JP2008079843A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a player to recognize useful information in selecting a game machine to use at a glance from a distant position while a game is not played in the game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A presentation control device 72 records play history information including the number of cumulative game rounds, the number of inter-bonus games and the number of bonuses based on various commands transmitted from a main control part 30. If it determines that the game machine is in the non-game state based on the time measured by a timer 78, the presentation control device 72 transmits a pattern specifying command based on the play history information to a sound/lamp control part 80. The sound/lamp control part 80 reads lighting pattern data specified by the received pattern specifying command from a lighting pattern memory 81, and makes a plurality of LEDs mounted on LED boards 110a, 110b, and 110c set on the front face of a casing of the game machine emit light in lighting patterns based on the lighting pattern data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs light emission control of a display device including a plurality of light sources provided on a front surface of a housing.

  Generally, for example, there is a slot machine as a gaming machine installed in a game hall such as a so-called pachinko shop. In this type of slot machine, normally, when a game medium such as a medal (a game ball depending on the model) is inserted, an effective line is determined by the number of inserted game media, and a game can be started. When the start switch (start lever) is operated, the game starts, and a plurality of (for example, three) reels rotate at the same time. Thereby, the symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the reel move in a certain direction within the symbol display window.

  Here, when the player operates one of the stop buttons provided corresponding to each reel, the reel corresponding to the stop button stops. When all the reels are stopped, if the combination of symbols stopped at the position corresponding to the active line matches any of the winning symbol combinations, a winning combination is established, The number of game media corresponding to the winning combination will be paid out to the player.

  Also, when a bonus combination is established among various winning combinations, a so-called bonus game is started from the next game. During this bonus game, the probability of winning a winning combination is increased by an internal lottery, which will be described later, as compared to a normal game that is not a bonus game (hereinafter referred to as “general game”).

  The types of bonus games include, for example, a regular bonus game that ends when a predetermined prize is established a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) (hereinafter referred to as “RB game”), and the probability that the RB game is started. There is a big bonus game (hereinafter referred to as “BB game”) that ends when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 465) are paid out, and only one of the bonus games is selected depending on the type of slot machine. Some are equipped, some are equipped with both bonus games.

  Inside the slot machine, when the start switch is operated, random lottery (hereinafter referred to as “internal lottery”) is performed to determine various roles in the game, and the player operates the stop button. When the reels are stopped, the reel stop control is performed within a certain range so that the symbol combination corresponding to the combination determined by the internal lottery stops on the effective line.

  For example, in a state where a winning combination is won in an internal lottery, each player composing a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (hereinafter referred to as a “winning symbol”) before the player reaches the active line, Suppose that the stop button is operated. At this time, four symbols on the upper side (upstream with respect to the moving direction of the symbol) of the active line (if the winning symbol has already stopped on the active line in another reel, the active line). If the winning symbol is within the symbol range, the slot machine rotates the reel until the winning symbol reaches the active line, and then stops the reel.

  That is, even if the stop button is operated earlier than the winning symbol reaches the active line, if the winning symbol is within a certain range, the winning combination is established by the reel stop control. On the other hand, if you lose the internal lottery, even if you operate the stop button at the timing when any winning symbol stops on the active line, so that the winning symbol does not stop on the active line, Reel stop control is performed. In other words, in order to establish a winning combination, it is necessary to satisfy two conditions: winning a winning combination by internal lottery and operating a stop button at a position (that is, timing) at which a winning symbol can be drawn. .

  In the slot machine described above, various effects are performed in order to increase the fun of the game and improve the player's willingness to play. For example, in the slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, a slot machine equipped with an image display device has appeared as a device for performing visual effects. That is, in the slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the player character corresponding to the player and the fighter character to be the opponent are displayed on the image display device during the game, and the displayed player character If the opponent's fighter character is defeated, it is directed that the internal lottery is decisive for winning the bonus role. That is, the result of the internal lottery is notified through the effect that the player character and the opponent's fighter character fight. Furthermore, in the slot machine of Patent Document 1, if no operation is performed on the slot machine for 30 seconds or more, it is considered that no game is being performed, and a so-called demonstration image of the fighter character that is the opponent is displayed. An image is displayed.

  In addition, among the slot machines equipped with the image display device described above, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the image display device is currently included in the image display device so that the player can select a slot machine for playing a game. Some of the game history information (hereinafter referred to as game history information) such as the number of bonuses and the number of games played so far can be displayed.

JP-A-2005-95415 JP 2001-58023 A

  By the way, when it is determined that no game is played in the slot machine, a demonstration image (hereinafter referred to as a demo screen) displayed on the image display device is displayed during the game as in Patent Document 1 described above. In addition to the character image to be displayed, the manufacturer name and model name of the slot machine are generally displayed. Such image display can be expected to promote the slot machine and the name of the manufacturer, and the image display device can be effectively used in a state where no game is played (hereinafter referred to as a non-game state).

  However, the demonstration screen disclosed in Patent Document 1 merely displays a character image, and does not display information that is useful when a player selects a slot machine for playing a game. It was not enough in terms of service to players. In this regard, the slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 is capable of displaying game history information on the image display device, but is provided in the slot machine to display game history information. Since switches have to be operated and it is impossible to grasp the outline of game history information at a glance from a remote position, it is difficult to select an efficient slot machine.

  Thus, the present invention provides information useful for selecting a gaming machine to play a game at a glance from a position away from the gaming machine while the gaming machine is not playing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of further effectively utilizing the displayed display and improving the convenience of the player.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a display provided on the front surface of the housing, a non-game period timing means for timing a time during which no gaming operation is performed, Game information storage means for storing game information related to the game represented by a numerical value that fluctuates as the number of executions of the game accumulates, and a time that is predetermined by the non-game period time measuring means The game information stored in the game information storage means is read, and drive means for driving the display device in a manner corresponding to the numerical value represented by the read game information is provided. .

  Here, the game operation refers to an operation performed by a player when playing a game on a gaming machine. For example, when the gaming machine is a slot machine, a medal insertion operation, an operation on a start switch, an operation on a stop button, etc. Applicable. In addition, if the gaming machine is a bullet ball gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a turning operation of a launching handle performed to launch a gaming ball is applicable. In addition, “game information related to the game represented by a numerical value that varies as the number of times of execution of the game is accumulated” is a numerical value that varies as the number of games played in the gaming machine increases. The game information represented by. That is, for example, in the case of a slot machine, the number of times that a game has been played, the number of times that a bonus game has been played, the cumulative number of inserted game media such as medals, the cumulative number of paid out game media, and the cumulative and total number of inserted and paid out games. This is the difference between the numbers. Furthermore, “the display is driven in a manner corresponding to the numerical value represented by the game information” means that, for example, if the gaming machine is equipped with an image display device, the numerical value represented by the gaming information is used as it is. To display. In addition, for example, a gaming machine equipped with a display that can change the emission color, such as a three-color LED, means that the emission color is changed according to a numerical value represented by the game information. Furthermore, in the case of a gaming machine having a simple light source such as an LED or a lamp, switching of the light emission state such as turning on, blinking, and turning off the light source or changing the blinking interval according to the numerical value represented by the game information. It means to make it.

