JP2010148830A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine permitting easy creation of a program while reducing the storage capacity of ROM by systematizing presentation patterns when there is a possibility that the number of patterns of presentation combinations is extremely increased. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes a sound output device, a game control device and a presentation control device. Sound effect specifying/dividing tables for dividing the whole period from the start to the end of a variable display game into a plurality of segments and for specifying the sound effect output during the respective segments for the respective segments are registered in a storing means of the presentation control device. The plurality of sound effect specifying/dividing tables are connected in chronological order to execute processing for outputting sound effects from the sound output device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine including a gaming control device and an effect control device that controls various effects based on instructions from the gaming control device, and in particular, the effect control device controls the sound control device. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that outputs sound effects.

An effect integration device comprising an effect integration device to which a stop symbol designation command and a variation pattern basic designation command output from a main control device are inputted, and a distribution means for distributing the basic variation pattern to the detailed variation pattern while keeping the variation time the same There is a game machine prepared for. In this gaming machine, the image control device, the sound control device, and the light control device are controlled in accordance with a command from the effect integration device, and the image display, sound output, and light emission control of the lamp and the like are integrally performed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2005-118179

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1, a random number is extracted as a process when the basic variation pattern is distributed to the detailed variation pattern in the production integration device. Based on the extracted random numbers, processing for distributing the detailed variation pattern is executed by selecting various effects such as a background effect, a notice effect, a development effect, and a final effect.

  In this case, since a plurality of types of effects are prepared in order to enrich variations of various effects, the number of patterns of the combination of the background effect, the notice effect, the development effect, and the final effect is extremely large. When all combinations of patterns are stored in a ROM (nonvolatile storage means), a large storage capacity is required.

  Therefore, the present invention is a game that makes it easy to create a program while organizing production patterns and reducing ROM storage capacity even if the number of combinations of productions may be extremely large. The purpose is to provide a machine.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, a variable display game is executed on a display device based on establishment of a predetermined start condition, and a privilege is given to a player in accordance with a game result of the variable display game A game machine that generates a special gaming state, a sound output device that outputs sound effects relating to the game, a game control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and a command from the game control device, in the display device An effect control device that performs output control of the sound effect in correspondence with the execution state of the variable display game, and the effect control device specifies an effect sound that is output during the execution of the variable display game. Storage means for storing sound specifying information, and control means for reading the sound effect specifying information from the storage means and outputting the sound effect from the sound output device in accordance with the execution of the variation display game. In the storage means, there is a sound effect specifying division table that divides the entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game into a plurality of sections and specifies the sound effects output in each section for each section. The sound effect identification information is registered in the sound effect identification division table in chronological order, and the control means executes the variation display game based on a command from the game control device. Execution content determination means for determining content, selection means for selecting a plurality of sound effect specific division tables corresponding to the executed variation display game from the storage means, and the plurality of selected sound effect specific divisions The connection means for connecting the tables in time series, the sound effect specifying information is acquired in correspondence with the connected sound effect specifying division table, and the sound effect is output from the sound output device. A game machine characterized by comprising a force canceling means.

  In the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the connecting means connects the sound effect specific division tables selected by the selecting means from the start to the end of the variation display game. Table generating means for generating a sound effect specifying integrated table for specifying all sound effects that are output in all the periods of the above, wherein the output processing means obtains the sound effect specifying information from the sound effect specifying integrated table. And a process of outputting sound effects.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the connecting means causes the output processing means to select in which order the sound effect specifying division tables selected by the selection means are selected. Selection order determining means for determining, and the control means includes time value specifying information setting means for setting time value specifying information capable of specifying a time value related to a selection time of the sound effect specifying division table, and the output processing The means selects one of the sound effect specifying division tables in the order determined by the selection order determining means, and the sound effect specifying information is selected from the selected sound effect specifying division table at a timing based on the time value specifying information. A process of obtaining and outputting sound effects is performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the display device displays an image of the variable display game, and generates image data of the variable display game. An image generation means, wherein the image generation means outputs an image update signal at a predetermined period, and outputs the image data in synchronization with a period of the image update signal, and the output processing means includes the image generation means The sound output device outputs the sound effect in synchronization with the period of the image update signal from the sound output device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, a predetermined abnormality canceling operation unit is provided, and the game control device detects a first abnormality relating to a game. An abnormality handling state generating means for transitioning to an abnormality handling state and continuing the abnormality handling state until there is an operation input of the abnormality canceling operation unit, and a first abnormality occurrence signal indicating that the abnormality handling state has occurred, First abnormality occurrence signal transmitting means for transmitting to the effect control device, first abnormality canceling signal transmitting means for transmitting to the effect control device a first abnormality cancellation signal indicating that the abnormality handling state has been canceled, and the first 2nd abnormality occurrence signal transmission means which transmits the 2nd abnormality occurrence signal which shows having detected the 2nd abnormality concerning the game different from 1 abnormality to the above-mentioned production control device, The above-mentioned production control device, When a specified abnormality occurs, An abnormality notification processing unit that operates the recording output device to notify the abnormality, and when the first abnormality occurrence signal is received during the output of the sound effect, the abnormality notification processing unit The sound is stopped and switched to the output of the abnormality notification sound, the output of the abnormality notification sound is continued until the first abnormality cancellation signal is received, and the sound effect is output when the first abnormality cancellation signal is received. When the second abnormality occurrence signal is received during the output of the sound effect, the abnormality notification sound is output in a state in which the volume of the sound effect sound being output is reduced for a predetermined time. After the lapse of time, the abnormal sound is stopped and the volume of the sound effect reduced is restored.

  In addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth inventions, the sixth invention includes a decoration device that performs a visual effect on the game separately from the display device, and the effect control device includes: The decoration device performs decoration control corresponding to the execution state of the variable display game on the display device, and the storage means divides the entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game into a plurality of sections. A decoration control specific division table for specifying the decoration device that operates during the section is registered for each section, and the decoration control specification information for specifying the decoration device that operates is included in the decoration control specific division table in time series order. The registered means selects a plurality of decoration control specific division tables corresponding to the variable display game to be executed from the storage means, and the connecting means A decoration control specific division table is connected in chronological order, and the output processing means acquires the decoration control specific information corresponding to the connected decoration control specific division table, and controls the decoration device. To do.

  In 1st invention, the sound effect at the time of running a variable display game can be pinpointed correctly by selecting a some sound effect specific division | segmentation table and connecting with a connection means. In this case, by increasing the combination pattern of the sound effect specific division table, it is possible to cope with diversification of the variation pattern of the variation display game, and it is necessary to secure a large storage capacity as an area for storing the sound effect specific division table. Disappear.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the sound effect output processing is performed after the connection means generates a new sound effect specification integrated table from a plurality of sound effect specification division tables. The processing burden after creating the table is reduced.

  In the third invention, since the plurality of sound effect specific division tables are left as they are and the connection is completed simply by designating the reference order of the sound effect specific division tables by the connecting means, the effect control device specifies the sound effect specification. The processing burden when connecting the divided tables is reduced.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, since the sound effect is output in synchronization with the image update signal that is the timing for outputting the image data, it is easy to produce an effect in accordance with the variable display game performed on the display device.

  In the fifth invention, since appropriate sound effects are output in response to the occurrence of the first abnormality and the occurrence of the second abnormality, the game progresses smoothly when the abnormality occurs and the abnormality notification is accurately performed. Can do.

  In the sixth invention, the decoration control specifying information is also stored in the storage means, so that the decoration control can be diversified and the data capacity of the storage means is not increased.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description of the embodiment, front, rear, left, and right refer to directions in a state viewed from the player, that is, a state in which the game board is viewed from the front.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The front frame 2 of the gaming machine 1 is attached to a machine frame (not shown) fixed to an island facility for installing the gaming machine 1 with the hinge 4 as an axis, and by rotating about the hinge 4 as an axis, One side can be opened and closed. The front frame 2 has a substantially square opening, and the game board 5 is attached to the opening. A glass frame 6 is attached to the front frame 2 with a hinge (not shown) as an axis, and the glass frame 6 can be opened and closed by rotating about the hinge. A transparent cover glass is attached to the opening of the glass frame 6.

On the game board 5, a substantially circular game area 11 is defined by a guide rail 10 provided on the surface of the game board 5. The player can visually recognize the game area 11 through the cover glass.
Below the game board 5 in the front frame 2, there are a launch operation unit 15 and a ball storage unit 16 a of a launch device (not shown) that sequentially launches game balls (pachinko balls) one by one in the game area 11. An upper plate 16 that guides the ball to the launching device, a lower plate 17 that can store game balls overflowing from the ball storage unit 16a of the upper plate 16, a speaker 18 that outputs sound effects, and an ashtray 19 are provided. The speakers 18 are also provided at the upper left and right ends of the glass frame 6.

  A ball lending button 63 for instructing ball lending and a discharge button 64 for instructing discharge of the prepaid card from the card ball lending unit are provided on the upper right portion of the upper plate 16. In the vicinity of these buttons 63 and 64, a balance display unit 65 for displaying the balance of the prepaid card is provided.

The gaming machine 1 plays a game by the game ball launched from the launching device flowing down in the game area 11 based on the player's operation of the launch operation unit 15.
A center case 21 having a substantially rectangular opening window 21a is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11. Behind the center case 21 is provided a display device 22 that displays a plurality of pieces of identification information in a state where the display portion 22a faces the opening window portion 21a of the center case 21.

  The display device 22 sets a plurality of variable display areas (for example, three variable display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side) in the display unit 22a, and displays the image independently in each display area. It is. In the present embodiment, for example, a display screen portion is configured by an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like capable of displaying an arbitrary image, and each variable display area on the display screen has a plurality of identification information (special symbols) and An image based on the progress of the game, such as a character that produces a special figure variation display game, is displayed.

