JP2008206617A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, in which action checking for presentation using symbols and measures to improper display can be simply executed. <P>SOLUTION: A display screen for presentation of a game is mounted, and as display modes of the screen, a normal mode when a game is played by a player, and an action checking mode for checking actions are provided. In the action checking mode, symbols for presentation to be displayed in the normal mode can be checked simultaneously with control commands to a symbol control part and action contents to be performed by the symbol control part on the same screen. The presentation performed on the display screen of the game machine tends to be complicated and rich in variation, improper display, if any, can be found in the presentation of the game machine with the screens switched one after another, thereby causes can be quickly specified, and proper measures can be taken. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a ball ball game machine or a revolving game machine, and more specifically, a display screen for displaying a design for presentation and a control unit for controlling the display of the design on the display screen. Related to the gaming machine.

  In today's bullet ball game machines and revolving game machines, a control unit mainly composed of a computer is mounted, and the progress of the game is usually controlled using the control unit. In addition, in order to effectively produce a game, a display screen that can display various symbols such as a so-called liquid crystal screen is installed, and a symbol for rendering is displayed in accordance with the game situation. . Furthermore, in response to the fact that the contents of the production are complex and elaborate today, a dedicated control unit is also used for the control of displaying these production symbols. .

  In a ball ball game machine or a revolving game machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a game machine) equipped with a plurality of control units, a control unit (main control unit) that controls the progress of the game has a control command related to the progress of the game. , And a control unit (design control unit) that controls the display of the symbol receives the control command and displays the effect symbol on the display screen. And in order to perform an appropriate presentation with such a gaming machine, first, it is necessary to supply an appropriate control command according to the game situation to the symbol control unit, and in addition, the symbol control unit has received it. It is necessary to perform an appropriate operation according to the control command. If there is an inappropriate part in either one, it is not possible to display an appropriate effect design.

  Therefore, by monitoring the operation content for the output control command on the side that outputs the control command, if an appropriate operation is not performed for the control command, this can be quickly discovered and countermeasures can be taken. A technique intended to do this has also been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-217985 A

  However, with the proposed technology, when an improper design symbol is displayed, it is actually not so easy to find it quickly or take a countermeasure quickly. there were. In other words, the proposed technique applies a normal method of monitoring data at a specific address in a computer to confirm the operation content of the computer, and it depends on the design performed on the gaming machine. Since no ingenuity has been made based on the actual situation of the production, considerable experience or in order to quickly find out that an inappropriate production design has been displayed or to take immediate measures to eliminate the inappropriate display There was a problem that skill was required.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and it is possible to easily execute the operation confirmation of the effect using the design performed on the gaming machine and the countermeasure against inappropriate display. An object is to provide a simple gaming machine.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a gaming machine that has a display screen that displays a design for production in accordance with the game while a game is performed using a game medium,
A main control unit that controls the progress of the game and outputs a control command for progressing the game;
A symbol control unit that displays the symbol for presentation on the display screen based on the control command,
The symbol control unit
Normal mode display means for displaying the effect design in a normal mode when a game is being played by a player;
Along with the design symbol for the normal mode, the control command received by the symbol control unit, and an operation confirmation mode display means capable of displaying the operation content of the symbol control unit based on the control command, and
One of the normal mode display unit and the operation check mode display unit is selectively operated according to a predetermined condition to display the effect design on the display screen.

  In such a gaming machine of the present invention, in the normal mode when a game is being played by a player, it is possible to produce a game effect by displaying a design symbol on the display screen. Once established, the display mode can be switched to the operation confirmation mode, and the control command and the operation content performed by the symbol control unit based on the control command can be confirmed on the display screen together with the design symbol.

  The production performed on the display screen of the gaming machine is complicated, has many variations, and the screen changes more and more. It is not easy to take appropriate measures. In view of these points, in the gaming machine of the present invention, a control command for the symbol control unit, an operation content performed by the symbol control unit based on the control command, and a design symbol displayed by the symbol control unit as a result of the operation, Can be simultaneously confirmed on the same display screen. For this reason, when inappropriate design symbols are displayed, it is possible to quickly find them and easily identify the stage of the cause, and as a result, take immediate measures. It becomes possible.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention described above, the contents of the effect to be performed on the display screen are determined based on the control command output from the main control unit, and the control command for designating the content of the determined effect is It is good also as providing the sub-control part output to a control part.

  By providing a sub-control unit that determines the content of the production in this way, and outputting the control command from the sub-control unit to operate the symbol control unit, even if the production content becomes complicated, it is possible to easily cope It becomes possible. Even when performing such a complicated production, the control command for the design control unit, the operation content performed by the design control unit based on the control command, and the design for the effect displayed as a result of the operation are displayed. By making it possible to confirm on the screen at the same time, it is possible to quickly discover that an inappropriate design symbol has been displayed, and to easily identify the cause and take appropriate measures promptly. .

  In the gaming machine of the present invention described above, when the display screen is displayed in at least the operation confirmation mode, the operation history of the symbol control unit (the received control command and the operation content based on the control command) is displayed. Alternatively, it may be stored retroactively to the predetermined number of times immediately before.

  In this way, even when inappropriate design symbols are displayed, by analyzing the operation history, it is possible to accurately grasp the situation and the cause of the inappropriate display and take appropriate measures. Is possible.

  Further, when the occurrence of some malfunction is detected in the gaming machine, the contents of the operation history stored at that time may be held.

  In this way, since the operation history is retained for a predetermined number of times immediately before the occurrence of the malfunction, the situation or cause of the malfunction can be accurately grasped by analyzing the operation history. Therefore, it is possible to take appropriate measures.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order. The present invention can be applied to a variety of gaming machines such as a ball game machine such as a so-called pachinko machine and a revolving game machine called a slot machine. It explains using.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Overview of control:
C-1. Overview of control in the main control unit:
C-2. Overview of control in the sub-control unit:
C-3. Outline of control in the design control unit:
D. Symbol control processing:
E. Variation:

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 is mainly composed of a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a game board 10, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 10 is omitted. The front frame 4 is attached to a middle frame 3 (not shown), and the middle frame 3 is attached to a main body frame 2 (not shown). The middle frame 3 is formed of a plastic material and is attached to the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. One end of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported with respect to the middle frame 3, and one end of the middle frame 3 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and the front side is covered with the front frame 4.

  The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular opening 4a is formed in a substantially central portion. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the opening 4a so that the board surface of the game board 10 arranged on the back side can be visually recognized. Further, the front frame 4 is provided with various lamps 4b to 4f for enhancing the game effect.