  According to the above gaming machine, when the time during which no operation is performed on the gaming machine reaches a predetermined time, the gaming information is represented by a numerical value that varies as the number of game executions accumulates. A display provided on the front surface of the housing of the gaming machine is driven in a corresponding manner. That is, when the game machine is determined not to play a game, such as the number of times the game has been played or the number of bonus games has been played without requiring a special operation by the player. It is possible to present game information that is effective when a player selects a gaming machine. Therefore, it is possible to realize further effective utilization of the display provided in the gaming machine and improve the convenience of the player.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a plurality of light sources, and whether or not each of the plurality of light sources constituting the display unit is turned on is determined. A lighting pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of types of lighting patterns in which data shown is stored in time series, and the driving unit counts a predetermined time by the non-game period timing unit, The lighting pattern corresponding to the numerical value represented by the game information stored in the game information storage means is read from the lighting pattern storage means, and the plurality of light sources constituting the display are repeatedly driven according to the read lighting pattern. It is characterized by that.

  According to the above gaming machine, when the time during which no operation is performed on the gaming machine reaches a predetermined time, the display unit including a plurality of light sources provided on the front surface of the casing of the gaming machine is a series of It is driven repeatedly according to the lighting pattern. As a result, for example, in a plurality of light sources constituting the display device, a light emission mode in which a lighting location moves in a certain direction is possible, and the number of times the above-mentioned game is played or a bonus game due to the difference in the light emission mode It is possible to present game information such as the number of times played. For this reason, it is possible to perform a lighting operation that has an impact on the player, and it is easy to be noticed even from a position away from the gaming machine, and that the game is not being played, and the game information is clearly appealed be able to.

  According to the present invention, while a game is not being played in the gaming machine, information useful for selecting a gaming machine to play a game can be grasped at a glance from a position away from the gaming machine, and provided in the gaming machine. The displayed display can be used more effectively and the convenience of the player can be improved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine which is one of gaming machines is shown.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Inside the slot machine 1, three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotatably provided in a horizontal row. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, symbol rows each composed of a plurality of types of symbols are drawn. These reels are arranged at positions that can be seen through the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R formed on the reel unit display 2a (portion surrounded by a thick line in FIG. 1) located at the front center of the slot machine 1. In the reel stop state before the game starts and after the stop, a total of three symbols are visible from the respective reel display windows, one for each of the upper, middle and lower stages.

  Further, the slot machine 1 has a winning line as a reference for determining success or failure of winning based on symbols displayed in the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R when the rotation of the three reels is stopped. It has been. As the winning lines, there are provided a rising line L1, an upper line L2, a middle line L3, a lower line L4 and a lowering line L5. The winning line to be validated, that is, the valid line changes in accordance with the number of medals inserted. The medals are inserted by inserting medals into a medal insertion slot 10 to be described later, and the maximum number of medals that can be inserted in one game is three. Also, depending on the number of medals inserted, for example, one (middle line L3) for one, three for two (in addition, upper line L2 and lower line L4), and five for three ( In addition, the winning line of the right rising line L1 and the right falling line L5) is activated.

  The reel unit display 2a is a normally white liquid crystal image display device. During a game, the reel unit display 2a has a reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R on the screen of the reel unit display 2a. Is displayed, and the player can face the corresponding internal reels 3L, 3C, 3R from these reel display windows. Further, in the display areas other than the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, various images useful for the player when playing the game and images for improving the expectation and interest of the game are displayed. Since the structure of the reel unit display 2a is the same as that of the prior art, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A reel unit panel 2b is disposed on the left side of the reel unit display 2a. In the reel section panel 2b, in order from the top in the figure, a bonus count display section 5, BET lamps 6a to 6c, a payout number display section 7, a stored number display section 8, and a game state display lamp group 9 are arranged. It is arranged. The bonus count display unit 5 is a three-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 1 during the bonus game. The BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6c indicate the number of medals inserted in one game according to the number of lights. When one medal is inserted, only the BET lamp 6a is lit and when two medals are inserted. The BET lamps 6a and 6b are turned on, and all three BET lamps 6a, 6b, and 6c are turned on when three are inserted. The payout number display unit 7 is composed of a two-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning as a result of the game. The stored number display unit 8 is a three-digit 7-segment display, and indicates the number of medals stored in the slot machine 1.

  The game state display lamp group 9 is composed of five LEDs, and in the order from the left, an insert lamp IN, a start lamp ST, a game standby display lamp WA, a re-game display lamp RE, and a win display lamp WN are arranged. (See FIG. 3). Further, the current gaming state is notified to the player by the lighting state of each LED. Here, the insert lamp IN blinks to indicate that a medal can be inserted. The start lamp ST is turned on to indicate that the game can be started (start switch operation described later) is ready. Since the game standby display lamp WA is lit, since 4.1 seconds have not elapsed since the start of the previous game, the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R waits even if the start switch is operated. It shows that it is in a state. In this case, when 4.1 seconds elapse from the start of the previous game, the game standby display lamp WA is turned off and the reels 3L, 3C, 3R start to rotate. The re-game display lamp RE is turned on to indicate that the next game to be started is a re-game. The winning display lamp WN is turned on to indicate that a bonus combination is won by an internal lottery described later.

  A medal slot 10 is provided below the reel unit display 2a and the reel unit panel 2b and on the right side of the front surface of the slot machine 1. According to the number of medals inserted into the medal slot 10, the above-described medal slot 10 is provided. The effective line is determined as described. Here, medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 10 are detected by a medal insertion switch 10S described later. When three medals are inserted and then medals are continuously inserted, the medals inserted after the fourth are stored in the slot machine 1. In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored.

