bet number is set or credits are stored as data. The single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15 are buttons operated by the player when setting the number of bets (1, 3 respectively) from the credits accumulated as data. When it is detected by the sheet BET switch 45 (see FIG. 3) or the MAXBET switch 46 (see FIG. 3), the bet number from the credit is set. The settlement button 16 is a button for instructing to pay out credits. When an operation is detected by the settlement switch 47 (see FIG. 2), medals corresponding to credits accumulated as data are paid out.

  A start lever 11 and stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are provided on the vertical surface of the trapezoidal portion. The start lever 11 is operated by the player when starting the game. When the operation is detected by the start switch 41 (see FIG. 3), the reel drive motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR are started to be driven. 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate. When the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R can be operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate, operation enable lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R (FIG. 3) provided therein are provided. (See) is lit, and the player is informed.

  The stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are buttons that the player operates to stop the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R at a desired timing, respectively, and the operations are stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R (see FIG. 3). Is detected, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R to the stop of rotation of the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R is 190 milliseconds.

  The reels 3L, 3C and 3R rotate 80 times per minute and change the design of 80 x 21 (number of symbols per reel) = 1680 frames, so a maximum of 4 symbols in 190 milliseconds Can be pulled in. That is, the stop symbols selected by the stop control table described later are the symbols displayed when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of them, for a total of five frames. It is a design.

  Further, a panel that covers the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is applied as the bonus notification section 36. The bonus notification unit 36 notifies the player that the bonus bonus lamp 66 (see FIG. 3) is in a lit state, so that a regular bonus winning and a big bonus winning, which will be described later, are possible. Further, on the right side of the stop button 12R, there is provided a medal clogging elimination button 18 that mechanically vibrates the slot machine 1 when a medal is jammed.

  On the lower front side of the slot machine 1, a medal payout port 71 and a medal storage tray 72 are provided. The medal payout port 71 discharges medals paid out by the hopper 80 (see FIG. 3) to the outside. The medal storage tray 72 is for storing paid-out medals. The front panel on the medal storage tray 72 is irradiated with light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 6 (see FIG. 3) installed therein.

  Speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R are provided as rendering means on the lower front side of the slot machine 1 and on the left and right sides of the upper front side, respectively. The speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R output start sounds when the start lever 11 is operated, output sound effects when winning, big bonus entry, and regular bonus entry, and further alarm sounds when abnormal In addition to the output of the above, the sound for various effects according to the gaming state is output.

  Further, on the front side of the slot machine 1, an effect by light is performed by light emission of game effect lamps 75 </ b> A to 75 </ b> M (see FIG. 3) as effect means so as to surround the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Game effect display sections 5A to 5M are provided. The game effect display units 5A to 5M perform effects by light in various patterns according to the progress of the game. Note that the light emission colors of the game effect display units 5A to 5M may be either single colors or multiple colors.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the slot machine 1 includes a power supply board 100, a game control board 101, an effect control board 102, a reel relay board 103, a reel lamp relay board 104, an external output board 105, and an effect relay board 106. It is divided roughly.

  The power supply board 100 transforms an external power supply voltage of AC 100V and supplies operating power to the game control board 101 and other parts of the slot machine 1. In FIG. 3, it is shown that only the game control board 101, the hopper 80, and each of the switches 91 to 94 are connected, but the power supply board 100 also supplies power to other parts. The power supply board 100 is provided in the slot machine 1 and is connected to a hopper 80 that includes a hopper motor 82 that performs a medal payout operation and a payout sensor 81 that detects a medal payout operation.

  The power supply board 100 sets a winning probability for an internal lottery to be described later, and a setting switch 91 and a setting switch 91 for changing setting values (setting 1 to setting 6) of medal payout rates calculated based on the probability. Are connected to a setting key switch 92 for enabling the operation, a second reset switch 93 for resetting the internal state (RAM 112), and a main switch 94 for switching the power ON / OFF, and detection of these switches. A signal is sent to the game control board 101. These switches 91 to 94 are provided inside the slot machine 1.

  The game control board 101 is a control board on the main side that controls the overall flow of the game in the slot machine 1, and includes a control unit 110 including a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, and an I / O port 114. It is installed. Further, a random number generation circuit 115, a sampling circuit 116, a power supply monitoring circuit 117, a reset circuit 118, and other circuits are mounted.

  The CPU 111 has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 113 to perform processing related to the progress of the game, and in the slot machine 1 Control each part of the control circuit directly or indirectly. One word of data handled by the CPU 111 is 8 bits (1 byte), and the addresses of the RAM 112 and the ROM 113 are also assigned in units of 8 bits.

  The RAM 112 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The ROM 113 stores programs executed by the CPU 111 and fixed data. The allocation of the addresses of the RAM 112 and the ROM 113 is different between the development model in the manufacturer and the mass production model delivered to the hall. The I / O port 114 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the game control board 101.

  The random number generation circuit 115 is configured by a counter that counts up and updates the value every time a predetermined number of pulses are generated, as will be described later, and the sampling circuit 116 acquires the numerical value counted by the random number generation circuit 115. . The random number generation circuit 115 is provided for each type of random number used for the progress of the game, and a range of numerical values to be counted for each type of random number is determined. The CPU 111 sends an instruction to the sampling circuit 116 according to the processing to acquire the numerical value indicated by the random number generation circuit 115 as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a hardware random number function). As a random number for internal lottery described later, a numerical value obtained by processing a numerical value extracted by the hardware random number function by software is used.

  The power monitoring circuit 117 monitors the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply substrate 100, and outputs a voltage drop signal to the control unit 110 when detecting a voltage drop. Although not particularly shown, the control unit 110 includes an interrupt input terminal connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 117, and an external interrupt is generated in the CPU 111 when a voltage drop signal is input to the interrupt input terminal. The CPU 111 executes a power interruption interrupt process.

  The reset circuit 118 outputs a reset signal when the voltage rises to a level at which the control unit 110 can be activated when the power is turned on to start the control unit 110, and generates a signal periodically output from the control unit 110. When the count is incremented without being cleared based on the reset counter, that is, when the control unit 110 does not operate for a certain time, a reset signal is output to the control unit 110 and the control unit 110 is restarted. .

  The CPU 111 also has a function of updating the numerical value of the specific address in the RAM 112 by timer interrupt processing and acquiring the updated numerical value as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a software random number function). The CPU 111 transmits various commands to the effect control board 102 via the I / O port 114. Note that information (commands) is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 only in one direction, and no information (commands) is sent from the effect control board 102 to the game control board 101.

  Connected to the game control board 101 are a single BET switch 45, a MAXBET switch 46, a start switch 41, stop switches 42L, 42C, 42R, a settlement switch 47, a first reset switch 48, and a throw-in medal sensor 44. Detection signals from the switches / sensors are input. In addition, detection signals of the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, and 3SR are input via the reel relay substrate 103. In accordance with the detection signals of these switches / sensors input via the I / O port 114 or the detection signals of various switches input via the power supply board 100 as described above, the CPU 111 on the game control board 101 Processing is in progress.

  The game control board 101 also includes a flow path switching solenoid 49, a game number display 51, a credit display 52, a payout display 53, a loading instruction lamp 59, a single betting lamp 54, two betting lamps 55, 56, Three betting lamps 57 and 58, a game over lamp 63, a start lamp 60, a replay lamp 62, BET button lamps 70a and 70b, and operation valid lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R are connected, and the CPU 111 follows the progress of the game. These operations are controlled.

  The game control board 101 is connected to reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR via a reel relay board 103. The CPU 111 controls the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR via the reel relay substrate 103 and stops the reels 3L, 3C, 3R with reference to a winning flag set in the RAM 112 by an internal lottery to be described later. An effect control board 102 is further connected to the game control board 101 via an effect relay board 106.

  The effect relay board 106 is a board provided to ensure one-way information transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102. The effect relay board 106 does not check the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102 by checking this state, and an illegal signal (especially an external input to the effect control board 102 is input to the control unit 110 of the game control board 101). It is possible to check whether or not a modification has been made such that a signal is input).

  The effect control board 102 is a sub-side control board that controls the execution of effects in the slot machine 1, and is equipped with a control unit 120 including a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU 121, a RAM 122, a ROM 123, and an I / O port 124. Yes. In addition, the random number generation circuit 125 and the sampling circuit 126 are mounted, and the CPU 121 obtains the value counted by the random number generation circuit 125 by the sampling circuit 126, so that the hardware random number function similar to that of the game control board 101 is obtained. Is forming. It also has a software random number function by interrupt processing.

  The CPU 121 executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 123 to perform processing related to the execution of the effect, and controls each circuit in the effect control board 102 and each circuit connected thereto. The performance is performed based on a command received from the game control board 101 via the I / O port 124. The RAM 122 is used as a work area when the CPU 121 executes a program. The configuration of the RAM 122 will be described later. The ROM 123 stores programs executed by the CPU 121 and fixed data. The effect data stored in the ROM 123 will be described later. The I / O port 124 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the effect control board 102.

  The effect control board 102 is connected with game effect lamps 75A to 75M, a liquid crystal display 4, speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U, a fluorescent lamp 6, a weight lamp 61, and a bonus notification lamp 66. A reel lamp 3LP is connected via a reel lamp relay substrate 104. The control unit 120 of the effect control board 102 performs these effects by controlling these parts.

  The reel relay board 103 relays between the game control board 101, the external output board 105 and the reel unit 3. The reel relay substrate 103 is also connected with a full sensor 90, and its detection signal is input. The full tank sensor 90 is provided inside the slot machine 1 and detects that the medals in the overflow tank storing the medals overflowed from the hopper 80 are full.

  The reel lamp relay board 104 relays between the effect control board 102 and the reel unit 3. The external output board 105 is connected to an external device such as a hall management computer and receives a big bonus medium signal, regular bonus medium signal, reel control signal, stop signal input from the game control board 101 via the reel relay board 103. The switch signal, medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, and winning status signal are output to the external device.

  Next, the configuration of the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102. As shown in FIG. The RAM 122 of the effect control board 102 is provided with at least an effect stage storage area 122-1, an execution effect data area 122-2, and a frame buffer 122-3.

  In the effect stage storage area 122-1, data indicating the current effect stage among the effect stages of the effect by displaying the image on the liquid crystal display 4 is stored. Here, there are three stage stages, stage 1 to stage 3, as stage stages. If the stage is different, the type of character appearing in the stage and the type of image used for the background of the stage are different, but the stage execution probability and mode are the same. There will be the same production pattern production.

  The effect stage is changed when an effect by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 is not performed after a new effect stage is set and the number of games that have not been won by replay reaches a predetermined number of games. The stage when the stage is changed is at the start of one game (that is, when the start lever 11 is operated), the stage is not displayed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4, and the replay is not won. The number of games is counted at a timing when an internal lottery is performed by operating the start lever 11 and it is determined whether or not an effect is to be performed in the game based on the result.

  In addition, the predetermined number of games that will change the stage of production is, when a regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) winning flag, which will be described later, is set, when the gaming state is at RT1, or It is different in other cases. In addition, while a continuous effect or an additional effect, which will be described later, is being executed, or while the game state is in a regular bonus or a big bonus, after a new effect stage is set because the effect is performed in each game Since the number of games is not counted, the production stage is not changed.

  The execution effect data area 122-2 stores effect data (see FIG. 9) of the currently executed effect. As the effects executed in the slot machine 1, there are a continuous effect over a plurality of games and an additional effect that is subsequently executed. In the execution effect data area 122-2, at least continuous effect data and additional effects are added. There is enough capacity to store production data. However, for example, there is not enough capacity to store stage 2 continuous presentation effect data together with stage 1 continuous presentation presentation data. If there is not enough free space to store the effect data for the newly executed effect in the execution effect data area 122-2, the effect data for the effect that is newly executed has been written so far. The data is overwritten.

  The frame buffer 122-3 is an area where image data of the currently executed effect is developed in accordance with the effect data written in the execution effect data area 122-2. An image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 according to the image data developed in the frame buffer 122-3. The frame buffer 122-3 has two frames, and a moving image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 by alternately switching between writing image data and reading data every frame period.

  In this way, the effect data stored in the ROM 123 is read and once written in the execution effect data area 122-2, and then the image data is developed in the frame buffer 122-3. This is because the speed of reading data from the RAM 122 is faster than the speed of reading from the ROM 123, so that it takes less time to read and write data as a whole.

