JP2013075230A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of attracting a player's attention to a subordinate reel when presentation is executed on the subordinate reel even if the player directs the eyes only to a main reel.SOLUTION: In the game machine 1, a left main reel 3L among main reels 3L, 3C and 3R has a specific symbols ("arrow" indicating a subordinate reel) suggesting the start of special presentation on subordinate reels 23L, 23C and 23R. The special presentation on the subordinate reels 23L, 23C and 23R is executed with the specific symbol stop-displayed by a main reel stopping control means as the trigger.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is particularly enjoyed by arranging symbols drawn on a plurality of rotating reels such as a slot machine.

  Conventionally, a plurality of reels in which a plurality of symbols are arranged on each peripheral surface, a plurality of reels corresponding to each of the reels, and a display window for displaying a part of a plurality of symbols of each reel, A gaming machine (so-called pachislot machine) is known in which the symbols appearing on the display window are enjoyed by rotating and stopping each reel.

In this type of gaming machine, on the assumption that the player has inserted medals, a start switch for performing an operation for generating a signal for starting the rotation of the reel (hereinafter referred to as “start operation”); Based on an operation (hereinafter referred to as “stop operation”) by a player that stops the rotation of the reels, a stop switch that controls the rotation stop for each reel, and a signal output by the start switch and the stop switch. And a control unit for controlling the operation of the motor for driving the reels and for rotating and stopping the reels.
In such a pachislot machine, it is determined whether or not there is a winning based on a combination of symbols displayed by a plurality of display windows, and medals are paid out when it is determined that the winning.

  Currently, the mainstream pachislot machine detects a start operation by a player, generates a random number internally, performs lottery, and rotates the reel based on the result of the lottery and the timing of the stop operation by the player. Like to stop. For example, when the result of winning a prize by the internal random lottery described above (hereinafter, the result of the internal lottery is referred to as “internal winning combination”) is determined by the player so that the prize is established. A stop operation is performed. At this time, even after the operation to stop the rotation is performed, since the rotation of the reel is stopped after continuing within a predetermined period (for example, 190 ms), in many aspects, A stop operation at an appropriate timing (so-called “pressing”) is required. When a combination of symbols corresponding to the internal winning combination related to the bonus is displayed on the display window by the player's intention, a bonus game advantageous to the player is activated. For this reason, what combination of symbols is displayed on the display window when the rotation of the reel is stopped is related to the timing of the stop operation, that is, the skill of the player.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine including a sub-reel provided substantially at the center of the front surface of the device, and a main reel provided above the sub-reel and smaller than the sub-reel. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a combination of symbols corresponding to winning of a small role or establishment of a bonus is displayed by a main reel, and effects are diversified by sub reels.

JP 2003-339945 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the determination of establishment of a bonus, winning of a small role, or the like is determined based on a combination of symbols displayed by the main reel. Therefore, the player performs a so-called push so that a combination of symbols corresponding to winning of a small role or establishment of a bonus is displayed while visually recognizing the main reel. As a result, there is a problem that the player ignores the effect of the sub reel and always plays the game paying attention to the main reel, and the advantage of providing the sub reel is lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when the player is looking only at the main reel, when the effect is produced by the sub reel, the sub reel can be focused. An object is to provide a game machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the present invention provides the following gaming machines.

A plurality of main reels having a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface;
Start operation detecting means for detecting the start operation;
An internal winning combination determining means for determining one or more internal winning combinations from a plurality of internal winning combinations based on detection of the start operation by the start operation detecting means;
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, the main reel symbol variation means for rotating the plurality of main reels and varying the symbols of each main reel;
A stop operation detecting means for detecting a stop operation by the player;
A main reel that performs stop control of symbol variation performed by the main reel symbol variation unit based on the internal symbol combination determined by the internal symbol combination determination unit and the detection of the stop operation performed by the stop operation detection unit Stop control means;
Game medium providing means for providing a game medium based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the plurality of main reels;
A plurality of sub reels having a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface;
Sub reel design changing means for rotating the plurality of sub reels based on detection of the start operation by the start operation detecting means and changing a plurality of symbols of each sub reel;
Based on the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means, detection of a stop operation performed by the stop operation detecting means, and stop control of the plurality of main reels performed by the main reel stop control means Sub reel stop control means for performing stop control of the fluctuation of the symbol performed by the sub reel design changing means;
A plurality of symbols attached to at least one main reel among the plurality of main reels includes a specific symbol indicating the start of a special effect by the sub-reel,
The specific symbol can be stopped and displayed when a predetermined internal winning combination is included in the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means,
When the specific symbol is stopped and displayed by the main reel stop control means, a special effect by the plurality of sub reels is performed,
The special effect is when the sub reel design changing means re-rotates the plurality of sub reels to change a plurality of designs of each sub reel, and the sub reel stop control means is configured to stop and display the specific design. Based on the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means and the detection of the stop operation by the stop operation detecting means after re-rotating the plurality of sub reels, the variation of the symbol performed by the sub reel symbol varying means It is an effect that performs stop control,
Main reel locking means for prohibiting rotation of the plurality of main reels, triggered by the specific symbol being stopped and displayed by the main reel stop control means,
Main reel lock releasing means for allowing rotation of the plurality of main reels when a stop operation is detected by the stop operation detecting means and a special effect by the plurality of sub-reels is ended. A gaming machine.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the main reel stop control means stops and controls the variation of the symbols of the plurality of main reels based on the determined internal winning combination and detection of the stop operation. At this time, when a specific symbol of one main reel is stopped and displayed, a special effect is performed by a plurality of sub reels. The specific symbol of one main reel is a symbol suggesting the start of a special effect by a plurality of sub-reels. Therefore, even when the player is looking only at the main reel, the player can focus on the sub reel when a special effect is performed by the sub reel.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when a specific symbol of one main reel is stopped and displayed, a special effect by a plurality of sub reels is performed. A special effect by multiple sub-reels is to stop by the internal winning combination and player determined when a specific symbol is stopped and displayed by first rotating the multiple sub-reels to change the multiple symbols on each sub-reel. This is an effect that stops a plurality of sub-reels based on the operation. With this special effect, it is possible to notify the player of the internal winning combination determined when the specific symbol is stopped and displayed.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when a specific symbol of one main reel is stopped and displayed, the main reel lock means prohibits the rotation of the plurality of main reels. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of main reels from rotating when a special effect is performed by the plurality of sub reels. As a result, the player can surely enjoy the special effects by the plurality of sub reels.
Further, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, when the special effect by the plurality of sub reels is completed, the rotation of the plurality of main reels is permitted by the main reel lock releasing means. Therefore, when the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are finished, the normal game based on the rotation and stop control of the plurality of main reels can be resumed.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, before the special presentation is performed by the plurality of sub reels, the positions of the symbols on which the plurality of sub reels are stopped and displayed by the return stop control position storage means are stored as the return stop control positions. To do. When the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are finished, the symbol position return control means controls the sub reel symbol variation means and the sub reel stop control means based on the return stop control position. As a result, the state in which the plurality of sub-reels are stopped and displayed is returned to the state before the special effect by the plurality of sub-reels is performed.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, the sub reels are rotated in synchronization with the main reels, and the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of main reels are matched with the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of sub reels. . This is to simplify the stop control of the plurality of sub reels performed based on the internal winning combination, detection of the stop operation, and stop control of the plurality of main reels.
However, when the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are finished, the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of main reels do not coincide with the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of sub reels. Therefore, the symbol position return control means returns the state in which the plurality of sub reels are stopped and displayed to the state before the special effect by the plurality of sub reels is performed.
Thereby, it is possible to return to a state in which the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of main reels coincide with the symbol positions of the symbols attached to the plurality of sub reels. As a result, even if the normal game is resumed after the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are finished, a plurality of operations performed based on the internal winning combination, detection of the stop operation, and stop control of the plurality of main reels are performed. Sub reel stop control can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, even when the player is looking only at the main reel, it is possible to focus attention on the sub-reel when an effect is produced by the sub-reel.

It is a perspective view which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the game machine in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effective line and effect line in one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the main control circuit in one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the sub control circuit in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol arrangement | positioning table for main reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the internal lottery table determination table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the internal lottery table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the internal winning combination determination table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol combination table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the table at the time of the bonus action | operation in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the stop table group determination table for main reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the stop table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage area of the internal winning combination, carryover combination, and game state flag in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage area of the effective stop button and action | operation stop button in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol arrangement | positioning table for sub reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol combination corresponding table in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the stop table group determination table for sub reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol arrangement | positioning table for 4th reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is a main flowchart which shows the process example of the main control circuit in one embodiment of this invention. It is a main flowchart which shows the process example of the main control circuit in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the bonus action | operation monitoring process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the medal reception and start check process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the internal lottery process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the internal lottery process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the reel stop control process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the main reel lock determination process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the bonus completion | finish check process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the bonus operation | movement check process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the interruption process by control of main CPU in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the interrupt control process by the sub control circuit in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the command input process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the production content determination process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the effect lottery process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the stop table group determination process for sub reels in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the sub reel rotation start process in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process at the time of the reel stop command reception in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process at the time of the display combination command reception in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process at the time of the bonus start command reception in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the specific symbol attached | subjected to the one main reel in one embodiment of this invention was stopped-displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which special production was started by the sub reel in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the special production performed by the sub reel in one embodiment of this invention was complete | finished. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state by which the normal game was restarted after the special production performed with the sub reel in one embodiment of this invention was complete | finished.

Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as “this example”) will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this example, a description will be given of an example in which a player uses a medal as a game value for playing a game and is applied to a gaming machine 1 that plays a game. In addition to medals, coins, game balls, game point data, tokens, etc. are used as the game value, or a medium such as a card that stores the game value information given to or given to the player It can also be applied to a gaming machine that can play a game.

<Description of exterior configuration of gaming machine>
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the external structure of the gaming machine in this example will be described. The gaming machine 1 of this example is an example applied to a so-called pachislot machine, and is a gaming machine that uses a medal to play a game.

  The gaming machine 1 includes a cabinet 1a as a housing that houses a main control circuit 71, which will be described later, and a front door 1b as a door attached to the cabinet 1a so as to be openable and closable. A main reel display section 5 is provided in the center of the front face of the front door 1b. Three main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided in a horizontal row behind the main reel display section 5 and inside the cabinet 1a (not shown). Hereinafter, the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are referred to as a left main reel 3L, a middle main reel 3C, and a right main reel 3R, respectively.

  The three main reels 3L, 3C, 3R have a cylindrical structure, and rotate and stop in the vertical direction by driving stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R (see FIG. 3) described later. . A plurality of types of symbols are continuously arranged at predetermined intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  At positions corresponding to the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R of the main reel display section 5, vertically long rectangular openings (hereinafter referred to as “main display windows”) 4L, 4C, 4R are provided. These main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are provided with a transparent and transparent member such as glass or plastic as a protective member. Therefore, the operation of rotating and stopping the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is visible from the player side through the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R.

  When the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, the upper, middle, and lower regions in the three main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are arranged on the surfaces of the corresponding main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. One symbol out of the plurality of symbols displayed is displayed. That is, in each main display window 4L, 4C, 4R, three consecutive symbols out of a plurality of symbols arranged on the surface of the corresponding main reel 3L, 3C, 3R are displayed.

  A sub reel display unit 10 is provided in front of the front door 1 b and above the main reel display unit 5. Three sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are provided in a horizontal row behind the sub reel display unit 10 and inside the cabinet 1a. Hereinafter, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are referred to as a left sub reel 23L, a middle sub reel 23C, and a right sub reel 23R, respectively.

  The sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R have a cylindrical structure whose diameter is larger than that of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R described above, and are driven by stepping motors 149L, 149C, and 149R (see FIG. 4) described later. Rotate and stop vertically in the vertical direction. A plurality of types of symbols are continuously arranged at predetermined intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. In this example, the number of symbols arranged on the surface of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R and the surface of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is the same.