  On the lower side of the reel unit display 2 a and the reel unit panel 2 b and on the left side of the medal slot 10, an operation unit 11 is formed across the front of the slot machine 1 and the vicinity of the left end. A 2-BET switch 12, a 1-BET switch 13, and a MAX-BET switch 14 are provided in order from the left in FIG. Each of these BET switches is a switch for inserting medals from medals stored in the slot machine 1, and the 1-BET switch 13 is operated in a state where three or more medals are stored in the slot machine 1. Each time it is operated, one coin is inserted from the stored medals, two are inserted when the 2-BET switch 12 is operated, and three are inserted when the MAX-BET switch 14 is operated. Medals are inserted into the slot machine 1 at once. As described above, by operating the various BET switches 12 to 14, medals are inserted into the slot machine 1 in the same manner as when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 10, and according to the number of inserted medals. The aforementioned effective line is determined. Further, between the 1-BET switch 13 and the MAX-BET switch 14, a selection switch 15 for displaying various information related to the game such as a game history and a symbol pattern arrangement of the reel in the slot machine 1 and a decision. A switch 16 is provided.

  Stop switches 17L, 17C, and 17R are disposed on the vertical surface of the operation unit 11 and substantially at the center of the front surface of the slot machine 1 so as to correspond to the lower sides of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R, respectively. These stop switches 17L, 17C, and 17R correspond to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively. For example, when the stop switch 17L is pressed, the stop control of the left reel 3L is performed by the main control unit described later. Is called. Similarly, stop control of the middle reel 3C is performed when the stop switch 17C is pressed, and stop control of the right reel 3R is performed when the stop switch 17R is pressed.

  A waist panel 19 on which a model name given to the slot machine 1 and a pattern such as a character in accordance with the concept of the slot machine 1 is drawn is arranged below the operation unit 11. Is provided with a medal discharge switch 20 for discharging the medals stored in the slot machine 1. A medal discharge port 21 is provided on the lower side of the waist panel 19. As a result of playing a game in the slot machine 1, a medal is discharged when a prize is won and when a medal is stored in the slot machine 1. When the switch 20 is pressed, all the stored medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 21. The discharged medals are stored in the medal receiving unit 22. At the top of the slot machine 1, there is provided an upper lamp 23 that emits light in a lighting pattern according to the game situation, and performs production and notification. On the lower side of the upper lamp 23, a right speaker 24R and a left speaker 24L that output operation sounds, performance sounds, notification sounds, and the like according to the game situation are arranged.

  Further, side lens units 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R are attached to the left and right side portions of the slot machine 1 from the uppermost portion to almost the lower end of the waist panel 19. Here, the structure of the side lens units 25L and 25R will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, only the side lens unit 25R is illustrated, but the left side lens unit 50L is similarly configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the side lens unit 25R includes a side cover 100 in which long holes 101a and 101b are formed, decorative lenses 102a and 102b that fit into the long holes 101a, and decorations that fit into the long holes 101b. The upper lens board 110a, the middle LED board 110b, and the lower LED board 110c provided inside the side cover 100 and the inner lens 102c.

  The decorative lenses 102a, 102b, and 102c are rod-shaped lenses having a rectangular cross section, and are formed of a light-transmitting member made of hard resin. Further, the upper LED substrate 110a, the middle LED substrate 110b, and the lower LED substrate 110c have a long plate shape, and a plurality of LEDs 120 are arranged in a line at almost equal intervals on each substrate. Is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper LED board 110a is provided with six LEDs 120a to 120f, the middle LED board 110b is provided with seven LEDs 120g to 120m, The LED board 110c is provided with six LEDs 120n to 120s. These LEDs are driven and controlled by a sub-control unit 60 described later.

  The side lens unit 25 </ b> R having the above-described structure covers a mounting portion 201 </ b> R that is formed to protrude from the right side portion of the main door frame 200 and is detachably attached to the right side portion 201 </ b> R of the main door frame 200. Further, in a state where the side lens unit 25R is attached to the attachment portion 201R, the upper LED substrate 110a, the middle LED substrate 110b, and the lower LED substrate 110c are formed on the inner front surface of the side lens unit 25R and the attachment portion 201R, respectively. The substrate mounting steps 202a, 202b, 202c are fixed so as to be sandwiched between them. The side lens units 25L and 25R having the above-described structure correspond to a display device including a plurality of light sources (LEDs 120a to 120s) provided on the front surface of the housing.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the control part which performs control regarding the game in the slot machine 1 is demonstrated. The control unit of the slot machine 1 includes a main control unit 30 and a sub control unit 60. The main control unit 30 mainly performs control related to games performed in the slot machine 1 such as insertion of medals, rotation / stop of reels, and payout of medals. The sub-control unit 60 performs control related to effects such as sound, light, images, and the like, which are mainly executed with games.

  The main control unit 30 has a configuration in which a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 31 arranged on a circuit board is a main component, and a circuit for random number sampling is added thereto. The microcomputer 31 includes a main CPU 32 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a program ROM 33 and a control RAM 34 that store various data.

  The main CPU 32 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 35 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 36 that divides the reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 37 that generates a random number within a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 65535). And a sampling circuit 38 for sampling the generated random number. The main CPU 32 exchanges signals with various input / output devices (to be described later) via the I / O port 39.

  In addition, you may comprise so that random number sampling may be performed on the operation | movement program of main CPU32 as a means of random number sampling. In this case, the random number generator 37 and the sampling circuit 38 can be omitted. However, the random number generator 37 and the sampling circuit 38 can be left as they are for backup of the random number sampling operation without being omitted.

  The main CPU 32 performs processing based on the reference clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generation circuit 35 and performs interrupt processing and the like at regular intervals based on the pulse signal generated by the frequency divider 36. The program ROM 33 of the microcomputer 31 stores various tables such as a symbol table, a plurality of probability lottery tables, a stop control table group, and a winning determination table in addition to a program for performing game control in the slot machine 1. Yes.

  Here, the symbol table associates each step of the stepping motor corresponding to each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R with the symbol number and symbol type of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The main control unit 30 refers to the symbol table to determine the stop control of each reel and the symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.

  The internal lottery table defines which values in the numerical value range that can be generated by the random number generator 37 correspond to various roles that are determined in advance in the slot machine 1. When random number sampling is performed, the internal lottery table is referred to, and the combination is determined depending on which combination the sampled random number value corresponds to.

  The stop table group includes a plurality of stop tables corresponding to the combination determined by the internal lottery and the reels to be subjected to stop control, and performs stop control of the reels according to the operation of the stop switches 17L, 17C, and 17R. Referenced when. Each stop table corresponds to each symbol on the reel, and if the player operates the stop switch when the symbol is located at a predetermined position (for example, the lower stage) in the reel display window, The symbol is associated with information indicating whether the reel is rotated and stopped, and the content is that the symbol combination corresponding to the combination corresponding to each stop table is stopped along the effective line as much as possible. It is prescribed as follows.