  In the slot machine 1, a winning is awarded when the winning symbols are arranged on any winning line of the variable display device 2. The types of winning combinations are determined according to the gaming status, but can be broadly divided into special roles with transition to special gaming status (regular bonus, big bonus) and small roles with payout of medals. There is a re-player who can start the next game without setting the bet amount. FIG. 5A is a view for explaining the combination of the types of winning combinations in the slot machine 1 and the symbols in the variable display device 2.

  The regular bonus is awarded when the combination of “BAR-BAR-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state, RT1 or RT2. When the regular bonus is won, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to the regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games are consumed, or when 8 games are won (any kind of combination is possible), whichever comes first. While the game state is in the regular bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 (including the case where it is provided during the big bonus described below).

  The big bonus (1) is won when a combination of “7-7-7” is arranged in any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state, RT1 or RT2. The big bonus (2) is awarded when the combination of “7-7-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state, RT1 or RT2. When the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the gaming state shifts to the big bonus.

  In the big bonus, the regular bonus described above is repeatedly provided until the end. While the gaming state is the big bonus, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112. The big bonus ends when the number of medals paid out to the player exceeds 465. Here, since the maximum payout number per game is 15, the upper limit of the payout medal number in the big bonus is 480.

  When the big bonus ends, the gaming state is controlled to RT (Replay Time) 1 only for the subsequent 100 games. In addition, when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won in an internal lottery described later (including a case where a winning combination with a cherry is won as will be described later), the gaming state is RT2 only for the subsequent three games. To be controlled. If the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, even if the prescribed number of games remains, RT1 and RT2 are terminated at that time.

  Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won in the internal lottery described later, “7” and “BAR” are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less for the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Because there is no reason, there is a case where these winning combinations are not won depending on the operating procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R. However, as will be described later, when the winning combination with the cherry is won, the winning may be won even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) that is won is missed.

  A watermelon is awarded when a combination of “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is aligned on any winning line (5 or 1) in any gaming state, and 15 medals are paid out. Bell is awarded when any combination of “Bell-Bell-Bell” is aligned on any winning line (5 or 1) in any gaming state, and 9 medals are paid out. Since the “bells” are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less for all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, when a bell is won in an internal lottery to be described later, the bell is always won.

  In any game state, the cherry is awarded when the “cherry” symbol is derived on any of the winning lines (5 or 1) for the left reel 3L, and one cherry is awarded per winning line. Medals will be paid out. When “cherry” is stopped at the upper or lower stage of the left reel 3L, derivation is made on two pay lines, so a total of two medals are paid out. However, even if the cherry tree is not won in the proper operation procedure and the cherry tree is not won, the same chance as that which can be derived when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is missed is derived. Sometimes. Even when winning a cherry and when a chance is derived, the gaming state is controlled to RT2 only for the subsequent three games.

  Replay is awarded when the combination of “JAC-JAC-JAC” is aligned on any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state, RT1 or RT2. With regular bonuses (including those inside big bonuses), even if this combination is complete, no replay prize will be awarded. When you win the replay, there will be no payout of medals, but you can start the next game without setting the number of wagers again, so you will pay out three medals corresponding to the number of bets that you no longer need to set in the next game. Is essentially the same. Since “JAC” is arranged with an interval of 5 frames or less for all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, when a replay is won in an internal lottery described later, the replay is always won.

  In addition, when winning the cherry at the same time as the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), or the winning of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is carried over as will be described later May win a small role or replay. The replay is derived in preference to the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2), so there is no loss, but Bell is the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) Priority is given to the derivation of, which may be missed exceptionally.

  Whether the gaming state is in RT1 or RT2 is indicated by the values of the RT1 counter and RT2 counter provided in the RAM 112. That is, when the big bonus medium flag and / or the regular bonus medium flag are not set, when both the RT1 counter and the RT2 counter are 0, the game state is normal, and the RT2 counter value is 0 and the RT1 counter When the counter value is 1 or more, it is RT1, and when the value of the RT2 counter is 1 or more, it is RT2. Although the values of both the RT1 counter and the RT2 counter are sometimes 1 or more, in this case, it is preferentially determined that the value of the RT2 counter is 1 or more, and the gaming state becomes RT2.

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery will be described. The internal lottery is to determine whether or not the winning of each combination described above is permitted before the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived and displayed (actually, when the start lever 11 is operated). . In the internal lottery, a random number for internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 65535) is acquired from the random number generation circuit 115. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, the acquired random number for internal lottery, the number of bets set by the player, and each combination determined according to the set value set by the setting switch 91 This is performed according to the number of judgment values. Winning in the internal lottery is exclusive.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a winning combination table by gaming state. The winning combination table according to gaming state is stored in advance in the ROM 113 and is used to determine the winning combination determined in the internal lottery. The registered content of the winning combination table according to gaming state depends on the gaming state. It shows the role that has been determined. In the game state of each game, a combination that is a lottery target is referred. Here, a plurality of winning combinations may be subject to lottery at the same time.

  When the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during a big bonus), watermelon, bell, and cherry are sequentially read out as a target for internal lottery. When in normal gaming state, RT1 or RT2, regular bonus, regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1), big bonus (1) + cherry, big bonus (2), big bonus (2) + cherry, watermelon, Bell, cherry, and replay are sequentially read out as the subject combination of the internal lottery.

  In the internal lottery, the number of judgment values registered for each gaming state and set value for the target part of the internal lottery is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery. It is determined that the winning role is won. If the winning combination is determined, the winning flag of the combination is set in the RAM 112. The number of determination values is registered in a role table stored in the ROM 113 in advance.

  Here, the same value is registered for each of the set values for the replay determination value in the normal gaming state and RT1 or RT2, but the replay determination value number in RT1 is the replay determination value number in the normal gaming state. It is larger than the number of judgment values. The number of replay determination values in RT2 is larger than the number of replay determination values in RT1. For example, in the normal gaming state, the replay determination value number is 2245 and the replay winning probability is approximately 1 / 7.3, whereas in RT1, the replay determination value number is 5213 and the replay winning probability is approximately In 1 / 3.14 and RT2, the number of replay determination values is 12652, and the replay winning probability is approximately 1 / 1.4.

  By setting the replay winning probability in this way, in the normal gaming state, the medal payout rate is smaller than 1 (that is, the internal lottery with respect to the number of medals inserted for setting the bet number). The smaller the number of medals that will be paid out for the small role won in In RT1, the replay winning probability increases, so that the medal payout rate becomes larger than that in the normal gaming state, but slightly smaller than 1. In other words, in the game in the normal gaming state, the number of medals held by the player decreases as much as can be seen, whereas in the game in RT1, the player does not feel the decrease in medals so much.

  Also, in RT2, the replay winning probability is increased, so that the medal payout rate becomes larger than 1 (that is, for the small part winning in the internal lottery with respect to the number of medals inserted for setting the bet number). Since the number of medals to be paid out is larger), the number of medals held by the player is not greatly affected. However, the medal payout rate when the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a big bonus) is higher than the medal payout rate in RT2, and the number of medals held by the player increases. The relationship of the medal payout rates according to the gaming state described here is the same when the set value is any of 1-6.

  Next, stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be described. The CPU 111 refers to the table index and table creation data stored in the ROM 113 when the reel starts rotating and when the reel is stopped and the reel that is still rotating still remains. Create a stop control table for each reel. When any of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R corresponding to the rotating reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to, and the referred stop control table is drawn. Based on the number of frames, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R corresponding to the operated stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table index stored in the ROM 113. As shown in the figure, the table index stores the top address of the area where the data for table creation is stored for each internal winning situation.

  Even if the internal winning situation is different, if the same control is applied, the same address is stored as the start address of the area where the data for table creation is stored. In this case, the stop control table is created with reference to the same table creation data. Here, the table creation data is made up of drawn-in frame number data indicating the number of drawn-in frames corresponding to the stop operation position, and an address of drawn-in frame number data to be referred to according to the reel stop status.

  The number-of-drawing frame data referred in accordance with the reel stop status indicates whether all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotating, only the left reel 3L is stopped, only the middle reel 3C is stopped, or the right reel Depending on whether only 3R is stopped, left and middle reels 3L and 3C are stopped, left and right reels 3L and 3R are stopped, and middle and right reels 3C and 3R are stopped. In addition, in a situation where any of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, it may differ depending on the stop position of the stopped reel.

  In the table creation data, the address of the drawing frame number data to be referred to is registered for each reel being rotated for each situation. The address of the number of frames to be drawn that should be referred to according to each situation can be specified based on the top address of the table creation data. From this specified address, the number of frames to be drawn that are necessary for each situation can be obtained. It can be specified. Even if the reel stop status and the stop position of the stopped reel are different, the same address is registered as the address of the number of frames to be drawn when the same number of frames to be drawn is applied. In such a case, the same data for the number of drawn frames is referred to.

  Further, the number of drawn frames data is data that can specify the number of drawn frames for each timing when the stop operation is performed. For the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR, stepping motors that make one round with a cycle of 168 steps (0 to 167) are used. That is, when the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR are driven in 168 steps, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R make one round. 21 areas (frames) divided every 8 steps (the number of steps in which one symbol moves) are defined for one reel. These areas are areas 1 to 21 from the reel reference position. A number is assigned (see FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, the number of symbols arranged on one reel is 21, and symbol numbers 1 to 21 from the reel reference position are assigned to symbols on each reel, so symbols 1 to 21 are assigned to each reel. , Area numbers 1 to 21 are assigned in order. The number of drawn frames by area number is compressed and stored according to a predetermined rule in the number of drawn frames data so that the number of drawn frames by area number can be acquired by expanding the number of drawn frames data. It has become.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the stop control table. As described above, the stop control table is created with reference to the table index and the table creation data. In the stop control table, as shown in FIG. 7, the area corresponding to each area number is located at the stop reference position (in this embodiment, the lower symbol area of the fluoroscopic window 3) corresponding to the area number. The number of frames to be drawn when the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected at the timing (the timing at which the number of steps from the reel reference position is included in the range of the number of steps of each area number) is set.

  Next, the procedure for creating the stop control table will be described. First, at the start of reel rotation, the top address of the table creation data corresponding to the internal winning situation in the game is acquired. Then, the table creation data is specified based on the acquired head address, and the address of the drawing frame number data of each reel corresponding to the state in which all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotating is acquired from the specified table creation data. Then, the drawing frame number data of each reel stored at the acquired address is developed to create a stop control table for all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  Also, when any one of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped or when any two are stopped, a table is created according to the top address acquired at the start of reel rotation, that is, the internal winning situation in the game. The table creation data is identified based on the start address of the data, and the address of the number of frames to be drawn in the unreacted reel corresponding to the stopped reel and the area number of the stop position of the reel is obtained from the identified table creation data. Then, the drawing frame number data of each reel stored at the acquired address is expanded to create a stop control table for the unstopped reels.

  Next, when the CPU 111 effectively detects any one of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R corresponding to the rotating reel, the control when the display result is derived to the corresponding reel will be described.

  When any of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R corresponding to the rotating reel is detected effectively, the area number of the stop operation position is based on the number of steps from the reel reference position when the stop operation is detected. And the number of drawn frames corresponding to the area number of the specified stop operation position is acquired by referring to the stop control table of the reel where the stop operation is detected. Then, control is performed to rotate and stop the reel by the number of acquired frames. Specifically, from the number of steps from the reel reference position at the time when the stop operation is detected, the number of steps from the acquired number of drawn frames until it is stopped is calculated, and the reel is rotated and stopped by the calculated number of steps. Take control. As a result, an area (stop point in the figure) corresponding to the area number corresponding to the stop position ahead of the number of frames to be drawn in from the area (stop operation point in the figure) corresponding to the area number of the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. The vehicle stops at the stop reference position (in this embodiment, the lower symbol area).

  Further, the table index stores only one address as the start address of the table creation data storage area corresponding to one internal winning situation, and one table creation data contains one reel. Only one address is stored as the address of the storage area for the number of drawn frame data corresponding to the stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel). In other words, the table creation data corresponding to one internal winning situation and the number-of-drawing frame data corresponding to the reel stop situation (and the stop position of the stopped reel) are uniquely determined. The created stop control table is also unique with respect to one internal winning status and the reel stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel). Therefore, when all of the internal winning status and the reel stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel) are the same, the reel stop control is performed based on the same stop control table, that is, the same control pattern. Will be performed.

  In addition, a value of 0 to 4 is determined as the number of drawn frames, and it is possible to stop the reel by drawing a maximum of four symbols after detecting a stop operation. In other words, the stop position of the symbol can be designated from a range of a maximum of 5 frames including the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. In addition, since it is necessary to move one frame to move the reel for one symbol, it is possible to stop the reel by pulling in a maximum of four symbols after detecting the stop operation. The symbol stop position can be designated from a range of up to five symbols including the operation position.

