JP2012066113A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine improved in the visibility of a variety of information display.SOLUTION: All of display units are concentrated and arranged by unitizing: a special symbol display unit 102 which is controlled by a main control part 310 and displays a special symbol; a special symbol operation storage display lamp 112 which reports the number of times for operating the special symbol; a normal symbol display device 107 which displays a normal symbol; a normal symbol operation storage display lamp 113 which reports the number of times for operating a normal symbol; and a round number display machine 119 which reports the number of times for opening a winning device by the display result of the special symbol. Furthermore, the game machine is arranged downstream of a performance symbol display device 103, and configured such that a game ball may not pass the front face.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, a main control unit that performs overall game control of the gaming machine, and a sub-control that is connected to the main control unit and receives a command to control a device related to a predetermined effect. And a gaming machine comprising the means.

  In general, a game machine such as a pachinko machine is used for a winning / losing lottery with a built-in program by a starting winning of a ball to a starting winning port provided on the game board, and if a lottery results, A predetermined game value is given to the game. Moreover, the gaming machine is equipped with a device for performing various effects corresponding to the lottery results. For example, a gaming machine has a special symbol (also referred to as “this symbol”) for notifying the actual lottery result composed of a plurality of numbers, figures, etc. and an effect symbol (“demo symbol”) consisting of a video such as a character. Some game boards have a symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display. The reason for performing the display of the effect symbol and the display of the special symbol separately is that there are legal restrictions on the effect regarding the display for the special symbol used for the actual lottery result notification. For this reason, it is because the position of the effect display screen for attracting the player is not displayed and the legal restriction on the display imposed on the special symbol is not received. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the method of expressing the effect symbol is higher than that of the special symbol, and the gaming machine manufacturer can make the effect symbol display form rich in variety. In addition, the production symbol can also represent a variety of reach actions that cannot be expressed in a special symbol. In this way, by providing an effect design including an effect function separately from the special design, it is possible to perform an elaborate effect that does not get the player bored, and the game performance can be further enhanced. Note that “reach” is a combination of symbols (same symbol) that uses a plurality of symbol columns (usually three columns), stops the two symbol columns first, and the display result that has already been stopped is displayed. It is a display state that satisfies the condition of a combination of jackpot symbol), and is an effect that gives expectation to the stop of the final stop symbol.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a front appearance of a conventional gaming machine 1300. In the figure, the gaming machine includes a gaming board 1301, a symbol display device 1302, a start winning opening 1303, a normal symbol display device operating gate (left) 1304, a normal symbol display device operating gate (right). 1305, a normal symbol display device 1306, a normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307, a special symbol operation memory indicator light (holding lamp) 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, a variable winning ball device 1312, and the like. For convenience of explanation, not all the constituent members are shown.

  Examples of the symbol display device 1302 include a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display unit, and a drum that performs variable display by rotation of a motor. The symbol display device 1302 variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures and effect symbols.

  When the game ball launched by the player wins, the start winning port 1303 detects the winning ball, performs a lottery lottery by a built-in program, and gives an opportunity for symbol variation of the symbol display device 1302. The variation display of the special symbol and the effect symbol of the symbol display device 1302 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operating gate (left) 1304 and the normal symbol display device operating gate (right) 1305 detect the passing ball when the game ball launched by the player passes, and the normal electric accessory 1307 (tulip) The opening lottery is performed, and the normal symbol display device 1306 gives an opportunity to change the normal symbol.

  The normal symbol display device 1306 variably displays a normal symbol displayed by a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and when a lottery to open a normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307 is won, a specific normal symbol is stopped. Display and inform the so-called small hits. The normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307 is opened when the normal symbol display device 1306 notifies of a small hit, and makes it easy to win the start winning opening 1303.

  The hold lamps 1308, 1309, 1310, and 1311 indicate the lottery result information of each ball won in the start winning opening 1303 during the change of the symbol for each ball in the RAM (Random Access Memory) built in the gaming machine. Lights in conjunction with storing in the holding memory (“holding ball”), and notifies the number of times that the symbol can be changed continuously. A winning ball to the start winning opening 1303 that is the target of the holding of the ball is referred to as a holding ball.

In addition, when the game machine wins a big win as a result of the lottery, the special symbols of the symbol display device 1302 are set in advance, for example, “1, 1, 1”, “2, 2, 2” to “9, 9, 9”. Stops at a specific combination of symbols that you have defined, and notifies you of a special prize (bonus). The special prize is a point at which the game is switched from a normal state to an advantageous state (a big hit operation or a big hit) that gives a predetermined game value such as paying out a large number of prize balls to the player. On the other hand, during the period of time until the special symbol starts to change and stops, the production symbol performs a variable operation with various productions such as taking a reach action that is not allowed in the special symbol. . Further, as soon as the special prize notification by the special symbol is confirmed, the display of the effect symbol indicating the jackpot is confirmed. During the jackpot operation, the effect design produces an effect that pleases the player by displaying a moving image such as an animation.
Both the special symbol and the effect symbol are displayed on the symbol display device 1302.

  Further, in FIG. 13, the variable winning ball apparatus 1312 is a variable winning ball apparatus 1312 in the subsequent jackpot operation when the special symbol stop symbol is a combination of predetermined specific symbols, that is, when it becomes a special prize. The opening / closing member 1313 attached to the front of the door is opened and closed.

  During the big hitting operation, the opening / closing member 1313 opens almost horizontally, and the big winning opening 1314 for accepting a game ball is opened, and a large number of game balls are accepted. When a game ball wins the big winning opening 1314, the gaming machine pays out a large number of winning balls (out balls, safe balls) corresponding to the number of winning balls. The opening of the big winning opening 1314 is synchronized with an animation display or the like with the effect symbol during the jackpot operation until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds or less) elapses or a predetermined number of game balls wins the big winning opening 1314 continue. This one opening is called a round (R). Furthermore, the variable winning ball apparatus 1312 has a specific area 1315 called a V zone. If at least one game ball passes through the specific area 1315 while the big winning opening 1314 during the jackpot operation is opened, the game is given an opportunity to generate a right for the next round. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 15 rounds). If there is no passing of the specific area 1315 of the game ball during the round, the jackpot operation ends without continuing until the maximum round.