  An upper dish portion 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower dish portion 6 is provided below the upper dish portion 5. Further, a locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

  The upper dish part 5 is provided with a dish-shaped concave part and a dish outer edge part 5a formed so as to surround the concave part. The game balls are thrown into the recesses formed in the upper plate part 5 and supplied to the launcher unit 12 (see FIG. 5). The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a game ball lending switch 5b, a return switch 5c, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game ball. Furthermore, a first speaker 5y having a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes formed thereon is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate part 5. Further, two operation switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on the front side (player side) of the upper plate part 5, and the player changes the game conditions during the game by pressing the switch. It is possible to intervene in the progress of the game.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided with a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and the discharged game balls are stored in the lower plate part 6. Further, second speakers 6 c are provided on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the lower dish portion 6.

  A firing handle 8 is provided at the right end of the lower plate portion 6. The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a for detecting that the player is touching the handle. The rotation axis of the launching handle 8 is connected to a launching device unit 12 (not shown) mounted on the back side of the lower plate portion 6, and when the player rotates the firing handle 8, the movement is transferred to the launching device unit 12. Then, a launch motor (not shown) built in the unit rotates and a game ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10.

  A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11, and a variable prize device 18 is provided in a lower portion of the game area 11, and between the central device 26 and the variable prize device 18. A starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is provided. The starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is a so-called tulip type starting port configured such that a pair of blade pieces can be opened and closed on the left and right. Inside the start port 17, there are a start port (ordinary electric accessory) switch 17s (see FIG. 5) for detecting the passing of the game ball, and an ordinary electric accessory (start port) solenoid 17m for operating the wing piece. (See FIG. 5). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, an opening state in which the game ball is likely to enter is in an open state, and the pair of wing pieces are upright, and the game ball is in a normal state in which the possibility of entering is small.

  A fluctuation display device 27 is provided in the approximate center of the central device 26. The variation display device 27 is equipped with a liquid crystal screen, and is capable of variably displaying various effect designs such as design symbols and background symbols. In this embodiment, the variable display device 27 corresponds to the “display screen” in the present invention.

  A symbol display device 28 is provided at the lower left of the central device 26. Although the detailed configuration will be described later, the symbol display device 28 can display normal symbols, special symbols, and the like in a variable stop manner.

  A normal symbol operation gate 36 is provided at the left end of the game area 11, and a gate switch 36 s for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided inside the gate. Further, a lamp windmill 24 is provided between the normal symbol operating gate 36 and the central device 26. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

  In the variable winning device 18 provided below the central device 26, a large winning device 31 is provided substantially in the center. The big winning device 31 is composed of a big winning opening 31d that opens largely in a substantially rectangular shape, a big winning opening solenoid 31m (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing the big winning opening 31d, and the like. The big winning opening 31d is in an open state when a predetermined condition described later is satisfied, and as a result, the game ball enters the big winning opening 31d with a high probability, and is a big hit that is an advantageous gaming state for the player. A gaming state is started. In addition, a big prize opening switch 31s is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d.

  An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball prevention member 58 has a function of preventing the game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. The symbol display device 28 of the present embodiment is mainly composed of a normal symbol display unit 29 and a special symbol display unit 30. The normal symbol display unit 29 includes a left normal symbol display unit 29a and a right normal symbol display unit 29b, and the special symbol display unit 30 includes a left special symbol display unit 30a and a right special symbol display unit 30b. Has been. The two normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b are configured by using light emitting diodes (LEDs), the left normal symbol display portion 29a lights red light, and the right normal symbol display portion 29b lights green light. It is possible to do. The special symbol display unit 30 uses a so-called 7-segment LED. Of these, the 7-segment portion constitutes the left special symbol display portion 30a, and the comma portion constitutes the right special symbol display portion 30b. Yes. The 7-segment portion and the comma portion can be lit with red, orange, or green light. In addition, the symbol display device 28 is also provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 29c and a special symbol hold display unit 30c. Each of these consists of four LEDs. The display contents of the symbol display device 28 having such a configuration will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen configuration of the variable display device 27 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As described above, the variable display device 27 is mainly configured by using a liquid crystal display screen, and on the liquid crystal screen, three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c and a background symbol 27d of the background are displayed. ing. Among these, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed in various manners in accordance with the display of the special symbol 30 shown in FIG. 3 so that a game can be produced. In addition, a character image or the like is displayed on the background pattern 27d. In the present embodiment, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c, the background symbol 27d, the character symbol, and the like correspond to the “design for presentation” in the present invention.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of a number of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and the like. Specifics of the main display board 200 that controls whether or not it is involved, a sub-control board 220 that controls control of game effects using symbols, lamps, and sound effects, and the details of the variable display device 27 under the control of the sub-control board 220 It includes a symbol control board 230 that performs general control, a payout control board 240 that controls the operation of paying out rental balls and prize balls, a launch control board 260 that controls the game balls. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed, and peripheral devices. Various peripheral LSIs such as a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the CTC and a CTC (counter / timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal are connected to each other via a bus. . Also, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output.

  As shown in the drawing, the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switch 36s, etc. Then, control commands for instructing various operations are output toward the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. The main control board 200 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start opening 17, a large winning opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing a large winning opening 31d, and The symbol display device 28 for displaying the fluctuation stop of the normal symbol and the special symbol is connected via the relay terminal board, and signals are output to these various solenoids 17m and 31m and the symbol display device 28. Thus, the operation is also controlled.

  When the sub-control board 220 receives various control commands from the main control board 200, the sub-control board 220 analyzes the contents of the control commands and produces a game according to the result. That is, a control command for designating display contents is output to the symbol control board 230 that performs display control of the above-described variable display device 27, the amplifier board 224 that drives the various speakers 5y and 6c, and various decorative LEDs. A game effect is performed by outputting a drive signal to the decorative drive board 226 that drives the lamp.

  The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when a player operates the ball lending switch 5b or the return switch 5c provided in the above-described upper plate part 5, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 242 to the ball lending device 13 via the relay terminal board. Is done. The ball lending device 13 pays out a ball while exchanging data with the payout control board 240. When the main control board 200 outputs a control command instructing the payout of the winning ball, the payout control board 240 receives this control command and outputs a driving signal to the payout motor 109m, thereby paying out the winning ball. .

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game progresses with the main control board 200 as the center, and the game is played by the operation of other control boards in accordance with the control command output by the main control board 200. Has been done. Therefore, the main control board 200 of this embodiment corresponds to the “main control unit” in the present invention. In addition, the sub control board 220 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “sub control section” in the present invention, and the symbol control board 230 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “symbol control section” in the present invention. ing.

B. Overview of the game:
Next, an outline of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be briefly described.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game is performed as follows. First, when a player throws a game ball into the recess of the upper plate portion 5 and rotates the launch handle 8, the game balls thrown into the upper plate portion 5 are supplied to the launcher unit 12 one by one, The game area 11 is fired as described above with reference to FIG. The strength at which the game ball is launched can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the launch handle 8, and the player can aim the game ball by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 8.