  Below the center case 21 in the game area 11 is provided a start winning opening 24 (winning area) having an ordinary variable winning device (ordinary electric accessory) 23, and below the start winning opening 24 is a display device 22. A special variable winning device (large winning opening) 25 is provided which can be converted into a state in which a game ball is not accepted and a state in which it is easy to accept depending on the result of the operation. In addition, a normal symbol start gate 26 used for the normal-variation display game is disposed on the left side of the center case 21 in the game area 11.

  Furthermore, in the game area 11, the direction of a general winning port 28 for establishing a condition for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls when a game ball wins, a windmill 29 or a nail (not shown) for changing the fall direction of the game ball, etc. A conversion member and an out port 30 for collecting game balls that have flowed down without winning are provided.

  At the top of the center case 21, the special symbol variation display of the special symbol variation display game, the special symbol winning memory number (holding memory number), the normal symbol variation display of the normal symbol variation display game, and the normal symbol winning memory. A display 32 for displaying the number is provided.

  The game balls launched by the launching device are sectioned on the left side of the game area 11 by the guide rail 10 and are launched into the game area 11 from the launch ball guide passage 31 that guides the game balls, and are arranged at various locations in the game area 11. The game area 11 flows down while changing the falling direction by a direction changing member such as a windmill 29 and wins the start winning opening 24, the general winning opening 28, the big winning opening 25, or the out provided at the bottom of the gaming area 11 It is discharged from the mouth 30.

When a game ball wins the general winning opening 28 and the big winning opening 25, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning winning opening is discharged from the payout device (not shown) to the upper plate 16.
Further, when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 24, the display 32 starts a special figure changing display game in which the symbols composed of the numbers and the like described above are sequentially changed and displayed on the display device 22. An image related to the figure variation display game is displayed.

  When a winning at the start winning opening 24 is made at a predetermined timing, the final result of the special figure variation display game is stopped in a state where three display symbols are aligned (a jackpot symbol), and a jackpot state (special game) State) occurs. At this time, the special winning opening 25 is in a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) in which the special winning opening 25 does not accept a game ball for a predetermined time due to energization to the special winning opening solenoid (SOL) 123 shown in FIG. ) To an open state in which a game ball can be easily received (a state advantageous to the player). That is, since the special winning opening 25 is greatly opened for a predetermined time, the player is given a game value that allows a large number of game balls to be acquired.

  Further, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 26, the display unit 32 starts a general symbol change display game. When the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 26 is made at a predetermined timing, the normal symbol related hit state is entered, and the normal symbol displayed on the display 32 stops in the hit state. At this time, the normal variation winning device 23 provided in the start winning opening 24 is converted so that the entrance to the starting winning opening 24 is expanded for a predetermined time by energization of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122 shown in FIG. As a result, the possibility of winning the game ball at the start winning opening 24 is increased.

  A warp inlet 55 is provided on the left side of the display device 22 on the frame of the center case 21. The game ball that has flowed into the warp inlet 55 is discharged from the warp outlet 57 through the warp passage 54, rolls on a rolling surface (stage) provided on the lower side of the display device 22, and immediately below the center of the display device 22. It flows down from the hole or rolling surface provided in. And when it flows down to the hole provided directly under the center, it is discharged from the communication port 62 provided immediately above the start winning port 24, thereby increasing the possibility of winning the start winning port 24.

  The ball removal button 66 is a button for discharging the game balls stored in the upper plate 16 to the lower plate 17. A decorative movable member 69 is disposed above the opening window 21 a formed in the center case 21. The decorative movable member 69 can swing around the rotation shaft 68 and operates during execution of the special figure variation display game to perform a predetermined operation corresponding to the possibility of a big hit.

  Further, the front frame 2 has a decorative light emitting device 3 that blinks by various LED substrates 160 (see FIG. 3).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the game control device 100 of the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The game control apparatus 100 includes a microprocessor 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an input I / F (Interface) 104, an output I / F 105, and an external communication terminal 106.

  The microprocessor 101 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and controls the game. The ROM 102 stores invariant information (program, data, etc.) for game control. The RAM 103 is used as a work area by the microprocessor 101 during game control.

  The game control apparatus 100 is provided with an external communication terminal 106, and an identification number uniquely set in the microprocessor 101 can be output from the external communication terminal 106. By connecting an inspection device or a management computer (so-called hall computer) to the external communication terminal 106, the management computer can identify the gaming machine 1.

  The microprocessor 101 receives various detection devices (start port sensor 110, winning port sensor a111a to winning port sensor n111n, gate sensor 112, count sensor 113, glass frame opening sensor 114, inner frame opening sensor 115 via the input I / F 104. In response to the detection signals from the ball break sensor 116, the clear switch 117, the vibration sensor 130, and the magnetic sensor 131, various processes such as a big hit lottery are performed.

  Note that the vibration sensor 130 detects vibration applied to the gaming machine 1, and the magnetic sensor 131 detects magnetism applied to the gaming machine 1 (that is, approach of a magnet). When the vibration sensor 130 detects a vibration equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the game control apparatus 100 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1 and sets a vibration error state. In addition, when the magnetic sensor 131 detects a magnetism equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the game control apparatus 100 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1 and sets a magnetic error state.

  Further, the microprocessor 101 outputs each piece of information to the special-figure display 120 and the general-purpose display 121 provided in the game area 11 via the output I / F 105. The special figure display 120 and the common figure display 121 are provided on the display 32.

  The special figure display 120 outputs the fluctuation display mode of the special figure fluctuation display game. The universal display 121 outputs a variation display mode of the universal variation display game. Further, the microprocessor 101 transmits a command signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid (SOL) 122, the big prize opening solenoid (SOL) 123, the discharge control device 124, and the effect control device 150 via the output I / F 105. , Control the game centrally.

  The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122 operates to open and close the ordinary variation winning device 23 at the entrance to the start winning port 24. The special prize opening solenoid 123 operates to open and close the special prize opening 25.

  The discharge control device 124 is a device for operating the payout unit based on the prize ball command signal from the game control apparatus 100 to discharge the prize ball. Further, the discharge control device 124 is a device for controlling the operation of the payout unit based on a ball rental request signal from a card ball rental unit provided in the gaming machine 1 and discharging the ball rental.

  Further, the microprocessor 101 outputs information regarding the gaming machine 1 to the management computer via the external terminal board 125 connected to the output I / F 105.

  The game control device 100 uses a variation start command (including a model / design designation command and a variation pattern designation command), a customer waiting demo command, a fanfare command, a probability information command, an error designation command, etc. as a production control command signal. It transmits to the control apparatus 150. The effect control device 150 can grasp the transition of the game state managed by the game control device 100 by receiving these commands.

  The effect control device 150 performs various effects by controlling the display device 22, the speaker 18, the various LED boards 160, and the decorative movable member 69 based on the effect command signal from the game control device 100.

  In addition, the game control device 100 is connected to a backup power supply (not shown) that supplies power to the game control device 100 during a power failure. Thereby, the game control apparatus 100 can hold the stored contents of the RAM 103 even during a power failure.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the effect control device 150 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The effect control device 150 includes a CPU 151, a control ROM 152, a RAM 153, a reception buffer 154, an input I / F 155, a VDP 156, a design ROM 157, a display clock 158, a sound source controller 159, an audio ROM 161, and a decoration device controller 162.

The CPU 151 is a processor that controls the effect control device 150. The control ROM 152 stores a program and data for controlling the effect control device 150. The RAM 153 is a work area when the CPU 151 operates.
The reception buffer 154 temporarily stores various commands output from the game control device 100.

  The effect button 119 is connected to the input I / F 155, and the input I / F 155 accepts an input when the effect button 119 is operated. The effect button 119 is a button operated by the player during the special figure variation display game, and is provided on the upper part of the upper plate 16 shown in FIG.

  The VDP 156 is a processor that controls video output to the display device 22, and creates display data to be displayed on the display device 22 from image data stored in the design ROM 157. The symbol ROM 157 stores image data. The display clock 158 is an oscillator that generates a clock signal that defines the operation period of the VDP 156. The display clock 158 generates a clock signal with a period of 1/60 seconds (0.167 milliseconds), for example.

  Specifically, a clock signal generated by the display clock 158 is input to the VDP 156, and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) synchronized with the cycle of the clock signal is input to the CPU 151 and the display device 22.

  That is, the CPU 151 operates at a 1/60 second period. Further, another synchronization signal synchronized with the cycle of the clock signal is input to the display device 22. Instead of directly inputting the vertical synchronization signal to the CPU 151, another signal generated in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal may be input to the CPU 151, and processing of the CPU 151 may be performed in synchronization with the generation timing of this signal. The vertical synchronization signal functions as an image synchronization signal.

  In synchronization with the period of the synchronization signal input to the display device 22, image data displayed on the display device 22 is input to the display device 22 as an RGB signal.

  The sound source controller 159 controls the speaker 18. The sound ROM 161 stores sound data of sound effects output from the speaker 18. The sound source controller 159 has eight channels for outputting sound effects, and can specify sound effects by setting a sound number for each channel, and can set a sound volume for each channel. Thus, eight types of sound effects can be output simultaneously.

  Specifically, the sound source controller 159 receives sound effect specifying information (sound number) specifying the sound effect output from the speaker 18 and sound volume data by the CPU 151 specifying a channel.

  Next, the sound source controller 159 specifies the sound effect output from the speaker 18 based on the input sound number, and acquires the specified sound data from the sound ROM 161. Then, the sound source controller 159 outputs a sound effect based on the acquired sound data from the designated channel to the speaker 18 at a volume corresponding to the volume data input by the CPU 151.

  The volume data is data for the CPU 151 to specify the volume of the sound effect to the sound source controller 159. The larger the numerical value, the larger the sound volume. When 0 is specified, the sound effect is muted.

  However, the output of the sound effect registered as a continuous sound is continuously output until the CPU 151 instructs the sound stop. Therefore, when 0 is set as the volume data, no sound effect can be heard by the player's ear, but the process of obtaining the sound effect data from the sound ROM 161 is continued, so that the sound effect melody is not interrupted. Continue to output.

