JP2013162876A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid the redisplay of an episode moving image by power interruption caused by shooting-stop or the like and power reclosing.SOLUTION: In a game machine, a rendering determining means determines one rendering based on an identifier stored in a storage means out of a plurality of renderings associated with a plurality of identifiers under predetermined conditions. At this time, an identifier updating means updates the stored identifier into a different identifier in association with the execution of rendering by a rendering execution means. An initialization determining means determines whether to initialize the identifier stored in the storage means according to whether shooting-stop is performed before power interruption when a power supply is turned off or on again, and initializes the identifier stored in the storage means when initialization is determined.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs an effect with a story for each predetermined opportunity.

  In a slot machine as a gaming machine, a winning combination is drawn in accordance with the insertion of medals (game media) by a player and operation of a start switch, and a plurality of rotating reels with various symbols are rotated. Then, according to the lottery result and the player's operation of the stop switch, the rotating reels are sequentially stopped, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the active line that is the payout target line, a predetermined number The player will be given a gaming profit in accordance with the winning combination.

  In addition, the slot machine is provided with a plurality of game states with different degrees of advantage of the player as the game progresses. For example, the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination among the winning combinations is displayed on the active line, so that the winning combination of the small combination to which medals are paid out shifts to a bonus gaming state higher than the normal gaming state, and there are many players. It becomes possible to obtain the gaming profit. In the bonus gaming state, the total number of medals paid out is counted, and the bonus gaming state ends when a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

  Such a bonus game state is executed each time a bonus combination is won and a symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination is displayed on the active line. Thus, for example, a technique for resetting (initializing) the total number of medals paid out at the end of the bonus game state is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-130259 A

  By the way, in the slot machine, by performing an effect that suggests the winning combination to the player through the display unit, the player is encouraged to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination on the effective line, or the player is notified of the winning combination. I have a sense of expectation for. In addition, during the bonus game state described above or during the so-called freeze process in which the player's operation input is invalidated for a predetermined time by winning a specific winning combination, an episode movie showing an episode is played (episode) Production).

  Each episode video in episode production is reset and prepared for identifier reset (hereinafter referred to simply as “power interruption” without changing settings or stopping) and re-input identifier used for managing each episode video. It is configured so that once viewed episode videos are not displayed again unless all the episode videos are displayed (identifier reset, etc.), and the relationship between each episode video as a story There is no character, it is simply displayed one by one, it is a short story that makes a story as a whole by collecting all the episode videos (those with stories), each episode video is sometimes The thing etc. which have been arranged in order of a series are mentioned.

  The slot machine can give the player a sense of achievement of reaching a specific opportunity, for example, by performing such an episode animation with a specific opportunity such as a bonus game state or freeze. Further, in the slot machine, a plurality of episode videos having different display contents are prepared, and the plurality of episode videos are exclusively displayed so as not to give the player a sense of fatigue. Furthermore, in the slot machine, for example, by assigning an order to episode videos according to the story characteristics and providing them in order for each specific opportunity, the player can enjoy the story characteristics, The demand for continuation can improve the availability of slot machines.

  When providing such episode videos with stories, the slot machine associates consecutive identifiers with multiple episode videos according to the stories, and updates the identifiers in order to allow the player to see which episode videos. I'm also trying to figure out which episode video should be displayed next.

  By the way, in the slot machine, there is a demand on the game hall side that it is desired to start the business after resetting the result of the game performed on the previous day. This is a request based on the fact that the player who starts the game at the beginning of the day is likely to be a different person from the player who played before the end of business hours the previous day. Also, even if the person who played before the end of the previous day's business hours and the person who played at the beginning of the day are the same, once the previous day's business has ended, the new day's business has started. Even if the gaming state is reset at the start of business, the player rarely feels uncomfortable with that.

  As a result of the game played on the previous day, there is an episode effect in which episode videos are managed with identifiers. If such an episode video identifier reset is not performed, if the player of the previous day and the player of the day are different, the player of the day will start from a state where the episode video has advanced several times. Become. At this time, for example, when the episode videos are related to each other or when the episode videos are displayed in chronological order, the player feels uncomfortable.

  Therefore, if information (for example, identifiers) related to episode effects is reset due to power interruptions performed at the end of business hours and power-on operations performed at the start of business hours, which are performed every day, it is troublesome to reset the identifiers of episode videos separately. There is no need to perform any operation.

  Here, a so-called “one-time exchange” game hall exchanges a prize ball once, or a so-called set value (out-of-ball rate) is a high value (for example, a set-up rate exceeding 100%) A stop may be set to indicate to the player whether the slot machine is set. When the stop setting is made, for example, when a special game state in which the player's profit is larger than the normal state such as bonus game, AT, ART, etc., all credited medals are settled (paid from the hopper). The game disabled state is not released unless the manager (store clerk) performs a reset operation.

  At this time, depending on whether or not the stop is executed, the stop setting is switched between the valid state and the invalid state. In general, this switching is performed with the power turned off. If the setting is changed and the power is turned on in this state, a new stop setting is made or the state in which the stop setting is made is released.

  Then, if you want to cancel the stop setting from the state where the stop setting has been made during business hours, you will need to turn off the power and turn on the power again. When the identifier of an episode video is set to be reset, even if the same player continues the game before and after the stop, the identifier related to the episode video is reset when the power is turned on again The episode video that has already been viewed will be viewed again, and the player's willingness to play may be reduced.

  In the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, the target area of the memory to be initialized is changed according to the state of initialization, but the memory area that needs to be initialized is simply determined in stages, It was not possible to guarantee the continuity of episode videos intentionally.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of avoiding redisplay of an episode movie by power interruption during stoppage or the like and power-on again.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes a betting means for betting a game medium to be used in a game, and a winning combination and a loser based on the bet and start switch operation of the game medium. Based on the winning combination lottery means for determining the winning combination lottery, a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged, and a rotation of the plurality of rotating reels based on the operation of the start switch, the rotating rotation Based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel, the reel control means for controlling the rotation of the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery are displayed on the effective line. One of a plurality of gaming states with different degrees of advantage of the player based on the determination result. Determining means for determining the state, and payout control means for paying out the game medium corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in a storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition; The effect execution means for executing the effect determined by the means, the identifier update means for updating the identifier stored in the storage means to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the effect by the effect execution means, and the power is turned off or on again. When determining whether or not to initialize the identifier according to whether or not the stop has been performed before cutting, and when it is determined to initialize, the identifier stored in the storage unit is initialized. And initialization determining means, comprising the.

  The gaming machine further includes game medium accepting means for accepting the insertion of game media from the slot, and credit means for storing the game media as credits up to a predetermined upper limit number. When inserted, a bet of a predetermined number of game media accepted by the game media accepting means is betted, and the credit means exceeds a predetermined number of game media accepted by the game media accepting means. The game medium and the game medium paid out by the payout control means are stored as credits, and in accordance with the payment request, the payment is made to settle at least one of the game media bet by the betting means and the credits stored in the credit means. Means, and when a specific gaming state is finished, a settlement means that executes a settlement request and enters a reset waiting state; In addition, the initialization determination means accepts power-off and power-on, and maintains the identifier stored in the storage means without initialization if it is after the stop means has shifted to the reset wait state. May be.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, another gaming machine of the present invention is based on betting means for betting game media to be used for games, and betting and start switch operations of the game media. Based on the winning combination lottery means for determining one of the winning combination lottery, a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged, and a start switch operation, the plurality of rotating reels are rotationally controlled and rotated. Based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel that is operated, the reel control means for controlling the rotation of the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery are effective lines. It is determined whether or not one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of advantage of the player based on the determination result. A determination means for determining a skill state; a payout control means for paying out a game medium corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line; An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in a storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition; The effect execution means for executing the effect determined by the determination means, the identifier update means for updating the identifier stored in the storage means to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the effect by the effect execution means, and the power is turned off or on again When the stop setting is switched, it is determined whether or not to initialize the identifier according to whether or not the stop setting is switched, and when it is determined to initialize, the identifier stored in the storage unit is changed. An initialization determination unit for initialized, and further comprising a.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, another gaming machine of the present invention is based on betting means for betting game media to be used for games, and betting and start switch operations of the game media. Based on the winning combination lottery means for determining one of the winning combination lottery, a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged, and a start switch operation, the plurality of rotating reels are rotationally controlled and rotated. Based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel that is operated, the reel control means for controlling the rotation of the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery are effective lines. It is determined whether or not one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of advantage of the player based on the determination result. A determination means for determining a skill state; a payout control means for paying out a game medium corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line; An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in a storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition; An effect executing means for executing the effect determined by the determining means, an identifier updating means for updating the identifier stored in the storage means to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the effect by the effect executing means, and turning off and restarting the power In accordance with whether or not the time of disconnection or re-insertion is within a predetermined time range, it is determined whether or not to initialize the identifier. An initialization determination unit for initializing the identifier being 憶, characterized by comprising a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid redisplaying an episode movie due to a power interruption in stopping or the like and turning on the power again, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

It is an external view for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is an external view in the state which opened the front door for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an effective line and each table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement of an episode production. It is explanatory drawing which showed the production table of the episode production which suggests winning of a bonus combination. It is the flowchart which showed the main process of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the initialization process of the main control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed the main initialization object information table. It is a figure which shows the detail of the bet process of a main control board. It is a figure which shows the detail of the reel rotation process of a main control board. It is a figure which shows the detail of the payout process of a main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the interruption process (settlement process) of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the interruption process (reset process) of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the sub process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the initialization process of the sub control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed the sub-initialization object information table. It is the flowchart which showed the command reception process of the sub control board. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement of an episode production. It is explanatory drawing which showed the other subinitialization object information table.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, first, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of a slot machine (game machine) that can be played by a player will be briefly described. A typical process will be described.