  At positions corresponding to the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R of the sub reel display unit 10, vertically long rectangular openings (hereinafter referred to as “sub display windows”) 24L, 24C, and 24R are provided. When the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R stops, the upper, middle, and lower regions in the three sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R are arranged on the surfaces of the corresponding sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. One symbol of a plurality of symbols is displayed. That is, in each of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R, three consecutive symbols out of a plurality of symbols arranged on the surface of the corresponding sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, based on the combination of symbols displayed by the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, it is determined whether or not a player is to be given a privilege such as a medal payout. On the other hand, the above determination is not performed for the combination of symbols displayed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. That is, operations such as rotation and stop of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are not targets for determining whether or not to give a bonus to the player.

  The operations of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are mainly directed to the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, in which the combination of symbols related to the provision of benefits is displayed and the type thereof is informed in an easy-to-understand manner to the player. It is done as a purpose. The operations of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are basically performed in conjunction with the operations of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  The sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R are provided with transparent and transparent members such as glass and plastic as protective members. A synthetic resin color film (hereinafter referred to as a smoke film) having a light transmittance lower than that of glass or the like employed as the protective member is attached to the back side of the protective member (that is, the inside of the cabinet 1a). (Illustration omitted).

  In addition, back lamps are provided in the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R at positions corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower regions of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R (not shown). . This back lamp has a part of the peripheral surface of each of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R located in the upper, middle and lower regions of each of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R from the inside to the player side. It is possible to illuminate. As the back lamp, it is preferable to employ a light emitting element having high luminance such as an LED (light emitting diode) or a halogen lamp as a light source.

  When the back lamp is turned off, the operations of rotating and stopping the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R become invisible from the player side by the smoke films of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R. On the other hand, when the back lamp is turned on, the amount of light transmitted through the smoke film increases, so that the rotation of each sub-reel 23L, 23C, 23R and the operation of stopping the sub-reel are transmitted through each sub-display window 24L, 24C, 24R. Visible from the player side.

  In the present embodiment, the corresponding back lamps are turned on and off according to the respective regions (upper, middle, and lower) of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R and the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. Thereby, it is possible to create a state in which each of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is partially invisible or partially visible.

  In the present embodiment, the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R are provided with a protective member such as glass or plastic, and a smoke film is attached to the back side thereof. However, the protective member according to the present invention may be made of glass or the like (smoked glass or the like) whose light transmittance is set lower than colorless and transparent glass or the like. In that case, it is not necessary to stick a smoke film on the back side of the protective member. In addition, for example, a liquid crystal display panel may be adopted, and a visible state and an invisible state may be controlled by adjusting voltage application.

  A 4th reel 110 showing a specific example of the notification reel is provided above the sub reel display unit 10 and inside the cabinet 1a. The 4th reel 110 rotates and stops in the horizontal direction by driving a stepping motor 249 (see FIG. 4) described later. The operations such as the rotation of the 4th reel 110 and the stop thereof are performed mainly for the purpose of production in the same manner as the operations of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R.

  One opening (hereinafter referred to as “4th display window”) 112 is formed above the sub reel display portion 10 and at a position corresponding to the 4th reel 110. The 4th display window 112 is provided with a transparent and transparent member such as glass as a protective member. Therefore, the rotation and stop operation of the 4th reel 110 can be viewed from the player side through the 4th display window 112.

  On the right side of the main reel display section 5, a medal slot 22 for receiving medals is provided. When one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 22, one is counted as the number of medals inserted to obtain the result of one internal lottery (hereinafter referred to as the inserted number). When the inserted number reaches the maximum number (three or two in the present embodiment), the number of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 thereafter is a predetermined number (50 in the present embodiment). ) Is stored (credited) in the gaming machine 1.

  On the left side of the main reel display portion 5, a 1-bet button 11 and a maximum-bet button 13 that are used when selecting the number of inserted coins from medals stored in the gaming machine 1 are provided. When the 1-bet button 11 is pressed once, “1” is selected as the inserted number, and when the maximum bet button 13 is pressed once, “2” or “3” is selected as the inserted number.

  On the left side of the sub-reel display unit 10, a payout display unit 18a and a credit display unit 18b each including a 7-segment LED are provided. The payout display unit 18a displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player (hereinafter referred to as “payout number”) when a combination of symbols related to winning is displayed along effective lines 8a to 8e described later. To do. The credit display unit 18b displays the number of medals owned by the player stored in the gaming machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as “credit number”).

  Below the 1-bet button 11 is provided a settlement button 14 for discharging medals deposited in the gaming machine 1 from a medal payout opening 15 provided at the lower front. The medals discharged from the medal payout opening 15 are stored in the medal receiving part 16.

  Below the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a start lever 6 for starting the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is provided. Further, on the right side of the start lever 6, there are provided three stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R for stopping the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, respectively.

  In this example, when all the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R (sub-reels 23L, 23C, 23R) are rotating, it is indicated that any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R is pressed. This is called “1 stop operation”. Subsequently, when the remaining two of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R (sub-reels 23L, 23C, 23R) are rotating, the fact that any one of the corresponding stop buttons is pressed is “second stop”. This is called “operation”. And, when the remaining one of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R (sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R) is rotating, pressing the corresponding stop button is referred to as a “third stop operation”. Further, the first reel stop is referred to as “first stop”, the second reel stop is referred to as “second stop”, and the third reel stop is referred to as “third stop”.

  Lamps 101L and 101R made of LEDs are provided on the upper portion of the front door 1b. Speakers 21L and 21R are provided below the front door 1b. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the operation of the 4th reel 110, the output of light by the lamps 101L, 101R and the above-described back lamp, the output of sound by the speakers 21L, 21R, or these Produce by combination.

  Next, the effective line and the effect line will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main reel display unit 5 and the sub reel display unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the main display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R has a pseudo line (hereinafter referred to as “a pseudo line”) that connects one of predetermined regions among the three regions of the upper, middle, and lower stages. , Referred to as an “effective line”). It is determined whether or not a prize is won based on a combination of symbols displayed along the active line.

  In the present embodiment, five types of effective lines are provided: a cross-up effective line 8a, a top effective line 8b, a center effective line 8c, a bottom effective line 8d, and a cross-down effective line 8e. For example, the cross-up effective line 8a is composed of a combination of the upper stage of the left main display window 4L, the middle stage of the middle main display window 4C, and the lower stage of the right main display window 4R, and the top effective line 8b includes the main display windows 4L and 4C. , 4R.

  Each of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R has a pseudo line (hereinafter referred to as “production line”) connecting any one of the three regions including the upper, middle, and lower stages. ") Is formed. By the combination of symbols displayed along the effect line, an effect is provided informing the player that the winning has been established and its type.

  In the present embodiment, there are provided five types of effect lines, a cross-up effect line 28a, a top effect line 28b, a center effect line 28c, a bottom effect line 28d, and a cross-down effect line 28e. For example, the top effect line 28b is composed of an upper combination of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R.

<Description of main control circuit>
Next, a circuit configuration example including a main control circuit 71 that controls the operation of the gaming machine 1 and a sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and is added with a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 30 includes a main CPU 31 and ROM 32 and RAM 33 which are storage means. The ROM 32 has a control program (see FIGS. 19 to 28) executed by the main CPU 31, various tables (see FIGS. 5 to 12) such as an internal lottery table described later, and various control commands (see FIG. 5 to FIG. 12). Data for transmitting a command) is stored. The RAM 33 is provided with various storage areas (see FIGS. 13 and 14) such as an internal winning combination storage area, which will be described later, and stores various data.

  The main CPU 31 is connected to a clock pulse generation circuit 34, a frequency divider 35, a random number generator 36, and a sampling circuit 37. The clock pulse generation circuit 34 and the frequency divider 35 generate a reference clock pulse. Based on the generated reference clock pulse, an interrupt process described later is performed. The random number generator 36 generates a certain range of random numbers (for example, 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 37 extracts (samples) one value (hereinafter, random number value) from the random number generated by the random number generator 36.

  The main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 30 include a display unit (payout display unit 18a and credit display unit 18b), a hopper 40, stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R. Each output port of the microcomputer 30 is connected to each circuit for receiving the control signal output from the main CPU 31 and controlling the operation of each actuator. Each circuit includes a display unit driving circuit 48, a motor driving circuit 39, and a hopper driving circuit 41.

  The display unit driving circuit 48 controls display of various information (payout number and credit number) by the payout display unit 18a and the credit display unit 18b. The hopper drive circuit 41 controls the driving of the hopper 40 that functions as a medal payout device that can accommodate a large amount of medals and can discharge them one by one, and controls the discharge of medals.

  The motor drive circuit 39 outputs the pulses from the main control circuit 71 to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, thereby controlling the driving of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, and the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Controls rotation and its stop. In the present embodiment, gears (not shown) that transmit the rotations of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R to the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R with a predetermined reduction ratio are provided. As a result, when a predetermined number of pulses (for example, 16 times) are output to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R rotate by one symbol arranged on the surface thereof. It has come to be.

  In addition, switches and the like are connected to each input port of the microcomputer 30. These switches and the like input a predetermined signal to the microcomputer 30 as a trigger for controlling the actuators described above. Specifically, a start switch 6S, a stop switch 7S, a 1-bet switch 11S, a maximum bet switch 13S, a settlement switch 14S, a medal sensor 22S, a main reel position detection circuit 50, and a payout completion signal circuit 51 are included in each microcomputer 30. Connected to the input port.

  The start switch 6S detects the operation of the start lever 6, and the stop switch 7S detects that the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed. The 1-bet switch 11S detects that the 1-bet button 11 is pressed, and the maximum bet switch 13S detects that the maximum bet button 13 is pressed. The settlement switch 14S detects that the settlement button 14 has been pressed.

  The medal sensor 22S detects that a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 22 passes through a selector (not shown). The selector is a device for selecting whether or not a medal is appropriate in material, shape, and the like, and guides an appropriate medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 to a hopper 40 having a storage unit capable of storing a large amount of medals. A passage is formed. In the present embodiment, the “insertion operation” includes that a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 22 and each of the bet buttons 11 and 13 is pressed.

  The payout completion signal circuit 51 detects whether or not the number of medals discharged from the hopper 40 counted by the medal detection unit 40S has reached the payout number. The main reel position detection circuit 50 receives a pulse signal from a sensor that detects the rotation of each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R (for example, an optical sensor composed of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion) and receives each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R. Detects a reel index indicating that has rotated once.

  The main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are configured to rotate once by outputting drive pulses to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R a predetermined number of times (for example, 336 times). The number of pulses output to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R is counted by a pulse counter provided in the RAM 33. Each time the pulse counter counts the number of driving pulses necessary for rotation for one symbol, the main reel symbol counter provided in the RAM 33 is incremented by one. The main reel symbol counter is provided corresponding to each of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and the value is cleared every time the reel position detection circuit 50 detects the reel index.

  In this embodiment, the number of symbols rotated after the reel index is detected is detected based on the value of the main reel symbol counter, and the rotation of the reel is determined based on the position where the reel index is detected. The position of each symbol in the direction is detected. Note that the number of sliding pieces, which will be described later, is managed by the value of the symbol counter that is updated after each stop button 7L, 7C, 7R is pressed. In addition, symbol counters are similarly provided for the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R and the 4th reel 110.

<Description of sub-control circuit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sub control circuit 72 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 71 and is configured to perform communication in one direction from the main control circuit 71 to the sub control circuit 72. The sub control circuit 72 performs various processes such as determination and execution of the contents of effects based on various commands (such as a start command described later) transmitted from the main control circuit 71. Sub-reel 23L, 23C, 23R, 4th reel 110, speakers 21L, 21R, and lamps 101L, 101R (including a back lamp) are connected to sub-control circuit 72 as main actuators whose operations are controlled.