  In addition, in recent gaming machines, each circuit board is divided into functions according to the functions of the gaming machine in order to easily detect and inspect the gaming function part (main control part) related to the gambling of the gaming machine. The parts are configured to operate by one-way control from a game function unit that controls game contents. Therefore, the control of the symbol display device is also realized by the main control unit mounted on the main control board sending various commands relating to symbol variation to the symbol display device. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a pseudo-symbol display unit (corresponding to a portion for displaying “effect design” in this specification) and a special symbol display unit (“special design” in this specification) in a symbol display device. A bullet ball game machine that displays a pseudo symbol on the pseudo symbol display unit according to a command from the main control unit based on the start winning, and further displays the special symbol on the special symbol display unit is disclosed. Has been. More specifically, in Patent Document 1, the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel is vertically divided, the upper part is a pseudo symbol display part, the lower part is a special symbol display part, and the main control part is a jackpot determination process Is sent to the symbol display device as a command, and the CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the symbol display device that receives the notification performs pseudo symbol display control based on the notified numeric value. It is disclosed to execute both special symbol display control. That is, in Patent Document 1, under the control of the CPU in the symbol display device, when a special symbol is hit and displayed, a pseudo symbol is also displayed, and when a special symbol is displayed off, the pseudo symbol is also displayed off. Both are consistent.

JP-A-9-56890

  However, in a conventional gaming machine, the main control unit transmits a command indicating a special symbol and a pseudo symbol to the symbol display device. Therefore, since the symbol display device needs to control and display both the special symbol and the pseudo symbol, the processing of the symbol display device is complicated and its load is large. In addition, if the main control unit sends a command indicating a special symbol and a pseudo symbol to the symbol display device and a command garbled due to some failure (for example, communication error due to noise, failure, etc.) occurs, illegal processing will occur. May be executed. Therefore, even if some kind of failure occurs at the connection between the main control unit and the symbol display device, symbol control that is not affected as much as possible is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and improves the visibility of various information displays, and also clarifies the role of the control system in relation to the main control means and the sub-control means. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine with improved processing reliability and stability.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
In a first aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine comprising: main control means for performing overall game control of the gaming machine; and sub-control means for controlling an effect symbol display device for performing predetermined effect display. A special game management process for performing a process for controlling display of a special symbol, a normal game management process for performing a process for controlling display of a normal symbol, and a command output management process for performing a process of outputting the command to the sub-control means. The special symbol display unit which displays the special symbol, which is controlled by the main control means, the special symbol operation storage display unit which notifies the number of times of operating the special symbol, and the normal symbol. A display unit for displaying, a normal symbol operation memory display unit for informing the number of times of operating the normal symbol, and a notification of the number of times the winning device to be opened is released based on the display result of the special symbol. That the number of rounds display unit, a centrally disposed, further, a lower than the performance symbol display device, the game ball is placed in a position that does not pass through the front.
Therefore, the visibility of various information displays can be improved. In addition, the relationship between the main control means and the sub-control means can share the control system related to the special symbol, the normal symbol, and the control target for production, and further, the control processing procedure executed by the main control means can be configured. It can be clarified and leads to an improvement in the reliability and stability of the control process.

  In the second invention, the main control means and all the unitized display units are connected by wiring, and all the unitized display units are connected to the main control unit rather than the sub-control unit. Placed close to.

  In a third aspect of the invention, the main control means controls the device related to the predetermined effect in the command output management process after starting the process of controlling the display of the special symbol in the special game management process. The command for starting is output to the sub-control means.

  According to the present invention, the visibility of various information displays can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of the front general view of the game machine using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the game system using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the sub-control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the display control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game control of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the command in the game machine of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the design random number in the gaming machine of this invention, a special design, and an effect design. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the special symbol and production | presentation symbol in the case of a jackpot, and the case of a loss. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a special game management process and a normal game management process. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the content (command ID value and EVENT value) of the notice designation | designated command which a sub-control part produces | generates, and the display content (precise content). It is a figure which shows an example of the front view of the conventional game machine. It shows a state in which the display around the special winning opening of this embodiment is modularized. It is a figure which shows the component contained in the module structure of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the component contained in the module structure of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the condition which accommodated each component, module, etc. of this embodiment in the game board from the back.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the gaming machine of this embodiment is a gaming board 101 for installing a gaming machine accessory or the like on the board, a special symbol display device 102, a production symbol display device 103, and one of two start winning openings. 1 start winning port 104, normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105, normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, normal symbol display device 107, and another start winning port (second start winning port) An ordinary electric accessory (tulip) 108, a variable winning ball device 109 having a large winning opening which is one of the accessory units, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, and a normal symbol operation memory It mainly includes an indicator lamp (holding lamp) 113, a status notification indicator 115, a round number indicator 119, and the like. Here, the accessory unit is a display device such as a driving device or a lamp that executes a game function controlled by direct control from the main control unit 310. In addition to the above variable winning ball device, a side lamp device, Also included are center actors and the like.

  The special symbol display device 102 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode), a dot matrix display device, and the like. Special symbols are displayed in a variable manner. A special award (bonus) is given when the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a combination of a predetermined specific symbol. In the present embodiment, the special symbol display device 102 is a two-digit 7-segment LED provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109. Here, the special prize is a point at which a game is switched from an ordinary state to an advantageous state (a big hit action or a big hit) that gives a predetermined game value such as paying out a large number of prize balls to the player.

  The production symbol display device 103 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Effect designs such as graphics are variably displayed. As will be described in detail later, the display control unit that controls the effect symbol display device 103 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an image processing LSI (hereinafter referred to as VDP (hereinafter referred to as VDP)). Video Display Processor)), character ROM, video RAM, and the like. In the present embodiment, the effect symbol display device 103 has a variable display device capable of displaying an image such as a background and a plurality of symbols as a moving image. In the present embodiment, a gaming machine capable of displaying various effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 103 is assumed.

  When the game ball launched by the player wins, the start winning opening 104 detects a winning by generating a start signal of an internal special symbol start switch, and gives an opportunity for the symbol change of the special symbol display device 102. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time has elapsed, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 pass through the ball generated by the activation of the internal normal symbol operation switch when a game ball launched by the player passes. Is detected, and a normal symbol change trigger of the normal symbol display device 107 is given.

