JP2009233470A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the increase of the program capacity of a game control means even when game performances are made abundant. <P>SOLUTION: The game control means extracts a random number, determines a big winning and determines a ready-to-win state in order to give a holding advance notice when a start winning is generated. Also, the big winning is determined and the ready-to-win state is determined on the basis of the random number when the variation of patterns can be started at a variable display device as well. Then, the same big winning determination module and ready-to-win state determination module are used when the start winning is generated and when the variation of the patterns can be started at the variable display device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information, and after a predetermined variable display execution condition is satisfied, variable information display is started based on the satisfaction of the variable display start condition. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific display result.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. Furthermore, a variable display device capable of variably displaying the identification information is provided, and when the display result of the variable display of the identification information becomes a specific display result, it can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. There is something configured.

  The specific game state means a state advantageous for a player who is given a predetermined game value. Specifically, for example, the right for a game state that is advantageous for a player who is easy to win a hit (a big hit gaming state) or a player's advantageous state occurs, for example, in a specific game state A state in which a predetermined game value is given, such as a state in which a condition for paying out a prize game medium is easily established.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, the fact that the display result of a variable display device that displays a special symbol (identification information) is a combination of specific display modes determined in advance is generally referred to as “big hit”. When the big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state where the hit ball is easy to win. And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times of opening the special winning opening is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 15 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. Further, when a predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit gaming state is ended.

  In addition, in the variable display device, the symbols other than the symbol that becomes the final stop symbol (for example, the middle symbol in the left middle right symbol) continue for a predetermined time and stop, swing, There is a possibility that a big hit will occur before the final result is displayed due to the state of scaling or deformation, or multiple symbols changing synchronously with the same symbol, or the position of the display symbol being switched An effect performed in a continuing state (hereinafter, these states are referred to as reach states) is referred to as reach effect. Further, the reach state and its state are referred to as a reach mode. Furthermore, variable display including reach production is called reach variable display. In the reach state, the interest of the game is enhanced by making the variation pattern different from the variation pattern in the normal state. Then, when the display result of the symbols variably displayed on the variable display device does not satisfy the condition for reaching the reach state, the state is “missed” and the variable display state is terminated. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  In a gaming machine, game control means for controlling the progress of a game and determining whether or not to enter a specific gaming state generally includes a microcomputer that executes control based on a game control program. The microcomputer determines whether or not to enter a specific game state in the game control program when a condition that can start the variation of symbols (variable display of identification information) is established in the variable display device. Execute. A program for determining whether or not to enter a specific gaming state is a relatively large-scale program such as generating a random number or comparing the generated random number value with a determination value.

  In addition, for reasons such as abundant game effects, timing other than when the conditions for starting the variation of symbols in the variable display device are satisfied in the progress of the game (for example, the variation of symbols in the variable display device is When the conditions for starting are satisfied, it may be determined whether or not to enter a specific gaming state in the following (hereinafter referred to as starting winning prize). The timing of the start winning prize is far from the timing when the condition for starting the change of the symbol is established in the variable display device. Therefore, when deciding whether or not to enter the specific game state at the time of starting winning etc., in the storage means storing the program, the specific game at the time of starting winning etc. is located in the vicinity of the program part that performs control related to the starting win. A program for determining whether or not to enter a state is stored.

  Then, when there are many timings for determining whether or not to enter the specific gaming state in the progress of the game, there are many programs for determining whether or not to enter the specific gaming state in the storage means for storing the program. As a result, the program capacity is increased. Since the game control means controls the overall progress of the game including game effects in the gaming machine, the program capacity is originally large. If the program capacity is further increased in such a state, the program applied to the game effect in the gaming machine must be reduced, and the game effect becomes poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing an increase in the program capacity of the game control means even if the game effects are abundant.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a variable display device (for example, the variable display device 9) capable of variably displaying the identification information, and a predetermined variable display execution condition (for example, a start winning area provided in the game area). Is established, the variable information is displayed on the basis of the establishment of the variable display start condition (for example, the previous special symbol variable display and jackpot game state end), and the display result of the identification information is displayed. Is a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state (for example, a big hit gaming state) advantageous to the player when a specific display result (for example, the left middle right design is the same design), and a game control program A game control means (for example, CPU 56 etc.) for controlling the progress of the game based on the game control means is used for determining whether or not the game control means is controlled to a specific game state. In step S23, the determination value data updating means (for example, the counter value for generating the big hit determination random number) for updating the value data (for example, the count value of the counter for generating the big hit determination random number) is updated. A part for performing processing) and execution condition establishment determination means (for example, in the game control means) for determining whether or not the specific game state is to be controlled based on the determination numerical data when the variable display execution condition is established Steps S115 to S119), and when the variable display execution condition is satisfied, the determination numerical data is extracted and stored in a predetermined storage area (for example, a storage area of the RAM 55 provided in accordance with the number of start winnings stored). The determination numerical data stored in the storage area when the variable display start condition is satisfied is stored (for example, the process of step S114 is executed). Game state determining means for determining whether to control to a specific gaming state based on the read determination numerical data (for example, by executing the processing of steps S53, S57, and S58) And the variable display device is controlled to the specific gaming state before determining whether or not the gaming state determination means controls to the specific gaming state based on the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is established. Effect display (for example, continuous advance notice (holding advance notice)) can be executed, and is used in the game control program to determine whether or not the game state determination means controls to a specific game state. It is determined whether the program module (for example, a subroutine called in step S57) and the execution condition establishment determination means are controlled to the specific gaming state. A program module (for example, a subroutine called in step S116) used for setting is configured as a common module (for example, a big hit determination module).

  The gaming state determination means determines whether or not to control to a specific gaming state using a predetermined data table (for example, a big hit determination table), and the determination means when the execution condition is established controls the gaming state determination means to the specific gaming state. It may be configured to determine whether or not to be controlled to a specific gaming state using a predetermined data table used for determining whether or not to perform.

  The control executed by the game control means includes a periodic process (for example, a 2 ms timer interrupt process) executed every predetermined period, and the periodic process is performed by the determination numerical data update means by which the determination numerical data is updated. Including a renewal process (for example, a random number renewal process for determination in step S23), and the game control means extracts the numerical data for determination by the game state determination means (for example, in the winning confirmation process in step S311 in the special symbol process in step S25) Step S114) and determination as to whether or not the specific game state is to be controlled by the execution condition establishment determination means (for example, step S116 in the winning confirmation process in step S311 in the special symbol process in step S25) ) Both before or after execution of the numeric data update process for judgment in one periodic process. After executing (e.g. one 2ms that processing in step S25 with the processing of the processing of step S114 and step S116 in the timer interrupt processing is not executed) it may be configured so.

  The counter value for generating numerical data for display (for example, a random number for reach determination) used by the game control means to determine which aspect the variable display mode (for example, the pattern variation pattern) of the identification information is to be used Numerical value display update means for updating the value) (for example, the part performing the processing of steps S17 and S24 for updating the count value of the counter for generating a random number for reach determination), and when the execution condition for variable display is satisfied The numerical data for display is extracted and stored in a predetermined storage area (for example, the storage area of the RAM 55 provided according to the number of start winning memories) (for example, the process of step S114 is executed), and the variable display start condition is set. The numerical data for display stored in the storage area at the time of establishment is read (for example, the process of step S53 is executed), and the numerical data for display read Based on the variable display mode determining means (for example, the part executing the steps S61 and S62 of the game control means) for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is to be a specific variable display mode. The establishment determination means determines whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information becomes a specific variable display mode (for example, reach variation pattern) based on the display numerical data when the variable display execution condition is satisfied ( For example, the process of steps S118 to S121 is executed), and in the game control program, the program module used for determining whether or not the variable display mode determining means sets the variable display mode of the identification information as a specific variable display mode ( For example, whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is a specific variable display mode when the execution condition is established in the subroutine called in step S61) May be a program module which is used to determine (e.g., subroutine called at step S119) has not been configured as a common module (e.g. reach determination module) a.

  The variable display mode determining means determines whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is set to the specific variable display mode using a specific data table (for example, reach determination table), and the execution condition establishment time determining means is variable. Whether the variable display mode of the identification information becomes the specific variable display mode using the specific data table used by the display mode determination means to determine whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is set as the specific variable display mode It may be configured to determine whether or not.

  The game control means transmits a command (variation pattern designation display control command or the like) indicating a variable display mode of the identification information, and based on the command from the game control means, an effect related to variable display of the identification information (change pattern Effect control means (for example, display control means, lamp control) for controlling effect means (for example, variable display device 9, lamp / LED, speaker 27) capable of executing the corresponding variable display device 9, lamp / LED, speaker 27) And a sound control means), and the game control means effects control of a determination result command (for example, a control command for specifying a big hit prize designation, a missed prize designation, or a reach prize designation) capable of specifying the judgment result by the judgment means when the execution condition is established Can be transmitted to the means, and the production control means is based on the reception of the determination result command (for example, the jackpot winning designation, Based on the receipt of the control command for specifying the winning prize and the reach winning designation and the receiving of the control command for specifying the starting prize memory number, it is determined that the number of executions will be continuously noticed and the number of executions will not exceed the starting prize memory number) Before the variable display start condition is satisfied, the effect display (for example, continuous notice) for performing a predetermined notification (for example, notification of the possibility of a big hit) by the effect means can be executed. Also good.

  The game control means can specify a reserved memory number command (for example, a start winning prize) that can specify a reserved memory number (for example, a start prize memorized number) that is the number of times of variable display of identification information that has been executed but a variable display execution condition has been established. (Display control command for specifying the number of storages) can be transmitted to the effect control means (for example, display control means), and the effect control means displays the stored memory number based on the reception of the hold memory number command ( For example, it includes a hold memory number display control means (for example, a portion of the display control means for executing step S633) that controls the variable display device 9), and the hold memory number command can specify the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied. Information display (display control command for specifying the number of start winning memories, display control command for specifying a miss winning prize, display control command for specifying a reach winning prize, And a display control command jackpot prize specified shared) may be configured so.