  The sub control circuit 72 includes a sub CPU 81, a control ROM 82, and an SDRAM 83 as main components. Based on the various commands transmitted from the main control circuit 71, the sub CPU 81 operates the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the 4th reel 110, the sound output, and the sound according to the control program stored in the control ROM 82. Control the light output. The SDRAM 83 is configured as a storage unit for temporarily storing information when the sub CPU 81 executes a control program. The SDRAM 83 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 71.

  The control ROM 82 includes a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area stores a sub CPU control program. This sub CPU control program includes a command input process (see FIG. 31), an effect content determination process (see FIG. 32), and the like, which will be described later.

  The data storage area includes a table storage area, an effect data storage area, a reel data storage area, a lamp data storage area, a sound data storage area, and the like. The table storage area stores various tables, and the effect data storage area stores a plurality of types of effect data. The reel data storage area stores sub reel data and 4th reel data. The lamp data storage area stores lamp data defining a lighting pattern and the like, and the sound data storage area stores sound data such as BGM and sound effects.

  The sub-control circuit 72 includes a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as “DSP”) 90, an audio RAM 91, an A / D converter 88, and an amplifier 89 for controlling the sound output from the speakers 21L and 21R. It has been.

  The DSP 90 is connected to the sub CPU 81 and outputs designated sound data in accordance with a signal (command) output from the sub CPU 81. Data necessary for a task performed by the DSP 90 is expanded in the audio RAM 91. The A / D converter 88 converts sound data from digital to analog. When the sound data is converted to analog, the sound corresponding to the sound data is output from the speakers 21L and 21R via the amplifier 89 which is an amplifier.

  Connected to the sub CPU 81 are lamps 101L and 101R (including a back lamp), a sub reel motor drive circuit 139, a sub reel position detection circuit 150, a 4 th reel motor drive circuit 239, and a 4 th reel position detection circuit 250. ing. The sub CPU 81 controls the light output from the lamps 101L and 101R based on the light lighting pattern stored in the lamp data storage area.

  The sub-reel motor drive circuit 139 and the 4th reel motor drive circuit 239 have the same functions as the functions of the motor drive circuit 39 in the main control circuit 71. The sub reel motor drive circuit 139 outputs a pulse for controlling the driving to the stepping motors 149L, 149C, and 149R, and controls the rotation and stop of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. The 4th reel motor drive circuit 239 outputs a pulse for controlling the drive to the stepping motor 249, and controls the rotation and stop of the 4th reel 110.

  The sub reel position detection circuit 150 and the 4th reel position detection circuit 250 have the same functions as the functions of the reel position detection circuit 50 in the main control circuit 71. The sub reel position detection circuit 150 detects that each sub reel 23L, 23C, 23R has made one rotation. The 4th reel position detection circuit 250 detects that the 4th reel 110 has made one rotation.

  The SDRAM 83 of the sub control circuit 72 is provided with a symbol counter corresponding to each of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R and the 4th reel 110. That is, the position of the symbol in the rotation direction of each of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R and the 4th reel is specified by the value of each symbol counter.

<Description of each table configuration>
Next, a configuration example of each table and each storage area used in the gaming machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the main reel symbol arrangement table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main reel symbol arrangement table is stored in the ROM 32 of the main control circuit 71. The main reel symbol arrangement table includes symbols arranged on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R and symbol positions “0” to “20” of each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R. Is defined. The symbol position is information for identifying the symbol position on the surface of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  On the surface of each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R, "Red 7", "White 7", "BAR", "Cherry", "Bell", "Watermelon", "Replay", "Up Arrow (↑)" , “Vertical line (|)”, “plus (+)”, and “6” symbols are arranged, and a symbol row including a total of 21 symbols is provided. Each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R rotates so that the symbol row moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  In the main reel symbol arrangement table, the symbol position “0” is the position where the symbol displayed in the middle of each main display window 4L, 4C, 4R when the reel index is detected. The symbol positions “0” to “20” are assigned to the positions of the symbols in the order of arrangement in the rotation direction of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Therefore, by referring to the main reel symbol counter and the main reel symbol arrangement table, it is possible to specify the symbol type displayed in the middle of the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R at that time. .

  In this example, “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “up arrow (↑)” arranged at symbol positions “6”, “7”, “8” of the left main reel 3L. Is a specific symbol that suggests the start of production by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. That is, the symbols “vertical line”, “vertical line”, and “up arrow” are stopped and displayed in the main display window 4L, and these symbols represent large arrows that point to the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. This suggests the start of production by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R.

  Next, the internal lottery table determination table used when the main CPU 31 determines the internal lottery table and the number of lotteries will be described with reference to FIG.

  The internal lottery table determination table defines information indicating the internal lottery table and information indicating the number of lotteries corresponding to the gaming state. In this example, a general gaming state, an RB gaming state, and a BB gaming state are provided as gaming states. In this example, the BB gaming state is provided as the gaming state, but since the BB gaming state and the RB gaming state are equivalent, the internal lottery table for the BB gaming state is not shown.

  The gaming state is the type of internal winning combination that may be determined in the internal lottery process (see FIGS. 22 and 23), the probability that the internal winning combination is determined in the internal lottery process, the maximum number of sliding symbols, and the bonus It is a state that is distinguished by whether or not the game is being operated. The number of sliding pieces is the number of symbols that the reels rotate until the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R stop rotating. It is shown by. In this example, the maximum number of sliding pieces of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the maximum number of sliding pieces of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are four. The number of lotteries is the maximum number of times that the main CPU 31 subtracts a lottery value described later from one random number value extracted by the sampling circuit 37.

  Next, an internal lottery table used when the main CPU 31 determines a data pointer associated with the internal winning combination will be described with reference to FIG.

  The internal lottery table defines lottery value information and data pointer information corresponding to the winning number. The winning number is a number provided for the main CPU 31 to identify each of a plurality of types of results related to lottery performed based on one random number value extracted by the sampling circuit 37. In this example, multiple types of internal winning combinations determined in advance are divided into internal winning combinations related to winning a prize, internal winning combinations related to replays, and internal winning combinations related to bonus games, and each category is supported. Thus, a small role / replay data pointer and a bonus data pointer are provided.

  One random number value extracted by the sampling circuit 37 is stored in a predetermined area, and the value stored in this area is sequentially subtracted by a lottery value provided for each winning number. When the result of subtraction becomes a negative value, the winning number corresponding to the lottery value when the negative value is obtained by subtracting is determined as the winning number. The probability of winning each winning number (so-called winning probability) can be calculated by dividing each lottery value by the number of random values (in this example, “65536”).

  In this example, as the internal lottery table, an internal lottery table for general gaming state shown in FIG. 7A and an internal lottery table for RB gaming state shown in FIG. 7B are provided. Thus, the internal lottery table is basically provided corresponding to the gaming state. Note that the internal lottery table may be provided according to a set value or the like that is a value for adjusting the expected value of winning, but illustrations other than the example of the internal lottery table shown in FIG. 7 are omitted.

  Next, an internal winning combination determination table used when the main CPU 31 determines an internal winning combination based on the data pointer will be described with reference to FIG.

  The internal winning combination determination table defines a hit request flag (internal winning combination) corresponding to the data pointer. The hit request flag is basically 1-byte data in which a unique symbol combination is assigned to each bit. The winning request flag is stored in an internal winning combination storing area described later, which is a predetermined area. In this example, as the internal winning combination determination table, an internal winning combination determination table for small combination / replay shown in FIG. 8A and an internal winning combination determination table for bonus shown in FIG. 8B are provided. .

  In the gaming machine 1 of this example, “Cherry”, “Watermelon”, “Bell”, “Special role (a combination of vertical line (|), plus (+), 6 symbols)”, “Replay” ”,“ Cherry + Watermelon + Bell + Special ”,“ BB1 ”,“ BB2 ”, and“ Loose ”. In this example, “watermelon” indicates a predetermined internal winning combination, and “BB1” and “BB2” indicate special internal winning combinations related to the operation of the bonus game. Furthermore, “Replay” indicates an internal winning combination related to the operation of replay.

  In this example, the small role / replay data pointer “6” is drawn only in the RB gaming state. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the lottery / replay data pointer “6” is also drawn in the general gaming state. It is good.

  Next, a symbol combination table used when the main CPU 31 specifies a display combination and when the main CPU 31 determines a payout number corresponding to the display combination will be described with reference to FIG.

  The symbol combination table defines a winning action flag and data indicating the number of payouts corresponding to the symbol combination. In the symbol combination table, the number of payouts is defined according to the number of input. The winning action flag is basically 1-byte data in which a unique symbol combination is assigned to each bit. The winning operation flag is provided for the main CPU 31 to identify a combination of symbols displayed along the active lines 8a to 8e (see FIG. 2).

  Here, the logical sum of the winning action flags corresponding to the combinations of symbols displayed along the active lines 8a to 8e is hereinafter referred to as “display combination”. Hereinafter, “cherry”, “watermelon”, “bell”, and “special role” are collectively referred to as “small role”, and the display of “small role” as a display role is referred to as “winning”. The display of “Replay”, “BB1”, and “BB2” as the display combination is called “operation” or “establishment”.

  For example, when the symbol combination “BELL-BELL-BELL” is displayed along the active line, “00000100” is determined as the winning action flag based on the symbol combination table, and the bell serves as a display combination. When the inserted number is 2, 15 medals are paid out, and when the inserted number is 3, 10 medals are paid out.

  As described above, when a predetermined symbol combination is displayed along the active line, a medal is basically paid out. However, when the symbol combination related to “BB1” or “BB2” is displayed along the activated line, the operation of the big bonus game is started without paying out medals. In other words, when the display combination becomes BB1 or BB2, the gaming state changes from the general gaming state to the BB gaming state (equivalent to the RB gaming state). In addition, when the symbol combination related to “Replay” is displayed along the active line, a state in which the start operation can be performed without performing the throwing operation, that is, a so-called replay is brought about.

  From the above, the symbol combination table basically defines information in which medals are paid out, the bonus game is started, and the benefits given to the player such as replay are associated with each other.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a bonus operation time table referred to by the main CPU 31 when starting the operation of the bonus game will be described.

  The bonus operation time table is used when the main CPU 31 initializes various counters related to the start of operation of the bonus game. The bonus operation time table includes information on the game state flag stored in the game state flag storage area, information on the numerical value stored in the bonus end number counter, information on the numerical value stored in the game possible number counter, and winning Information of numerical values stored in the number counter.

  The gaming state flag is information provided for the main CPU 31 to identify the operating gaming state. The bonus end number counter is a counter provided for the main CPU 31 to count the number of medals paid out in one bonus game. The game possible number counter is a counter provided for the main CPU 31 to count the number of remaining games that can be played in one regular bonus game, the so-called game possible number. The winable number counter is a counter provided for the main CPU 31 to count the number of remaining games in which a combination of symbols related to winning can be displayed in one regular bonus game, the so-called winable number. .

  Next, the main reel stop table group determination table used when the main CPU 31 determines the main reel stop table group based on the data pointer will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main reel stop table group determination table defines the main reel stop table group corresponding to the data pointer, the value stored in the carryover combination storage area, and the gaming state. Each main reel stop table group is composed of a plurality of stop tables used when the main CPU 31 determines the number-of-slide piece determination data in a reel stop control process (see FIG. 24) described later.

  For example, in the general gaming state where the value stored in the carryover combination storage area is “0” (when there is no carryover combination), if the data pointer is “2” (the internal winning combination is “watermelon”), the main CPU 31 Then, “main reel stop table group 3” is determined as the main reel stop table group to be used. The main CPU 31 selects a stop table to be used from the “main reel stop table group 3” based on the pressed stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the stop table used when the main CPU 31 determines the sliding piece number determination data will be described.

  The stop table defines information on the number of pieces of sliding piece determination data corresponding to the symbol position data indicating the stop start position for each of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The sliding piece number determination data is information provided for the main CPU 31 to determine an appropriate number of sliding pieces from a plurality of predetermined sliding pieces (0 to 4 pieces).