(Mechanical configuration of the slot machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a casing 102 that is a substantially rectangular box, and a connecting member that is rotatable with respect to the front opening of the casing 102. A front upper door 104 attached to the front door 104, a front lower door 106 positioned below the front upper door 104 and attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable like the front upper door 104. It is located at the lower part of the door 106 and has a tray part 108 for storing medals paid out from the medal outlet 108a.

  An operation unit installation base 122 is formed in the upper part of the front lower door 106. The operation unit installation base 122 is provided with a medal insertion unit 124, a bet button 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, a settlement button 132, and the like. ing.

  A medal insertion unit (game medium receiving means) 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 122 receives insertion of a medal as a game medium through a medal insertion slot (insertion slot) 124a, and is provided on the back surface of the front lower door 106. Send a medal to a medal selector (not shown). The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted or a non-standard medal to the medal discharge port 108a, and a standard medal inserted within the insertion period. And a inserted medal detection unit 124b for detecting the passage of. Here, the medal guided to the medal discharge port 108 a is discharged to the tray portion 108. When a player inserts more medals than the prescribed number, which is the number of inserted medals necessary to start one game, the prescribed number of medals exceeds the prescribed number (for example, 50). The upper limit is electronically stored in the slot machine 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “credit”).

  Here, one game refers to a series of games that can receive a single payout on condition that a medal is inserted. Here, the specified number is fixed to “3”. However, depending on the model of the slot machine 100, the specified number may be different, or even if the model is the same model, the specified number may be fixed. There is. In addition, when the number of medals required to start one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified numbers, the maximum number among the plurality of specified numbers is called the maximum specified number, and the minimum number is the minimum specified It is called a number. If the specified number is selectable between 1 and 3, the maximum specified number is “3” and the minimum specified number is “1”. Here, since the specified number is fixed to “3”, the maximum specified number and the minimum specified number are “3”.

  The bet button 126 is a push-type button switch that inputs (bets) a prescribed number of medals out of credited medals. The settlement button 132 is a push-type button switch that accepts a credited medal return (settlement) request operation. By operating the settlement button 132, the player can make a settlement request to settle the bet medals or electronically credited medals, and in response to the settlement request, the bet medals or electronic Medals that have been credited are discharged from the medal outlet 108a.

  The start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 122 is formed by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a start operation of one game by the player. The start switch 128 can also be formed by a button switch that can detect a pressing operation.

  A colorless and transparent symbol display window 136 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at a substantially lower center of the front upper door 104, and a reel in a position corresponding to the symbol display window 136 in the housing 102. A unit 134 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the reel unit 134 has three rotating reels (left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each of the regions equally divided into 21, Each player is provided so as to be independently rotatable, and the player can visually recognize the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c through the symbol display window 136. The reel unit 134 starts to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c in response to the operation of the start switch 128.

  The stop switch 130 located in the center of the operation unit installation base 122 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and capable of detecting a player's pressing operation. A player's stop operation to stop each of the reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is detected. The three button switches related to the stop switch 130 are particularly called stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c.

  A liquid crystal display unit (display unit) 138 for displaying various images associated with effects is provided at the approximate center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104. In addition, an effect lamp 142 made up of, for example, a high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) is provided on the upper or left and right sides of the front upper door 104.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, speakers that produce auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 138 on the back surface of the front upper door 104 and the inner surface left and right positions on the back surface of the front lower door 106. 140 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 264 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage unit 264a for storing medals, a payout control unit 264b for discharging medals stored in the medal storage unit 264a from the medal discharge port 108a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 108a. And a payout medal detection unit 264c. Specifically, the payout control unit 264b is rotatably supported by the main body exterior of the payout control unit 264b, and a plurality of medal insertion holes are arranged in the circumferential direction in which medals dropped from the medal storage unit 264a are inserted one by one from above. And a disc motor (not shown) for rotating the disc. The medals inserted in the medal insertion holes are rotated one by one through the pushing mechanism. The medals are successively ejected one by one by sequentially inserting the next medals into the medal insertion holes vacated by the ejection.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rear side of the reel unit 134 corresponds to the symbol display window 136 among symbols provided on the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided for individually irradiating the upper, middle and lower symbols of each rotating reel (which can be the target of an effective line) from the back side. Further, a reel upper light 146 that directly irradiates the front of all of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is also provided on the upper surface of the rear surface of the symbol display window 136.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the operation unit installation base 122, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit are provided on a substantially horizontal plane of the step unit 122 a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130. 154 is provided. Further, a sub credit display unit 156 and a sub payout display unit 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operation unit installation base 122. The main credit display unit 152 and the sub credit display unit 156 display the number of credits, and the main payout display unit 154 and the sub payout display unit 158 display the number of paid out medals. Note that the sub-credit display unit 156 and the sub-payout display unit 158 can also display various numerical values associated with the effects.

  Further, a reset switch 148 is provided at an arbitrary position on the rear surface of the front upper door 104, and a setting change is made on a main control board 200 (not shown) disposed above the reel unit 134 in the housing 102. A switch 150 and a set value selection switch 162 are provided, and a power switch 160 and a stop setting switch 164 are provided at arbitrary positions in the housing 102 (see FIG. 4). The reset switch 148 is configured by a photo sensor, and the door opening key is inserted into an opening key hole provided in the locking device and rotated counterclockwise, and a detection piece provided in the locking device is detected by the photo sensor. The reset is executed. The reset by the reset switch 148 is mainly used for canceling an error state such as a game impossible state due to a stop. The slot machine 100 is initialized by operating the power switch 160 or operating the reset switch 148. The setting change switch 150 is used to change (setting change processing) a setting value (e.g., six levels 1 to 6) indicating an expected value of the ratio of the number of payouts to the number of medals inserted. It can be turned on by turning on the power in a state of being inserted into a setting change key hole (not shown) provided on the control board 200 and rotated to the ON state. The setting value selection switch 162 changes (increments) the setting value by the operation while the setting change switch 150 is in the ON state. The power switch 160 is configured by a switch that can detect a pressing operation, such as a rocker switch, and is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100 to switch between two states of a power-off state and a power-on state. Used. The stop setting switch 164 is configured by a switch that can detect a pressing operation, such as a rocker switch, and the administrator sets whether or not to execute the stop process (execute the stop process = ON, do not perform the stop process) = OFF). The initialization process, setting change process, and stop process will be described later.

(Electrical configuration of the slot machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 is mainly controlled by a main control board 200, a sub control board 202, and a liquid crystal control board 204. Here, among the programs related to the progress of the game, a particularly important process such as a lottery of a winning combination to be used for a game and winning the prize is executed on the main control board 200, and other processes related to effects, for example, are performed on the sub control board. 202 and the liquid crystal control board 204.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs, a main RAM 200c that functions as a work area, and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire slot machine 100. To do. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 200c, and even when the power is cut off, the data is retained without being erased unless the initialization process of the main RAM 200c is intentionally executed. .

  The main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on the program stored in the main ROM 200b. The initialization means 300, the betting means 302, the winning combination lottery means 304, the reel control means. 306, determination unit 308, payout control unit 310, credit unit 312, stop unit 314, settlement unit 316, reset unit 318. The initialization unit 300 executes an initialization process in the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets medals for use in games. The winning combination lottery means 304 determines either a winning combination or a loss through a winning combination lottery. The reel control unit 306 controls rotation and stop of the rotating reel. The determination means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. The payout control unit 310 pays out a medal corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. The credit means 312 stores medals as credits. The stop means 314 executes a stop process. The settlement means 316 mainly settles credited medals. The reset means 318 mainly cancels the error state.

  In the main control board 200, the inserted medal detection unit 124b, the bet button 126, the start switch 128, the stop switch 130, the settlement button 132, the power switch 160, the reset switch 148, the setting change switch 150, the setting value selection switch 162, and the stop setting switch. Various detection signals are received from 164, and the main CPU 200a executes various processes based on the received detection signals. Further, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control unit 310 displays a medal credit number and a payout number on both display units 152 and 154. Control.

  In addition, a reel drive control unit 258 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control unit 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of the rotating reel transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal of the start switch 128, and based on the operation signal of the stop switch 130. The driving of the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signal of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 260 transmitted from the main control board 200.

  The medal payout device 264 is connected to the main control board 200. A detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 264c is input to the main control board 200, and the payout control unit 310 counts the number of medals to be paid out according to the detection signal, and outputs from the payout control unit 264b. Control the discharge of medals.

  The main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator 256. The random number generator 256 sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined numerical range, and extracts the count value at a predetermined time point to obtain a random number. The random number generated by the random number generator 256 is used to determine a gaming profit to be given to the player, for example, a winning combination (winning winning lottery random number).