  The game control means can specify a reserved memory number command (for example, a start winning prize) that can specify a reserved memory number (for example, a start prize memorized number) that is the number of times of variable display of identification information that has been executed but a variable display execution condition has been established. (Display control command for specifying the number of storages) can be transmitted to the effect control means (for example, display control means), and the effect control means displays the stored memory number based on the reception of the hold memory number command ( For example, it includes a reserved memory number display control means for controlling the variable display device 9 (for example, a portion of the display control means for executing step S633), and the game control means holds the number of reserved memories when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. The command and the determination result command are transmitted separately (for example, steps S121, S122, S124, S125, S132, S133, and S1). 4, S135 and independently run) may be configured so.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game control means determines whether or not the execution condition is determined based on the determination numerical data when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. When the variable display execution condition is satisfied, the determination numerical data is extracted and stored in a predetermined storage area, and when the variable display start condition is satisfied, the determination numerical data stored in the storage area is read and read. Gaming state determining means for determining whether or not to control to a specific gaming state based on the numerical value data for use, and in the variable display device, the gaming state determining means based on the determination result by the determining means when the execution condition is established Before the decision whether or not to control to the specific gaming state, it is possible to execute the effect display to notify that it will be controlled to the specific gaming state in advance, A program module used for determining whether or not the state determining means controls to a specific gaming state and a program module used for determining whether or not the execution condition establishment determining means will be controlled to a specific gaming state Is configured as a common module, so that it is possible to execute an effect display for performing a predetermined notification before the variable display start condition is satisfied based on the determination result by the determination unit when the execution condition is satisfied, There is an effect that the program capacity of the game control means can be prevented from increasing.

  Further, the gaming state determining means determines whether or not to control to the specific gaming state using a predetermined data table, and the execution condition establishment determining means determines whether or not the gaming state determining means controls to the specific gaming state. Since it is configured to determine whether or not to be controlled to a specific gaming state using a predetermined data table used to determine the data table, the data table is shared and the capacity of the data table is also reduced can do.

  Further, the control executed by the game control means includes a periodic process executed every predetermined period, and the periodic process includes a determination numerical data update process in which the determination numerical data update means updates the determination numerical data, The control means determines both the extraction of the numerical value data for determination by the gaming state determination means and the determination as to whether or not the specific gaming state is to be controlled by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied in a single periodic process. Since it is configured to be executed before or after execution of the numerical data update process for the game, it is ensured that the game state determination means and the execution condition establishment determination means handle the same numerical data, and the determination by the game state determination means And inconsistency between the determination by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied.

  Also, the game control means extracts display numerical data when the variable display execution condition is satisfied and stores it in a predetermined storage area, and reads the display numerical data stored in the storage area when the variable display start condition is satisfied. , Including variable display mode determination means for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is to be a specific variable display mode based on the read display numerical data, and the execution condition establishment determination unit is configured to execute variable display When the condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information becomes a specific variable display mode based on the display numerical data, and the variable display mode determination means performs variable display of the identification information in the game control program. The program module used for determining whether or not the mode is to be a specific variable display mode and the execution condition establishment determination means are the variable display mode of the identification information becomes the specific variable display mode Since the program module used to determine whether or not the execution condition is satisfied is configured as a common module, whether or not the execution condition satisfaction determination means becomes a specific variable display aspect when the execution condition is satisfied when the execution condition is satisfied Even if this determination is made, the program capacity of the game control means can be prevented from increasing.

  Further, the variable display mode determining means determines whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is set to the specific variable display mode using the specific data table, and the execution condition establishment time determining unit is the variable display mode determining unit. Determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information becomes the specific variable display mode using a specific data table used to determine whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is set as the specific variable display mode Therefore, the data table is shared and the capacity of the data table can be reduced.

  Further, the game control means can transmit a determination result command capable of specifying the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is established to the effect control means, and the effect control means can perform variable display based on reception of the determination result command. Since the effect display for performing the predetermined notification by the effect means can be executed before the start condition is satisfied, the effect display before the start condition of the variable display is satisfied may be performed. The burden on the game control means does not increase.

  Further, the game control means can transmit a reserved memory number command to the effect control means, and the effect control means controls the reserved memory number display means for displaying the reserved memory number based on the reception of the reserved memory number command. A command to be transmitted from the game control means to the effect control means since the hold memory number display control means is configured so that the hold memory number command includes information capable of specifying the determination result by the determination means when the execution condition is satisfied. The number can be reduced.

  Further, the game control means can transmit a reserved memory number command to the effect control means, and the effect control means controls the reserved memory number display means for displaying the reserved memory number based on the reception of the reserved memory number command. When the execution condition of variable display is satisfied, including the reserved memory number display control means, it is configured to send the reserved memory number command and the determination result command separately, so the role of the command becomes clear, The production control means can easily identify both commands.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is a front view which shows the front surface of the game board in the state which removed the glass door frame. It is the rear view which looked at the gaming machine from the back. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a symbol control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows a 2 ms timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a left middle right design. It is a flowchart which shows special symbol process processing It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a fluctuation pattern. It is a flowchart which shows a prize confirmation process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a big hit determination table and a reach determination table. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit determination module. It is a flowchart which shows a reach determination module. It is a flowchart which shows a stop symbol setting process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal line of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows one structural examples, such as a command transmission table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command form of a control command. It is a timing diagram showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal constituting a control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a lamp control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a sound control command. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a command creation process. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission process routine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a notice effect. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a command reception buffer. It is a flowchart which shows a command reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between the number of starting winning prize memory | storages, and the frequency | count of execution of a continuous notice. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of a continuous notice. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of process data. It is a flowchart which shows a variation pattern command command reception waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows a notice selection process. It is a flowchart which shows all the symbol variation start processes. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol fluctuation. It is a flowchart which shows all the symbol stop waiting processes. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit display process. It is a flowchart which shows processing during a big hit game.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a first type pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of the game board.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be openable and closable. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape that is provided in the game frame so as to be opened and closed. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanism parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding game boards described later). Is a structure including

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hitting ball supply tray (upper plate) 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball are provided. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 2. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-like body constituting the game board 6 and various components attached to the plate-like body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device (special variable display section) 9 including a plurality of variable display sections each variably displaying a symbol as identification information is provided. The variable display device 9 has, for example, three variable display portions (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. In addition, the variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol start memory display areas (start memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14, that is, the start winning memory number. Every time there is an effective start prize (start prize when the start prize memory number is less than 4), the start memory display area 18 for changing the display color (for example, changing from blue display to red display) is increased by one. Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory display area 18 in which the display color is changed is reduced by 1 (that is, the display color is returned to the original). In this example, the symbol display area and the start memory display area 18 are provided separately, so that the start winning memory number can be displayed even during variable display. The start memory display area 18 may be provided in a part of the symbol display area. In this case, the display of the start winning memory number may be interrupted during variable display. In this example, the start memory display area 18 is provided in the variable display device 9, but a display (special symbol start memory display) for displaying the start winning memory number is provided separately from the variable display device 9. You may make it provide.

  Below the variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device 15 is provided as a start winning port 14. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 14a. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An open / close plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. The opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V winning area) is detected by the V winning switch 22, and the winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. Is done. On the back of the game board 6, a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided.

  When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, a predetermined random number value is extracted if the normal symbol start winning memory has not reached the upper limit. And if it is a state which can start the variable display in which a display state changes in the normal symbol display 10, the variable display of the display of the normal symbol display 10 will be started. If the normal symbol display 10 is not in a state where variable display in which the display state changes can be started, the value of the normal symbol start winning memory is incremented by one. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, there is provided a normal symbol start memory display 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of normal symbol start winning memorized numbers. Each time there is a prize at the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increases the number of LEDs to be turned on by one. Then, every time variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be lit is reduced by one. The special symbol and the normal symbol can be variably displayed on one variable display device. In that case, the special variable display unit and the normal variable display unit are realized by one variable display device.

  In this embodiment, variable display is performed by alternately lighting left and right lamps (a symbol can be visually recognized when the lamp is lit), and the variable display continues for a predetermined time (for example, 29.2 seconds). If the left lamp is turned on at the end of the variable display, it is a win. Whether or not to win is determined by whether or not the value of the random number extracted when the game ball wins the gate 32 matches a predetermined hit determination value. When the display result of the variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is a win, the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time so that the game ball is likely to win. That is, the state of the variable winning ball device 15 changes from a disadvantageous state to a player's advantageous state when the normal symbol is a winning symbol.

  Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and one or both of the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. It becomes even more advantageous. Further, in a predetermined state such as a probability change state, the variable display period (fluctuation time) in the normal symbol display 10 may be shortened, which may be more advantageous for the player.

  The gaming board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39, and winning of the game balls to the winning holes 29, 30, 33 is detected by winning hole switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, respectively. The Decorative lamps 25 blinking during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided. Further, a decoration LED is installed around each structure (such as a big prize opening) in the game area 7. The top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decoration LED are examples of a decorative light emitter provided in the gaming machine.

  In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when there is a remaining number of prize balls is provided in the vicinity of the left frame lamp 28b, and a ball that is turned on in the vicinity of the top frame lamp 28a when the supply ball is cut. A cut lamp 52 is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables lending of a ball by inserting a prepaid card.

  The card unit 50 includes a use indicator lamp 151 that indicates whether or not the card unit 50 is in a usable state, a connection table direction indicator 153 that indicates which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit 50, a card A card insertion indicator lamp 154 indicating that a card is inserted into the unit 50, a card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and a card reader / writer mechanism provided on the back surface of the card insertion slot 155 A card unit lock 156 is provided for releasing the card unit 50 when checking the card.

  The game balls launched from the hit ball launching device enter the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descend the game area 7. When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 14a, the variable display device 9 starts variable display (variation) if the variable display of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the variable display of symbols can be started, the start winning memory number is increased by one.

  The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of the special symbols at the time of the stop is a jackpot symbol (specific display mode), the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V winning switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stopping is a combination of jackpot symbols (probability variation symbols) with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in the probability variation state.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming machine as seen from the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the gaming machine, a game control board (main board) 31 on which a variable display control unit 49 including a symbol control board 80 for controlling the variable display device 9, a game control microcomputer, and the like are mounted. Is installed. In addition, a payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing ball payout control is mounted is installed. Further, various decoration LEDs and normal symbol start memory display 41 provided on the game board 6, a decoration lamp 25, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, a right frame lamp 28c provided on the frame side, a prize ball There are also provided a lamp control board 35 on which lamp control means for controlling the lighting of the lamp 51 and the bulb break lamp 52 and a sound control board 70 on which sound control means for controlling sound generation from the speaker 27 are mounted. Further, a power supply board 910 and a launch control board 91 on which a power supply circuit for creating DC30V, DC21V, DC12V, and DC5V is mounted are provided.

  On the back side of the gaming machine, a terminal board 160 provided with terminals for outputting various information to the outside of the gaming machine is installed above. The terminal board 160 has at least a ball break terminal for introducing and outputting an output of the ball break detection switch, an award ball terminal for outputting the award ball number signal to the outside, and a ball lending number signal externally output. A ball lending terminal is provided. In addition, an information terminal board 34 having terminals for outputting various information from the main board 31 to the outside of the gaming machine is installed near the center.