  The decoration device controller 162 controls the various LED boards 160 and the decorative movable member 69.

  Specifically, decoration control specifying information (decoration number) for specifying the control mode of the various LED boards 160 and the decorative movable member 69 is input to the decoration device controller 162, and the decoration device controller 162 receives the input decoration number. By specifying the decoration mode, the various LED boards 160 and the decorative movable member 69 are controlled in the specified decoration mode.

  Next, the process performed by the game control apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS. 4-5.

  FIG. 4A is a flowchart of the first half of the main process of game control according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the latter half of the main process of game control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The main process is executed by the microprocessor 101 of the game control device 100 when the gaming machine 1 is powered on or when a power failure is restored.

  First, the game control device 100 prohibits an interrupt performed at a predetermined time period (for example, a period of 2 milliseconds) (301).

  The game control device 100 sets an interrupt vector indicating an address on the RAM 103 to be accessed in order to execute an interrupt process executed when there is an interrupt (302), and sets a stack pointer (303). Then, the game control device 100 sets an interrupt mode (304) and permits access to the RAM 103 (305). Next, the game control device 100 sets all output ports to OFF (306).

  Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the clear switch 117 is ON (307). The clear switch 117 is a switch for initializing the gaming machine 1. When the clear switch 117 is turned ON when the power is turned on, the data stored in the RAM 103 is cleared and the gaming machine is initialized.

  If it is determined in step 307 that the clear switch 117 is ON, the game control device 100 clears the data stored in the area of the RAM 103 used for game control (308). By clearing the RAM, the game control data (game execution state, number of reserved memories, etc.) stored in the RAM 103 are erased.

  Then, the game control device 100 sets a predetermined initial value as a value at power-on in the RAM 103 (309).

  Next, the game control device 100 executes a power-on command editing process for causing the effect control device 150 to set a symbol displayed on the display 32 when the power is turned on.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 307 that the clear switch 117 is not ON, the game control device 100 refers to the power failure inspection area (311).

  Specifically, the power outage inspection area is a specific area of the RAM 103 and stores an outage flag indicating that a power outage has occurred.

  Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the power failure flag is stored in the power failure inspection area referred to in the processing of step 311, so that the power is turned on when the power failure is restored or the power is turned on after the normal end. Is determined (312).

  If it is determined in step 312 that the power is not turned on at the time of power failure recovery (power is turned on after normal termination), the process proceeds to step 308 to initialize the gaming machine 1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 312 that the power failure has been restored, that is, if a power failure flag is stored in the power failure inspection area, the game control device 100 has corrupted data stored in the RAM 103. In order to determine whether the checksum is correct, it is determined whether the checksum is normal (313). Specifically, in the event of a power failure, the game control apparatus 100 determines whether or not the data checksum stored in the RAM 103 matches the data checksum currently stored in the RAM 103.

  If it is determined in step 313 that the checksum is abnormal, the data stored in the RAM 103 is corrupted and the data stored in the RAM 103 when a power failure occurs cannot be taken over. In order to initialize the machine 1, the process proceeds to step 308, and power-on processing (308 to 310) is executed.

If it is determined in step 313 that the checksum is normal, the RAM 103
Since the data stored in is normal and the power failure recovery process can be executed, the initial value at the time of power failure recovery is set in the RAM 103 (314).

  Next, the game control device 100 erases the data stored in the area for displaying the display 32 that displays each gaming state, and erases the display content of the display 32 (315).

  And the game control apparatus 100 performs the power failure recovery command edit process which makes the effect control apparatus 150 set the symbol displayed on the display device 32 at the time of power failure recovery (316).

  Next, the game control state determines whether or not the probability state when the power failure occurs is a low probability state (317). If it is determined in step 317 that the state is a low probability state, the process proceeds to step 319 shown in FIG. 3B.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of step 317 that the state is not in the low probability state, that is, in the probability variation state, the game control device 100 is in order to notify the player that the state is in the probability variation state. The probability display data is set in the RAM 103, and the process proceeds to step 319 shown in FIG. 3B.

  Next, the game control device 100 activates an interrupt timer that performs a timer interrupt at a predetermined time period (for example, a period of 2 milliseconds) (319). Then, interrupt prohibition is set (320).

  Next, initial value random number update processing is executed (321). Specifically, the initial value random number update process includes an initial value of a jackpot random number for determining whether or not a special figure fluctuation display game is won, and a hit for determining whether or not a normal figure fluctuation display game is won. This is a process for updating the initial value of the random number.

  That is, in the process executed by the game control device 100, when a game ball wins the normal symbol start gate 26 or the start winning opening 24, a lottery for deriving a corresponding game result mode is performed, Based on the lottery result, some random number processing is performed to add randomness to the effect or decoration when the variable display game is advanced.

As an example of these random number processes, the value of the counter is incremented by 1 in a predetermined time period (for example, 1 millisecond period) between 0 and 316, and returned to 0 again when the value exceeds 316 There is. This random value update process corresponds to the random number update process 1 of step 404 shown in FIG.

  As the counter value, the random number value at that time is extracted when the game control device 100 detects the above-described winning of a game ball or the like. However, although it is a random number, it is a counter extracted at a cycle of 317 milliseconds, and is merely a random number using randomness of timing extracted as a random value. Therefore, regularity as a counter is eliminated by updating the initial value of the counter value in the initial value random number update process.

  In the above-described example, the counter value is not updated by adding a predetermined value (for example, 1) every time, but every time the value obtained by the initial value random number update process is updated in one cycle, the initial value of the counter value is updated. As a value, a new value obtained by the initial value random number update process is set as the initial value of the next counter. Since the random number update period in the initial value random number update process is shorter than the random number update period in the random number update process 1 in step 604, estimation of the counter value from the outside can be made difficult.

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 is in a vibration error due to the detection of a vibration greater than a predetermined reference value, or due to the detection of magnetism greater than a predetermined reference value. It is determined whether a magnetic error is occurring (331). As a result, when it is determined that a vibration error or a magnetic error is occurring, it is determined whether or not the clear switch 117 is ON (332).

  When it is determined in step 332 that the clear switch 117 is ON, the game control device 100 clears the vibration error state and the magnetic error state (333), and proceeds to step 322. Therefore, the clear switch 117 also functions as an abnormality canceling operation unit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that neither a vibration error nor a magnetic error has occurred, or if the clear switch 117 is not ON, the process proceeds to step 322.

  Next, the game control device 100 performs a process of setting permission of the interrupt that has been prohibited (322).

  Then, the game control device 100 refers to the power failure inspection area (323) and determines whether or not a power failure has occurred (324). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the voltage supplied to the gaming machine 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. If the voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the power failure flag is stored in the power failure inspection area, so that a power failure has occurred. Can be determined.

  If it is determined in step 324 that a power failure has occurred, the power failure processing (325-330) is executed.

  First, in the power failure process, the game control device 100 sets the interrupt prohibition (325), and sets all output ports to OFF (326).

  The game control device 100 deletes the data stored in the power failure inspection area (327), and stores a power failure flag indicating that a power failure has occurred in the power failure inspection area (328).

  The game control device 100 calculates the checksum of the data stored in the RAM 103 before the supply of power to the RAM 103 is interrupted, and stores the calculated checksum value in the backup area of the RAM 103 (329).

  Then, the game control device 100 prohibits access to the RAM 103 (330), and waits without performing any processing until the gaming machine 1 is turned off.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 324 that a power failure has not occurred, the power failure process is not executed, and the process returns to step 320.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The timer interrupt process is executed by the microprocessor 101 of the game control device 100 by an interrupt issued at a predetermined time period.

  When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the game control main process is executed. When a timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined time period (for example, a period of 2 milliseconds) by the interrupt timer activated in the process of step 319, the timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed.

  However, these processes (steps 401 to 415) are not necessarily performed every time an interrupt occurs. For example, in the input / output process (402), the input signal is monitored every time, but the output process may be executed every other occurrence of an interrupt. That is, instead of completing all the processes in one interrupt process, the interrupt process may be repeatedly executed a plurality of times to complete a series of game control processes.

  First, the game control device 100 executes a register saving process (401).

  Thereafter, input / output processing is executed (402). The input / output process includes an input process and an output process. The input process is a process of determining input information by performing a process such as chattering removal on signals from various sensors and switches input via the input I / F 104. Note that if any one of a vibration error and a magnetic error has occurred, all output ports are set to OFF.

  In the output process, data related to game control is output to the external terminal board 125 via the output I / F 105, and the data is output to the display device 22, the various LED boards 160 and the speaker 18. In this output process, the display 32 including the special figure display 120 and the general figure display 121 is set based on the parameters set in the special figure game process (409) and the general figure game process (410). Parameter is output.

  As described above, the input process and the output process do not have to be executed simultaneously with a single timer interrupt.

  Next, command transmission processing for outputting a command to the effect control device 150 or outputting signals to various control devices is performed (403). Specifically, an error command (a failure start command, a failure stop command, and a warning start command, which will be described later) is output to the effect control device 150, a change-related command related to the change display game is output to the effect control device 150, A payout command is output to the discharge control device 124, or a power failure related command is output to the effect control device 150.

  Thereafter, in order to add randomness to the jackpot random number and the hit random number, the jackpot random number counter and the random number update process 1 for adding the value of the hit random number counter one by one are performed (404). In addition, in this random number update process 1, 1 is also added to the value of the jackpot symbol random number counter that determines the stop symbol.

  Next, initial value random number update processing is executed (405). The initial value random number update process of step S25 is the same as the initial value random number update process of step 321 shown in FIG.

  Then, a random number update process 2 for incrementing the value of the variation pattern random number counter for imparting randomness to the effect or decoration (variation pattern, stop symbol, etc.) when the special figure variation display game is advanced is performed (406). .