  In addition, in the table index, the number of drawn-in frames is drawn so that the winning combination is drawn to the maximum in the range of 4 frames and no winning combination is arranged, corresponding to the case where any combination is won. A predetermined table creation data address is stored. Corresponding to the case of a loss, a table creation data address is stored in which the number of frames to be drawn is determined so that none of the roles can be obtained. Therefore, if any winning combination is won, there will be a stop control table in which the winning combination is drawn to the maximum in the range of 4 frames and the number of drawing frames to be drawn is set so that the winning combination is not aligned. It is created and reel stop control is performed. When you win a regular bonus, big bonus (1), big bonus (2) and / or cherry, the number of winning frames that can be used to derive chances when the winning symbol is not drawn A stop control table is created.

  On the other hand, in the case of losing, a stop control table in which the number of frames to be drawn that do not have any combination is created, and reel stop control is performed. As a result, when the stop operation is performed, if the symbols of the winning combination can be stopped on the winning line in the drawing range of up to 4 frames, the control is performed to align them and stop. The symbol of the winning combination will be controlled to be stopped in a drawing range of a maximum of 4 frames. In the case of a loss, a stop control table in which the number of drawn frames that can be used to derive a chance is determined is not created.

  In the table index, when a special combination and a small combination are won at the same time, or when a special combination is won with the special combination carried over from the previous game (Big Bonus (1) + Cherry, Big Bonus ( In response to 1) + Bell, etc., the number of draws is determined so that the winning special role is drawn to the maximum in the range of 4 frames, and the winning special role is drawn in the range of up to 4 frames. For the non-stop operation position, the address of the table creation data in which the number of drawn frames is determined so that the selected winning combination is drawn to the maximum within the range of four frames is stored, and reel stop control is performed. As a result, when the stop operation is performed, if the symbols of the special roles that have been elected in the drawing range of up to 4 frames can be stopped on the winning line, the control is performed to stop them together. If you can't draw a special role that you have won in the drawing range of up to 4 frames on the winning line, you can align the symbols of the small role that has been won in the drawing range of up to 4 frames on the winning line. If they can be stopped, control is performed to stop them together, and the symbol of the winning combination is controlled to be stopped in the drawing range of 4 frames. That is, in such a case, priority is given to the control for aligning the special combination on the winning line over the small combination, and the small combination can be won only when the special combination cannot be drawn.

  In addition, the table index includes a range of 4 replays corresponding to the case where a replay player is elected with a special role carried over from before the previous game (such as big bonus (1) + replay). The address of the table creation data in which the number of frames to be drawn is determined so as to be pulled in as much as possible is stored, and reel stop control is performed. As a result, when a stop operation is performed, control is performed so that the symbols of the re-gamer are aligned and stopped on the winning line within a drawing range of up to four frames. “JAC” which is a symbol constituting the re-gamer is arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less for all of the reels 3L, 3C and 3R, and is always stopped at an arbitrary position within the drawing range of 4 frames. be able to. When a special game is carried over from before the previous game and a re-game player is elected, the re-game game will always be awarded regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R by the player. It will be. That is, in such a case, the control for aligning the re-games on the winning line has priority over the special game, and the re-games will always win.

  On the game control board 101 side, the internal lottery is performed as described above. As a result, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped according to the game state and the operation timing of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, and the prize is won. Will occur. As a result of winning a prize, a medal is paid out or a game state is transferred as a payout. In this way, depending on the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side, an original effect is performed on the effect control board 102 side. Is called. In order to perform such an effect, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 must be able to recognize the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side. Is transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include at least a BET command, a winning status notification command, a reel rotation command, a reel stop command, a winning information command, and a game state command. The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include other commands, but since they are not directly related to the present invention, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The BET command indicates the number of bets set at the present time, and is transmitted when the number of bets for each game is confirmed (that is, becomes 3). The winning status notification command indicates the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112, and is transmitted when the start lever 11 is operated and an internal lottery is performed. The reel rotation command indicates the timing at which the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate, and is transmitted when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is actually started. The reel stop command indicates the number of symbols stopped at the middle and the other of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and is transmitted when the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped.

  The winning information command indicates a type of a winning generated according to the display result of the variable display device 2, and is transmitted when the display result is derived to the variable display device 2 and a winning determination is made. The gaming state command indicates a gaming state applied in the next game, and is transmitted at the end of one game.

  In the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102, information indicating the winning status of each combination and the presence or absence of winning based on the display result of the variable display device 2 based on the game state command, the winning information command, and the winning status notification command. An area for storing the game state applied in the game that is progressing on the side of the game control board 101 (for the winning situation, two times) is provided.

  The CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs various effects based on the commands sent from the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 as described above. As an effect executed under the control of the CPU 121, especially as an effect performed on the liquid crystal display 4, a game state is achieved by winning a cherry (excluding those based on overlapping winnings with bonuses), derivation of chances, or winning only with a bonus There are continuous effects and additional effects that are executed over a plurality of games by winning a continuous effect lottery performed based on the fact that is controlled by RT2.

  Further, there are regular bonus medium effects and big bonus medium effects (hereinafter collectively referred to as bonus medium effects) that are executed when the game state is a regular bonus or a big bonus, respectively. Furthermore, there is also a one-time effect that is executed only for one game in a game in which neither a continuous effect, an additional effect, nor a bonus effect is performed. Execution modes of the continuous effect, the additional effect, the bonus effect, and the single effect vary depending on the effect stage stored in the effect stage storage area 122-1.

  For these effects, the effect data stored in the ROM 123 is written in the execution effect data area 122-2, and image data corresponding to the written effect data is expanded in the frame buffer 122-3, and according to the expanded image data. This is performed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4.

  Here, the transition of the production stage will be described. If the number of games that have not been produced after the last stage stage selection (including the case in which no transition has been selected) has been performed and the replay has not been won has reached a predetermined number, (No transition may be selected in some cases). The number of games is counted by a stage transition counter provided in the RAM 122 when it is determined whether or not the replay is won by operating the start lever 11 and whether or not an effect is performed in each game. The stage transition counter is initialized to 0 when a stage selection is newly made (including the case where no transition is selected).

  Here, the effects performed on the liquid crystal display 4 include a single effect performed only for one game, a bonus bonus effect performed only for one game that won the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2). In addition, there are also continuous effects (including replacement effects) and additional effects that continue between a plurality of games, and bonus effects that are executed when the gaming state is a regular bonus or a big bonus. In each game in which a continuous effect, an additional effect, or a bonus effect is performed, the effect is performed in the game, and therefore the stage transition counter is not counted.

  In addition, the predetermined number of games for newly selecting the production stage is whether the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, and whether or not the gaming state is controlled to RT1. Depending on the situation. That is, in the game (including the game controlled by RT1) that has been won for the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2), the stage transition counter value is added without performing the performance. If it is above, a production stage will be newly selected. In games where the gaming state is controlled to RT1 (including games in which RT2 is prioritized), if the stage transition counter value is added to 5 or more without performing the effect, a new effect stage is selected. Will be.

  In other cases, the stage is newly selected when the stage transition counter value is added and reaches 10 without performing the stage. In addition, as described above, in the game in which the effect including the continuous effect, the additional effect, and the bonus effect is performed, the value of the stage transition counter is not added, so that the effect stage is newly selected. Absent.

  In addition, when the stage transition counter value reaches the predetermined number of games and the stage is newly selected, whether or not the stage is assigned to the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2). Or, it differs depending on whether or not the gaming state is controlled by RT1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a distribution pattern of the production stage. In FIG. 8, the next stage refers to stage 2, stage 3, and stage 1, respectively, when stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 have been produced so far. The stage after stage refers to stage 3, stage 1, and stage 2, respectively, in the case where the production stage so far is stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3.

  As shown in the figure, in the bonus winning pattern applied in the game (including the game controlled by RT1) winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), it is 128/256. There is no transition of the production stage at a ratio, and the stage is allocated to the next stage at a ratio of 8/256 and to the next stage at a ratio of 120/256.

  The RT1 time pattern applied in games in which the gaming state is controlled to RT1 (including games where RT2 is prioritized) is no stage stage transition at a rate of 16/256, and the next at a rate of 120/256. The stage is assigned to the stage one after another at a ratio of 120/256. In the normal pattern applied in other games, there is no case where there is no transition of the production stage, and it is distributed to the next stage at a rate of 240/256 and to the next stage at a rate of 16/256.

  Next, the continuous production will be described in detail. The continuous effect is started by winning a continuous effect lottery performed in a game in which the gaming state of RT2 is started based on a winning of a cherry, derivation of a chance, or winning a bonus. The continuous performance is continuously performed over a period of three games or two games until RT2 ends. However, if a bonus is won before the end of the continuous performance, the continuous performance is forcibly terminated at that time. However, during the period in which the continuous production is performed, the gaming state is controlled to RT2, and replay is won with a fairly high probability (replay is won without being missed), so there is little chance of winning a bonus during the continuous production.

  The continuous production is performed according to the production pattern selected according to whether or not the production stage and the bonus are won at the start. Since the continuous effect is performed according to the effect pattern selected at the start, there is a possibility that a bonus is newly won in the game until the continuous effect ends. In this case, an additional effect is executed after the continuous effect is executed to the end with the first selected pattern, or a part of the effect pattern of the continuous effect is replaced. The additional effect continues for two games or one game (but until the bonus winning), and is performed by displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 4 in the same manner as the continuous effect. In the final game of the additional effect (the game in the case of a one-game pattern) or the effect that has been replaced, the confirmation of bonus winning is notified.

  Production for each individual game in the continuous production and the additional production starts when the start lever 11 is operated, and ends when all the rotations of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped. In the production of games other than the last game among individual games, information indicating whether or not a bonus is won is not notified. In the final game production, you can see if the bonus is won or not. In the continuous effect in the case where the additional effect is performed, the losing is notified once in the last game effect, but the confirmation of the bonus winning is notified in the additional effect that is subsequently performed. Then, the player is informed at the end of the continuous performance whether or not the bonus has been won by the loss notification or the bonus confirmation notification.

  Further, the bonus medium effect is performed according to the effect pattern selected according to the effect stage and the type of bonus that was won when winning the regular bonus or the big bonus. The bonus effect is performed by first performing a bonus winning effect at the time of winning, and then updating an image displayed each time the game is completed until the bonus ends. The single production is also performed according to the production pattern selected according to the production stage when it is determined to execute the single production.

  Data for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 with each effect pattern for each effect stage is stored in advance in the ROM 123 as effect data. Further, the effect data of the history display effect and the effect data of the demonstration effect are stored in the ROM 123 in advance. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of various effect data stored in the ROM 123.

  As shown in the figure, single effects 1 to l, continuous effects (losing) 1 to m, continuous effects (determined) 1 to n, additional effects 1 to n, replacement effects 1, replacement effects 2, regular bonus effects, And the effect data of the effect during the big bonus is prepared for each effect stage of stages 1 to 3 and stored in the ROM 123. Further, demonstration effect production data and history display production effect data are prepared and stored in the ROM 123.

  Here, the production data of the continuous production (losing) 1 to m is a series prepared for each pattern selected in a state where none of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) is won. It is production data of production. The production data of the continuous production (determined) 1 to n is the continuous production prepared for each pattern selected in the state of winning either the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2). Production data.

  The effect data of the additional effects 1 to n is effect data prepared for each pattern of the additional effects that are performed after the continuous effects 1 to n are finished. The effect data of the replacement effect 1 and the replacement effect 2 is effect data that is replaced according to the pattern of the continuous effect being executed. It should be noted that the production data of continuous production (losing) 1 to m and the production data of continuous production (determined) 1 to n are productions in which the continuous production is continuously executed over a period of a plurality of games. The amount of data is larger than the production data of 1 to l. The production data for the regular bonus production and the big bonus production is also a production in which the bonus production is continuously executed over a period of a plurality of games. It has become a big thing.

  In addition, the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102 is provided with a continuous counter indicating the number of remaining games of the continuous effect and an additional counter indicating the number of remaining games of the additional effect, and the initial value according to the selected effect pattern. Is set. The value of the continuous counter or the additional counter is decremented by 1 every time the effect for one game is performed in the continuous effect or the additional effect. However, in the game where the value of the continuous counter or the additional counter is not 0, based on this It is determined with a probability of 100% that each game during the continuous effect or the additional effect in the game is performed. In addition, the RAM 122 is provided with an effect stage storage area 122-1 for storing data indicating the current effect stage, an area for a stage transition counter, and various flags such as a loss notification flag and a confirmation notification flag. An area for setting is provided.