  When the launched game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 provided on the left side of the game area 11, the normal symbol variation display is started on the symbol display device 28. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display unit 29b. The left normal symbol display unit 29a is configured to be able to light red light, and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is configured to be able to light green light. When the normal symbol variation display is started, the left and right normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b perform blinking display.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. The normal symbol in the variable display can take the four states shown in the figure. First, the state shown in FIG. 6A represents a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned on and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned off. FIG. 6B shows a state where both the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display unit 29b are lit. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned on. FIG. 6D shows the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display. Each of the portions 29b represents a state where the light is extinguished. During the normal symbol variation display, these four display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed, and when a predetermined time elapses, they are stopped and displayed in one of the four display states. At this time, if the display is stopped in a predetermined display state, a so-called normal symbol is hit and the start port 17 is in an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). In the present embodiment, the display state shown in FIG. 6C, that is, the state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is lit is set for the normal symbol. Yes.

  If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 during the normal symbol variation display, the passing of this game ball is stored as the number of holds, and after the current normal symbol variation display is completed, the variation display is displayed. Done. Up to four normal symbol holds can be stored, and the stored number of normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol hold display section 29c (see FIG. 3).

  Next, when a game ball enters the start port 17 that is in an open state, a special symbol variation display is started. The special symbol is displayed by the special symbol display unit 30 as described with reference to FIG. As described above, the special symbol display unit 30 of this embodiment is composed of the left special symbol display unit 30a composed of 7-segment LEDs and the right special symbol display unit 30b of the comma portion. The symbol display sections 30a and 30b can be lit in red, orange, or green.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which special symbols are variably displayed. During the special symbol variation display, the symbol “A” or “Y” is displayed on the left special symbol display unit 30a, and the comma “.” Is displayed on the right special symbol display unit 30b. Further, “A” and “Y” in the left special symbol display unit 30a and the comma “.” In the right special symbol display unit 30b can take three states of red, orange, and green. In the special symbol display unit 30 of the present embodiment, these display states can be combined to display 12 types of states shown in FIG. In the figure, the 7-segment LED or the comma portion that is finely hatched indicates that it is lit in a red state. In addition, a little rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in orange, and a rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in green. . When the special symbol variation display is started, these 12 types of display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed.

  If the symbol displayed as “-” is “-”, the special symbol is removed, but if any other combination of symbols is stopped, the special symbol is a hit and the gaming state is advantageous to the player. A special gaming state is started. That is, as combinations of symbols on which the special symbol is won, there are 10 types of combinations excluding “−” from the 12 types of symbols shown in FIG. Further, the special gaming state of the present embodiment is configured such that the gaming state (round) in which the special winning opening 31d is in an open state is repeated for a predetermined round. Since the big winning opening 31d is greatly opened, a game ball enters with high probability. As a result, the player can acquire many prize balls while a predetermined number of rounds are repeated.

  If a game ball enters the start port 17 during the special symbol variation display, the game ball entry is stored as the number of special symbols held, and after the current special symbol variation display ends, Fluctuation display is performed. It is possible to store up to four special symbols on hold, and the number of reserved special symbols stored is displayed on the special symbol hold display section 30c (see FIG. 3).

  In addition, among the 10 types of combinations that the special symbol shown in FIG. 7 is the winning combination, the five types of combinations surrounded by a solid line are so-called “probable variation per symbol”. When the game is stopped at any one of the combinations of the probability variation winning symbols, the probability that the winning symbol is stopped and displayed is higher than that in the normal state from the end of the special game until the next special game is started. In this way, a gaming state in which the probability of being stopped and displayed with a winning symbol is high is called a probability variation gaming state (or simply a probability variation state).

  Furthermore, among the 10 types of combinations that the special symbol shown in FIG. 7 is a winning combination, the five types of combinations surrounded by a broken line are so-called “ordinary winning symbols”. If you stop at one of these normal winning symbol combinations, after the special game is over, the special symbol will be displayed in a variable number of times (in this example, 100 times) until the next special game state is started. Meanwhile, the special symbol variation time is shortened and the opening time of the start port 17 is lengthened. Such a gaming state is referred to as a variable time shortening state (or a short time state). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, such a time-saving function is activated not only when the stop display is performed with the normal winning symbol but also when the stop display is performed with the positive variation symbol. Eventually, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in any of the ten types of winning symbols shown in FIG. 7, the time saving function is always activated after the special gaming state is finished.

  In accordance with the above-described change stop display of the special symbol, the change display device 27 performs various effects using the effect symbols. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an aspect of the effect performed by the variable display device 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the three design symbols 27 a, 27 b, and 27 c are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen constituting the variable display device 27. When the variation display of the special symbol is started by the symbol display device 28 described above, also in the variation display device 27, these three design symbols 27a, 27b and 27c start the variation display all at once. In the present embodiment, a design is prepared by designing nine numbers from “1” to “9” as a design.

  FIG. 8A conceptually shows how the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left design symbol 27a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right design symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The medium design symbol 27b is stopped and displayed. In addition, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, an effect using a character image or the like is performed on the background symbol 27 d in order to increase the effect by the variable display of the three design symbols 27 a, 27 b, 27 c.

  The combination of the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the variable display device 27 is configured to be interlocked with the combination of the special symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the winning symbol, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c of the variable display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol. In particular, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the above-described probability variation symbol, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the variation display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an odd number. On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is out of place and stops at the symbol, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in any combination that does not align with the same symbol.

  Thus, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the variable display device 27 correspond to each other in the display contents, and each display symbol is The timing for confirmation (stop display) is also set to be the same. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the variable display device 27 is provided at a position that is more visible than the symbol display device 28, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while looking at the screen of the device 27. Therefore, when the left design symbol 27a initially stopped and displayed on the display screen of the variable display device 27 and the right design symbol 27c subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol, the stop design is finally displayed. The player pays attention to the change in the design so that the medium design design 27b also stops at the same design and enters a so-called jackpot gaming state. In this way, the effect of variably displaying the last design with the two design symbols stopped at the same design is called a reach effect, and it is possible to enhance the player's interest by performing the reach effect. It has become.

C. Game machine control contents:
The above-described game is realized by the sub-control board 220, the symbol control board 230, etc. executing the respective processes with the main control board 200 as the center. Below, the outline | summary of the control performed by the main control board 200, the sub control board 220, and the symbol control board 230 is demonstrated.

C-1. Overview of control in the main control unit:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 to control the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, in the game control process, each process such as a prize ball-related process, a normal symbol game process, a normal electric accessory stop process, a special symbol game process, and a special electric accessory game process is repeatedly executed. . The time required for one round of processing is about 4 msec. Therefore, these various types of processing are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. Hereinafter, an outline of the game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 will be described according to the flowchart.

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S100). In such processing, among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered a switch related to winning a game ball (such as the start opening switch 17s and the big winning opening switch 31s). To detect. If a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a process for outputting a prize ball number designation command to the payout control board 240 is performed. When the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command output from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command, and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the payout device 109 according to the result. Thus, the process of actually paying out the prize ball is performed.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball number designation command (S100), this time, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game process is performed, that is, whether or not the normal symbol variation stop display is performed (S102). ). Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not the ordinary electric accessory is in operation, in other words, whether or not the starting port 17 is open. If the normal electric accessory is not operating, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is performed (S102: yes), and if the normal electric accessory is operating, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S102: no).