  Next, the vibration error flag and the magnetic error flag are checked, and a vibration error due to the detection of a vibration exceeding a predetermined reference value is detected, and a magnetism exceeding a predetermined reference value is detected. It is determined whether or not a magnetic error is caused due to the fact (416). The vibration error flag and the magnetic error flag are flags set based on the result of monitoring the outputs of the vibration sensor 130 and the magnetic sensor 131 in step 417.

  As a result, if it is determined that a vibration error or a magnetic error is occurring, the process proceeds to step 412. That is, when it is determined that a vibration error or a magnetic error is occurring, processing relating to game progress (switch monitoring processing (407 to 408), game processing (409 to 410), LED editing processing 411) is not executed. However, the external information editing process 412 is executed. For this reason, in the state where the abnormality occurs in the gaming machine 1, the game (the special figure variation display game and the normal symbol variation display game) is interrupted in a state in which the game does not proceed (the stored contents of the RAM 103 remain as it is). The fact that an abnormality has occurred can be output to the outside (for example, a call lamp, a hall computer).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that neither a vibration error nor a magnetic error has occurred, the process proceeds to step 417.

  In step 417, the output from the vibration sensor 130, the output from the magnetic sensor 131, the output from the glass frame opening sensor 114, the output from the inner frame opening sensor 115, and the output from the ball break sensor 116 are detected, and the magnetism is detected. Determine whether an error, vibration error, or other error has occurred.

  Specifically, when the game control device 100 determines that the vibration sensor 130 has detected a vibration that is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a vibration error flag is set, and a vibration error state is set. Further, when the game control device 100 determines that the magnetic sensor 131 has detected magnetism equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a magnetic error flag is set and a magnetic error state is set.

  When this magnetic error and vibration error occur, the game control device 100 becomes in an abnormal state, the variable winning device stops operating, invalidates detection by various winning sensors, and further displays a variable display game or the like. The game control is stopped to make the game impossible. This abnormality handling state continues until the clear switch 117 (FIG. 2) is operated.

  When the game control device 100 generates a magnetic error and a vibration error (first abnormality) and an abnormality handling state occurs, the first abnormality occurs when the command transmission process (403) described above is executed next time. A “failure start command” is transmitted to the effect control device 150 as a signal.

  Further, when the clear switch 117 is operated and the abnormality handling state is released, the game control device 100 outputs a “failure stop command” as the first abnormality release signal when the above-described command transmission process (403) is executed next time. It transmits to the production control device 150.

  However, when an error other than the magnetic error and the vibration error (second abnormality) occurs, the game control device 100 issues only the warning without stopping the game control. ) Is executed next time, a “warning start command” is transmitted to the effect control device 150 as the second abnormality occurrence signal. Receiving the “warning start command”, the production control device 150 outputs a warning and gives a warning notification.

  In this way, the errors occurring in the gaming machine are classified into the first abnormality and the second abnormality, and at the time of the first abnormality, the game control is stopped and the operation input of the clear switch 117 is awaited. In the case of abnormality 2, the game control is not stopped, but merely a warning notification, so that it is possible to take measures appropriate for the importance of the error. Of course, what kind of error is set as the first abnormality and the second abnormality is appropriately selected depending on the circumstances of the manufacturer or the amusement store, and therefore is limited to the error content of the present embodiment. There is no.

  Next, in order to monitor whether or not a game ball has won a prize at each prize opening, a prize opening switch monitoring process is performed (407). Specifically, the monitoring process of the switch that detects the presence / absence of input from the winning prize sensor 111 and the count sensor 113 and updates the number of winning prizes to the general winning opening 28 and the big winning opening 25 according to the result is performed. . At this time, if the winning ball sensor 111 and the count sensor 113 detect the game ball, the winning number counter value is updated.

  Thereafter, in order to monitor whether or not a game ball has won a prize at the start winning opening 24 and the normal symbol start gate 26, a start opening switch monitoring process is performed (408). Specifically, the monitoring process of the switch which detects the presence or absence of the input of the start port sensor 110 and the gate sensor 112 and updates the special symbol winning memory, the normal symbol winning memory and the like according to the result is performed.

  At this time, if a game ball is detected by the start port sensor 110, a special figure random number counter value (random number related to the result form of the special figure fluctuation display game) jackpot symbol random number counter value (random number related to the result figure of the special figure fluctuation display game) Is stored in the special figure storage area, and if a game ball is detected by the gate sensor 112, a normal random number counter value (a random number related to the result mode of the normal fluctuation display game) is stored in the general figure storage area.

  After that, the special game process (409) and the general game process (410) for controlling the progress of the variable display game are performed.

  The special symbol game process (409) is extracted based on the winning of the game ball to the starting winning port 24 detected by the starting port sensor 110, and is stored in the special symbol starting memory (step 407). It is determined whether or not the random number related to the result form of the special figure variation display game extracted and stored in the above process is hit, and the special figure display device 120 executes the special figure variation display game.

  The special figure start memory stores the start memory when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 24 in a state where the number of stored start memories is less than a predetermined maximum value (for example, four). Remembered. Details of the special figure variation display game will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the display device 22 is subjected to processing for the variable display of the identification information (decorative symbol) corresponding to the display on the special figure indicator 120. If the special figure random number counter value is a predetermined value, it becomes a hit state related to the special symbol, and the variation display of the identification information stops at the hit symbol. In addition, when the winning state is reached, an open state in which the game ball is easily received in the special winning opening 25 is obtained.

  The normal game process (410) is extracted based on the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 26 detected by the gate sensor 112 and is stored in the normal symbol start memory (in step 407). It is determined whether or not the random number related to the result mode of the normal variation display game extracted / stored in the process is successful, and the normal symbol variation display game is executed by the general symbol display 121. If the common random number counter value is a predetermined value, a hit state related to the normal figure is entered, and a parameter is set for stopping the fluctuation display of the normal symbol in the win state.

  Thereafter, a process for editing parameters to be output to the LEDs of the special figure display 120 and the general figure display 121 is performed (411). Specifically, in the special figure game process, when the special figure fluctuation display game is executed, the special symbol winning memory number obtained by subtracting the number of executions of the special figure fluctuation display game executed this time from the game control device 100 is displayed. Edit the parameters to be output to the LED of the display 120.

  Similarly, in the normal game process, when the normal symbol fluctuation display game is executed on the normal symbol display device 121, the number of executions of the normal symbol variable display game executed this time is reduced, and the number of normal symbol winning memory is reduced by game control. Edit the parameters to be output from the device 100 to the LED of the general-purpose display 121.

  Thereafter, external information editing processing for editing external information for outputting the state of the gaming machine 1 to the management computer connected via the external terminal board 125 is performed (412). External information includes information related to the progress of the variable display game, such as whether the symbol has been confirmed, whether it is a big hit, whether the probability is changing, whether the change time is being shortened, the start of the variable display game, etc. It is. An error signal indicating that an error (magnetic error, vibration error, or other error) has occurred is also included.

  Next, the end of the timer interrupt process is declared (413).

  Thereafter, the process of restoring the temporarily saved register (414) and the process of setting permission of the interrupt that has been prohibited are performed (415). Then, the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Then, the initial value random number update process and the like (the processes of steps 320 to 323 in FIG. 3B) are repeated until the next timer interrupt occurs.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the gaming state related to the special figure variation display game of the embodiment of the present invention.

  When there is no special symbol winning memory, the game control device 100 sets the gaming state to the standby state. In the standby state, the game control device 100 is not executing the special figure variation display game.

  When a game ball is won at the start winning opening 24 and there is a special symbol winning memory, the game control device 100 subtracts one special symbol winning memory and executes the special symbol variation display game, and the gaming state Is in the execution state. In this case, game control device 100 outputs a change start command to effect control device 150.

  The change start command includes information indicating whether the special figure change display game to be executed is a game that causes a special game state (winning) or a game that does not cause a special game state (a failure), and a special figure change It includes information for specifying the display game variation time.

  Next, when the variation time has elapsed, the game control device 100 outputs a variation stop command to the effect control device 150, stops all the symbols in the special figure variation display game, and sets the game state to the final state.

  When the stopped symbol is in a predetermined stop mode, the game control device 100 energizes the special prize opening solenoid 123 to enter the special gaming state in which the special prize opening 25 is opened. In this case, the game control device 100 outputs a special game state generation command to the effect control device 150. The effect control device 150 performs an effect corresponding to the special game state when the special game state generation command is input.

  When a predetermined number (for example, 9 to 10) of game balls are won a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) in the large winning opening 25 that is in the special game state and opened, the special game state The game control apparatus 100 returns the gaming state to the standby state.

  On the other hand, when the stopped symbol is not a predetermined stop mode, the game control device 100 returns the game state to the standby state.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the sound effect management table 700 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The sound effect management table 700 is stored in the control ROM 152 of the effect control device 150, and the relationship between the sound effect specifying information and the sound effect output by the sound effect specifying information is registered. The sound effect management table 700 includes a sound number 701, a continuous sound 702 being output, and a single sound 703 being output.

  In the sound number 701, a sound number which is sound effect specifying information for specifying a sound effect is registered. In the continuous sound 702 being output, information indicating how to change the continuous sound currently output from the speaker 18 is registered, and volume data of a sound effect to be newly output is also registered. In addition, information indicating how to change the single sound output from the speaker 18 is registered in the single sound output 703 being output, and volume data of the sound effect to be newly output is also registered.

  The continuous sound is a sound that is repeatedly output until an instruction to stop sound output is given, and is, for example, music. A single tone is a sound that stops outputting after a certain time without instructing to stop sound output (a sound that is output only once), for example, a sound that is output when a symbol is stopped.

  “OFF” for stopping the continuous sound being output from the speaker 18 is registered in the continuous sound 702 being output with the sound number “0”, and the single sound being output from the speaker 18 is registered in the single sound 703 being output. “OFF” is registered to stop the operation.

  In the continuous sound 702 being output with the note number “1”, the normal fluctuation sound when the reach variation display game does not change reach is registered as volume = 4, and in the single sound 703 being output, the single sound being output is displayed. “No change” that does not change the sound is registered.