(Table used in main control board 200)
In the slot machine 100, a plurality of game states are provided during the progress of the game, and a plurality of winning combination tables corresponding to these game states and set values are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts a corresponding winning combination table from the main ROM 200b in accordance with the current gaming state and setting value stored in the main RAM 200c, and operates the start switch 128 based on the extracted winning combination table. It is determined whether the winning combination lottery random number acquired according to the signal corresponds to which winning combination or lose in the winning combination table.

  Here, the winning combination extracted from each winning combination table includes a replay combination, a small combination, and a bonus combination. The state in which the symbol combinations corresponding to such winning combinations are aligned on the active line is called display (winning), and the state until winning the winning combination and displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed internally. Winning status. Among the winning combinations, the replay combination is a combination in which one game can be executed again without placing a new bet of medals when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line. The combination of symbols corresponding to the small combination is displayed on the active line, whereby a predetermined number of medals can be paid out. The bonus combination is a winning combination that can shift the gaming state from the normal gaming state to the bonus gaming state by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the active line. Here, the bonus game state is a game using a winning combination table (bonus gaming state winning combination table described later) in which a winning probability of a small combination is set so that medals substantially increase when determining a winning combination. It is a state, which means a gaming state that is more advantageous than the normal gaming state. In the following, the gaming benefits given to the winning combination and the player will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effective line and each table. FIG. 5A shows an effective line in the present embodiment. Here, there are five effective lines. Specifically, among the nine symbols facing the symbol display window 136, the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop at the middle stage of the left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c are connected. Line B, the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the line B1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped at the lower stage of the right reel 134c, the lower stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the right reel 134c The line B2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage, the line C1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the upper reel, and the left reel 134a. The line C2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols to be stopped at the lower stage, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, and the lower stage of the right reel 134c. Each is set as a valid line.

  Also, as shown in the symbol combination table of FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, as a winning combination, “Replay”, “Bell”, “Watermelon”, “Big Bonus” (hereinafter referred to as “BB”). ”And“ Regular Bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) ”in total five types of winning combinations are provided. Among these, the winning role “Replay” corresponds to the above-mentioned replay role, the winning role “Bell”, the winning role “Watermelon” corresponds to the above-mentioned small role, and the winning role “BB” and the winning role “RB” correspond to the above-mentioned bonus role. It corresponds to.

  When an internal winning is won for any winning combination, an internal winning flag corresponding to each winning combination is established (ON), and the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, The stop control of each of the reels 134c is performed. At this time, if the winning combination “Bell” and the winning combination “Watermelon” were won internally, but the symbol combination corresponding to these internal winning combinations could not be displayed on the active line in that one game, In the game, the internal winning flag is turned OFF (however, in this embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “bell” can be displayed on the active line). That is, the right of internal winning of a small role is limited to only the game, and the right cannot be carried over to the next one game (hereinafter simply referred to as “next game”).

  On the other hand, when the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” is won internally, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is established (ON), and the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is set. The stop control of each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is performed in accordance with the establishment status of. At this time, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” cannot be displayed on the active line, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is. Thus, in the game after the next time, it becomes possible to display the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “BB” and the winning combination “RB” on the effective line. In addition, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” that is the replaying role is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role “Replaying” is displayed on the active line, and the next game can be played without requiring a medal. The internal winning flag is turned off after the processing necessary for performing the processing is performed.

  The normal gaming state winning combination table shown in FIG. 5C is used when determining the winning combination lottery random number in the normal gaming state. Here, the area corresponding to the total number of winning lottery random numbers (65536) is divided into a plurality of winning areas, and for each winning area, the winning combination and the winning ratio of each of the plurality of winning areas are indicated by relative numbers. The winning range value (numerical value) is associated. For example, the winning area “1” is associated with the winning combination “Replay” and the winning range value “8978”. Since the winning combination lottery random numbers are provided from 0 to 65535, the probability that the winning combination “Replay” is internally won is 8978/65536. The same association is made for the other winning areas 2 to 6. The winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially acquires a winning range value from a plurality of winning areas in the normal gaming state winning combination table, subtracts the winning range value from the winning combination lottery random number, and the subtraction value is 0. If it is less than, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is used as the lottery result.

  The bonus game state winning combination table shown in FIG. 5D determines the winning combination random numbers in the bonus gaming state set by winning the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB”. It is used in cases. According to the bonus game state winning combination table, the internal winning probability of the winning combination “Bell” is determined as the normal gaming state winning combination table (FIG. 5 (c)). It is set higher than (see). Here, the winning combination table has been described with reference to the normal gaming state winning combination table and the bonus gaming state winning combination table, but the winning combination table is not limited to this, and the internal winning state used in the internal winning gaming state Various winning combination tables such as a winning combination table are used according to the gaming state.

(Sub-control board 202)
Similar to the main control board 200, the sub control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 202a that is a central processing unit, a sub ROM 202b that stores programs, a sub RAM 202c that functions as a work area, and the like. Based on the command from the control board 200, the effect is controlled. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, a backup power source (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 202c, and even when the power is turned off, data is retained without being erased. The sub RAM 202c also functions as a storage unit that stores a current value of an identifier described later. The sub-control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator 256 as in the case of the main control board 200, and the random number generated by the random number generator 256 is mainly used to determine the mode of production (production. Lottery random number).

  Further, the sub control board 202 functions by the sub CPU 202a cooperating with the sub RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 202b. The initialization determining unit 330, the command receiving unit 332, the effect determining unit 334, the command A transmission unit 336 and an identifier update unit 338 are included. The initialization determining unit 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200 and performs processing for the commands. The effect determining means 334 determines the effect of the game, and transmits a command related to the effect determined by the command transmission means 336 to the liquid crystal control board 204. The identifier update unit 338 updates the identifier stored in the sub RAM 202c.

  Here, the production is provided through the liquid crystal display unit 138, the speaker 140, the production lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub credit display unit 156, the sub payout display unit 158 and the like as the game progresses. It is a visual and auditory expression means that can give a story to the game and can suggest a lottery result of the winning combination with a more dynamic image. In particular, with respect to the bonus combination described above, the BB internal winning flag and the RB internal winning flag can be carried over over a plurality of games. It is possible to increase the player's expectation by invalidating the player's operation input for a predetermined time in the game and performing a freeze process during which a specific effect is executed. In addition, even if none of the winning roles has been won, it is possible to make the player have a high dividend expectation through the production as if the player has been won, so that the player will not get bored. It becomes. However, an image including a still image and a moving image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 has a huge data capacity and a processing load associated with the display, and therefore is separately controlled via the liquid crystal control board 204.

  There are the following effects that suggest the lottery result of the winning combination described above. For example, the winning combination may not always display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination on the active line only by appropriately stopping the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. When a player wins a winning combination, the player performs an effect suggesting the winning combination before performing a stop operation, thereby prompting the player to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination on the active line. In addition, if the player cannot grasp whether or not the bonus combination is won only by the symbol combination displayed on the active line, an effect that suggests whether or not the bonus combination is won is performed and the bonus combination is given. Give the expectation that you might have been elected. In addition, story videos with stories are provided sequentially as productions according to the story, and as the game progresses, the story develops and the characters grow to accumulate gaming profits. , To improve the player's willingness to play. Here, in the freeze process for notifying that a bonus combination has been won, an episode effect that provides an episode video will be described as an example.

(Episode production process)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the episode effect. In the present embodiment, when the bonus combination is won, a freeze process is executed, and the operation state of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c is maintained by the main control board 200. In parallel with this, the main control board 200, the sub control board 202, and the liquid crystal control board 204 cooperate to display one episode video of different episode videos having story characteristics on the liquid crystal display unit 138. To do. For example, it is assumed that the slot machine 100 wins a bonus combination. At this time, along with the freeze process, the episode video in which the batter enters the bat and holds the bat among a plurality of predetermined episode videos obtained by dividing the story corresponding to one baseball at bat shown in FIG. Assume that “batter enters batting” is displayed on liquid crystal display unit 138. The player can grasp that the bonus combination has been won by the episode production and can visually recognize a part of the story.

  When the player continues the game in the same slot machine 100 after the bonus game state is over and wins the bonus combination again, this time, with the freeze process, the batter shown in FIG. Then, an episode video “pitcher first pitch” that the pitcher throws the first ball is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138. The episode video in FIG. 6B corresponds to the episode video in the next order after the episode video in FIG. 6A in the plurality of episode videos described above. Similarly, FIG. 6C corresponding to the end of the story after the player continues playing in the same slot machine 100 and visually recognizes a plurality of episode videos having story characteristics according to the number of times the player has won the bonus role. Suppose that the episode movie “Home Run” in which the batter hits the home run is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138. If one story is completed by the episode videos from FIG. 6 (a) to FIG. 6 (c), the number of bonus episodes corresponding to the number of episode videos is won, and the prepared episode videos are All can be viewed (completed), and the player can obtain a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with the story completed. Here, an explanation will be given by taking an example in which the order of episode videos is determined and displayed in chronological order. However, the order of episode videos is not limited to this. Episodes that have been prepared by not displaying duplicate episodes that have already been displayed until the end of the day (such as power interruptions without power changes or power interruptions, power cycle, and completion of display of all prepared episodes) It may be a video that can be viewed exclusively. Hereinafter, the effect table for executing the episode effect will be described in detail.