  The normal symbol display device 107 displays the information related to the game function by variably displaying the normal symbols with LEDs or the like provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109. The ordinary electric accessory 108 is opened when the ordinary symbol display device 107 stops displaying (small hit) a specific ordinary symbol, and promotes winning of the ordinary electric accessory 108 as a start winning opening. In other words, the game ball that has entered the ordinary electric accessory 108 generates a start signal for the start switch on the back surface as in the case of the start winning opening 104 described above, and gives an opportunity for symbol variation of the special symbol display device 102. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the game ball wins either the start winning opening 104 or the ordinary electric accessory 108, the variation of the special symbol is started.

  When the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a combination of specific symbols that are determined in advance, that is, when the special winning symbol device 109 becomes a special prize, An opening / closing member 114 attached to the front surface performs opening and closing operations. Which opening / closing member is opened depends on the lottery result of the built-in program.

  During the big hitting operation, the opening / closing member 114 opens almost horizontally, the variable winning ball device 109 for receiving a winning game ball is opened, and a large number of winning game balls are received. When a game ball wins the variable winning ball device 109, the game machine knows the number of game balls to the variable winning ball device 109 by generating an activation signal of a large winning port switch inside the variable winning ball device 109, and wins the prize. There will be an opportunity to pay out the associated prize balls (out balls, safe balls). The opening of the variable winning ball device 109 is continued until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number (a predetermined number of winning prize winning prizes) of game balls wins the variable winning ball device 109. This single opening is called a round.

  Further, the variable winning ball device 109 has a specific area (not shown) called a V zone therein. When at least one game ball passes through a specific area while the variable winning ball apparatus 109 that is in a big hit operation is opened, the game machine is turned on in the next round by generating an activation signal of a specific area switch inside the variable winning ball apparatus 109. An opportunity to generate rights is given. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 6 rounds or 15 rounds). If the game ball does not pass the specific area during the round, the jackpot operation is terminated without continuing until the maximum round. In the present embodiment, when the game ball does not pass through the V zone when the grand prize opening is opened, the round is not continued. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the V zone is not provided, regardless of whether or not the game ball passes. The round can be continued.

  The gaming machine handle 111 has a touch sensor on its surface and is provided with a stop button (stop firing) 116. The touch sensor detects that the player has gripped the gaming machine handle 111, and in this state the gaming machine When the variable resistor inside the gaming machine handle 111 detects that the handle 111 is rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118, the ball launching device is given an opportunity to continuously launch gaming balls. The player turns the gaming machine handle 111 clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118 to adjust the launching route of the game ball launched onto the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the launching of the game ball of the ball launcher is stopped.

  The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 is a main symbol which will be described later on the information of each ball that won the start winning port 104 or the ordinary electric accessory 108 during the variation of the special symbol provided around the big winning port of the variable winning ball device 109. Lights in conjunction with storage in the holding memory for each sphere on the RAM of the control unit (hereinafter referred to as sphere holding), and notifies the number of times that the symbol (special symbol) can be continuously changed. Also, the winning ball to the start winning port 104 that is the target of the holding of the ball is called a holding ball.

  The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 is provided with a normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and a normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 during the variation of the normal symbol provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109. Lights in conjunction with storing the information of each passed sphere in the holding memory for each sphere on the RAM of the main control unit, and notifies the number of times that the symbol (ordinary symbol) can be varied continuously, Display information related to gaming functions. Note that the start memory can be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 like the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol.

  The status notification indicator 115 is a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, etc. provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109, and displays a plurality of numbers, or The LED is turned on to display information related to the gaming function. The display content is a display for informing the player of the state of the gaming machine at that time (for example, a short time state or a probability change state) as described later.

  The round number display device 119 is a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, and the like provided around the large winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109, and displays a plurality of numbers. The display content is a display for displaying how many rounds the opening / closing process of the big prize opening at the time of the big hit has entered the big hit state. Also, in other embodiments having different maximum number of rounds, it is possible to indicate how many maximum rounds are currently in the big hit state as the display content. For example, when the maximum number of rounds is 6 or 15 times, the round number display unit 119 can display the maximum number of rounds at the time of big hit. That is, it can have a function as means for notifying the maximum number of rounds at the start of jackpot.

  The gaming machine 100 also includes a shortening switch (not shown) that is an optical touch sensor attached to the gaming board 101. The objects, shortening switches, nails, etc. installed on the game board 101 are covered with a glass plate, and a game ball with a space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 falls. To go. When the special symbol display device 102 or the effect symbol display device 103 displays the special symbol or effect symbol in a variable manner, if the player holds his / her hand over the shortening switch via the glass plate, the shortening switch that detects this generates an activation signal. In addition, the variable display of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 can be stopped immediately or shortened and stopped.

  The gaming machine 100 also includes an effect changeover switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103 and can control the operation of the effectable movable object.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a general gaming system including the gaming machine 100, the information display device 201, the hall computer 202, and the out-ball detection device 203. The information display device 201 is, for example, a display device installed in the upper part of the gaming machine 100, and notifies the player of the gaming state by a lamp, a screen, or the like according to a signal from the gaming machine 100 and an instruction from the hall computer 202. To do. The information display device 201 may apply a well-known game hall information disclosure system. For example, as the display of the game status (game data disclosure), for example, the number of symbol rotations, the number of jackpots, the exit ball, the difference ball, the total number of games And the like, and further capable of collecting personal data of the player are known. As the information disclosure system, various products such as Heiwa no Yobidas (trademark) are well known, and therefore the description of the control circuit is omitted.

  The hall computer 202 collects operational status data from each gaming machine 100 and the like, collects output from each out ball detection device 203, and manages the operation of the game hall. Alternatively, the gaming state of each information display device 201 is notified. Since the hall computer 202 is a well-known hall computer used in a game hall, its control circuit configuration is omitted.

  The out ball detection device 203 is installed inside an island facility composed of a game machine installation facility and a game ball supply system. A game ball discharged from the game machine through the game board surface (a game ball that has been launched, And an out ball detection signal is transmitted to the hall computer 202. Since the structure and control circuit configuration of the out-ball detecting device 203 are well known to those skilled in the art, description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. As shown in the figure, the control unit 300 is mainly composed of three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370. Due to fraud prevention and legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function and can be directly or indirectly connected to transmit to each other or in one direction. The main control unit 310 transmits a command and controls the entire game according to a random number generated internally based on the detection of a game ball by winning at the start winning opening, and directly controls the special symbol display device 102. . The sub control unit 340 transmits a command (second command) for controlling the display control unit 370 in accordance with a command (first command) transmitted from the main control unit 310, and is provided in a game area or the like. Control of blinking lamps, control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and control of moving objects for effects such as character figures provided in the game area and the like by controlling rotation of the motor. The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device in accordance with a command transmitted from the sub control unit 340.