  In the winning determination table, a combination of symbols in which the aforementioned various winnings and replays are established and a medal payout number corresponding to the various symbol combinations in which winning is established are set. This winning determination table is referred to when winning determination is performed after all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped.

  Various information generated during the process of the main CPU 32 is set in the control RAM 34 shown in FIG. For example, various setting values such as boundary values for setting a probability lottery table that is referred to when performing internal lottery, information such as each winning combination, various gaming states, and the like are set. These pieces of information are transmitted as commands to the sub-control unit 60 via the sub-control unit communication port 40 as necessary. The exchange of various commands transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the sub control unit 60 is performed in one direction from the main control unit 30 to the sub control unit 60, and there is some kind of communication from the sub control unit 60 to the main control unit 30. No information is sent.

  As commands transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the sub-control unit 60, a command (game start command) indicating that the start switch 18 is operated and the game is started and the number of medals inserted in the game is given, internal lottery As a result, whether or not any win has been won, and if it is won, a command (internal lottery command) related to the type of win won, a command indicating whether the current game is a general game or a bonus game (game type command) ), A command indicating which stop switch 17L, 17C, 17R has been operated (stop operation command). As a result of the operation of the stop switch 17L, 17C, 17R, the symbol display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped and displayed. A command indicating a symbol number corresponding to the symbol (stop symbol command) and the result of winning determination, If trick is satisfied, and the like commands (winning determination command) indicating the kind.

  In the block diagram of FIG. 3, as the main output device whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 31, various displays provided on the reel unit panel 2b (see FIG. 1), a hopper for paying out medals ( Stepping motors 53L, 53C, 53R for rotationally driving the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The microcomputer 31 is connected to the BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6c provided on the reel panel 2b and the lamps WN, RE, WA, ST, IN constituting the gaming state display lamp group 9 via the lamp driving circuits 41. Is controlled.

  Further, the microcomputer 31 drives and controls the hopper 50 through the hopper driving circuit 43 and drives and controls the stepping motors 53L, 53C, and 53R through the motor driving circuit 44. These various drive circuits are connected to the main CPU 32 via the I / O port 39, and receive control signals such as drive commands output from the main CPU 32, respectively, and control the operations of the corresponding output devices.

  As a main input device for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 31 to generate a control command, as shown in FIG. 3, a medal insertion switch 10S for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 10, There are switches such as BET switches 12 to 14, stop switches 17L, 17C, and 17R, a start switch 18, and a medal discharge switch 21. Signals output from these switches are output to the main CPU 32 via the I / O port 39. For the stop switches 17L, 17C, and 17R, a stop signal corresponding to a stop button pressed by the player is output from the reel stop signal circuit 51 and output to the main CPU 32 via the I / O port 39. .

  In addition to the switches described above, the main CPU 32 includes a photocoupler (not shown) provided corresponding to each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and a medal detection unit 52 that detects medals paid out by the hopper 50. The signal output from is also input. Each photocoupler is connected to a reel position detection circuit 45 in the main control unit 30, and when a reference position provided on the corresponding reel is detected, a reference position signal corresponding to the reel is detected from the reel position detection circuit 45. Is output to the main CPU 32 via the I / O port 39.

  In addition, the medal detection unit 52 outputs a detection signal to the payout signal generation circuit 46 in the main control unit 30 every time the hopper 50 discharges one medal. The payout signal generation circuit 46 outputs the detection signal output from the medal detection unit 52 to the main CPU 32 via the I / O port 39.

  Next, the detailed configuration of the sub-control unit 60 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 60 includes an image control unit 70 and a sound / lamp control unit 80. The image control unit 70 and the sound / lamp control unit 80 are each configured on a circuit board different from the circuit board constituting the main control unit 30.

  The image control unit 70 includes a serial port 71, an effect control device 72, a program ROM 73, a work RAM 74, an image control IC 75, an image ROM 76, a video RAM 77, and a timer 78. The serial port 71 receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit 30. Further, an effect command for instructing the content of the effect determined in the effect control device 72 described below is transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 80. Here, the command transmitted from the serial port 71 to the sound / lamp control unit 80 is always performed in one direction, and no information is transmitted from the sound / lamp control unit 80 to the image control unit 70.

  The effect control device 72 includes a CPU, an interrupt controller, an input / output port, and a timer, and controls the effect by image, sound, and light in accordance with a control program stored in the program ROM 73. Further, according to the signals output from the selection switch 15 and the decision switch 16 shown in FIG. 1, for example, the symbol arrangement of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, so-called reach, the number of bonus games performed so far and the bonus game Information regarding the specifications of the slot machine 1 and game history information such as the number of general games played during the period are displayed on the reel unit display 2a.

  The program ROM 73 stores a control program executed by the CPU of the effect control device 72, various effect determination tables, and the like. Here, the effect determination table defines correspondence between each random number value generated by the CPU provided in the effect control device 72 and the contents of various effects, and is performed by the main control unit 30. A plurality of tables are stored according to the result of the internal lottery and the current game type. By referring to this effect determination table, the effect control device 72 determines the content of the effect to be executed by the reel unit display 2a, the upper lamp 23, and the speakers 24L and 24R, and corresponds to the determined effect content. The effect command is transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 80 via the serial port 71.

  In the work RAM 74, various commands received by the effect control device 72 from the main control unit 30, commands sent by the effect control device 72 to the sound / lamp control unit 80, and various commands generated when the above-described control program is executed. Data or the like is stored in a predetermined storage area. Here, the command transmitted from the effect control device 72 to the sound / lamp control unit 80 includes a command for designating the light emission pattern of the upper lamp 23 and a command for designating the content of the sound output from the speakers 24L and 24R. Are collectively called production commands). In addition, there are pattern designation commands for designating the light emission patterns of the LEDs 120a to 120s provided in the side lens units 25L and 25R.

  In particular, the pattern designation command includes a pattern designation command A for instructing stop of drive control for the LEDs 120a to 120s, a pattern designation command B for instructing to drive and control the LEDs 120a to 120s based on the first lighting pattern data, and a second There are a pattern designation command C for instructing to drive and control the LEDs 120a to 120s based on the lighting pattern data, and a pattern designation command D to instruct to drive and control the LEDs 120a to 120s based on the third lighting pattern data. When the calculation control unit 72 transmits the pattern designation command to the sound / lamp control unit 80, the calculation control unit 72 stores data representing the type (A to D) of the transmitted pattern designation command in the work RAM 74.