(Table used in sub-control board 202)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an effect table 370 of episode effects suggesting winning of a bonus combination. The effect table 370 is stored in the sub-ROM 202b, and a plurality of episode videos 374 are respectively included in a plurality of identifiers 372 in which the order for specifying which episode video is to be displayed among the plurality of episode videos is displayed. It is associated. Here, although the identifier 372 is indicated by a continuous numerical value, it may be a discontinuous numerical value or some index indicating the order. The effect determining means 334 receives the operation signal of the start switch 128 from the main control board 200, and extracts the effect table 370 from the sub ROM 202b if the winning combination is a bonus combination.

  Then, the effect determining unit 334 refers to the identifier 372 corresponding to the next order of the identifier 372 of the episode video 374 used when the previous bonus combination was won, and is associated with the referenced identifier 372 in the effect table 370. The episode video 374 is specified, and the specified episode video 374 is determined as an effect. The command transmission unit 336 transmits a command for displaying the determined episode video 374 to the liquid crystal control board 204. Here, the production table 370 related to the episode production has been described, but the production table is not limited to this, and various production tables are used for each production opportunity.

(LCD control board 204)
The liquid crystal control board 204 is connected to the sub control board 202, a liquid crystal CPU 204a as a central processing unit, a liquid crystal ROM 204b storing programs and image data, a liquid crystal RAM 204c functioning as a work area, and a work area for image control. The liquid crystal display unit 138 is controlled by bidirectional communication with the sub-control board 202. In addition, the liquid crystal control board 204 includes an initialization unit 360, a command reception unit 362, and an effect execution unit 364 that function by the liquid crystal CPU 204a cooperating with the liquid crystal RAM 204c based on a program stored in the liquid crystal ROM 204b.

  The initialization unit 360 executes an initialization process on the liquid crystal control board 204. The command receiving unit 362 receives commands from other control boards such as the sub control board 202 and performs processing on the commands. The effect execution means 364 displays various images on the liquid crystal display unit 138 based on the received command. For example, when receiving the command to display the episode video 374, the effect execution means 364 extracts the liquid crystal display data corresponding to the episode video 374 from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the command, and frames the image based on the liquid crystal display data. The information is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 every period (for example, 33 msec).

  In the slot machine 100, a plurality of episode videos 374 having such story characteristics are provided to the player in a predetermined order based on continuous identifiers. Accordingly, the slot machine 100 stores an identifier for specifying the episode video 374 to be displayed when the bonus combination is won next time. However, if you want to release the stop setting from the state where the stop setting has been made during business hours, you will need to turn off the power and turn on the power again. If it is set to be reset, even if the same player continues the game before and after the stop, the identifier for the episode video is reset due to power interruption, so the episode that has already been viewed The video will be viewed again, and the player's willingness to play may be reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the initialization process, a target to be initialized is appropriately selected depending on whether or not a stop has been performed before power interruption. Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200, the sub control board 202, and the liquid crystal control board 204 will be described.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, an outline of one game after initialization will be described along the main process of the main control board 200, and then the details of each process will be described.

(Step S100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on via the power switch 160 and becomes energized, the initialization unit 300 executes an initialization process in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization unit 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power interruption occurs, it is possible to restore the state before the power interruption using the stored backup data in this initialization process. For example, even if an unexpected power interruption occurs while the rotating reel is rotating, the rotating reel is started again from the state where it is rotating after the return operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, the main RAM 200c is basically not initialized (RAM clear), but information unrelated to medal payout, for example, information related to performance, is initialized as necessary. Further, when the setting change process is executed together with power interruption and power-on again, initialization of the main RAM 200c is executed including information related to the payout of medals. Such initialization of the main RAM 200c will be described in detail later. The initialization unit 300 confirms the connection status and operation status of various devices including the reel unit 134.

(Step S200)
Next, the betting means 302 accepts the insertion of a prescribed number of medals from the medal insertion unit 124 or accepts the operation of the bet button 126 in a situation where the prescribed number of credits are stored, thereby completing the betting of the medals. Then, the operation shifts to the operation waiting state of the start switch 128. Further, the betting means 302 transmits a throwing command indicating that the operation has been performed to the sub-control board 202. When the operation of the start switch 128 is detected, the process proceeds to the next step S300.

(Step S300)
Next, the winning combination lottery means 304 obtains one winning combination lottery random number at the time when the start switch 128 is operated from the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generator 256 according to the operation of the start switch 128. To do. And the winning combination lottery means 304 is one winning combination table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from a plurality of winning combination tables including the winning combination table shown in FIG. 5 (c) and FIG. 5 (d). Is determined as to which winning area in the determined winning combination table corresponds to the determined winning combination lottery random number, and the winning combination or lose of the determined winning area is determined as a lottery result. In addition, the winning combination lottery means 304 sub-controls the winning combination command including the lottery result (winning combination or loss) of the internal lottery and information on the game state after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 128. Transmit to the substrate 202.

(Step S400)
When the lottery process is completed as described above, the reel control unit 306 next drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c in the previous game (wait), the left reel in the game 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c start to rotate, and when the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c all rotate at a constant speed, the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is enabled. To do.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, when the reel control means 306 receives an operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c by the player in a state where the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c are activated, the reel control unit 306 rotates the reel corresponding to the operation. (One of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c) is stopped according to a predetermined stop control. Further, the reel control means 306, in response to the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c, each time a first stop command, a second stop command, and a third stop command indicating that the operation has been performed, The data is sequentially transmitted to the sub control board 202.

(Step S600)
Next, the determination unit 308 determines which combination the symbol combination displayed on the active line shown in FIG. 5A corresponds to, and changes the gaming state according to the symbol combination. And various processes required for replay. Here, the determination means 308 is one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of advantage of the player based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. A gaming state, for example, a bonus gaming state is determined. Further, when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination wins, the determination unit 308 determines the number of medals inserted at the start of the game winning the replay combination (hereinafter simply referred to as inserted medals). Store in the replay counter. The re-game counter is used to automatically bet a prescribed number of medals in a re-game process S202 described later. For example, if a symbol combination corresponding to a replay role is won in a game played by betting three medals, “3” is stored in the re-game counter. In addition, the determination unit 308 sends a winning command including a symbol combination displayed on the active line and a payout command including a payout number of medals when a symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on the effective line to the sub-control board 202. Send.

(Step S700)
Subsequently, on the basis of the determination result in step S600, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the small combination is displayed on the active line, the payout control unit 310 executes a medal payout process corresponding to the small combination, When the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line, a process for automatically betting the next game is executed. In this way, the payout control means 310 performs various processes corresponding to the symbol combinations displayed on the active line, and ends the one game. Further, when the medal payout process is performed, the payout control unit 310 transmits a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed to the sub-control board 202.

  As shown in steps S200 to S700, a game can be started through insertion of medals, and one game is executed through a series of processing from operation of the start switch 128 to payout by winning. Thereafter, steps S200 to S700 are repeated.

  Next, regarding the feature points of the present embodiment, detailed operations of each process in the above-described steps S100, S200, S400, and S700 will be described.

(Detailed processing of initialization processing S100)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the initialization process in step S100, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the main initialization target information table 380. The main initialization target information table 380 is a table that defines a target to be initialized among the information stored in the main RAM 200c, and information stored in the main RAM 200c in accordance with the ON / OFF information 382 of the setting change switch 150. Whether to initialize 384 is determined.

(Step S101)
When the power switch 160 is turned on, the main control board 200 starts to operate, and the initialization unit 300 determines whether or not the setting change switch 150 is turned on. As a result, if the setting change switch 150 is ON, the process proceeds to step S102. If the setting change switch 150 is not ON, the process proceeds to step S107. Further, the initialization unit 300 refers to the setting change switch 150 and transmits a command for changing the setting change flag in the sub control board 202 based on ON / OFF thereof. The sub control board 202 receives the command and turns on / off the setting change flag. That is, if the setting change switch 150 is ON, the setting change flag is ON. If the setting change switch 150 is OFF, the setting change flag is OFF. Here, the setting change flag is a flag for determining whether or not to change the setting value in the sub control board 202.

(Step S102)
If it is determined in step S101 that the setting change switch 150 is ON, the initialization unit 300 determines whether the setting value selection switch 162 has been operated. As a result, if the set value selection switch 162 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S103, and if the set value selection switch 162 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S104.

(Step S103)
If the set value selection switch 162 is operated in step S102, the initialization unit 300 reads the current set value, adds 1 to the set value (increments), and derives the temporary set value. . At this time, if the temporary setting value exceeds “6” which is the upper limit of the setting value, “6” is subtracted from the temporary setting value.

(Step S104)
Subsequently, the initialization unit 300 determines whether or not the start switch 128 has been operated. As a result, if the start switch 128 is operated, a command for changing the start switch operation flag on the sub control board 202 to ON is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S105. If the start switch 128 is not operated, The processing from S102 is repeated. Here, the start switch operation flag is a flag for determining whether or not the start switch 128 is operated on the sub control board 202. Thus, until the start switch 128 is operated, the set value is not fixed and the setting change mode is not terminated.

(Step S105)
If it is determined in step S104 that the start switch 128 has been operated, the initialization unit 300 sets the derived temporary setting value as a normal setting value.