  In the normal symbol game process (S102), the following process is roughly performed. First, it is determined whether or not the number of held ordinary symbols is present (whether it is “0”). If the number of retained symbols is present, whether or not the ordinary symbol is present is determined. Here, the reserved number of normal symbols is set by the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 36, and in this embodiment, the upper limit value of the reserved number is set to “4”. Then, based on the result of the normal / bad determination of the normal symbol, it is determined whether the normal symbol is to be stopped and displayed with the winning symbol (see FIG. 6C) or with any other off symbol. Next, after setting the normal symbol fluctuation display time, the normal symbol fluctuation display is started. When the variable display time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol, and when the normal symbol hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the operation of the normal electric accessory is started. . When the ordinary electric accessory is operated in this way, the pair of blade pieces provided at the start port 17 rotate outward, and the start port 17 is in an open state.

  Subsequent to the normal symbol game process (S104), it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory is in operation (S106). If it is in operation (S106: yes), a process for stopping the ordinary electric accessory (ordinary electric accessory stopping process) is performed (S108). On the other hand, if the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (S106: no), it is not necessary to perform the ordinary electric accessory stop process (S108), so skip and determine whether or not to perform a special symbol game process described later. Judgment is made (S110).

  The determination as to whether or not to perform the special symbol game process is performed as follows. First, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the start port 17. As described above, the start port 17 s that detects the entrance of a game ball is provided inside the start port 17, and can detect that a game ball has entered. If no game ball is in the starting port 17, it is determined whether or not the number of special symbols held remains. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, up to four special symbol hold numbers can be stored in the special symbol hold display unit 30 c of the symbol display device 28. And if a game ball enters the starting port 17 or if there is a reserve number of special symbols left, finally check to make sure that you are not playing a big hit game. If it is not during the big hit game, it is determined that the special symbol game process is started (S110: yes). On the other hand, when these conditions are not satisfied, it is determined that the special symbol game process is not performed (S110: no).

  Here, the special symbol game is a game in which the special symbol display unit 30 of the symbol display device 28 shown in FIG. 3 displays the special symbol in a variable manner and then stops and displays it in any of the symbol combinations illustrated in FIG. It is. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs the following special symbol game processing in order to perform a special symbol game. First, it is determined whether the special symbol is to be stopped and displayed with the winning symbol or the off symbol, and then it is determined with which symbol illustrated in FIG. 7 to be stopped and displayed. At this stage, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is hit, that is, whether or not the special symbol is hit or not, and if it is hit, whether it is a positive hit or a normal hit. All these decisions are made by lottery using random numbers.

  After determining whether or not the special symbol is appropriate, a variation pattern of the special symbol is determined. The change pattern is also determined by random lottery. The variation pattern is associated with the variation time of the special symbol, and the variation time is determined by determining the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  After determining whether the special symbol is correct or not and the variation pattern, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the variation display of the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 provided in the symbol display device 28, and changes the special symbol. A control command (variation pattern designation command) for designating a pattern and a control command (special symbol stop information designation command) for designating whether or not a special symbol is appropriate are output toward the sub-control board 220. When the special symbol is variably displayed for a time determined by the variation pattern, a control command (design stop command) indicating that the special symbol is stopped and displayed is output to the sub-control board 220 and determined in advance. The special symbol is stopped and displayed with the symbol.

  When the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a winning symbol, the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device is started. Here, the condition device is a device that becomes a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device to be described later, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed in either of the above-mentioned “probable hit symbol” or “normal hit symbol”. And the operation is started and the special winning opening 31d is opened. In addition, the accessory continuous operation device is a device that reopens the closed prize winning opening 31d. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, both the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are mainly configured by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. The so-called big hit game is started by operating the condition device and the accessory continuous action device in this way and executing a special electric accessory game process described later.

  As described above, in the special symbol game process (S112 in FIG. 9), the special symbol win / fail state and the stop symbol are determined, the special symbol variation display and the stop symbol are displayed, and the winning symbol is stopped and displayed. In some cases, processing is performed to operate the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device. Various control commands are output toward the sub-control board 220 in accordance with such processing.

  When the special symbol game process is finished, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the condition device is in operation (S114). When the condition device is operated in the special symbol game process described above (in other words, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the winning symbol), it is determined as “yes” in S114, and the special electric game game described later is performed. Processing is performed and a so-called jackpot game is started. On the other hand, if the condition device is not operating (S114: no), the process returns to the top of the game control process without performing the special electric accessory game process, and again after the prize ball related process (S100). Perform a series of processing.

  In the special electric accessory game process, the following process is roughly performed. First, the special winning opening 31d (see FIG. 2) provided below the game board 10 is set to an open state. Since the big winning opening 31d is opened larger than the other winning openings, when the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, a game ball can be entered with a high probability. Then, when the opening time reaches a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of game balls enter the big winning opening 31d, the big winning opening 31d is once closed, and when the predetermined closing time elapses, the big winning opening 31d is opened again. State. A game from when the special winning opening 31d is opened until it is closed is called “round”. In the special electric accessory game process, such a round is repeated a predetermined number of times. Also, after a predetermined number of rounds, the time-shortening function is activated. If the winning symbol is “probable variation per symbol”, the probability variation function is also activated, and then the special electric accessory game process is terminated. Then, returning to the head of the game control process, a series of processes after the prize ball related process (S100) is performed again.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 advances the game of the gaming machine 1 by repeatedly performing the game control process as described above. In addition, various control commands are output while performing game control processing. The sub control board 220 receives the control command output from the main control board 200 in this way, and performs an effect control process described below.

C-2. Overview of control on the sub control board:
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of effect control processing performed on the sub-control board 220. This process is a process executed by the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 when the gaming machine 1 is turned on and the initialization operation of the sub control board 220 is completed.

  As shown in the drawing, in the production control process (S200), first, it is determined whether or not a special symbol variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 200 (S202). The special symbol variation pattern designation command is a type of control command output from the main control board 200. As described above with reference to FIG. 9, the special symbol variation pattern designation command receives the special symbol variation pattern determined in the special symbol game processing. And output to the sub-control board 220. As described above, the special symbol variation pattern represents the special symbol variation time, and the special symbol variation pattern designation command is output at the start of the variation of the special symbol in the special symbol display unit 30. The board 220 can know the timing and the fluctuation time when the special symbol fluctuation display is started by receiving the fluctuation pattern designation command. Therefore, if the special symbol variation pattern designation command has not been received (S202: no), it can be determined that the special symbol has not yet been variably displayed, so that the standby state is maintained until the command is received.

