JP2013208228A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve amusement of a game by diversifying a lottery opportunity so as to improve a presentation effect.SOLUTION: In a game machine, a winning combination lottery means determines by lottery either a winning combination or losing on the basis of operation on a start switch. A presentation determination means refers to one of plural presentation lottery tables on the basis of the winning combination or losing determined by the winning combination lottery means, determines one of plural winning areas in the presentation lottery table, and determines the presentation of a game associated with the winning area. A specific game determination means determines whether to execute a specific game advantageous to a player on the basis of an ordinal number of the determined winning area, and executes the specific game.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to give a game profit to a player.

  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.

  Then, an effect for giving the player the expectation of winning the winning combination and the gaming state is executed. Such effects are determined by lottery according to the winning combination and the gaming state. For example, the effect lottery table used for the effect lottery has a hierarchical structure. First, a lottery is performed based on the lottery table in the upper hierarchy, and the selection rate of the lottery table in the lower hierarchy is changed based on the lottery result, and the selection is made. The production is determined according to the rate (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-130259 A

  In the gaming machine, not only the bonus gaming state described above but also the transition to a specific gaming state such as a so-called AT (assist time) gaming state or RT (replay time) gaming state in which the game proceeds favorably for the player. Can be determined. However, conventionally, the transition to the specific gaming state is simply drawn based on the lottery result of the winning combination, and the production is monotonously determined based on the lottery result. Under such circumstances, the player grasps the lottery result to some extent through the winning combination, feels tired, and the game interest may be lost. In addition, when the player grasps the winning combination, the player cancels the production without waiting for the completion of the production, and shifts to the next game, so that the production effect is not improved. Therefore, it is desired to diversify the lottery system that can keep the player's expectation and to further improve the production effect.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving a production effect by diversifying lottery opportunities and improving the interest of a game.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gaming machine of the present invention is determined by a winning combination lottery means for determining either a winning combination or a loser by lottery based on an operation of a start switch and a winning combination lottery means. Based on the winning combination or lose, refer to one of the plurality of effect lottery tables, determine one of the plurality of winning areas in the effect lottery table, and determine the game effect associated with the winning area Based on the effect determining means, the ordinal number of the winning area determined by the effect determining means, specific game determining means for determining whether or not to execute a specific game advantageous to the player, and specific game execution for executing the specific game Means.

  Whether or not to execute the specific game may be associated with each ordinal number of the plurality of winning areas.

  The effect lottery table is provided for each of the plurality of hierarchies, and the effect determining means determines the lower-level effect lottery table based on the effect determined with reference to the higher-level effect lottery table, and is sequentially determined for each layer. One of the plurality of winning areas in the effect lottery table is determined, and the specific game determining means is based on the sum of the respective ordinal numbers of the winning areas determined by the effect determining means in the effect lottery table for each of the plurality of layers. Whether or not to execute a specific game may be determined.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the production effect by diversifying the lottery opportunities and improve 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 a symbol combination. It is a figure which shows the winning combination lottery table for normal game states. It is a figure which shows the winning combination lottery table for internal game states. It is a figure which shows the winning combination lottery table for bonus game states. It is a figure which shows the winning combination lottery table for RT gaming states. It is a figure which shows a specific game lottery table. It is a figure which shows an effect lottery table. It is a figure which shows the production | presentation lottery table which added the success / failure determination of a specific game. It is the flowchart which showed the main 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 command reception process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the specific game lottery process of the sub control board. It is a figure showing an example of auxiliary production. It is a figure which shows the production | presentation lottery table for demonstrating other embodiment.

  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, and are referred to as stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c in order from the left.

  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 FIGS. 1 and 2, among the symbols provided on the left reel 134 a, the middle reel 134 b, and the right reel 134 c, a symbol display window is provided inside each of the rotating reels 134 a, 134 b, 134 c. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided that individually irradiates the upper, middle, and lower stages of each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to 136 (which can be the target of an effective line) independently from the back surface. ing. 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.

(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, a determination unit 308, a payout control unit 310, and a credit unit 312. 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 by a winning combination lottery based on the betting of medals and the operation of the start switch 128. The reel control means 306 controls rotation and stop of the rotary reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. 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 means 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.

  In the main control board 200, various detection signals are received from the inserted medal detection unit 124b, the bet button 126, the start switch 128, the stop switch 130, and the checkout button 132. Based on the received detection signals, the main CPU 200a has various types. Execute the process. 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 signals of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal of the start switch 128, and 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 rotational position detection circuit 260, which are transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal. .

  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 random number generating means 200d. The random number generating means 200d 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 generation means 200d 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 when the game progresses, and a plurality of winning combination lottery tables corresponding to these game states and set values are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts the corresponding winning combination lottery table from the main ROM 200b in accordance with the current gaming state and set value stored in the main RAM 200c, and based on the extracted winning combination lottery table, the start switch 128. It is determined which winning combination lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal corresponds to which winning combination or lose in the winning combination lottery table.

  Here, the winning combination extracted from each winning combination lottery 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 gaming state is a winning combination lottery table (a winning combination lottery table for bonus gaming state described later) in which a winning probability of a small combination is set so that medals substantially increase when determining a winning combination. This is a gaming state to be used, 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 effective lines and symbol combinations. 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.

  As shown in the symbol combination of FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, as the winning combination, “Replay 1”, “Replay 2”, “Replay 3”, “Bell”, “Watermelon 1”, “ "Watermelon 2", "Watermelon 3", "Watermelon 4", "Watermelon 5", "Watermelon 6", "Watermelon 7", "Watermelon 8" (hereinafter "Watermelon 1" to "Watermelon 8" ~ 8 ”),“ Cherry ”,“ Big Bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) ”,“ Regular Bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) ”in total 15 types of winning roles are provided. ing. Among these, the winning roles “Replay 1”, “Replay 2” and “Replay 3” correspond to the above-mentioned replay roles, and “Bell”, “Watermelon 1”, “Watermelon 2”, “Watermelon 3”, “Watermelon 4” “Watermelon 5”, “Watermelon 6”, “Watermelon 7”, “Watermelon 8” and “Cherry” correspond to the above small role, and “BB” and “RB” correspond to the above bonus role.