(Step S106)
Subsequently, the initialization unit 300 refers to the ON column of the ON / OFF information 382 for the power switch in the main initialization target information table 380 shown in FIG. 10, and initializes each information 384 in the main RAM 200c based on this. To do. Therefore, both the information relating to the gaming state and the error information are initialized.

(Step S107)
If it is determined in step S101 that the setting change switch 150 is OFF, the initialization unit 300 sets the OFF column of the ON / OFF information 382 for the power switch in the main initialization target information table 380 shown in FIG. Based on this, the information 384 in the main RAM 200c is not initialized, and information on the gaming state and error information are maintained as they are.

(Step S108)
Subsequently, the initialization unit 300 refers to the stop setting switch 164 and sets a stop setting flag based on ON / OFF thereof. That is, the stop setting flag is turned on when the stop setting switch 164 is ON, and the stop setting flag is turned off when the stop setting switch 164 is OFF. Here, the stop setting flag is a flag for determining whether or not to execute a stop process in the main control board 200.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the betting process in step S200. Here, a description will be given of a medal credit that is settled by a settlement request in the betting process.

(Step S201)
First, the betting means 302 determines whether or not the replay counter is “0”. That is, here, it is determined whether or not a replay role has been won in the previous game. If it is determined that the re-game counter is “0”, the process proceeds to step S205. If it is determined that the re-game counter is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S202.

(Step S202)
When it is determined in step S201 that the re-game counter is not “0”, that is, when the replay combination is won in the previous game, the betting means 302 starts the game without requiring medal betting. Therefore, re-game processing is performed. Here, the value stored in the regame counter is overwritten on the inserted number counter, a prescribed number of medals are automatically bet, and the regame counter is initialized to “0”. The inserted number counter is a storage area for storing the number of inserted medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 124.

(Step S203)
Next, the betting means 302 controls the medal selector so as to prohibit subsequent medal passage.

(Step S204)
Next, the betting means 302 waits until it detects an operation of the start switch 128. When the operation of the start switch 128 is detected, the betting process S200 is terminated.

(Step S205)
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the replay counter is “0”, the betting means 302 controls the medal selector to enter the slot machine 100 for the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 124. To allow the passage of.

(Step S206)
Next, the betting means 302 determines whether or not a medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 124 has been detected. As a result, if it is determined that an inserted medal is detected, the process proceeds to step S207. If it is determined that no inserted medal is detected, the process proceeds to step S212.

(Step S207)
If it is determined in step S206 that a inserted medal has been detected, the betting means 302 determines whether the number of inserted medals has already reached the maximum prescribed number. Here, as described above, the maximum prescribed number is the largest of the prescribed numbers. In the present embodiment, the prescribed number is fixed to “3”, so the maximum prescribed number is also “3”. It is determined whether the number of sheets has reached three. When the specified number is fixed to “2”, the maximum specified number is “2”, and when the specified number is fixed to “1”, the maximum specified number is “1” and the specified number is 1 When the number can be selected between ˜3, the maximum specified number is “3”, and when the specified number is selectable between 1 and 2, the maximum specified number is “2”. As a result, if it is determined that the inserted number has reached the specified number, the process proceeds to step S209. If it is determined that the inserted number has not reached the specified number, the process proceeds to step S208.

(Step S208)
If it is determined in step S207 that the inserted number has not reached the maximum prescribed number, the betting means 302 newly inserts a value obtained by adding “1” to the value stored in the inserted number counter. Store in the number counter.

(Step S209)
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the number of inserted sheets has reached the maximum specified number, the credit means 312 has reached the upper limit (for example, 50 sheets) of the number of credits stored in the credit counter. It is determined whether or not. The credit counter is a storage area for storing the number of credits. As a result, if it is determined that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S211. If it is determined that the number of credits has not reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S210.

(Step S210)
If it is determined in step S209 that the number of credits has not reached the upper limit, the credit unit 312 newly stores a value obtained by adding “1” to the value stored in the credit counter in the credit counter. To do.

(Step S211)
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, the credit means 312 controls the medal selector to prohibit the subsequent medal passage, and the manually inserted medal is selected as a medal. It is made to discharge from the discharge port 108a.

(Step S212)
Next, the betting means 302 determines whether the operation of the bet button 126 is detected. As a result, if it is determined that the operation of the bet button 126 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S213. If it is determined that the operation of the bet button 126 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S215.

(Step S213)
If it is determined in step S212 that the operation of the bet button 126 has been detected, the betting means 302 determines whether the number of inserted medals has already reached the maximum specified number. As a result, if it is determined that the inserted number has reached the maximum specified number, the process proceeds to step S215. If it is determined that the inserted number has not reached the maximum specified number, the process proceeds to step S214. .

(Step S214)
If it is determined in step S213 that the inserted number has not reached the maximum specified number, the betting means 302 subtracts the credit number stored in the credit counter and is stored in the inserted number counter. A process of adding the number of inserted sheets is performed. Specifically, when the number of credits necessary to reach the maximum prescribed number is stored in the credit counter, the credit counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the inserted number from the stored number of credits. At the same time, the insertion number counter is updated to the maximum specified number. Further, when the number of credits necessary to reach the maximum specified number is not stored (the number of credits is 1 or 2), the credit counter is updated to “0” and the stored number of inserted sheets is set. The inserted number counter is updated to the value obtained by adding the number of credits. If the number of credits is “0”, the process proceeds to step S215 without updating the insertion number counter and the credit counter.

(Step S215)
Next, the betting means 302 determines whether the operation of the start switch 128 has been detected. As a result, if it is determined that the operation of the start switch 128 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S216. If it is determined that the operation of the start switch 128 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S206. repeat.

(Step S216)
If it is determined in step S215 that the operation of the start switch 128 has been detected, the betting means 302 determines whether or not the number of inserted medals is equal to or greater than the minimum prescribed number. Here, as described above, the minimum prescribed number is the smallest of the prescribed numbers. In the present embodiment, the prescribed number is fixed to “3”, so the minimum prescribed number is also “3”, which is input. It is determined whether the number of sheets has reached three. When the specified number is fixed to “2”, the minimum specified number is “2”, and when the specified number is fixed to “1”, the minimum specified number is “1” and the specified number is 1 When it is selectable between ˜3, the minimum specified number is “1”, and when the specified number is selectable between 1 and 2, the minimum specified number is “1”. As a result, if it is determined that the inserted number is equal to or greater than the minimum specified number, the process proceeds to step S217. If it is determined that the inserted number is less than the minimum specified number, the process proceeds to step S206. repeat.

(Step S217)
If it is determined in step S216 that the inserted number is equal to or greater than the minimum prescribed number, the betting means 302 controls the medal selector to prohibit subsequent medal passage.

(Step S218)
Next, the betting means 302 turns off the settlement permission flag, prohibits the settlement process, and ends the betting process. Through such a bet process, the maximum prescribed number of medals are accepted from the medal insertion unit 124, or the operation of the bet button 126 is accepted in a situation where the credits exceeding the maximum prescribed number are stored, and excessively inserted. Medals can be stored as credits.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of the reel rotation processing in step S400. Here, the weight is executed, and in particular, the freeze process is executed when the winning combination is a bonus combination.

(Step S401)
When the lottery process S300 ends, the reel control unit 306 determines whether or not the lottery result in the lottery process S300 is a winning combination of bonus. As a result, if the lottery result is a bonus combination winning, the process proceeds to step S402. If the lottery result is not a bonus winning combination, the process proceeds to step S403.

(Step S402)
If it is determined in step S401 that the lottery result is that the bonus combination is won, the reel control unit 306 sets a wait time of, for example, 15 seconds in the wait timer to execute the freeze process. The wait timer is subtracted with the passage of time and indicates “0” after 15 seconds. In this way, the freeze process is executed when the winning combination is a bonus combination.

(Step S403)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether the wait timer is “0”, that is, a predetermined wait time (4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the previous rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c, or It is determined whether or not a predetermined wait time (15 seconds) has elapsed since the execution of step S402. As a result, when the wait timer is not “0” and it is determined that the predetermined wait time has not elapsed since the previous rotation of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c or after the execution of step S402. Step S403 is repeated, and if it is determined that a predetermined wait time has elapsed since the start of the rotation of the previous rotation reels 134a, 134b, 134c or after the execution of Step S402, the process proceeds to Step S404. Move processing. Thus, the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is limited until the wait time has elapsed.

(Step S404)
If it is determined in step S403 that the wait timer is “0”, the reel control unit 306 sets 4.1 seconds in the wait timer in preparation for the wait execution process of the next game.

(Step S405)
Next, the reel control unit 306 controls the reel drive control unit 258 to drive the stepping motor 262 and starts the rotation of the rotary reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

(Step S406)
Next, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switch 130 when all of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c have been rotated at a constant speed, and ends the reel rotating process.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the payout process in step S700. Here, medals are paid out. When the medals are paid out in the bonus game state, a stop process is performed when the bonus game state ends.

(Step S701)
The payout control unit 310 determines whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the active line corresponds to any small combination in the determination process S600, that is, whether or not the small combination has won a prize. As a result, if the small combination has won, the process proceeds to step S702, and if the small combination has not won, the process proceeds to step S712.

(Step S702)
If it is determined in step S701 that the small combination has won, the payout control unit 310 determines the number of payouts according to the display mode of the symbol combination corresponding to the small combination displayed on the active line. The number of payouts (= the number of payouts remaining) is set in the payout counter. For example, if the small role “Bell” is won, “10” is set in the payout counter (see FIG. 5), and the set payout number is displayed on the main payout display unit 154. The payout counter is a storage area for storing the remaining number of medals to be paid out.