  Further, backup data stored in storage content holding means (for example, variable data storage means that can hold the contents even when power supply is stopped, that is, a backup RAM) included in each board (main board 31 and payout control board 37). There is provided a switch board 190 on which a clear switch 921 is mounted as an operation means for clearing. The switch board 190 is provided with a clear switch 921 and a connector 922 connected to another board such as the main board 31.

  The game balls stored in the storage tank 38 pass through the guide rail and reach the ball payout device covered with the prize ball case 40A. A ball break switch 187 as a game medium break detection means is provided on the upper part of the ball payout device. When the ball break switch 187 detects a ball break, the dispensing operation of the ball dispensing device stops. The ball break switch 187 is a switch for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage, but the ball break detection switch 167 for detecting the shortage of supply balls in the storage tank 38 is also an upstream portion of the guide rail (in the storage tank 38). (Proximate part). When the ball break detection switch 167 detects the shortage of game balls, the game machine is replenished to the game machine from the supply mechanism provided on the gaming machine installation island.

  A large number of game balls as prizes based on winning prizes and game balls based on ball lending requests are paid out to fill the hitting ball supply tray 3, and when the game balls are further paid out, the game balls are guided to the surplus ball receiving tray 4. When the game ball is further paid out, a full switch 48 (not shown in FIG. 3) is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the payout motor in the ball payout device stops, the operation of the ball payout device stops, and the drive of the launching device also stops.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 4 also shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a symbol control board 80. The main board 31 includes a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 32a, a start port switch 14a, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23, winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, A switch circuit 58 for supplying signals from the tongue switch 48, the ball break switch 187, the prize ball count switch 301A and the clear switch 921 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15, and a solenoid for opening and closing the opening and closing plate 20. 21 and a solenoid circuit 59 for driving a solenoid 21A for switching a route in the special winning opening in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53 is mounted.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, the count switch short circuit signal is also transmitted to the basic circuit 53 via the switch circuit 58. Further, the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, the full switch 48, the ball running switch 187, the winning ball count switch 301A, etc. Also, what is called a sensor may be used. That is, the name of the game medium detection means is not limited as long as it is a game medium detection means (game ball detection means in this example) that can detect a game ball. What is called a switch may be what is called a sensor, that is, that the switch is an example of a game medium detecting unit, as in other embodiments.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the variable display of the symbols in the variable display device 9, the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 for outputting an information output signal such as probability variation information indicating the above to an external device such as a hall computer is mounted.

  The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 as storage means (means for storing variation data) used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing control operations according to the program, and an I / O port unit 57. including. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to incorporate at least the RAM 55, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built-in. Since the CPU 56 executes control according to the program stored in the ROM 54, the CPU 56 executes (or performs processing) hereinafter, specifically, the CPU 56 executes control according to the program. is there. The same applies to CPUs mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 31.

  Further, a part or all of the RAM (may be a CPU built-in RAM) 55 is a backup RAM that is backed up by a backup power source created in the power supply substrate 910. That is, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, a part or all of the contents of the RAM 55 is saved for a predetermined period.

  A ball hitting device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 controls the display of the normal symbol start memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board, and is provided on the frame side. Display control is performed for the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the prize ball lamp 51, and the ball-out lamp 52. Each lamp may be an LED or other types of light emitters, and the LEDs used in this embodiment and other embodiments may be other types of light emitters. That is, a lamp or LED is an example of a light emitter. In addition, display control of the variable display device 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the normal symbol display 10 for variably displaying the normal symbol is performed by display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80.

  Since each control means controls the electrical components provided in the gaming machine, each control means is hereinafter referred to as an electrical component control means, and a board on which the electrical component control means is mounted may be referred to as an electrical component control board. . An electrical component is a component (such as a mechanical component or a circuit) provided in a gaming machine and operates electrically. As the electrical component control means, for example, a payout control means for controlling a ball payout device as an electrical component, a display control means for controlling a variable display device for effect as an electrical component, and a light emitter for effect control as an electrical component There are lamp control means for controlling (lamps and LEDs), and sound control means for controlling sound generation from an effect speaker as an electrical component. In addition, display control means, lamp control means, sound control means, and the like that control electric parts for production may be referred to as production control means.

  FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration in the symbol control board 80, LCD (liquid crystal display device) 82, which is one example of realization of the variable display device 9, the normal symbol display 10, and the output ports (ports 0 and 2) of the main board 31. It is a block diagram shown with 570,572 and output buffer circuit 620,62A. The output port (output port 2) 572 outputs 8-bit data, and the output port 570 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal). In this embodiment, command data is transmitted by parallel communication (8-bit parallel in this example), but may be exchanged by serial communication.

  The display control CPU 101 operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102. When an INT signal is input from the main board 31 via the noise filter 107 and the input buffer circuit 105B, display control is performed via the input buffer circuit 105A. Receive commands. As the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B, for example, general-purpose ICs 74HC540 and 74HC14 can be used. When the display control CPU 101 does not have an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B and the display control CPU 101.

  Then, the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the screen displayed on the LCD 82 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, a command according to the display control command is given to a VDP (video display processor) 103. The VDP 103 reads out necessary data from the character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the LCD 82 according to the input data, and outputs R, G, B signals and a synchronization signal to the LCD 82.

  5 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, and a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the LCD 82.

  The input buffer circuits 105A and 105B can pass signals only in the direction from the main board 31 toward the symbol control board 80. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the symbol control board 80 side to the main board 31 side. That is, the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B constitute irreversible information input means together with the input ports. Even if the tampering is added to the circuit in the symbol control board 80, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side.

  For example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 107 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. However, even if noise is added between the substrates due to the presence of the noise filter 107, the influence is eliminated. . A noise filter may also be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 62A of the main board 31.

  The configuration of the signal transmission / reception part of the lamp control command between the main board 31 and the lamp control board 35 and the structure of the signal transmission part of the sound control command between the main board 31 and the sound control board 70 have been described above. The signal transmission / reception part of the display control command between the main board 31 and the symbol control board 80 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by game control means (CPU 56 and peripheral circuits such as ROM and RAM) in the main board 31. When power is turned on to the gaming machine and the input level of the reset terminal becomes high level, the CPU 56 starts main processing after step S1. In the main process, the CPU 56 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4). Further, after initialization (step S5) of CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits), the RAM is set in an accessible state (step S6).

  The CPU 56 used in this embodiment also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). The CTC also includes two external clock / timer trigger inputs CLK / TRG2, 3 and two timer outputs ZC / TO0,1.

  The CPU 56 used in this embodiment is provided with the following three modes as maskable interrupt modes. When a maskable interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter in the stack.

  Interrupt mode 0: The built-in device that has issued the interrupt request sends an RST instruction (1 byte) or a CALL instruction (3 bytes) onto the internal data bus of the CPU. Therefore, the CPU 56 executes the instruction at the address corresponding to the RST instruction or the address specified by the CALL instruction. At reset, the CPU 56 automatically enters interrupt mode 0. Therefore, when setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2, it is necessary to perform a process for setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2 in the initial setting process.

  Interrupt mode 1: In this mode, when an interrupt is accepted, the mode always jumps to address 0038 (h).

  Interrupt mode 2: A mode in which the address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) of the CPU 56 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output by the built-in device indicates the interrupt address It is. That is, the interrupt address is an address indicated by 2 bytes in which the upper address is the value of the specific register and the lower address is the interrupt vector. Therefore, an interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary address (although it is skipped). Each built-in device has a function of sending an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

  Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, it becomes possible to easily process an interrupt request from each built-in device, and it is possible to install an interrupt process at an arbitrary position in the program. . Furthermore, unlike interrupt mode 1, it is also easy to prepare each interrupt process for each interrupt generation factor. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 is set to the interrupt mode 2 in step S2 of the initial setting process.

  Next, the CPU 56 checks the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input via the input port only once (step S7). When the on-state is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes normal initialization processing (steps S11 to S15).

  If the clear switch 921 is not in the on state, whether or not data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, power supply stop processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped Confirm (step S8). When it is confirmed that such protection processing is not performed, the CPU 56 executes initialization processing. Whether there is backup data in the backup RAM area is confirmed, for example, by the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process. In this example, if “55H” is set in the backup flag area, it means that there is a backup (ON state), and if a value other than “55H” is set, it means that there is no backup (OFF state).

  After confirming that there is a backup, the CPU 56 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (step S9). In step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the checksum calculated and stored by the same process in the power supply stop process. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power outage or the like, the data in the backup RAM area should be saved, so the check result (comparison result) is normal (matched). That the check result is not normal means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state when the power supply is stopped, an initialization process that is executed when the power is turned on is not performed when the power supply is stopped.

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the display control means to the state when the power supply is stopped (step S10). ). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) stored in the backup RAM area is set in the PC, and the address is restored.

  In this embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not the data in the backup RAM area is stored by using both the backup flag and the check data, but only one of them may be used. That is, either the backup flag or the check data may be used as an opportunity for executing the state recovery process.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first performs a RAM clear process (step S11). In addition, a predetermined work area (for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, a special symbol process flag, a payout command storage pointer, a winning ball flag, a ball out flag, a payout A work area setting process for setting an initial value to a flag such as a stop flag for selectively performing processing according to the control state is performed (step S12). Further, a process of transmitting to the payout control board 37 a payout permission state designation command (hereinafter referred to as a payout enable state designation command) instructing that payout from the ball payout device 97 is possible (step S13). . Further, a process of transmitting an initialization command for initializing other sub boards (lamp control board 35, sound control board 70, symbol control board 80) to each sub board is executed (step S14). As an initialization command, a command indicating the initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9 (for the symbol control board 80) and a command for instructing the extinction of the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 (to the lamp control board 35) Etc).

  Then, a CTC register set in the CPU 56 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 2 ms (step S15). That is, a value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value.

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S11 to S15) is completed, the display random number update process (step S17) and the initial value random number update process (step S18) are repeatedly executed in the main process. When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed, the interrupt disabled state is set (step S16). When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are finished, the interrupt enabled state is set. (Step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number. . The initial value random number update process is a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number. The initial value random number is a random number for determining an initial value of a count value such as a counter for generating a random number for determining whether or not to make a big hit (a big hit determination random number generation counter). In a game control process described later, when the count value of the jackpot determination random number generation counter makes one round, an initial value is set in the counter.

  Note that when the display random number update process is executed, the interrupt is prohibited. The display random number update process is also executed in the timer interrupt process described later, and thus conflicts with the process in the timer interrupt process. This is to avoid that. That is, if the timer interrupt is generated during the process of step S17 and the counter value for generating the display random number is updated during the timer interrupt process, the continuity of the count value is impaired. There is a case. However, such an inconvenience does not occur if the interrupt is prohibited during the process of step S17.