  Hereinafter, a gaming operation in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the term “game” means, in a narrow sense, from the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. However, when a game is played, the number of bets before the operation of the start lever 11 is set, and medals are paid out and the game state is shifted after the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. Is also included in the “game” in a broad sense. In the following description, descriptions of processes not related to the present invention may be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a game control process performed by the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 for each game. This process is also executed after the power is turned on and a predetermined boot process is performed, or immediately after the setting is changed by operating the setting switch 91. When the process of one game is started, first, an initial process including a process of clearing a predetermined area of the RAM 112 is performed (step S1).

  Next, the number of bets is set by operating one BET button 14 or MAXBET button 15 or by inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 13, and operating the start lever 11 to substantially change the game. A BET process for instructing the start is performed (step S2). When the bet number is determined, a BET command is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102. Here, when the gaming state is a regular bonus (including that provided during the big bonus), if the bet number is set to 1 (the bet number larger than this is not set), the start lever 11 is activated. Become. In other game states, the start lever 11 becomes effective after 3 is set as the bet number. Further, if the player has won a replay in the previous game, the same bet number (3 in this embodiment) as the previous game is automatically set by the replay game flag (the replay game flag is erased at this stage). The start lever 11 becomes effective as it is.

  When the number of bets is set by the BET process and the start lever 11 is operated, a random number for internal lottery is extracted, and winning to each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the extracted random number value A lottery process for determining whether or not to perform is performed (step S3). In the lottery process, a winning status notification command indicating the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112 is transmitted to the effect control board 102. Details of the lottery process will be described later.

  When the lottery process is completed, a reel rotation process is performed (step S4). In the reel rotation process, the reel motor is operated on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game. 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR are driven to start rotation of all the left, middle, and right reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. When predetermined conditions (detection of the reference position by the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR after the rotation speed reaches a certain speed) from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are satisfied, the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R Is enabled. Thereafter, when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated by the player, the driving of the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR is stopped according to the setting state of the winning flag, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is stopped. . When the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started and stopped, a reel rotation command and a reel stop command are transmitted to the effect control board 102, respectively. Details of the reel rotation process will be described later.

  When the driving of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, in the display mode at the time of stopping, whether any of the above-mentioned role symbols is derived and displayed on the winning line according to the bet number set in the BET process in step S2 A winning determination process for determining whether or not is performed (step S5). If it is determined in this winning determination process that a winning combination has been won, various processes corresponding to the winnings generated on the game control board 101 are performed. Here, a winning information command indicating a winning determination result is sent to the effect control board 102. Details of the winning determination process will be described later.

  When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed (step S6). In the payout process, the credit is increased by the number of payouts set in the winning determination process. However, when the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, the hopper motor 82 is driven to pay out an excess number of medals from the medal payout slot 71. In addition, various processes that are not related to winning (for example, a process related to the end control of the big bonus and the deletion of a winning flag that does not carry over) are also performed. At the end of the payout process, that is, at the end of one game, a game state command indicating the game state of the next game is sent to the effect control board 102. Details of the payout process will be described later. Then, the process for one game ends, and the process for the next one game starts.

  Next, the lottery process in step S3 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the lottery process executed by the CPU 111 in step S3. In the lottery process, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the big bonus depending on whether or not the big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S101). If the gaming state is not the big bonus, the process proceeds to step S104 as it is.

  If the gaming state is a big bonus, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a regular bonus depending on whether or not the regular bonus flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S102). If the game state is not in the regular bonus, it is the first game of the big bonus, or the game is a game when the regular bonus for one set in the big bonus has ended and the big bonus has not ended yet. A regular bonus medium flag is set to control the gaming state to a regular bonus (step S103). Then, the process proceeds to step S104. If the gaming state is a regular bonus, the process proceeds to step S104 as it is.

  In step S104, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 is output to the sampling circuit 116 by outputting a sampling command, and stored in the random number storage area for internal lottery in the RAM 112. The random numbers for the internal lottery may be used after being processed in a predetermined procedure by software instead of using the random numbers extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 as they are.

  Next, in correspondence with the current gaming state, the lottery target combination registered in the winning combination table according to gaming state in FIG. 5B is sequentially read (step S105). Next, the number of determination values stored in the address registered in the role-specific table corresponding to the gaming state and set value read for the lottery target is acquired (step S106). Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, the number of determination values acquired in step S106 is added to the internal lottery random value stored in the determination area of the RAM 112, and the result of addition is used as a new internal lottery random value. Here, it is determined whether or not an overflow has occurred when the number of determination values is added to the value of the random number for internal lottery (step S108).

  If no overflow has occurred, it is determined whether there is a combination that has not yet been processed among the lottery targets in the gaming state (step S109). If there is something that has not yet been processed, the process returns to step S105, and the process continues with the next lottery target registered in the winning combination table by gaming state as the processing target. If there is nothing not to be processed, the process proceeds to step S119.

  When an overflow occurs, it is determined whether or not the lottery target combination read in the previous step S105 is any of regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry or big bonus (2) + cherry ( Step S110). In the case of regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry or big bonus (2) + cherry, at least the game state in the current game is a regular bonus (if provided during the big bonus) Not included).

  Here, it is determined whether the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S111). If none of the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag, and big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the RT2 counter is set to 4 as the initial value, and the game is played for the next 3 games. The state is controlled to RT2. Here, 4 is set as an initial value instead of 3 because the value of the RT2 counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S415 (described later) (step S112).

  Further, a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 according to the read lottery target combination, and a cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S113). Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag or the big bonus (2) winning flag is already set in the RAM 112 in step S111, only the cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If the lottery target is neither regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry and big bonus (2) + cherry in step S110, the lottery target is regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big It is determined whether the bonus is (2) (step S115). If the lottery target is neither a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2), the process proceeds to step S118.

  When the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is selected, the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112. It is determined whether or not (step S116). If any of the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, and the big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If none of the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag, and big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the RT2 counter is set to 4 as the initial value, and the game is played for the next 3 games. The state is controlled to RT2. Here, 4 is set as the initial value instead of 3 because the value of the RT2 counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S415 (described later) (step S117). Then, the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, the winning flag of the lottery object combination is set in the RAM 112. Here, the lottery is not a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2), and is already a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag. Is set, the winning flag of the current lottery target role is set over the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag or the big bonus (2) winning flag already set. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S119, a winning status notification command is generated according to the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112, and is transmitted to the effect control board 102. Then, the lottery process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the reel rotation process in step S4 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the reel rotation process executed by the CPU 111 in step S4. In the reel rotation process, first, it is determined whether or not a wait time (for example, about 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the reel rotation start time of the previous game (step S201). If the wait time has not elapsed, Wait until the wait time has elapsed. If the wait time has elapsed, timing of the wait time is newly started (step S202).

  Next, a work initialization code at the start of reel motor rotation is set in the register, and reel rotation is started (step S203). Here, a reel rotation command indicating that the reels 3L, 3C, 3R have started to rotate is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S204). Then, with reference to the table index, the table creation data is identified, and based on the identified table creation data, a stop control table corresponding to the game state of the game, the internal winning situation, and the other reels stop situation is created. Then, a reel is created for each rotating reel (step S205), and a work initialization code at the completion of stop preparation is set in the register (step S206). Thereby, the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R becomes valid.

  Next, it is determined whether or not any valid operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R has been detected (step S207). If no stop button operation is detected, it is determined whether a reel rotation error (an error determined when the reel reference position is not detected by the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR for a certain period or more) has occurred. (Step S208). If no reel rotation error has occurred, the process returns to step S207.

  If it is determined in step S208 that a reel rotation error has occurred, an error code indicating a reel rotation error is set in the register (step S209), and the process proceeds to a predetermined error process (step S210). Along with this, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is also temporarily stopped. When the error is released, the process returns to step S203 again, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is resumed.

  If operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected in step S207, the reel motor (any of 3ML, 3MC, 3MR) corresponding to the operated stop button from the reel reference position at that time The number of steps (the number of steps at the stop operation position) is acquired and set to the work corresponding to the stop reel (step S211). Here, a reel stop command indicating the type of reel to be stopped and the symbols to be stopped for the reel is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S212). Then, it waits until rotation of the reel (any one of 3L, 3C, and 3R) corresponding to the operated stop button stops (step S213).

  When the rotation of the reel (3L, 3C, or 3R) corresponding to the operated stop button stops, it is determined whether or not all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R have stopped (step S214). If the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is not stopped, the process returns to step S205. If the rotation of all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, the reel rotation process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the reel rotation process, after the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is started, the rotation of the reels for which the stop operation has not been detected is continued until the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is detected. Then, on the condition that the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is detected, control for stopping the display result on the corresponding reel is performed. Even if the reel rotation temporarily stops due to the occurrence of a reel rotation error, the stop operation is still detected until the operation of the stop button 12L, 12C, 12R is detected after the reel rotation is restarted. Control is performed to stop the display result on the corresponding reels on the condition that the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is detected by continuing the rotation of the unreeled reels. This is not the case when the data in the RAM 112 is destroyed and cannot be restored to the original state.

  Next, the winning determination process in step S1 will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the winning determination process executed by the CPU 111 in step S1. In the winning determination process, the winning combination corresponding to the gaming state is read in order from the beginning (step S301). Next, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination of the read combination is aligned with any one of the five winning lines of the variable display device 2 (step S302).

  If the combination of symbols for the combination is complete, a winning flag for the combination is set in the RAM 112 (step S303), and the process proceeds to step S304. If the symbol combination of the combination is not complete, the process proceeds to step S304 as it is. In step S304, it is determined whether there is a combination that has not yet been determined as a winning determination among the combinations corresponding to the gaming state. If there is a winning combination that has not yet been determined for winning, the process returns to step S301, and the next winning combination corresponding to the gaming state is read out.

  If all of the combinations corresponding to the game state are targeted for winning determination, it is next determined whether or not a replay winning is made based on whether or not a replay winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S305). If a replay prize has been won, a replay game flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S306). The replay game in-progress flag is deleted when the bet number is automatically set in the next game. Then, the process proceeds to step S317.

  If no replay winning is made, it is determined whether or not the big bonus (1) is won according to whether or not the big bonus (1) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S307). If the big bonus (1) has been won, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the big bonus (1) winning flag set in the RAM 112 is erased. Also, the values of the RT1 counter and the RT2 counter in the RAM 112 are initialized to 0 (step S308). Then, the process proceeds to step S317.

  If the big bonus (1) has not been won, it is determined whether or not the big bonus (2) has been won according to whether or not the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S309). If the big bonus (2) is won, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the big bonus (2) winning flag set in the RAM 112 is deleted. Further, the values of the RT1 counter and the RT2 counter of the RAM 112 are initialized to 0 (step S310). Then, the process proceeds to step S317.

  If the big bonus (2) has not been won, whether or not the regular bonus has been won is determined based on whether or not the regular bonus winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S311). If the regular bonus is won, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the regular bonus winning flag set in the RAM 112 is erased. Further, the values of the RT1 counter and the RT2 counter in the RAM 112 are each initialized to 0 (step S312). Then, the process proceeds to step S317.

  If there is no regular bonus winning, whether the cherry winning is determined according to whether or not the cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112, or no winning flag of any combination is set, but a chance is derived to the variable display device 2. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S313). If the cherry is won or the chance is derived, the game state in this game is a regular bonus or big bonus depending on whether the regular bonus flag or big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. It is determined whether or not there is (step S314).

  If the game state in this game is not a regular bonus or a big bonus, it is further determined whether a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112. (Step S315). If the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big bonus (2) winning flag is not set, 4 is set as the initial value of the RT2 counter, and the gaming state is only for 3 games from the next game. It is controlled by RT2. Here, 4 is set as the initial value instead of 3, because the value of the RT2 counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S415 (described later) (step S316). Then, the process proceeds to step S317.

  If there is no chance to win the cherry and the chance is not derived, if the chance to win the cherry or the chance is out, the regular bonus or big bonus is in place, or the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big If the bonus (2) winning flag is set, the gaming state is not controlled to RT2, and the process proceeds to step S317 as it is.

  If the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set even if the cherry is won other than the regular bonus or the big bonus, the RT2 counter is initialized in step S316. The value is never set. In the case of a cherry winning based on the double winning with the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), the RT2 counter is set to 4 as the initial value at the time of winning. There is no need to set a value.