  If the winning combination “Replay 1” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 1”, the “replay” symbols written on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, respectively. It can be displayed on the same active line. If the winning combination “Replay 2” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 2”, the “Bell” symbol written on the left reel 134a is on the active line. The “replay” symbols written on the middle reel 134b and the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line as described above. If the winning combination “Replay 3” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, “replay” written on each of the left reel 134a and the middle reel 134b among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3”. The symbol can be displayed on the same effective line, and the “bell” symbol written on the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is on the active line when the stop switch 130 is pressed, stop control is performed so that the symbol is stopped on the active line. Made. In addition, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is not on the active line, but corresponds to four symbols in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotary reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. If it is within the range (drawing range), the stop control is performed so that the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is drawn on the active line. Hereinafter, processing such as “stop control” or “displayable” simply includes a process of drawing a symbol corresponding to the winning combination within such a pull-in range.

  In each of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the “replay” symbol and the “bell” symbol are arranged so that they can be displayed on the effective line by the stop control described above (FIGS. 3 and 5). (See (b)). Accordingly, when the winning combination “Replay 1”, the winning combination “Replay 2” or the winning combination “Replay 3” is won, the winning combination “Replay 1”, the winning combination “Replay 2”, or the winning combination “Replay 3”. The symbol combination corresponding to is always displayed on the active line. In this way, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 1”, winning combination “Replay 2” or winning combination “Replay 3” is displayed on the active line, the next medal is not inserted. One game can be started.

  In addition, when the winning combination “Bell” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, among the symbol combinations corresponding to “Bell”, the “Bell” symbols written on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are the same. It can be displayed on the active line. Then, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Bell” is displayed on the active line, ten medals are paid out to the player. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the stop control when winning the winning combination “Bell”, the winning mode (for example, whether the winning combination “Bell” has been won alone, or other winning combination was won, Furthermore, it is set differently depending on which other winning combination has been won. Therefore, as described above, in each of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the “bell” symbol is arranged so as to be displayed on the effective line (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5B). Even if the winning combination “Bell” is won, depending on the winning mode, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Bell” is not necessarily displayed on the active line.

  In addition, when the winning combination “Watermelon 1” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon A” symbols written on the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b and the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line. It becomes.

  In addition, if the winning combination “Watermelon 2” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon A” symbol written on the left reel 134a and the middle reel 134b can be displayed on the same effective line, and the right reel The “watermelon B” symbol described in 134c can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  In addition, if the winning combination “Watermelon 3” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon A” symbol written on the left reel 134a and the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line, and the middle reel The “Watermelon B” symbol described in 134b can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  If the winning combination “Watermelon 4” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon A” symbol on the left reel 134a can be displayed on the active line, and the middle reel 134b and the right reel 134c are displayed. The “watermelon B” symbol described in (1) can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  If the winning combination “Watermelon 5” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon B” symbol written on the left reel 134a can be displayed on the active line, and is displayed on the middle reel 134b and the right reel 134c. The “Watermelon A” symbol to be displayed can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  In addition, if the winning combination “Watermelon 6” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon B” symbol written on the left reel 134a and the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line, and the middle reel The “watermelon A” symbol indicated by 134b can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  If the winning combination “Watermelon 7” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon B” symbol written on the left reel 134a and the middle reel 134b can be displayed on the same effective line, and the right reel The “watermelon A” symbol indicated by 134c can be displayed on the same effective line as described above.

  In addition, when the winning combination “Watermelon 8” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “Watermelon B” symbols written on the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b and the right reel 134c can be displayed on the same effective line. It becomes.

  When the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8” is displayed on the active line, ten medals are paid out to the player. Note that the “watermelon A” symbol and the “watermelon B” symbol are arranged on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c so that they may not be displayed on the active line even by the above stop control (FIG. 3). And FIG. 5 (b)). Therefore, even if the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8” is won, the player cannot always display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8” on the active line.

  In addition, when the winning combination “Cherry” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, “Cherry” symbols indicated on the left reel 134a are displayed on the active line among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “Cherry”. It becomes possible. When the “cherry” symbol on the left reel 134a is displayed on the active line, two medals are paid out to the player. In the left reel 134a, the “cherry” symbol is arranged so that it can be displayed on the effective line (see FIGS. 3 and 5B). Therefore, when the winning combination “Cherry” is won, the player can always display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Cherry” on the active line.

  In addition, if the winning combination “BB” is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, the “red 7” symbol or the “blue 7” symbol described on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c is stopped on the same active line. It becomes possible. When the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” is displayed on the active line, the BB gaming flag is turned ON, so that the gaming state is set to the BB gaming state, and after the next game, a predetermined number of medals ( For example, 465 cards can be played in the BB gaming state until paid out. It should be noted that on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the “blue 7” symbol and the “red 7” symbol are arranged so that they may not be displayed on the active line even by the above stop control (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 (b)). Therefore, even if the winning combination “BB” is won, the player is not always able to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” on the active line.

  As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination “RB” is won, the “BAR” symbols written on the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c can be displayed on the same effective line. When the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “RB” is displayed on the active line, the RB game flag is turned ON, so that the gaming state is set to the RB gaming state, and after the next game, a predetermined number of medals ( Until it is paid out, for example, the game can be executed in the RB game state. In addition, in each of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the “BAR” symbol is arranged so that it may not be displayed on the effective line even by the above stop control (FIGS. 3 and 5B). reference). Therefore, even if the winning combination “RB” is won, the player is not always able to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “RB” on the active line.