  Eventually, when a special symbol variation pattern designation command is output from the main control board 200, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines that a variation pattern designation command has been received (S202: yes), and then special symbol stop information designation. It is determined whether a command has been received (S204). If the special symbol stop information designation command has not been received yet (S204: no), the standby state is left as it is. As described above with reference to FIG. 9, the special symbol stop information designation command is a command indicating which symbol is to be stopped and displayed after the special symbol is variably displayed. Following the special symbol variation pattern designation command, Is output. Therefore, the sub-control board 220 can receive the special symbol stop information designation command soon after receiving the variation pattern designation command. Then, by receiving the special symbol variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the special symbol variation display, the variation time, and the special symbol that is stopped. You can know the design.

  When a special symbol stop information designation command is received (S204: yes), it is next determined whether or not a condition mode switching condition is satisfied (S206). The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has two types, a general production mode (normal production mode) started after power-on and a production mode (special production mode) started when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A production mode is provided. In addition, as conditions for switching the production mode, for example, various conditions are set in advance, for example, when a continuation of a predetermined number of times in reach production, or when a big hit game following a special reach production ends. I can keep it. Therefore, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the special symbol variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command, it determines whether or not a preset switching condition is satisfied (S206). ). If the effect mode switching condition is satisfied (S206: yes), the effect mode is switched (S208). On the other hand, when the switching condition is not satisfied (S206: no), the effect mode is not switched.

  Next, after acquiring the current effect mode (S210), the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines the reach effect mode based on the previously received special symbol variation pattern, the current effect mode, and the like (S212). ).

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the manner in which the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the reach effect mode. In the illustrated example, there are 10 types of variation patterns from “Pattern Special 1” to “Pattern Special 10” as the variation pattern of the special symbol. The variation pattern, the production mode, and the special symbol stop symbol are provided. The reach production mode is determined according to the combination. For example, if the variation pattern of the special symbol is “pattern special 3” and the stop symbol is “winning symbol”, it will be “1 per hour” in both the “normal effect mode” and the “special effect mode”. It is determined as a reach production mode. In addition, since the variation pattern “pattern special 1” or “pattern special 2” does not occur in the case of “winning symbol”, the reach effect mode is determined only in the case of “out of symbol” for these variation patterns. Is done. Further, for example, for the variation pattern “pattern special 9” or “pattern special 10”, a different reach production mode is determined depending on the production mode.

  In FIG. 11, the reach production mode varies depending on whether the stop symbol of the special symbol is “winning symbol” or “off symbol”, and accordingly, the variation pattern of the special symbol, the stop symbol, and the rendering mode are different. In the above description, the reach production mode is determined. However, regardless of the stop symbol, the reach effect mode is determined by the variation pattern of the special symbol and the effect mode. After the reach effect is performed in the determined mode, the reach effect is ended with the specified stop symbol. Anyway.

  In S212 of the effect control process shown in FIG. 10, the reach effect mode is determined from the variation pattern of the special symbol received from the main control board 200 and the current effect mode in this way. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, at this stage, it is possible to specify the contents of specific effects performed on the screen of the variable display device 27. Therefore, the specific operation contents are given to the symbol control board 230. It becomes possible to instruct. Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 outputs a control command for instructing specific operation contents to the symbol control board 230 (S214).

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating control commands output from the sub control board 220 to the symbol control board 230. As shown in the figure, the control command is output as 2-byte data, the upper byte represents the type of the control command, and the lower byte represents the content specified by the control command.

  FIG. 12A illustrates specific control commands. For example, the upper byte “80” represents that the control command is a special symbol variation pattern designation command, and the subsequent lower byte represents the variation pattern designated by the command. The lower byte can take values from “00” to “0A” in hexadecimal notation. This corresponds to the fact that, as described above with reference to FIG. 11, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, ten types of variation patterns are provided as the variation patterns of the special symbol, and it is sufficient to be able to specify any one of them. It is a thing. Of course, if more types of variation patterns are set, the range that the lower byte can take increases accordingly. The upper byte “84” indicates that the control command is a special symbol stop information designation command. As described above with reference to FIG. 7, since the special symbol of this embodiment can take only 12 types of symbols, the lower byte following the upper byte “84” can take values from “00” to “0B”. it can. Further, the upper byte “87” indicates that the control command is a symbol stop command. Since this command only specifies that the symbol is to be stopped, there is no content specified by the lower byte, and therefore the value of the lower byte is fixed to “00”.

  As for the three control commands described above, the sub control board 220 transfers the control command output from the main control board 200 to the symbol control board 230 as it is. Although it is output to the board 230, it is substantially output from the main control board 200 to the symbol control board 230. Therefore, these control commands may be directly output from the main control board 200 to the symbol control board 230.

  The upper byte “D1” represents that the control command is a command for designating a reach effect mode, and the lower byte following represents a reach effect mode to be designated. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, since 11 types of reach production modes are provided, the lower byte can take a value of “00” to “0A” in hexadecimal notation. Of course, when more types of reach production modes are provided, the range that can be taken by the lower byte accordingly becomes wider. The upper byte “B1” indicates that the control command is a command for designating the left design symbol 27a to be stopped after the reach effect, and the upper byte “B2” is the middle design symbol to be stopped after the reach effect. The upper byte “B3” indicates that the control command specifies the right design symbol 27c to be stopped after the reach effect. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, corresponding to the use of a design in which numbers “1” to “9” are designed as design symbols, each lower byte is “01” to “09”. Can be taken.

  These control commands are commands that are generated while the sub control board 220 executes the effect control process of FIG. 10 and output to the symbol control board 230. In addition to these commands, the control command generated by the sub-control board 220 includes, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), a control command (command of the upper byte “DB”) for designating the current effect mode, A control command (command of the upper byte “E5”) for specifying the switching condition for switching the mode is provided. In S214 of the effect control process shown in FIG. 10, such a control command is output to the symbol control board 230.

  When the control command is output to the symbol control board 230 in this manner, the symbol control board 230 performs processing for displaying various effect symbols on the screen of the variable display device 27. Therefore, the sub-control board 220 executes effects using sound effects, lamps, and the like in accordance with the contents of the effects performed by the variable display device 27 (S216).

  When such an effect is finished, it is next determined whether or not a big hit has occurred (S218). As described above, the sub-control board 220 knows the change time of the special symbol and in which symbol it is stopped by the special symbol fluctuation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command received from the main control board 200. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the big hit occurs or the timing when the big hit occurs. If it is determined that a big hit has occurred (S218: yes), a control command for instructing the contents of the big hit game is output to the symbol control board 230 (S220). Then, on the screen of the variable display device 27, the symbol control board 230 produces a jackpot game effect, so that the sub-control board 220 produces a jackpot game effect using sound effects, lamps, and the like in accordance with this effect. Is executed (S222). On the other hand, if it is determined in S218 that no big hit game has occurred (S218: no), the processing for performing the big hit game effect is skipped and the process returns to the head of the effect control process shown in FIG. The above-described series of processing is repeated again.