  The work RAM 74 also stores various game history information values counted by the effect control device 72. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a variable m indicating the cumulative value of the number of games executed during the general game (hereinafter referred to as the cumulative game number m), from the end of the bonus game to the start of the next bonus game. A variable n indicating the cumulative value of the number of games played in the general game (hereinafter referred to as the number of games between bonus games n), and a variable bn indicating the cumulative value of the number of transitions from the general game to the bonus game (hereinafter referred to as the number of bonuses). bn) is stored in the work RAM 74 as game history information. Thereby, the work RAM 74 corresponds to game information storage means. Further, the work RAM 74 stores a game state flag BF indicating whether the slot machine 1 is in a general game state or a bonus game state, and the value of the game state flag BF is “0”. The case of means that a general game is being played, and the case of “1” means that a bonus game is being played.

  The image control IC 75 includes a control RAM in which various information is written and read out by the effect control device 72, and is stored in image data written in the control RAM or an image ROM 76 described later according to an instruction from the effect control device 72. Using the processed image data, image data to be actually displayed on the reel unit display 2 a is generated and written into the video RAM 77. Then, the image data written in the video RAM 77 is transferred to the reel unit display 2a, and an image based on the image data is displayed. The image ROM 76 stores image data for generating a production image and a demonstration image, for example, sprite image data such as characters such as people and animals, symbols, characters and figures, and reel display windows 4L, 4C and 4R. Background image data including a white rectangular area formed is stored.

  Here, the demonstration image is an image displayed on the reel unit display 2a when the effect control device 72 determines that the slot machine 1 is in a non-game state, and the contents thereof are the slot machine. 1 manufacturer name, model name, and effect image displayed on the reel unit display 2a during the game. The sprite image data is an image to be displayed superimposed on a background image (background surface). The video RAM 77 is used as temporary storage means when the image control IC 75 generates image data to be displayed on the reel unit display 2a. In addition, the image control IC 75 transmits a signal to the effect control device 72 every time data in the video RAM 77 is transferred to the reel unit display 2a.

  Based on the control by the effect control device 72, the timer 78 regards the period from the reception of the command transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the reception of the next command as a state in which no game is played in the slot machine 1. , Keep the time between them. The effect control device 72 determines whether the slot machine 1 is in a gaming state or a non-gaming state based on the time measured by the timer 78, and the detailed description thereof will be described later. It can be said that the timer 78 corresponds to a non-game period timing means for counting a time during which no gaming operation is performed.

  The sound / lamp control unit 80 controls the turning on / off of the upper lamp 23, the sound control output from the speakers 24L and 24R, and the side shown in FIG. 2 based on various commands transmitted from the image control unit 70. Drive control of the LEDs 120a to 120s provided on the upper LED board 110a, the middle LED board 110b, and the lower LED board 110c of the lens units 25L and 25R is performed. That is, the sound / lamp control unit 80 includes a CPU, an interrupt controller, an input / output port, and the like. The CPU performs sound and upper lamps according to a control program stored in advance based on a command received from the image control unit 70. 23 and the speakers 24L and 24R are controlled.

  In addition, the sound / lamp control unit 80 includes a lighting pattern memory 81 that stores lighting pattern data to be referred to when drive control of the LEDs 120a to 120s is performed. Here, the contents of the lighting pattern data stored in the lighting pattern memory 81 will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the lighting pattern data illustrated in FIG. 5 is referred to as first lighting pattern data, the lighting pattern data illustrated in FIG. 6 is referred to as second lighting pattern data, and the lighting pattern data illustrated in FIG. 7 is referred to as third lighting pattern data.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, each lighting pattern data includes lighting / extinguishing data for designating whether to turn on or off each of the LEDs 120 a to 120 s. That is, if the value of the on / off data for each LED is “0”, it indicates that the LED is turned off, and if it is “1”, it indicates that the LED is turned on. Further, the first lighting pattern data shown in FIG. 5 and the second lighting pattern data shown in FIG. “1” -No. It consists of 19 kinds of data “19”, and the third lighting pattern data shown in FIG. “1” and No. It consists of two types of data “2”. The LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R are driven and controlled by the same first to third lighting pattern data.

  When drive control of each LED of the side lens units 25L and 25R is performed based on the first to third lighting pattern data described above, the sound / lamp control unit 80 first performs the No. 1 operation. The lighting / extinguishing data of the LEDs 120a to 120s corresponding to “1” is read out. Up to (19 for the first and second lighting pattern data, “2” for the third lighting pattern data). The ON / OFF data of the LEDs 120a to 120s corresponding to is sequentially read out at intervals of 0.5 seconds. Then, each LED of the side lens units 25L and 25R is turned on or off according to the read on / off data. In addition, the sound / lamp control unit 80 displays the last No. of each lighting pattern data. No. is read again. The lighting / extinguishing data for each LED is read from 1, and the driving control of each LED is performed by repeating this operation.

  Next, game control of the slot machine 1 by the main control unit 30 and the sub control unit 60 described above will be described. First, the contents of the game process executed by the main CPU 32 in the main control unit 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the game process shown in FIG. First, the main CPU 32 performs initialization at the start of the game (step S1). That is, the contents stored in the control RAM 34 are initialized, the communication data is initialized, and the like. Subsequently, the predetermined stored contents of the control RAM 34 at the end of the game are erased (step S2). Specifically, data effective only in the previous game (for example, data on the number of medals inserted in the previous game and the result of internal lottery), parameters necessary for the next game, are stored in the control RAM 34. Write to the writing area, specify the start address of the sequence program for the next game, etc. Next, the main CPU 32 performs lighting control of the BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6c and subtraction of the number of stored medals stored in the control RAM 34 in accordance with inputs from the medal insertion switch 10S or various BET switches 12-14. A medal insertion process is performed (step S3). At this time, the main CPU 32 checks whether the current game is a general game or a bonus game, and transmits the result as a game type command from the sub-control unit communication port 40 to the sub-control unit 60.

  Then, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not the start switch 18 has been tilted by the player (step S4). If the start switch 18 is not tilted, the determination result is NO, and the process returns to step S3. Thereafter, the processes of steps S3 and S4 are repeated until the start switch 18 is tilted, and the standby state is set. . When the start switch 18 is tilted, the determination result in step S4 is YES, and the main CPU 32 transmits a game start command from the sub-control unit communication port 40 to the sub-control unit 60, and at the same time a random number for internal lottery. Is extracted (step S5), the internal lottery table stored in the program ROM 33 is selected according to the current gaming state (in general game or bonus game), and the internal lottery is selected with reference to the selected internal lottery table. It performs (step S6). The result of the internal lottery is transmitted to the sub control unit 60 via the sub control unit communication port 40 as an internal lottery command.