  If any winning combination is won, an internal winning flag corresponding to each winning combination is established (ON), and the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, the right reel according to the establishment status of the internal winning flag. Each stop control of 134c will be performed. At this time, the winning combination “Bell”, the winning combination “Watermelon 1-8”, and the winning combination “Cherry” can be displayed on the active line in one game of the symbol combination corresponding to these winning combinations. If not, the internal winning flag is turned off in the game. That is, the right to win a small role is limited to the game only, 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, 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 game state changes to the internal / middle game state according to the establishment status, and the stop control of each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is performed. 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.

  If the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 1”, winning combination “Replay 2” or winning combination “Replay 3” is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is the effective line. The internal winning flag is turned off after the processing that is displayed above and necessary for performing the next game without requiring a medal is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a normal gaming state winning combination lottery table used when determining the winning combination lottery random number in the normal gaming state. Here, an area corresponding to the total number of winning combination random numbers (65536) is divided into a plurality of winning areas (1 to 20), and for each winning area, each of the winning combination and the winning combination or lose is selected. A winning range value (numerical value) indicating the ratio as a relative number is associated. For example, the winning area 1 is associated with 8500 as the winning range value and “Replay 1” is associated with the winning combination. Therefore, the probability that the winning combination “Replay 1” is won is 8500/65536. The same association is made for the other winning areas 2 to 20. The winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially acquires a winning range value from a plurality of winning areas in the winning combination lottery table for the normal gaming state, subtracts the winning range value from the winning combination lottery random number, If it is less than 0, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is used as the lottery result. The lottery procedure can be applied to other lotteries.

  In addition, according to the normal gaming state winning combination lottery table, a plurality of winning combinations may be won. For example, the winning area 2 is associated with 500 as the winning range value, and the winning combination “Replay 2” and the winning combination “Replay 3” are associated as the winning combination. When the winning combination “Replay 2” and the winning combination “Replay 3” are won in the same manner as in the winning area 2, the symbol combination corresponding to which winning combination is displayed on the active line. Stop conditions are set.

  For example, when the winning area 2 is determined by lottery, the stop switch 130 is operated to stop the right reel 134c first (first stop) among the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. In such a case, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 2” is displayed on the active line. On the other hand, when the stop switch 130 is operated to stop the left reel 134a or the middle reel 134b for the first time, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3” is displayed on the active line. Made. Here, as described above, the “replay” symbol and the “bell” symbol can be displayed on the effective line regardless of the timing at which the stop switch 130 is pressed on the symbol arrangement. Therefore, even if the player operates the stop switch 130 to stop any one of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c first, the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination can be displayed. The combination of symbols displayed differs depending on the stop order. In such a duplicate winning combination of replay roles, it is a condition that a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning combination (here, a symbol combination corresponding to “Replay 2”) is displayed on the active line. For example, an RT gaming state to be described later can be started, and the player knows that the winning area 2 has been won, so that a specific winning combination (for example, “Replay 2”) according to the stop order described above. It is possible to display the symbol combination on the active line and shift the gaming state to the RT gaming state.

  The winning area 4 is associated with 700 as the winning range value, and the winning combination “Bell”, the winning combination “Watermelon 1”, and the winning combination “Watermelon 4” are associated with each other. Here, in the winning areas 4 to 15, when any two winning roles of the winning roles “Watermelons 1 to 8” and the winning role “Bell” are won simultaneously, any winning combination is supported. A stop condition is set as to whether the symbol combination to be displayed is displayed on the active line.

  For example, when the winning area 4 is determined by the winning combination lottery, and the winning combination “Bell”, the winning combination “Watermelon 1” and the winning combination “Watermelon 4” are won, the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, the right reel When the stop switch 130 is operated to stop the left reel 134a first (first stop) among 134c, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “bell” is displayed on the active line. Is made. On the other hand, when the stop switch 130 is operated to stop the middle reel 134b or the right reel 134c for the first time, the stop control is performed as follows.

  That is, when the stop switch 130 is operated when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination “Watermelon 1” or the winning combination “Watermelon 4” is on the active line, the winning combination “Watermelon 1” or the winning combination “Watermelon” The symbol corresponding to “4” is displayed on the active line, and when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination “Watermelon 1” or the winning combination “Watermelon 4” is not on the effective line, it is stopped within the range of 4 frames. When the switch 130 is operated, stop control is performed so that the symbol corresponding to the winning combination “Watermelon 1” or the winning combination “Watermelon 4” is drawn on the active line.

  Here, as described above, the “bell” symbol can be displayed on the effective line even if the stop switch 130 is pressed at any timing on the symbol arrangement. On the other hand, depending on the operation timing of the stop switch 130, the “watermelon A” symbol and the “watermelon B” symbol constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “watermelon 1” and the winning combination “watermelon 4” are displayed on the active line. I can't. Therefore, the winning combination “Watermelon 1” and the winning combination “Watermelon 4” are more difficult to win than the winning combination “Bell”, and the operations are not performed in order of stopping to win the winning combination “Bell”. In such a case, so-called missing is likely to occur. Therefore, when the winning combination “Bell”, the winning combination “Watermelon 1” and the winning combination “Watermelon 4” are both won, it is ensured by operating the stop switch 130 in the order shown in FIG. It is advantageous for the player to win the “bell”.

  In the winning areas 4 to 15, any two winning roles of the winning roles “watermelons 1 to 8” are to be selected and overlapped with the winning role “Bell”. The stop operation for winning a prize is set differently depending on the winning area. Since the player cannot usually know which winning combination is won, by providing the winning areas 4 to 15 as described above, any of the winning combinations “Watermelon 1 to 8” Even if two winning combinations and the winning combination “Bell” are won, it is extremely difficult to win the winning combination.