  As described above, the effect control process performed by the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment is based on various control commands such as the special symbol variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command received from the main control board 200. Then, a specific production content is determined, and a control command corresponding to the determined production content is output to the symbol control board 230. In the symbol control board 230, in accordance with the control command output in this way, the variation display device 27 performs effects using various effects symbols. The outline of the control performed by the symbol control board 230 will be described below.

C-3. Outline of control on design control board:
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how the symbol control board 230 performs effects using various effect symbols on the screen of the variable display device 27 based on a control command from the sub-control board 220. is there. First, various control commands are output from the sub-control board 220 toward the symbol control board 230. In FIG. 13, a state in which a control command is output from the sub control board 220 to the symbol control board 230 is represented by an arrow. Among these, three control commands are output from the main control board 200: a variation pattern designation command indicated by a solid arrow, a special symbol (special symbol and display in the diagram) stop information designation command, and a symbol stop command. This is a command for transferring a control command as it is. The numerical value displayed with (parentheses) under the arrow represents the value of the upper byte of each control command.

  In addition, the four control commands indicated by broken-line arrows in the drawing are control commands that are output when specific contents of effects are determined on the sub-control board 220. For example, the reach effect mode designation command is a control command for designating a specific reach effect mode determined by the sub-control board 220, and data specifying which reach effect is performed is set in the lower byte. Has been. Therefore, when the symbol control board 230 receives the reach effect mode designation command, the image memory (here, a part of the ROM 232 mounted on the symbol control board 230 is imaged based on the data set in the lower byte. The image data stored in a predetermined range (used as a memory) is read frame by frame (one screen) and sequentially displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27. The range in which image data is read is stored in advance in the ROM 232 in association with the reach effect mode designation command.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory view exemplifying a state in which the area on the image memory is stored in association with the reach effect mode designation command. For example, for the reach effect mode designation command of the upper byte “D1” and the lower byte “00”, image data for 200 frames is stored in the range of 0000 to 0C2F on the image memory. For the reach effect mode designation command of the upper byte “D1” and the lower byte “01”, image data for 250 frames is stored in the range of 0C30 to 155F on the image memory.

  The sub control board 220 also outputs an effect stop symbol designation command. The effect stop symbol designation command is a command for designating which symbol the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are variably displayed on the screen of the variation display device 27 are to be stopped and displayed. Corresponding to the fact that there are three design symbols, left design symbol 27a, middle design symbol 27b, and right design symbol 27c, the stop design command for directing is also used for the left design symbol, the middle design symbol, and the right Three commands for design symbols are output. The symbol control board 230 identifies the address on the image memory from the values set in the lower bytes of these three commands, reads the image data at the identified address, and displays it on the screen of the variable display device 27. To perform the process.

  In FIG. 13, an arrow indicated by a thick alternate long and short dash line indicates that the symbol control board 230 reads out image data stored in a predetermined area on the image memory based on a control command received from the sub control board 220 and changes. FIG. 4 conceptually shows a state in which images are sequentially displayed on the screen of the display device 27.

  As shown in FIG. 13, an effect mode designation command, an effect mode switching condition designation command, and the like are also output from the sub control board 220. These control commands are mainly used for the sub control board 220 and the symbol control. This command is used to confirm the operation on the substrate 230 or the like. Moreover, the arrow shown by the thick broken line in FIG. 13 conceptually represents a state in which data is displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 for operation confirmation. These operation checks can be executed while the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 performs symbol control processing described below. Hereinafter, the symbol control process performed on the symbol control board 230 will be described in detail.

D. Symbol control processing:
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol control process performed on the symbol control board 230. This process is also a process executed by the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 when the initialization operation of the symbol control board 230 is completed.

  As shown in the figure, in the symbol control process (S300), first, it is determined whether or not a control command is received from the sub-control board 220 (S302). The control commands here are the various control commands described above with reference to FIGS. If none of these control commands has been received (S302: no), the process enters a standby state, but if it is determined that any control command has been received (S302: yes), the contents of the control command are changed. As described above with reference to FIG. 14, the address (or address range) where the corresponding image data is stored on the image memory (here, a partial area of the ROM 232) mounted on the symbol control board 230 is analyzed. ) Is specified (S304).

  Next, the CPU 231 of the symbol control board 230 determines whether or not the display mode of the screen of the variable display device 27 is set to the debug mode (S306). Here, the debug mode is a display mode for confirming the operations of the sub control board 220 and the symbol control board 230. When the CPU 231 of the symbol control board 230 is normally activated, the display mode of the screen of the variable display device 27 is set to the normal mode, but two conditions provided on the front side of the upper plate part 5, for example, are set. When a predetermined operation such as turning on the power of the gaming machine 1 is performed while pressing the operation switches SW1 and SW2, or when the main control board 200, the sub control board 220, the symbol control board 230, etc. detect any error When a predetermined condition is established, the display mode of the screen of the variable display device 27 is switched to the debug mode. In S306 of the symbol control process shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether any condition for switching to the debug mode is satisfied, and when any condition is satisfied, the display mode is displayed in the debug mode. It judges that it is (S306: yes) and performs the following processes.

  First, items to be displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 in the debug mode are acquired (S308). This is the following process. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the screen of the variable display device 27 is displayed in the debug mode. FIG. 16A shows a display screen in the debug mode. FIG. 16B shows a screen displayed in the normal mode as a reference. As shown in FIG. 16, the normal display image is displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 in the debug mode, and the operation of the sub control board 220 and the symbol control board 230 is confirmed. Various data are displayed.

  For example, an item “range check” and a check result are displayed in the upper left of the screen. Here, the range check refers to the following inspection operation performed for confirmation when the symbol control board 230 receives a control command from the sub-control board 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, in the control command (reach effect mode designation command) whose upper byte is “D1”, 17 types of reach modes can be specified, so the lower byte of the control command is Only a value in the range of “00” to “11” can be obtained in hexadecimal notation. In other words, if the lower byte following the upper byte “D1” of the control command is a large value equal to or greater than “12” (in hexadecimal notation), it is considered that some abnormality has occurred. Similarly, if the lower byte following the control command (the left design symbol stop design designation command) whose upper byte is “B1” has a value of “10” or more, it is considered that some abnormality has occurred. In the range check, it is checked that the value of the lower byte is in an appropriate range for the control command represented by the upper byte. The symbol control board 230 always performs a range check when receiving a control command, and the confirmation result of the range check is displayed on the screen of the debug mode illustrated in FIG.

  Below the item relating to the range check, an item “80” and data about the item are displayed. Here, the item “80” represents a special symbol variation pattern designation command (see FIG. 13), and the data for that item represents the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command. As described above with reference to FIG. 12, the control command is 2-byte data, and the upper byte represents the type of command. Therefore, even in the debug mode, the contents of items displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 are represented by displaying the upper bytes of the control command.