  FIG. 12 shows only a portion corresponding to the left main reel 3L of the watermelon stop table (first stop) of the “main reel stop table group 3”. For example, it is assumed that the first stop operation is performed on the stop button 7L when the symbol of the symbol position “3” of the rotating left main reel 3L is displayed in the middle of the main display window 4L. In this case, “4” is determined as the sliding piece number determination data. That is, the symbols “cloud”, “cloud”, and “wing” that are the symbol positions “6”, “7”, and “8” of the left main reel 3L are stopped and displayed in the main display window 4L.

  Next, an example of an internal winning combination storage area (display combination storage area), a carryover combination storage area, and a game state flag storage area will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13A shows an internal winning combination storing area in which data indicating a hit request flag is stored. For example, when “bell” is determined as the internal winning combination in the internal lottery process (see FIGS. 22 and 23), “1” is stored in bit 2 of the internal winning combination storing area. That is, “00000100” is stored in the internal winning combination storing area. Although the illustration of the display combination storage area in which data related to the display combination is stored is omitted, this display combination storage area has the same structure as the internal winning combination storage area.

  FIG. 13B shows a carryover combination storage area in which data relating to a carryover combination is stored. For example, when “BB1” is determined as the internal winning combination in the internal lottery process, “1” is stored in bit 6 of the carryover combination storing area. That is, “01000000” is stored in the carryover combination storage area. Here, when the carryover combination is permitted over one or a plurality of games that a combination of symbols corresponding to the data pointer determined in the internal lottery process described later is allowed to be displayed along one or more games, the data pointer Is provided for the main CPU 31 to identify. A case where there is a carryover combination is hereinafter referred to as “between flags”, and a case where there is no carryover combination is hereinafter referred to as “between non-flags”.

  FIG. 13C shows a game state flag storage area in which data indicating the game state flag is stored. In the content column shown in FIG. 13C, the content of the game state flag corresponding to each bit of the game state flag storage area is shown. For example, when the value stored in the gaming state flag storage area is “00000010”, it indicates that the BB2 gaming state flag is on. Note that the BB2 gaming state flag being ON indicates that the BB2 gaming state is operating.

  In this example, if the BB2 gaming state (the same is true for the BB1 gaming state) is active, the gaming state flag storage area stores “1” in bit 0 and bit 1 because it is the RB gaming state. . That is, the game state flag storage area is “00000011”. On the other hand, “0” is stored in bits 1 and 2 corresponding to the BB1 gaming state flag and BB2 gaming state flag in the gaming state flag storage area, and “0” is stored in bit 0 corresponding to the RB gaming state flag. This indicates that the game is in a general gaming state.

  Next, an example of the effective stop button storage area and the operation stop button storage area will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14A shows an effective stop button storage area in which data indicating stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that are effective to be pressed, that is, so-called effective stop buttons are stored. For example, if the left stop button 7L is not yet pressed, that is, an effective stop button, “1” is stored in bit 0 of the effective stop button storage area. The main CPU 31 identifies stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that have not yet been pressed based on the data stored in the effective stop button storage area.

  FIG. 14B shows an operation stop button storage area in which data indicating stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that have been pressed this time, that is, so-called operation stop buttons, are stored. For example, when the left stop button 7L is a stop button pressed this time, that is, an operation stop button, “1” is stored in bit 0 of the operation stop button storage area. Based on the data stored in the operation stop button storage area, the main CPU 31 identifies the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that have been pressed this time.

  Next, the sub reel symbol arrangement table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sub reel symbol arrangement table is stored in the control ROM 82 of the sub control circuit 72. This sub-reel symbol arrangement table is a correspondence relationship between symbols arranged on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of each sub-reel 23L, 23C, 23R and symbol positions "0" to "20" of each sub-reel 23L, 23C, 23R. Is stipulated. This symbol position is information for identifying the symbol position on the surface of each of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R.

  On the surface of each sub reel 23L, 23C, 23R, there are "Red 7", "White 7", "BAR", "Cherry", "Bell", "Watermelon", "Replay", "Wings", "Clouds" Any symbol is arranged, and a symbol row composed of a total of 21 symbols is provided. Each sub reel 23L, 23C, 23R rotates so that the symbol row moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  In the sub reel symbol arrangement table, the symbol position “0” is a position where a symbol displayed in the middle stage in each of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R when the reel index is detected. The symbol positions “0” to “20” are assigned to the positions of the symbols in the order of arrangement in the rotation direction of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. Therefore, by referring to the sub-reel symbol counter and the sub-reel symbol arrangement table, it is possible to specify the symbol type displayed in the middle of each of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R.

  The symbol rows of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are configured substantially the same as the symbol rows of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The portions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R that are different from the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are the symbol positions “6”, “7”, “8” of the left sub reel 23L and the symbol position “7” of the middle sub reel 23C, Only the symbol arranged at the symbol position “10” of the sub reel 23R.

  In this example, the symbol “cloud” is arranged at the symbol positions “6” and “7” of the left sub reel 3L, the symbol position “7” of the middle sub reel 23C, and the symbol position “10” of the right sub reel 23R. A symbol “wing” is arranged at the symbol position “8” of the left sub reel 23L.

  The sliding piece number determination data for the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is determined using the same stop table that is used when determining the sliding piece number determination data for the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Therefore, when the symbols “6”, “7” and “8” on the left main reel 3L are stopped and displayed in the main display window 4L, the symbol positions “6” and “7” on the left sub reel 23L are displayed. , "8" symbol is stopped and displayed in the sub display window 24L. That is, when the symbols “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” stop in the main display window 4L, “clouds”, “Cloud” and “Wings” symbols are stopped.

  Next, the symbol combination correspondence table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The symbol combination correspondence table is stored in the control ROM 82 of the sub control circuit 72. This symbol combination correspondence table defines the correspondence between the symbol combinations displayed by the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, the symbol combinations displayed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, and the display combination. In this example, the combination of symbols displayed by the main reels 3L, 3C, and 23R and the combination of symbols displayed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are in a one-to-one correspondence.

  For example, when the combination of symbols displayed by the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is “vertical line (|) -plus (+)-6” (special role), the symbols displayed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R. The combination is “cloud-cloud-cloud”.

  Next, a sub reel stop table group determination table used when the sub CPU 81 determines a sub stop table group based on the data pointer will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sub reel stop table group determination table is used in a sub reel stop table group determination process (see FIG. 33) described later. The sub-reel stop table group determination table defines sub-reel stop table groups corresponding to the data pointer, the value stored in the carryover combination storage area, and the gaming state. Each sub-reel stop table group is composed of a plurality of stop tables used when determining the number of sliding pieces for determining the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. In this example, the sub reel stop table group and the main reel stop table group are constituted by a common stop table.

  Next, the 4th reel symbol arrangement table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The 4th reel symbol arrangement table is stored in the control ROM 82 of the sub-control circuit 72. This 4th reel symbol arrangement table defines the correspondence between symbols arranged on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the 4th reel 110 and these symbol positions “0” to “5”. This symbol position is information for identifying the symbol position on the surface of the 4th reel 110.

  On the surface of the 4th reel 110, “blank”, “?”, “Star”, “x”, “7”, and “re-challenge” are arranged for the symbol positions “0” to “5”, respectively. . Any one of these six symbols is displayed on the 4th display window 112 (see FIG. 1). In the 4th reel symbol arrangement table, the symbol position “0” is the position where the symbol displayed in the 4th display window 112 when the reel index is detected. Thereby, the type of the symbol displayed on the 4th display window 112 can be specified by referring to the symbol counter for the 4th reel and the symbol arrangement table for the 4th reel.

<Description of main control circuit operation>
Next, the operation of the main control circuit 71 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, a main flowchart showing main processing executed by the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, the main CPU 31 performs an initialization process (step S1). As an initialization process, the main CPU 31 checks whether the RAM 33 is normal, initializes an input / output port, and the like. When the initialization process is completed, the main CPU 31 performs a bonus operation monitoring process (see FIG. 21) described later (step S2). The main CPU 31 deletes the information in the designated storage area before performing the bonus operation monitoring process. For example, the main CPU 31 clears data stored in the internal winning combination storing area, the operation stop button storing area, and the effective stop button storing area.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs medal reception / start check processing (see FIG. 22), which will be described later (step S3). After the medal acceptance / start check process, the main CPU 31 extracts a random value and stores the extracted random value in the random value storage area of the RAM 33 (step S4). Specifically, the main CPU 31 extracts a random value from the range of “0” to “65535” by the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37, and stores the extracted random value in the random value storage area of the RAM 33. The random number value extracted by the main CPU 31 is used in an internal lottery process (see FIGS. 23 and 24) described later.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs an internal lottery process (see FIGS. 23 and 24) (step S5). In the internal lottery process, the main CPU 31 determines an internal winning combination with reference to an internal lottery table determination table (see FIG. 6), an internal lottery table (see FIG. 7), and an internal winning combination determination table (see FIG. 8).

  Next, the main CPU 31 refers to the main reel stop table group determination table (see FIG. 11), and determines the main reel stop table group based on the gaming state and the internal winning combination determined in step S7. (Step S6).

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a start command in a communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S7). The start command includes information such as a gaming state and an internal winning combination. Thereby, the sub-control circuit 72 can produce an effect according to the start operation.

  The subsequent processing is shown in FIG. Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the start of the previous reel rotation (step S8). If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed, the main CPU 31 stops the operation to digest 4.1 seconds as the waiting time (step S9). If 4.1 seconds have elapsed, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S10.

  Next, the main CPU 31 requests the start of rotation of all reels (step S10). When the start lever 6 is operated, the main CPU 31 rotates the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R via the motor drive circuit 39.

  Next, the main CPU 31 waits for a constant speed of rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R (step S11). When the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R reaches a constant speed (a preset rotation speed), the main CPU 31 controls the driving of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R via the motor drive circuit 39, and the main reels The rotation speed of 3L, 3C, 3R is maintained at a constant speed.

  When the rotation speed of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R becomes a constant speed, or when the main reel lock flag is determined to be on in the process of step S19 described later, the main CPU 31 determines that all the stop buttons 7L, 7C , 7R are activated (step S12). In this process, the main CPU 31 stores “1” in bits 0 to 2 of the effective stop button storage area corresponding to each of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R. By storing “1” in bits 0 to 2 of the effective stop button storage area, the pressing operation of the three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R becomes effective.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a reel stop control process (see FIG. 25) described later (step S13). In the reel stop control process, the main CPU 31 stops the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R based on a stop signal output from the stop switch 7S by the stop operation of the player.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the main reel lock flag is on (step S14). The main reel lock flag is a flag provided for temporarily prohibiting rotation and stop control of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The main reel lock flag is turned on in a main reel lock determination process (see FIG. 26) described later.

  When the main reel lock flag is determined to be on in the determination step S14, the main CPU 31 turns off the main reel lock flag (step S15), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  When determining that the main reel lock flag is not ON in the process of the determination step S14, the main CPU 31 refers to the symbol combination table (see FIG. 9), and the symbol combinations displayed along the active lines 8a to 8e. The display combination and the number of medals to be paid out are determined based on (step S16). In this process, the main CPU 31 determines the display combination based on the code number of the symbols displayed along the effective lines 8a to 8e and the symbol combination table. Further, the main CPU 31 updates the display combination storing area and updates the information on the number of payouts corresponding to the display combination.

  Specifically, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a combination of symbols corresponding to the determined internal winning combination is displayed along the active line corresponding to the active line counter. Thereafter, the effective line counter is decremented by “1”, and this process is repeated until the effective line counter becomes “0”. Since “5” is stored in the valid line counter by the medal acceptance / start check process (see FIG. 22), the main CPU 31 displays a display combination for each of the five valid lines 8a to 8e (see FIG. 2). Determine the number of medals to be paid out.