  Note that “no change” is registered in the single sound generation 703 during output of the sound numbers “1” to “127”.

  In the continuous sounds 702 that are being output with the sound numbers “2” to “6”, “reach fluctuation sounds A to E” indicating continuous sounds that are output when the special figure fluctuation display game reaches reach, respectively, = 5-10 is registered. In this case, the reach is a state in which one symbol is variably displayed in the special symbol variation display game, and the identification information of the other symbols that are stopped is a mode in which a special gaming state can be generated.

  It should be noted that the reach to which the “reach fluctuation sound E” registered in the continuous sound 702 being output with the sound number “6” is set to always generate a special game state. Specifically, the game result is determined in advance at the start of the special figure variation display game, and the “reach variation sound E” can be selected only when the game result is a big hit. In addition, the probability that a special gaming state occurs in the order of reach fluctuation sounds A to E increases.

  In the continuous sound 702 during output of the sound numbers “7” to “9”, “big hit sounds A to C” indicating the continuous sound output when the special figure variation display game is in the special game state are volume = 4 is registered.

  “OFF” is registered for the continuous sound 702 that is being output with the sound numbers “10” to “127”, and “no change” is registered for the single sound 703 that is being output.

  “No change” is registered in the continuous sound 702 for which the sound number “128” is being output, and the single sound generation 703 being output is output when the symbol being changed is stopped in the special figure change display game. "Symbol stop sound" is registered as volume = 2.

  It should be noted that “no change” is registered in the continuous sound 702 during output of the sound numbers “128” to “255”.

  In the single sound generation 703 during output of the sound numbers “129” to “133”, “character appearance sounds A to E” output when a character appears on the display device 22 are registered as volume = 7 to 9, respectively. The

  Note that when the “character appearance sound E” registered in the single sound generation 703 during output of the sound number “133” is output, the special game state is always set to occur. Specifically, the game result is determined in advance at the start of the special figure variation display game, and the “character appearance sound E” is selected only when the game result is a big hit. In addition, the probability that a special gaming state occurs in the order of the character appearance sounds A to E increases.

  “No change” is registered in the continuous sound 702 being output for the sound numbers “134” to “255” and the single sound 703 being output.

  Thus, the sound number functions as single sound specifying information for specifying a single sound, and also functions as continuous sound specifying information for specifying a continuous sound.

  Although not shown, the CPU 151 outputs an error sound from the speaker 18 when the sound number “511” is set in the sound source controller 159, and sets the sound number “510” in the sound source controller 159. The error sound is stopped.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the decoration pattern management table 800 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The decoration pattern management table 800 is stored in the control ROM 152 of the effect control device 150, and the relationship between the decoration control specifying information and the control content based on the decoration control specifying information is registered.

  In the decoration pattern management table 800, a decoration number 801 and a decoration pattern 802 are registered. In the decoration number 801, a decoration number that is decoration control specifying information is registered. In the decoration pattern 802, the control contents of various LED boards 160 and a movable movable member for decoration 69 (hereinafter referred to as a decoration device) are registered.

  The decoration pattern 802 with the decoration number “0” is the control content of the decoration device “in standby state” in the standby state shown in FIG. 6 (that is, the state where no special figure storage is stored and the symbol is not variably displayed). "Decoration" is registered.

  In the decoration pattern 802 with the decoration number “1”, “decoration during normal variation”, which is the control content of the decoration device during normal variation when the special figure variation display game does not undergo reach variation, is registered.

  In the decoration patterns 802 of the decoration numbers “2” to “6”, “decoration at reach change A to E”, which is the control content of the decoration device when the special figure change display game changes reach, is registered.

  It should be noted that in the special figure change display game in which the decoration device is controlled by the “decoration at reach change E” registered in the decoration pattern 802 with the decoration number “6”, the special game state is always set to occur. . Specifically, the game result is determined in advance at the start of the special figure variation display game, and “decoration at reach variation E” is selected only when the game result is a big hit. In addition, the probability that a special gaming state occurs in the order of reach variations A to E increases.

  In the decoration pattern 802 with the decoration number “7”, “decoration at the time of big hit”, which is the control content of the decoration device when the special figure variation display game enters the special game state, is registered.

  The decoration patterns 802 with the decoration numbers “8” to “10” are the contents of control of the decoration device in the case where an effect is given in which the possibility that the special figure change display game will reach reach or a special game state will be announced. “Preliminary decorations A to C” are registered.

  It should be noted that in the special figure variation display game in which the decoration device is controlled by the “notice decoration C” registered in the decoration pattern 802 with the decoration number “10”, the special game state is always set to occur. Specifically, a game result is determined in advance at the start of the special figure variation display game, and “notice decoration C” is selected only when the game result is a big hit. In addition, the probability that the special gaming state occurs in the order of the notice decorations A to C increases.

  In the decoration pattern 802 of the decoration number “11”, “stop decoration” which is the control content of the decoration device when all the symbols are stopped and the special figure variation display game is ended in the special figure variation display game is registered. The

  In the decoration patterns 802 with the decoration numbers “12” to “255”, “no change” indicating that the control contents of the previous decoration device are inherited is registered.

  Next, a division control table 900 that functions as a sound effect specific division table and a decoration control specific division table in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9F.

  A plurality of division control tables 900 are stored in the control ROM 152 that is a storage unit of the effect control device 150. The division control table 900 extracts only a partial section from the entire period from the start to the end of the special figure variation display game, and specifies data to be output from the speaker 18 within the section, decoration Data specifying the contents to be controlled by the apparatus are registered in time series.

  The necessary number of tables are prepared as the division control table 900 so that all the variation patterns that can occur in the special figure variation display game can be covered by combining several division control tables 900. The division control table 900 is configured such that a common part and a different part in each fluctuation pattern are accurately separated so that they can be shared by a plurality of fluctuation patterns.

  As shown in FIG. 9A and the like, the division control table 900 includes a TABLE POINTER (TP) 901, a control COUNTER (CNT) 902, a sound control code 903, and a decoration control code 904.

  The TP 901 is a unique identifier for each entry registered in the control table 900. Registered in the control CNT 902 is a numerical value in units of time values synchronized with the image update timing of the display device 22. Specifically, it is used to determine whether or not a later-described control counter that is incremented when the CPU 151 receives VSYNC twice coincides with a numerical value registered in the control CNT 902.

  In the sound control code 903, sound effect specifying information for specifying the sound output from the speaker 18 is registered. In the decoration control code 904, decoration control specifying information for specifying the control content of the decoration device is registered.

  When the special figure variation display game is started, since a variation start command is input from the game control device 100, the effect control device 150 determines a variation pattern designated by the input variation start command, and this A plurality of division control tables 900 necessary for configuring the variation pattern are selected. Then, the plurality of selected division control tables 900 are connected to generate an integrated control table 950 (described later in FIGS. 10A to 10D).

  Then, the effect control device 150 controls the speaker 18 and the decoration device based on the generated integrated control table 950.

  FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to a section from the start of change through the stop of the first symbol to the stop of the second symbol in the change display game.

  “0” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “1”, “variable continuous sound” (sound number “1” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903, and “decoration control code 904“ "Variable decoration" (decoration number "1" shown in FIG. 8) is registered.

  “150” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “2”, “180” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “3”, and the sound control code 903 of TP = “2”, TP = “3” Is registered with “stop single sound” (sound number “128” shown in FIG. 7), and “succession” (any of decoration numbers “12” to “255” shown in FIG. 8) is included in the decoration control code 904. be registered.

  Then, “required connection” is registered in the sound control code 903 and the decoration control code 904 of TP = “4”. This data “required connection” is connection request information indicating that the subsequent sound control and decoration control are executed in another division control table 900.

  In addition, a value of “180” is registered in the column of the control CNT 902 in TP = “4” in the last row in which “necessary connection” is stored. This value functions as a connection parameter 905 when connecting to another division control table 900.

  FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to the section from the start of change to the stop of the second symbol through the stop of the first symbol in the change display game, similarly to FIG. 9A. However, there is a difference in that an effect character appears between the start of the change and the stop of the first symbol.

  In FIG. 9B, the entries for TP = “1”, “3”, “4”, and “5” are the same as the entries for TP = “1” to “4” in FIG. .

  “60” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “2”, “appearance A simple pronunciation” (sound number “129” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903, and decoration control code 904 is registered. “Notice decoration A” (decoration number “8” shown in FIG. 8) is registered. This indicates that the operation of “notice decoration A” is performed at the timing of TP = “2”.

  FIG. 9C is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to the section from the start of change to the stop of the second symbol through the stop of the first symbol in the change display game, similarly to FIG. 9B. Similar to FIG. 9B, the point that the effect character appears is common between the start of the change and the stop of the first symbol, but the type of the character is different.

  In FIG. 9C, the entries of TP = “1”, “3”, “4”, and “5” are the same as those in FIG.

  “60” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “2”, “appearance B single pronunciation” (sound number “130” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903, and decoration control code 904 “Notice decoration B” (decoration number “9” shown in FIG. 8) is registered. This indicates that the operation of “notice decoration B” is performed at the timing of TP = “2”.

  FIG. 9D is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to a section from when the second symbol stops until reach occurs in the variable display game.

  In FIG. 9D, “30” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “1”, “reach A continuous sound” (sound number “2” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903, and decoration control is performed. In the code 904, “reach A decoration” (decoration number “2” shown in FIG. 8) is registered. Then, “required connection” is registered in the sound control code 903 and the decoration control code 904 of TP = “2”, and “300” is registered as the connection parameter 905.

  This indicates that the operation of “reach A” is performed at the timing of TP = “2”.

  FIG. 9E is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to a section from the time immediately after the second symbol stops to the time when reach occurs in the variable display game, as in FIG. 9D. However, the types of reach that occur are different.