  Also, under the item “80”, an item “84”, an item “DB”, and data about these items are displayed. Here, the item “84” represents a special symbol stop information designation command, and the data for this item represents a special symbol stop symbol designated by the special symbol stop information designation command. Similarly, the item “DB” represents an effect mode designation command, and the data about this item represents the designated effect mode.

  Further, four items of data are also displayed at the lower right of the screen of the variable display device 27. First, three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c to be stopped are displayed side by side at the top. These are the symbols designated by the stop design designation commands for production of the left design symbol, the middle design symbol, and the right design symbol (the upper bytes are “B1”, “B2”, “B3”) (see FIG. 13). ) Moreover, the value of the reach production mode is displayed under these three design symbols. This is a value designated by the lower byte of the reach effect mode designation command (the upper byte is “D1”) from the sub-control board 220. Since these items are displayed as much as possible in the debug mode, the display of the items is omitted in this embodiment, and only the data of the items is displayed. Below these items, the total number of frames read from the image memory and the number of the frame currently displayed on the screen are displayed in order to produce effects on the screen of the variable display device 27. The total number of frames is data acquired when the CPU 231 of the symbol control board 230 specifies an area where image data is stored on the image memory in order to produce an effect on the screen of the variable display device 27. . The frame number is a value that is updated one by one each time image data is read in units of frames and displayed on the screen.

  In the debug mode, what item data is displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 is set in advance to a specific address in the ROM 232 of the symbol control board 230. Therefore, in S308 of the symbol control process shown in FIG. 15, when displaying in the debug mode, a process for obtaining settings for items displayed in the debug mode is performed by reading a specific address in the ROM 232. Note that the items displayed on the screen in the debug mode can be changed by replacing the data set at a specific address with the changed ROM 232. Alternatively, by setting the data of the item to be displayed as the address of the RAM 233, the item to be displayed on the screen may be changed from the outside without replacing the ROM 232.

  Next, a process for reading out data about the acquired item and storing it at a predetermined address of the RAM 233 mounted on the symbol control board 230 is performed (S310). At this time, the data already stored is saved to another address on the RAM 233 mounted on the symbol control board 230, and data for a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) is left. Then, after the read item data is displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 (S312), the image data is read in units of frames from the address on the image memory specified by the control command, and the variable display device 27 is sequentially displayed. Is displayed on the screen (S314).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the display mode of the screen of the variable display device 27 is not the debug mode (S306: no), the processing (S308 to S312) performed to display various items on the screen is skipped, Immediately, processing is performed to read out other images in units of frames from addresses on the image memory and display them on the screen (S314).

  When a series of effects is finished on the screen of the variable display device 27 in this way, the process returns to the beginning again and a series of subsequent processes are performed. The process of displaying the screen of the variable display device 27 in either the normal mode or the debug mode is performed while the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 executes the symbol control process described above. . Therefore, the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 of this embodiment corresponds to the “normal mode display unit” and the “operation check mode display unit” in the present invention. In addition, the process of storing the data of the items displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 on the RAM 233 a predetermined number of times while the CPU 231 of the symbol control board 230 executes the symbol control processing described above. Has been done. Therefore, the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 of this embodiment corresponds to the “operation history storage means” in the present invention.

  In the symbol control process described above, by starting the CPU 231 in the debug mode, the contents of the control command received from the sub-control board 220, the operation contents of the symbol control board 230 in response thereto, and the result are displayed. Since the screen can be checked at the same time, it is possible to easily check the operation of the sub-control board 220 and the symbol control board 230. Further, even when an abnormality in operation is found, the cause of the abnormality can be easily identified, so that measures can be taken quickly against the abnormality. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  For example, on the screen in the debug mode illustrated in FIG. 16, “84:01”, that is, the content of the special symbol stop information designation command output from the main control board 200 is the third from the top of the items displayed on the left side. It is displayed. In addition, at the top of the item on the right side, “777”, that is, stop symbols of three design symbols determined by the sub-control board 220 are displayed. By checking whether or not these display contents match, it can be determined whether or not the sub-control board 220 is operating normally. For example, the stop symbol of the design symbol determined by the sub-control board 220 is “777” even though the stop symbol specified by the special symbol stop information specifying command is “off symbol” or “normal hit symbol”. If there is, it can be determined that the operation of the sub-control board 220 is abnormal.

  In addition, although the design symbol stop pattern determined by the sub-control board 220 is “777”, three design symbols 27 a, 27 b, and 27 c are displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27. If the display is stopped, the symbol control board 230 may have read the data at the wrong address in the image memory or the image data stored at the address may be wrong. In any case, it can be determined that there is a problem in the operation of the symbol control board 230.

  Similarly, for the item displayed second from the top left of the screen of the variable display device 27, it is possible to narrow down the presence of an abnormality and the cause of the abnormality. That is, the item (“80:01”) displayed second from the top on the left side of the screen represents the special symbol variation pattern output from the main control board 200. Also, the item (“0002”) displayed second from the top right of the screen represents the reach effect mode determined by the sub-control board 220. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation pattern determined by the main control board 200 and the reach effect mode determined by the sub control board 220 match each other. If they match, the operation of the sub control board 220 is determined. Can be determined that the operation of the sub control board 220 is abnormal. Furthermore, the third frame from the top right of the screen of the variable display device 27 displays the total number of frames of image data that the symbol control board 230 reads from the image memory (here, ROM 232). Since the image data is read frame by frame at a predetermined time interval (for example, 80 msec), the total number of frames corresponds to the effect time performed on the screen of the variable display device 27. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the production time derived from the total number of frames and the production time of the reach production mode determined by the sub-control board 220 (and thus the fluctuation time indicated in the special symbol fluctuation pattern) match. To do. If they match, the operation of the symbol control board 230 is normal. If they do not match, it can be determined that the operation of the symbol control board 230 is abnormal.

  Furthermore, since these display items and effects using various effect symbols can be confirmed on the same screen, for example, even if an inappropriate screen is displayed for a moment during the effect, It is possible to accurately grasp the situation where such a phenomenon has occurred from the contents of the display items and take appropriate measures promptly. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, during the debug mode, the frame number of the currently displayed image is also displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27. From this display, an inappropriate image frame is displayed. It is also possible to know the number.

  In addition, even if the screen display of the variable display device 27 is in the normal mode, if any abnormality is detected, the mode immediately switches to the debug mode and various items are displayed on the screen. It is possible to accurately grasp the situation where an abnormality has occurred. As a result, it is possible to take appropriate measures promptly against abnormalities. For these reasons, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation check of the sub-control board 220 and the symbol control board 230 is quickly performed, and when an abnormal operation is found, an appropriate measure should be taken promptly. Is possible.

  In the above description, during the debug mode, as illustrated in FIG. 16, it has been described that display items are displayed overlaid on the effect image displayed in the normal mode. Also, in FIG. 16, in order to avoid the display item data from being difficult to see due to the effect image, the effect image is displayed slightly slightly (with the contrast and saturation lowered). However, as long as the effect image and various display items can be confirmed on the same screen, any form may be displayed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, during the debug mode, the effect image may be displayed smaller and various display items may be displayed outside the surrounding frame. Even in this case, the effect image and various items can be confirmed at the same time, so that the operation confirmation of the sub control board 220 and the symbol control board 230 can be easily executed.