  When “replay” is determined as the display combination, the main CPU 31 stores the number of medals that can be replayed (“3” in the general gaming state) in the automatic insertion counter. When “Replay” is the display combination, the automatic insertion counter counts the number of medals to be automatically inserted in the next game.

  When the display combination and the number of medals to be paid out are determined, the main CPU 31 performs a main reel lock determination process (see FIG. 26) (step S17). In the main reel lock determination process, the main reel lock flag is turned on when the symbol of the symbol position “7” of the left main reel 3L is stopped at the symbol stop position (middle stage of the main display window 4L).

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets the display combination command in the communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S18). The display combination command includes information on the determined display combination and the number of medals to be paid out.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the main reel lock flag is on (step S19). That is, it is determined whether or not the main reel lock flag is turned on in the previous step S18. When determining that the main reel lock flag is on, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S12.

  When determining that the main reel lock flag is not on in the process of the determination step S19, the main CPU 31 performs a medal payout process for paying out medals based on the medal payout number determined in the process of step S16 (step S16). S20).

  In the medal payout process, the main CPU 31 updates the credit counter set in the RAM 33 based on the payout number in the credit mode. When the credit counter is updated, the value of the credit counter is displayed on the credit display unit 18b. In the payout mode, the main CPU 31 controls the hopper 40 by the hopper drive circuit 41 to pay out medals.

  Further, when the bonus end number counter is “1” or more, the main CPU 31 subtracts the medal payout number determined in step S16 from the value of the bonus end number counter.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the bonus game is in operation (step S21). That is, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the RB gaming state flag is on. When determining that the bonus game is in operation (the RB gaming state flag is on), the main CPU 31 performs a bonus end check process (see FIG. 27) (step S22), and proceeds to the process of step S23.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the bonus game is not in operation (the RB gaming state flag is OFF), or when the bonus end check process is completed, the main CPU 31 performs a bonus operation check process (see FIG. 28). (Step S23). When the bonus operation check process ends, the main CPU 31 returns the process to step S2 again.

  As described above, the main CPU 31 executes the processes from steps S2 to S23 as processes in one unit game. When the process up to step S18 is completed, the process proceeds to step S2 in order to execute the process in the next unit game.

  Next, the bonus operation monitoring process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The bonus operation monitoring process is a process for continuing the RB gaming state during the BB gaming state.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB gaming state flag (see FIG. 13C) is on (step S31). That is, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB1 gaming state flag or the BB2 gaming state flag is on. When determining that the BB gaming state flag is not on, the main CPU 31 ends the bonus operation monitoring process and moves the process to the main flow (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  On the other hand, when determining that the BB gaming state flag is on, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the RB gaming state flag is on (step S32). When the main CPU 31 determines that the RB gaming state flag is on, the main CPU 31 ends the bonus operation monitoring process and shifts the process to the main flow.

  On the other hand, when the main CPU 31 determines that the RB gaming state flag is not ON, the main CPU 31 performs RB operation processing based on the bonus operation table (see FIG. 10) (step S33). Specifically, the main CPU 31 sets “8” in the possible game number counter and the possible winning number counter, respectively, and turns on the RB gaming state flag. Thereafter, the main CPU 31 ends the bonus operation monitoring process and shifts the process to the main flow.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22, the medal acceptance / start check process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described. The medal acceptance / start check process is a process for detecting a medal insertion operation and a game start operation performed by the player.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the value of the automatic insertion counter is “0” (step S41). When determining that the value of the automatic insertion counter is not “0”, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S43. Here, the automatic insertion counter is data for identifying whether or not “replay” has been established in the previous unit game. When “replay” is established, medals for the number of replayable games are automatically inserted. On the other hand, when the main CPU 31 determines that the value of the automatic insertion counter is “0”, the main CPU 31 permits passage of medals (step S42), and proceeds to the processing of step S45.

  On the other hand, when determining that the value of the automatic insertion counter is not “0”, the main CPU 31 copies the automatic insertion counter to the insertion number counter (step S43) and clears the automatic insertion counter (step S44). Here, the inserted number counter is data for counting game values (for example, medals).

  When the passage of medals is permitted in the process of step S42, or when the automatic insertion counter is cleared in the process of step S44, the main CPU 31 sets “3” as the maximum value of the medal insertion number counter (step S45). .

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the RB gaming state flag is on (step S46). When the main CPU 31 determines that the RB gaming state flag is not on, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S48.

  On the other hand, when determining that the RB gaming state flag is on, the main CPU 31 changes the maximum value of the medal insertion number counter to “2” (step S47). In this example, the number of inserted medals in the general gaming state is defined as “3”, and the number of inserted medals in the RB gaming state is defined as “2”. Therefore, the main CPU 31 sets the maximum value of the number of medals inserted according to the gaming state by the processes of steps S45 and S47.

  When it is determined in step S46 that the RB gaming state flag is not on, or when the maximum value of the inserted number counter is changed to “2” in step S47, the value of the inserted number counter is determined in step S55 described later. When it is determined that it is not the maximum value, or when it is determined that the start switch 6S is not turned on in the process of step S56 described later, the main CPU 31 checks the bet switch and the medal sensor (step S48).

  Specifically, the main CPU 31 identifies the bet switch that is turned on among the bet switches 11 and 13. Then, based on the inserted number counter and the maximum values of the credit counter and the inserted number counter, a value to be added to the inserted number counter is calculated to update the inserted number counter. Further, it is determined whether or not a medal is detected by the medal sensor 22S.

Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a medal has passed (step S49).
When determining that the medal has not passed, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S55. On the other hand, when determining that the medal has passed, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the inserted number counter is the maximum value (step S50).

  In the process of step S50, when determining that the insertion number counter is the maximum value, the main CPU 31 adds “1” to the value of the credit counter (step S54), and proceeds to the process of step S55. Here, the credit counter is data for counting the number of credited medals.

  On the other hand, when determining that the insertion number counter is not the maximum value, the main CPU 31 adds “1” to the value of the insertion number counter (step S51).

  Next, the main CPU 31 stores “5” in the valid line counter (step S52). The valid line counter is data for specifying the number of valid lines, and the display combination is searched based on the valid line counter.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a medal insertion command in the communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S53), and proceeds to the processing of step S55. The medal insertion command includes information on the number of inserted medals.

  When it is determined that the medal has not passed in the process of step S49, when the medal insertion command is set in the process of step S53, or when the credit counter is incremented by “1” in the process of step S54, the main CPU 31 It is determined whether or not the counter value is the maximum value (step S55).

  When the main CPU 31 determines that the value of the insertion number counter is not the maximum value, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S48. On the other hand, when determining that the value of the insertion number counter is the maximum value, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the start switch 6S is on (step S56).

  When the main CPU 31 determines that the start switch 6S is not turned on, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S48. On the other hand, when the main CPU 31 determines that the start switch 6S is on, the main CPU 31 prohibits the passage of any more medals (step S57), ends the medal acceptance / start check process, and the process proceeds to the main flow (FIG. 19). And FIG. 20).

  Next, an internal lottery process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. The internal lottery process is a process for determining an internal winning combination depending on the gaming state or the like.

  First, the main CPU 31 obtains a gaming state flag, and determines the type of the internal lottery table and the number of lotteries according to the gaming state based on the internal lottery table determination table (see FIG. 6) (step S61). That is, the number of lotteries is set to “9” in the general gaming state, and the number of lotteries is set to “1” in the RB gaming state.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the carryover combination storage area (see FIG. 13B) is “00000000” (step S62). That is, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the gaming machine 1 is in the BB carryover state (BB1 carryover state or BB2 carryover state). Normally, in the general gaming state, the probability that “BB” (BB1 or BB2) will win internally is low, and the probability that “BB” is established is also low. For this reason, in order to prevent the internally won “BB” from being expired in one game, a carryover combination storage area is provided in which “BB” can be carried over as a carryover for a plurality of games. The carryover combination stored in the carryover combination storage area is not cleared when “BB” is established, that is, until the operation of the big bonus game is started.

  When the main CPU 31 determines that the carryover combination storage area is “00000000”, that is, determines that the carryover combination storage area is not in the BB carryover state, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S64.

  When the main CPU 31 determines that the carryover combination storage area is not “00000000”, that is, the BB carryover state, the main CPU 31 subtracts “2” from the number of lotteries in the internal lottery table for the general gaming state (step S63). Here, “2” is subtracted from the number of lotteries in the internal lottery table for the general gaming state when the identifier of BB1 or BB2 is stored in the carryover combination storage area, the lottery of “BB1” or “BB2” is again performed. Because it does not. That is, in the BB carryover state, the number of lotteries in the general gaming state internal lottery table is seven from the winning numbers 1 to 7.

  After subtracting “2” from the number of lotteries in the general gaming state internal lottery table in the process of step S63 or when determining in the process of step S62 that the carryover combination storage area is “00000000”, the main CPU 31 Then, the random value stored in the random value storage area is acquired and set as random number data (step S64).

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets the same value as the number of lotteries as a winning number, and acquires a lottery value corresponding to the winning number with reference to the internal lottery table (step S65). Subsequently, the main CPU 31 subtracts the lottery value from the random number data (step S66).

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not a digit has been obtained as a result of subtracting the lottery value from the random number data (step S67). In other words, it is determined whether or not the result of the calculation in step S66 is negative. When it is determined that a digit has been made, the main CPU 31 obtains the small role / replay data pointer and the bonus data pointer (step S71), and proceeds to the processing of step S72.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination step S67 that no digit has been made, the main CPU 31 subtracts “1” from the number of lotteries (step S68). At this time, the result of subtracting the lottery value from the random number data in the process of step S66 is set as new random number data. Subsequently, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the number of lotteries is “0” (step S69).

  When determining in the determination step S69 that the number of lotteries is not “0”, the main CPU 31 shifts the process to step S65 again. That is, the main CPU 31 sets the same value as the number of lotteries as the winning number, and acquires the lottery value corresponding to the winning number with reference to the internal lottery table.

  On the other hand, when determining that the number of lotteries is “0” in the determination step S69, the main CPU 31 sets “0” as the small role / replay data pointer and the bonus data pointer (step S70).

  When “0” is set as the data pointer in the process of step S70, or when the data pointer is acquired in the process of step S71, the main CPU 31 determines the internal winning combination determination table for small role / replay (FIG. 8A). The internal winning combination (winning request flag) is acquired based on the small combination / replay data pointer (step S72). Subsequently, the main CPU 31 stores the acquired internal winning combination (winning request flag) in the corresponding internal winning combination storing area (step S73).

  The subsequent processing is shown in FIG. Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the carryover combination storage area is “00000000” (step S74). When determining that the carryover combination storage area is not “00000000”, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S77.

  On the other hand, when determining that the carryover combination storing area is “00000000”, the main CPU 31 refers to the bonus internal winning combination determination table (see FIG. 8B) and determines the internal winning combination based on the bonus data pointer. A combination (winning request flag) is acquired (step S75). Subsequently, the main CPU 31 stores the acquired internal winning combination (winning request flag) in the carryover combination storage area (step S76).

  When the winning request flag acquired in the process of step S76 is stored in the carryover combination storage area, or when it is determined in determination step S75 that the carryover combination storage area is not “00000000”, the main CPU 31 stores the carry request combination storage area in the carryover combination storage area. The stored data is acquired, and the logical sum of this data and the data stored in the internal symbol combination storage area is stored in the internal symbol combination storage area (step S77). Thereafter, the main CPU 31 ends the internal lottery process and shifts the process to the main flow (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  Next, the reel stop control process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The reel stop control process is a process for stopping the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R based on the internal winning combination or the timing of the stop operation by the player.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the effective stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed (step S81). When the main CPU 31 determines that the valid stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are not pressed, the main CPU 31 shifts the process to step S81 again and waits for a stop button pressing operation.