  When the timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 performs the register saving process (step S20), and then executes the game control process of steps S21 to S31 shown in FIG. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first inputs detection signals of switches such as the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 24a through the switch circuit 58, and determines their state. (Switch process: Step S21).

  Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S23). The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number (step S24).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. Each random number is used as follows.
(1) Random 1: Decide whether or not to generate a big hit (for big hit judgment)
(2) Random 2-1 to 2-3 (Random 2): For determining the left middle right of the special symbol (special symbol left middle right)
(3) Random 3: Determines the combination of special symbols that generate a big hit (for determining big hit symbols)
(4) Random 4: Determine the variation pattern of the special symbol (for variation pattern determination)
(5) Random 5: Decide whether or not to reach when no big hit is generated (for reach determination)
(6) Random 6: Determines whether or not to generate a hit based on a normal symbol (for determination per normal symbol)
(7) Random 7: Determine initial value of random 1 (for determining random 1 initial value)
(8) Random 8: Determine initial value of random 6 (for determining random 6 initial value)

  In step S23 in the game control process shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 56 generates a jackpot determination random number (1), a jackpot determination random number (3), and a determination random number per ordinary symbol (6). Counter is incremented (added by 1). That is, they are determination random numbers, and other random numbers are display random numbers or initial value random numbers. In order to enhance the game effect, random numbers related to ordinary symbols other than the random numbers (1) to (8) are also used.

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S25). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S26). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a process of setting a display control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the display control command (special symbol command control process: step S27). In addition, a display control command related to the normal symbol is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 55, and a process of sending the display control command is performed (normal symbol command control process: step S28).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S29).

  Further, the CPU 56 issues a drive command to the solenoid circuit 59 when a predetermined condition is established (step S30). The solenoid circuit 59 drives the solenoids 16, 21, and 21A in response to a drive command in order to open or close the variable winning ball device 15 or the opening / closing plate 20, or to switch the game ball passage in the special winning opening. To do.

  Then, the CPU 56 executes a prize ball process for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection signals from the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a (step S32). Specifically, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the payout control board 37 in response to detection of winning based on any of the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a being turned on. The payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls. Thereafter, the contents of the register are restored (step S32), and the interrupt enabled state is set (step S33).

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process. However, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is performed by the main process. May be executed.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a left symbol, a middle symbol, and a right symbol used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the symbols “1” to “12” are variably displayed (varied) on the variable display device 9. Symbol numbers “0” to “11” are assigned to symbols “1” to “12”. Further, when the final stop symbols (determined symbols) in the variable display device 9 are aligned, a big hit occurs. And when it arranges with an odd number of symbols, it changes to the high probability state (probability change state) which is the state where the probability that a big hit will occur is improved.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 10 is a specific process of step S25 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 performs any one of the steps S301 to S307 according to the internal state after performing the fluctuation shortening timer subtraction process (step S310) and the winning confirmation process (step S311). Process. The variation shortening timer is a timer for setting the variation time when the variation time of the special symbol is shortened.

  Winning confirmation processing (step S311): A ball is won at the start winning opening 14, and the process waits for the start opening switch 14a to be turned on. When the start opening switch 14a is turned on, if the starting winning memory number is not full, the starting winning memory number is incremented by 1, and each random number such as a big hit determining random number is extracted to determine whether to win or not. Make a decision.

  Stop symbol setting process (step S301): Wait until a special symbol variable display can be started. When the special symbol variable display can be started, the start winning memory number is confirmed. If the start winning memorization number is not 0, the symbol variation pattern is determined and the stop symbol of the left middle right symbol is determined. The stop symbol is determined based on the determination result in the special symbol variation waiting process (step S311) such as big hit, miss, reach, and the control state at the start of variable display. When the process is finished, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated to shift to step S302.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S302): Control is performed so that variation of all symbols is started in the variable display device 9. At this time, the left middle right final stop symbol and information for instructing the variation mode (variation pattern) are transmitted to the symbol control board 80. When the process is finished, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated to shift to step S303.

  All symbol stop waiting process (step S303): When a predetermined time (the time indicated by the fluctuation shortening timer in step S310) elapses, all symbols displayed on the variable display device 9 are stopped. If the stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated to shift to step S304. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S301.

  Grand prize opening opening process (step S304): Control for opening the big prize opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening. The process timer sets the execution time of the big prize opening opening process, and sets a big hit flag (a flag indicating that the big hit is being made). When the process is finished, the internal state (special symbol process flag) is updated to shift to step S305.

  Processing during opening of a special winning opening (step S305): Control for sending display control command data for displaying a large winning opening round to the symbol control board 80, processing for confirming establishment of closing conditions for the special winning opening, and the like are performed. When the final closing condition of the big prize opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S306.

  Specific area valid time processing (step S306): The presence / absence of passing of the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and processing for confirming that the big hit gaming state continuation condition is satisfied is performed. If the condition for continuation of the big hit gaming state is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated to shift to step S304. In addition, when the big hit gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within a predetermined effective time, or when all rounds are finished, the internal state is updated to shift to step S307.

  Big hit end process (step S307): A display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal state is updated to shift to step S301.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a variation pattern used in this embodiment. In FIG. 11, “EXT” indicates EXT data of the second byte in the display control command having a two-byte configuration. “Time” indicates a symbol variation time (variable display period of identification information).

  The “normal fluctuation” is a fluctuation pattern that does not involve a reach mode. “Normal reach” is a fluctuation pattern that involves a reach mode, but the fluctuation result (stop symbol) does not cause a big hit. “Reach A” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “normal reach”. Further, the difference in reach mode means that a change mode (speed, rotation direction, etc.), a character, or the like of a different mode appears in the reach change time. For example, in “normal”, the reach mode is realized by only one type of change mode, whereas in “reach A”, a reach mode including a plurality of change modes with different speeds and directions of change is realized.

  Further, “reach B” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “normal reach” and “reach A”. “Reach C” is a variation pattern having a reach form different from “normal reach”, “reach A”, and “reach B”. Note that “reach A”, “reach B”, and “reach C” may or may not be a big hit.

  In this embodiment, a shortened display pattern is further used. The shortened display pattern is a very short variation pattern in which the variation time of the left middle right symbol is 1.0 seconds, for example.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the winning confirmation process (step S311). When the hit ball wins the start winning opening 14 provided in the game board 6, the start opening switch 14a is turned on. In the winning confirmation process, when the CPU 56 determines that the start port switch 14a is turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S111), the CPU 56 confirms whether or not the number of start winning memories has reached the maximum value of 4 (step S112). ). If the starting winning memory number has not reached 4, the starting winning memory number is increased by 1 (step S113), each random number value such as a big hit determination random number is extracted, and stored corresponding to the starting winning memory number value Store in the area (special symbol determination buffer) (step S114). Note that extracting a random number means reading a count value from a counter for generating a random number and setting the read count value as a random value. In step S114, random numbers 1 to 5 are extracted from the random numbers shown in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 56 again extracts the random 1 from the counter for generating the random 1 (big hit determination random number) (step S115), and executes the big hit determination module. That is, the big hit determination subroutine is called (step S116). When the big hit determination module determines that the big hit is not based on the value of random 1 (step S117), random 5 is extracted from the counter for generating random 5 (reach determination random number) (step S118). The reach determination module is executed. That is, the reach determination subroutine is called (step S119).

  Further, the CPU 56 sets a command transmission table for starting winning memory designation (step S121), and executes a command creation process which is a subroutine (step S122). Note that setting the command transmission table is a process of specifying an address of the command transmission table (a process of setting the address in a predetermined register or the like). Then, by executing the command creation process, a display control command or the like is transmitted to the symbol control board 80 or the like. In this embodiment, each display control command that can be transmitted to the display control means is stored in a ROM command transmission table.

  When it is determined that the big hit is determined by the big hit determination module (step S123), the command transmission table designating the big hit prize is set (step S124), and the command creation process is executed (step S125). If it is determined in the reach determination module that it is a reach (not a big hit but a reach, hereinafter also referred to as a loss reach) (step S131), a reach winning designation command transmission table is set. (Step S132), command creation processing is executed (Step S133). If it is neither a big win nor a miss reach, a command transmission table for designating a miss prize is set (step S134), and a command creation process is executed (step S135).

  As a result of the above processing, when the starting winning memory number increases, a display control command for specifying the starting winning memory number is transmitted to the display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80, and the jackpot winning designation, reach winning is designated. A display control command for designation or losing prize designation is transmitted. In this embodiment, when it is not a big win, a display control command for specifying a reach winning prize or a lost winning prize is transmitted, but when it is not a big hit, a display control command for specifying a lost winning prize is always transmitted. You may do it. In the following, the display control command for the jackpot winning designation, the reach winning designation and the extra winning designation may be referred to as a winning determination result command or a determination result command.

  The jackpot and reach determined at this time are determined based on the establishment of a condition for starting the variable display in the variable display device 9 (execution condition, not start condition). When a condition (start condition) that allows variable display to be started in the variable display device 9 is satisfied, it is determined again whether to make a big hit or to make a shift reach. Based on the determination result, an actual variable display result is derived. However, the random number value used when the variable display start condition is satisfied is a value extracted when the variable display execution condition is satisfied and stored in the storage area. Therefore, the determination result of whether or not to make a big hit when the variable display start condition is satisfied and the determination result of whether or not to reach the detachment reach are the same as the determination result when the variable display execution condition is satisfied.

  The processing in step S114 corresponding to the extraction of numerical data by the game state determination means and the processing in steps S115 to S119 corresponding to the determination related to the display result of the identification information by the execution condition establishment determination means are one timer. Completed in the interrupt process. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the decision result of whether or not to make a big hit when the variable display start condition is satisfied and the decision result of whether or not to reach the same will be the same as the determination result when the variable display execution condition is satisfied. Is done.

  FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a jackpot determination table used in the jackpot determination module. FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reach determination table used in the reach determination module. As shown in FIG. 13A, in this embodiment, the big hit determination value is “3” at the time of low probability (non-probability change), and the big hit determination value is “3” at the time of high probability (when probability change). , “7”, “79”, “103”, “107”. As shown in FIG. 13B, the reach determination values are “0”, “1”, and “11”.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the jackpot determination module. In the big hit determination process, the CPU 56 first determines whether or not the state at that time is in a probabilistic change (step S141). If the probable change is in the middle, the high in the big hit determination table shown in FIG. It is decided to use the table at the time of probability (step S142). If the probability change is not in progress, it is determined to use the low probability table in the jackpot determination table (step S143).