  If you win a cherry with the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big bonus (2) winning flag carried over, the previous regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) Based on the winning, the gaming state is controlled to RT2, and the liquid crystal display 4 has already been continuously produced. If the continuous production has already ended, the bonus confirmation is notified, so there is no need to perform the continuous production again. If the continuous production is being executed, the bonus confirmation will be notified by the continuous production. Therefore, it is based on the fact that it is not necessary to start a new continuous production here.

  In step S317, a winning information command indicating the type of the winning combination is generated based on the winning flag set in the RAM 112 (however, in the case of a loss, the winning flag is not set), and transmitted to the effect control board 102. To do. Then, the winning determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the payout process in step S3 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the payout process executed by the CPU 111 in step S3. In the payout process, it is determined whether or not there is a small prize winning accompanied by a medal payout depending on whether or not any of the watermelon, bell, and cherry winning flags is set in the RAM 112 (step S401). If the small role is not won, the process proceeds to step S403 as it is.

  If the small role winning is achieved, the number of medals is sequentially paid out by controlling the hopper 80. However, the number of credits is increased instead of paying out medals until the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50 (step S402). Then, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, it is determined whether or not the game state of the game is a big bonus depending on whether or not the big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. However, when the big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112, it is a big bonus (1) winning or a big bonus (2) winning in the game, and the game Since the game state is not a big bonus, even if the big bonus medium flag is set, it is not determined that the big bonus is being performed. If the game state of the game is not a big bonus, the process proceeds to step S408.

  If it is determined that the big bonus is in effect, the counter provided in the RAM 112 counts the total number of medals paid out after the big bonus starts (step S404). As a result of this counting, it is determined whether or not the total number of medals paid out has exceeded 465 (step S405). If the total number of medals paid out does not exceed 465, the process proceeds to step S408.

  When the total number of paid-out medals exceeds 465, the big bonus medium flag set in the RAM 112 is erased and the value of the counter for counting the total number of paid-out medals is initialized to 0 (step S406). ). Furthermore, in order to set the gaming state after the end of the big bonus to RT1, 100 is set as the initial value of the RT1 counter of the RAM 112 (step S407). Then, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S408, it is determined whether or not the game state of the game is a regular bonus (including a case where a big bonus is provided) depending on whether or not the regular bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. However, if the regular bonus winning flag is set in the RAM 112, it is a regular bonus winning in the game, and the game state of the game is not a regular bonus, so the regular bonus flag is set. Even if it is, it is not determined that the regular bonus was in effect.

  If the game state of the game is a regular bonus, the counter provided in the RAM 112 starts the regular bonus (after a new regular bonus starts in the big bonus) The number of digested games and the number of winning games are counted (step S409). As a result of this counting, it is determined whether the number of winning games in the regular bonus has become 8 or the number of digest games in the regular bonus has become 12 (step S410).

  If the number of winning games in the regular bonus is 8 or the number of digested games in the regular bonus is 12, the process proceeds to step S411. If the number of winning games in the regular bonus is not eight and the number of digest games in the regular bonus is not twelve, the process proceeds to step S416. In step S411, the regular bonus flag set in the RAM 112 is erased, and the counter values for counting the number of digest games and the number of winning games in the regular bonus are both initialized to zero. Then, the process proceeds to step S416.

  If the game state of the game is not a regular bonus in step S408, it is determined whether the value of the RT1 counter in the RAM 112 is 0 (step S412). If the RT1 counter value is not 0, the RT1 counter value is subtracted by 1 (step S413), and the process proceeds to step S414. If the value of the RT1 counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S414 as it is. In step S414, it is determined whether the value of the RT2 counter in the RAM 112 is zero. If the RT2 counter value is not 0, the RT2 counter value is subtracted by 1 (step S415), and the process proceeds to step S416. If the value of the RT2 counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S416 as it is.

  In step S416, if the watermelon winning flag, the bell winning flag, the cherry winning flag, and the replay winning flag are set in the RAM 112, these are deleted. The big bonus (1) winning flag, the big bonus (2) winning flag, and the regular bonus winning flag are not erased here and are carried over to the next game. If a winning flag is set in the RAM 112 in step S303, it is deleted.

  Next, based on the big bonus medium flag and the regular bonus medium flag in the RAM 112 and the value of the RT counter, a game state command indicating a game state applied in the next game is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102. (Step S417). Then, the payout process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. Here, when returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the process in the current one game ends.

  In the repetition of the game as described above, the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 shifts the game state between the normal game state, RT1, RT2, big bonus, and regular bonus, and according to the progress of the game. A command is transmitted to the effect control board 102. On the other hand, based on the command received from the game control board 101, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs original effects including continuous effects, additional effects, single effects, and bonus effects according to the effect stage. Yes. Further, the stage is changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Hereinafter, the process of the effect performed by the control on the effect control board 102 side will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102. On the side of the effect control board 102, it is determined whether or not the command sent from the game control board 101 has been received (step S501). When any command is received from the game control board 101, the type of the received command is determined (step S502).

  If the received command type is the BET command transmitted in step S2, the BET processing described in detail later is performed (step S503). When the BET process is terminated, the process returns to step S501.

  If the type of the received command is the winning status notification command transmitted in step S119, a start process described in detail later is performed (step S504). When the start process is terminated, the process returns to step S501.

  If the received command type is the winning information command transmitted in step S317, a winning determination process described in detail later is performed (step S505). When the winning determination process is completed, the process returns to step S501.

  When the received command type is the gaming state command transmitted in step S417, the gaming state provided in the RAM 122 indicates the gaming state indicated by the gaming state command (that is, the gaming state applied in the next game). The data is stored in the state storage area (step S506). Next, it is determined whether or not the game state stored in step S506 (the game state applied in the next game) indicates a regular bonus or a big bonus, that is, whether or not the game is currently in a bonus state. (Step S507).

  If it is in a bonus state at the present time, an effect corresponding to the progress status of the bonus is started according to the regular bonus or big bonus effect data written in the execution effect data area 122-2 (step S508). Then, the game end process is terminated, and the process returns to the process of step S501. If it is not in a bonus state at the present time, the process at the end of the game is ended as it is, and the process returns to the process of step S501.

  If the received command type is another command, processing corresponding to each command type is executed (step S509). Since the processing here is not related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the BET processing in step S503 will be described in detail. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the BET processing executed by the CPU 121 in step S503. In the BET processing, it is determined whether or not a fixed notification flag is set in the RAM 122 (step S601). If the confirmation notification flag is set, when all the rotations of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped in the previous game, the continuous effect or the additional effect is finished and the confirmation of the bonus winning is notified. It will be.

  In this case, a random number for type notification lottery is extracted by the software random number function, and a type notification lottery for determining whether or not to notify the type of bonus won by the value of the extracted random number is performed (step S602). Then, it is determined whether or not notification of the bonus type is determined in this type notification lottery (step S603). If it is determined not to notify the bonus type, the BET processing is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  When it is determined that the bonus type is to be notified, the winning situation stored in the RAM 122 in the process (described later) of step S701 of the previous game is referred to, and the regular display is performed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4. It is notified whether the bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won (step S604). Then, the BET processing is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the confirmation notification flag is not set, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S605). If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, the continuous effect has already been executed, so the BET processing is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. If the value of the continuous counter is 0, it is further determined whether or not the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S606).

  If the value of the additional counter is 0, neither the continuous effect nor the additional effect has been executed yet. In this case, referring to the gaming state stored in the RAM 122 in the process of step S506 of the previous game (described later), whether the number of remaining RT2 games is 3 in this game, that is, the bonus winning of the previous game, cherry Based on the winning or derivation of the chance, it is determined whether RT2 has started in the current game (step S607). If the number of remaining RT2 games is not 3 in this game, the BET process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the number of remaining RT2 games is 3 in this game, a continuous effect lottery is performed to determine whether or not to perform a continuous effect in the current RT2 based on the random number value extracted by the software random number function (step S608). ). It is determined whether or not it is determined to perform the continuous effect as a result of the continuous effect lottery (step S609). If it is not determined that the continuous lottery is to be performed, the BET processing is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the continuous production is to be performed, the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) according to the winning situation stored in the RAM 122 in the process of step S701 (described later) of the previous game. It is determined whether or not any one has been won (step S610).

  If the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, a random number for selecting a continuous effect pattern is extracted by the software random number function, and the continuous stored in the ROM 123 according to the extracted random number value. From the production (confirmed) patterns corresponding to the production mode stored in the production mode storage area 122-1, a continuous production pattern to be started is selected (step S611). Then, the process proceeds to step S613.

  If neither of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, a random number for selecting a continuous effect pattern is extracted by the software random number function and stored in the ROM 123 according to the extracted random number value. A continuous production pattern to be started is selected from the continuous production patterns that correspond to the production modes stored in the production mode storage area 122-1 (step S612). Then, the process proceeds to step S613.

  In step S613, the effect data of the continuous effect based on the effect pattern selected in step S611 or S612 is read from the ROM 123 and written in the execution effect data area 122-2. Further, a value corresponding to the effect pattern selected in step S611 or step S612 is set as an initial value in the continuous counter of the RAM 122 (step S614). Then, in accordance with the effect data of the continuous effect written in step S613, the liquid crystal display 4 starts the continuous effect (step S615). Then, the BET processing is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Further, if the value of the additional counter is not 0 in step S606, the additional effect has already been performed, or the additional effect is performed instead of the continuous effect. Here, it is determined whether or not the restart flag is set in the RAM 122 (step S616). If the resume flag is not set, the additional effect has already been executed, so the BET processing is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the resume flag is set, an additional effect is executed instead of the continuous effect from the current game. Here, in accordance with the effect data of the additional effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2 in step S712, the resumption effect is displayed by displaying a predetermined image indicating the start of the additional effect (resume of the continuous effect once ended). This is performed (step S617). Further, the restart flag set in the RAM 122 is erased (step S618). Then, the BET processing is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the start process in step S504 will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the start process executed by the CPU 121 in step S504. In the start process, first, the winning situation saved in the storage area for the winning situation of the latest game in the previous game (that is, the setting state of the winning flag in the previous game) of the winning situation of the previous game provided in the RAM 122 is displayed. The game is moved to the storage area, and the winning situation indicated by the received winning situation notification command (that is, the setting state of the winning flag in the current game) is saved in the winning area saving area of the latest game provided in the RAM 122 (step S701).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S702). If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, the continuous effect has already started or at least the start effect has been performed. In this case, first, it is determined whether or not the continuous effect pattern being executed is a pattern for informing the confirmation of bonus winning (step S703). If it is not a pattern for notifying the confirmation of bonus winning, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is 1 (step S704).

  If the value of the continuous counter is 1, the continuous production will end in the game, and the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) is further stored in the RAM 112 of the game control board 101 based on the winning situation stored in the RAM 122. ) It is determined whether a winning flag or a big bonus (2) a winning flag is set (step S705).

  If the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is not set in the RAM 112 in step S705, the process proceeds to step S714 as it is. If it is a pattern for notifying that the bonus winning is confirmed in step S703, and if the value of the continuous counter is not 1 in step S704, the process proceeds to step S714 as it is.

  When the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112, these winning flags were not set at the start of the continuous performance. A new regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) is won during execution of the continuous performance, and the winning flags of these combinations are set. In this case, a predetermined random number is extracted by the software random number function, and it is determined whether to replace the content of the effect in the final game of the continuous effect according to the value of the random number or to perform the additional effect after the end of the continuous effect A replacement / addition determination lottery is performed (step S706). As a result of the lottery, it is determined whether replacement of the content of the effect of the final game has been determined or execution of the additional effect has been determined (step S707).

  When the replacement of the content of the effect in the final game of the continuous effect is determined, an effect replacement flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S708). Further, from the ROM 123, the data corresponding to the effect stage stored in the effect stage storage area 122-1 is read out from the effect data indicating the content of the effect in the final game, which is replaced according to the pattern of the continuous effect stored in the RAM 122. Then, it is written in the execution effect data area 122-2 (step S709). Further, an image corresponding to the effect after replacement is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 according to the effect data written here, and the effect in the final game of the continuous effect is started (step S710). Then, the start time process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the execution of the additional effect is determined, the additional effect patterns stored in the ROM 123 are stored in the effect stage storage area 122-1 according to the continuous effect pattern stored in the RAM 122. The one corresponding to the produced stage is selected (step S711). Further, the effect data of the additional effect by the selected effect pattern is read from the ROM 123 and written in the execution effect data area 122-2 (step S712). In addition, a value corresponding to the selected additional effect pattern is set as an initial value in the additional counter of the RAM 122 (step S713). Then, the process proceeds to step S714.