  Next, the main CPU 32 performs a reel rotation process for rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (step S7), and determines whether any of the stop switches 17L, 17C, 17R has been operated (step S8). If it is determined that none of the stop switches is operated, the determination result is NO, and a standby state is maintained until the stop switch is operated. On the other hand, when the stop switch is operated, the determination result is YES, and the main CPU 32 transmits a stop operation command from the sub-control unit communication port 40 to the sub-control unit 60, and stores the stop table group stored in the program ROM 33. With reference, reel stop control is performed (step S9). That is, when any winning combination or replay combination is established by internal lottery, the reels are stopped so that the symbol combinations corresponding to these combinations are displayed along the active line, and conversely, any winning combination or replay combination is stopped. If no combination is established, the reels are stopped so that symbol combinations corresponding to these combinations are not stopped and displayed along the active line. Then, the main CPU 32 transmits a symbol number corresponding to the symbol stopped and displayed in the symbol display window corresponding to the stopped reel as a stop symbol command from the communication port 40 to the sub-control unit 60.

  Next, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not all reels have stopped (step S10). If there is a reel that is still rotating, the determination result is NO and the process returns to step S8. The processes in steps S8 to S10 are repeated until the operation stops. On the other hand, when the main CPU 32 determines in step S10 that all reels have stopped, the determination result is YES and a winning determination is made (step S11). That is, the combination of symbols stopped and displayed along the active line is compared with the winning symbol combination stored in the winning determination table stored in the program ROM 33. If there is a matching combination, It is determined that a combination has been established. Further, the determination result is transmitted from the communication port 40 to the sub-control unit 60 as a winning determination command. Then, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not any winning combination has been established as a result of the winning determination (step S12). If it has been established, the determination result is YES, and the number of coins corresponding to the established winning combination is determined. The medals are stored in the storage device (more specifically, the number of stored medals stored in the control RAM 34 is added) or the hopper 50 is driven to pay out the medals. Further, the main CPU 32 displays the number of medals to be paid out when the small role is established on the payout number display unit 7, and when storing, increases the numerical value displayed on the stored number display unit 8 by the number of medals paid out. (Step S13).

  On the other hand, if the winning combination has not been established in step S12 (step S12, NO), or when the processing of step S13 is completed, the main CPU 32 next is a game that is currently being played. Whether or not (step S14). If the bonus game is being played, the determination result is YES, and the main CPU 32 performs a bonus end check process (step S15). In this bonus end check process, the main CPU 32 checks whether or not a bonus game end condition is satisfied. For example, when the RB game is being played, whether or not the number of executions of the RB game has exceeded a predetermined number (for example, 12 times), or the number of times of winning in the RB game is a possible number of times (for example, 8 times) Judge whether or not If the game is in the BB game, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of medals (for example, 465) has been paid out.

  When the bonus game end condition is satisfied, information indicating that the bonus game is shifted to the general game (the next game to be played is a general game) is stored in the control RAM 34. On the other hand, if the currently played game is a general game in step S14, the determination result is NO and a game state check process is performed (step S16). That is, it is determined whether or not a bonus combination has been established in this game, and if the bonus combination has been established, the control RAM 34 is shifted to the bonus game (the next game to be executed is a bonus). Processing such as writing information indicating that it is a game). Then, when the process of step S15 or step S16 is completed, the main CPU 32 returns to the process of step S2 again. The main CPU 32 controls the game in the slot machine 1 by repeatedly performing the processing from step S2 to S16.

  Next, the contents of the process performed by the sub control unit 60 shown in FIG. 4 according to the process of the main CPU 32 described above will be described. As described above, when the image control unit 70 receives various commands from the main control unit 30 via the serial port 71, the effect control device 72 determines the contents of the effect to be executed based on the random number and the effect determination table. To do. Then, an effect command corresponding to the determined effect content is transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 80, and an image corresponding to the effect content is displayed on the reel unit display 2a. In addition, the sound / lamp control unit 80 that has received the effect command turns on or turns off the upper lamp 23 according to the contents of the effect command, and generates BGM and sound effects from the speakers 24L and 24R.

  In addition to the above-described effect control, the effect control device 72 records game history information such as the cumulative number of games, the number of games between bonuses, and the number of bonuses. Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the content of the game history recording process which acquires and records these game history information is demonstrated.

  In FIG. 9, first, the effect control device 72 determines whether or not any command is received from the main control unit 30 (step S20). If no command has been received, the determination result in step S20 is NO, and the game history recording process shown in FIG. 9 is terminated. On the other hand, if any command is received, the determination result in step S20 is YES, and it is assumed that some operation has been performed on the slot machine 1 by the player, the time T of the timer 78 is reset, and the time is counted again. Is started (step S21). Next, the effect control device 72 determines whether or not the received command is a game type command (step S22). If it is a game type command, the determination result in step S22 is YES, and it is determined whether or not the command indicates that a bonus game is in progress (step S23).

  If the game type command indicates that a bonus game is in progress, the determination result in step S23 is YES, and the value of the game state flag BF stored in the work RAM 74 is changed to “1” (step S24). . Then, the value of the number n of games between bonuses stored in the work RAM 74 is reset to “0” (step S25), and the game history recording process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the game type command indicates that a general game is being played, the determination result in step S23 is NO, and the value of the game state flag BF stored in the work RAM 74 is changed to “0”. Then (step S24), the game history recording process shown in FIG.

  If the command received by the effect control device 72 is not a game type command in step S22 described above, the determination result in step S22 is NO, and the effect control device 72 then determines that the received command is a game start command. It is determined whether or not there is (step S27). If it is a game start command, the determination result in step S27 is YES, and it is determined whether the value of the game state flag BF stored in the work RAM 74 is “0”, that is, whether or not a general game is being performed ( Step S28). If the value of the game state flag BF is “0”, the determination result in step S28 is YES, and the cumulative number of games m and the number of games between bonuses n stored in the work RAM 74, respectively. “1” is added (step S29), and the game history recording process shown in FIG. 9 is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the game state flag BF is “1”, the determination result of step S28 is NO, and the game history recording process shown in FIG. 9 is terminated without performing the process of step S29.

  As a result of the processing in steps S28 and S29 described above, each time a game is played in the slot machine 1, the value of the cumulative number of games m and the number of bonus games n is incremented by "1", and is added during bonus games. Is not done. Further, the value n between bonus games is reset to “0” during the bonus game in the above-described step S25. Thereby, the cumulative number of games during the general game can be counted, and the cumulative number of games during the general game between the bonuses can be counted.