  Then, it is determined whether there is a value that matches the extracted random 1 value in the jackpot determination table (steps S144 and S145), and if there is a matching value, the jackpot is determined (step S146). If there is no value to be determined, it is determined that no big hit is made (step S147).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the reach determination module. In the reach determination process, the CPU 56 determines whether or not there is a value in the reach determination table that matches the extracted random value 5 (steps S151 and S152), and if there is a match, the CPU 56 will reach ( Step S153), if there is no matching value, it is decided not to reach (Step S154).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the stop symbol setting process (step S301). In the stop symbol setting process, the CPU 56 is in a state where the variation of the special symbol can be started (when the value of the special symbol process flag is a value indicating step S301) (step S51), Is confirmed (step S52). The case where the value of the special symbol process flag is a value indicating step S301 is a case where the symbol is not changed in the variable display device 9 and the game is not a big hit game.

  If the starting winning memory number is not 0, each random number value stored in the storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = 1 is read (step S53), the value of the starting winning memory number is decreased by 1, and each The contents of the storage area are shifted (step S54). That is, each random number value stored in the storage area corresponding to the start winning memory number = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is stored in the storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n−1.

  Next, the CPU 56 sets a command transmission table for designating the number of start winning memories after subtraction (step S55), and executes a command creation process (step S56). Further, the big hit determination module is executed (step S57). Here, in the jackpot determination module, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is determined based on the random 1 value read from the storage area in step S53.

  When it is determined to be the big hit (step S58), the CPU 56 determines the big hit symbol according to the value of the random number for the big hit symbol (random 3) (step S59). In this embodiment, each symbol of the symbol number set in the jackpot symbol table corresponding to the value of random 3 is determined as a jackpot symbol. In the jackpot symbol table, left, middle and right symbol numbers corresponding to a plurality of types of combinations of jackpot symbols are set. Also, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the value of the variation pattern determination random number (random 4) (step S60). Here, one of the variation patterns 11 to 14 is determined (see FIG. 11).

  If it is decided not to win (step S58), the CPU 56 executes a reach determination module (step S61). Here, in the reach determination module, it is determined whether or not to make a big hit based on the random 3 value read from the storage area in step S53. Moreover, the stop symbol when not hitting a big hit is determined. In this embodiment, the left symbol is determined according to the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random 2-1 value (step S57). If it is decided to reach, the left and right symbols are determined according to the value of random 2-1, and the middle symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-2 (step S63). Here, if the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the random number corresponding to the middle symbol is set as the stop symbol of the middle symbol so that it does not match the jackpot symbol. To do. Then, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the value of the variation pattern determination random number (random 4) (step S64). Here, one of the fluctuation patterns 2 to 10 is determined (see FIG. 11).

  When it is decided not to reach the jackpot and not reach, the CPU 56 determines the stop symbol when the jackpot is not hit and the reach is not reached. That is, the left symbol is determined according to the random 2-1 value, the middle symbol is determined according to the random 2-2 value, and the right symbol is determined according to the random 2-3 value (step S65). Here, when the left and right symbols match, the right symbol is shifted by one symbol so that it does not become reach. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the probability change is in progress (step S66). If it is during the probability change, it is determined that the change pattern is a reduced change pattern when the change occurs (step S67). If it is not the probability variation state, the variation pattern is determined to be the normal variation pattern at the time of deviation according to the value of random 4 (step S68). In addition, the fluctuation pattern shortened at the time of detachment is a fluctuation pattern in which the fluctuation period is shorter than the normal fluctuation pattern in which the fluctuation time of the left and right symbols is 1.0 seconds, for example. Further, in this embodiment, since the fluctuation pattern at the time of the deviation is not the fluctuation pattern shortened at the time of the deviation, only the fluctuation pattern 1 (see FIG. 11), it is not necessary to perform the lottery based on the random 4 value.

  As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol variation is a big hit, a reach mode, or a loss mode when a start winning is received, and a variation pattern is selected based on the determination result. When the change of the symbol can be started, the change pattern used for the production is determined and the combination of the respective stop symbols is determined. Further, the game control means performs a process of transmitting a control command (control command capable of specifying a variation pattern) based on the determination result to the display control means, the sound control means, and the lamp control means.

  Next, a method for sending a control command from the game control means to each electric component control means will be described. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing signal lines for display control commands transmitted from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80. As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the display control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the symbol control board 80 through eight signal lines of display control signals D0 to D7. A signal line for a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also provided between the main board 31 and the symbol control board 80. Although an example of the display control command is shown in FIG. 17, control commands to other electric component control boards are also transmitted through eight signal lines and one INT signal signal line.

  When a control command is to be output from the game control means to another electrical component control board (sub board), the head address of the command transmission table is set. FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of 3 bytes, and INT data is set in the first byte. In the command data 1 of the second byte, MODE data of the first byte of the control command is set. Then, the EXT data of the second byte of the control command is set in the command data 2 of the third byte.

  Although the EXT data itself may be set in the area of the command data 2, the command data 2 may be set with data for designating the address of the table storing the EXT data. . For example, if bit 7 (work area reference bit) of command data 2 is 0, it indicates that EXT data itself is set in command data 2. Such EXT data is data in which bit 7 is 0. In this embodiment, if the work area reference bit is 1, it indicates that the contents of the transmission buffer are used as EXT data. If the work area reference bit is 1, the other 7 bits may be configured to indicate an offset for designating an address of a table storing EXT data.

  FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of INT data. Bit 0 in the INT data indicates whether or not a payout control command should be sent to the payout control board 37. If bit 0 is “1”, it indicates that a payout control command should be sent. Bit 1 in the INT data indicates whether or not a display control command should be sent to the symbol output control board 80. If bit 1 is “1”, it indicates that a display control command should be sent. In addition, bits 2 and 3 of the INT data are bits indicating whether or not a lamp control command and a sound control command should be transmitted, respectively.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a control command sent from the main board 31 to another electrical component control board. In this embodiment, the control command has a 2-byte configuration, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. As described above, the control command serving as a command to the electrical component control board is composed of a plurality of data and can be distinguished from each other by the first bit. Note that the command form shown in FIG. 19 is an example, and other command forms may be used. For example, a control command composed of 1 byte or 3 bytes or more may be used. FIG. 19 illustrates the display control command sent to the symbol control board 80, but the control commands sent to other electrical component control boards have the same configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the control command is composed of 8-bit control signals CD0 to CD7 (command data) and an INT signal (capture signal). The display control means mounted on the symbol control board 80 detects that the INT signal has risen, and starts a 1-byte data fetch process by an interrupt process.

  The control command is sent only once so that the electric component control means can recognize it. In this example, “recognizable” means that the level of the INT signal changes, and “recognizable only once” means that, for example, the INT signal is transmitted in accordance with the first and second bytes of the display control signal. The signal is output in a pulse shape (rectangular wave shape) only once.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the display control command sent to the symbol control board 80. In the example shown in FIG. 21, commands 8000 (H) to 800E (H) are display control commands for designating a variation pattern of a special symbol in the variable display device 9 that variably displays the special symbol. Note that a command for specifying a variation pattern (variation pattern command) also serves as a variation start instruction. Command 800E (H) is a command for designating a shortened display pattern.

  The command 88XX (H) (X = any value of 4 bits) is a display control command related to a normal symbol variation pattern. The command 89XX (H) is a display control command for designating a normal symbol stop symbol. Command 8A00 (H) is a display control command for instructing stop of variable display of normal symbols.

  Commands 91XX (H), 92XX (H), and 93XX (H) are display control commands for designating a left middle right stop symbol of a special symbol. A symbol number is set in “XX”. Command A000 (H) is a display control command for instructing stop of variable symbol special display. The command BXXX (H) is a display control command that is sent from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. The commands C000 (H) to EXXXX (H) are display control commands relating to the display state of the variable display device 9 that is not related to special symbol fluctuations and jackpot games.

  The command E0XX (H) is a display control command indicating the number of start memory display areas 18 for changing the display color in the display area for displaying the start winning memory number in the variable display device 9. For example, the display control means changes the display color of the number of start memory display areas 18 designated by “XX (H)” in each start memory display area 18. That is, the command E0XX (H) is a command for instructing control of a display area provided for informing information on the number of reserved items. Note that the command related to the number of start memory display areas 18 for changing the display color may be configured to indicate increase / decrease in the number of areas for changing the display color.

  The command E400 (H) is a command transmitted when the high probability state is changed to the low probability state, and the command E401 (H) is transmitted when the low probability state is changed to the high probability state. It is a command.

  The command E5XX (H) is a command transmitted subsequent to the command E0XX (H) when a start winning is generated. E500 (H) is a display control command for specifying a winning prize, E501 (H) is a display control command for specifying a big winning prize, and E502 (H) is a display control command for specifying a reach prize.

  When the display control means of the symbol control board 80 receives the display control command described above from the game control means of the main board 31, the display state of the variable display device 9 and the normal symbol display 10 is changed according to the contents shown in FIG. change.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a lamp control command sent from the main board 31 that controls the game to the lamp control board 35. The lamp control command also has a 2-byte configuration of MODE and EXT. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the command 80XX (H) (an arbitrary value of X = 4 bits) corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 9, that is, the effect content related to the display result derivation operation in the variable display device 9. This is a lamp control command for designating a changing lamp and LED (light emitting means such as an effect lamp or LED provided in the gaming machine) display control pattern. The command A000 (H) is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern when the special symbol variable display is stopped. The command BXXX (H) is from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. Is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern. The command C000 (H) is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern during a customer waiting demonstration.

  The commands 80XX (H), 9XXX (H), AXXX (H), BXXX (H) and CXXX (H) are ramp control commands sent from the game control means in accordance with the game progress status. When the lamp control means receives the lamp control command described above, the lamp control means changes the lamp / LED display state according to the contents shown in FIG. Note that the commands 8XXX (H), 9XXX (H), AXXX (H), BXXX (H), and CXXX (H) are commonly used in, for example, a common control state with display control commands and sound control commands.

  The command E1XX (H) is a lamp control command indicating the number of lighting of the normal symbol start memory display 41. For example, the lamp control means turns on the number of indicators designated by “XX (H)” in the normal symbol start memory indicator 41.

  Commands E200 (H) and E201 (H) are lamp control commands related to the display state of the prize ball lamp 51, and commands E300 (H) and E301 (H) are lamp control commands related to the display state of the ball-out lamp 52. is there. When the lamp control means receives the lamp control command of “E201 (H)” from the game control means, the lamp control means sets the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 as a predetermined display state when there is a prize ball remaining, and “E200 (H) When the lamp control command "is received, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is set to a display state that is determined in advance as a case where there is no prize ball remaining. When the lamp control command “E300 (H)” is received, the display state of the ball-out lamp 52 is changed to the display state with a ball, and when the lamp control command “E301 (H)” is received, the lamp-out lamp 52 is displayed. The state is the display state when the ball is out.