  In step S714, image data corresponding to the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 in accordance with the effect data of the continuous effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2. Start production for this game. Then, the start time process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the value of the continuous counter is 0 in step S702, it is further determined whether or not the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S715). If the value of the additional counter is not 0, an image corresponding to the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 in accordance with the effect data of the additional effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2. Among the additional effects, the effect for the current game is started (step S716). If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, the process of step S716 is not executed even if the value of the additional counter is not 0, so that the additional effect is performed after the continuous effect ends. . Then, the start time process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the value of the additional counter is also 0, it is determined whether an effect during bonus is being executed (step S717). Whether or not an effect during bonus is being executed can be determined by whether or not the gaming state saved in step S506 (described later) of the previous game is a regular bonus or a big bonus. If the effect during bonus is being executed, the process at the start is ended as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the bonus effect is not executed, the game progress status (for example, the winning status saved in step S701, the game status saved in step S506 (described later) of the previous game), and the random number extracted by the software random number function In accordance with the above, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to execute a single effect that ends only for the current game (step S718). As a result of the lottery, it is determined whether or not it is determined that any one-shot effect is to be executed (step S719).

  When it is determined that any one-time production is to be executed, the production data corresponding to the production stage stored in the production stage storage area 122-1 is included in the production data of the single production of the type decided here. The data is read from the ROM 123 and written in the execution effect data area 122-2 (step S720). Further, according to the written effect data of the single-shot effect, the single-shot effect is started on the liquid crystal display 4 (step S721). Then, the start time process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S702 that the value of the continuous counter is not 0, if it is determined in step S715 that the value of the additional counter is not 0, or if it is determined in step S807 that an effect during bonus is being executed. Alternatively, if it is determined in step S719 that a single effect is to be executed, some effect will be performed in the current game. In these cases, the start-time process ends without adding the value of the stage transition counter.

  If it is determined not to execute the single effect, it is determined with reference to the winning situation stored in step S701 whether or not the replay is won in this game (step S722). If the player has won the replay in this game, the player will win the replay without losing it, and the process proceeds to step S735 without adding the value of the stage transition counter.

  If it is determined in step S722 that the replay is not won, the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is incremented by 1 (step S723). Next, it is determined whether or not the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won with reference to the winning situation won in step S701 of the current game (step S724).

  If the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, it is determined whether or not the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is 2 or more (step S725). If the value of the stage shift counter is smaller than 2, the process proceeds to step S735 as it is.

  If the value of the stage transition counter is 2 or more, the random number (0 to 255) generated by the random number generation circuit 125 is sampled by the sampling circuit 126, and the bonus winning pattern shown in FIG. 8 based on the sampled random number value. The effect stage is selected with reference to the table, and data indicating the selected effect stage is stored in the effect stage storage area 122-1 of the RAM 122 (step S726). Further, the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is initialized to 0 (step S727). Then, the process proceeds to step S735.

  If the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is not won in step S724, the gaming state of the current game is further referred to by referring to the gaming state saved in step S506 of the previous game. It is determined whether it is RT1 (including the case where RT2 is prioritized) (step S728). If the game state of the current game is RT1, it is determined whether or not the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is 5 or more (step S729). If the value of the stage transition counter is smaller than 5, the process proceeds to step S735 as it is.

  If the value of the stage transition counter is 5 or more, the random number (0 to 255) generated by the random number generation circuit 125 is sampled by the sampling circuit 126, and the RT1 time pattern shown in FIG. The effect stage is selected with reference to the data, and data indicating the selected effect stage is stored in the effect stage area 122-1 of the RAM 122 (step S730). Further, the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is initialized to 0 (step S731). Then, the process proceeds to step S735.

  If the game state of the current game is not RT1 in step S728, it is determined whether or not the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is 10 or more (step S732). If the value of the stage shift counter is smaller than 10, the process proceeds to step S735 as it is.

  If the value of the stage shift counter is 10 or more, the random number (0 to 255) generated by the random number generation circuit 125 is sampled by the sampling circuit 126, and the normal pattern shown in FIG. The effect stage is selected with reference to, and data indicating the selected effect stage is stored in the effect stage area 122-1 of the RAM 122 (step S733). Further, the value of the stage transition counter in the RAM 122 is initialized to 0 (step S734). Then, the process proceeds to step S735.

  In step S735, a predetermined image corresponding to the effect stage stored in the effect stage area 122-1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. Then, the start time process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the winning determination process in step S505 will be described in detail. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing in detail the winning determination process executed by the CPU 121 in step S505. In the winning determination process, the winning information indicated by the received winning information command is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 (step S801). Next, it is determined whether or not the winning information stored here indicates that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) has been won (step S802).

  If it indicates that a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2) has been won, the effect being executed (continuous effect, additional effect, bonus confirmation notification, or stage counter value) The display of the corresponding image) is forcibly terminated (step S803). Further, the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is initialized to 0, and the value of the additional counter is also initialized to 0 (step S804). Furthermore, if a fixed notification flag is set in the RAM 122, it is deleted (step S805).

  After that, the effect data of the effect during the bonus corresponding to the effect stage stored in the effect stage storage area 122-1 and the type of bonus won is read from the ROM 122 and written into the execution effect data area 122-2 (step S806). Next, the bonus winning effect of the bonus bonus effects is performed on the liquid crystal display 4 in accordance with the bonus bonus effect data written here. This bonus winning effect can be performed using the speakers 7L, 7R, 7U and the game effect lamps 75A to 75M (step S807). Then, the winning determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is indicated that none of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) is won, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S808). If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, it is determined whether or not the replacement flag is set in the RAM 122 because the continuous effect is being executed at this time (step S809).

  If the replacement flag is set, the image data corresponding to the content of the effect after replacement is developed in the frame buffer 122-3 according to the effect data of the replacement effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2, A corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 to notify the result of the effect in the final game of the continuous effect (step S810). Further, the replacement flag set in the RAM 122 is deleted, and the value of the continuous counter is initialized to 0 (step S811). Then, the process proceeds to step S824.

  If the replacement flag is not set in step S809, according to the effect data of the continuous effect and the value of the continuous counter written in the execution effect data area 122-2, the current game portion of the series of continuous effects. The image data indicating the result of the presentation is developed in the frame buffer 122-3, and the corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 (step S812). Further, 1 is subtracted from the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 122 (step S813). Here, as a result of the subtraction, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter has become 0 (step S814). If the value of the continuous counter does not become 0, in any case, the presence / absence of a bonus winning is not notified at the time of BET in the next game, so the winning determination processing is terminated as it is, and FIG. Return to the flowchart.

  When the value of the continuous counter becomes 0, it is determined whether or not the continuous effect pattern being executed is a pattern for informing the confirmation of bonus winning (step S815). If the continuous production pattern being executed is a pattern for informing confirmation of the bonus winning, the process proceeds to step S824.

  If the pattern of the continuous effect being executed is not a pattern notifying that the bonus has been won, an image of information indicating that the bonus has been lost according to the effect data of the continuous effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2. The data is developed in the frame buffer 122-3, and the corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 (step S816). Further, a loss notification flag is set in the RAM 122 (step S817).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S818). If the value of the additional counter is 0, the continuous effect is ended without performing the additional effect, so the winning determination process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. If the value of the additional counter is not 0, an additional effect is performed after the end of the continuous effect, so a restart flag is set in the RAM 122 (step S819). Then, the winning determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the value of the continuous counter is 0 in step S808, it is determined whether or not the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 is 0 (step S820). If the value of the additional counter is 0, the winning determination process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. If the value of the additional counter is not 0, the additional effect is being executed at this point, so a series of additions are performed according to the effect data of the additional effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2 and the value of the additional counter. Among the effects, image data indicating the result of the effect for the current game is developed in the frame buffer 122-3, and a corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 (step S821).

  Further, 1 is subtracted from the value of the additional counter in the RAM 122 (step S822). Here, it is determined whether or not the value of the additional counter has become 0 as a result of the subtraction (step S823). When the value of the additional counter becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S824. If the value of the additional counter is not 0, the winning determination process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S824, a fixed notification flag is set in the RAM 122. Further, the image data of information indicating that the bonus is won is developed in the frame buffer 122-3 according to the effect data of the continuous effect written in the execution effect data area 122-2, and the corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal display. 4 is displayed (step S825). Then, the winning determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, a single effect or a continuous effect is started at the start of each game, except when a bonus is being given or a continuous effect (and an additional effect) has already been executed. It is determined whether or not to produce a performance. In addition to the bonus effect during the bonus and the bonus winning effect when the bonus is won, a single effect or a continuous effect (and subsequent effects) determined in each game is also stored in the effect stage area 122-1. It will be performed according to the stage. Even in a game in which these effects are not performed, an image corresponding to the effect stage is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4.

  Here, the selection of the production stage is performed again when the value of the stage transition counter initialized to 0 when the previous production stage selection is made reaches a predetermined value. In the game in which the production is performed at, the value of the stage transition counter is not added. If the value of the stage transition counter is not added, no new stage is selected in the game.

  For example, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state, a new stage is selected when the value of the stage transition counter reaches 10 However, depending on the number of games in which the production (continuous production and additional production or single production) is performed before the value of the stage transition counter reaches 10, the current production stage is selected from the previous production stage. The number of games until the stage selection is different.

  On the other hand, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state, a new stage is selected until the stage transition counter value reaches 10. In addition, when the value of the stage transition counter reaches 10, a new stage is always selected. For this reason, as in the case where it is determined whether or not to shift the production stage by lottery for each game, the production stage is not continuously shifted or the production stage is not shifted over a very long period of time. Absent. In this way, the transition interval of the production stage can be varied appropriately.

  In addition, even if the game has no effect, the stage transition counter is not counted in the replay-winning game (which must be replayed). For example, in the case of a normal gaming state, depending on how many games have been replayed in addition to how many games have been staged until the stage transition counter value reaches 10. Also, the number of games from the selection of the previous stage to the selection of the current stage is different. Thereby, the transition interval of the production stage can be further varied.

  In addition, the next game after the game that won the replay (exactly the same as the game that won the replay) has a meaning as a game of redoing the game that won the replay, but it is produced without counting the stage transition counter when the replay is won By preventing the stage from being shifted, it is possible to prevent an effect produced by an effect stage different from the previous game in the game as a redo after the replay winning.

  By the way, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state, the stage is selected when the value of the stage transition counter reaches 10. However, if one of the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) is selected, and the stage transition counter value is 2 or more, the stage of the stage will be displayed according to the bonus pattern. Selection will be made. Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), and the big bonus (2) are not won, and the gaming state is controlled to RT1, if the value of the stage transition counter is 5 or more, the RT1 hour pattern The stage is selected according to the above.

  In this way, if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the stage stage may be shifted more frequently than when not winning these roles. As a result, the player can be given a sense of expectation for winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2). Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won, if the gaming state is controlled by RT1 provided only for 100 games after the end of the big bonus, The stage transition interval may be shorter than the game state of the game, so stay at RT1, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state, and a new one in a relatively short period of time from the end of the previous big bonus. Players can now be expected to have a chance to win a bonus.

  In addition, when the stage is shifted when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, the ratio of transition to the stage after the current stage is very high. When the production stage is shifted while being controlled by RT1, the ratio of shifting to the next stage is the same as the ratio of shifting to the next stage. On the other hand, if the stage is shifted when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state, the next stage of the current stage The rate of transition to is higher.

  For this reason, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) has been won by shifting the stage to the next stage. Also. Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won, they stay at RT1, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, and is relatively short after the end of the previous big bonus It is possible to give a player a sense of expectation that there will be a new chance to win a bonus.

  Furthermore, even when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, even if the value of the stage transition counter is 2 or more, the stage is not shifted at a relatively high rate. In addition, when the gaming state is controlled to RT1, even if the value of the stage shift counter is 5 or more, the stage effect may not be transferred. On the other hand, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state and the stage transition counter value reaches 10, the stage is always shifted. Is done.

  For this reason, if the player thinks that the stage of production will always be transferred (assuming that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won in the normal gaming state, Even when the stage transition counter is considered to be 10), the stage may not be shifted. In such a case, when the stage is not shifted, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) has been won. Also. Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) are not won, they stay at RT1, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, and is relatively short after the end of the previous big bonus It is possible to give a player a sense of expectation that there will be a new chance to win a bonus.