  Furthermore, if the command received by the effect control device 72 is not a game start command in step S27 described above, the determination result in step S27 is NO, and the effect control device 72 then receives the received command as a winning determination command. It is determined whether or not there is (step S30). If it is not a winning determination command, the determination result in step S30 is NO, and the game history recording process shown in FIG. 9 is terminated. That is, if the command received by the effect control device 72 is not any of the game type command, the game start command, and the winning determination command, only the reset of the time measured in the timer 78 and the start of the re-time in step S21. As a result, the game history recording process shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  On the other hand, if the command received by the effect control device 72 is a winning determination command, the determination result in step S30 is YES, and the type of winning combination indicated by the winning determination command is a bonus combination (that is, BB). It is determined whether it is a combination or RB combination (step S31). If it is a bonus combination, the determination result in step S31 is YES, “1” is added to the value of the number of bonuses bn stored in the work RAM 74 (step S32), and the game history record shown in FIG. The process ends. On the other hand, if the type of winning combination indicated by the received winning determination command is other than the bonus combination, the determination result in step S31 is NO, and the processing of the game history shown in FIG. 9 is not performed without performing the process of step S32. Exit.

  As described above, the effect control device 72 performs the game history recording process of FIG. 9, and based on the game type command, the game start command, and the winning determination command, the cumulative value of the number of general games and between bonuses The game history information such as the cumulative value of the number of general games and the number of bonus games played is recorded.

  The effect control device 72 also designates a pattern for driving the LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R shown in FIG. The command is transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 80. Hereinafter, a command transmission process performed when transmitting the pattern designation command described above with reference to FIG. 10 will be described. Note that the command transmission process shown in this figure is repeatedly executed at regular intervals in the effect control device 72.

  First, the production control device 72 checks the time T of the timer 78 when a certain time has elapsed (step S40). Then, it is determined whether or not the time T is less than 3 minutes (step S41). If the time count T of the timer 78 is less than 3 minutes, the determination result in step S41 is YES, and the effect control device 72 selects the type of the pattern designation command transmitted previously stored in the work RAM 74. It is checked and it is determined whether or not the pattern designation command transmitted last time is the pattern designation command A (step S42). If the previously transmitted pattern designating command is not the pattern designating command A, the determination result in step S42 is NO, and the effect control device 72 transmits the pattern to the sound / lamp control unit 80 via the serial port 71. The designated command A is transmitted (step S43). Then, the command transmission process in FIG. In step S42, if the previously transmitted pattern designation command is the pattern designation command A, the determination result in step S42 is YES, and the process of FIG. The transmission process ends.

  Thus, when the sound / lamp control unit 80 receives the pattern designation command A, if the LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R are driven, the driving is stopped and the LEDs 120a to 120s are turned off.

  On the other hand, when the time T of the timer 78 is 3 minutes or more in step S41, the determination result in step S41 is NO, and the effect control device 72 determines the value of the number of bonus times bn stored in the work RAM 74. Is read (step S44). Here, the command transmission processing shown in FIG. 10 is not described because it describes the transmission processing of the pattern designation command to the sound / lamp control unit 80, but the effect control device 72 determines that the determination result in step S41 is If NO, a process of displaying a demo screen on the reel unit display 2a is also performed.

  Next, the effect control device 72 determines whether or not the value of the bonus count bn read in step S44 is less than “11” (step S45). If the value of the number of bonus times bn is less than “11”, the determination result in step S45 is YES, and the effect control device 72 checks the type of the pattern designation command transmitted in the previous work stored in the work RAM 74. Then, it is determined whether or not the pattern designation command transmitted last time is the pattern designation command B (step S46).

  If the previously transmitted pattern designation command is not the pattern designation command B, the determination result in step S46 is NO, and the effect control device 72 transmits the pattern to the sound / lamp control unit 80 via the serial port 71. The designated command B is transmitted (step S47). Then, when the pattern designation command B is transmitted, the effect control device 72 ends the command transmission process of FIG. In step S46, if the previously transmitted pattern designation command is the pattern designation command B, the determination result is YES, and the command transmission process of FIG. 10 is performed without performing the process of step S47. finish.

  When the sound / lamp control unit 80 receives the pattern designation command B in the process of step S47, the sound / lamp control unit 80 reads the first lighting pattern data shown in FIG. First of all, As a result, only the LEDs 120a of the side lens units 25L and 25R are turned on. If 0.5 seconds have passed in this state, then No. Only the LED 120b of the side lens units 25L and 25R is turned on with reference to the ON / OFF data of “2”. Thereafter, every time 0.5 second elapses, "3", No. “4”, No. The lighting / extinguishing data to be sequentially referred to as “5”,... Is switched, and the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven in accordance with the lighting / extinguishing data to be referred to. And No. When the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven according to the lighting / extinguishing data of “19”, no. This is repeated below with reference to the on / off data of “1”.

  As a result, when the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven based on the first lighting pattern data, one light spot passes from the top to the bottom through the decorative lenses 102a, 102b, and 102c of the side lens units 25L and 25R in FIG. It seems to move sequentially toward. Then, when the LED 120s positioned at the bottom is lit, the LED 120a positioned at the top is lit again, and the light spot is repeatedly moved sequentially from top to bottom.

  If the value of the bonus count bn stored in the work RAM 74 is “11” or more in step S45 described above, the determination result in step S45 is NO, and the effect control device 72 reads the bonus read in step S44. It is determined whether or not the value of the number of times bn is less than “26” (step S48). If the value of the number of bonuses bn is less than “26”, the determination result in step S48 is YES, and the effect control device 72 selects the type of the pattern designation command transmitted last time stored in the work RAM 74. It is checked and it is determined whether or not the pattern designation command transmitted last time is the pattern designation command C (step S49).

  If the previously transmitted pattern designation command is not the pattern designation command C, the determination result in step S49 is NO, and the effect control device 72 transmits the pattern to the sound / lamp control unit 80 via the serial port 71. The designated command C is transmitted (step S50). Then, when the pattern designation command C is transmitted, the effect control device 72 ends the command transmission process of FIG. In step S49, if the previously transmitted pattern designation command transmitted last time is the pattern designation command C, the determination result is YES, and the command transmission process of FIG. 10 is performed without performing the process of step S50. finish.