  On the other hand, when the main CPU 31 determines that the valid stop button stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R have been pressed, the main CPU 31 invalidates the pressing operation of the operation stop button that is the stop button that has been pressed (step S82). . That is, the main CPU 31 sets the value of the effective stop button storage area (see FIG. 14A) corresponding to the stop button for which the pressing operation has been performed to “0”, and the operation corresponding to the stop button for which the pressing operation has been performed. The value of the stop button storage area (see FIG. 14B) is set to “1”.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the main reel lock flag is on (step S83). When determining that the main reel lock flag is on, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S89. Here, when the main reel lock flag is on, the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop control thereof are temporarily prohibited, so that the subsequent reel stop control is not performed. A reel stop command is set.

  When determining that the main reel lock flag is not ON in the process of the determination step S83, the main CPU 31 stops the operation based on the operation stop button from the determined main reel stop table group (see step S6 in FIG. 19). A table is selected, and sliding piece number determination data corresponding to the main reel symbol counter is stored (step S84). The sliding piece number determination data is stored in the RAM 33.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets “5” as the number of checks (step S85). This is because the maximum number of sliding pieces of each main reel 3L, 3C, 3R is set to “4”. That is, by setting “5” as the number of checks, the number of sliding pieces “0” to “4” is checked.

  Next, the main CPU 31 searches for a symbol position having a higher priority within the range of the number of checks from the symbol position corresponding to the main reel symbol counter (step S86). For example, “BB1” is determined as the internal winning combination in the general gaming state, and as a result of the rotation of the left main reel 3L and the middle main reel 3C being stopped, the “red 7” along the bottom effective line 8d (see FIG. 2). ”Is displayed. It is assumed that the stop start position of the rotating right main reel 3R is the symbol position “16” (see FIG. 5). At this time, in the range of symbol positions “16” to “20” of the right main reel 3R (in this example, the maximum number of sliding symbols is set to “4”), the symbol “red 7” is selected. The symbol position “19” that can be displayed along the bottom effective line 8d is determined as the symbol position with the highest priority.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines the number of sliding symbols based on the stored number of sliding symbol determination data and the result of the searched symbol position having the higher priority (step S87). Thereby, each main reel 3L, the symbol at the symbol position corresponding to the value obtained by adding the value determined as the number of sliding symbols to the stop start position is displayed in the middle of each main display window 4L, 4C, 4R. The rotation of 3C and 3R is stopped.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a stop control position waiting process (step S88). Specifically, the main CPU 31 stops the reel stop control process until a reel control process of an interrupt process (see FIG. 29) described later is performed based on the stop control position determined by the determined number of sliding symbols. The main CPU 31 resumes the reel stop control process when the corresponding reel is stopped by the reel control process of the interrupt process.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a reel stop command in a communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S89). The reel stop command includes data indicating the type of the stopped reel, information on a stop control position corresponding to the value of the symbol counter, and the like. If it is determined in the process of the determination step S83 that the main reel lock flag is on, a reel stop command in which information on the type of stop button operated and information on the stop order is updated is set in the communication data storage area. The

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not there is a stop button for which the pressing operation is valid (step S90). That is, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not any of bits 0 to 2 of the effective stop button storage area is “1”. When determining that there is a stop button for which the pressing operation is valid, the main CPU 31 shifts the process to step S81 again and repeats the reel stop control process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotation of all the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R has stopped and there is no stop button for which the pressing operation is effective, the main CPU 31 ends the reel stop control process, and the process proceeds to the main flow (FIG. 19). And FIG. 20).

  Next, the main reel lock determination process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The main reel lock determination process is a process for turning on the main reel lock flag when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the symbol position “7” of the left main reel 3L is in the middle of the main display window 4L, which is the symbol stop position (step S101). When the main CPU 31 determines that the symbol position “7” of the left main reel 3L is not at the symbol stop position, the main CPU 31 ends the main reel lock determination processing and shifts the processing to the main flow (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  On the other hand, when determining that the symbol position “7” of the left main reel 3L is at the symbol stop position, the main CPU 31 turns on the main reel lock flag (step S102). Thereafter, the main CPU 31 ends the main reel lock determination process and shifts the process to the main flow.

  Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 27, a bonus end check process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described. The bonus end check process is a process for performing a check for ending the bonus game when a bonus game end condition is satisfied.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the value of the bonus end number counter is “0” (step S121). In this example, when the bonus operation is started, “400 (BB1)” or “345 (BB2)” is set to the value of the bonus end number counter by the bonus operation check process (see FIG. 28). Each time a prize is won, the payout number is subtracted from the value of the bonus end number counter, and when the value of the bonus end number counter becomes “0” (a negative value is regarded as “0”), the bonus is increased. finish.

  When determining that the value of the bonus end number counter is not “0” in the process of determination step S121, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S124. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the bonus end number counter is “0” in the process of determination step S121, the main CPU 31 performs a BB end time process (step S122). Specifically, the main CPU 31 turns off the BB operating flag that is on, and turns off the RB operating flag when the RB operating flag is on.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a bonus end command in the communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S123), and shifts the processing to the main flow (see FIGS. 19 and 20). The bonus end command includes information indicating that the bonus game has ended.

  When determining that the value of the bonus end number counter is not “0” in the determination step S121, the main CPU 31 subtracts “1” from the values of the winning possible number counter and the possible gaming number counter (step S124). . Subsequently, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the subtracted winning count counter and the possible gaming count counter are “0” (step S125).

  When the main CPU 31 determines that the values of the winable number counter and the possible game number counter are not “0”, the main CPU 31 ends the bonus end check process and shifts the process to the main flow. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the winning possible number counter and the possible number of games counter is “0”, the main CPU 31 performs RB end processing (step S126). Specifically, the main CPU 31 performs processing such as turning off the RB operating flag. When the main CPU 31 performs the RB end process, the main CPU 31 ends the bonus end check process, and moves the process to the main flow.

  Next, a bonus operation check process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The bonus operation check process is a process for performing a check for operating a bonus game or the like based on the determined display combination type or the like.

  First, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the display combination is “BB1” or “BB2” (step S131). That is, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not “red 7-red 7-red 7” or “red 7-red 7-white 7” symbols are aligned along the active line. When it is determined that the display combination is not “BB1” or “BB2”, the main CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S134.

  When determining that the display combination is “BB1” or “BB2” in the determination step S131, the main CPU 31 performs the bonus operation according to the displayed bonus based on the bonus operation table (see FIG. 10). Processing is performed (step S132). Specifically, the main CPU 31 sets “400 (BB1)” or “345 (BB2)” to the bonus end number counter based on the bonus operation time table, and the gaming state flag storage area (FIG. 13C). (See BB) flag is turned on.

  Next, the main CPU 31 sets a bonus start command in the communication data storage area provided in the RAM 33 (step S133), and shifts the processing to the main flow (see FIGS. 19 and 20). The bonus start command includes information indicating that the bonus game has started.

  When determining that the display combination is not “BB1” or “BB2” in the determination step S131, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the display combination is “replay” (step S134). When determining that the display combination is not “replay”, the main CPU 31 shifts the processing to the main flow. On the other hand, when determining that the display combination is “replay”, the main CPU 31 copies the value of the insertion number counter to the automatic insertion counter (step S135), and shifts the processing to the main flow. As a result, the same number of medals as the inserted number are awarded and automatically inserted.

  Next, an interrupt process performed under the control of the main CPU 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The interrupt process under the control of the main CPU 31 is a process that occurs every predetermined period (for example, 1.1173 milliseconds).

  First, the main CPU 31 saves the register (step S141). Next, the main CPU 31 performs an input port check process (step S142). Specifically, the main CPU 31 checks input of signals from each switch and the like.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs an input state command setting process (step S143). The input state command is a command for notifying the sub control circuit 72 of the input state of the start lever 6 and the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R. That is, the main CPU 31 checks the input of the start lever 6 and the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R, and sets the input state command in the communication data storage area of the control RAM 33.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs communication data transmission processing (step S144). Specifically, the main CPU 31 transmits various commands set in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 to the sub-control circuit 72.

  The sub control circuit 72 can specify that the stop button 7L, 7C, 7R has been pressed and its type based on the command transmitted in step S134. Therefore, the sub control circuit 72 can stop the rotation of the corresponding sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R based on the transmitted command. That is, in this example, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R managed by the sub control circuit 72 can be stopped based on the timing when the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pressed.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a reel control process (step S145). Specifically, if the start of rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is requested, the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started, and thereafter, rotation at a constant speed is performed. If the stop control position is determined, the main reel symbol counter of the corresponding main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is updated to the same value as the stop control position, and the rotation is decelerated. And stop.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a lamp / 7 SEG drive process (step S146). Specifically, the main CPU 31 performs processing such as displaying the number of payouts on the payout display unit 18a and displaying the number of credits on the credit display unit 18b. Next, the main CPU 31 performs a timer management process (step S147). In this process, various timers are updated. The main CPU 31 then restores the register (step S148) and ends the interrupt process.

<Description of operation of sub-control circuit>
Next, the operation of the sub control circuit 72 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, the interrupt control process performed by the sub CPU 81 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the sub CPU 81 performs an initialization process (step S201). Specifically, initialization processing of a predetermined area in the SDRAM 83 is performed. Next, the sub CPU 81 performs a command input process (see FIG. 31) described later (step 202). In the command input process, an unprocessed command execution process is performed.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 performs an effect content determination process (see FIG. 32) described later (step S203). In the effect content determination process, effect data corresponding to various commands is set, and the execution process of the effect data is performed. Next, the sub CPU 81 performs a command output process (step S204), and moves the process to step S202. In the command output process, a production sound is output from the speakers 21L and 21R, and the lamps 101L and 101R are caused to emit light.

  Next, command input processing performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether there is an unprocessed command (step S211). When determining that there is no unprocessed command, the sub CPU 81 ends the command input process and moves the process to an interrupt control process (see FIG. 30).

  When determining in step S211 that there is an unprocessed command, the sub CPU 81 performs an execution process according to the type of the unprocessed command (step S212), and sets the command for which the execution process has been processed. (Step S213). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the command input process and shifts the process to an interrupt control process.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 32, the effect content determination process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described.

  First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the sub reel lock flag is off (step S221). The sub reel lock flag is a flag provided for temporarily prohibiting rotation and stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. The sub reel lock flag is turned on in a reel stop command reception process (see FIG. 36) described later.

  In the process of determination step S221, when it is determined that the sub reel lock flag is not OFF, that is, it is ON, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S231. On the other hand, when determining that the sub reel lock flag is OFF, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not a start command has been received (step S222).

  When determining in step S222 that the start command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to step S226. On the other hand, when determining that the start command has been received, the sub CPU 81 performs an effect lottery process (see FIG. 33) described later (step S223). In the effect lottery process, effect data corresponding to the gaming state is set.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 performs a sub reel stop table group determination process (see FIG. 34) described later (step S224). In the sub reel stop table group determination process, a stop table group corresponding to the gaming state is selected. Next, the sub CPU 81 performs a sub reel rotation start process (see FIG. 35) described later (step S225), and proceeds to the process of step S236.

  When determining in step S222 that the start command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 determines whether a reel stop command has been received (step S226). When determining that the reel stop command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S229.

  On the other hand, when determining that the reel stop command has been received, the sub CPU 81 performs a reel stop command reception process (see FIG. 36) described later (step S227). In the reel stop command reception processing, stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is performed based on the operation stop button. Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 sets effect data according to the type of the operation stop button or the like (step S228), and proceeds to the process of step S236.

  When determining in step S226 that the reel stop command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 determines whether a display command has been received (step S229). When determining that the display command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S231.

  On the other hand, when determining that the display command has been received, the sub CPU 81 performs a display combination command reception process (see FIG. 37) described later (step S230). In the display combination command reception process, effect data corresponding to the type of display combination is set. In the display combination command reception process, when the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop control thereof are temporarily prohibited, the rotation start of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is requested. After performing the display combination command reception process, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S236.

  Whether or not the sub-reel lock flag is ON in the process of determination step S221, or when it is determined that the display combination command has not been received in the process of determination step S229, the sub CPU 81 has received a bonus start command or not Is determined (step S231). When determining that the bonus start command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S233.