  In FIG. 9E, “30” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “1”, “reach D continuous sound” (sound number “5” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903, and decoration control is performed. In the code 904, “reach D decoration” (decoration number “5” shown in FIG. 8) is registered. Then, “required connection” is registered in the sound control code 903 and the decoration control code 904 of TP = “2”, and “300” is registered as the connection parameter 905.

  This indicates that the operation of “reach D” is performed at the timing of TP = “2”.

  FIG. 9F is an explanatory diagram of the division control table 900 corresponding to the section immediately before the third symbol stops in the variable display game.

  In FIG. 9F, “30” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “1”, “stop single sound” is registered in the sound control code 903, and “inheritance” is registered in the decoration control code 904. Then, “60” is registered in the control CNT 902 of TP = “2”, “mute” (sound number “0” shown in FIG. 7) is registered in the sound control code 903 of TP = “2”, In the decoration control code 904, “stop decoration” (decoration number “0” shown in FIG. 8) is registered.

  It should be noted that data of “required connection” is not registered in the division control table 900. This indicates that the subsequent sound control and decoration control are completed in this table, that is, the final section in the variable display game.

  Next, an integrated control table 950 that functions as a sound effect specifying integrated table and a decoration control specifying integrated table in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D.

  The integrated control table 950 is generated based on the plurality of division control tables 900 stored in the control ROM 152 of the effect control device 150 at the start of the variable display game, and is finally stored in the RAM 153 as storage means. The integrated control table 950 includes data for specifying sound to be output from the speaker 18 and data for specifying content to be controlled by the decoration device in all sections from the start to the end of the special figure variation display game. They are registered in chronological order.

  As shown in FIG. 10A and the like, the integrated control table 950 includes a TABLE POINTER (TP) 951, a control COUNTER (CNT) 952, a sound control code 953, and a decoration control code 954, and is similar to the division control table 950. It has a format configuration.

  The TP 951 is a unique identifier of each entry registered in the integrated control table 900, and is equivalent to the TP 901 in the division control table 950. Similarly, the control CNT 952, the sound control code 953, and the decoration control code 954 are equivalent to the control CNT 902, the sound control code 953, and the decoration control code 954 of the division control table 950, respectively.

  FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of an integrated control table 950 generated by concatenating the division control table 900 of FIG. 9A and the division control table 900 of FIG. 9F. The integrated control table 950 in this figure includes the lines immediately before the last line of the division control table 900 in FIG. 9A (lines TP = “1” to “3”) and all the lines (in the division control table 900 in FIG. 9F ( TP = “1” to “2”)).

  However, in the last two rows (TP = “4” to “5”) of the integrated control table 950, the value “180” of the concatenation parameter 905 of the division control table 900 of FIG. 9A and the division control table of FIG. 9F. A value obtained by adding TP 901 of 900 is TP 951 of the integrated control table 950.

  In FIG. 10A, “0” is registered in the control CNT 952 with TP = “1”, “variable continuous sound” is registered in the sound control code 953, and “variable decoration” is registered in the decoration control code 954. .

  Furthermore, “150” is registered in the control CNT 952 with TP = “2”, “180” is registered in the control CNT 952 with TP = “3”, and “210” is registered in the control CNT 952 with TP = “4”. be registered.

  The control CNT 952 with TP = “4” is “210”, “30” of the control CNT 902 with TP = “1” in the division control table 900 of FIG. 9F, and the connection parameter 905 of the division control table 900 of FIG. 9A. This is the sum of “180”.

  Here, “stop single tone” is registered in the sound control code 953 of TP = “2” to “4”, and “success” is registered in the decoration control code 954.

  Furthermore, “240” is registered in the control CNT 952 with TP = “5”. This is the sum of “60” of the control CNT 902 of TP = “2” in the split control table 900 of FIG. 9F and “180” of the value of the concatenation parameter 905 of the split control table 900 of FIG. 9A.

  Further, “mute” is registered in the sound control code 903 of TP = “5”, and “stop decoration” is registered in the decoration control code 904.

  As a result, FIG. 10A shows a normal variation from the start of variation until the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol all stop when the variation display game is performed (a variation in which no reach occurs and no character appears). ), And the integrated control table 950 corresponding to all the sections.

  Specifically, the fluctuation starts when the value of the control counter is “0”, the first symbol stops when the value of the control counter becomes “150”, and the second value when the value of the control counter becomes “180”. When the symbol is stopped and the value of the control counter becomes “210”, the third symbol is stopped, and when the value of the control counter becomes “240”, the sound control and the decoration control are stopped.

  10B shows an integrated control table in which the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9B and the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9F are concatenated using the value “180” of the concatenation parameter 905 of the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9B. FIG.

  This is because during the variation display game, all the sections of variation (variation in which character A appears but reach does not occur) from the start of variation until all of the first symbol, second symbol, and third symbol stop. This is the integrated control table 950 that is made to correspond.

  Specifically, the fluctuation starts when the value of the control counter is “0”, and when the value of the control counter becomes “60”, the output of the appearance sound of the character A and the corresponding decoration control are performed, and the control counter The first symbol stops when the value of “150” is reached, the second symbol stops when the value of the control counter becomes “180”, and the third symbol stops when the value of the control counter becomes “210”. When the value of the counter reaches “240”, control is performed to mute and stop the decoration control.

  10C concatenates the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9C and the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9D using the value “180” of the concatenation parameter 905 of the partition control table 900 of FIG. 9C. 9D is an integrated control table 950 obtained by concatenating the division control table 900 of 9F using the value “300” of the connection parameter 905 of the division control table 900 of FIG. 9D.

  Here, in the last two rows (TP = “6” to “7”) of the integrated control table 950, the value “180” of the connection parameter 905 of the division control table 900 of FIG. 9C and the division control of FIG. 9D. A total value of the value “180” of the concatenation parameter 905 in the table 900 and the value of TP901 in the division control table 900 in FIG. 9F is registered as TP905.

  As described above, when three or more division control tables 900 are connected, the value of the connection parameter 905 is integrated each time the connection is made.

  FIG. 10C shows the variation from the start of variation to the stop of all of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol when the variation display game is performed (the variation in which character B appears and reach A occurs). It is an integrated control table 950 corresponding to all sections.

Specifically, the fluctuation starts when the value of the control counter is “0”, and when the value of the control counter becomes “60”, the output of the appearance sound of the character B and the corresponding decoration control are performed. The first symbol stops when the value of “150” is reached, the second symbol stops when the value of the control counter becomes “180”, and when the value of the control counter becomes “210”, the output of the sound effect of reach A When the corresponding decoration control is performed and the value of the control counter reaches “510”, the third symbol stops,
When the value of the control counter reaches “540”, control is performed to mute and stop the decoration control.

  FIG. 10D is an integrated control table 950 generated by sequentially combining the division control tables 900 of FIGS. 9A, 9D, 9E, and 9F. This corresponds to the fluctuation when the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped from the start of the variation when the variation display game is performed, reach A is generated, and then the shift to reach D and then the third symbol is stopped. The integrated control table 950 is also shown.

Specifically, the fluctuation starts when the value of the control counter is “0”, the first symbol stops when the value of the control counter becomes “150”, and the second value when the value of the control counter becomes “180”. When the symbol stops and the control counter value reaches “210”, the reach A sound effect is output and the corresponding decoration control is performed. When the control counter value reaches “510”, the reach D sound effect output When the control is changed to the corresponding decoration control and the value of the control counter becomes “960”, the third symbol stops,
When the value of the control counter reaches “990”, control is performed to mute and stop the decoration control.

  Further, the integrated control table 950 other than those shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D can be generated by freely connecting a plurality of division control tables 900. In the present embodiment, a necessary number of division control tables 900 are provided so that the division control table 900 can generate the integrated control table 950 corresponding to all the variation patterns that can be generated by the execution of the variation display game. Are prepared in advance.

  Next, the main process of the effect control device 150 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of main processing of the effect control device 150 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The main process is executed by the CPU 151 when the presentation control device 150 is turned on.

  First, the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150 executes an initialization process (1101). The initialization process is a process of setting the table pointer to zero, setting the step flag to OFF, setting the control counter to zero, setting the initialization flag to OFF, and setting the difference counter to 0. The table pointer, step flag, control counter, initialization flag, and difference counter are all stored in the RAM 153 of the effect control device 150.

  Next, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the step flag is turned on (1102). The step flag is used when the interrupt counter updated every occurrence of interrupt (1/60 seconds) in the image update interrupt processing shown in FIG. 12 reaches a predetermined value (twice) (that is, 1/30 seconds). Set to on).

  If it is determined in step 1102 that the step flag is set to off, the CPU 151 repeatedly executes the process in step 1102 until the step flag is turned on.

  If it is determined in step 1102 that the step flag is on, the CPU 151 sets the step flag to off and increments the control counter (1103). That is, the control counter is incremented every 1/30 seconds.

  Next, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the table pointer is zero (1104).

  If it is determined in step 1104 that the table pointer is not zero, the CPU 151 selects a row that matches the table pointer from each row of the selected integrated control table 950, and is registered in the selected row. The value of the control CNT 952 is acquired as a verification value (1105). For example, if the table pointer is “2”, the row of TP = “2” is selected, and the value of the control CNT 952 of the selected row (for example, “150” when FIG. 10A is selected) is collated. Value.

  Next, the CPU 151 calculates a value obtained by subtracting the difference counter from the control counter updated in step 1103, and compares the calculated value with the comparison value acquired in step 1105 (1106). However, in this embodiment, since the value of the difference counter is always “0”, the value obtained by subtracting the difference counter from the control counter may be considered to be the same as the value of the control counter.

  Next, if the comparison result of step 1106 is coincident (1107), the CPU 151, among the selected rows of the integrated control table 950, the sound control code 953 registered in the row selected in the processing of step 1105. Get the value of. Then, the CPU 151 designates a channel of the sound source controller 159 set in advance for outputting the sound effect, and outputs the sound number corresponding to the sound effect specifying information and the sound volume data to the sound source controller 159. As a result, the sound effect is output from the speaker 18 at the designated volume (1108).