  The command E400 (H) is a lamp control command indicating that the low probability state (normal state) is entered, and the command E401 (H) is a lamp control indicating that the high probability state (probability variation state) is entered. It is a command.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a voice control command sent to the voice control board 70 from the main board 31 that controls the game. The voice control command also has a 2-byte configuration of MODE and EXT. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the command 80XX (H) (X = an arbitrary value of 4 bits) is a voice control command for designating a sound generation pattern in a special symbol variation period. The command BXXX (H) is a voice control command that designates a sound generation pattern from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. Other commands are voice control commands that are not related to special symbol changes and jackpot games. For example, the command C000 (H) is a voice control command for designating a sound generation pattern during a customer waiting demonstration. When the voice control means of the voice control board 70 receives the voice control command described above from the game control means of the main board 31, the voice output state is changed according to the contents shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when the game control means transmits the display control command of E5XX (H), the sound control command that is the same data is also transmitted to the sound control board 70. In addition, when transmitting the display control command for designating the start winning memory number of E0XX (H), the sound control command which is the same data is also transmitted to the sound control board 70. However, the sound control means mounted on the sound control board 70 does not notify the start prize memory number based on the reception of the start prize memory number designation sound control command. For example, the start prize memory number designation The sound control command is used for control related to continuous notice.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of command creation processing. The command creation process is a process including a command output process and an INT signal output process. In the game control process, the command creation process is called when creating a control command in the special symbol process process in step S25, the special symbol command control process in step S27, the normal symbol command control process in step S28, or the like.

  In the command creation process, the CPU 56 first saves the address of the command transmission table in a stack or the like (step S331). Then, the INT data of the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer is loaded into the argument 1 (step S332). The argument 1 becomes input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Also, the address indicating the command transmission table is incremented by 1 (step S333). Therefore, the address indicating the command transmission table matches the address of the command data 1.

  Next, the CPU 56 reads the command data 1 and sets it to the argument 2 (step S334). The argument 2 is also input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Then, the command transmission processing routine is called (step S335).

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a command transmission processing routine. In the command transmission processing routine, the CPU 56 sets the data set in the argument 1, that is, the INT data, in the work area determined as the comparison value (step S351). Next, the CPU 56 sets the number of transmissions = 4 in the work area determined as the number of processes (step S352). Then, the port 1 address for outputting the payout control signal is set to the IO address (step S353). In this embodiment, the port 1 address is the output port address for outputting the payout control signal. The addresses of ports 2 to 4 are the addresses of output ports for outputting display control signals, lamp control signals, and audio control signals.

  Next, the CPU 56 shifts the comparison value to the right by 1 bit (step S354). As a result of the shift processing, it is confirmed whether or not the carry bit has become 1 (step S355). When the carry bit becomes 1, it means that the rightmost bit in the INT data is “1”. In this embodiment, four shift processes are performed. For example, when it is specified that a payout control command should be sent, the carry bit is set to 1 in the first shift process.

  When the carry bit becomes 1, the data set in the argument 2, in this case, the command data 1 (that is, MODE data) is output to the address set as the IO address (step S 356). Since the address of port 1 is set as the IO address when the first shift processing is performed, MODE data of the payout control command is output to port 1 at that time.

  Next, the CPU 56 adds 1 to the IO address (step S357) and subtracts 1 from the number of processes (step S358). If port 1 is indicated before addition, the address of port 2 is set as the IO address by the addition processing for the IO address. Port 2 is a port for outputting a display control command. Then, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of processes (step S359), and if the value is not 0, returns to step S354. In step S354, the shift process is performed again.

  In the second shift process, the value of bit 1 in the INT data is pushed out, and the carry flag is set to “1” or “0” depending on the value of bit 1. Therefore, it is checked whether or not it is specified that the display control command should be sent. Similarly, it is checked whether or not the lamp control command and the sound control command are to be sent by the third and fourth shift processes. Thus, when each shift process is performed, the IO address corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) checked by the shift process is included in the IO address. Is set.

  Therefore, when the carry flag becomes “1”, a control command is sent to the corresponding output port (port 1 to port 4). That is, a single common module can perform control command transmission processing for each electric component control means.

  Further, since it is determined to which electrical component control means the control command should be output only by the shift process, the process for determining to which electrical component control means the control command should be output is simplified. It has become.

  Next, the CPU 56 reads the content of the argument 1 in which the INT data before the start of the shift process is stored (step S360), and outputs the read data to the port 0 (step S361). In this embodiment, the address of port 0 is a port for outputting an INT signal for each control signal, and bits 0 to 4 of port 0 are a payout control INT signal, a display control INT signal, and a ramp, respectively. This is a port for outputting a control INT signal and a sound control INT signal. In the INT data, the bit corresponding to the output bit of the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) output in the processing of steps S351 to S359 is “1”. It has become. Therefore, the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) output to any of the ports 1 to 4 becomes high level.

  Next, the CPU 56 sets a predetermined value in the wait counter (step S362), and subtracts one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S363 and S364). When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, clear data (00) is set (step S365), and the data is output to port 0 (step S366). Therefore, the INT signal becomes low level. Further, a predetermined value is set in the wait counter (step S362), and 1 is subtracted one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S368 and S369). When the value of the wait counter becomes 0 (Y in step S369), the process ends.

  As described above, the MODE data of the first byte of the control command (the second byte of data in the command transmission table) is transmitted. Therefore, the CPU 56 adds 1 to the value indicating the command transmission table in step S336 shown in FIG. Therefore, the command data 2 area of the third byte in the command transmission table is designated. The CPU 56 loads the contents of the indicated command data 2 into the argument 2 (step S337). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the value of bit 7 (work area reference bit) of the command data 2 is “0” (step S338). If not 0, the head address of the command extended data address table is set in the pointer (step S339), and the value of bit 6 to bit 0 of the command data 2 is added to the pointer to calculate the address (step S340). Then, the data of the area indicated by the address is loaded into the argument 2 (step S341).

  In the command extension data address table, EXT data that can be sent to the control means of each sub-board is sequentially set. Therefore, if the value of the work area reference bit is “1” by the above processing, the EXT data in the command extended data address table corresponding to the contents of the command data 2 is loaded into the argument 2 and the work area reference bit If the value is “0”, the contents of the command data 2 are loaded into the argument 2 as they are. Even when EXT data is read from the command extension data address table, bit 7 of the data is “0”.

  Next, the CPU 56 calls a command transmission processing routine (step S342). Therefore, the EXT data is transmitted at the same timing as the transmission of MODE data. Thereafter, the CPU 56 restores the address of the command transmission table (step S343), and updates the value of the read pointer indicating the command transmission table (step S344). If there are more commands to be sent (step S345), the process returns to step S331.

  As described above, the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, sound control command) having a 2-byte configuration is transmitted to the corresponding electrical component control means. When the electrical component control means detects the rising edge of the INT signal, the control command capturing process is started. In addition, each electric component control means may start taking in the control command at the falling edge of the INT signal. Further, the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a notice effect (an effect for notifying that there is a possibility of a big hit or a reach) executed in the variable display device 9. As illustrated in FIGS. 26A to 26C, in this embodiment, the variable display device 9 performs three types of notice effects by displaying characters and the like appearing in the background (parts other than the symbol display area). It is possible. The notice A shown in FIG. 26 (A) and the notice B shown in FIG. 26 (B) are based on the result of a lottery of whether or not to make a consecutive notice (holding notice: a big hit that is executed when a start prize is generated). 26C is a notice effect other than the notice effect that is continuously executed with the maximum number of start winnings stored in the variable display of special symbols multiple times, and the notice shown in FIG. is there.

  Next, the operation of the display control means will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed by the display control CPU 101. In the main process, an initialization process is first performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, and initializing a 2 ms timer for determining the display control activation interval (step S701). Thereafter, the display control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for confirming the monitoring of the timer interrupt flag (step S702). As shown in FIG. 28, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following display control process.

  In this embodiment, the timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific display control process is executed in the main process. However, the display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process.

  In the display control process, the display control CPU 101 first analyzes the received display control command (command analysis execution process: step S704). Next, the display control CPU 101 performs display control process processing (step S705). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. And the process which updates a notice random number counter is performed (step S706). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of checking the timer interrupt flag in step S702.

  Next, display control command reception processing from the main board 31 will be described. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing a display control command received from the main board 31. In this example, a command reception buffer of a ring buffer format capable of storing six display control commands having a 2-byte configuration is used. Therefore, the command reception buffer is configured by a 12-byte area of reception command buffers 1 to 12. A command reception number counter indicating in which area the received command is stored is used. The command reception number counter takes a value from 0 to 11. It is not always necessary to use the ring buffer format. For example, three symbol designating command storage areas (2 × 3 = 6 byte command receiving buffer) and other command storing areas for designating other variation patterns ( (2 × 1 = 2-byte command reception buffer). Similarly, the sound control means and the lamp control means may have a buffer format other than the ring buffer format. In this case, the display control means, the sound control means, and the lamp control means are controlled based on the latest command stored in the storage area such as the variation pattern. Thereby, it is possible to quickly respond to an instruction from the main board 31.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing display control command reception processing by interrupt processing. An INT signal for display control from the main board 31 is input to an interrupt terminal of the CPU 101 for display control. For example, when the INT signal from the main board 31 is turned on, the display control CPU 101 is interrupted. Then, the display control command reception process shown in FIG. 30 is started.

  In the display control command reception process, the display control CPU 101 first saves each register to the stack (step S670). When an interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 automatically sets the interrupt prohibited state. However, if a CPU that does not automatically enter the interrupt prohibited state is used, before executing the process of step S670. It is preferable to issue an interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction). Next, data is read from an input port assigned to input of display control command data (step S671). And it is confirmed whether it is the 1st byte of the display control command of 2 bytes composition (Step S672).

  Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is “1”. The first bit is “1”, which should be MODE data (first byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 19). Therefore, if the first bit is “1”, the display control CPU 101 stores the received command in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area, assuming that the first valid byte has been received (step S1). S673).

  If it is not the first byte of the display control command, it is confirmed whether or not the first byte has already been received (step S674). Whether or not it has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (reception command buffer).

  If the first byte has already been received, it is confirmed whether or not the first bit of the received 1 byte is “0”. If the first bit is “0”, it is determined that a valid second byte has been received, and the received command is stored in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (step S675). The first bit of “0” is supposed to be EXT data (second byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 19). If the confirmation result in step S674 indicates that the first byte has already been received, the process ends unless the first bit of the data received as the second byte is “0”.

  In step S675, when the command data of the second byte is stored, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (step S676). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (step S677), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (step S678). Thereafter, the saved register is restored (step S679), and interrupt permission is set (step S680).