  Next, each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

(Configuration and function of main controller)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main control unit 310. The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, a special winning opening solenoid output port 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a state notification display port 435. , Special symbol operation memory indicator port 436, Round number display port 437, Normal symbol operation memory indicator port 438, Sub-control command output port (send design symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc.) 440, payout control Command output port 442, external information output port 444, and input port 426.

  An effect symbol designation command (first command) is a command for designating a stop symbol of an effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103, and a variation pattern command (first command) is an effect symbol display device. This is a command for designating the mode of screen fluctuation such as reach, disappointment, special prize, etc. displayed in 103.

  The main control unit 310 receives various switches via the input port 426 (special symbol start switch 410, normal symbol operation switch 412, a big winning opening switch 414 that is a game ball detecting means, a specific area switch 416, and other switches 418). Data is input from and processed. The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 102, the special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) via the output ports 428 to 438, 444. ) 113, the status notification display 115, the round number display 119, the special prize opening solenoid 446, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448, and the external information output unit 454 are directly controlled. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 also transmits a sub control command (such as a design symbol designation command and a variation pattern command) to the sub control unit 340 to control the sub control unit 340 by command transmission. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls. Details of direct control of the special symbol display device 102 by the main control unit 310 and control by command transmission to the sub control unit 340 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail. The special symbol start switch 410 generates an activation signal when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the start winning opening 104 passes through this switch to detect the winning, and triggers the symbol variation of the special symbol display device 102. give.

  The normal symbol operation switch 412 is activated when a game ball which has been launched by a player and has passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. Occurs, and gives an opportunity to change the normal symbol of the normal symbol display device 107. The big winning opening switch 414 generates an activation signal when the game ball that has won the variable winning ball device 109 passes this switch in the subsequent jackpot operation when the special prize is won, and the main control unit 310 Perform winning detection.

  The specific area switch 416 generates an activation signal when a game ball that has passed through the specific area while the variable winning ball device 109 is opened passes through this switch, and the main control unit 310 detects the right generation of the next round.

  The other switch 418 generates an activation signal when a game ball that has won a prize other than the start prize opening 104 or the variable prize ball device 109 passes this switch, and the main control unit 310 wins a game ball. Perform detection.

  The CPU 422 is a circuit that controls the entire main control unit, and the ROM 420 stores a program for controlling a gaming machine executed on the main control unit 310. Specifically, the ROM 420 stores a game control program that is executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 that define the contents of the game control process performed by the CPU of the main control unit 310. The ROM 420 further stores values of various parameters for controlling the gaming machine such as an effect designating command for instructing the sub-control unit 340 and a variation pattern command. The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and the like, and has a holding memory for storing information of each holding ball. .

  The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures, and the normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and graphics. The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times that the special symbol can be continuously changed. The normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the number of times that the normal symbol can be continuously changed.

  The big prize opening solenoid 446 is one of the components of the variable prize ball device 109, and when the prize is won, the main control is performed on the opening / closing member 114 attached to the front surface of the variable prize ball device 109 in the subsequent big hit operation. Based on an instruction from the unit 310, it is selectively opened.

  When the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying the small hit normal symbol, the normal electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the normal electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310. The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310 and receives a prize to the prize ball payout device 452 when the special symbol start switch 410, the big prize opening switch 414, the other switch 418, or the like is detected. Instruct to pay out the ball.

  The external information output unit 454 is a board for providing information from the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 to the outside (information display device 201, hall computer 202, etc.). The hall computer 202 and the information display device 201 are electrically connected to the gaming machine via an external information output unit 454 of the gaming machine. The CPU of the main control unit 310 receives information (signals) that knows the stop of symbol variation, the jackpot state, the probability variation state, etc. via the external information output unit 454, for example, jackpot signal, winning number signal, start signal, probability variation signal , Output a short time signal or a door open signal to an external device.

(Configuration and function of sub-control unit)
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 340. Similar to the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340 includes a CPU 514, a RAM 512, a ROM 510, various input ports 516, and various output ports 518. The sub-control unit 340 receives a sub-control command (production symbol designation command or the like) transmitted from the main control unit 310 in particular, and creates a liquid crystal display command (second command) according to the production symbol designation command. To the display control unit 370. Further, the sub-control unit 340 performs blinking control of the lamp display device 520, generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the effect movable object 524, and the like. In this way, the sub-control unit 340 reduces the load on the main control unit 310 by specially performing control related to effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, sound effect generation, and control of the movable object 524. Helpful.

  In addition, when the sub-control unit 340 receives the variation pattern command (command ID value: “A0” H or “A1” H) and the production symbol designation command (command ID value: “B1” H), the notice designation command ( Command ID values “95” H to “98” H) are internally generated and transmitted to the display control unit 370. The notice designation command is a command for designating a display for notifying the player of the occurrence of a jackpot or reach. FIG. 8 shows an example of the relationship between the contents of the notice designation command (command ID value and EVENT value) and the display contents (forecast contents). The notice designation commands whose command ID values are “95” H, “96” H, and “97” H are commands that designate a notice effect that is performed when most of the variation patterns are selected. The notice designation command having a command ID value of “98” H is a command for designating a notice effect that is performed when a specific variation pattern (reach pattern) is selected. The reason why the command ID values are different is that the command ID values may overlap depending on the variation pattern command.

  The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the sub-control unit 340. The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. The effect movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

  The sub control unit 340 receives an input from the effect changeover switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103, and can control the operation of the effect movable object 524. In this way, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

(Configuration and function of display control unit)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the display control unit 370.
In particular, the display control unit 370 receives the liquid crystal display command (second command) transmitted from the sub-control unit 340, and varies and stops the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 according to the liquid crystal display command. Alternatively, it has a function of receiving a notice designation command and displaying a notice. Hereinafter, a case of a liquid crystal display command will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the control circuit configuration of the display control unit 370 of this embodiment includes an input port 618 that receives a second command, a CPU 620, a program ROM 610, a RAM 612, an image processing LSI (VDP) 622, a character ROM 616, A video RAM 614 and an output port 624 are provided. The input port 618 receives a liquid crystal display command from the sub-control unit 340 and passes it to the CPU 620. The CPU 620 performs image processing and image display control according to the program stored in the program ROM 610. The program ROM 610 stores a program for image processing executed by the CPU 620, and specifically stores an image display control program that defines the contents of image display control performed by the CPU 620.