(Step S703)
Next, the payout control unit 310 determines whether or not the number of credits has reached an upper limit (for example, 50). That is, it is determined whether or not medals can be paid out by credit. As a result, if it is determined that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S707. If it is determined that the number of credits has not reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S704.

(Step S704)
If it is determined in step S703 that the number of credits has not reached the upper limit, the payout control unit 310 newly sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the payout number stored in the payout counter in the payout counter. The new payout number is displayed on the main payout display unit 154.

(Step S705)
Next, the payout control unit 310 sets a new value obtained by adding “1” to the number of credits stored in the credit counter in the credit counter, and displays the new number of credits on the main credit display unit 152.

(Step S706)
Next, the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the payout number stored in the payout counter has become “0”. That is, it is determined whether or not the medals have been paid out. As a result, when it is determined that the number of payouts is “0”, the process proceeds to step S712. When it is determined that the number of payouts is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S703, and the number of credits reaches the upper limit. The processing from step S703 to S705 is repeated until it reaches or the payout number becomes “0”.

(Step S707)
If it is determined in step S703 that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, the payout control unit 310 starts rotation of the disk of the payout control unit 264b in order to pay out medals from the medal discharge port 108a.

(Step S708)
Next, the payout control unit 310 waits until the payout medal detection unit 264c detects discharge of a medal (one piece) from the medal discharge port 108a.

(Step S709)
When the medal discharge is detected by the payout medal detection unit 264c, the payout control unit 310 newly sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the number of payouts stored in the payout counter in the payout counter, and the new payout is made. The number of sheets is displayed on the main payout display unit 154.

(Step S710)
Next, the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the payout number stored in the payout counter has become “0”. That is, it is determined whether or not the medals have been paid out. As a result, if it is determined that the payout number is “0”, the process proceeds to step S711. If it is determined that the payout number is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S708. Steps S708 and S709 are repeated until “0” is reached.

(Step S711)
When it is determined in step S710 that the payout number is “0”, the payout control unit 310 stops the rotation of the disk of the payout control unit 264b.

(Step S712)
Next, the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the re-game counter is “0”. As a result, if it is determined that the regame counter is “0”, the process proceeds to step S713. If it is determined that the regame counter is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S714. Thus, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” is established, the settlement permission flag shown in step S713 is kept OFF until the next game is completed, and the settlement process is not permitted.

(Step S713)
If it is determined in step S712 that the replay counter is “0”, the payout control unit 310 turns on the settlement permission flag and moves the process to step S714. In this way, a checkout process becomes possible.

(Step S714)
Next, the payout control means 310 determines whether the gaming state is a bonus gaming state and the total number of payouts during the bonus game exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 465). As a result, if the gaming state is the bonus gaming state and the total payout number during the bonus game exceeds the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S715, and the gaming state is not the bonus gaming state, or the bonus gaming state If the total number of payouts does not exceed the predetermined number, the payout process S700 is terminated.

(Step S715)
If it is determined in step S714 that the gaming state is the bonus gaming state and the total number of payouts during the bonus game exceeds the predetermined number, the payout control means 310 ends the bonus gaming state and plays the game The state is changed to the normal gaming state.

(Step S716)
Next, the stop unit 314 determines whether or not the stop setting flag is ON (stop setting is performed). As a result, if the stop setting flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S717. If the stop setting flag is not ON, the payout process S700 is ended.

(Step S717)
If it is determined in step S716 that the stop setting flag is ON, the stop means 314 makes a settlement request. When a settlement request is made, a settlement process S800 described later is executed by an interrupt. In this way, all medals stored in the credit are settled (cleoff).

(Step S718)
Next, the stop unit 314 sends a command to change the stop execution flag on the sub-control board to ON in order to control the information that is initialized when the slot machine 100 is made unplayable and power is turned on again. Then, the sub control board 202 receives the command and turns on the stop execution flag. The stop execution flag is a flag for determining that the stop process is executed by the sub control board 202 when the stop process is executed in the main control board 200. The stop execution flag is not initialized until it is determined in the initialization process after the power is turned on again that the episode video identifier is not initialized, or until the reset switch 148 is operated.

(Step S719)
Subsequently, the stopping means 314 determines whether or not the reset switch 148 is ON. As a result, if the reset switch 148 is not ON, the process of step S719 is repeated until the reset switch 148 is turned ON, and the process waits for the slot machine 100 to be reset. If the reset switch 148 is ON, the payout process S700 is terminated. In parallel with this, when the reset switch 148 is turned ON, a reset process S900, which will be described later, is executed by an interrupt, and the inoperable state is canceled in the reset process S900. As described above, when the stop setting flag is set, the game is temporarily interrupted by the settlement request process (cleoff process) in step S717 and the transition to the reset waiting state in step S719. The player can continue the game when the administrator resets the slot machine 100.

  Such a stop process can be used as a service that realizes so-called one-time replacement or suggests that the slot machine 100 can receive more payouts. Such stop processing is repeatedly executed unless the administrator intentionally changes the stop setting flag (ie, does not turn it OFF). Therefore, while the stop setting flag is not changed and ON is maintained, the stop processing is once performed via the bonus game state, and even if the game is continued by the reset, the next bonus game state is ended. When it is done, the stop process is executed again. However, the stop execution flag is turned OFF by the operation of the reset switch 148.

  As described above, the stop setting flag is determined by turning the stop setting switch 164 ON or OFF after turning off the power of the slot machine 100 and turning on the power again (if the stop setting switch 164 is ON). If the stop setting switch 164 is OFF, the stop setting flag is turned OFF. Therefore, in order to cancel the stop setting, it is necessary to perform a series of operations such as power-off of the slot machine 100, switching the stop setting switch 164 to OFF, and power-on again. In this embodiment, even when such a stop setting change process is performed in the reset waiting state, the identifier of the episode video is not initialized.

  However, as described above, when the reset switch 148 is operated, the stop execution flag is turned OFF. Therefore, when the stop setting change process is performed after the reset switch 148 is operated, the stop execution flag is turned OFF by the operation of the reset switch 148, and the episode video is transmitted through power interruption and power-on to change the stop setting. The identifier of is initialized. On the other hand, when the reset switch 148 is operated after the stop setting changing process is performed, the identifier is not affected by the stop execution flag, so that the identifier is maintained. That is, when returning from the reset waiting state to the normal gaming state, the administrator maintains identifiers (stop setting change processing → reset switch 148 operation according to the processing sequence of the reset switch 148 operation and the stop setting change processing). ) Or initialization (operation of the reset switch 148 → stop setting changing process) can be selected.

(Interrupt processing of main control board 200)
14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the interrupt processing of the main control board 200. Here, in particular, the settlement process S800 (see FIG. 14) and the reset process S900 (see FIG. 15) will be described, and description of other interrupt processes will be omitted.

(Step S800)
When the settlement operation through the settlement button 132 is performed, the process proceeds to the interrupt process. Here, medals that have already bet and medals that have been credited can be returned (settled). In the settlement process, the medals stored in the credits are settled in response to the settlement request when the settlement button 132 is operated by the player, and also in response to the settlement request for the stop process.

(Step S801)
First, the settlement means 316 determines whether the settlement permission flag is ON. As a result, if it is determined that the settlement permission flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S802. If it is determined that the settlement permission flag is not ON, the settlement process (interrupt process) S800 is terminated.

(Step S802)
If it is determined that the settlement allowance flag is ON, the settlement means 316 sets the sum of the inserted number stored in the inserted number counter and the credit number stored in the credit counter in the settlement counter. The settlement counter is a storage area for storing the remaining number of medals to be settled.

(Step S803)
Next, the settlement means 316 determines whether the settlement number is “1” or more. As a result, when it is determined that the number of payments is “1” or more, the process proceeds to step S804, and when it is determined that the number of payments is not “1” or more, that is, there are no medals to be settled. The settlement process S800 ends.

(Step S804)
If it is determined in S803 that the number of payments is “1” or more, the payment means 316 starts rotating the disk of the payout control unit 264b in order to pay out medals from the medal discharge port 108a.

(Step S805)
Next, the settlement means 316 waits until the payout medal detection unit 264c detects discharge of a medal (one) from the medal discharge port 108a.

(Step S806)
When the payout medal detection unit 264c detects the discharge of medals, the settlement means 316 newly sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the settlement number stored in the settlement counter in the settlement counter.

(Step S807)
Next, the settlement means 316 determines whether or not the inserted number stored in the inserted number counter is “0”. That is, it is determined whether or not to perform the medal settlement process for the inserted number of sheets. As a result, if it is determined that the inserted number is “0”, the process proceeds to step S809. If it is determined that the inserted number is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S808.

(Step S808)
If it is determined in step S807 that the inserted number is not “0”, the settlement means 316 newly sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the inserted number stored in the inserted number counter in the inserted number counter.

(Step S809)
If it is determined in step S807 that the inserted number is “0”, the settlement means 316 newly sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the number of credits stored in the credit counter in the credit counter, The number of credits displayed is displayed on the main credit display unit 152.