  For example, if the table pointer is “2”, the sound control code 953 in the row of TP = “2” (for example, “stop single sound” when FIG. 10A is selected) is acquired as sound effect specifying information. Sound effect output. At this time, volume data corresponding to the sound effect management table 700 of FIG. 7 is set.

  However, when the sound effect identification information is “success”, the sound number and volume data are not set in order to maintain the current sound output state of the speaker 18. This is intended not to start the output of a new sound effect or stop the sound effect currently being output, and if a continuous sound is being output, it will continue to be output. If no sound is output, the silent state will continue.

  Next, the CPU 151 acquires decoration control information for decoration control registered in the entry of the matched control CNT 952 and outputs a corresponding decoration number to the decoration device controller 162. Thereby, the operation of the decoration device is performed (1109). For example, if the table pointer is “2”, the decoration control code registered in the line TP = “2” is extracted to control the decoration device.

  However, if the sound effect identification information is “success”, the decoration number is not set in order to maintain the current operation state of the decoration device. This is intended not to perform a process of newly operating the decoration device or changing the operation mode of the decoration device currently in operation.

  Next, the CPU 151 updates the table pointer (1110), and returns to the processing of step 1104. Details of the table pointer update processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step 1104 that the table pointer is not zero, or if it is determined in step 1107 that the table pointers do not match, the CPU 151 instructs the VDP 156 to update the image, and the display device The image displayed on 22 is updated (1111).

  Next, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the initialization flag is set to ON (1112). The initialization flag is a communication interruption process executed when the communication interruption shown in FIG. 13 occurs, and the command from the game control device 100 received by the effect control device 150 is a command related to the variable display game. Is set to ON.

  If it is determined in step 1112 that the initialization flag is set to OFF, the process returns to step 1102.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1112 that the initialization flag is set to ON, the initialization flag is set to OFF (1113), and the command received by the effect control device 150 from the game control device 100 is Then, it is determined whether or not the change start command is a command to start the change display game (1114).

  If it is determined in step 1114 that the command received by the effect control device 150 from the game control device 100 is not a variable display start command, the CPU 151 performs processing corresponding to the received command (variation stop processing, jackpot occurrence screen). (1115), and the process returns to step 1102.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1114 that the command received by the effect control device 150 from the game control device 100 is a variable display start command, the CPU 151 executes an effect selection process (1116).

  In the effect selection process, the CPU 151 analyzes the effect content corresponding to the change start command, extracts a random number generated in the effect control device 150, and selects the effect content based on the extracted random number. Note that the term “production” means, for example, causing a specific character to appear on the display device 22, performing reach variation in a variation display game, or operating a decoration device.

  At this time, in the change start command, game result specifying information for specifying the result of the change display game (information specifying the probable big hit, normal big hit, small hit, reach out, normal change out, etc.) and execution of the change display game Since the execution time specifying information for specifying the time (the time required from the start to the end of variation) is included, the production contents corresponding to these pieces of information are determined.

  Next, the CPU 151 executes image initialization processing (1117). In the image initialization process, the effect control device 150 initializes the image data to display on the display device 22 based on the effect selected in the process of step 1117.

  Next, the CPU 151 selects a plurality of division control tables 900 necessary to correspond to the effect selected in the processing of step 1117 from the control ROM 152 (1118). At this time, since the execution time of the variable display game is already determined by the change start command received from the game control device 100, the division control table 900 is selected so as to correspond to this execution time.

  Then, the division control tables 900 selected in the processing of step 1118 are connected to generate one integrated control table 950 and store it in the RAM 153 (1119). As described above with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D, the integrated control table 950 is generated by adding the value of the concatenation parameter 905 of the division control table 900 selected in the processing of step 1118 to the value of TP901.

  Next, the CPU 151 selects the generated integrated control table 950, sets the table pointer to “1”, sets the control counter to “0”, sets the difference counter to “0” (1120), Control goes to step 1108.

  In step 1108 and subsequent steps, the sound effect specifying information and the decoration control specifying information are selected using the integrated control table 950 generated in step 1119, and the output of the sound effect and the control of the decoration device are performed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of table pointer update processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  First, the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150 increments the table pointer (1201), and determines whether or not the incremented table pointer exceeds the value of the last row of TP951 of the integrated control table 950 (1202). For example, in the integrated control table 950 of FIG. 10A, since the line of TP = “5” is the last line, it is determined whether or not the table pointer exceeds the value of 5.

  When it is determined that the table pointer incremented in the processing of step 1201 exceeds the value of the last row of TP951 of the integrated control table 950, the CPU 151 sets the table pointer to “0” (1203), and the main Return to processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the table pointer incremented in the process of step 1201 does not exceed the value of the last row of TP951 of the integrated control table 950, the table pointer value remains unchanged and the process returns to the main process.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of communication interrupt processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The communication interruption process is executed when a communication interruption is input to the effect control device 150. The communication interruption is input when the game control device 100 transmits various commands to the effect control device 150.

  First, the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150 receives a command transmitted from the game control device 100 together with a communication interruption, and analyzes the received command (1301).

  Next, the effect control device 150 refers to the result of analyzing the received command, and the received command is a change-related command (a change start command, a change stop command, and a special prize occurrence command), a warning start command, a failure start. It is determined whether the command is one of the command and the failure stop command, and processing for branching to the corresponding processing is performed (1302).

  If the command received in the process of step 1301 is a change-related command, the CPU 151 sets the initialization flag to ON, saves the received command in the RAM 153 (1311), and returns to the main process.

  If the command received in the process of step 1301 is a “warning start command”, the CPU 151 saves the sound volume data of the sound effect currently output in the save area of the RAM 153 of the effect control device 150 (1321). ).

  Next, the CPU 151 sets volume data = “0” in the sound source controller 153 in order to minimize the volume of all the sound effect output channels except the error sound output channel (1322).

  Next, the CPU 151 sets an alarm notification timer (for example, 30 seconds) (1323), starts display related to the alarm on the display device 22, designates an error sound output channel, and gives an error to the sound source controller 153. Output of sound (abnormal alarm sound) is started (1324), and the process returns to the main process. Although details will be described later, the error notification is automatically stopped when the alarm notification timer expires.

  Thereby, the sound effect other than the error sound cannot be heard from the speaker 18. However, since the game control of the variable display game and the like continues, the player can play the game as it is, and the sound effect melody is output in the background as the variable display game progresses. When the sound volume is restored, the game content such as the variable display game and the content of the sound effect do not deviate.

  Further, even if the effect control device 150 receives the “warning start command” from the game control device 100 while the decorative movable member 69 is in operation, the operation of the decorative movable member 69 is continuously performed. The game content such as a game does not deviate from the operation of the decorative movable member 69 and the sound effect.

  If the command received in step 1301 is a “failure start command”, the CPU 151 saves the sound number and volume data of the sound effect currently output in the save area of the RAM 153 of the effect control device 150. (1331-1332). Next, the CPU 151 saves the decoration number corresponding to the content of the decoration control at the current time in the save area of the RAM 153 of the effect control device 150 (1333).

  Next, the CPU 151 instructs the sound source controller 153 to stop the output of all the sound effects from the sound effect output channels except the error sound output channel, and instructs the decoration controller 162 to turn off the light emitting device. (1334).

  Next, the CPU 151 instructs the decoration control controller 162 to start processing for returning the decorative movable member 69 to the initial position (1335). Accordingly, the decorative movable member 69 in operation returns to the initial position after a predetermined time.

  Next, the CPU 151 starts display related to the alarm on the display device 22, designates a channel for error sound output, and causes the sound source controller 153 to start outputting error sound (abnormal alarm sound) (1336). Return to processing.

  As a result, sound effects other than the error sound cannot be heard from the speaker 18. The error sound output from the speaker 18 is continued until a “failure stop command” is received from the game control device 100, and during this time, game control such as a variable display game is also stopped.

  If the command received in the process of step 1301 is a “failure stop command”, the CPU 151 ends the display on the alarm by the display device 22, designates the channel for error sound output, and sends an error message to the tone generator controller 153. The sound output is stopped (1341).

  Next, the CPU 151 resets the sound volume data and sound number of the sound effect saved in the save area of the RAM 153 in the sound source controller 153 by designating the channel of the sound effect (1342). Next, the CPU 151 resets the decoration number saved in the save area of the RAM 153 in the decoration controller 162 (1344), and returns to the main process.

  Thereby, the error notification is ended, and the effect of the variable display game is restored. At this time, since the sound effect melody is output again from the beginning, consistency with the progress of the variable display game is not guaranteed. Further, since the decorative movable member 69 is returned to the initial position, consistency with the progress of the variable display game is not guaranteed. However, it is possible to accurately notify that a serious illegal act has occurred.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of image update interrupt processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The image update interrupt process is executed when a VSYNC signal is input to the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150. Since the VSYNC signal is generated every 1/60 seconds, the image update interrupt process is executed every 1/60 seconds.

  First, the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150 determines whether a failure is being reported (error notification by a failure start command is being performed) (1401). If the failure is being reported, the process returns to the main process.

  If it is determined in step 1401 that the failure has not been notified, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a warning is being notified (error notification by a warning start command) (1402), and if not, the process branches to step 1407. .

  When the CPU 151 determines in step 1402 that the alarm notification is being performed, the CPU 151 updates the warning notification timer (1403), determines whether the warning notification timer has expired (1404), and if not, the step Branch to 1407.

  If the CPU 151 determines that the warning notification timer has expired in step 1404, the CPU 151 ends the display relating to the alarm by the display device 22, designates a channel for error sound output, and outputs an error sound to the sound source controller 153. Is stopped (1405).

  Next, the CPU 151 designates a channel for sound effect output and sets the sound volume data of the sound effect saved in the save area of the RAM 153 in the sound source controller 153 (1406).