E. Modified example:
In the above-described embodiment, only when the debug mode is started, data of items to be displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 is acquired, and the acquired data is stored retroactively at least a predetermined number of times. It has been described that the display item data is not acquired and stored during the mode. However, even during the normal mode, data of various display items may be acquired and stored retroactively at least a predetermined number of times. Below, such a modification is demonstrated.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol control process of the modification. In the case of the symbol control process of the modified example, the data of various display items is acquired and stored even when the debug control mode is not in the pattern control process described above with reference to FIG. In this case, the display item update is significantly different. Hereinafter, with reference to these differences, the symbol control process of the modified example will be described.

  Also in the symbol control process (S350) of the modified example, first, it is determined whether or not a control command is received from the sub-control board 220 (S352), and if no control command is received (S352: no). , Until a command is received.

  When a control command is received (S352: yes), it is determined whether an error has occurred so far (S354). Here, the error includes various errors detected by each control board. For example, if an error has been detected by the above-described range check or if an error has been detected by a sum check accompanying data communication, “error has occurred” in S354 unless these errors are reset. Is determined.

  When it is determined that no error has occurred (S354: no), the item to be displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 is acquired in the debug mode (S356), and the data about the acquired item is read out. The data is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 233 mounted on the control board 230 (S358). At this time, similarly to the symbol control process described above with reference to FIG. 15, the data already stored is saved to another address on the RAM 233, and the data for a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) is left. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that “an error has occurred” in S354 (S354: yes), the process of acquiring and storing display item data (S356, S358) is skipped. As a result, since new data is not stored, data for a predetermined number of times is held immediately before an error occurs.

  In the symbol control process of the modification, after reading and storing the data of various display items in this way, it is determined whether or not the display mode of the screen of the variable display device 27 is set to the debug mode (S360). Also in the symbol control process of the modified example, a predetermined operation such as turning on the power of the gaming machine 1 while pressing two operation switches SW1 and SW2 provided on the front surface side of the upper plate part 5, for example. If a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the main control board 200, the sub control board 220, the symbol control board 230, etc. detect some error, the debug mode is switched.

  If it is determined that the debug mode is being performed (S360: yes), the data of the various display items that have been read out are displayed on the screen of the variable display device 27 (S362). On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not in the debug mode (S360: no), the process of displaying the data of various display items on the screen is skipped.

  Next, the CPU 231 of the symbol control board 230 first analyzes the contents of the control command received from the sub-control board 220, and the address where the image data is stored on the image memory (here, a partial area of the ROM 232). After specifying (or address range) (S364), image data is read out from the specified address in the image memory in units of frames and displayed in order on the screen of the variable display device 27 (S366).

  When a series of effects is finished on the screen of the variable display device 27 in this way, the process returns to the beginning again and a series of subsequent processes are performed. The operation of detecting the occurrence of an error and canceling the update of the data of various display items is performed while the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 executes the symbol control process of the above-described modification. It has been broken. Therefore, the CPU 231 mounted on the symbol control board 230 of the modified example corresponds to “malfunction detection means” in the present invention.

  Also in the symbol control process of the modified example described above, the operation confirmation of the sub control board 220 and the symbol control board 230 can be easily executed by displaying the screen of the variation display device 27 in the debug mode. Even when the display mode of the screen is not the debug mode, data of various display items is acquired, and the predetermined number of times is constantly updated and stored. When any error is detected, the display on the screen is switched to the debug mode, and the update of the display item data is stopped. For this reason, since the situation immediately before the error has occurred can be easily grasped, the cause of the error can be identified and appropriate measures can be taken promptly.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim unless it departs from the scope described in each claim. Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the invention of the present application is applied to a ball game machine has been described. However, the present invention can be applied not only to a ball game machine, but also to other game machines provided with an effect screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the same applies to a so-called revolving game machine that performs a game in which a predetermined combination of symbols is aligned by rotating a plurality of revolving cylinders and then stopping and displaying the revolving cylinders. Can be applied to.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the symbol control board 230 that controls the effect screen is not controlled directly from the main control board 200 that controls the progress of the game, but indirectly through the sub-control board 220. Explained as being. However, the same can be applied to the case where the symbol control board 230 is directly controlled from the main control board 200.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of a game board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen structure of the fluctuation | variation display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the one aspect | mode of the effect performed with a fluctuation | variation display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the rough flow of the game control process which a main control board performs in order to control progress of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the presentation control process performed with a sub control board. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that a sub control board | substrate determines a reach production | presentation aspect. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the control command output to a symbol control board from a sub control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a symbol control board | substrate performs various effects on the screen of a fluctuation | variation display apparatus based on the control command from a sub control board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the area | region on image memory was matched and memorize | stored in the reach | attainment effect mode designation | designated command. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the symbol control process performed with a symbol control board. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the screen of the variable display apparatus was displayed in debug mode. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the display mode of the debug mode which displayed the image for production smaller. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the symbol control process of a modification. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the Example applied to the rotating type game machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Pachinko machine, 27 ... Variable display device (display screen),
27a, 27b, 27c ... design symbol (design for production),
27d ... Background design (production design), 200 ... Main control board (main control unit),
220 ... Sub control board (sub control part), 230 ... Symbol control board (symbol control part),
231 ... CPU (normal mode display means, operation check mode display means, operation history storage means, malfunction detection means)

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine that has a display screen that displays a design for production in accordance with the game while a game is performed using a game medium,
A main control unit that controls the progress of the game and outputs a control command for progressing the game;
A symbol control unit that displays the symbol for presentation on the display screen based on the control command,
The symbol control unit
Normal mode display means for displaying the effect design in a normal mode when a game is being played by a player;
Along with the design symbol for the normal mode, the control command received by the symbol control unit, and an operation confirmation mode display means capable of displaying the operation content of the symbol control unit based on the control command, and
A game machine characterized in that the effect design is displayed on the display screen by selectively activating either the normal mode display unit or the operation check mode display unit according to a predetermined condition. . In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
A sub-control unit that determines the content of the effect performed on the display screen based on a control command output from the main control unit, and outputs a control command that specifies the content of the effect to the symbol control unit,
The gaming machine characterized in that the symbol control unit displays the effect symbol on the display screen based on the control command output from the main control unit or the sub control unit. In the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The symbol control unit stores the operation history as the operation content based on the received control command and the operation command retroactively at a predetermined number of times immediately before the operation confirmation mode display means is operating. A gaming machine comprising means. The gaming machine according to claim 3,
A malfunction detection means for detecting that a malfunction has occurred in the gaming machine;
When the malfunction is detected, the operation history storage means holds the contents of the operation history stored at that time.

Images