  Further, the program ROM 610 stores VDP 622 control data to be mapped and written in the data register of the VDP 622, various parameter values for controlling image display, and the like. The RAM 612 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 develops image data such as sprite / scroll for display on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from the CPU 620 in the video RAM 614, and effects symbol display via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Image data is output and displayed in the display area of the device 103. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT display, or the like, and visually displays a video signal of an image output from the VDP 622.

  For display control, a color palette (hereinafter referred to as a palette) in which a plurality of specific color data are arranged and set is often used. The VDP 622 of this embodiment includes four palettes that define 256 colors, processes four layers, and performs image processing by associating one palette with each layer. The VDP 622 synthesizes image data set for each of the four layers in accordance with an output instruction from the CPU 620, and outputs the synthesized image data to the effect symbol display device 103 for display.

  Specifically, the VDP 622 converts the image data into color data based on the color data of the palette specified by the image data on the video RAM 614, and the color data is converted into analog RGB video signals as the effect symbol display device 103. Output to and display. The image data here includes an index (array number) for the palette.

  The VDP 622 of the present embodiment has a specification in which each of R, G, B, and I (intensity) per pixel is controlled by 8 bits of 3 bits, and 4096 colors (= 8 × 8 × 8 × 8) Have the ability to handle Since the VDP 622 performs image processing by associating palettes capable of setting 256 colors with each of the four layers, each palette displays up to 1024 colors out of 4096 colors from 256 colors × 4 layers = 1024. Is possible.

  The character ROM 616 stores image data such as sprite / scroll that the VDP 622 that has received an instruction from the CPU 620 expands in the video RAM 614. Also, four pallet data to be set in the four pallets built in the VDP 622 are stored. The image data is compressed by run length encoding, predictive encoding, Huffman encoding, and other known compression techniques, and stored in the character ROM 616.

  In the video RAM 614, the image data to be output in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is developed and temporarily stored by the VDP 622. In this embodiment, the image data set for each of the four layers is temporarily stored in the video RAM 614, and the four layers of image data are combined by the screen buffer on the video RAM 614 to generate combined image data.

(Game control processing procedure by the main control unit)
Next, the main procedure of the game control process executed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 will be described. Processing related to the above-described operation of the gaming machine of this embodiment is performed according to the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 7 is a game control interrupt process performed when the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 reads and executes a game control program stored in the ROM 420.

  In this process, two types of interrupt processing routines are started in parallel every first interrupt period (for example, 4 msec) and second interrupt period (for example, 2 msec) shorter than the first interrupt period. Yes. Note that it is possible to perform interrupt processing for each third predetermined period, interrupt processing for each fourth predetermined period, or the like so that the interrupt processing cycles do not overlap as necessary. In FIG. 7, when the gaming machine is turned on, the main control unit 310 clears the RAM 424 and performs initial setting (S710), and then sends an initial command (for example, RAM clear processing) to the sub control unit 340. , Initial symbol determination processing, etc. In addition, when there is a power-off state, power-return processing is also included) (S712), and instructions for initial settings related to images, lamps, sounds, games, etc. are given. .

  First, the first interrupt process related to game control for each first interrupt period (for example, 4 msec) will be described. In the command output management process (S714), the main control unit 310 creates a variation pattern command and an effect symbol designating command (first design) created in the special game management process (S716) described later and set in the command storage area of the RAM 424. Command) to the sub-control unit 340. First, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted. If there is a command to be transmitted, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. If there is no command to be output, this processing ends as it is.

  Receiving the effect symbol designation command and the variation pattern command, the sub-control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command to the display control unit 370. Upon receiving this liquid crystal display command, the display control unit 370 controls the effect design of the effect design display device 103 for a predetermined change time, and then stops at the design specified by the liquid crystal display command. Here, the contents of the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described using a table.

  FIG. 8 shows contents such as a command (effect designating command) transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340 and a command (liquid crystal display command) transmitted from the sub-control unit receiving each command to the display control unit. It is a table | surface which shows. Referring to FIG. 8, the command identifies a specific type of control information in the gaming state in the gaming state identified as the “command ID” part for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state. It is understood that this is a 2-byte command composed of two parts, “EVENT” part.

  The “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H (hexadecimal number), and the “EVENT” portion is any one of 11 values “00” to “0A” H. . Further, the “command ID” portion of the liquid crystal design designation command is “B2” H or “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is any value from “00” to “09” H. As can be seen from FIG. 8, regarding the special effect symbols 0-9 at the time of determining the jackpot, the value of the “EVENT” portion of the effect symbol designating command and the value of the “EVENT” portion of the liquid crystal display command are the same. Therefore, for example, when the special effect symbol 7 is designated at the time of determining the jackpot, the main control unit transmits an effect symbol designation command of “B1” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the sub-control unit 340. The sub-control unit 340 that has received the effect designating command transmits a liquid crystal display command of “B2” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”.

  On the other hand, regarding the special effect design 10 designation at the time of determining the deviation, the production design designation command is “B1” H + “0A” H, and the liquid crystal display command is “B1” H + “00” H. The symbol stops with a combination of detachment.

  Next, in the special game management process (S716), the main control unit 310 performs control related to the game such as symbol variation and accessory control. At the time of starting the change of the special symbol due to the reservation or digestion of the winning ball or the holding ball to the starting winning port 104, the reach random number read from the reach random number loop counter on the RAM 424, the symbol random number read from the symbol random number loop counter, and the starting winning port 104 Based on the jackpot random number of the winning ball or the jackpot random number stored in the holding memory of the reserved ball, the main control unit 310 performs a variation pattern command, a production symbol designation command, a special symbol (left), and a special symbol (right). ) In the command storage area of the RAM 424. The system of the effect designating command has already been described in the command output management process (S714).