  On the other hand, when determining that a bonus start command has been received, the sub CPU 81 performs a bonus start command receiving process (see FIG. 38) described later (step S232). In the bonus start command reception process, a process for setting bonus start effect data and turning off the sub reel lock flag is performed.

  When determining in step S231 that the bonus start command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not a bonus end command has been received (step S233). When determining that the bonus end command has not been received, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S236. On the other hand, when determining that the bonus end command has been received, the sub CPU 81 sets bonus end effect data (step S234).

  Next, the sub CPU 81 sets the general game state (sub) in the game / operation state information (sub) held by the sub control circuit 72 (step S235). The general game state (sub) is a game state managed by the sub CPU 81 and is the same state as the general game state managed by the main CPU 31.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 performs an effect execution process based on the set effect data in the processes of steps S223, S228, S230, S232, and S234 (step S236). The effect execution process is a process of reading LED / sound data corresponding to the effect identifier from the control ROM 82. When the effect execution process ends, the sub CPU 81 ends the effect content determination process and returns the process to the interrupt control process (see FIG. 30).

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 33, an effect lottery process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described.

First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not it is in the RB gaming state (sub) (step S251). When determining that the state is the RB gaming state (sub), the sub CPU 81 refers to the RB gaming state effect determination table and determines and sets the RB operating effect data based on the internal winning combination (step S252). . The RB game state effect determination table defines effect data used in the RB game state corresponding to the internal winning combination. This RB gaming state effect determination table is stored in the control ROM 82.
Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the effect lottery process and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32).

When it is determined in the determination step S251 that the game state is not the RB gaming state (sub), the sub CPU 81 refers to the general gaming state effect determination table, determines the general gaming state effect data based on the internal winning combination, and sets it. (Step S253). The general game state effect determination table defines effect data used in the general game state corresponding to the internal winning combination. This general gaming state effect determination table is stored in the control ROM 82.
Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the effect lottery process and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 34, a sub reel stop table group determination process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described.

  First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not it is in the RB gaming state (sub) (step S261). When determining that the state is the RB gaming state (sub), the sub CPU 81 refers to the sub reel stop table group determination table and determines the sub reel stop table group based on the internal winning combination (step S262). In this example, in the RB gaming state (sub), the sub reel stop table group 13 is determined (see FIG. 17). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the sub reel stop table group determination process, and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32).

  When determining in the determination step S261 that the RB gaming state is not (sub), the sub CPU 81 refers to the sub reel stop table group determination table and determines the sub reel stop table group based on the internal winning combination (step S263). ). In the case of the RB gaming state (sub), in this example, one of the sub reel stop table groups 1 to 12 is determined (see FIG. 17). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the sub reel stop table group determination process, and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 35, sub reel rotation start processing performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described.

  First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the start of the previous reel rotation (step S271). If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed, the operation is stopped to digest 4.1 seconds as the waiting time (step S272). If 4.1 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S273.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 requests rotation start of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R (step S273). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the sub reel rotation start process and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32). When the rotation start of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is requested, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is started by the effect execution process performed in step S236 of the effect content determination process.

  Next, a reel stop command reception process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 81 holds the type and order of the operation stop buttons (step S281). That is, the sub CPU 81 stores the type and order of the operation stop buttons in the SDRAM 83.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 refers to the sub reel stop table group determined in the sub reel stop table group determination process (see FIG. 34), and determines a stop table based on the operation stop button (step S282).

  Next, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the main reel lock flag is on (step S283). When determining that the main reel lock flag is on, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S286. On the other hand, when it is determined that the main reel lock flag is not on, that is, is off, the sub CPU 81 stops at a position where the main reel to be stopped this time is the third stop and the winning or operation is impossible. It is determined whether or not to be performed (step S284).

  In the determination step S284, when it is determined that the main reel to be stopped this time is not the third stop, or that the main reel to be stopped this time is the third stop but is stopped at a position where a winning or operation is possible. The sub CPU 81 then proceeds to the process of step S286.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the main reel to be stopped this time is the third stop and is stopped at a position where winning or operation is impossible, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the sub reel has not been awarded based on the current symbol position. The operating position is searched and the corresponding sub reel stop control is executed (step S285). That is, the sub CPU 81 executes sub reel stop control corresponding to the third stop so that the symbol combinations of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R corresponding to winning or operating are not displayed on the sub display windows 24L, 24C, and 24R. . Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the reel stop command reception process, and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32).

  When it is determined that the main reel lock flag is ON in the process of determination step S283, or in the process of determination step S284, the main reel that is stopped this time is not the third stop, or the main reel that is stopped this time is When it is determined that the stop is at a position where it is the third stop but the winning or operation is possible, the sub CPU 81 refers to the selected stop table and performs stop control of the corresponding sub reel based on the current symbol position. It executes (step S286).

  Next, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not all the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped (step S287). When determining that all the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are not stopped, the sub CPU 81 ends the reel stop command reception process and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the symbol combinations corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” are aligned on the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. A determination is made (step S288). That is, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not a combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-red 7” or “red 7-red 7-white 7” is displayed along any of the effect lines 28a to 28e. To do.

  When it is determined in the processing of determination step S288 that the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is not prepared on the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the processing of step S290.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the symbol combinations corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” are aligned on the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub CPU 81 turns on the sub reel lock flag (step S289). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the reel stop command reception process and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  When the sub reel lock flag is turned on, in the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32), the process proceeds from the process in step S221 to the process in step S231. . Therefore, while the sub reel lock flag is on, the game is advanced based on the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop control thereof.

  In the process of the determination step S288, when it is determined that there is no combination of symbols corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” on the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub CPU 81 rotates the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R. Then, stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is performed based on the return stop control position (step S290). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the reel stop command reception process and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  The return stop control position is displayed in the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R when the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop control thereof are temporarily prohibited. This is the stop position of all symbols (design positions). The stop control position for return is stored in the SDRAM 83 in the display combination command reception process (see FIG. 37).

  When the main lock flag is on, the rotation and stop control of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are temporarily prohibited, and a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is executed. Specifically, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R rotate again and are controlled to stop based on the stop operation.

  When the effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is executed, the stop position of the symbols (symbol positions) of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop position of the symbols (symbol positions) of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are different. End up. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of this example, the special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is finished, and the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is not displayed along the effect lines 28a to 28e. In such a case, the stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is performed based on the return stop control position.

  As a result, the stop positions of the symbols (symbol positions) of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are the same as the stop positions of the symbols (symbol positions) of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R.

  When the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are finished and the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is displayed along the effect lines 28a to 28e, the sub reel lock flag is turned on. (See step S289). Thereby, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R and the stop control thereof are temporarily prohibited.

  Then, when the game by the main reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is progressed and the bonus game is activated, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are rotated and stopped. Thereby, the stop position of the symbols (design positions) of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the stop position of the symbols (design positions) of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are the same.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 37, a display combination command reception process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described.

  First, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the main reel lock flag is on (step S301). When determining that the main reel lock flag is not on, the sub CPU 81 proceeds to the process of step S304.

  On the other hand, when determining that the main reel lock flag is on, the sub CPU 81 uses the symbol positions currently displayed in the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R as the return stop control position. Store in the SDRAM 83 (step S302). Next, the sub CPU 81 requests the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R to start rotation (step S303).

  When a request to start rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is made in the process of step S303, or when it is determined in the process of decision step S301 that the main reel lock flag is not on, the sub CPU 81 determines the type of display combination. Production data is set (step S304). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the display combination command reception process, and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32).

  Next, a bonus start command reception process performed under the control of the sub CPU 81 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 81 sets bonus start effect data (step S311). Next, the sub CPU 81 sets the RB game state (sub) in the game / operation state information (sub) held by the sub control circuit 72 (step S312). The game / operation state information (sub) is an area for storing information on the game state and the operating flag referred to by the sub CPU 81. The RB gaming state (sub) is a gaming state managed by the sub CPU 81 and is the same state as the RB gaming state managed by the main CPU 31.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 determines whether or not the sub reel lock flag is on (step S313). When determining that the sub reel lock flag is not on, the sub CPU 81 ends the bonus start command reception process and returns the process to the effect content determination process (see FIG. 32). On the other hand, when determining that the sub reel lock flag is ON, the sub CPU 81 starts rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R (step S314).

  Next, the sub CPU 81 performs stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R based on the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R currently displayed in the main display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R (step S315). ). Thereby, the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R displayed on the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R are the same as the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. become.

  Next, the sub CPU 81 turns off the sub reel lock flag (step S316). Thereafter, the sub CPU 81 ends the bonus start command reception process, and returns the process to the effect content determination process.

  Next, a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the start lever 6 is operated, the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R start to rotate. At this time, it is assumed that the determined internal winning combination is “watermelon + BB2” (when the winning number of the internal lottery table for general gaming state shown in FIG. 7A is “3”). Further, it is assumed that the “blank” symbol of the 4th reel 110 is displayed in the 4th display window 112 due to the effect performed before the current game.

  FIG. 39 shows a case where a stop operation is performed on each of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and a specific symbol suggesting the start of a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is displayed on the main display window 4L. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state stopped and displayed.

  When “watermelon + BB2” is determined as the internal winning combination, when the first stop operation is performed on the left main reel 3L, the watermelon stop table (for first stop) shown in FIG. 12 is referred to. The sliding piece number determination data is determined. For example, when the symbol of the symbol position “3” of the left main reel 3L is displayed in the middle stage of the main display window 4L, if a stop operation is performed on the left main reel 3L, “slip piece number determination data” 4 "is determined.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 39, the symbols “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “upper” which are symbols of the symbol positions “6”, “7”, “8” of the left main reel 3L. The arrow (↑) ”is stopped and displayed in the main display window 4L. In addition, the symbols “cloud”, “cloud”, and “wing” that are the symbol positions “6”, “7”, and “8” of the left sub reel 23L are stopped and displayed in the sub display window 24L.

  In this example, even when “special role” or “special role + BB1” is determined as the internal winning combination, “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, which are specific symbols, “Up arrow (↑)” is configured to be able to stop in the main display window 4L. That is, in the special role stop table (not shown), the specific symbols “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” are stopped in the main display window 4L. Data for determining the number of sliding pieces is specified.

  As described above, when the “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)”, which are specific symbols, can be stopped in the main display window 4L, After the reels are stopped, special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are started.

  Since the “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” are stopped and displayed in the main display window 4L, the player uses the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. You can know that a special performance will start. As a result, even if the player is looking only at the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, attention can be paid to the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R where special effects are performed.

  Further, in this example, when the “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” are stopped in the main display window 4L, the effect by the 4th reel 110 is performed. . That is, the 4th reel 110 is controlled to rotate and stop, and the “re-challenge” symbol is displayed in the 4th display window 112.

  Further, when the specific symbols “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” are stopped in the main display window 4L, the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R Rotation is prohibited. That is, the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are prevented from rotating when special effects are performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R. Therefore, the player can surely enjoy the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R.

  FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are started from the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 40, when the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are started, only the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are rotated again, and the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are activated. That is, the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are effective stop buttons that are effective to be pressed.

  Next, when the player presses the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, stop control of the re-rotated sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is performed. This stop control is determined by a game when specific symbols “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)” are stopped in the main display window 4L. This is performed based on an internal winning combination (in this example, “watermelon + BB2”) and an operation stop button.

  FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a special operation by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is completed after the stop operation is performed on the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R from the state illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, the internal winning combination determined in the game when the specific symbol of the left main reel 3L is stopped in the main display window 4L is “watermelon + BB2”. For this reason, when the player presses, the combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-white 7” corresponding to “BB2” is displayed on any of the effect lines 28a to 28e of the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R. Can be displayed along.