  When the sound / lamp control unit 80 receives the pattern designation command C in the process of step S50, the sound / lamp control unit 80 reads the second lighting pattern data shown in FIG. First of all, As a result, the LEDs 120a, 120b, and 120c of the side lens units 25L and 25R are turned on. If 0.5 seconds have passed in this state, then No. The LED 120b, 120c, 120d of the side lens units 25L, 25R is turned on with reference to the lighting / extinction data of “2”. Thereafter, every time 0.5 second elapses, "3", No. “4”, No. The lighting / extinguishing data to be sequentially referred to as “5”,... Is switched, and the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven in accordance with the lighting / extinguishing data to be referred to. And No. When the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven according to the lighting / extinguishing data of “19”, no. This is repeated below with reference to the on / off data of “1”.

  As a result, when the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven based on the second lighting pattern data, in FIG. 2, three continuous light spots are passed through the decorative lenses 102a, 102b, and 102c of the side lens units 25L and 25R. It seems to move sequentially from the bottom to the bottom. These three consecutive light spots repeatedly move sequentially from top to bottom.

  If the value of the bonus count bn stored in the work RAM 74 is “26” or more in step S48 described above, the determination result in step S48 is NO, and the effect control device 72 is stored in the work RAM 74. The type of the pattern designation command transmitted last time is checked, and it is determined whether or not the pattern designation command transmitted last time is the pattern designation command D (step S51). If the previously transmitted pattern designation command is not the pattern designation command D, the determination result in step S51 is NO, and the effect control device 72 transmits the pattern to the sound / lamp control unit 80 via the serial port 71. The designation command D is transmitted (step S52). Then, when the pattern designation command D is transmitted, the effect control device 72 ends the command transmission process of FIG. In step S51, if the previously transmitted pattern designation command is the pattern designation command D, the determination result in step S51 is YES, and the command in FIG. 10 is not performed without performing the process in step S52. The transmission process ends.

  When the sound / lamp control unit 80 receives the pattern designation command D in the process of step S52, the sound / lamp control unit 80 reads out the third lighting pattern data shown in FIG. First of all, With reference to the ON / OFF data of “1”, as a result, the LEDs 120a, 120c, 120e, 120g, 120i, 120k, 120m, 120o, 120q, and 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R are turned on. If 0.5 seconds have passed in this state, then No. With reference to the ON / OFF data of “2”, the LEDs 120b, 120d, 120f, 120h, 120j, 120l, 120n, 120p, and 120r of the side lens units 25L and 25R are turned on. In the following, every time 0.5 seconds pass, “1” and No. The lighting / extinguishing data of “2” is alternately referred to, and the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven according to the referenced lighting / extinction data.

  As a result, when the LEDs 120a to 120s are driven based on the third lighting pattern data, in FIG. 2, from the LED positioned at the top through the decorative lenses 102a, 102b, and 102c of the side lens units 25L and 25R. It can be seen that the odd-numbered LEDs counted and the even-numbered LEDs emit light alternately.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when three minutes have elapsed without any operation by the player with respect to the slot machine 1, it is considered that the player is absent, and a sound is output from the effect control device 72. A command (pattern designation command) for driving the LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R with a lighting pattern corresponding to the value of the bonus count bn is transmitted to the lamp controller 80. Then, the sound / lamp control unit 80 drives the LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R to emit light with a lighting pattern corresponding to the type of the received pattern designation command.

  For this reason, it is highly possible that the player is not playing a game in the slot machine 1 (that is, is in a non-game state) by looking at the lighting patterns in the LEDs 120a to 120s of the side lens units 25L and 25R. In addition to knowing this, the number of bonuses up to the present time in the slot machine 1 can be roughly recognized by the type of lighting pattern. Moreover, since the drive control according to the lighting pattern described above is performed by a display device composed of a plurality of LEDs arranged on the both sides of the front surface of the slot machine 1 from the top to the vicinity of the bottom, It is conspicuous, and depending on the content of the lighting pattern, it can have an impact on the viewer.

  In the slot machine 1 described above, the LEDs of the side lens units 25L and 25R are caused to emit light even when in the non-gaming state, but even during the game (a period during which it is not determined to be in the non-gaming state). The light may be emitted. For example, when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped, light is emitted for a certain time when a winning combination or replay is established, or light is emitted in a special light emission mode during a bonus game. May be. In this case, if the brightness when the LEDs of the side lens units 25L and 25R are made to emit light is different between the game state and the non-game state, the difference between the game states becomes clear.

  In the slot machine 1 described above, the number of bonuses is displayed as the game history information to be presented to the player. Instead, based on the cumulative number of games m or the number of games between bonuses n shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the type of pattern designation command to be transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 80 may be determined. In this case, the threshold value used when determining the type of the pattern designation command may be determined as appropriate.

  In addition, the game history information is presented by the LEDs of the side lens units 25L and 25R by switching between a plurality of lighting patterns having different contents. For example, the LEDs emit red, green, and blue light emission colors, respectively. It may be a so-called three-color LED composed of three light-emitting diodes, and the game history information may be presented according to the difference in emission color by appropriately changing the amount of current supplied to each light-emitting diode.

It is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the side lens unit of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control part of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control part of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the 1st lighting pattern data memorize | stored in the lighting pattern memory of the same sub-control part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the 2nd lighting pattern data memorize | stored in the lighting pattern memory of the same sub-control part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the 3rd lighting pattern data memorize | stored in the lighting pattern memory of the same sub-control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game process performed with the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game history recording process performed with the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command transmission process performed with the game machine in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2a Reel part display 25L, 25R Side lens unit 30 Main control part 60 Sub control part 70 Image control part 72 Production control apparatus 78 Timer 80 Sound / lamp control part 81 Lighting pattern memory 100 Side cover 101a, 101b Slot 102a , 102b, 102c Decorative lenses 110a, 110b, 110c LED boards 120a-102s LED

Claims (2)

An indicator provided on the front of the housing;
A non-game period timing means for timing a time during which no game operation is performed;
Game information storage means for storing game information related to the game represented by a numerical value that fluctuates as the number of executions of the game accumulates;
When the time measured by the non-game period timing unit measures a predetermined time, the game information stored in the game information storage unit is read, and the display is performed in a manner corresponding to the numerical value represented by the read game information. And a driving means for driving the game machine. The indicator comprises a plurality of light sources,
For each of the plurality of light sources constituting the display, a lighting pattern storage means that stores a plurality of types of lighting patterns in which data indicating whether or not to turn on is stored in time series,
The driving means includes
When the time measured by the non-game period timing unit measures a predetermined time, the lighting pattern corresponding to the numerical value represented by the game information stored in the game information storage unit is read from the lighting pattern storage unit, The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources constituting the display device are repeatedly driven according to the read lighting pattern.

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