  The display control command has a two-byte configuration, and the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are configured to be immediately distinguishable on the receiving side. In other words, the reception side can immediately detect whether the data as MODE or the data as EXT has been received by the first bit. Therefore, as described above, it can be easily determined whether or not appropriate data has been received. This also applies to the payout control command, the lamp control command, and the sound control command.

  31 and 32 are flowcharts showing a specific example of the command analysis processing (step S704). The display control command received from the main board 31 is stored in the reception command buffer. In the command analysis process, the content of the command stored in the reception command buffer is confirmed.

  In the command analysis process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not a reception command is stored in the command reception buffer (step S611). Whether it is stored or not is determined by comparing the value of the command reception counter with the read pointer. The case where both match is the case where the received command is not stored. When the reception command is stored in the command reception buffer, the display control CPU 101 reads the reception command from the command reception buffer (step S612). When read, the value of the read pointer is incremented by one.

  If the received display control command is a special symbol left designation display control command (91XX (H)) (step S613), the display control CPU 101 uses the left symbol in the RAM to store data indicating the left symbol indicated by "XX". Store in the symbol storage area (step S614). Further, if the display control command (92XX (H)) designated in the special symbol (step S616), the display control CPU 101 stores the data indicating the middle symbol indicated by “XX” in the intermediate symbol storage area in the RAM. Store (step S617). If the display control command (93XX (H)) designates the special symbol right (step S618), the display control CPU 101 stores the data indicating the right symbol indicated by "XX" in the right symbol storage area in the RAM. Store (step S619).

  If the received display control command is a display control command designating a variation pattern (step S621), the display control CPU 101 stores the EXT data of the command in the variation pattern data storage area (step S622), and the variation pattern. A reception flag is set (step S623).

  If the received display control command is a display control command for designating the start prize storage number (step S631), the display control CPU 101 sets the start prize memory number in the start prize number storage area in the RAM to the number designated by the display control command. (Step S632). Further, the number of start memory display areas 18 whose display colors change in the variable display device 9 is updated (step S633). Further, the value of the synchronous random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S634). The synchronous random number counter is a counter for generating a synchronous random number for determining whether or not to execute continuous notice. In this embodiment, the count value of the synchronous random number counter takes a value in the range of 0 to 126, and when the count value reaches 127, the value is returned to 0.

  If the received display control command is a display control command for specifying a winning prize (step S635), the display control CPU 101 increments the value of the synchronous random number counter by 1 (step S636) and sets the count value of the synchronous random number counter. A synchronous random number is extracted by reading (step S637), and a continuous notice is determined (step S638). Even when the received display control command is a display control command with a big win winning designation (step S639), the value of the synchronous random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S640), and the synchronous random number is extracted (step S641). A determination is made (step S642). Further, when the received display control command is a reach control designation display control command (step S651), the value of the synchronous random number counter is incremented by 1 (step S652), and the synchronous random number is extracted (step S653). The notice is determined (step S654).

  If the received command read in step S612 is another display control command, a flag corresponding to the received command is set (step S655).

  Next, the determination of continuous notice will be described. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the number of start winning memories and the number of times of continuous notice execution. FIG. 33 (A) shows the relationship between the number of start prizes stored and the number of consecutive notices executed when a display control command for specifying a winning prize is received, and FIG. 33 (B) shows a display control command for specifying a reach prize. FIG. 33 (C) shows the relationship between the number of start winning memories and the number of times of continuous notice when receiving a jackpot winning designation display control command. Show.

  As shown in FIG. 33, in this embodiment, when a display control command for specifying an extra prize is received, continuous notice can be executed if the value of the synchronous random number matches 29 or 124 (continuous notice judgment value). When the reach control designation display control command is received, if the value of the synchronous random number matches 7, 29, 79 or 124 (continuous notice determination value), the continuous notice can be executed, and the jackpot prize designation When the display control command is received, continuous notice can be executed if the value of the synchronous random number matches 7 to 27 or 105 to 124 (continuous notice determination value).

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a continuous notice determination process executed in steps S638, S642, and S654. In the continuous notice determination process, the display control CPU 101 first determines whether or not the continuous notice is being executed (step S661). Whether or not it is being executed can be determined by a continuous advance notice executing flag that is an internal flag set during execution. If the continuous notice is not being executed, the continuous notice determination table is selected (step S662). The continuous notice determination table is a table in which the information shown in FIG. 33 is set. When a display control command for specifying a winning prize is received, a table corresponding to the information shown in FIG. 33 (A) is selected. When a reach winning designation display control command is received, a table corresponding to the information shown in FIG. 33B is selected, and when a jackpot winning designation display control command is received, the table shown in FIG. A table corresponding to the information shown is selected.

  Then, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the same continuous notice determination value as the extracted synchronous random number value is set in the continuous notice determination table (step S663), and if there is a match, The corresponding number of executions is extracted from the continuous notice determination table. If the number of executions is not 0 (step S664), the number of executions is stored in the execution number buffer in the RAM (step S665), and the continuous notice lottery flag is set (step S666).

  With the above processing, the synchronous random number counter advances every time it receives a display control command for specifying the start winning memory number designation, missed prize designation, reach prize designation, jackpot prize designation, and missed prize designation, reach prize designation, jackpot prize. When a designated display control command is received, a lottery is executed as to whether or not to perform continuous notice. When it is determined to perform the continuous notice, the number of executions determined in advance is determined according to the number of start winning memories at that time.

  As will be described later, when the variable display device 9 performs variable display of a special symbol after the non-zero execution count has been determined, the display control CPU 101 notifies in advance during the variable symbol display period of the special symbol corresponding to the execution count. Produce (continuous notice).

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S705) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process process, any one of steps S800 to S806 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Fluctuation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received by the command reception interrupt process. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not a flag (variation pattern reception flag) indicating that a variation pattern command has been received is set. The variation pattern reception flag is set when it is confirmed by command analysis processing that a variation pattern designation display control command has been received (step S623).

  Preliminary selection process (step S801): It is determined whether or not a preliminary announcement effect is to be performed and the type of preliminary announcement effect to be performed.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S802): Control is performed so that variation of the left middle right symbol is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S803): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed) constituting the variation pattern, and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

  All symbol stop waiting setting process (step S804): If a display control command (special symbol stop display control command) for instructing all symbol stop is received at the end of the variation time, the symbol variation is stopped and the stop symbol ( Control to display the fixed symbol).

  Big hit display process (step S805): After the end of the fluctuation time, the control of the probability variable big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

  Process during jackpot game (step S806): Control during jackpot game is performed. For example, when a display control command for display before opening the big winning opening or display when opening the big winning opening is received, display control of the number of rounds is performed.

  FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of process data set for each variation pattern table. The process data is composed of data obtained by collecting a plurality of combinations of process timer set values and display control execution tables. Each display control execution table describes each variation mode constituting the variation pattern. The process timer set value is set with a change time in the change mode. The display control CPU 101 refers to the process data and performs control to display the symbols in a varying manner set in the display control execution table for the time set in the process timer set value.

  The process data shown in FIG. 36 is stored in the ROM of the symbol control board 80. Further, process data is prepared for each variation pattern.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800) in the display control process shown in FIG. In the variation pattern command reception waiting process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the variation pattern reception flag is set (step S871). If it is set, the flag is reset (step S872). Then, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the notice selection process (step S801) (step S873).

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the advance notice selection process (step S801) in the display control process shown in FIG. In the advance notice selection process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not the continuous advance notice is being executed (step S811). If not being executed, it is confirmed whether or not the continuous notice lottery flag has been set (step S812). If the continuous notice lottery flag has been set, that is, if it has been decided to perform the continuous notice, the continuous notice lottery flag is reset (step S813), and the contents of the execution number buffer are set in the execution number counter. (Step S814). Then, a continuous notice execution flag is set (step S815).

  Also, a notice start time determination timer corresponding to the decided notice effect is started (step S816). Then, the display control process flag is updated to a value corresponding to all symbol variation start processing (step S802) (step S817). The notice start time determination timer is a timer for determining the timing for starting the notice effect after the change of the symbol is started in the variable display device 9.

  If it is confirmed in step S811 that the continuous notice is being executed, the display control CPU 101 decrements the execution number counter by 1 (step S821), and if the execution number counter is not 0, the process proceeds to step S816 (step S822). When the execution number counter reaches 0, it means that the continuous notice for the determined number of executions has already been completed. In that case, the process proceeds to step S825.

  In step S812, when it is confirmed that the continuous notice lottery flag has not been set, a notice effect by notice A or notice B is performed. Alternatively, the notice effect is not performed. Specifically, a random number value is extracted from a notice random number counter (step S825), and if a notice is given based on the random number value, a notice effect is performed in either of notice A or notice B if a notice is given. Is determined (step S826). For example, a table in which determination values corresponding to each of no notification / notification A / notification B are set in a ROM, and a notification is made if a notification is made or not by comparing a random value and a determination value. If so, it is determined which of the notice A and the notice B the notice effect is to be performed. When it is decided to perform the notice effect of the notice A or the notice B (step S827), the process proceeds to step S816.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing all symbol variation start processing (step S802) in the display control process. In the all symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 101 first selects a variation pattern table to be used (step S881). Then, the variation time timer is started (step S882), and the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the symbol variation processing (step S883).

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a symbol variation process (step S803) in the display control process. In the symbol variation processing, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the notice start time determination timer has timed out (step S831). If time-out has occurred, the VDP 103 is controlled so that display based on the previously determined notice effect is performed (step S832). Here, the notice effect may be executed using a pattern table for executing the notice effect (data in which a plurality of combinations of timer setting values and control execution tables are collected), but is set for each variation pattern table. The process data may be further subdivided and set according to the type of the notice effect, and the process data corresponding to the variation pattern to be realized and the notice effect to be executed may be used. When process data corresponding to a variation pattern and a notice effect is used, display control of the notice effect is executed in accordance with the contents of the process data together with variable display of symbols.

  Further, when the process timer times out (step S833), the display control CPU 101 switches the display control execution table (step S834). That is, in the process data, the process timer set next is started and the VDP 103 is controlled according to the contents of the display control execution table set next. Therefore, the VDP 103 controls the display state of the variable display device 9 according to the contents of the display control execution table.

  If the variable time timer has timed out (step S835), a monitoring timer for monitoring the reception of the special symbol stop display control command is started (step S836), and the value of the display control process flag is awaited for all symbol stops. A value corresponding to the process is set (step S837).

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (step S804) in the display control process. In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a display control command (special symbol stop display control command) instructing all symbol stops is received (step S841). If a display control command for instructing stop of all symbols has been received, control is performed to stop the symbols with the stored stop symbol (step S842).