  As shown in FIG. 41, for example, it is assumed that a combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-white 7” can be displayed along the center effect line 28c. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that the internal winning combination determined in the game when the specific symbol of the left main reel 3L is stopped in the main display window 4L is “watermelon + BB2”. As a result, the player can recognize that the next and subsequent games are in the BB2 carryover state, and can stop the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R so that “BB2” is established.

  If the combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-white 7” cannot be displayed along any of the production lines 28a to 28e, the player stops a specific symbol in the main display window 4L. The internal winning combination determined in the game at the time cannot be confirmed. In that case, the player imagines an internal winning combination from the symbols of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R that are stopped and displayed. For example, when “red 7-red 7-bell” is displayed along any of the production lines 28a to 28e, the internal determined by the game when the specific symbol is stopped in the main display window 4L. It can be imagined that there is a high probability that the winning combination was “watermelon + BB2”.

  In this example, even when only “watermelon” is won as an internal winning combination, “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “up arrow”, which are specific symbols of the left main reel 3L. (↑) ”can be stopped in the main display window 4L. Also in this case, the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is prohibited, and a special effect is performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R.

  In this case, the re-rotated sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are used as an internal winning combination determined by the game when a specific symbol is stopped in the main display window 4L, that is, "watermelon" and an operation stop button. Based on. For this reason, even if the player pushes forward, the combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-white 7” corresponding to “BB2” cannot be displayed along any of the effect lines 28a to 28e. In addition, the combination of symbols “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is easily displayed along any one of the production lines 28a to 28e. As a result, the player can confirm that the internal winning combination determined in the game when the specific symbol is stopped in the main display window 4L is only “watermelon”.

  When the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are finished, the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is permitted. Thus, when the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are finished, the normal game based on the rotation and stop control of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R can be resumed.

  FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the normal game is resumed from the state shown in FIG.

  In this example, when the symbol combination “red 7-red 7-red 7” corresponding to “BB1” or the symbol combination “red 7-red 7-white 7” corresponding to “BB2” is displayed. The rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is prohibited. Therefore, when the normal game is resumed from the state shown in FIG. 42, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is prohibited and only the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotated as shown in FIG. Thereby, the player can confirm that the BB2 carryover state is continued.

  Since the player recognizes that the resumed game is in the BB2 carryover state, the player performs a stop operation of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R so that “BB2” is established. Thereafter, when “BB2” is established, that is, when a combination of symbols “red 7-red 7-white 7” is displayed along any of the effective lines 8a to 8e, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. Is allowed. Then, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are rotated, and stop control is performed based on the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R at that time.

  As a result, the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R displayed on the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R are the same as the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. become.

  In subsequent games (first, a bonus game is started), the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R rotate in synchronization with the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Therefore, if the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are matched with the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, the stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R in subsequent games can be simplified.

  As described above, the stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R is performed based on the internal winning combination, the detection of the stop operation, and the stop control of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Therefore, when the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R coincide with the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, stop control of both reels can be performed using a common stop table (see FIG. 12). it can. On the other hand, if the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R do not coincide with the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, the number of stop tables necessary for performing stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R increases. Resulting in.

  Further, in a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, when the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or the symbol combination corresponding to “BB2” is not displayed, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is performed. Is not prohibited. In this case, in this example, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are rotated and controlled to stop based on the return stop control position described above.

  As a result, the state in which the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped and displayed is returned to the state in which the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped and displayed before the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are performed. Thereby, the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R displayed on the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R are the same as the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. become. Therefore, stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R in subsequent games can be simplified.

The configuration and operation of the gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention have been described above based on the attached drawings.
According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the variation of the symbols of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped based on the determined internal winning combination and the detection of the stop operation. At this time, when the “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, and “up arrow (↑)”, which are specific symbols of the left main reel 3L, are stopped and displayed on the main display window 4L, the sub reel 23L , 23C, 23R special effects are performed.
Specific symbols (“vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “up arrow (↑)”) of the left main reel 3L indicate the start of special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. It is a design. Therefore, even when the player is looking only at the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R, when the special effects are performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are played. Can pay attention to the person.

  Also, if you do not want to enjoy the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the specific symbols ("vertical line (|)", "vertical line (|)", "up arrow (↑ It is only necessary to perform a stop operation so as not to stop the main display window 24L. As a result, it is possible to prevent a special effect from being performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R, and the player does not need to look at the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. That is, the player can select presence / absence of a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R by pushing.

  According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, specific symbols (“vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “up arrow (↑)”) of the left main reel 3L are the main display window. When the stop display is made on 4L, a special effect is produced by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R. This special effect is obtained by re-rotating the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, and based on the internal winning combination determined when a specific symbol is stopped and displayed, and the stop operation by the player. This is an effect to stop 23R. With this special effect, the internal winning combination determined when a specific symbol ("vertical line (|)", "vertical line (|)", "up arrow (↑)") is stopped and displayed is played. The person can be notified.

  According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, specific symbols (“vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “up arrow (↑)”) of the left main reel 3L are the main display window. When stopped on 4L, rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R is prohibited. This prevents the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R from rotating when a special effect is produced by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R. As a result, the player can surely enjoy the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R.

  According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are finished, the rotation of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is permitted. Thereby, after the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are finished, the normal game based on the rotation and stop control of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be resumed.

  According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a combination of symbols corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is displayed by a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R Rotation is prohibited. When the normal game is resumed, only the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are controlled to rotate and stop. Thereby, the player can confirm that the BB1 carryover state or the BB2 carryover state is continued.

According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when “BB1” or “BB2” is established in a normal game in which only the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R are controlled to rotate and stop, the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are established. Is allowed to rotate. Then, the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are rotated, and stop control is performed based on the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, and 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R at that time.
Thereby, the symbol positions of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R displayed on the sub display windows 24L, 24C, 24R coincide with the symbol positions of the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R displayed on the main display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Can be made. As a result, the stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R in subsequent games can be simplified.

According to the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, before the special effects are performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R, the positions of the symbols on the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R that are stopped are displayed. Remember as. If the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is not displayed due to special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are rotated and stopped based on the return stop control position. Control.
As a result, the state in which the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped and displayed can be returned to the state before the special effects are performed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. As a result, the stop control of the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R in subsequent games can be simplified.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, “vertical line (|)”, “vertical line (|)”, “special symbols indicating the start of special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R” An example in which the “up arrow (↑)” is applied has been described. However, as a specific design according to the present invention, for example, other diagrams can be applied, and characters such as “Let's pay attention to the sub reel!” And “The sub reel production starts!” Message) can be applied.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, the left main reel 3L is provided with a specific symbol. However, as the specific symbol according to the present invention, the middle main reel 3C and the right main reel 3R are provided as a configuration. Also good. Moreover, as a specific symbol which concerns on this invention, it is good also as a structure provided in two or more main reels among the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R. In this case, as a condition for executing the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, all of the specific symbols provided on the two or more main reels may be displayed on the main display window. Specific symbols on one main reel may be displayed on the main display window.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a specific symbol of the left main reel 3L is displayed on the main display window 4L by a player's stop operation. However, the specific symbol according to the present invention is that the main winning combination is “watermelon” or “watermelon + BB2” (“special role” or “special role + BB1”) as an internal winning combination regardless of the player's stop operation. It is good also as a structure displayed on the display window 4L. In that case, the player cannot select the presence / absence of special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R, but it is possible to prevent missing information that is advantageous to the player.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, when a combination of symbols corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is displayed by a special effect by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R, the rotation of the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R is performed. Is prohibited. However, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, when the special effects by the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are finished, the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R are rotated in any case and stopped based on the return stop control position. It can also be set as the structure controlled. That is, even if the symbol combination corresponding to “BB1” or “BB2” is not displayed by a special effect, the state in which the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R are stopped and displayed is specially displayed by the sub reels 23L, 23C, and 23R. It returns to the state before the production was performed. In this case, when the normal game is resumed, the main reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the sub reels 23L, 23C, 23R rotate.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, “BB1” and “BB2” are applied as the special internal winning combinations related to the start of the bonus game, but the special internal winning combination according to the present invention is “BB1”. And “BB2”. The special internal winning combination according to the present invention may be one type or three or more types.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, “watermelon” and “special role” are applied as the predetermined internal winning combination. However, the predetermined internal winning combination according to the present invention is “watermelon” and “special role”. It is not limited to "comb". The predetermined internal winning combination according to the present invention may be one type or three or more types.

  As mentioned above, although the game machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention was explained including the operation effect, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment explained here. It goes without saying that various embodiments are included without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 3L, 3C, 3R ... Main reel, 4R, 4C, 4R ... Main display window, 7L, 7C, 7R ... Stop button, 23L, 23C, 23R ... Sub reel, 24L, 24C, 24R ... Sub display window 31 ... Main CPU, 71 ... Main control circuit, 72 ... Sub control circuit, 81 ... Sub CPU, 110 ... 4th reel, 112 ... 4th display window

Claims (3)

A plurality of main reels having a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface;
Start operation detecting means for detecting the start operation;
An internal winning combination determining means for determining one or more internal winning combinations from a plurality of internal winning combinations based on detection of the start operation by the start operation detecting means;
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, the main reel symbol variation means for rotating the plurality of main reels and varying the symbols of each main reel;
A stop operation detecting means for detecting a stop operation by the player;
A main reel that performs stop control of symbol variation performed by the main reel symbol variation unit based on the internal symbol combination determined by the internal symbol combination determination unit and the detection of the stop operation performed by the stop operation detection unit Stop control means;
Game medium providing means for providing a game medium based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the plurality of main reels;
A plurality of sub reels having a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface;
Sub reel design changing means for rotating the plurality of sub reels based on detection of the start operation by the start operation detecting means and changing a plurality of symbols of each sub reel;
Based on the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means, detection of a stop operation performed by the stop operation detecting means, and stop control of the plurality of main reels performed by the main reel stop control means Sub reel stop control means for performing stop control of the fluctuation of the symbol performed by the sub reel design changing means;
A plurality of symbols attached to at least one main reel among the plurality of main reels includes a specific symbol indicating the start of a special effect by the sub-reel,
The specific symbol can be stopped and displayed when a predetermined internal winning combination is included in the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means,
When the specific symbol is stopped and displayed by the main reel stop control means, a special effect by the plurality of sub reels is performed,
The special effect is when the sub reel design changing means re-rotates the plurality of sub reels to change a plurality of designs of each sub reel, and the sub reel stop control means is configured to stop and display the specific design. Based on the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means and the detection of the stop operation by the stop operation detecting means after re-rotating the plurality of sub reels, the variation of the symbol performed by the sub reel symbol varying means It is an effect that performs stop control,
Main reel locking means for prohibiting rotation of the plurality of main reels, triggered by the specific symbol being stopped and displayed by the main reel stop control means,
Main reel lock releasing means for allowing rotation of the plurality of main reels when a stop operation is detected by the stop operation detecting means and a special effect by the plurality of sub-reels is ended. A gaming machine. A return stop control position storage means for storing, as a return stop control position, the position of each symbol displayed on the stop of the plurality of sub reels before the special effect by the plurality of sub reels is performed;
When the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are finished, the sub reel design changing means and the sub reel stop control means are controlled based on the return stop control position, and before the special effects by the plurality of sub reels are performed. A symbol position return control means for returning the symbols of the plurality of sub-reels that are stopped and displayed,
When the internal symbol combination determined by the internal symbol combination determining means includes a predetermined internal symbol combination, the specific symbol is stopped and displayed by the main reel stop control unit regardless of the timing of the stop operation. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of main reels are provided with the same symbols as the symbols arranged on the plurality of sub reels, and different symbols different from the symbols arranged on the plurality of sub reels,
The plurality of main reels and the plurality of sub-reels have the same number of symbols arranged, the same symbols have the same arrangement, and the different symbols are the specific symbols,
The main reel stop control unit and the sub reel stop control unit perform stop control of the plurality of main reels and the plurality of sub reels that rotate in synchronization based on the same stop data, and The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of sub reels are stopped at the same symbol position.

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