  In addition, the stage transition counter and the stage transition are performed at the timing when the start lever 11 is operated. In the game where the stage is determined based on the judgment of the timing, the stage transition counter is set. Since it is not counted, the production stage is not shifted as a result of the counting. For this reason, the production of the production stage corresponding to the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 until now is started, and the production is suddenly started at a production stage different from the past, and the player is confused. Nor.

  When performing an effect performed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 as described above, first, effect data of an effect to be executed is read from the ROM 123, and this is read into the execution effect data area 122-3 of the RAM 122. It is necessary to write, and processing overhead required to read / write the effect data occurs. In particular, the effect data for continuous effects and the effect data for bonus effects are executed over a plurality of games, so the amount of data is larger than the effect data for single effects. The overhead required for reading / writing becomes larger than the effect data that merely displays the image corresponding to the effect stage.

  Here, if it is assumed that the effect stage can be switched even during the execution of the continuous effect or the effect during the bonus, the effect data corresponding to the new effect stage is read from the ROM 123 at that time, and the effect effect data 122- 3 must be written. If this is allowed, the same process must be performed many times each time it is determined to change the production stage.

  On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the value of the stage transition counter is not added during execution of the continuous effect and the additional effect, or during the execution of the bonus effect. It is assumed that the production stage is not shifted based on the result. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the overhead that the effect data corresponding to the same situation must be read from the ROM 123 and written in the execution effect data area 122-3 of the RAM 122 only by the effect stage being different. In addition, since the stage is not transferred during execution of the continuous stage and the additional stage, the stage is changed in the middle of the continuous stage (and additional stage) which is a series of stages, and the stage changes accordingly. The player does not feel a sense of incongruity due to the game.

  Also, in the normal gaming state, regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry, big bonus (2) + cherry are determined as internal lotteries in the internal lottery. Bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) may be won. In other words, the winning of Cherry indicates that there is a possibility of winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) in the game, which can give the player a sense of expectation, The interest of the game can be improved. Furthermore, winning a cherry may trigger a continuous production by controlling the gaming state to RT2, so it is not limited to the game that won the cherry, but is regular to the player over the subsequent multiple games. The bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) can be expected to win, and the fun of the game can be improved.

  The chance is derived as the display result of the variable display device 2 only when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is missed, when the cherry is missed, or when both are missed. It has become a died. In other words, the derivation of the chance indicates that there is a possibility that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) has been won in the game, thereby giving the player a sense of expectation. , You can improve the fun of the game. Furthermore, since the chance derivation may trigger the continuous production by controlling the gaming state to RT2, it is not limited to the game in which the chance derivation is derived, and the player over a plurality of subsequent games. On the other hand, the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) can be expected to win, and the fun of the game can be improved.

  As described above, the continuous performance is a regular game, a ceremonial winning or derivation of a chance when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) are not won yet, or the continuous performance is performed. This is done by winning a lottery of continuous effects that is triggered by the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) when there is not. That is, the continuous effect is performed both when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), and the big bonus (2) are won, or when they are not won.

  In the former case, the continuous performance is the content of winning either the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), and the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won as it is. Otherwise, at the end of the continuous performance, the confirmation of bonus winning is notified. On the other hand, the continuous production in the latter case is a content that has not won any of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2), and the regular bonus and the big bonus ( If 1) or the big bonus (2) is not won, the confirmation of the loss is informed.

  In this way, at the end of the continuous performance, the player will be notified whether the bonus winning is confirmed or lost, so that the player's interest can be increased at the end of the continuous performance, and the interest of the game is improved. Can do. In addition to simply notifying whether the bonus winning or losing is confirmed in the game where the continuous production ends, the continuous production started from the previous game will be used to raise the player's expectation. Therefore, the interest of the game can be further improved.

  However, a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is newly added in a game after a continuous performance is started when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is not won. May be won. Therefore, if a continuous production is being triggered by winning a cherry or winning a chance, the regular bonus that was not won at the start of the continuous production after the internal lottery ended in the game where the continuous production ends The winning of the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is determined. If it is determined that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, the additional effect is executed after the continuous effect is finished or continuously according to the result of the replacement / addition determination lottery. The content of the production in the final game of the production is to be changed.

  In this way, the winning of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is determined only in the game in which the continuous production ends, that is, the game in which the RT2 ends, to determine the winning of these roles. The processing load is not increased. In addition, it is not necessary to give the player information that is different from the actual winning result by performing additional effects or replacing the contents of the effects in the final game of the continuous effects, so that the player does not feel distrust. It will be over.

  When execution of the additional effect is selected, the continuous effect must be performed to the end with the effect pattern selected first, so that the control load does not increase. Even when the replacement of the contents of the effect is selected, only the last game is required, so the control load does not increase. Furthermore, by making it possible to select either the execution of the additional effects or the replacement of the contents of the effects, the aspect of the effects becomes rich, and the entertainment of the game can be further improved.

  In addition, the winning of the cherry winning, the chance derivation, and the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), which are the triggers for starting the continuous production, are all the triggers for the RT2 to control the gaming state. . In other words, during the execution of the continuous production, the winning state probability of the replay that is derived in preference to the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) with the gaming state controlled by RT2 is extremely high. Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, the possibility of winning these roles, or the possibility of the player knowing the loss in the case of a loss is reduced. For this reason, the player is unaware of whether the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) has been won, and the player continues to feel the expectation during the continuous performance. Will be able to give.

  In addition, the derivation of the chance opportunity, which is one of the triggers for starting the continuous production, is caused by losing cherries (including duplicate winnings), but even if the player is won without losing cherries, The number of medals to be paid out is only one or two, which is less than the bet number set in one game in the normal gaming state. For this reason, even if there is a possibility that the player's profit has been lost due to losing the cherry, the expected value of the lost profit is very small. It is possible to enhance the effect of expecting the player to win a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) that has a large profit for the player.

  By the way, the big bonus ends when the number of medals paid out exceeds 465, regardless of the number of digest games. Here, in a game with a big bonus (including a small role game and a regular bonus), since replay is not defined as a target character for internal lottery, no replay is won. Replay does not reduce the number of medals held by the player, but does not accompany the payout of medals, and therefore does not affect the number of payout medals, which is a condition for terminating the big bonus. In other words, even if you make a replay win during the big bonus, it will only increase the number of big bonus games unnecessarily, so by not defining the replay as a target for internal lottery in the big bonus, The game can be efficiently advanced without unnecessarily prolonging the state.

  Further, when the gaming state is controlled to the big bonus, if the regular bonus medium flag is not set in the RAM 112 when the start lever 11 is operated, the regular bonus medium flag is newly set at this time, and the gaming state Is controlled to a regular bonus. Thus, the big bonus can be provided by repeating the regular bonus until the number of payout medals reaches the specified number, and the player can obtain the maximum profit in the big bonus. Moreover, even when the regular bonus is controlled first after the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the regular bonus is controlled again when the regular bonus for one time has ended and the big bonus has not ended yet. In this case, the same processing is performed.

  In addition, all the reels rotate among a plurality of stop control tables in which stop positions (display results) are uniquely determined with respect to stop operation positions (areas assigned to the number of steps from the reel reference position). In the middle, a stop control table uniquely determined for the internal winning state for each gaming state is selected, and reel stop control is performed according to the selected stop control table. On the other hand, if any of the reels has already stopped, select a stop control table uniquely defined for the internal winning state for each gaming state, the stop position of the stopped reel, The reel stop control is performed according to the selected stop control table, and all of the gaming state, the internal winning state, and the reel stop state (and the stop position of the stopped reel (display result)) are the same condition. When this happens, reel stop control is performed based on the same stop control table, that is, the same control pattern. Therefore, as in the prior art, one stop control table is further selected from a plurality of stop control tables for one internal winning state by a lottery different from the internal lottery (for example, a lottery lottery for reel control). This is unnecessary, and the control for stopping the reel does not become complicated.

  In addition, the internal lottery adds the number of judgment values of each role referred from the role-specific table to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and depending on whether or not the result of the addition overflows, Judgment is made on whether or not there is a win. For this reason, an internal lottery can be performed using the number of determination values of each combination as it is. It should be noted that when the winning determination table is generated before the actual winning determination is made, the loop processing is required twice, but according to this embodiment, the loop processing in the lottery processing is only required once. Thus, the processing efficiency in the entire lottery process is high.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the stage transition counter counts a game that has not been replayed and is not rendered, but counts a game that has been rendered. Also good. In particular, if the slot machine has a specification that does not include continuous effects and additional effects, and if the slot machine has a specification that does not count the stage transition counter by another control during the bonus, the stage transition counter performs the effect in this way. Even if the game is counted, it is possible to obtain an effect that the transition interval of the production stage is appropriately varied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stage transition counter is counted in a game in which no presentation is performed and a game that is not selected for replay. However, display results that are not counted by the stage transition counter are not limited to replays, and display results that are always derived according to the winning situation regardless of the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R (for example, bell) Can also be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stage transition counter and the stage shift are performed after it is determined whether or not the game is to be performed at the start of one game. However, the count of the stage transition counter and the transition of the effect stage may be performed at the end of one game, that is, at the timing when the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived. In this case, the display result that prohibits the count of the stage transition counter may not be a display result that is not missed like replay, but may be a predetermined type of small role (for example, watermelon), or a display result of a loss It is good also as a specific losing outcome. In addition to the game from which the replay is derived, the stage transition counter may not be counted in a game in which a predetermined type of small role and / or a specific loser is derived.

  In the above embodiment, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, even if the value of the stage transition counter is 2 or more, the production stage is shifted at a ratio of 128/256. In some cases, the stage is not shifted at a ratio of 16/156 even when the value of the stage shift counter is 5 or more when controlled by RT1. In other cases, the stage is always shifted when the value of the stage shift counter is 10 or more. However, even when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won and / or when the stage transition counter value reaches a predetermined value, the stage is changed. The stage may not be shifted, or the stage may not be shifted when the value of the stage shift counter reaches a predetermined value even in a normal case.

  In the above embodiment, the continuous production is performed by winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), winning the cherry, or executing the next game in which the chance is derived. It was supposed to be started when set. On the other hand, when winning a cherry, when a chance is derived, or when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won and a display result of a loss is derived. The production may be started.

  In addition, even when some of the reels of the variable display device 2 are still rotating and before the display result is derived, when it is determined that the winning of the cherry is confirmed, when the chance eye is determined, Alternatively, when it is determined that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won and the display result of the loss is determined, the continuous effect may be started. For example, if the left reel 3L stops and “cherry” is derived even when the middle and right reels 3C and 3R are rotating, the continuous effect can be started at this point. Note that it can be determined according to the stop symbol indicated by the reel stop command transmitted in step S212 whether or not winning of the cherry is confirmed before the display result is derived to the variable display device 2.

  Furthermore, in the continuous performance, after the next game in which the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the winning of the cherry or the chance is derived is started, the game ends (variable). The display result can be started at a timing before the display result is derived on the display device 2. For example, the continuous effect can be started when the start lever 11 is operated, or the continuous effect can be started when the first reel is stopped. In this case, the selection of the pattern of the continuous effect can be performed at the time when the continuous effect is started, but can also be performed in advance when the bet number is set as in the above embodiment. It is. If it is determined that the continuous production is to be executed, it is also possible to select a continuous production pattern at a further earlier time.

  In the embodiment described above, the confirmation of bonus winning is notified in a continuous effect (or additional effect). The notification of the confirmation of the bonus winning may be performed separately from the continuous effect (and the additional effect). Instead of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4, a predetermined lamp may be turned on. A predetermined lamp may be turned on in a series of continuous effects (and additional effects) to notify the player that the bonus has been won.

  In the above embodiment, the regular bonus, big bonus or big bonus (2) is won by the final game in the continuous production that was started without winning the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2). When the content is not replaced with the final game effect, the additional effect is performed following the end of the continuous effect. On the other hand, even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) are not newly won by the end of the continuous performance, the additional performance is performed following the end of the continuous performance at a predetermined rate. It may be done.

  In this case, if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is not newly won by the final game of the additional effect, the confirmation of the loss is notified as a result of the additional effect. When a regular bonus, big bonus (1), or big bonus (2) is newly won by the final game of the additional production, the content of the production in the final game of the additional production will be replaced or a further extended production will be performed. Also good.

  In this way, even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is not won, the additional effect is started after the end of the continuous effect by causing the case where the additional effect is performed. Even in such a case, the player's interest in winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is not reduced. Thereby, the interest of a game can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, only one CPU 121 is mounted on the effect control board 102. The CPU 121 reads the effect data from the ROM 123, and the effect data to the execution effect data area 122-2 in the RAM 122. The writing, the development of the image data in the frame buffer 122-3, and the display on the liquid crystal display 4 of the image corresponding to the image data developed in the frame buffer 122-3 are all controlled. On the other hand, a video processor that controls display of an image on the liquid crystal display 4 may be provided separately from the CPU 121. Here, the video processor may have its own memory (VRAM) separately from the RAM 122.