  As a result, the sound effect from the speaker 18 is restored. In this case, since the sound effect melody is output in the background in accordance with the progress of the variable display game, the game content of the variable display game and the content of the sound effect do not shift. In addition, since the operation of the decorative movable member 69 is continuously performed, the game content such as a variable display game and the operation of the decorative movable member 69 and the sound effect are not shifted.

  Next, the CPU 151 increments the interrupt counter (1407), determines whether or not the incremented interrupt counter is a predetermined value (for example, 2) (1408), and if the interrupt counter is not the predetermined value Return to the main process.

  If the CPU 151 determines in step 1408 that the interrupt counter is a predetermined value, the CPU 151 sets the step flag to ON, sets the interrupt counter to zero (1409), and returns to the main processing.

  In this way, the entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game is divided into a plurality of sections, and the divided control table 900 for specifying the sound effect output in each section for each section is used. A plurality of division control tables 900 are selected at the start of the display game, the selected division control tables 900 are connected, and sound effect is output by using the connected control table, thereby storing sound effect specifying information. It is possible to save the storage area for

  In particular, by concatenating the selected division control tables 900 to generate an integrated control table 950 and performing control to output sound effects using the integrated control table 950, the processing load on the CPU 151 after the generation of the integrated control table 950 is reduced. Is done.

  In addition, by outputting the sound effect in synchronization with the cycle of the image update signal for updating the image of the variable display game, it is easy to produce an effect in accordance with the variable display game.

  Also, if a “failure start command” is received during the output of the sound effect, the sound effect being output is stopped and switched to error sound output, and the error sound is output until the “failure stop command” is received. If a `` failure stop command '' is received, the sound effect is output again from the beginning, while if an `` alarm start command '' is received during the output of the sound effect, Since the error sound is output with the volume reduced, the error sound is stopped after a lapse of time, and the sound effect sound volume that has been reduced is restored, so in response to errors with different characteristics, Appropriate sound effect output is performed, so that the game progresses smoothly when an error occurs, and error notification can be performed accurately.

  In addition, regarding the decoration control, the entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game is divided into a plurality of sections, and a division control table 900 for specifying the decoration device operating in each section is used for each section. A plurality of division control tables 900 are selected at the start of the variable display game, the selected division control tables 900 are linked, and the decoration device is controlled using the linked control tables, thereby storing decoration control specifying information. Therefore, it is possible to save a storage area.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, at the start of a variable display game, a plurality of division control tables 900 are connected to generate an integrated control table 950, and then sound effect and decoration control processes are performed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, at the start of the variable display game, the plurality of division control tables 900 are selected, and the order in which the division control tables 900 are used is determined in advance. The difference is not generated. Another difference is that a difference counter (time value specifying information) that is not used in the first embodiment is used.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, in the table linking process of step 1119 of the main process of the production control device of FIG. 11, instead of generating the integrated control table 950, a process for determining the use order of the respective divided control tables 900 Is done. First, the division control table 900 to be used first is selected, and the processing of steps 1108 to 1109 is performed using this division control table 900.

  Further, in each processing of steps 1104 to 1107, processing is performed not on the integrated control table 950 but on the division control table 900 currently selected. Further, details of the table pointer update process in step 1110 are replaced with those in FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of table pointer update processing according to the second embodiment.

  First, the CPU 151 of the effect control device 150 increments the table pointer (1501), and determines whether or not the incremented table pointer exceeds the value of the last row of TP901 of the division control table 900 currently selected. Determine (1502). For example, in the case of the division control table 900 of FIG. 9A, since the line of TP = “4” is the last line, it is determined whether or not the table pointer exceeds the value of 4.

  When it is determined that the table pointer incremented in the processing of step 1501 exceeds the value of the last row of TP901 of the division control table 900, the CPU 151 sets the table pointer to “0” (1503), and the main Return to processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the table pointer incremented in the process of step 1501 does not exceed the value of the last row of TP901 of the division control table 900, the CPU 151 determines from each row of the selected division control table 900, Select the row that matches the table pointer. For example, if the table pointer is “2”, the row with TP = “2” is selected. Then, it is determined whether or not the sound effect identification information registered in the entry of the sound control code 903 in the matched row is “required connection” (1504). If it is not “required connection”, the process returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, if the sound effect identification information is “necessary to connect” in the process of step 1503, the CPU 151 acquires the connection parameter 905 of the division control table 900 and adds it to the current difference counter (1505). Next, the CPU 151 designates the next division control table 900 (1506), sets the table pointer to “1” (1507), and returns to the main processing.

  Thus, since the division control tables 900 are connected to each other by determining the use order of the selected division control tables 900, the processing load when the division control tables 900 are linked in the effect control device 150 is reduced. The

  The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description of the invention described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to gaming machines (pachinko gaming machines, slot machines, etc.) in which the effect control device controls the decoration device.

It is a front view of the gaming machine (pachinko machine) of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the game control device of the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the production control device of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the first half of the main process of game control of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the second half part of the main process of game control of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the transition of the game state concerning the special figure fluctuation display game of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the sound effect management table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the decoration pattern management table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the division | segmentation control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the integrated control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the integrated control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the integrated control table of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the integrated control table of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the presentation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the table pointer update process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the communication interruption process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the image update interruption process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the table pointer update process of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Front frame 3 Decorative light-emitting device 5 Game board 6 Glass frame 11 Game area 17 Lower plate 18 Speaker 21 Center case 22 Display device 23 Normal variation prize-winning device 24 Start prize-winning mouth 25 Normal winning sign 26 Normal design start gate 28 General Prize opening 68 Rotating shaft 69 Decoration movable member 100 Game control device 150 Production control device 700 Sound effect management table 800 Decoration pattern management table 900 Division control table 950 Integrated control table

Claims (6)

A gaming machine that executes a variable display game on a display device based on establishment of a predetermined start condition, and generates a special gaming state in which a privilege is given to a player in response to a game result of the variable display game,
A sound output device for outputting sound effects relating to the game;
A game control device for overall control of the game;
An effect control device that performs output control of the sound effect in response to an execution state of the variable display game in the display device, according to a command from the game control device,
The production control device
Storage means for storing sound effect specifying information for specifying sound effects output during the execution of the variable display game;
Control means for reading sound effect identification information from the storage means and outputting sound effects from the sound output device in accordance with the execution of the variation display game,
In the storage means, there is a sound effect specifying division table that divides the entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game into a plurality of sections and specifies the sound effect output in each section for each section. In addition, the sound effect identification information is registered in the sound effect identification division table in chronological order,
The control means includes
Execution content determining means for determining the execution content of the variable display game based on a command from the game control device;
Selection means for selecting a plurality of sound effect specific division tables corresponding to the executed variable display game from the storage means;
Connecting means for connecting the selected plurality of sound effect identification division tables in time series;
Output processing means for acquiring the sound effect specifying information corresponding to the connected sound effect specifying division table and outputting the sound effect from the sound output device;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: The connecting means connects the sound effect specifying division tables selected by the selecting means, and specifies all sound effects that are output during the entire period from the start to the end of the variation display game. A table generating means for generating a table;
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the output processing means performs processing for obtaining the sound effect specifying information from the sound effect specifying integrated table and outputting the sound effect. The connection means includes selection order determining means for determining in which order the output processing means selects each sound effect specific division table selected by the selection means,
The control means includes time value specifying information setting means for setting time value specifying information capable of specifying a time value related to a selection time of the sound effect specifying division table,
The output processing means selects one of the sound effect specifying division tables in the order determined by the selection order determining means, and the sound effects at a timing based on the time value specifying information from the selected sound effect specifying division table. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein processing for obtaining specific information and outputting a sound effect is performed. The display device displays an image of the variable display game,
Image generating means for generating image data of the variable display game;
The image generation means outputs an image update signal at a predetermined cycle, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the cycle of the image update signal,
The output processing means outputs a sound effect from the sound output device in synchronization with a cycle of the image update signal from the image generation means. Game machines. A predetermined abnormality canceling operation unit is provided,
The game control device includes:
When detecting a first abnormality relating to a game, an abnormality handling state generating unit that shifts to an abnormality handling state and continues the abnormality handling state until there is an operation input of the abnormality canceling operation unit;
First abnormality occurrence signal transmitting means for transmitting a first abnormality occurrence signal indicating that the abnormality handling state has occurred to the effect control device;
First abnormality cancellation signal transmitting means for transmitting a first abnormality cancellation signal indicating that the abnormality handling state has been canceled to the effect control device;
A second abnormality occurrence signal transmitting means for transmitting a second abnormality occurrence signal indicating that a second abnormality relating to a game different from the first abnormality has been detected to the effect control device;
The production control device
When a predetermined abnormality occurs, the abnormality output processing means for operating the sound output device and performing abnormality notification,
The abnormality notification processing means includes
If the first abnormality occurrence signal is received during the output of the sound effect, the sound effect being output is stopped and switched to the output of the abnormality notification sound, and the abnormality is output until the first abnormality release signal is received. While continuing to output the notification sound, when the first abnormality release signal is received, control to re-output the sound effect from the beginning,
When the second abnormality occurrence signal is received during the output of the sound effect, the abnormality notification sound is output in a state where the volume of the sound effect being output is reduced, and the abnormality notification sound is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume of the reduced sound effect is restored. In addition to the display device, a decoration device for performing a visual effect on the game is provided,
The effect control device causes the decoration device to perform decoration control corresponding to the execution state of the variable display game on the display device,
In the storage means, an entire period from the start to the end of the variable display game is divided into a plurality of sections, and a decoration control specific division table for specifying a decoration device operating in each section is registered for each section. In addition, decoration control specifying information for specifying the operating decoration device is registered in the decoration control specifying division table in chronological order,
The selection means selects a plurality of decoration control specific division tables corresponding to the executed variable display game from the storage means,
The connection means connects the selected plurality of decoration control specific division tables in time series,
6. The output processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the output processing unit acquires the decoration control specific information in association with the connected decoration control specific division table, and controls the decoration device. The gaming machine described.

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