  The winning area 20 is associated with a winning range value 40336 and “losing”. Such a loss is not accompanied by a medal payout or the like, but by displaying a specific symbol combination on the active line, it can be used for a game start / end condition or a game profit lottery opportunity.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a winning combination lottery table for an internal medium gaming state. The internal medium gaming state winning combination lottery table is used when determining the winning combination lottery random number in the internal medium gaming state. The internal medium gaming state is set when the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is carried over, and is ended by winning the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB”. According to the internal medium game state winning combination lottery table, the bonus combination is not further won, and the winning probability of the winning combination “Replay 1” is shown in the normal gaming state winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. It can also be set higher than. In addition, the winning probabilities of the winning combination “Replay 2”, the winning combination “Replay 3” and each of the small combinations are set equal to the winning combination lottery table for the normal gaming state.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a bonus game state winning combination lottery table. This bonus game state winning combination lottery table determines the winning combination random number in the BB gaming state or the RB gaming state set by winning the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB”. It is used for. According to the bonus game state winning combination lottery table, the bonus combination and the replay combination are not further won, and the winning probability of each small combination is higher than that of the normal gaming state winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. Is set.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an RT gaming state winning combination lottery table. This RT gaming state winning combination lottery table is used when a winning combination random number is determined in an RT gaming state set by displaying a predetermined symbol combination. Here, the RT gaming state refers to a gaming state that is included in a specific gaming state to be described later and in which the winning probability of the replay role is set higher than the normal gaming state. Since the consumption of medals is suppressed through the RT gaming state, the lottery opportunities for the winning combination can be increased. Therefore, according to the winning combination lottery table for the RT gaming state, the normal gaming state in which the winning combination “Replay 1”, the winning combination “Replay 2” and the winning combination “Replay 3” are won in the normal gaming state shown in FIG. It is set higher than the winning combination lottery table. The operation in the RT gaming state will be described in detail later.

  Here, the winning combination lottery table for the normal gaming state, the winning combination lottery table for the internal medium gaming state, the bonus combination lottery table for the bonus gaming state, and the winning combination lottery table for the RT gaming state have been described. The winning combination lottery table is not limited to this, and various winning combination lottery tables are used according to the gaming state.

(Sub-control board 202)
Returning to FIG. 4, the sub-control board 202, similar to the main control board 200, includes various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202 a that is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202 b that stores programs, a sub-RAM 202 c that functions as a work area, and the like. In particular, the presentation is controlled based on a command from the main control board 200. 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 random number generation means 202d, like the main control board 200, and the random number generated by the random number generation means 202d mainly determines a specific game to be described later by lottery ( It is used to determine the specific game lottery random number) and the mode of production (production lottery random number).

  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 specific game lottery unit 334, An effect determining unit 336, a specific game determining unit 338, and a specific game executing unit 340 are provided. 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 specific game lottery means 334 determines by lottery whether or not to execute the specific game based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery means 304. The effect determining unit 336 determines the game effect by lottery based on the lottery result of the specific game lottery unit 334. The specific game determining unit 338 determines whether or not to execute the specific game by lottery based on the lottery aspect of the effect determined by the effect determining unit 336. The specific game execution means 340 shifts to the specific game state to execute the determined specific game.

  Here, the specific gaming state refers to the above-described RT gaming state, the operation order and operation timing of the stop switch 130 when winning the winning combination in which the operation order and operation timing of the stop switch 130 are set as winning conditions. It is easy to win the winning combination by informing the player, so-called AT gaming state, gaming state such as an ART gaming state in which the RT gaming state and the AT gaming state proceed simultaneously, and the like are included. In the present embodiment, the ART game state will be described as the specific game state. Of the ART gaming states, the RT gaming state is managed by the main control board 200 as described above, but the sub-control board 202 substantially manages its start and end. Therefore, in this embodiment, the start or end of the ART gaming state is handled as a function of the sub control board 202 for easy understanding.

  The effects are provided through the liquid crystal display unit 138, the speaker 140, the effect 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 winning combination or a lottery result of a specific game with a more dynamic image. For example, 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 or the specific game is won only by the symbol combination displayed on the active line, an effect suggesting whether or not the bonus combination or the specific game is won is provided. You can go and give them a sense of expectation that they might have won.

(Table used in sub-control board 202)
The sub ROM 202b stores a plurality of specific game lottery tables, an effect lottery table, and the like. The specific game lottery means 334 extracts the corresponding specific game lottery table from the sub ROM 202b based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery means 304, and the specific game lottery random number is specified based on the extracted specific game lottery table. It is determined whether or not it corresponds to the winning.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific game lottery table. Here, an area corresponding to the total number of specific game random numbers (65536) is divided into two winning areas. The winning area 1 is associated with the winning range value 100 and the winning of the specific game. The winning range value 65436 is associated with the loss. Therefore, the probability that the specific game is won is 100/65536.

  In addition, the effect determining means 336 extracts a corresponding effect lottery table from the sub ROM 202b based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery means 304 and the lottery result of the specific game lottery means 334, and the extracted effect lottery table. Based on this, the game production is determined. Here, an effect lottery table for determining a moving image or a still image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 is given as the effect lottery table. Such an effect lottery table is provided for each gaming state, and includes a plurality of levels.

  For example, in the normal gaming state, as shown in FIG. 11, an effect lottery table consisting of three levels of stages, categories, and patterns is provided, and the effects are determined for each layer in order from the higher-level effect lottery table. The Here, for example, the stage indicates a situation of an effect including a background, the category indicates, for example, a character moving on the stage, and the pattern indicates a specific action of the character, for example. In each effect lottery table, effect lottery random numbers having different total numbers and derivation timings are used. Here, an example in which the effect lottery table has three levels will be described, but it goes without saying that the number of levels can be arbitrarily determined. Below, the effect lottery table of each hierarchy is demonstrated.

  The effect determining means 336 first extracts the stage effect lottery table shown in FIG. 11A based on the lottery result (for example, “losing”) of the specific game lottery means 334. In the stage effect lottery table, an area corresponding to the total number of effect lottery random numbers (32760) is divided into 10 winning areas with the same winning range value (3276). For each winning area, the winning range value and the stage are divided. It is associated. In the effect lottery table including the stage effect lottery table, the winning range values are equal in each winning area, but different winning range values may be used. One stage (here, stage 5) is determined based on the stage production lottery table and the production lottery random number.

  Then, the effect determining means 336 extracts the category effect lottery table shown in FIG. 11B according to the determined stage 5. In the category effect lottery table, an area corresponding to the total number of effect lottery random numbers (32768) is divided into 8 winning areas, and a winning range value and a category are associated with each winning area. One category (category 8 here) is determined based on the category effect lottery table and the effect lottery random number.

  Subsequently, the effect determining means 336 extracts a pattern effect lottery table shown in FIG. 11C according to the determined category 8. In the pattern effect lottery table, an area corresponding to the total number of effect lottery random numbers (34816) is divided into 17 winning areas, and a winning range value and a pattern are associated with each winning area. One pattern (here, pattern 16) is determined based on the pattern effect lottery table and the effect lottery random number.

  In this way, the stage, category, and pattern are determined by the effect determining means 336, and the combination of such effects is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 during one game.

  In addition, the specific game determination unit 338 of the present embodiment executes a specific game on the basis of the lottery result using the effect lottery table by the effect determination unit 336 described above, with the lottery and the opportunity of the specific game lottery unit 334 different. Determine whether or not.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an effect lottery table to which whether or not a specific game is successful is added. In the present embodiment, an effect lottery table shown in FIG. 12 is used instead of the effect lottery table shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, in the effect lottery table of each hierarchy, in addition to the winning range value and the lottery object (stage, category, pattern), the winning or losing of the specific game is associated. The specific game determination means 338 wins the specific game based on the lottery result (stage 5, category 8, pattern 16) of the effect determination means 336 based on the ordinal number (number indicating the order) of any lottery result. It is determined whether or not is compatible. Here, since the ordinal number “16” of the winning area associated with the pattern 16 corresponds to the winning of the specific game, the specific game determining means 338 determines the execution of the specific game. Accordingly, in the range of the effect lottery table shown in FIG. 12, the winning range in the pattern effect lottery table has an ordinal number of 14 or more (that is, 14 to 17) as the winning range. The number 4 of the ordinal numbers 14 to 17 of the corresponding winning area / (number of stages 10 × number of categories 8 × number of patterns 17) = 4/1360. Such winning of a specific game may be directly associated with a specific ordinal number (for example, 14, 15, 16, 17), or may be associated with a specific threshold (for example, 14) such as 14 or more. Alternatively, it may be associated with a specific range (for example, 14 to 17).

  Here, the winning numbers of the specific game are associated with the ordinal numbers (14 to 17) of the four winning areas (winning area 14 to winning area 17) of the pattern effect lottery table in the third hierarchy. The winning probability can be easily fine-tuned by the number of ordinal numbers in the winning area associated with. Further, when the winning probability is roughly adjusted, the winning of the specific game may be associated with the ordinal number of the winning area in the first stage stage effect lottery table or the second layer category effect lottery table. As described above, by appropriately associating the winning of the specific game with the ordinal number of each winning area in the effect lottery table of each hierarchy, it is possible to set various winning probabilities of the specific game. Here, an example is given in which the winning of the specific game is associated with the ordinal number of the winning area of the effect lottery table based on the lottery result “losing” of the specific game lottery means 334, but the effect based on the lottery result “winning” Of course, it is possible to associate the winning of the specific game with the ordinal number of the winning area of the lottery table.

  In this way, by making the chance of the specific game different from the lottery of the specific game by the specific game lottery means 334 and using the production lottery as a trigger for determining the specific game, the player can add to the lottery result of the specific game based on the winning combination. Also, the execution of the specific game can be expected based on the lottery result of the production. For example, the player grasps the winning combination by stopping each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c, expects the winning with the winning probability of a specific game based on the winning combination, and the winning combination The winning can be expected even with the winning probability of the specific game based on the effect displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138. In this way, the player can continue to expect while the performance is being executed.

  Further, among the patterns in the winning area of the pattern effect lottery table associated with the winning of the specific game, the selected one or more or all of the selected patterns are determined as the effect pattern (the determined effect pattern). And the player may be informed that the specific game has been won. Thus, the player can easily know that the specific game is won by the specific game determination means 338 regardless of the lottery result by the specific game lottery means 334. Further, instead of or in addition to the confirmed effect pattern, a pattern with a high expectation of winning may be provided.

  In addition, since the specific game lottery by the specific game lottery means 334 and the determination of the specific game by the specific game determination means 338 can be performed in parallel during one game, it may be won in combination with the specific game. In that case, it is possible to give a high gaming profit as compared to one win. For example, when a predetermined number of games set in advance in the ART gaming state is set, if a winning is made over a specific game, the number of games can be set twice as many as the predetermined number of games. Therefore, the player obtains a plurality of lottery opportunities in one game, and can win a specific game a plurality of times in the plurality of lottery opportunities. Therefore, the player can have an expectation for the execution of the specific game in both the winning combination and the production, and the production effect can be improved and the entertainment of the game can be improved.

  Furthermore, the specific game determination means 338 of this embodiment determines the specific game based on the ordinal number of the winning area. For example, the specific game is determined by simple processing such as whether or not the ordinal number of the winning area is 14 or more. Can be determined.

(LCD control board 204)
Returning to FIG. 4, the liquid crystal control board 204 is connected to the sub control board 202, a liquid crystal CPU 204 a that is a central processing unit, a liquid crystal ROM 204 b that stores programs and image data, a liquid crystal RAM 204 c that functions as a work area, and image control. The liquid crystal display unit 138 is controlled by having various semiconductor integrated circuits including a VRAM 204e and the like functioning as a work area when performing the two-way 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 the effect execution means 364 receives a command for displaying an effect based on the combination of stage 5, category 8, and pattern 16 described with reference to FIG. 12, the stage 5, category 8 is displayed from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the command. 8. Liquid crystal display data corresponding to each of the patterns 16 is extracted, images based on the respective liquid crystal display data are superimposed as layers, and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 every frame period (for example, 33 msec).

  Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 will be described.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 13 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 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 reels 134a, 134b, 134c are rotating, the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c are started again 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. 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 betting button 126 in a situation where the prescribed number of credits or more are stored, and completes the betting of medals. To start waiting for the operation 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 acquires 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 generation means 200d in response to the operation of the start switch 128. To do. The winning combination lottery means 304 determines one winning combination lottery table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from a plurality of winning combination lottery tables including the winning combination lottery tables shown in FIGS. Then, it is determined which winning area in the determined winning combination lottery table the acquired winning combination lottery random number corresponds to, and the determined winning combination or lose is determined as the lottery result. Further, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 128, the winning combination lottery means 304 receives the winning combination command including the lottery result (winning combination or lose) of the winning combination lottery and information on the gaming state. Transmit to the control board 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 of the predetermined combinations shown in FIG. 5B the symbol combination displayed on the active line shown in FIG. In accordance with the symbol combination, a process for determining the number of medals to be paid out, a game state changing process, and various processes required for replay are executed. 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. The game state, for example, the bonus game state is determined. 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.

(Sub-processing of sub-control board 202)
FIG. 14 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 and becomes energized, 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. The initialization determining unit 330 generates backup data while the power is turned on, holds the backup data in the sub RAM 202c, and is held in this initialization process when an unexpected power failure occurs. Execute the process to return to the state before power-off using the backup data.

(Step S1200)
The command receiving unit 332 determines whether or not a command from the main control board 200 has been received, and maintains the command standby state by repeating the process of step S1200 while the command is not received. If it is determined that a command has been received, the command receiving unit 332 proceeds to step S1300.

(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 command reception processing S1300)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the command reception process in step S1300. Here, processing related to the feature of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and 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. As a result, if the received command is a winning combination command, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1303.

(Step S1302)
If it is determined that the command received in step S1301 is a winning combination command, the specific game lottery means 334 performs a specific game lottery. The specific game lottery process S1302 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Note that, as described above, this winning combination command is a command transmitted in step S300 of FIG. 13, and if any winning combination is won, information indicating the type of the winning combination is added. When no winning combination is won, information indicating a loss is added.

(Step S1303)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 performs various other processes for the received command (for example, a throw command, a winning combination command, first to third stop commands, a winning command, a payout command, etc.), for example, a liquid crystal display unit 138. Processing such as generating an image command for specifying an image to be displayed on the LCD and transmitting it to the liquid crystal control board 204 is performed, and the command reception processing S1300 is terminated. Since such processing is irrelevant to the features of the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the specific game lottery process in step S1302.

(Step S1302-1)
When the command receiving unit 332 receives the winning combination command, the specific game lottery unit 334 acquires one specific game lottery random number from the specific game lottery random number updated by the random number generation unit 202d. Then, the specific game lottery means 334 has one specific game lottery table (FIG. 10) corresponding to the winning combination included as information in the winning combination command from the plurality of specific game lottery tables including the specific game lottery table shown in FIG. And a determination is made as to which winning area in the specific game lottery table corresponds to the winning or lose of the determined winning area as a lottery result.

(Step S1302-2)
Next, the effect determining means 336 acquires one effect lottery random number from the effect lottery random numbers updated by the random number generating means 202d. Then, the effect determining means 336 selects the lottery result determined by the winning combination and the specific game lottery means 334 included as information in the winning combination command from a plurality of stage effect lottery tables including the stage effect lottery table shown in FIG. 1 stage effect lottery table corresponding to is determined, it is determined which winning region in the stage effect lottery table the acquired effect lottery random number corresponds to, and the stage of the determined winning region is determined as the lottery result .

  Specifically, the effect determination means 336 sequentially refers to the winning range value from a plurality of winning areas in the stage effect lottery table according to a predetermined order (here, the order is indicated by an ordinal number assigned to the winning area). When the winning range value is subtracted from the effect lottery random number and the subtraction value becomes less than 0, the effect associated with the winning area at that time is used as the lottery result. That is, the winning area to be determined is determined based on whether or not the sum of the winning range values of the winning areas referred to in the above order corresponds to the effect lottery random number, and the effect associated with the winning area is determined as the lottery result. Yes. The lottery procedure can also be applied to other lottery tables shown below.

(Step S1302-3)
Subsequently, the effect determining unit 336 acquires one effect lottery random number from the effect lottery random number updated by the random number generating unit 202d. Then, the effect determining means 336 determines one category effect lottery table corresponding to the stage determined in step S1302-2 from a plurality of category effect lottery tables including the category effect lottery table shown in FIG. At the same time, it is determined which winning area in the category effect lottery table the acquired effect lottery random number corresponds to, and the category of the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result.

(Step S1302-4)
The effect determining means 336 acquires one effect lottery random number from the effect lottery random numbers updated by the random number generating means 202d. Then, the effect determination means 336 determines one pattern effect lottery table corresponding to the category determined in step S1302-3 from a plurality of pattern effect lottery tables including the pattern effect lottery table shown in FIG. At the same time, it is determined which winning area in the pattern effect lottery table the acquired effect lottery random number corresponds to, and the pattern of the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result.

(Step S1302-5)
Next, the specific game determining means 338 determines whether the determined stage, category, and pattern are the stage effect lottery table, the category effect lottery table, and the pattern effect lottery table determined in steps S1302-2 to S1302-4. In the effect lottery table, it is grasped which ordinal number of which winning area corresponds, and it is determined whether or not any of the ordinal numbers of the winning area is winning.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the stage effect lottery table and the category effect lottery table are not associated with winning of the specific game, so the specific game determining means 338 is determined only for the pattern effect lottery table. It is determined whether the ordinal number of the winning area of the pattern is included in the ordinal number 17 of the 14th to 17th winning area (winning area 17) of the 14th winning area (winning area 14) of the pattern effect lottery table. If the pattern 16 is determined in step S1302-4, the ordinal number 16 of the winning area 16 associated with the pattern 16 is included in the ordinal numbers 14 to 17, so that the winning of the specific game is determined.

  Thus, if the winning is associated with any one winning area in the plurality of effect lottery tables, the execution of the specific game is determined. In the specific game determining means 338 of the present embodiment, whether or not to execute the specific game on the basis of the lottery result using the effect lottery table by the effect determining means 336 is different from that of the specific game lottery means 334. Can be determined.

(Step S1302-6)
Next, the specific game determination means 338 determines whether or not the lottery result in either step S1302-1 or step S1302-5 is a win for the specific game. As a result, if it is determined that the lottery result is a win for a specific game, the process proceeds to step S1302-7. If any lottery result is determined to be lost, the process proceeds to step S1302-8.

(Step S1302-7)
If it is determined in the above step S1302-6 that the lottery result is the winning of the specific game, the specific game determining means 338 turns on the specific game flag, starts the specific game state, and stores the specific game in the specific game counter. Set the number of games. Here, the specific game is started at the winning opportunity, but the specific game flag is turned on when the predetermined game combination is displayed on the active line through a plurality of predetermined games. May be. Here, the specific game flag is a flag indicating that it is in a specific game state. The specific game counter is a storage area for managing the number of games of a specific game, and the number of games stored in the specific game counter corresponds to the number of remaining games of the specific game number.

  In addition, when the specific game is won in both step S1302-1 and step S1302-5 (double win), the specific game determination means 338 accordingly increases the number of games of the specific game more than only one of the wins. Is set as a specific game counter. Further, when the number of games of a specific game is already set in the specific game counter (value stored in the specific game counter> 0) and the specific game is won, the specific game determination means 338 A value obtained by adding the number of games of the specific game given by the winning to the value stored in is newly stored in the specific game counter. In this way, the number of remaining games of the specific game is added.

(Step S1302-8)
Subsequently, the specific game execution means 340 determines whether or not the specific game flag is ON. As a result, if it is determined that the specific game flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1302-10, and if it is determined that the specific game flag is not ON, that is, it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1302-9. To migrate.

(Step S1302-9)
If it is determined in step S1302-8 that the specific game flag is OFF, the effect determining unit 336 determines the stage determined in step S1302-2, the category determined in step S1302-3, and An effect display command based on the pattern determined in step S1302-4 is generated and transmitted to the liquid crystal control board 204, and the specific game lottery process S1302 ends. Thus, the effect display based on the determined stage, category, and pattern is executed.

(Step S1302-10)
If it is determined in step S1302-8 that the specific game flag is ON, the specific game execution means 340 includes either the winning combination “Replay 2” or the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8” in the winning combination. Judge whether it is. As a result, if it is determined that either the winning combination “Replay 2” or the winning combination “Watermelon 1 to 8” is included in the winning combination, the process proceeds to step S1302-11, and the winning combination “Replay” is selected. 2 ”and the winning combination“ watermelons 1 to 8 ”are determined not to be included, the process proceeds to step S1302-12.

(Step S1302-11)
When it is determined in step S1302-2 that the winning combination includes either the winning combination “Replay 2” or the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8”, the specific game executing means 340 determines whether the winning combination is step S1302-2. The effect determined in step S1302-4 is omitted, and the auxiliary effect based on the specific game is executed. For example, when the winning combination “Replay 2” is included in the winning combination, the auxiliary effect is notified to the player in order to display the winning combination “Replay 2”, or the winning combination “Bell” and the winning combination are displayed. This is an effect of notifying the player of the stop order for winning the winning combination “Bell” when any of “Watermelon 1 to 8” is included.

  FIG. 17 is executed when the winning area 2 of the winning combination lottery table for the RT gaming state shown in FIG. 9 is determined in the specific gaming state, and the winning combination “Replay 2” and the winning combination “Replay 3” are duplicated. An example of the auxiliary effect to be performed is shown. When the winning area 2 is determined, the player is informed that it is desirable to perform the first stop operation on the right reel 134c, whereby the player performs the first stop operation on the right reel 134c, and the winning combination “ The symbol corresponding to “Replay 2” is controlled to stop in preference to the symbol corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3”.

  Here, when “Replay 2” is included in the winning combination, the player is notified of the stop order for displaying the winning combination “Replay 2”, so that the player can receive the winning combination “Replay 2” according to the stop order. It is possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to “” on the effective line. In this embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 2” triggers the start of the RT gaming state when not in the RT gaming state, and continues the RT gaming state when in the RT gaming state. Indicates.

  On the other hand, when the stop switch 130 is pressed in a stop order other than the stop order for displaying the winning combination “Replay 2”, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3” is displayed on the active line. In the present embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3” triggers the end of the RT gaming state in the RT gaming state. That is, while the specific game flag is ON (while the AT game state continues), the RT game state is also continued. In addition, when the specific game flag is OFF and the auxiliary effect is not performed, when a stop order is displayed in which the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 2” is displayed on the active line, for example, the game profit is set to a predetermined value. Impose a penalty such as not giving for the number of games. Therefore, the player can display only the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3” on the active line, and can end the RT gaming state.

  In addition, when the winning combination “Watermelon 1-8” is included, that is, when the winning combination “Watermelon 1-8” and the winning combination “Bell” are winning, the winning combination “Bell” By notifying the player of the stop order for displaying “”, the player can display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Bell” on the active line simply by following the stop order. In the present embodiment, as described above, the “bell” symbol can be displayed on the effective line regardless of the timing at which the stop switch 130 is pressed on the symbol arrangement. On the other hand, the “watermelon A” symbol and the “watermelon B” symbol constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “watermelon 1 to 8” cannot always be displayed on the active line depending on the operation timing of the stop switch 130. . Then, it is difficult to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Watermelon 1 to 8” on the active line, but the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Bell” can be easily displayed. Thus, the player can win more medals in the specific gaming state than in the normal gaming state.

(Step S1302-12)
When it is determined in step S1302-10 that the winning combination includes neither the winning combination “Replay 2” nor the winning combination “watermelons 1 to 8”, the effect determining means 336, as in step S1302-9, An effect display command based on the stage determined in step S1302-2, the category determined in step S1302-3, and the pattern determined in step S1302-4 is generated and transmitted to the liquid crystal control board 204. . Thus, the effect display based on the determined stage, category, and pattern is executed.