  When the jackpot symbol is displayed in step S842, the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the jackpot display process (step S805) (step S844). Then, the value of the execution number counter indicating the number of executions of the continuous notice is cleared (step S846), and the continuous notice execution flag is reset (step S847). When the big hit symbol is not displayed in step S842 (when the missing symbol is displayed), the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800). (Step S844).

  If the display control command designating all symbol stops has not been received, it is confirmed whether or not the monitoring timer has timed out (step S848). If the timeout has occurred, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and control is performed to display an error screen on the variable display device 9 (step S849). Then, control goes to a step S843.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the jackpot display process (step S805) in the display control process. In the big hit display process, the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not it is a probable big hit (step S851). For example, the display control CPU 101 can determine whether or not it is a probable big hit based on a confirmed symbol. If it is a probable big hit, the display control CPU 101 performs display control for displaying “probable big hit” on the variable display device 9 (step S852). Specifically, the display instruction of “probability big hit” is notified to the VDP 103. Then, the VDP 103 creates image data for the instructed display. Also, the image data is synthesized with the background image. If it is not a probable big hit, the display control CPU 101 performs display control for displaying, for example, “big hit” on the variable display device 9 (step S853). Then, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the big hit game processing (step S806) (step S854).

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the big hit game processing (step S806) in the display control process. In the big hit game processing, when the display control CPU 101 receives the big hit end display control command from the main board 31 (step S861), the display control CPU 101 performs control for causing the variable display device 9 to display the big hit end display. (Step S862), the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800). In the big hit game process, the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the number of rounds, etc. when receiving a display control command for display before the big winning opening is opened or when the big winning opening is opened.

  As described above, the display control means as the effect control means reaches the result determined by the game control means at the time of starting winning (whether or not the big hit is generated based on the random number value extracted at the time of starting winning) )), It is determined whether or not a continuous notice (hold notice) is to be executed, and if it is to be executed, the number of executions is determined. In addition, during the execution of the continuous notice, the notice effect in the form of notice A and notice B is not performed (because the process proceeds from step S811 to S821). If a big hit occurs, the continuous notice ends even if the continuous notice for the number of executions is not completed (see step S847).

  For example, it is assumed that a display control command indicating that the start winning memory number is “4” and a display control command for specifying a big win winning are received when the variable display device 9 is changing the symbol. To do. Then, in the determination of whether or not to perform the continuous notice, it is determined that the continuous notice is given and the number of executions is four. In addition, it is assumed that the determination results corresponding to the start winning memories 1, 2, and 3 are not big hits. In this case, after the current symbol variation is completed, a big hit occurs as a result of the fourth symbol variation. In addition, after the currently performed symbol variation is completed, the continuous notice effect is executed when the first to fourth symbol variations are performed. As a result of the fourth symbol variation, a big hit occurs. That is, it is possible to give a predetermined notification (that is, a notice effect) to the player during the symbol change of the previous times that the jackpot will be generated as a result of the fourth symbol change.

  As illustrated in FIG. 33, when it is determined that a big hit is made when a start winning is generated, it is determined that a continuous notice is performed with a higher probability than when no big win is made, and the execution is executed. There are many times. Therefore, the reliability of the continuous notice (the rate at which the big hit is actually generated when the continuous notice is executed) is high, and the player can strongly expect the occurrence of the big hit by the occurrence of the continuous notice.

  In the game control means, when a start winning occurs (when a variable display execution condition is satisfied) and when a new variable display can be started (when a variable display start condition is satisfied), In both timings of the above, it is determined whether or not to make a big hit (determination related to the determination result of the identification information) and whether or not to make the reach (determination related to the content of the identification information). At any timing, one jackpot determination module and reach determination module are used. One jackpot determination table and reach determination table are used. Therefore, even if it is configured to perform the continuous notice, the program capacity in the game control means does not increase compared to the case where the continuous notice is not performed. That is, the contents of game effects can be enriched without increasing the program capacity in the game control means.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display control means also performs display control of the start winning memory number, and the game control means includes display control commands for designation of missed prizes, display control commands for designation of reach prizes, and display control for designation of jackpot prizes. Separately from the command, the display control command for specifying the start winning memory number is transmitted before the display control command is transmitted. However, the display control command for designating the number of start winning memories may be used in combination with the display control command for designating an out-of-place prize, the display control command for designating a reach prize, and the display control command for designating a big win prize. That is, the pending storage number command may be configured to include information that can specify the determination result by the determination unit when the execution condition is satisfied. For example, 4 bits of 8-bit EXT data in the display control command of E5XX (H) are assigned to the extra prize designation, reach prize designation and jackpot prize designation, and the other four bits are assigned to the start prize memory number designation.

  In addition, the game control means transmits a start winning memory number designation control command, an extra prize designation control command, a reach prize designation control command, and a jackpot prize designation control command to the effect control means other than the display control means. You may make it do. For example, in the above embodiment, those control commands are transmitted to the sound control means (see FIG. 23). Accordingly, the sound control means is configured to determine whether or not to perform continuous notice based on those control commands, and to determine the number of executions when performing continuous notice, similarly to the display control means. Thus, the effect of continuous notice using the speaker 27 can be executed in synchronization with the effect of continuous notice on the variable display device 9 by the display control means.

  In the above embodiment, the process for selecting the variation pattern is not performed in the winning confirmation process (see FIG. 12). However, the process for selecting the variation pattern may be performed in the winning confirmation process.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the game control means sets the variable display mode of the identification information as the specific variable display mode when the variable display start condition is satisfied (the left and right symbols are aligned in the above embodiment). It is determined whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is the reach mode as the specific variable display mode when the execution condition of the variable display is satisfied. Is not limited to the reach mode. Other variable display modes may be used as long as they are variable display modes that can be distinguished from the other variable display modes that can appear. For example, a variable display mode may be employed in which the left middle right symbol is temporarily stopped at a specific symbol such as a so-called chance eye, and the left middle right symbol is fixed (final stop) after the variable display is resumed.

  In the above embodiment, the effect control means executes the continuous notice effect based on the winning determination result command. However, the effect is not limited to the continuous notice effect, and other effects may be executed. For example, the overall display from the start of variable display to display of the display result on the variable display device 9, the effect during the big hit game (for example, the effect during the big hit game develops a story, lottery is performed in the effect control means Then, during the big hit game, the contents of the story are determined by lottery from a plurality of stories), and various effects such as an effect of selecting a certain change or a short time may be executed.

  In the above embodiment, the characters are used to produce the continuous notice and the notices A and B. However, the notice effect may be in any form, for example, a slide effect (several numbers in the low speed fluctuation state). The notice effect may be performed by changing the variation mode of the special symbol such as an effect of changing the pattern at a high speed) or a return effect (an effect of changing in the reverse direction after passing the stop position of the symbol). . Moreover, you may make it perform a notice effect by changing a background.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the maximum number of start winning memories is four, but other numbers may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the determination process (step S115 to step S119) in the winning confirmation process (see FIG. 12) is started when there is a winning at the start winning opening. If the variable display is not started without a plurality of winnings, the determination process may be started on the condition that there are a plurality of winnings. In addition, winning is permitted only during a period in which a predetermined variable winning device (for example, the second type variable winning ball device) is in an advantageous state (for example, a period from when the opening operation is performed until the predetermined period elapses). In such a case, the determination process may be started on condition that a game ball has won during the period.

  In the above embodiment, the gaming machine transmits a control command from the main board 31 to each effect control board (the symbol control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70), and each effect control board receives it. The game machine controls the presentation means (variable display device 9, light emitter such as lamp / LED, speaker 27) based on the control command, but some functions of each presentation control board (for example, symbol control board 80) A main production control board having a function), and based on a control command from the main board 31, the main production control board is configured to transmit a control command to each production control board. The present invention can also be applied.

  In the embodiment described above, the “specific game state” means a state that is advantageous for a player who is given a predetermined game value. Specifically, the “specific game state” is, for example, a right for a variable winning ball apparatus to be in a state advantageous to a player who easily hits a ball (a big hit gaming state) or a state advantageous to a player. Is a state in which a predetermined game value is given, such as a state in which a game has occurred, or a condition in which a premium game medium payout condition is easily established.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “special game state” means a state advantageous to a player who is likely to make a big hit. Specifically, the “special game state” includes, for example, a probability variation state in which the probability that a special symbol is a big hit symbol is a high probability state, a short time state in which the number of fluctuations of a normal symbol per unit time is increased, a variable winning ball This is a high probability state in which the probability of a big hit such as an open extended state in which the opening period and the number of opening times of the device 15 are increased is increased. In the short-time state, since the number of opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is increased, the number of winnings per unit time is increased, and the variable display number of special symbols per unit time is increased. It can be said that has been raised. Similarly, in the open extended state, since the opening period and the number of opening times of the variable winning ball apparatus 15 are increased, the number of winnings per unit time is increased, and the number of special symbols variable display times per unit time is increased. Therefore, it can be said that the probability of being a big hit is increased.

  Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of each of the above embodiments has a predetermined game value given to the player when the special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display device 9 based on the start winning combination is a combination of the predetermined symbols. The first type pachinko gaming machine that can be granted, the second type pachinko that can be given a predetermined game value to the player if there is a winning in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start winning A third-class pachinko machine where a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when a stop symbol of a symbol that is variably displayed based on a starting prize is a combination of a predetermined pattern The present invention can be applied even to a gaming machine.

1 Pachinko machine 9 Variable display device 31 Main board 35 Lamp control board 56 CPU
70 Sound control board 80 Symbol control board 101 Display control CPU

Claims (1)

A variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information is provided, and after a predetermined variable display execution condition is satisfied, variable information display is started based on the satisfaction of the variable display start condition. A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of becomes a specific display result,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game based on the game control program,
The game control means includes
Determination numerical data updating means for updating determination numerical data used to determine whether or not to control to a specific gaming state;
Execution condition establishment determination means for determining whether or not the specific game state is to be controlled based on the determination numerical data when the variable display execution condition is established;
When the variable display execution condition is satisfied, the determination numerical data is extracted and stored in a predetermined storage area, and when the variable display start condition is satisfied, the determination numerical data stored in the storage area is read and read. Game state determining means for determining whether to control to a specific gaming state based on the numerical data for determination,
In the variable display device, based on the determination result by the determination unit when the execution condition is established, the game state determination unit is controlled to be in the specific game state before determining whether to control to the specific game state. It is possible to execute an effect display for informing in advance,
In the game control program, whether the program module used for determining whether or not the gaming state determining means controls to the specific gaming state and the execution condition establishment time determining means are controlled to the specific gaming state A game machine, wherein the program module used to determine whether or not is configured as a common module.

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