  When the video processor has its own VRAM, only the frame buffer can be provided in the VRAM, or both the execution effect data area and the frame buffer can be provided in the VRAM. In the former case, the CPU 121 performs a process from reading the effect data to the ROM 123 to writing to the execution effect data area 122-2 and sends a command to the video processor, and the video processor sends the effect data from the execution effect data area 122-2. And the image data can be developed in a frame buffer in the VRAM.

  In the latter case, the CPU 121 may read the effect data from the ROM 123 and pass it to the video processor, and the video processor may write the effect data passed to the execution effect data area in the VRAM. The image data may be developed in a frame buffer in the VRAM based on the effect data written in the execution effect data area in the VRAM.

  On the other hand, if the video processor does not have its own VRAM, both the CPU 121 and the video processor may write data to the RAM 122. In this case, the CPU 121 controls from the reading of the effect data to the ROM 123 to the writing to the execution effect data area 122-2 to the frame buffer 122-3 based on the effect data written in the execution effect data area 122-2. The video processor can control the development of the image data and the display of the image on the liquid crystal display 4.

  Note that the CPU 121 and the frame buffer may not read out the effect data from the ROM 123 and write the effect data into the execution effect data area (122-2). For example, the first address and the last address (or data size) of the effect data to be read from the ROM 123 are specified, and the data in the specified range is collectively transferred to the execution effect data area (122-2) and written. In this case, the reading of the effect data from the ROM 123 and the writing of the effect data in the execution effect data area (122-2) are controlled by the CPU 121 or the video processor.

  In the above embodiment, the production of each game in the continuous production or the additional production is started when the winning status notification command is transmitted, that is, when the start lever 11 is operated. However, even if the start lever 11 is operated, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the previous game, the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is put on standby. The effects of each game in the continuous effect or the additional effect may be started not when the start lever 11 is operated but when the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate. In this case, when the winning status notification command is received, only step S701 is performed, and the processing of steps S702 to S722 in FIG. 17 may be performed when the reel rotation command transmitted in step S204 is received.

  In the above embodiment, the replay winning probability is the same between RT2 controlled according to bonus winning including duplicate winning and RT2 controlled according to cherry winning or derivation of chances. On the other hand, the replay winning probability may be changed between the former RT2 and the latter RT2. In this case, even if the replay winning probability is different when the continuous performance is performed, the player can know the possibility of winning the bonus to some extent, and the difference can give the player a sense of expectation. In particular, when the number of continuous games in RT2 is increased, the effect of giving the player a sense of expectation is increased by changing the replay winning probability in RT2.

  In the above embodiment, the winning combination that may be won in the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) in one game is a cherry that is a kind of small role in which medals are paid out by winning. Furthermore, the gaming state is controlled to RT by winning a cherry. The gaming state is also controlled to RT2 by derivation of a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) and / or a chance item that can be derived when a cherry is won. However, since RT2 is a gaming state that is controlled only to make it difficult for bonus winnings to occur during the continuous performance, the gaming state is not controlled to RT2 even if a cherry is won or a chance is derived. It is good. Even in the case of bonus winning (including overlapping winning with cherry), the gaming state may not be controlled to RT2.

  In addition, a replay can be applied to a combination that may be won in combination with a bonus in addition to a small combination. There may be a plurality of types of replays, and one of them may serve as a bonus that may be won in combination with a bonus. In addition, a combination that may be won in combination with a bonus is a combination that only causes the gaming state to be controlled by RT2 by winning a prize, and is a combination that does not involve a dividend other than a change in the gaming state, such as a small combination or replay. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the game can be started only by setting 3 as the bet number in any gaming state. On the other hand, in the regular bonus, the game may be started by setting 1 as the bet number. Furthermore, the number of bets that can be set to start a game in any gaming state can be any number within the range of 1-3. Here, when 1 or 2 is set as the bet number in the normal gaming state, the winning probability of the small combination in the internal lottery can be reduced as compared to when 3 is set as the bet number. Also, if the number of regular bets is less than in other gaming states, and if a small number of bets corresponding to the regular bonus is set, the winning probability of the small role and / or the medal when winning the small role The number of payouts can be increased.

  Further, when the game can be started by setting 1 or 2 as the bet number, the number of winning lines set in the variable display device 2 may be changed according to the set bet number. For example, in a game in which 3 is set as the bet number, two diagonal pay lines are set in addition to the three horizontal pay lines in the upper, middle, and lower three stages, but 3 is set as the bet number. In the game, only three winning lines in the horizontal direction of the upper, middle, and lower three stages may be set, and in a game in which 1 is set as the bet number, only one winning line in the middle stage may be set.

  In the above embodiment, when some of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are already stopped, the internal winning state for each gaming state and the stop position of the stopped reel are unique. A stop control table that is determined in a specific manner is selected, and reel stop control is performed in accordance with the selected stop control table. Here, instead of the stop position of the stopped reel, the position when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated to stop the reel (that is, the number of steps of the reel) may be applied. Good. Also in this case, similarly to the selection of the stop control table in the above embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect that the control for stopping the reel does not become complicated.

  In the above embodiment, the number of determination values for the lottery target determined according to the gaming state is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery, and is read as the lottery target at the time when an overflow occurs as a result of the addition. He was supposed to win the role that had been put out. On the other hand, the number of determination values may be sequentially subtracted from the internal lottery random value, and the result of the subtraction may be used as a new internal lottery random value. When the number of determination values is subtracted from the random number value for internal lottery, it can be determined whether or not an overflow has occurred in the subtraction result (here, the subtraction result becomes negative).

  In the above embodiment, the internal lottery sequentially adds the number of judgment values for each combination according to the gaming state to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and the combination is won when the addition result overflows. It was supposed to be judged. On the other hand, a winning determination table in which a determination value for determining each combination as winning is determined for each game according to the number of determination values for each combination in accordance with the gaming state, and the internal random number for internal lottery acquired It is good also as what performs an internal lottery by comparing this value with the determination value of each combination.

  In the above embodiment, in a game in which the gaming state is the big bonus and the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112, it is determined whether or not the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 when the start lever 11 is operated. If the regular bonus medium flag is not set, this is set to control the regular bonus. In this way, the same processing may be performed when the regular bonus is controlled for the first time after winning the big bonus, or when the regular bonus is completed and the regular bonus is controlled again when the big bonus has not yet ended. I was supposed to.

  On the other hand, when the big bonus is won, a regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 together with the big bonus medium flag, and when the regular bonus end condition is established in the big bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is erased. Here, when the regular bonus medium flag is deleted, if it is determined that the big bonus end condition is not satisfied and the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112, the regular bonus medium is again set. The flag may be set in the RAM 112 and controlled to a new regular bonus as it is. In this case, when the big bonus is controlled by winning the big bonus, it can be controlled to the regular bonus at the same time, and when the regular bonus for one time is finished and the big bonus is not finished yet, Will be able to return to regular bonus.

  In addition, the big bonus game state is that a small bonus game is provided by winning a big bonus, and a JACIN (for example, “BELL-JAC-JAC” is used in the small bonus game based on JACIN winning in the small bonus game. It is also possible to provide a regular bonus in a big bonus game state by winning a prize. If the regular bonus for one set is completed during the big bonus and the number of payout medals has not exceeded 465, it can be controlled again as a small role game.

  In the above embodiment, the reel control table is selected in advance based on the setting status of the winning flag, the stop position of the symbol is determined with reference to the reel control table when the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped, and the stop The slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by the table system that stops the reel at the position has been described as an example. In contrast, based on the current symbol position when the stop condition is satisfied and the setting status of the winning flag, pull-in control is performed so that the symbol of the winning symbol is aligned, or the symbol of the symbol that is not winning The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by a control method in which the removal control is performed so as not to align.

  In the control method, when the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected, the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R are within the range of the maximum stop delay time of 190 milliseconds from the symbol displayed at that time ( It is determined whether or not there is a winning symbol having a winning flag set in a range of a total of five frames including the displayed symbol and the amount drawn. If there is a symbol with a winning flag set (determined from the symbol of the role that is given priority for derivation in duplicate wins), select the symbol for winning the winning combination and select the winning line (already stopped) When there is a reel, the winning display mode can be derived along with the symbols on the stopped reel. Otherwise, a symbol for not winning any combination is selected and derived. That is, even when the stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is controlled by this control method, it can be derived by stopping the symbols within the range of the maximum stop delay time after the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected. The display mode corresponding to the setting status of the winning flag is derived as the display result of the variable display device 2.

  In the above embodiment, the variable display device 2 includes the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined order on the outer periphery, and the symbols are driven by rotational driving of these reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Was variably displayed. However, a device that virtually displays a symbol on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device may be used instead of the variable display device 2 described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine to which medals are applied as a game medium used for setting the number of bets and giving game value associated with winning is described as an example. However, the slot machine embodying the present invention may be a slot machine (so-called parrot) to which a game ball used in a pachinko gaming machine is applied as a game medium. When game balls are used as game media, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls, and when three bets are set in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the number of bets using. If the minimum unit for setting the number of bets is 5, the number of game balls to be paid out for the winning of cherry can be the same as this minimum unit, but one is the minimum unit as the number. The game balls may be paid out.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | sequence of the symbol on each reel which comprises a variable display apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control circuit of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the storage area of RAM in an effect control board. (A) is a figure which shows the symbol combination of the winning combination, (b) is a figure which shows the example of the winning combination table according to gaming state. It is a figure which shows the structure of the table index stored in ROM in a game control board. It is a figure which shows an example of a stop control table. It is a figure which shows the distribution pattern of an effect stage. It is a figure which shows the structure of the various effect data stored in ROM in an effect control board. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which the control part in a game control board performs for every game. It is a flowchart which shows the lottery process of FIG. 10 in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of a reel rotation process of FIG. 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the winning determination process of FIG. 10 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the payout process of FIG. 10 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part in an effect control board performs. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the BET processing in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of a start process in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a winning determination process of FIG. 15. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Variable display device 4 Liquid crystal display 101 Game control board 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
102 Production control board 121 CPU
122 RAM
123 ROM

Claims (5)

The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using the game value, and the display result is derived to a variable display device that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. 1 is a slot machine in which one game is completed and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
Effect data storage means for storing data indicating an effect stage of an effect currently being executed among a plurality of types of effect stages;
Effect execution determining means for determining whether or not to execute a predetermined effect for each game;
An effect executing means for executing the predetermined effect according to the effect stage indicated by the data stored in the effect data storage means when the effect stage executing means determines to execute the predetermined effect;
Effect execution game number counting means for counting the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed by the effect execution means after the effect stage has been transferred;
And an effect stage transition means for updating data indicating the effect stage stored in the effect data storage means when the number of games counted by the effect execution game number counting means reaches a predetermined number of games. And slot machine. Prior to the display result of the variable display device being derived for each game, further comprising pre-determining means for determining whether or not to allow the derivation of the winning display result
The effect execution game number counting means executes the predetermined effect by the effect execution means in a game in which it is determined by the prior determination means that the derivation of a specific display result of the winning display results is allowed. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising an effect execution game number counting prohibiting unit that prohibits counting the number of games that have not been played. The effect execution game number counting prohibiting means derives a re-game display result accompanied by a re-game that allows the next game to be executed without using the game value for setting the bet amount as the specific display result. 3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein, in a game for which it is determined to allow the game, it is prohibited to count the number of games for which the predetermined effect has not been executed by the effect executing unit. . Before the display result of the variable display device is derived for each game, derivation of a plurality of types of winning display results including a special display result accompanied by a transition to a special gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. A pre-determining means for deciding whether to allow,
When it is determined by the pre-determining means that the derivation of the special display result is permitted, the determination that the derivation of the special display result is permitted until the special display result is derived based on the determination. Special decision carry-over means to carry over,
A transition game number determining means for determining a predetermined number of games for the effect stage transition means to update the effect stage according to whether or not the decision to allow the derivation of the special display result is carried over. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Gaming state control means for controlling the gaming state among a plurality of types of gaming states having different advantages for the player;
2. The transition game number determining means for determining a predetermined number of games for the effect stage transition means to update the effect stage according to the gaming state controlled by the gaming state control means. The slot machine of any one of thru | or 4.

Images