  Further, during the big hit operation, the main control unit 310 receives the big prize opening opening data and the big prize opening closing data for instructing the big winning opening operating solenoid 446 to open the variable winning ball apparatus 109 for a predetermined time. The data is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. Further, the main control unit 310 sends the special symbol (left) and special symbol (right) of the special symbol display device provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109 via the special symbol display output port 432. Fluctuation control is performed for a predetermined fluctuation time, and the program is stopped at each of the special symbols (left) and special symbols (right) stored in the RAM 424. Each stop symbol is displayed on a special symbol display device 102 of 7 segments consisting of two digits.

  Thus, in step 716, the main control unit 310 does not control the special symbol by sending a special symbol designation command to another control unit, but the special symbol is output via the special symbol display output port 432. Control directly. Here, “direct control” is a process of changing the special symbol by sending a control signal related to display driving directly from the special symbol display output port of the main control unit 310 to the special symbol display device 102. For example, a signal (command) from a CPU is directly sent without judgment by another CPU, or control is performed without a time delay (time lag) due to an interrupt or the like.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a table showing the relationship between the special symbol and the effect symbol in the case of jackpot and loss. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the jackpot random number is a jackpot, when the jackpot symbol random number (100 patterns of 0 to 99) acquired from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter is “3”, the main control unit 310 “03” is displayed as a special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the main control unit 310 adds an effect symbol designation command (command ID value is “B1” H) including the value “07” H corresponding to the special symbol “03” as the EVENT value. It transmits to the control part 340. Subsequently, the sub control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (command ID value is “B2” H) that similarly includes “07” H as an EVENT value to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot random number is lost, when the lost symbol random number (21 types from 0 to 20) acquired from the lost special symbol random number loop counter is “1”, the main control unit 310 applies a special symbol to the special symbol display device 102. "-(Hyphen) 1" is displayed as a symbol. Then, main control unit 310 transmits an effect symbol designation command (command ID value is “B1” H) including the value “0A” H corresponding to special symbol “−1” as an EVENT value to sub-control unit 340. . Next, the sub-control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (command ID value is “B1” H, EVENT value is “00” H) to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the command for liquid crystal display stops the offending design corresponding to the variation pattern command received from the main control unit 310 via the sub control unit 340 for the effect design that is changing on the effect design display device 103. Let

  Next, the normal game management process (S718) will be described. When the normal symbol starts to change due to the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), based on the small hit random number on the RAM 424, the main control unit In step 310, stop symbol data of a normal symbol is prepared. This process is performed when it is determined that the normal symbol change is started while the main control unit 310 performs the normal game management process.

  In the external information processing (S720), game state information from the main control unit 310 is transmitted to the outside of the gaming machine (mainly the hall computer 202 and the information display device 201) via the external information output unit 454. The main control unit 310 instructs the big winning opening solenoid 446 to open or close the variable winning ball apparatus 109 based on the big winning opening opening data and the big winning opening closing data stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 ( S721). In the other random number update process (S722), the main control unit 310 updates random numbers (reach random numbers, lost symbol random numbers, etc.) other than the jackpot random number and the jackpot special symbol random number during the remaining time of the interrupt processing.

  Next, an interrupt processing routine for executing a second interrupt process every second interrupt period (for example, 2 msec), that is, a process for performing random number update and switch check will be described. First, in the winning lottery random number update process (S730), the main control unit 310 increments (+1) the big hit random number loop counter on the RAM 424 every second interrupt period, thereby obtaining the big hit random number for the special prize and the big hit special. At the same time as updating the design random number, the small hit random number for the normal design is updated. In the present embodiment, the loop counter means a counter that cyclically updates a value from 0 to a predetermined maximum value.

  Next, in the input process (S732), the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter and stores it on the RAM 424 when the special symbol start switch 410 detects the winning ball to the start winning opening 104. At this time, the special symbol operation memory counter on the RAM 424 is set to 1. Further, when the special symbol start switch 410 detects that the ball has won the start winning opening 104 during the special symbol variation, the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number and the big hit special symbol random number from the big hit random number loop counter, and stores them on the RAM 424. Store in the hold memory of the hold ball (hold ball). At this time, the special symbol operation memory counter on the RAM 242 is incremented. In step 732, the counter is not incremented any further if the accumulation exceeds a predetermined value. Each time this step is repeatedly executed during the special symbol variation, the value of each jackpot random number is continuously stored in the reserved memory on the RAM 424 for a plurality of reserved balls.

  Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 calculates a small hit random number from the small hit random number loop counter. Read and store on RAM 424. Further, the main control unit 310 detects a winning at the starting winning port 104 by the special symbol starting switch 410, detects a winning at the variable winning ball device 109 at the time of a big hitting operation by the big winning port switch 414, and other starting winning ports by the switch 418. The result of winning detection to other winning ports other than 104 and the variable winning ball device 109 is stored on the RAM 424. In particular, when a winning is detected in the variable winning ball apparatus 109, the main control unit 310 also increments (+1) the big winning counter on the RAM 424. It is controlled so that the counter is not incremented except during the big hit (in the normal state) (there is a prize ball). Further, the main control unit 310 turns on the V flag on the RAM 424 when the specific area switch 416 detects a game ball that has passed through the specific area.

  In the winning ball payout management process (S734), the winning winning detection to the starting winning hole 104 by the special symbol starting switch 410 stored in the RAM 424 in the input process (S732) and the variable winning ball at the big hit operation by the big winning hole switch 414 are performed. For each result of winning detection to the device 109 and other results of detecting winning to the other winning ports other than the start winning port 104 and the variable winning ball device 109 by the switch 418, the main control unit 310 sets each preset award. The number of prize balls to be paid out corresponding to the number of balls is set in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  The main control unit 310 instructs the prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball by a command output based on the number of prize balls paid out set on the RAM 424.

(Special game management process and normal game management process)
FIG. 11 shows a series of processing contents including the special game management process (S716) and the normal game management process (S718) of FIG. In step 1110, the main control unit 310 checks the big hit flag, and if the big hit flag is ON, the big hit is in process, so the big hit process (S1134) is performed, and the process proceeds to step 1140. When the big hit flag is OFF and the special symbol change timer on the RAM 424 is 0, that is, neither big hit nor special symbol change, the big hit random number related to the special symbol change to be processed at this point Check whether the big hit random number or the big hit random number of the winning ball in the holding memory) is stored on the RAM 424, and if it is determined that the special symbol change starts due to the holding of the winning ball or the holding ball to the start winning opening 104 To step 1112.