(Step S810)
Next, the settlement means 316 determines whether the settlement number stored in the settlement counter has become “0”. That is, it is determined whether or not the medal settlement process has been completed. As a result, if it is determined that the settlement number is “0”, the process proceeds to step S811, and if it is determined that the settlement number is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S805. The process from step S805 to step S810 is repeated until “0” is reached.

(Step S811)
If it is determined in step S810 that the settlement number is “0”, the settlement unit 316 stops the disk rotation of the payout control unit 264b and ends the settlement process. In this way, the medal stored in the credit can be settled in response to the settlement request.

(Step S900)
When a reset operation is performed through the reset switch 148, the process proceeds to the reset process. In the reset process, an error state such as a game impossible state due to the stop is mainly canceled. The reset unit 318 transmits a reset command indicating that the reset switch 148 has been operated to the sub control board 202.

(Step S901)
The reset means 318 refers to the reset switch column of the main initialization target information table 380 shown in FIG. 10, and based on this, initializes only error information in the main RAM 200c, and maintains information regarding the gaming state as it is. Further, the initialization unit 300 transmits a command for changing the stop execution flag in the sub-control board 202 to OFF. The sub-control board 202 receives the command and turns off the stop execution flag regardless of the ON / OFF state of the stop execution flag. Here, the reason why the stop execution flag is turned off is to prevent the stop execution flag from being turned ON by performing a reset through the reset switch 148 after the stop processing. If the stop execution flag is not initialized by the reset switch 148, the game impossible state due to the stop is canceled by operating the reset switch 148, the game is continued without changing the stop setting, and a new bonus is added. If there is no game (no stoppage is made) and the power is interrupted after the business hours are over, the identifier will not be initialized when the power is turned on the next day, and the episode video will start from the middle even if the day changes Because it will start.

(Sub-processing of sub-control board 202)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a sub process of the sub control board 202.

(Step S1100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on via the power switch 160 and the power is turned on, the initialization determining unit 330 of the sub control board 202 executes the initialization process, like the initialization unit 300 of the main control board 200, Allow interrupts. In the initialization process, the information to be initialized among the various types of information in the sub RAM 202c differs depending on the situation when the power is turned off or the situation when the power is turned on. Such initialization of the sub RAM 202c will be described in detail later.

(Step S1200)
Command receiving means 332 waits for a command from main control board 200 to be received.

(Step S1300)
If it is determined in step S1200 that a command has been received, the command receiving unit 332 executes various processes based on the received command.

(Detailed processing of initialization processing S1100)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the initialization process in step S1100, and FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the sub-initialization target information table 390. The sub-initialization target information table 390 is a table that defines a target to be initialized among the information stored in the sub-RAM 202c, and includes a setting change flag ON / OFF information 392 and a stop execution flag ON / OFF information 394. Accordingly, whether or not to initialize the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c is determined.

(Step S1101)
When the power switch 160 is turned on, the sub control board 202 starts to operate, and the initialization determining unit 330 determines whether or not the setting change flag is ON. As a result, if the setting change flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1102, and if the setting change flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1104.

(Step S1102)
If it is determined in step S1101 that the setting change flag is ON, the initialization determination unit 330 determines whether the start switch 128 is operated through whether the start switch operation flag is ON. As a result, if the start switch operation flag is ON, the start switch operation flag is turned OFF and the process proceeds to step S1103. If the start switch operation flag is not ON, the process of step S1102 is repeated. Thus, it waits until the setting change mode in the main control board 200 is completed.

(Step S1103)
If it is determined in step S1102 that a command indicating that the start switch 128 has been operated is received, the initialization unit 330 sets the ON column of the ON / OFF information 392 in the sub-initialization target information table 390 shown in FIG. The information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c is initialized based on the reference. Therefore, all the information regarding the production including the identifier is initialized.

(Step S1104)
If it is determined in step S1101 that the setting change flag is not ON, the initialization determination unit 330 determines whether or not the stop execution flag is ON (stop is performed). As a result, if the stop execution flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1105. If the stop execution flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1107.

(Step S1105)
If it is determined in step S1104 that the stop execution flag is ON, the initialization determining unit 330 sets the ON / OFF information 392 of the setting change flag in the power switch of the sub-initialization target information table 390 shown in FIG. With reference to OFF and the ON column of ON / OFF information 394 of the stop execution flag, it is determined based on this whether or not the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c is to be initialized. Here, all the information regarding the production is not initialized. In this way, when the stop process is executed, the identifier is not initialized, so that the player can view the episode video that follows the previous episode video even after the power is turned on. Become.

(Step S1106)
Subsequently, the initialization determining unit 330 sets the stop execution flag to OFF, returns the state of the stop execution flag to the original state, and ends the initialization process S1100.

(Step S1107)
If it is determined in step S1104 that the stop execution flag is not ON, the initialization determination unit 330 stores the setting change flag ON / OFF information 392 in the power switch of the sub-initialization target information table 390 shown in FIG. The information 396 stored in the sub-RAM 202c is initialized based on the OFF and the OFF column of the ON / OFF information 394 of the stop execution flag. Here, an identifier for identifying the episode video 374 is initialized from the information related to the effect. Therefore, when the default value is set as the identifier and the bonus combination is won next time, the episode video 374 corresponding to the identifier “1” in the episode effect production table 370 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Become.

(Detailed processing of command reception processing S1300)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the command reception process in step S1300.
Here, the process for the episode effect related to the feature of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the feature of the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S1301)
First, the command receiving means 332 determines whether or not the received command is a winning combination command and the winning combination command indicates winning of a bonus combination. As a result, if the received command is the winning combination command and the winning combination command indicates that the bonus combination is won, the process proceeds to step S1302, and is not the winning combination command or is the winning combination command. If the winning combination command does not indicate winning of the bonus combination, the process proceeds to step S1305.

(Step S1302)
If it is determined that the command received in step S1301 is a winning combination command and that the winning combination command indicates winning of a bonus combination, the effect determining unit 334 determines the identifier (from the sub RAM 202c functioning as a storage unit). The current identifier) is read out, and the effect table 370 is read out from the sub ROM 202b. And the effect determination means 334 specifies the episode animation 374 matched with the read identifier 372 in the effect table 370, and determines it as an effect.

(Step S1303)
Next, the command transmitting unit 336 transmits an effect command that can identify the episode video 374 determined by the effect determining unit 334 to the liquid crystal control board 204. Then, the effect execution means 364 of the liquid crystal control board 204 extracts the liquid crystal display data from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the effect command and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 138. At this time, the time of the episode video 374 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 is set to a time longer than the time of freeze processing (for example, 15 seconds), and the player can operate the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c. During the standby until it is turned into an episode, the episode animation 374 that bears a part of the continuous story is visually recognized.

(Step S1304)
Subsequently, the identifier update unit 338 updates the identifiers stored in the storage unit to identifiers in the next order. For example, when the identifier is indicated by a continuous numerical value as shown in the effect table 370 of FIG. 7, the identifier update unit 338 updates the identifier by incrementing (+1). The identifier is managed by a counter using the sub RAM 202c. If the identifier “1” is read in step S1302 and the episode video “Batter enters the batting” corresponding to the identifier “1” in the effect table 370 of FIG. 7 is displayed, the identifier is set to “2” in step S1304. Is updated. Then, when the next bonus combination is won, the identifier 372 is “2”, and the effect determining means 334 throws the episode video “pitcher first pitch” associated with the identifier “2” in step S1302. Will be determined.

(Step S1305)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 determines whether or not the received command is a reset command. As a result, if the received command is a reset command, the process proceeds to step S1306, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1307.

  If it is determined in step S1305 that the received command is a reset command, the command receiving unit 332 refers to the reset command column of the sub-initialization target information table 390 shown in FIG. 18, and based on this, the sub-RAM 202c All the information regarding the effect including the identifier is maintained without being initialized. Thus, the identifier is not initialized by the reset command.

(Step S1307)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 performs various other processes for the received command (for example, a throw command, winning combination command, first to third stop commands, winning command, payout command, etc.), for example, the liquid crystal display unit 138. Processing for generating an image command for specifying an image to be displayed on the LCD panel and transmitting it to the liquid crystal control board 204 is performed, and the command reception processing is terminated. Since such processing is irrelevant to the features of the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The processing flow of the present embodiment described above will be specifically described using the transition of episode videos.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the episode effect. Normally, in the slot machine 100, each time a bonus combination is won, episode videos corresponding to the identifier are sequentially displayed as shown in FIG. 20A. For example, the episode video “Batter is at bat” corresponding to the identifier “1”. The episode video “Pitcher 1st pitch” corresponding to the identifier “2”,..., The episode video “home run” corresponding to the identifier “5” is displayed (see FIG. 7). For example, when the power switch 160 is turned off and turned on again with the identifier updated to “2” in a state where the stop is not performed, the identifier is initialized to “1”, and thereafter, the bonus combination is used. Even if the winner is selected, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), the episode movie “Batter enters the batter” with the identifier “1” is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the stop process is set, the power is reset after the bonus gaming state is ended. In this case, the identifiers are not initialized, and the identifiers are maintained in order. When the bonus combination is won, the episode videos can be displayed in the order according to the story as shown in FIG.