(Step S1302-13)
The specific game execution means 340 newly stores a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the value stored in the specific game counter in the specific game counter. In this way, the remaining number of games of the specific game is updated.

(Step S1302-14)
Next, the specific game execution means 340 reads the specific game counter and determines whether or not the specific game counter is “0”. As a result, when it is determined that the specific game counter is “0”, the process proceeds to step S1302-15, and when it is determined that the specific game counter is not “0”, the specific game lottery process S1302 is ended.

(Step S1302-15)
When it is determined in step S1302-14 that the specific game counter is “0”, the specific game execution means 340 turns off the specific game flag and ends the specific game state. Specifically, first, the AT gaming state is terminated, and thereafter, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 3” is displayed on the active line, and the RT gaming state is terminated.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 100 described above, the lottery opportunities are diversified by determining the specific game by the specific game determining means 338 in addition to the lottery of the specific game by the specific game lottery means 334, so that the production effect is improved. It is possible to improve the interest of the game.

  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.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an effect lottery table for explaining another embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the specific game is executed with reference to the ordinal number of the winning area associated with the effect determined by the effect determining means 336 (the numerical values 14 to 17 assigned to the winning area in the above example). However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the ordinal number of the winning area can also be determined in combination. For example, when the production lottery tables are provided for each of a plurality of layers as in the production lottery tables of the stage production lottery table, the category production lottery table, and the pattern production lottery table, the production determination unit 336 has the upper hierarchy. Based on the determined effect (for example, stage 5 or category 8), a lower-level effect lottery table is determined. Then, the specific game determining means 338 determines whether or not to execute the specific game based on the sum of the respective ordinal numbers of the winning areas associated with the determined effects in the effect lottery table for each of the plurality of levels. Also good. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the stage 5 associated with the winning area 5 in the stage effect lottery table, the category 8 associated with the winning area 8 in the category effect lottery table, and the winning in the pattern effect lottery table. Since the pattern 16 associated with the area 16 is determined as an effect, is the specific game executed based on the total value “29” of the ordinal numbers “5”, “8”, “16” of the winning area? Decide whether or not. If the condition for executing the specific game is equal to or greater than the total value “30”, the total value “29” is less than “30”, so that the specific game is rejected. Here, the winning of the specific game is associated using a specific threshold such as a total value “30” or more, but directly associated with specific total values, for example, “30”, “33”, and “36”. Alternatively, it may be associated with a specific range, for example, “30” to “33”.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not to execute a specific game based on the ordinal number of the winning area, but it is also possible to determine whether or not to execute a specific game based on the number of layers in the effect lottery table. . The level of the effect lottery table can be variously configured based on the lottery result of the specific game lottery means 334. For example, if any of the determined effects has reached a predetermined number of levels A game may be executed. However, such a condition is based on a winning lottery table of a higher hierarchy from which a predetermined number of stage effect lottery tables are read (in the example of FIG. 18, a category from which a pattern effect lottery table of the third hierarchy is read). This can also be realized by associating the execution of the specific game with the winning area 8) of the effect lottery table.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not to execute the specific game based on the ordinal number of the winning area, but whether or not to execute the specific game based on another index that can specify the winning area instead of the ordinal number. You may decide.

  In the above-described embodiment, the execution of the specific game is directly associated with the ordinal number of the winning area of each effect lottery table. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of winning range values are further associated with the ordinal number of each winning area. When the corresponding selection area is determined, execution of the specific game may be further determined by lottery.

  In the embodiment described above, the specific game determination unit 338 determines the execution of the specific game based on the effect lottery table. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various lottery tables can be targeted. For example, in the main control board 200, execution of a specific game may be determined based on a lottery table of wait times.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the effect determining unit 336 uses the effect lottery table referenced based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery unit 304 and the lottery result of the specific game lottery unit 334 to produce the effect by lottery. Although the example to determine is given and demonstrated, this effect can take not only lottery but various determination modes. For example, in the effect lottery table, an effect is directly associated with the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery means 304 or the lottery result of the specific game lottery means 334, and the effect determining means 336 determines the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery means 304. Alternatively, it may be determined uniquely based on the lottery result of the specific game lottery means 334.

  In the description using FIG. 18, the specific game determination means 338 is based on the total value of all the ordinal numbers “5”, “8”, and “16” of the determined winning area in the effect lottery table for each of the plurality of layers. Whether or not a specific game is to be executed is determined, but the sum of only the ordinal numbers of the determined winning areas in the specific one or more staged effect lottery tables, for example, the ordinal number of the winning areas in the stage effect lottery table Whether or not to execute the specific game may be determined based on the total value of “5” and the ordinal number “16” of the winning area of the pattern effect lottery table.

  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)
304 ... winning combination lottery means 336 ... production determination means 338 ... specific game determination means 340 ... specific game execution means

Claims (3)

Based on the operation of the start switch, a winning combination lottery means for determining either a winning combination or a loss by lottery,
Based on the winning combination or loser determined by the winning combination lottery means, refer to any of the plurality of effect lottery tables, determine any of the plurality of winning regions in the effect lottery table, and the corresponding selection region Effect determining means for determining the effect of the game associated with
Specific game determining means for determining whether or not to execute a specific game advantageous to the player based on the ordinal number of the winning area determined by the effect determining means;
Specific game execution means for executing the specific game;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to execute a specific game is associated with each ordinal number of the plurality of winning areas. The production lottery table is provided for each of a plurality of layers,
The effect determining means determines an effect lottery table in a lower hierarchy based on an effect determined with reference to an effect lottery table in an upper hierarchy, and sequentially among the plurality of winning areas in the effect lottery table determined for each hierarchy Decide either
The specific game determining means determines whether or not to execute the specific game based on a total value of each ordinal number of the winning area determined by the effect determining means in the effect lottery table for each of the plurality of levels. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

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