  In step 1112, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol variation special prize to be started based on the jackpot random number related to the special symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the big hit random number does not match the value of the special prize, the special prize flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that it matches the value of the special prize, the special prize flag is turned ON.

  Here, when the probability variation flag is ON (at the time of probability variation), the number of special prize values for determining a special prize is increased to increase the special prize probability. For example, “7” is set as the value of the special prize at the normal time (normal game state), but “3”, “7”, “11”, “15” as the value of the special prize at the time of the probability variation. , “82” is set. If the hour / middle flag is ON, the hour / hour variation counter on the RAM 424 is decremented (−1), and if the hour / hour variation counter is 0 as a result, the hour / middle flag is turned OFF.

  In step 1114, when the determination result in step 1112 is a special prize, the main control unit 310, like the jackpot random number, stores the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter (100 values from 0 to 99. 100 values shown in FIG. 10). From the above, a plurality of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 are determined. On the other hand, in the case of a loss, it is provided in the vicinity of the big winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 109 based on the loss symbol random numbers (21 values from 0 to 20; see FIG. 10) read from the loss special symbol random number loop counter. A plurality of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 are determined. That is, the main control unit 310 suspends the special symbol combination to be stopped, the command ID value (“B1” H) of the effect symbol designation command, and the EVENT value (“00” H to “0A” H). ) And is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1116, the main control unit 310 determines a variation pattern of the effect symbol variation based on the determination of the special prize, the reach random number, and the symbol random number, and stores it in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1118, main controller 310 stores special symbol variation instruction data instructing special symbol variation in a predetermined area on RAM 424. When the information required for the special symbol variation is set, in step 1120, the main control unit 310 determines the normal rendering time (seconds) in accordance with the rendering symbol variation uniquely determined from the command ID value of the variation pattern command. Then, the special symbol variation timer for monitoring the variation of the special symbol and the shortening switch timer for monitoring the activation signal of the shortening switch are set to the normal performance time (seconds). Note that the normal performance time (seconds) is unique to each command ID value of the variation pattern command, and the number of seconds differs for each EVENT value of the variation pattern command.

  Similarly, in step 1140, the main control unit 310 checks whether or not the small hit random number related to the normal symbol variation is stored in the RAM 424 as a processing target, and the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 or If it is determined that the normal symbol variation start associated with the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, the process proceeds to step 1142.

  In step 1142, the main control unit 310 determines a small hit for the normal symbol variation to be started based on the small hit random numbers related to the normal symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the small hit random number does not match the small hit value, the small hit flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that the small hit random value matches the small hit value, the small hit flag is turned ON. Here, when the probability variation flag is ON or the hour / medium flag is ON, the number of small hit values for determining the small hit is increased to increase the small hit probability.

  In step 1144, the main control unit 310 determines a normal symbol to be stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 107 provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109 from the small hit determination result. For example, the small hit determination is “small hit flag ON”, and the stop symbol data of the normal symbol uniquely determined from the small hit determination result is “7” H. The main control unit 310 stores the normal symbol stop symbol data in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1146, the main control unit 308 stores the normal symbol variation instruction data for instructing the normal symbol variation in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. When the information required for the normal symbol variation is set, in step 1148, the main control unit 310 sets a normal symbol variation timer for monitoring the normal symbol variation to a predetermined value.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the main control unit 310 executes special game management processing (S716) based on information required for special symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and starts variation of the special symbol. (S1118 in FIG. 11). Similarly, the main control unit 310 executes normal game management processing (S718) based on the information required for normal symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 to start normal symbol variation (FIG. 11). S1146). After that (for example, after 4 msec or more), command output management processing (S714) is executed, and an effect symbol designation command, a variation pattern command, and the like are transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub-control unit 340 that receives the effect designating command or the like transmits a liquid crystal display command or the like to the display control unit 370.

  The process of FIG. 11 is called again from the process of FIG. 7 by the interrupt process. In steps 1110 and 1122, the main control unit 310 turns off the jackpot / medium flag and the symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, the jackpot is not a big jackpot. If it is determined that the change is in progress, the process proceeds to step 1124. In step 1124, the main control unit 310 subtracts the special symbol variation timer by the interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 msec). In step 1110 and step 1122, if the jackpot, special symbol variation start, or special symbol variation is not occurring, the main control unit 310 advances the process to step 1130.

  In step 1126, it is determined whether the special symbol variation timer is 0. If the special symbol variation timer is 0, in step 1128, the special symbol is displayed using the stop symbol stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424 in step 1114. Stop.

  When the symbol change timer is 0, that is, when the symbol is not changing, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S1130). If the special prize flag is ON, in step 1132, the main control unit 310 turns on the big hit medium flag. Then, the information of the jackpot start command (command ID value is “90” H) is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. This command is transmitted to the display control unit 370 via the sub control unit 340 in the command output management process (S714) of FIG. This command is a command for displaying a big hit start screen on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Further, at step 1132, the main control unit 310 sets a round counter (counter for counting the number of rounds during the big hit operation) and a release timer (a timer for measuring the opening time of the big winning opening during one round) on the RAM 424 as predetermined. Stored in the value, set the interval timer (timer for measuring the closing time of the big winning opening between rounds) to a predetermined value (several seconds), and V flag (a flag that turns ON when the game ball passes a specific area) ) Is turned OFF, and the big prize opening counter (counter that counts the number of game balls won in the big prize opening during one round) is set to zero. Specifically, the round counter is set to 15 rounds, the release timer is set to 30 seconds, and the process proceeds to step 1140. Here, when the round counter is changed, the value is reflected on the round number display 119 provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109, and the player is currently open / closed. You can know if it is a round. In the case of an embodiment having a different maximum number of rounds, the maximum number of rounds at the time of big hit is notified, so that it is possible to know how many rounds continue.

  If it is determined in step 1126 that the symbol variation timer is not 0, main controller 310 advances the process to step 1140. In addition, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S1130), and if the special prize flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step 1140.

  When determining that the normal symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, that the normal symbol variation is in progress (S1140 → S1150), the main control unit 310 subtracts the normal symbol variation timer by the interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 mec) (S1152).

  Further, when the normal symbol variation timer becomes 0, the main control unit 310 stores the normal symbol stop instruction data instructing the normal symbol variation stop in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S1154 → S1156).

  When the normal symbol variation timer is 0, that is, when the normal symbol is not varying, the main control unit 310 checks the small hit flag (S1158). If the small hit flag is ON, the main control unit 310 turns the normal electric accessory 108 on. The small hit processing instruction data for instructing the normal electric accessory actuating solenoid 448 to be released for a predetermined time is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S1160). When the probability variation flag is ON, the open state time of the ordinary electric accessory 108 is set longer than the normal time. This makes it easier for the ball to enter the start winning opening 104 during probability change. The above is the contents of a series of processes that combine the special game management process (S716) and the normal game management process (S718).

  In the present embodiment, it is further determined whether or not to shift to a probability variation (hereinafter simply referred to as “probability variation”) state after the jackpot is completed, and when it is determined to be in the probability variation state, processing such as notifying the probability variation state is performed. Here, the probability variation means that the probability of the special prize inside the gaming machine in the game after the big hit action digestion for a special symbol combination, for example, a special prize of “7, 7, 7”, among the special symbol combinations, is normal. This is a function that improves from a (low probability) state to a high probability state.

  The transition to the probable change state is determined by various methods, for example, a method of shifting with a certain probability by lottery. In this embodiment, when the jackpot processing for the big prize opening is completed, the lottery is performed and the probability is changed with a predetermined probability. Transition to the state and turn on the probability change flag. Generally, such a probability change (high probability) state of a gaming machine with a probability change function is continued until the next jackpot acquisition.

  In the above-described processing, in order to notify the player of the probability change and the time shortage, the state notification display 115 provided around the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 109 is used. That is, for example, when the time reduction flag is ON, the rightmost LED is lit, and when the probability changing flag is ON, the center LED is lit. In any case, the player can be informed of the current state of the gaming machine by turning on the leftmost LED, etc., and the player quits the game on the way despite the advantageous situation. Can be prevented.

(Arrangement of various indicators)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17, the arrangement of various displays for displaying information related to the gaming function directly controlled by the main control unit 310 on the board surface of the gaming machine of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display around the modular winning prize opening of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a top view 1401, a front view 1402, a side view 1403, and a perspective view 1404 of this module. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, such a module structure (such as a display unit for displaying information related to the gaming function directly controlled by the main control unit 310 is arranged around the prize winning opening. Unit).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing components included in the module structure of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the module structure includes various components, and each component includes more detailed parts. That is, the state notification display board 1504 is disposed on the special symbol display board 1505 and is stored in a predetermined position 1515 of the module board 1501. Similarly, the normal symbol display device board 1507 is arranged on the round number display board 1506 and stored in a predetermined position 1516. These display units are provided with front decoration parts 1502 and 1503, and these front decoration parts 1502 and 1503 have a display lens function, that is, a function of enlarging the display and improving the visibility. Visibility is improved to prevent crossing the display.

  FIG. 16 is a view of the large winning opening peripheral module structure of the present embodiment as viewed from the back. As shown in FIG. 16, the component structure and the terminals of the board are arranged in a concentrated manner by adopting a modular structure, and problems such as wiring errors and disconnections at the time of game machine manufacture or game machine installation Can be eliminated and maintainability can be improved.

  FIG. 17 is a view of the game board that houses the components, modules, and the like of the present embodiment as viewed from the back. A main control unit board 1701 is attached to the lower side of the game board 101, and a sub control unit board 1702 is attached to the upper side. Referring to FIG. 17, it can be understood that wiring is performed from the main control unit to the back terminal of the winning combination peripheral module structure 1501 indicated by the dotted line. In the present embodiment, by adopting the above-described structure and wiring method, various display units can be centrally arranged in the special winning opening peripheral module structure 1501, and in addition to improving visibility for the player, Wiring work can be facilitated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the player of this gaming machine can thoroughly enjoy the variation of the staging pattern provided in the center of the board and intentionally lowers the line of sight around the lower prize opening, Various game information can be easily recognized.

  This embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, modifications other than the present embodiment are possible. As long as the modification is within the scope of the technical idea indicated by the claims, the modification is within the technical scope of the present invention.

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Normal electric accessory (tulip)
109 Variable winning ball device 111 having a big winning opening 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
119 Round number display device 120 Effect changeover switch 201 Information display device 202 Hall computer 203 Out ball detection device 310 Main control unit 340 Sub control unit 370 Display control unit 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 Big prize opening switch 416 Specific Area switch 418 Other switch 420 ROM
422 CPU
424 RAM
426 Input port 428 Large winning opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 436 Special symbol operation memory indicator port 438 Normal symbol operation memory indicator port 440 Sub-control command output port (sends design symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc.)
442 Dispensing control command output port 444 External information output port 446 Large winning opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 450 Dispensing control unit 452 Prize ball dispensing device 510 ROM
512 RAM
514 CPU
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Movable object 610 Program ROM
612 RAM
618 Input port 614 Video RAM
616 Character ROM
620 CPU
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
624 Output port 1501 Module board (module structure around the big prize opening)
1502, 1503 Front decoration part 1504 Status notification display board 1505 Special design display board 1506 Round number display board 1507 Normal design display equipment board

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine comprising: main control means for performing overall game control of a gaming machine; and sub-control means for controlling an effect symbol display device that performs predetermined effect display.
The main control means includes a special game management process for performing a process for controlling display of a special symbol, a normal game management process for performing a process for controlling display of a normal symbol, and a command for performing a process for outputting the command to the sub-control means. Output management processing, and
Controlled by the main control means, a special symbol display unit for displaying the special symbol, a special symbol operation storage display unit for informing the number of times to operate the special symbol, a display unit for displaying the normal symbol, A normal symbol operation storage display unit for notifying the number of times of operating the normal symbol, and a round number display unit for notifying the number of times the winning device is released based on the display result of the special symbol, are intensively arranged, and further, A gaming machine characterized in that the gaming ball is arranged at a position below the effect symbol display device so that the game ball does not pass through the front surface.   The main control unit and all the unitized display units are connected by wiring, and all the unitized display units are arranged closer to the main control unit than the sub control unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The main control means starts the control of the device related to the predetermined effect in the command output management process after starting the process of controlling the display of the special symbol in the special game management process. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game machine is output to the sub-control means.

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