  As described above, with the slot machine 100 described above, it is possible to avoid the redisplay of the episode video due to power interruption in stopping and the like, and power-on again, and the entertainment of the game can be enhanced.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the sub RAM 202c stores the setting change flag ON / OFF information 392 and the stop execution flag ON / OFF information 394 indicating whether stop has been executed before power interruption. It is determined whether or not to initialize the information 396. This is based on the fact that, when a power interruption is made immediately after the stop process is executed, it is highly possible that the point in time is within the business hours preset by the administrator (within a predetermined time range). . However, it is not limited to such a stop process, and it may be determined that it is within business hours. For example, the setting change flag ON / OFF information 392 and whether or not to initialize the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c depending on whether the power interruption or power on is within business hours are determined. May be.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another sub-initialization target information table 400. Similar to the sub-initialization target information table 390, the sub-initialization target information table 400 is a table that defines a target to be initialized among the information stored in the sub-RAM 202c. Whether to initialize the information 406 stored in the sub RAM 202c according to the information 404 within and outside the time is determined. The initialization determining unit 330 uses the sub-initialization target information table 400 to initialize identifiers and information related to effects other than identifiers. Here, it is possible to determine whether or not it is within business hours by determining the time by the RTC in the slot machine 100. For example, power interruption during reel rotation, elapsed time from the last game, etc. It is also possible to make a judgment based on various events that may occur during the game.

  In the embodiment described above, an example is given in which episode effects are managed by the sub control board 202, but may be managed by another control board such as the main control board 200, for example, by the main control board 200. In the case of management, an identifier item is added to the main initialization target information table 380 in FIG. 10 instead of the sub initialization target information tables 390 and 400 in FIG. 18 and FIG.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the condition for stopping is the end of the bonus gaming state which is a specific gaming state, but is not limited to such a case. For example, the condition for stopping is the winning probability of the replay role. Winning the winning combination with the so-called replay time (RT), which increases the lottery opportunities for winning roles, and the operating sequence and timing of stop switches as winning conditions When the game ends, the so-called assist time (AT) that makes it easy to win the winning combination by notifying the operation order and operation timing of the stop switch, and the end of the ART or the like that gives the player RT and AT at the same time Also good. Moreover, it is also possible to set a predetermined condition for stopping one or more specific game states selected from such a plurality of specific game states. In this case, the RT information is handled in the same manner as the information regarding the gaming state of the main initialization target information table 380 shown in FIG. 10, and the AT information is the sub-initialization target information table shown in FIGS. 390 and 400 are handled in the same manner as information related to effects other than the identifiers.

  In the above-described embodiment, the effect determining means determines the effect when the game state is a specific game state. However, the trigger for determining the effect is not limited to this. For example, the effect is determined in a specific game state. Winning a designated lottery (transition lottery), that a transition has been made, a specific gaming state has ended, a specific winning combination has been won, a specific winning combination has won, a specific symbol combination has been displayed, The production can be determined under predetermined conditions such as a combination thereof. For example, when a specific winning combination is won, the number of winning combinations is counted, and when a gaming privilege (for example, points) is given according to the number, the counted value is displayed as an effect. You may do that. In the above-described embodiment, the identifier is managed by the sub control board 202. However, it goes without saying that the control may be managed by another control board such as the main control board 200 or the liquid crystal control board 204. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which an effect (episode video) associated with an identifier is executed in a freeze process before shifting to a specific gaming state (bonus gaming state). Not limited to this, it may be executed during a specific gaming state or after a specific gaming state. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the presentation (episode video) associated with the identifier is executed every time the transition is made to a specific gaming state (bonus gaming state), but when the transition is made to a specific gaming state. It may be determined whether or not to execute the effect associated with the identifier by lottery and execute the effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not to initialize the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c according to the ON / OFF information 394 of the stop execution flag. Whether or not to initialize the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c may be determined according to switching of the stop setting flag. For example, instead of determining the stop execution flag in step S1104, the previous value of the stop setting flag and the current value of the stop setting flag are referred to, and the previous value is different from the current value or the previous value is ON. Even when one or both of the conditions when the current value is OFF (when the stop setting flag is switched from ON to OFF) are satisfied, the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c may not be initialized. Good. In the former case, when the stop setting flag is not switched, and in the latter case, when the stop setting flag is not switched, or when the stop setting flag is switched from OFF to ON, the information 396 stored in the sub RAM 202c is initialized. The When the processing is completed, the current value of the stop setting flag is overwritten with the previous value of the stop setting flag. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not to initialize the identifier depending on whether or not the stop setting has been switched. However, when it is determined whether or not to initialize only when the stop setting flag is switched, the identifier is not initialized even when the stop setting flag is switched outside business hours. In this case, the identifier can be initialized by switching the power off and turning on the power again without switching the stop setting flag.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when setting change is executed (setting change flag is ON), the identifier of the episode video is uniformly initialized. It is possible to determine whether or not to reset the identifier by turning ON / OFF the stop execution flag or switching the stop setting flag, and to prevent the reset from being performed even when a setting change is executed.

  Also, the identifier may not be initialized even when a power failure such as a power failure does not depend on the operation of the power switch 160 or the reset switch 148.

  Further, the processes performed by the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 described above do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and may include processes in parallel or by a subroutine.

100 ... slot machine (game machine)
148 ... Reset switch 150 ... Setting change switch 160 ... Power switch 162 ... Set value selection switch 164 ... Stop setting switch 200 ... Main control board 202 ... Sub control board 302 ... Bet means 304 ... Winning winning lottery means 306 ... Reel control means 308 ... Determination means 310 ... Payment control means 312 ... Credit means 314 ... Stopping means 316 ... Settlement means 330 ... Initialization determination means 334 ... Production determination means 338 ... Identifier update means

Claims (4)

Betting means for betting gaming media for use in gaming;
A winning combination lottery means for deciding either a winning combination or a loser by a winning combination lottery based on operation of a bet and a start switch of a game medium;
A plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged thereon;
Based on the operation of the start switch, the rotation reels are controlled to rotate, and based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating rotation reel, the rotation reels corresponding to the operated stop switch are respectively controlled to stop. Reel control means;
It is determined whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, and based on the determination result, one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of player advantage A determination means for determining a gaming state;
Based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, a payout control means for paying out the game medium corresponding to the winning combination;
A gaming machine equipped with
An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in the storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition;
Effect execution means for executing the effect determined by the effect determination means;
An identifier update unit that updates the identifier stored in the storage unit to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the production by the production execution unit.
When the power is turned off or turned on again, it is determined whether or not to initialize the identifier depending on whether or not the stop is performed before the power is turned off. Initialization determination means for initializing
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: Game medium accepting means for accepting the insertion of game media from the slot;
Credit means for storing game media as credits up to a predetermined upper limit number;
Further comprising
The betting means bets a predetermined number of game media out of the game media accepted by the game media accepting means when the game media is entered from the slot, and the credit means accepts the game media accepting means. Among the game media accepted in the above, the number of game media exceeding the predetermined number, and the game media paid out by the payout control means are stored as credits,
In accordance with a settlement request, a settlement unit that settles at least one of the game medium bet by the bet unit and the credit stored in the credit unit;
When a specific gaming state ends, a stop means that executes the settlement request and shifts to a reset waiting state;
Further comprising
The initialization determining means accepts turning off and on of the power, and if it is after the stop means shifts to a reset waiting state, the identifier stored in the storage means is maintained without being initialized. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: Betting means for betting gaming media for use in gaming;
A winning combination lottery means for deciding either a winning combination or a loser by a winning combination lottery based on operation of a bet and a start switch of a game medium;
A plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged thereon;
Based on the operation of the start switch, the rotation reels are controlled to rotate, and based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating rotation reel, the rotation reels corresponding to the operated stop switch are respectively controlled to stop. Reel control means;
It is determined whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, and based on the determination result, one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of player advantage A determination means for determining a gaming state;
Based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, a payout control means for paying out the game medium corresponding to the winning combination;
A gaming machine equipped with
An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in the storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition;
Effect execution means for executing the effect determined by the effect determination means;
An identifier update unit that updates the identifier stored in the storage unit to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the production by the production execution unit.
When the power supply is turned off or turned on again, it is determined whether or not to initialize the identifier according to whether or not the stop setting is switched, and when it is decided to initialize, it is stored in the storage means. Initialization determining means for initializing the identifier
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: Betting means for betting gaming media for use in gaming;
A winning combination lottery means for deciding either a winning combination or a loser by a winning combination lottery based on operation of a bet and a start switch of a game medium;
A plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged thereon;
Based on the operation of the start switch, the rotation reels are controlled to rotate, and based on the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating rotation reel, the rotation reels corresponding to the operated stop switch are respectively controlled to stop. Reel control means;
It is determined whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, and based on the determination result, one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of player advantage A determination means for determining a gaming state;
Based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, a payout control means for paying out the game medium corresponding to the winning combination;
A gaming machine equipped with
An effect determining means for determining one effect based on an identifier stored in the storage means among a plurality of effects associated with a plurality of identifiers under a predetermined condition;
Effect execution means for executing the effect determined by the effect determination means;
An identifier update unit that updates the identifier stored in the storage unit to a different identifier in accordance with the execution of the production by the production execution unit.
When determining whether to initialize the identifier according to whether or not the time when the power is turned off and turned on again is within a predetermined time range, and determining to initialize. Initialization determination means for initializing identifiers stored in the storage means;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: