JP2014012088A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a game background image from being displayed between both images in a case where a second game image is displayed after displaying a first game image, in a game machine capable of displaying a game background image during a non-display period of the first game image and the second game image.SOLUTION: A game machine includes an image display control means and a game performance control means. The game performance control means can transmit second display information after transmitting first display information, and can transmit third display information after transmitting the second display information. The image display control means can display a game background image during a non-display period of a first or a second game image, and if it determines the reception of the third display information during the display of the first game image, it displays a standby image, and if it determines the reception of the second display information during the display of the standby image, it displays the second game image instead of the standby image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table represented by a spinning machine (slot machine), a ball game machine (pachinko machine), and the like.

  Recent game tables have a large image display device, a game background image displayed during a normal game, and an effect that is displayed to give a specific effect when it becomes advantageous to the player. Images are prepared, and these can be switched and displayed. The player often grasps the current game state based on various information notified by the display image of the image display device and decides the next operation, and the degree of attention of the display image is high. Yes. As such a game machine, for example, a game machine that can display an effect image when a predetermined display condition of display information is satisfied and can display a game background image during a non-display period of the effect image is known. It has been. For example, there is a game table that displays an effect image instead of a game background image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-024229 A

  However, in such a game machine, when the control of ending the display of the first effect image is performed when the start lever operation is detected during the display of the first effect image, during the display period of the first effect image. When the start lever is operated, the display of the first effect image is ended, and the game background image is displayed. On the other hand, when the second effect image is displayed according to the result of the internal lottery triggered by the start lever operation, it takes a processing time related to the internal lottery from the start lever operation to the display of the second effect image. Therefore, there is a problem that a gaming background image (for several frames) is instantaneously displayed between the display of the first effect image and the second effect image, and the display is uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in a gaming machine that can display a game background image during a non-display period of the first effect image and the second effect image, A game that prevents a game background image from being displayed instantaneously between the first effect image and the display of the second effect image when the display is ended and the second effect image is displayed. The purpose is to provide a stand.

  A gaming table according to the present invention is a gaming table comprising image display control means for controlling display of an image, and game effect control means for transmitting display information to the image display control means based on determination of the game effect. And if the said game production | presentation control means transmits 1st display information containing game start information, it can transmit 2nd display information next, The said image display control means is 1st display information. A game image and a second game image can be displayed, and a game background image can be displayed during non-display of the first game image and non-display of the second game image, If the game effect control means transmits display information for displaying the first game image to the image display control means, then the game effect control means replaces the transmission of the first display information and includes the game start information. Display information can be transmitted, The image display control means displays a standby image when the reception of the third display information is determined during display of the first game image, and displays the second display information during display of the standby image. The gaming machine is capable of displaying the second game image instead of the standby image when reception is determined.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, in the gaming machine that can display the gaming background image during the non-display period of the first effect image and the second effect image, the display of the first effect image is terminated and the second effect image is displayed. In the case where the display is to be performed, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that prevents the gaming background image from being instantaneously displayed between the time when the first effect image and the second effect image are displayed.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the slot machine of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the state which opened the front door of the slot machine of this embodiment. The circuit block diagram of the control part of the slot machine of this embodiment is shown. (A) The slot machine of the present embodiment (a) is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel, middle reel, right reel) is expanded in a plane, and (b) a winning combination (operating combination) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a combination of symbols corresponding to each winning combination, and an operation or payout of each winning combination. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the basic control (main control part main process) of the game of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the main control part timer interruption process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the (a) 1st sub control part main process of this embodiment. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command reception interruption process of a 1st sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the timer interruption process of a 1st sub control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the (a) 2nd sub control part main process of this embodiment. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command reception interruption process of a 2nd sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 2nd sub control part timer interruption process. (D) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 2nd sub control part image control process. It is a figure explaining the position change aspect of the game background image displayed on the effect image display apparatus of this embodiment. It is an example of a display of the game background image of this embodiment. It is an example of a display of the game background image of this embodiment, a 1st game image, and a 2nd game image. It is a schematic diagram explaining a display image when the 1st display information is transmitted to the 2nd sub control part 500 of this embodiment. (B) The 1st display information is transmitted to the 2nd sub control part 500. It is the schematic diagram explaining the display image at the time of being performed, (c) It is the schematic diagram explaining the display image when the 3rd display information is transmitted to the 2nd sub control part 500, (d) The 2nd secondary control part 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display image when third display information is transmitted to the control unit 500. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of the effect image display apparatus of the comparative example of this embodiment, and the timing of operation. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of the effect image display apparatus of the comparative example of this embodiment, and the timing of operation. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of the effect image display apparatus of the comparative example of this embodiment, and the timing of operation. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of the effect image display apparatus of this embodiment, and the timing of operation. It is a schematic diagram explaining the standby image of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the control command transmitted to the 2nd sub control part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the information output process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the presentation control process of the 2nd sub control part of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of the game background image of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the other form of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of an effect image display apparatus, and the timing of operation. It is a figure explaining the other form of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of an effect image display apparatus, and the timing of operation. It is a figure explaining the other form of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of an effect image display apparatus, and the timing of operation. It is a figure explaining the other form of the game image of this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram explaining the example of a display of an effect image display apparatus, and the timing of operation. It is a schematic diagram explaining the other form of the game image of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 26, a gaming table (for example, a spinning machine such as a slot machine 100 or a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 as viewed from the front side (player side).

  A slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored and rotated inside the slot machine 100. It is configured to be able to. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving device such as a stepping motor.

  In the present embodiment, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by affixing the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame member. When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are generally displayed three in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display device that displays a plurality of combinations of symbols in a variable manner. In addition to the reel, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be used as such a display device. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  A backlight (not shown) for illuminating the individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are five pay lines 114. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal pay line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal win line and the lower horizontal pay line are added. If three are valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. The number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, the right The down line and the upper right line may be set as valid pay lines, and the same number of pay lines may be set as valid pay lines regardless of the number of bets.

  The notification lamp 123 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been won internally in an internal lottery to be described later or that a bonus game is in progress. The game medal insertable lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, a maximum of 3 cards are inserted, 2 when the bet button 131 is pressed, and 3 when the bet button 132 is pressed. It has become so. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as a MAX bet button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the bet buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141. is there. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The stored number display 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127 are 7-segment (SEG) displays.

  The start lever 135 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired medal number is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or when the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is referred to as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with the reels 110 to 112. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation, the first stop operation is referred to as a first stop operation, the next stop operation is referred to as a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. Note that a light emitter may be provided inside each stop button 137 to 139, and when the stop button 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter may be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The payment button 134 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.

  Below the stop button unit 136 is provided a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and pasting various types of certificate. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (effect image) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. And a display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 appears on the front side (player side) of the slot machine 100 when the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the liquid crystal display device 157. It has become. It should be noted that the display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, but may be any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), dot matrix display, organic EL display, plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 opened. The main body 101 is a box that is surrounded by the upper surface plate 261, the left side plate 260, the right side plate 260, the lower surface plate 264, and the back plate 242, and that opens to the front. Inside the main body 101, a main control board storage case 210 that stores the main control board is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the ventilation port 249 provided on the upper portion of the back plate 242. Below the three reels 110 to 112 are arranged. On the side plate 260 on the left side of the main control board storage case 210 and the reels 110 to 112, a sub control board storage case 220 containing a sub control board is disposed. Further, an external concentrated terminal plate 248 that is connected to the main control board and outputs the information of the slot machine 100 to an external device is attached to the side plate 260 on the right side.

  The lower surface plate 264 is provided with a medal payout device 180 (device for paying out medals accumulated in a bucket), and has a power supply board above the medal payout device 180, that is, below the reels 110 to 112. A power supply device 252 is provided, and a power switch 244 is provided on the front surface of the power supply device 252. The power supply device 252 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the slot machine 100 into a direct current, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit and each device such as a main control unit 300 and sub-control units 400 and 500 described later. To do. Furthermore, a power storage circuit (for example, a capacitor) for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power source is cut off is provided. Yes.

  A medal auxiliary storage 240 is arranged on the right side of the medal payout device 180, and an overflow terminal is arranged behind this (not shown). The power supply device 252 is provided with a power cord connecting portion for connecting a power cord 265, and the power cord 265 connected thereto extends outside through a power cord hole 262 provided in the back plate 242 of the main body 101. Yes.

  The front door 102 is hinged to the left side plate 260 of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and an effect device 160 and an effect control board (which controls the effect device 160) are provided above the symbol display window 113. An upper speaker 272 is provided. Below the symbol display window 113, there are provided a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a passage 266 through which medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops illegal medals etc. on the medal tray 161. Yes. Further, a bass speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the sound hole 181.

  A circuit configuration of the control unit of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into main effects according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. ROM 306 for storing position, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, and the like WDT (watchdog timer) 314 is mounted. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later.

  The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The main control unit 300 derives a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 every time it receives a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 315a (this circuit incorporates two random value generation circuits). And an activation signal output circuit 338 that outputs an activation signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 338, the CPU 304 Game control is started (main control section main processing described later is started).

  The random value generation circuit 316 generates a random value used in the basic circuit 302. Random value generation in the random value generation circuit 316 can be broadly divided into two types of methods: counter mode and random number mode. In the counter mode, a numerical value that is counted up (down) at a predetermined time interval is acquired, and the numerical value is derived as a random value. There are two more methods in the random number mode. The first method in the random number mode performs a calculation by a predetermined function (for example, a modulus function) using the seed of the random number value, and derives the calculation result as a random number value. In the second method, a numerical value is read from a random number table in which numerical values in the range of 0 to 65535 are randomly arranged, and the read numerical value is derived as a random value. The random value generation circuit 316 acquires an irregular value using white noise superimposed on signals input from the various sensors 318 to the sensor circuit S320. The random number generation circuit 316 uses the acquired value as an initial value of a counter that counts up (down) in the counter mode, uses it as a seed for a random value, or determines a read start position of a random number table. Use.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 at every interruption time. Medal reception sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, checkout button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, optical type of the reel 110 Sensor, optical sensor of reel 111, optical sensor of reel 112, etc.).

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random value generation circuit 316. Receiving this signal, the random value generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random value used for the lottery.

  Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the input operation when The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 180. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The optical sensor of the reel 110, the optical sensor of the reel 111, and the optical sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and light shielding pieces provided on the reel frame pass therethrough. Each time you do it, it goes to L level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 180. A driving circuit 326 for driving the motor, various lamps 336 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, and a stored number display. A driving circuit 328 for driving the device 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127).

  Further, an information output circuit 334 (external concentration terminal board 248) is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the slot machine 100 is output to the information input circuit 652 provided.

  The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit (not shown) to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 330 is a voltage of the power source. When the value is less than a predetermined value (9 v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals such as commands to the first sub control unit 400. However, the first sub-control unit 400 is configured not to transmit a signal such as a command to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives a control command transmitted from the main control unit 300 via an input interface and controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on the control command. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time and frequency. It is installed. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, a backlight lighting pattern, data for controlling various displays, and the like.

  The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency dividing data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sound source IC 418, and the sound source IC 418 is provided with speakers 272 and 277 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls sound output from the amplifiers and speakers 272 and 277 in accordance with a command from the CPU 404. The sound source IC 418 is connected to an S-ROM (sound ROM) in which audio data is stored. The audio data acquired from the ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162 lamp, etc.) are provided to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. It is connected.

  Further, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 424 for driving the motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 424 is provided with a shutter 163 via an output interface. The drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sensor circuit 426, and a shutter sensor 428 is connected to the sensor circuit 426 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 428 every interruption time.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. Second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of effect device 160 including display control of effect image display device 157. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 is, for example, a control unit that controls display of the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls various drive devices for presentation (for example, a control unit that controls motor driving of the shutter 163). For example, it may be configured by a plurality of control units.

  The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer for measuring time and frequency 512. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

  The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 518 are connected to the VDP 516 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

  The symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) is developed in a plane.

<Pattern arrangement>
In each reel 110 to 112, a plurality of types (eight types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the figure are arranged in a predetermined number of frames (21 frames of numbers 0 to 20 in this embodiment). Also, numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reels 110 to 112. For example, in the present embodiment, the “replay” symbol for the number 1 frame on the left reel 110, the “bell” symbol for the number 0 frame on the middle reel 111, and the “bell” symbol for the number 2 frame on the right reel 112. "Watermelon" design is arranged respectively.

<Type of winning prize>
Next, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows the types of winning combinations (including actuating combinations), symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the operation or payout of each winning combination. Of the winning combinations in the present embodiment, the big bonuses (BB1, BB2) and the regular bonus (RB) are used as a combination for shifting to the bonus game, and the replay (replay) is a replay without newly inserting a medal. Each winning combination is sometimes distinguished from a winning combination and sometimes called an “acting combination”. However, in the “winning combination” in this embodiment, a big bonus, a regular bonus, and a replay that are operating combinations are included. included. In addition, “winning” in the present embodiment includes a case where a symbol combination of an actuator not accompanied by a medal payout (without medal payout) is displayed on an active line, for example, a big bonus, regular Includes bonuses and replay wins.

  The winning combination of the slot machine 100 includes a big bonus (BB1, BB2), a regular bonus (RB), a small combination (cherry, watermelon, bell), and replay (replay). Needless to say, the type of winning combination is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily adopted.

  “Big Bonus (BB1, BB2)” (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “BB”) is a special combination (operating combination) in which a big bonus game (BB game), which is a special game, is started by winning a prize. . Corresponding symbol combinations are “white 7-white 7-white 7” for BB1, and “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” for BB2. Further, flag carryover is performed for BB1 and BB2. That is, when BB1 and BB2 are won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300), but even if BB1 and BB2 are not won in the game, a prize is won. Until then, the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained, and even after the next game, BB1 and BB2 are being internally selected, and the symbol combination corresponding to BB1 “white 7-white 7-white 7”, the symbol corresponding to BB2 The combination “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” is in a state of winning a prize.

  The “regular bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning. The corresponding symbol combination is “bonus-bonus-bonus”. Note that the RB carries over the flag as well as the above-mentioned BB. However, in the big bonus game (BB game) (details will be described later), the regular bonus game (RB game) is won internally and the combination of symbols is displayed on the winning line. In addition, the regular bonus game is started after the start of the big bonus game, and when the regular bonus game is finished once, the regular bonus game is automatically started so that the next regular bonus game is immediately started. It is good. “Short (cherry, watermelon, bell)” (hereinafter, simply referred to as “cherry”, “watermelon”, “bell”) is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning. The symbol combinations are “cherry-ANY-ANY” for cherry, “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” for watermelon, and “bell-bell-bell” for bell. The corresponding payout number is as shown in FIG. In the case of “cherry-ANY-ANY”, the symbol of the left reel 110 may be “cherry”, and the symbol of the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbol.

  “Replay” is a winning combination (operating combination) in which a game can be performed without inserting a medal (game medium) in the next game by winning, and no medal is paid out. The corresponding symbol combination is “replay-replay-replay” for replay.

<Type of gaming state>
Next, the types of gaming state of the slot machine 100 will be described. The gaming state is information for identifying the type of lottery data selected in a lottery or the like. In the present embodiment, the gaming state of the slot machine 100 is roughly classified into a normal game, a BB game, an RB game, and an internal winning game of a big bonus (BB) and a regular bonus (RB). However, the internal winning game may be a division included in the normal game.

<Normal game>
The winning combinations that are internally won for normal games include a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay (replay), and small roles (cherry, watermelon, bell).

  “Big Bonus (BB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a big bonus game (BB game), which is a special game, is started by winning. “Regular Bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) that starts a regular bonus game (RB game) upon winning. The “replay” (replay) is a winning combination (operating combination) in which a game can be performed without a medal being inserted in the next game by winning, and no medal is paid out. The “small role” is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning. In addition, the internal winning probability of each combination is a range of random values obtained at the time of internal lottery from numerical data corresponding to the range of lottery data associated with each combination from lottery data prepared for normal games. It is calculated by the value divided by the numerical data (for example, 65535). The lottery data prepared for the normal game is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each combination and lose is associated with each numerical range. It is determined whether the random number value obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to which combination, and the internal lottery combination is determined. This lottery data is provided with settings 1 to 6 in which the winning probabilities of at least one combination are different, and a game shop clerk can arbitrarily select and set any set value.

  In the normal game, the internal lottery result is almost lost (big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay (replay) and small role won), or any stop display result A setting is made so that the stop display result of losing that does not correspond to the symbol combination of the combination is generally derived, and the total number of medals to be acquired is less than the total number of inserted medals. Therefore, it is a gaming state that is disadvantageous for the player. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when a specific symbol combination is displayed), it is a gaming state that may be changed to increase the probability of internal winning of replaying. In this case, Consumption of medals used for games is suppressed, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning a small role, resulting in a gaming state where the total number of medals exceeds the total number of medals inserted, which is beneficial to the player. May become a gaming state.

<BB game>
The BB game is set to be in a gaming state that is beneficial to the player. That is, the BB game is in a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted. In this embodiment, the BB game is started by winning a big bonus (BB), and an RB game (described later) can be continuously executed repeatedly, and a predetermined number (for example, during the game) The process ends when more than 465 medals are obtained. However, the BB game only needs to be able to execute the RB game a plurality of times. For example, when a combination (for example, replay-replay-replay) is set for starting the RB game, and this combination is won internally, or The RB game may be set to start when winning. Furthermore, in the BB game, when the BB general game excluding the RB game during the BB game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, 30 times), or the number of the RB games executed during the BB game is a predetermined number of times. It may be made to end when it reaches (for example, three times).

<RB game>
The RB game is set so as to be in a gaming state that is beneficial to the player. That is, the RB game is in a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted. In this embodiment, the RB game is started by winning a regular bonus (RB), and a predetermined role is set to a variation that increases the probability of internal winning (for example, “setting 1” or “normal game”). The internal winning probability 1/15 of “small role 1” is increased to an internal winning probability 1 / 1.2, which is a predetermined value), and a predetermined number (for example, 8 times) It ends when there is a prize. In the RB game, when a predetermined number of times (at least 2 times) is won (for example, 8 times), or when the number of RB games executed during the RB game reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, (8 times). Since the BB game described above can execute the RB game a plurality of times, when a single RB game is performed, the number of medals less than the total number of medals obtained in the BB game is acquired and terminated. Become.

<Big winning (BB) and regular bonus (RB) internal winning games>
The winning combination that is internally won for the internal winning game of the big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB) includes a replay and a small role. The big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB) are not won internally, and are game states in which a symbol combination corresponding to the big bonus (BB) or the regular bonus (RB) can be won.

  However, the probability of the internal winning of the replay may be changed from the next game that has been internally won to the big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB), for example, the probability of increasing the internal winning probability of the replay is changed. Until the symbol combination corresponding to the big bonus (BB) and regular bonus (RB) wins, the total number of medals to be acquired is almost the same as the total number of inserted medals, and is compared with the normal game. The gaming state may be beneficial to the player. It should be noted that BB game and RB game are both game states that are beneficial to the player, and may be generally referred to as bonus games or special games.

<Main control unit main processing>
The main process of the main control unit executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.

  As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.

  When power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step SA01. In this initial setting, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of interrupt prohibition, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, operation permission to the WDT 314, and initial setting Set the value. In step SA03, medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of the medal. Note that when a re-win is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that it is not necessary for the player to insert medals. Further, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If there is an operation of the start lever 135, the process proceeds to step SA05.

  In step SA05, the number of inserted medals is determined, and an effective winning line is determined. In step SA07, the random value generated by the random value generation circuit 316 is acquired. In step SA09, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read according to the current gaming state, and an internal lottery is performed using this and the random value acquired in step SA07. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination (including an operating combination) is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned ON. In step SA11, reel stop data is selected based on the internal lottery result.

  In step SA13, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started. In step SA15, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel stop control in which one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop button is selected in step SA11. Stop based on data. When all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the process proceeds to Step SA17. In step SA17, winning determination is performed. Here, when a picture combination corresponding to some winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is aligned on the activated winning line, it is determined that the player has won the bell. In step SA19, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out according to the number of winning lines. In step SA21, game state control processing is performed. In the game state control process, a process related to transition of each game state of normal game, BB game, RB game, and internal winning game is performed, and the game state is shifted when those start conditions and end conditions are satisfied. Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, the game proceeds by returning to step SA03 and repeating the above-described processing.

<Main controller 300 timer interrupt processing>
The main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control unit timer interrupt is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The process is started at a predetermined cycle.

  In step SB01, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step SB03, the WDT 314 is periodically changed to the initial value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) so that no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step SB05, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port status update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 318 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area.

  In step SB07, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing according to this status is performed (for example, the interrupt status of each acquired stop button 137 to 139). Based on the stop button reception process).

  In step SB09, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step SB11, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, basic command, start lever reception command, production command accompanying production lottery processing, rotation start command accompanying the start of rotation of reels 110 to 112, and operation of stop buttons 137 to 139. Bits 0 to 10 are command data (a stop button reception command accompanying the stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command accompanying the medal payout processing, a payout end command, a command indicating a gaming state, etc.). Predetermined information corresponding to the command type).

  In the first sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and it is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, the contents of effect control can be determined.

  In step SB13, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to an information input circuit 652 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step SB15, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step SB05 are read to monitor the presence / absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality. (Not shown) Error processing is executed. Further, according to the current gaming state, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which a solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 336, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set.

  In step SB17, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step SB21. When the low voltage signal is off (power supply cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step SB19.

  In step SB19, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step SB01 is set in each original register. Thereafter, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step SB21, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
The processing of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a main process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 7B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 7C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  First, in step SC01 in FIG. 7A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step SC01. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step SC03, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step SC05.

  In step SC05, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step SC07, command processing is performed. In the command processing, the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 determines whether a command is received from the main control unit 300.

  Commands received from the main control unit 300 include, for example, a game start command, a medal insertion command, a start lever reception command, an internal winning command, and the like. The processing of this step includes setting a game start command transmission schedule flag when the received command is, for example, a game start command.

  In step SC09, an effect control process is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step SC07, processing corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data from the ROM 406 and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated.

  Further, the processing of this step includes setting the production information transmission schedule flag when the internal winning command is received in step SC07.

  In step SC11, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step C09. For example, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step SC09, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step SC13, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step C09. For example, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step SC09, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

  In step SC15, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result in step SC09. For example, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step SC09, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step SC17, an information output process for performing setting to transmit a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 is performed based on the processing result of step SC09. For example, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in step SC09, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step SC03.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step SD01 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is performed by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step SE01, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step SC03 in the first sub control unit main process shown in FIG. 7A, and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step SC03, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step SE03, transmission of the control command to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step SC17, update processing of the effect random number value, and the like are performed.

<Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>
The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 8B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 8C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 8D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  First, in step SF01 in FIG. 8A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step SF01. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step SF03, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step SF05.

  In step SF05, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step SF07, command processing is performed. In the command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 determines whether a command is received from the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400.

  In step SF09, an effect control process is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step SF07, processing corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data from the ROM 506 and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated.

  In step SF11, image control processing is performed based on the processing result of step SF09. For example, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step SF09, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step SF03.

  Next, a command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the second sub control unit 500 detects the strobe signal output from the first sub control unit 400. In step SG01 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the first sub-control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Next, the second sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is predetermined by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step SH01, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step SF03 in the second sub control unit main process shown in FIG. 8A, and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step SF03, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step SH03, an effect random number update process is performed.

  Next, the image control process in step SF13 in the main process of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of image control processing.

  In step SI01, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 518. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the effect image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 518), and the like in the attribute register of the VDP 516 based on the position information table and the like, and then the image from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 518. Set an instruction to start data transfer. The VDP 516 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 518 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 516 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step SI03, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal from VDP 516 is input. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step SI05. Otherwise, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it. In step SI05, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 518 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 518 in step SI01, the CPU 504 has information on the image data constituting the display image (coordinate axes and image size of the VRAM 518). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 516. The VDP 516 performs parameter setting according to the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step SI07, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 to start drawing an image. The VDP 516 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504.

  In step SI09, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from VDP 516 based on the end of image drawing has been input. If a generation end interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step SI11. If not, a generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input. In step SI11, a scene display counter which is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

  In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, as described above, the first sub-control unit 400 transmits display information to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the determination of the game effect, and the second sub-control unit 500 includes the display information. Based on this, the image displayed on the effect image display device 157 is controlled.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 26, an example of the display of the effect image by the effect image display device 157 of the slot machine 100 will be described.

<Display by effect image display device>
The first sub-control unit 400 of the present embodiment includes first display information including game start information, second display information including effect information (information for updating the effect), and first information including other game start information. 3 Display information can be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  The first display information is, for example, a normal game start command (first sub-control unit normal start command, the same applies hereinafter). Here, the main control unit 300 detects the start lever 135 operation, and a start lever reception command (game start command). Command) is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 according to the gaming state at that time when the command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub-control unit 400. The normal game start command is based on a command (game start) transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 when, for example, the start of reel rotation is detected or the insertion of a medal is detected. A command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 may be used.

  The second display information is, for example, an internal winning command (first sub-control unit internal winning command, and so on). When the start lever 135 is operated, the main control unit 300 performs an internal lottery, and the first sub control unit 400 performs an effect lottery. When the winning combination is won internally, the second display information (first sub-control unit internal winning command) is the first based on the command (internal winning command) transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub-control unit 400. Although transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500, it is not transmitted in the case of non-winning. Thus, the second display information may or may not be transmitted after transmitting the first display information.

  The third display information is, for example, a special game start command (first sub-control unit special game start command, the same applies hereinafter). Here, the main control unit 300 detects a start lever 135 operation, and a start lever reception command (game start command). Command) is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 according to the gaming state at that time when the command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub-control unit 400.

  The second sub-control unit 500 can control to display the first game image 702A or the second game image 702B during a predetermined period, and the game background during the non-display period of the first game image 702A or the second game image 702B. Control to display the image 700 is possible.

  The game background image 700, the first game image 702A, and the second game image 702B of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of the game background image 700, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a position change mode of the game background image 700 displayed in the display area of the effect image display device 157. FIG. These are specific examples of display of the game background image 700 in the position change mode of the present embodiment corresponding to FIG.

  The game background image 700 is displayed in a display area (indicated by a broken line in the figure) of the effect image display device 157 for a specific period. The specific period is, for example, an effect image (first game image) based on another image (for example, the previous game result (internal winning combination)) after the previous game ends (reception of game media for the current game). )) Is displayed, or a period until a game medium is received for the next game. Further, the specific period is, for example, a period in which a specific gaming state is set, and the specific gaming state is, for example, a period in which a normal gaming state is set. In this case, the gaming background image 700 is This is an image displayed by the second sub-control unit 500 during the period in which the normal gaming state is set on the effect image display device 157.

  As an example, the game background image 700 of the present embodiment has an overall image size larger than the display area as shown in the figure, and a part of the image is changed according to a predetermined position change mode, and an effect image display device is displayed at a plurality of display positions. 157 is displayed in the display area. For example, in the case of the game background image 700 having a wider width than the display area, the display position is changed so as to slide to the left and right as time elapses.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the game background image 700 is displayed in the display area of the effect image display device 157 at, for example, a plurality of types of display positions from FIG. Since the game background image 700 outside the broken line is not displayed on the effect image display device 157, the game background image 700 outside the broken line may not be generated in the VRAM 518. In that case, processing related to generation of the game background image 700 outside the broken line can be reduced. That is, the second sub-control unit 500 controls the effect image display device 157 to display the game background image 700 with a plurality of display coordinates. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the positions in FIGS. 9A and 9E, that is, the center line C in the width direction of the display area and the center line in the width direction in the entire area of the game background image 700 match. The position where the game background image is displayed is set as a reference position for display (reference display position S). The game background image 700 is displayed so as to slide and move left and right (reciprocate horizontally) around the reference display position S. That is, from the reference display position S (FIG. 9A), the leftmost edge of the gaming background image 700 is displayed at the leftmost edge display position L (FIG. 9C), and the rightmost edge is displayed at the rightmost edge display position R. Display (FIG. 9G) returns to the original reference display position S (FIG. 9A).

  As described above, the second sub-control unit 500 moves the game background image 700 according to a predetermined position change mode (for example, by moving the game background image 700 left and right part by part) to the display area of the game background image 700 effect image display device 157. indicate. That is, in a certain period, an image of one part of the game background image 700 is visible, but an image of the other part is not visible.

  A display example of the game background image 700 will be described with reference to FIG. In the game background image 700, a girl student and a boy student each have a table tennis racket and face each other across a table tennis table. The area that the player can visually recognize during the game is an image in the display area indicated by a broken line. That is, when the image inside the broken line area (image of one part) is visually recognized, the image outside the broken line area (image of the other part) becomes invisible. Since the position of the game background image 700 changes with time, the display contents of the image of one part and the image of the other part also change.

  FIG. 10A and FIG. 10E are examples of images that are displayed when they are at the same position (reference display position S). The entire table tennis table and the female student's racket portion are displayed in the display area. Except for the overall picture, the first to fourth rows of lockers behind the female and male students are completely visible. Male students can only see the tip of the hat and the tip of the racket.

  For example, as a predetermined time elapses from the reference display position S shown in FIG. 10A, the position is changed in the direction in which the display coordinate (x coordinate) value of the game background image 700 increases, and the game background image 700 is moved to the right. The washbasin behind the female student becomes gradually visible in the display area. In this case, the y-axis direction is constant because there is no movement. At the leftmost display position L of the game background image 700 (FIG. 10C), the female student can see the whole image including the racket, and the wash basin can also see the whole image, while the male student is completely Visible.

  Thereafter, the position is changed in a direction in which the value of the display coordinate (x coordinate) of the game background image 700 decreases, the game background image 700 moves to the left, and again returns to the reference display position S (FIG. 10 (e)). Return. Furthermore, the position is changed in the direction in which the display coordinate (x coordinate) value of the game background image 700 decreases, so that the female student's racket becomes gradually invisible, while the male student's equipment container in the front back is gradually visible. Thus, the device case is completely visible at the rightmost display position R (FIG. 10G). Thereafter, the position is changed again in the direction in which the value of the display coordinate (x coordinate) of the game background image 700 increases, and the display returns to the reference display position S (FIG. 10A).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the game background image 700, and the first game image (scene A) 702A and the second game image (scene B) 702B.

  The first game image 702A and the second game image 702B are images that perform specific effects corresponding to the internal winning of the winning combination, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the game background image 700 is displayed (sliding left and right), if the start lever 135 is operated, an internal lottery is performed. When a predetermined winning combination is won internally and an image of a predetermined effect (specific effect) is displayed by effect lottery, a game image (first game image 702A or second game) of the specific effect is displayed on the effect image display device 157. An image 702B) is displayed. When it is determined that the second sub-control unit 500 has received the second display information transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400, the second sub-control unit 500 responds to the effect information included in the second display information. Then, control is performed so that the effect image display device 157 displays the first game image 702A or the second game image 702B. In the following description, the first game image 702A may be referred to as a scene A (first effect image), and the second game image 702B may be referred to as a scene B (second effect image). In the present embodiment, a case where two different game images (first game image 702A and second game image 702B) are displayed will be described as an example. However, more game images may be prepared. It may be one.

  Specifically, as a result of the internal lottery, when a predetermined winning combination (for example, a small role “watermelon”) is won internally, as shown in FIGS. The game image 702A is displayed on the effect image display device 157 instead of the game background image 700.

  The first game image (scene A) 702A is, for example, an image spanning several frames (here, three frames) representing a scene in which a male student is displayed alone at the center of the display area and swings a racket. In particular, the first game image (scene A) 702A of the present embodiment starts to display from the image of FIG. 11B, but the image suggesting the internal winning of the small role “watermelon” is several frames later (here, The image shown in FIG. 11D (after two frames) (an image in which “watermelon” is displayed on the back of the male student) is obtained.

  Further, as a result of the internal lottery, when a predetermined winning combination (for example, a small role “Bell”) is won internally, as shown in FIGS. 11E to 11G, the second game image 702B is used as an effect suggesting this. Is displayed on the effect image display device 157 instead of the game background image 700.

  The second game image (scene B) 702B is, for example, an image spanning several frames that represents a scene in which a female student is displayed alone in the center of the display area and swings off a racket. In particular, the second game image (scene B) 702B of this embodiment starts to be displayed from the image of FIG. 11 (e), but the image suggesting the internal winning of the small role “Bell” is several frames later (here The image shown in FIG. 11G (after two frames) (an image in which “bell” is displayed in front of the male student) is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the display start conditions for the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B are both determined to be when the internal winning is received (the second sub-control unit 500 has received the internal winning command (second display information)). Time). In addition, the display end conditions of the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B are both until the display end condition is established when the start lever 135 is operated (reception of the normal game start command (first display information)). However, the reason for this will be described later.

  Here, the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B are different game images, but they may be the same (representing a scene) game images (game images corresponding to the same internal winning combination). . That is, in the present embodiment, the first game image 702A is a game image that is displayed first instead of the game background image 700 when the game background image 700 is switched to the game image, and the second game image 702B. Is a game image displayed second (after the first game image).

  With reference to FIG. 12, the outline | summary of the effect display based on effect information of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the game background image 700, the first game image 702A, and the second game image 702B displayed on the effect image display device 157 as time elapses. 12 (a) and 12 (b), when the first display information (normal game start command) is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500, triggered by the operation of the start lever 135. FIGS. 12C and 12D are schematic diagrams for explaining a display image, and the third display information (special game) is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 when the start lever 135 is operated. It is a schematic diagram explaining a display image when a start command is transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, triggered by the operation of the start lever 135 (for example, after a start lever reception command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400), the first sub control according to the gaming state at that time The unit 400 transmits either the normal game start command or the special game start command to the second sub-control unit 500.

  The normal game start command is transmitted when the operation of the start lever 135 is performed while the game background image 700 is displayed, and the second sub-control unit 500 that receives the normal game start command receives a special (separately prepared) standby command. Without processing, the image (for example, the game background image 700) displayed at that time is continuously displayed until the display of the next image (for example, the game image by internal winning) is started.

  The special game start command is transmitted when an operation of the start lever 135 is performed while an image other than the game background image 700 (for example, the first game image (scene A) 702A) is displayed, and the second game command is received. The sub-control unit 500 performs standby processing that is separately prepared. The standby process is a process of displaying the standby image 704 for a predetermined period instead of the first game image 702A. When the second sub-control unit 500 receives the second display information (internal winning command) during the standby process, the display of the standby image 704 is terminated, and the second game image 702B (scene B) corresponding to the internal winning is displayed. Is displayed. On the other hand, when the second sub-control unit 500 does not receive the second display information (internal winning command) during the standby process (during the standby image 704 display period), the display of the standby image 704 is terminated, and the game background image 700 is displayed.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 12A, first, when the start lever 135 is operated during display of the game background image 700, the first sub-control unit 400 causes the second sub-control unit 500 to The 1st display information (normal game start command) is transmitted, The 2nd sub control part 500 which received this maintains the display of the game background image 700. FIG. In response to the start lever 135, the main control unit 300 performs an internal lottery process for winning combination (step SA09 in FIG. 5). If the internal lottery is determined as a result of the internal lottery, the first sub-control unit 400 performs an effect control process ( In step SC09) in FIG. 7, a lottery of effects is performed, and an effect (for example, display of an effect image) according to these results is started. When the effect is the display of the first game image 702A (that is, the display of the first game image (scene A) 702A indicating that the small role “watermelon” is won internally), the second sub-control The unit 500 receives second display information (internal winning command) including effect information for displaying the first game image 702A following the first display information from the first sub-control unit 400. Based on the second display information, the second sub-control unit 500 controls to display the first game image (scene A) 702A on the effect image display device 157 instead of the game background image 700.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the internal lottery is not determined as a result of the internal lottery, the display of the game background image 700 is maintained until the next image is displayed. In this case, the second sub control unit 500 receives the first display information but does not receive the second display information.

  Referring to FIG. 12C, for example, in FIG. 12A, the first game image (scene A) 702A is displayed as a result of the internal winning by the first start lever operation (start lever operation 1). If the start lever 135 is operated (start lever operation 2) while the image is displayed, the first sub-control unit 400 sends the third display information (special game start command) to the second sub-control unit 500. Send. If the second sub-control unit 500 determines that the third display information has been received, the second sub-control unit 500 performs a standby process of waiting for a predetermined period of the image displayed according to the result of the internal lottery. That is, the second sub-control unit 500 performs control to display the standby image 704 instead of displaying the first game image 702A. Then, as a result of the internal lottery triggered by the start lever operation 2, when a predetermined winning combination (for example, a small role “bell”) is won internally, the second sub-control unit 500 ends the display of the standby image 704. The second game image 702B is displayed. That is, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the second display information (internal winning command) including the effect information for displaying the second game image for notifying the internal winning of the small role “Bell” during the continuous display of the standby image 704. ) Is received, the display is switched to the display of the standby image 704 (the display of the standby image 704 is terminated), and the second game image (scene B) 702B is displayed on the effect image display device 157. I do.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12D, when the internal lottery is triggered during the start lever operation 2 in FIG. 12C, the internal image is not displayed while the standby image 704 is displayed. Control is performed so that the game background image 700 is displayed.

  The display end condition of the first game image 702A is triggered by the operation of the start lever 135 for the following reason. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the first game image (scene A) 702A is displayed over several frames in order to give a story to the image informing the internal winning combination, and the latter half (the final frame, FIG. 11 ( In d)), the internal winning combination is notified. In such a case, since the player cannot recognize the result of the internal lottery if the display is terminated immediately after the display of the scene A is started (for example, the state shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C), the internal winning combination is notified. (Up to FIG. 11D) It is necessary to ensure the display time of the entire scene A to some extent. On the other hand, if the next game is started while the scene A is displayed (if the start lever 135 of the next game is operated), there is a possibility that another winning combination will be won internally. It is necessary to display a game image (second game image 702B). Therefore, the longest display period of the first game image 702A indicating the current internal winning is the operation of the start lever 135 until the next game start lever 135 is operated (during the image display). Based on the gaming state at the time when the first sub-control unit 400 is sent, the first sub-control unit 400 transmits a normal game start command or a special game start command to the second sub-control unit 500, and the second sub-control unit 500 receives this It is desirable that it is until the point of judgment. While the display end condition for the first game image 702A has been described above, the same applies to the display end condition for the second game image 702B.

  In the present embodiment, the first sub-control unit 400 receives a command (start lever reception command) for recognizing the operation of the start lever 135 during display of the game image (first game image 702A) from the main control unit 300. If it is determined, a special game start command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500. When determining that the second sub control unit 500 has received the special start command, the second sub control unit 500 displays the standby image 704 for a predetermined period.

  In this way, the reason for displaying the standby image 704 in a predetermined case is that the start lever operation during the display of the first game image 702A is triggered by the result of the internal lottery and the game state at that time, This is because when the second game image 702B is to be displayed next, a game background image 700 of several frames may be displayed between them, which is not preferable. This will be described below.

<Comparative example>
With reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, as a comparative example of the present embodiment, a state where the game background image 700 is displayed between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the game background image 700 is displayed between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B. FIG. 13A shows the timing of the operation of the start lever 135 and the effect image. 13B is a diagram showing a display example of the display device 157, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of a broken line circled portion of FIG. 13A, and shows the player's operation of the start lever 135 and each control unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the display in the timing of a process, and the effect image display apparatus 157. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 13A, for example, when the game background image 700A is displayed on the effect image display device 157 in place of the demonstration screen or the like when the medal insertion is accepted, the first operation of the start lever 135 ( When there is a start lever operation 1), the main control unit 300 performs an internal lottery. When an internal winning is made in the internal lottery, a first game image (scene A) 702A corresponding to the winning combination is displayed.

  As described above, in order to display the first game image 702A for as long as possible (to ensure the longest display period), it is second that the start lever 135 is operated (start lever operation 2) during the image display. When the sub-control unit 500 recognizes that the display is to be ended, if there is a start lever operation 2 during the display of the first game image 702A (the second sub-control unit 500 performs the start lever operation). Immediately, the display of the first game image 702A is terminated. Thereafter, when the second game image (scene B) 702B is displayed as a result of the internal lottery triggered by the start lever operation 2, image generation is performed between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B. The game background image 700 being executed is displayed momentarily.

  More specifically, referring to FIG. 13B, when the main control unit 300 detects the player's operation of the start lever 135 (start lever operation 2), the main control unit 300 sends a start lever reception command to the first command. Transmit to the sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received the start lever reception command starts execution of game start effect control (for example, control of sound effect reproduction, lamp emission, etc.) performed by the first sub-control unit 400, and 2 A normal game start command is transmitted to the secondary control unit 500.

  When it is determined that the normal game start command has been received, the second sub-control unit 500 controls to display the game background image 700 on the effect image display device 157 instead of displaying the first game image 702A.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 300 performs an internal lottery with the start lever operation 2 as an opportunity, and transmits a lottery result (internal winning command when winning) to the first sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit performs an effect lottery, and transmits an internal winning command (first sub-control unit internal winning command) including the lottery result (effect information) to the second sub-control unit 500. When the second sub-control unit 500 determines that the (first sub-control unit) internal winning command has been received, the second game image (scene B) 702B is displayed on the effect image display device 157 based on the effect information. Control as follows.

  However, at this time, processing time is required in each control unit such as internal lottery and effect lottery, and the processing timing is delayed as going downstream (main control unit 300 → first sub control unit 400 → second sub control unit 500). Therefore, a certain amount of time is required from the first game image 702A to the display of the second game image 702B as the display image of the effect image display device 157. On the other hand, since the game background image 700 is linked with the game start effect performed by the first sub-control unit 400, it is necessary to start the display when the normal game start command is received by the second sub-control unit 500. Several frames of the game background image 700 are displayed after the display of the first game image 702A is finished and before the second game image 702B is displayed.

  In such a case, the player who recognizes that the game background image 700 has been displayed instantaneously by the start lever operation 2 has been executed, or whether his / her operation was incorrect, etc. There is a risk of misunderstanding and confusion.

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are diagrams showing another comparative example, and are display examples when two types of game background images 700 (first game background image 700A and second game background image 700B) are prepared.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a problem that occurs when the second gaming background image 700B is scheduled to be displayed based on the operation of the start lever 135 after the first gaming background image 700A is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 14 (a), for example, when the first game background image 700A indicating the state of the normal game is displayed, the internal winning is triggered by the operation of the start lever 135 (start lever operation 1). When the next game is, for example, a big bonus (BB) game, the second sub-control unit 500 switches to the first game background image 700A in response to the next start lever 135 operation (start lever operation 2). The second game background image 700B of the BB game is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 14B, in such a case, the first game image 702A is displayed by the internal lottery by the start lever operation 1 while the game background image 700A is displayed, and the start lever operation 2 is performed during the display. Then, the second sub control unit 500 immediately ends the display of the first game image 702A. Then, when the second game image 702B is displayed by the internal lottery by the start lever operation 2, it takes time for processing and display preparation such as the internal lottery and the effect lottery. After the frame display, the display of the second game image 702B is started.

  In particular, when the second game background image 700B different from the game background image (first game background image 700A) at the time of the start lever operation 1 is displayed by the start lever operation 2, the player is different from the past. 2 The game background image 700B is visually recognized for about several frames, and there is a risk of further confusion such as not knowing what the intended display is.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the display start condition of another game background image (second game background image 700B) indicating that the game state has transitioned is not limited to that triggered by the start lever operation 2. However, it is desirable to use the start lever operation 2 as an opportunity for the following reasons.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating display start conditions for another game background image 700B. FIG. 15A shows the case where the time point before the start lever operation 2 is set as the display start condition, and FIG. 15B shows the case where the time point after the start lever 2 is operated is set as the display start condition. ) Is a case where the time point of the start lever operation 2 is set as the display start condition.

  Referring to FIG. 15 (a), in the case of the specification to switch from the first game background image 700A to the second game background image 700B at the time before the start lever operation 2, for example, when a medal is inserted (bet), the start lever operation is performed. Since the medal can be returned before 2, the game state (the second game background image 700B), for example, if it is found that there is no production (internal winning), the player cancels the game May end up.

  Also, referring to FIG. 15B, the first game background image 700A to the second game background image 700B are triggered by the time after the start lever operation 2, for example, the first stop of the rotating reel (pressing the stop button). In the case of the specification to switch to, it is unclear whether the change of the gaming state is due to the start lever operation 2 or the first stop of the reel, and the player may be confused.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the next game state is scheduled to be changed by the start lever operation 1, the second game background image 700B is displayed with the start lever operation 2 as an opportunity. It is desirable to do. By doing in this way, it becomes easy for the player to grasp the current gaming state from the second gaming background image 700B. Further, the sound effect output for the second game background image 700B and the lamp emission effect control executed by the first sub control unit 400 are executed by the second sub control unit 500 with the start lever operation 2 as an opportunity. 2 It becomes possible to start in synchronization with display control of the gaming background image 700B. The effect control of the sound effect output and the lamp emission can be performed, for example, when a medal is inserted, but in that case, whether or not the game is started is undecided, and when the effect is started in that state, the player makes it noisy. It may be felt and is not preferable.

  For this reason, in the comparative example described above, the second game background image 700B is displayed with the start lever operation 2 as a trigger. When the two game images 702B are to be displayed, a certain amount of time is required from the start lever operation 2 to the display of the second game image 702B. Therefore, the game background between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B is displayed. The image 700 (700B) will be visually recognized instantaneously, causing problems such as confusion for the player.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the second game image 702B is displayed after the first game image 702A, processing is performed so that the game background image 700 is not displayed during that time. .

  That is, the first sub-control unit 400 of the present embodiment transmits the first display information including the game start information (normal game start command) and the first display information, and then (internally triggered by the start lever 135 operation). The second display information (internal winning command) including the effect information can be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 (when there is a win). The first sub-control unit 400 transmits display information related to the display of the first game image 702A to the second sub-control unit 500 (the operation of the start lever 135 is not performed during the display period of the first game image 702A). If this happens, the third display information (special game start command) including other game start information is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  The second sub-control unit 500 can display the game background image 700 on the effect image display device 157 during the non-display period of the first game image 702A or the second game image 702B. When it is determined that the third display information (special game start command) is received during the display of the first game image 702A, the standby image 704 is displayed, and the second display information (internal winning selection) is displayed during the display of the standby image 704. Command) is displayed, the second game image 702B is displayed instead of the standby image 704.

  With reference to FIG. 16, the display example of the present embodiment will be specifically described separately for each case. This figure is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the game background image 700, the first game image 702A, and the second game image 702B in the effect image display device 157 of the present embodiment. FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram when the game background image 700 is displayed after the first game image 702A, and FIG. 16B shows the second game image 702B displayed after the first game image 702A. FIG. In both cases, the upper part is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display area of the effect image display device 157 that can be visually recognized by the player, the middle part is a schematic diagram showing the state of the generated image, and the lower part is the player's visual display. It is a figure which shows the timing of start lever 135 operation.

  Referring to FIG. 16A, when the first start lever 135 is operated (start lever operation 1) while the game background image 700 is displayed, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the game background image 700. The display is continued and the main control unit 300 performs an internal lottery. As a result of the internal lottery, there is an internal winning of a winning combination (for example, a small role “watermelon”), and when the display of the first game image 702A is determined as a specific production as a result of the production lottery in the first sub-control unit 400, The second sub-control unit 500 displays the first game image 702A on the effect image display device 157 instead of displaying the game background image 700 (ending the display).

  The flow of control commands in this process is as follows. By operating the start lever 135, a start lever reception command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received this and recognizes that the start lever operation 1 has been performed while the game background image 700 is displayed determines the gaming state, and the game background image 700 is displayed. Based on this, a normal game start command (first display information) is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500. After that, an internal winning command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub-control unit 400 (according to the result of the internal lottery and the effect lottery), and based on this, the effect information for displaying the first game image 702A An internal winning command (first sub-control unit internal winning command, second display information) is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500. Receiving the first sub-control unit internal winning command, the second sub-control unit 500 ends the display of the game background image 700 and displays the first game image 702A. In this case, the display of the game background image 700 ends when the display of the first game image 702A is started, and the first game image 702A is generated and displayed immediately after the second sub-control unit 500 receives the normal game start command. Is started.

  When the second start lever 135 is operated (start lever operation 2) during the display of the first game image 702A, the second sub-control unit 500 replaces the display of the first game image 702A and waits for the standby image 704. Is displayed, and the main control unit 300 performs the internal lottery again. Also, when the start lever operation 2 is triggered and there is no internal winning of the winning combination of the next game, the second sub-control unit 500 ends the display of the standby image 704 and displays the game background image 700 again as the effect image display device. 157.

  The flow of control commands in this process is as follows. By the start lever operation 2, a start lever reception command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 receives this and recognizes that the start lever operation 2 has been performed during the display of the first game image 702A, and sends a special game start command (third display information) to the second sub-control unit. Sent to 500. Thereafter, when it is not determined that the internal winning command is received by the second sub-control unit 500 (according to the result of the internal lottery and the effect lottery) during the display period of the standby image 704, the display of the standby image 704 is terminated. Then, the game background image 700 is displayed again. That is, the game background image 700 is displayed after the second sub-control unit 500 receives a special game start command and waits for a predetermined period (after the display period of the standby image 704 has elapsed). The standby image 704 is, for example, an image for a display period of several tens of frames, and details will be described later.

  During the display of the first game image 702A, the display of the game background image 700 is interrupted as a state visually recognized by the player. However, it is only invisible to the player. For example, the display of the game background image 700 may be continued on the back of the first game image 702A, and this figure shows the state.

  That is, referring to the middle part of the figure, the game background image 700 is generated and displayed in parallel with the standby image 704 from the time when the start lever operation 2 is performed, but the standby image 704 is the game background image 700. Draw on the front (player side). In the case of FIG. 16A, even after the display period of the standby image 704 ends, the image generation of the game background image 700 is continued (until the game ends).

  By doing in this way, as shown in the upper part of the figure, immediately after the display of the first game image 702A, the image visually recognized by the player becomes the standby image 704, and the image visually recognized by the player at the end is again the game background image. 700. Furthermore, after the display of the standby image 704 is completed, the player can view the game background image 700 from the middle of the scene (again, compared with the case where the game background image 700 is displayed from the first frame). It becomes possible to watch the image without getting bored. Although not shown in the drawing, if the sound output / lamp emission linked to the game background image 700 is executed by the first sub-control unit 400 immediately after the start lever operation is accepted, the game background is not shifted to these effects. The image 700 can be displayed.

  The present invention is not limited to this. While the standby image 704 is displayed, the game background image 700 may not be displayed, but the image generation of the game background image 700 may be continued. Image generation and display may be started.

  Referring to FIG. 16B, for example, when the second start lever 135 is operated (start lever operation 2) while the first game image 702A shown in FIG. The control unit 500 displays a standby image 704 instead of displaying the first game image 702A, and the main control unit 300 performs internal lottery again. During the display period of the standby image 704, the winning combination of the next game (for example, the small role “Bell”) is won internally, and as a result of the effect lottery in the first sub-control unit 400, the second game image 702B is selected as a specific effect. When the display is determined, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the second game image 702B on the effect image display device 157 instead of displaying the standby image 704 (ending the display of the standby image 704).

  The flow of control commands in this process is as follows. By the start lever operation 2, a start lever reception command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 receives this and recognizes that the start lever operation 2 has been performed during the display of the first game image 702A, and sends a special game start command (third display information) to the second sub-control unit. Sent to 500. Thereafter, during the display period of the standby image 704, when it is determined that the internal winning command is received by the second sub-control unit 500 (according to the result of the internal lottery and the effect lottery), the display of the standby image 704 is immediately terminated. Then, the second game image 702B is displayed. In this case, the second game image 702B is drawn and generated immediately after the second sub-control unit 500 receives the special game start command, and the display is started.

  In particular, also in this case, by displaying the standby image 704 on the front surface (position close to the player side) as in FIG. 16A, the game background image 700 is displayed on the back surface using the start lever operation 2 as an opportunity. Even if it is a case, it can prevent that the said game background image 700 is visually recognized by the player instantaneously.

<Standby image>
The standby image 704 will be described with reference to FIG. When the start lever 135 is operated while the first game image 702A is displayed, the standby image 704 waits for the next screen (second game image 702B or game background image 700) corresponding to the result of the internal winning. Therefore, the image is displayed instead of the first game image 702A (following the first game image 702A).

  In other words, the standby image 704 has no special role (such as notification of an internal winning combination) and is preferably an image that is less likely to cause misidentification or confusion when viewed by the player, for example, related to the first game image 702A. It is preferable that the image represents a scene or the like.

  FIG. 17A shows a case where a part of the first game image 702A is a standby image 704. That is, the first game image 702A is, for example, a movie moving image compressed by a predetermined method (a known compression method such as MPEG4), and when decompressed, it is a moving image of 230 frames. If the start lever 135 is operated during display (frames repeatedly displayed until the start lever 135 is operated), the frames from 1 to 200 frames to 201 frames (up to 230 frames) Is continuously displayed. Since the first game image (scene A) 702A is continuously displayed, it is possible to wait for the next image to be displayed without giving the player a sense of incongruity.

  In this case, a part of the first game image 702A and the standby image 704 are in the same scene, but here, the first game image 702A is defined until the special start command is received, and the remaining after the special start command is received. Let the scene be a standby image 704 displayed in place of the first game image 702A.

  FIG. 17B is another example in which a part of the first game image 702A is a standby image 704. For example, an image of the first frame of the first game image 702A is continued as the standby image 704. Display for several frames. Since it is the first frame image of the first game image (scene A) 702A that has been displayed so far, it is possible to wait for the next image to be displayed without giving the player a sense of incongruity.

  In this case, a part of the first game image 702A and the standby image 704 are the same, but here, the first game image 702A is displayed until the special start command is received, and is displayed again after the special start command is received. The frame image is a standby image 704. The frame displayed as the standby image 704 is not limited to the first frame, and may be a continuous display of other frames (for example, the last frame) or a repeated display of a plurality of frames.

  Further, the first game image 702A is, for example, a movie moving image compressed by a predetermined method (a known compression method such as MPEG4). When decompressed, the first game portion 702AF (previous display image) and 30 frames It is a moving image consisting of the rear stage 702AR (late display image), and during the effect display period, when the scene of the front stage 702AF is repeatedly displayed as the first game image 702A and a special game start command is received, The image 704 may be displayed once as a scene of the subsequent stage 702AR that is continuous therewith. Until it is determined that the special game start command has been received, it is not necessary to repeatedly display all of the preceding stage 702AF (1 frame to 200 frames). For example, the display of the preceding stage 702AF (1 frame to 200 frames) is displayed. After executing this once, a part (180 frames to 200 frames) of the front stage 702AF may be repeatedly displayed. The second stage image 702B may be displayed in accordance with the game background image 700 or the internal winning after the rear stage 702AR (30 frame display) is displayed a predetermined number of times (twice).

  FIG. 17C shows a case where an image in which all the pixels (dots) are a single color is adopted as the standby image 704. The standby image 704 is composed of, for example, a single white color ((R, G, B) is designated as (255, 255, 255)). Thereby, compared with the case where several frames (game background image 700) having a low relationship with the first game image 702A are displayed, misidentification and confusion of the player can be reduced. The single color is not limited to white, but may be other colors (black, gray, etc.).

  FIG. 17D shows a second game image (scene B) 702B corresponding to each of the first game images (scene A) 702A of a plurality of patterns (scenes), and a standby image 704 corresponding to each. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of being displayed.

  That is, when the scene A-1 is displayed as the first game image 702A, the standby image 704a corresponding to this is displayed, and then the second game image 702B (scene B-1) corresponding to the scene A-1 is displayed. ) Is displayed. Similarly, when the scene A-2 is displayed, the standby image 704b and the scene B-2 corresponding to this are displayed, and when the scene A-3 is displayed, the standby image 704c corresponding to this is displayed. Scene B-3 is displayed. Thereby, it is easy to understand the transition from the scene A to the scene B by visual recognition of the standby images 704a to 704c, and it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling given to the player.

<Information output process of first sub-control unit>
With reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the information output process (step SC17 in FIG. 7) of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described in detail. First, FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control command transmitted from the first sub control unit 400 to the second sub control unit 500.

  Referring to FIG. 18A, the control commands transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 include a normal game start command (first display information) and an internal winning command (second Display information), a special game start command (third display information), a medal insertion command, and the like.

  The normal game start command is transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500 when the start lever 135 is operated while the game background image 700 is displayed, and is displayed next to the first game image 702A. This is a command for instructing the second sub-control unit 500 to display the game background image 700 to be displayed without waiting for a predetermined period.

  The internal winning command is a command for causing the second sub-control unit 400 to recognize the winning combination won as a result of the internal lottery. In the internal winning command, information indicating the type of the winning combination (for example, the small role “watermelon”) and the game information for displaying the internal winning (for example, the first gaming image 702A) are displayed. Is included.

  The special game start command is sent from the first sub control unit 400 to the second sub control unit 500 when the start lever 135 is operated while an image other than the game background image 700 (for example, the first game image 702A) is displayed. The display of the image (the game background image 700 or the second game image 702B) that is transmitted and displayed next to the first game image 702A waits for a predetermined period of time, that is, after displaying the standby image 704, the next This is a command for instructing the second sub-control unit 500 to display an image.

  The medal insertion command is a command for causing the second sub-control unit 500 to recognize that a prescribed number of medals have been inserted.

  Referring to FIG. 18B, a plurality of normal game start commands and special game start commands are prepared according to the game state.

  For example, the normal game start command (command A) includes a game start A-1 command transmitted in the normal game state, a game start A-2 command transmitted in the bonus game state, and the like.

  The special game start command (command B) includes a game start B-1 command transmitted in the normal game state, a game start B-2 command transmitted in the bonus game state, and the like.

  The normal game start command and the special game start command are not commands transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400, but the game state when the first sub control unit 400 recognizes the acceptance of the start lever 135 operation. Is a command that is selected according to the command and transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of information output processing of the first sub-control unit 400. First, the flow of the information output process of the first sub control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step SJ01, it is determined whether or not a game start command (for example, a start lever reception command) is received from the main control unit 300 in the command processing of the first sub control unit main process (step SC07 in FIG. 7A). judge. This determination is based on whether or not the game start command transmission schedule flag is set in step SC07. Moreover, in step SC09 of Fig.7 (a), it is determined whether the production | presentation information transmission schedule flag was set. If the game start command transmission schedule flag and the effect information transmission schedule flag are set, the process proceeds to step SJ02, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step SJ04.

  In step SJ02, transmission information setting processing is performed. The transmission information setting process determines whether to transmit a normal game start command or a special game start command to the second sub-control unit 500. Details of this processing will be described later. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SJ03.

  In step SJ03, a game start information output process is performed. In the game start information output process, the command determined in step SJ02 is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SJ04.

  In step SJ04, another information output process is performed, and the process ends.

  With reference to FIG. 19B, the transmission information setting process (step SJ02) of FIG. 19A will be described.

  In step SK01, the current gaming state is determined based on the image displayed on the effect image display device 157. That is, it is determined whether or not a game background image display effect execution flag is set. The game background image display effect execution flag receives the game start command in the previous game, and as a result of the internal lottery triggered by the operation of the start lever 135, there is no internal win, and the effect that has been executed so far (display of the game image) ) Is changed to the effect for displaying the game background image 700 (based on the effect determined in the effect control process in step SC09 in FIG. 7). Based on the determination of this step, it is determined which of the normal game start command and the special game start command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 (by subsequent processing).

  When the game background image display effect execution flag is set, that is, when the game background image 700 is displayed instead of the game image display effect, the process proceeds to step SK02. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step SK04. .

  In step SK02, the current gaming state is determined. As the gaming background image 700, for example, a plurality of images prepared for different gaming states such as for a normal gaming state, a bonus gaming state, and a high-probability re-gaming state are prepared. The current gaming state is determined by determining whether it is displayed. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SK03.

  In step SK03, transmission setting processing of a normal game start command (command A) according to the game state is performed. That is, for example, when the gaming state determined in step SK02 is the normal gaming state, the game start A-1 command shown in FIG. 18B is set to be transmitted, and the gaming state is the bonus gaming state. Is set to transmit the game start A-2 command shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step SK01 that the game background image 700 is currently displayed, the game background image 700 is instantaneously displayed between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B described above. The problem of being generated does not occur. Therefore, when the second sub-control unit 500 receives the normal game start command transmission setting in this step, no special standby processing is performed (without waiting for the display of the standby image 704). ) Control to display the next image becomes possible. After this step ends, the process ends.

  In step SK04, the current gaming state is determined. Based on the gaming state control (updating) process in step SA21 of FIG. 5 and the gaming state command transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 (regardless of whether or not updated), for example, a first game other than the gaming background image 700, for example, In the case where the image 702A is displayed, the current gaming state is determined by determining whether the gaming background image 700 (previously displayed gaming background image 700) is for the normal gaming state or for the bonus gaming state. Determine. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SK05.

  In step SK05, transmission setting processing of a special game start command (command B) according to the game state is performed. That is, for example, when the gaming state determined in step SK04 is the normal gaming state, the game start B-1 command shown in FIG. 18B is set to be transmitted, and the gaming state is the bonus gaming state. Is set to transmit the game start B-2 command shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step SK01 that an image other than the gaming background image 700 (for example, the first gaming image 702A) is currently displayed, the first gaming image 702A and the second gaming image 702B described above. There may be a problem that the gaming background image 700 is displayed instantaneously between the two. Therefore, when the second sub control unit 500 receives the special game start command transmission setting in this step, it is necessary for drawing generation and display of the next image (particularly, the second game image 702B). It is possible to control to display the next image (for example, the game background image 700 or the second game image 702B) after performing the standby process for a period exceeding the predetermined period (after displaying the standby image 704). After this step ends, the process ends.

<Production control process of second sub-control unit>
With reference to FIG. 20, the effect control process (step SF09 in FIG. 8) of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described in detail. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of effect control processing of the second sub-control unit 500.

  In step SL01, it is determined whether or not there is production information, that is, whether or not the second sub-control unit 500 has received an internal winning command including production information. If it is determined that the internal winning command has been received, the process proceeds to step SL02. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step SL05.

  In step SL02, it is determined whether or not a display end timer for the standby image 704 (or a display start timer for the game background image 700, the same applies hereinafter) is set. If not, the process proceeds to step SL04. The display end timer is a timer for determining whether or not to continue displaying the first game image 702A (display end condition of the first game image 702A), and is an initial setting of the main process of the second sub-control unit 500 (Step SF01 in FIG. 8) is not set (0 is assigned to the timer variable).

  In step SL03, the display end timer is not set. That is, 0 is substituted for the timer variable of the display end timer, and the process proceeds to step SJ04.

  In step SL04, display setting processing for a game image (for example, the first game image 702A) that suggests an internal winning is performed based on the effect information included in the internal winning command. The effect information includes information of image data to be displayed (coordinate axes of VRAM 518, image size, VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates), etc.). When the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 in step SI01, based on these settings, a game image (first game image 702A) is displayed in the display area of the effect image display device 157 instead of the game background image 700. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SL14.

  In step SL05, it is determined whether or not the second sub-control unit 500 has received a normal game start command or a special game start command indicating that the game has started. If a normal (or special) game start command is received, the process proceeds to step SL06, and if not, the process proceeds to step SL11.

  In step SL06, it is determined whether or not the first game image 702A is being displayed. If the first game image 702A is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step SL07. If not (if the first game image 702A is being displayed), the process proceeds to step SL14. As in the case where the second game image 702B is displayed after the display of the first game image 702A, during the continuous display of the effect image (while the standby image is displayed), the game start information (normal (or special) game start command) is displayed. Even if it is received, the game background image 700 is not displayed. Therefore, in this step, it is determined whether or not the standby image 704 is displayed.

  In step SL07, it is determined whether or not the second sub control unit 500 has received a special game start command. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step SL08; otherwise (when a normal game start command is received), the process proceeds to step SL07.

  In step SL08, display end timer setting processing for standby image 704 is performed. For example, a numerical value of about 0.5 seconds is set in the display end timer. The numerical value set in the display end timer is a time during which the second display information can be transmitted (received by the second sub-control unit 500) without fail when the internal winning is made according to the specifications of the first sub-control unit 400. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SL09.

  In step SL09, standby image 704 display processing is performed. When the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 in step SI01, the standby image 704 is displayed in the display area of the effect image display device 157 instead of the first game image 702A based on these settings. After completion of this step, the process proceeds to step SL14.

  When a part of the first game image 702A is continuously displayed as the standby image 704, the display setting process for the first game image 702A in step SL04 is performed.

  In step SL10, a background image display setting process is performed to indicate that the game is in a start state. In the background image display setting process, when the second sub control unit 500 receives a normal game start command, display setting of the game background image 700 corresponding to the game state is performed as an image indicating the game start. When the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 in step SI01, the game background image 700 is displayed in the display area of the effect image display device 157 based on these settings. By this step, the game background image 700 is displayed without waiting for a predetermined time (display period of the standby image 704).

  In step SL11, it is determined whether a display end timer for the standby image 704 is set. If there is a timer setting, the process proceeds to step SL12, and if not, the process proceeds to step SL14.

  In step SL12, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred, that is, whether or not the display end timer set time (about 0.5 seconds) has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step SL13, and if not, the process proceeds to step SL14.

  In step SL13, a background image display setting process is performed to indicate that the game is in a start state. Since this process is the same as step SL10, the description thereof is omitted. In this step, when the standby image 704 is displayed, the game background image 700 is displayed after the display period (about 0.5 seconds) has elapsed.

  In step SL14, another image display setting process is performed, and the process ends.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of an image set in the game start background image setting process (step SL10 in FIG. 20). FIG. 21A shows an example of a display information table held in the ROM 506 or the like. FIG. 21B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the gaming state and the displayed image.

  Referring to FIG. 21A, a plurality of gaming background images 700 are prepared according to the gaming state. For example, game background images 700A, 700B, and 700C are prepared corresponding to the three types of normal gaming states 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and the game backgrounds corresponding to the two types of high-probability re-gaming states 1 and 2, respectively. Images 700D and 700E are prepared. Although illustration is omitted here, a game background image 700 corresponding to the bonus game state is also included.

  The first sub-control unit 400 includes a plurality of types of normal game start commands (first display information) corresponding to the above-described plurality of types of game states (the normal game states 1 to 3 and the high-probability replay states 1 and 2). And the special game start command (third display information) can be transmitted, and the second sub-control unit 500 displays game background images 700A to 700E corresponding to a plurality of types of normal game start commands and special game start commands, respectively. .

  That is, with reference to FIG. 21 (b), the second sub-control unit 500 determines that the normal game start command (for example, the normal game start command in the high probability re-gaming state) that has been received this time has been received last time. If it is different from the normal game start command (for example, the normal game start command in the normal game state), it is determined whether or not this time is received instead of the currently displayed game background image 700 (any of the game background images 700A to 700C). A new game background image 700 (either game background image 700D or 700E) corresponding to the normal game start command is displayed. Although the normal game start command has been described here as an example, the case where the game background images 700A to 700E are displayed when the special game start command is received and there is no internal winning during the display period of the standby image 704 thereafter. It is the same.

  In this manner, a plurality of game background images 700 corresponding to a plurality of game states are prepared, and the game background images 700 corresponding to the respective game background images 700 corresponding to the plurality of game states are received by receiving the normal game start command or the special game start command. By displaying, the player can easily recognize the current game state. Based on the plurality of game background images 700, the game state is determined in steps SK02 and SK04 of the transmission information setting process (FIG. 19B) of the first sub-control unit 400.

  In the case where the display end condition is satisfied until the start lever 135 operation (reception of the normal game start command (first display information)) as in the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B, (end of the previous game) Although the game state is sometimes changed), the player can visually recognize that the game state has changed after the start lever 135 operation (start lever operation 2) of the next game. In this way, there may be a difference in timing between the game state that is actually set and the effect that notifies the state (display of the game background image 700 corresponding to the game state), and in addition, the effect of the internal winning (first When the display period is very short due to the execution of (display of two game images 702B) or the like, the player feels that it is difficult to understand what effect has been executed (what game state has been changed) ( (See FIG. 14B). In this embodiment, even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the game background image 700 from being displayed in a very short period from the end of display of the first game image 702A to the start of display of the second game image 702B.

<Variation 1 in the case where another image is displayed after the standby image>
Referring to FIG. 22, another form in which another image is displayed after display of standby image 704 is shown. This modification is an example in the case where the game background image 700 is displayed after the standby image 704 is displayed. The upper row is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display area of the effect image display device 157 that can be visually recognized by the player. It is a figure which shows the timing of start lever 135 operation.

  Referring to the figure, when the start lever 135 is operated during display of the first game image (scene A) 702A, the first sub-control unit 400 sends the special game start command (command B) to the second sub-control. Part 500. Receiving the special game start command, the second sub-control unit 500 performs control so that the standby image 704 is displayed instead of the display of the first game image 702A.

  In this modification, during the display period of the standby image 704, if there is no internal winning triggered by the operation of the start lever 135, that is, the gaming background image 700 is displayed after the display period of the standby image 704. In this case, the first sub control unit 400 transmits a command (game background image display start command) for displaying the game background image 700 to the second sub control unit 500.

  The second sub-control unit 500 continues to display the standby image 704 until the game background image display start command is received. When the command is received, the second sub control unit 500 displays the game background image 700 instead of the standby image 704 (up / down). (See middle row). Further, the first sub-control unit 400 that has transmitted the game background image display start command to the second sub-control unit 500 performs effect control for the game background image 700 such as sound effect output and lamp emission in synchronization with the transmission of the command. Start.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the game background image 700 when there is no internal winning after waiting for the display period of the standby image 704 (for example, about 0.5 seconds). . On the other hand, in the present modification, the first sub control unit 400 instructs the second sub control unit 500 to display the game background image 700. Thereby, the effect control for the game background image 700 processed by the first sub-control unit 400 and the display control of the game background image 700 processed by the second sub-control unit 500 can be performed in conjunction with each other.

<Modification Example 2 of Image Displaying Other Images After Standby Image>
Referring to FIG. 23, another form of displaying another image after displaying standby image 704 is shown. This modification is an example in which the second game image 702B is displayed after the standby image 704 is displayed. The upper row is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display area of the effect image display device 157 that can be visually recognized by the player. It is a figure which shows the timing of start lever 135 operation.

  Referring to the figure, when the start lever 135 is operated during display of the first game image (scene A) 702A, the first sub-control unit 400 sends the special game start command (command B) to the second sub-control. Part 500. Receiving the special game start command, the second sub-control unit 500 performs control so that the standby image 704 is displayed instead of the display of the first game image 702A.

  In this modification, when the internal winning is triggered by the operation of the start lever 135 during the standby image 704 display period, that is, after the standby image 704 display period, the second game image (scene B) 702B is displayed. When it comes to doing, the 1st sub control part 400 transmits the command (2nd game image display start command) for displaying the 2nd game image 702B to the 2nd sub control part 500. FIG.

  The second sub-control unit 500 continues to display the standby image 704 until the second game image display start command is received, and displays the second game image 702B instead of the standby image 704 when the command is received ( (See the upper and middle rows). The first sub-control unit 400 that has transmitted the second game image display start command to the second sub-control unit 500 performs effect control for the second game image 702B such as sound effect output and lamp emission in synchronization with the transmission of the command. Start.

  In the embodiment described above, the second game image 702B is displayed when the second sub-control unit 500 receives an internal winning command during the display period of the standby image 704. On the other hand, in this modified example, the first sub control unit 400 instructs the second sub control unit 500 to display the second game image 702B. Thereby, the effect control for the second game image 702B processed by the first sub-control unit 400 and the display control of the second game image 702B processed by the second sub-control unit 500 can be performed in conjunction with each other.

<Modification Example 3 of Image Displaying Other Images After Standby Image>
Referring to FIG. 24, another form in which another image is displayed after display of standby image 704 is shown. This modification is an example in which the second game image 702B is displayed after the standby image 704 is displayed, and then the game background image 700 is displayed. The upper row is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the display area of the effect image display device 157 that can be visually recognized by the player. It is a figure which shows the timing of start lever 135 operation.

  Referring to the figure, when start lever 135 is operated during display of first game image (scene A) 702A, and as a result of internal lottery triggered by this, second game image 702B is displayed. Since this is the same as FIG. 23 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In this modified example, the second game image 702B is displayed when the second game image 702B finishes displaying after a predetermined time has elapsed, or the start lever 135 is operated while the second game image 702B is displayed. When the game background image 700 is to be displayed after the display of the image 702B is ended, the first sub control unit 400 uses the second sub control for a command (game background image display start command) for displaying the game background image 700. Part 500.

  Until the first game background image display start command is transmitted, the first sub-control unit 400 executes effect control such as sound effect output / lamp emission for the second game image 702B, and receives the command for the second game image 702B. The display of the second game image 702B is continued until it is done.

  The first sub-control unit 400 that has transmitted the game background image display start command to the second sub-control unit 500 starts effect control for the game background image 700 such as sound effect output and lamp emission in synchronization with the transmission of the command. . The second sub-control unit 500 that has received the game background image display start command performs control so that the game background image 700 is displayed instead of the display of the second game image 702B (see the upper and middle rows).

  In the present modification, the first sub control unit 400 instructs the second sub control unit 500 to display the display timing of the second game image 702B and the display timing of the game background image 700. Thereby, the effect control for the second game image 702B processed by the first sub-control unit 400 and the display control of the second game image 702B processed by the second sub-control unit 500 can be performed in conjunction with each other. The effect control for the game background image 700 processed by the first sub-control unit 400 and the display control of the game background image 700 processed by the second sub-control unit 500 can be performed in conjunction with each other.

<Modification of game image>
With reference to FIG. 25, the other form of the game image of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIGS. 25A and 25B are schematic diagrams showing display examples when the display start condition or the display end condition of the first game image 702A is changed.

  FIG. 25A is a display example when the display start condition of the first game image 702A is set to the reel rotation start time. That is, when the main control unit 300 detects the rotation start of the reel, a game start command is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400, and the normal game start command (first display) transmitted from the first sub control unit 400 is transmitted. Information) is received by the second sub-control unit 500, and when it is further determined that the internal winning command (second display information) has been received, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the first game image 702A. To do. The display start condition of the first game image 702A (the trigger for transmitting the normal game start command from the first sub-control unit 400 to the second sub-control unit 500) is not limited to this, for example, when a medal is bet Other conditions may be used, such as when the reel to be stopped is first stopped. In addition, the specific effect may be an effect in which the first game image (scene A) 702A is displayed over a plurality of games. Further, the end condition of the first game image 702A when there is no internal winning by the operation of the start lever 135 (start lever operation 1) during the display of the first game image 702A is the operation of the start lever 135 of the next game (start lever). Operation 2) (when the second sub-control unit 500 determines that a normal game start command by a start lever operation has been received). This display example is the same for the second game image 702B. Furthermore, the display start condition of the second game image 702B is determined that the second sub-control unit 500 has received a command (excluding an internal winning command) that triggers the start of the second game image 702B from the first sub-control unit 400. In this case, the second sub-control unit 500 plans to display the second game image 702B after displaying the first game image 702A in advance, and the first sub-control unit 400 When it is determined that a command (excluding an internal winning command) that triggers the start of the second game image 702B has been received, the second game image 702B is displayed.

  FIG. 25B is a display example showing another form of the display end condition of the second game image 702B. Here, not the case where the second game image 702B is displayed in succession to the first game image 702A, but the second game image when the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B are images of different effects. An example is shown in which 702B is displayed alone (following the game background image 700).

  When the second game image 702B is displayed as a result of the internal winning triggered by the first operation of the start lever 135 (start lever operation 1) while the game background image 700 is displayed (second sub-control unit 500) When the normal game start command is received), the second game image 702B is displayed instead of the game background image 700. The end condition of the second game image 702B when there is no internal winning by the operation of the start lever 135 (start lever operation 2) while the second game image 702B is displayed may be the time when the game ends. This display example is the same for the first game image 702A.

  FIG. 25C is a schematic diagram illustrating another form of display example of the game background image 700 and the first game image 702A. The upper part of FIG. 25C is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the effect image display device 157 that can be visually recognized by the player, and the lower part of FIG. 25C is a schematic diagram showing the state of the generated image.

  The image generation for displaying the game image (the first game image 702A or the second game image 702B) and the image generation for displaying the game background image 700 may be performed in parallel. In this case, however, the first game image 702A is the only image that can be viewed by the player during the display period of the first game image 702A.

  That is, referring to the lower part of the figure, the game background image 700 is continuously generated from the game start time to the game end time, and during the display period of the first game image 702A, the first game The image generation of the first game image 702A is performed in parallel with the image generation of the game background image 700 of the image 702A. The first game image 702A is drawn on the front surface (player side) of the game background image 700. Even after the display period of the first game image 702A ends, the image generation of the game background image 700 is continued (until the game ends).

  By doing so, as shown in the upper part of the figure, before the display period of the first game image 702A, the image visually recognized by the player becomes the game background image 700, and the image visually recognized by the player at the time of the specific effect is the first image. Only the game image 702A is displayed, and the image that the player visually recognizes at the end of the specific effect is the game background image 700 again. Furthermore, after the display of the first game image 702A is completed, the player can view the game background image 700 from the middle of the scene and can watch the image without getting tired. For example, when the game background image 700 is a moving image that is displayed once in about 1 minute, and is a moving image that is repeatedly executed during the display period of the game background image 700, the game background image 700 is displayed when the scene A ends. When 700 is set to be executed from the beginning, there is a problem that the game background image 700 is viewed from the beginning every time the execution of the scene A is completed, and there is a problem that the image gets bored. However, the display of the first game image 702A After the end, if the game background image 700 can be viewed from the middle of the scene, the frequency of viewing the game background image 700 from the beginning can be suppressed.

<Modification of game image>
With reference to FIG. 26, another form of the game image (first game image 702A, second game image 702B, standby image 704) will be described.

  FIG. 26A is a view showing another form of the first game image (scene A) 702A, and FIG. 27B is a view showing another form of the second game image (scene B) 702B. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 26A, the first game image 702A is a movie image of a plurality of types of specific effects (scene A-1, scene A-2, scene A-3, scene A-4, scene A-5). The standby image 704 may also be a movie image (scene X), and a different specific effect may be displayed depending on the execution trigger.

  For example, at the time of internal winning (when triggered by the fact that the second sub-control unit 500 has received an internal winning command (second display information)), the image of the scene A-1 is displayed and the reel that rotates. The image of the scene A-2 is displayed with the first stop of the image, the image of the scene A-3 is displayed with the second stop of the reel, and the image of the scene A-4 is triggered with the third stop of the reel. The image of the scene A-5 is displayed in response to the winning of a predetermined combination. Each scene is composed of, for example, an image of 200 frames, and is repeatedly reproduced until the next execution trigger comes. When the next game start (second start lever 135) is operated after winning (while scene A is displayed) (when it is determined that the second sub control unit 500 has received the special game start command), Scene X is displayed as standby image 704. Scene X is composed of, for example, a 30-frame movie image whose display period is shorter than that of other scenes. If there is an internal win during the display of scene X, scene X is terminated and a second game image 702B is displayed, If there is no internal winning during the scene X display period, the game background image 700 is displayed after the scene X display period ends.

  In this case, by making the characters appearing in the scene A-5 and the scene X the same, for example, it is possible to enhance the interest of the player and to watch the display image.

  Referring to FIG. 25B, the second game image 702B is the same as the first game image 702A. That is, the second game image 702B is composed of a plurality of types of movie images (scene B-1, scene B-2, scene B-3, scene B-4, scene B-5) of specific effects, and the standby image 704 is also a movie image. (Scene X), and different specific effects may be displayed depending on the execution trigger (game start, reel first stop, reel second stop, reel third stop, winning, game start).

  In the scene B-5 and the scene X, by making the characters appearing the same, for example, it is possible to enhance the interest of the player and watch the display image. In this case, the 30 frames of the scene X may be a scene common to the scene A and the scene B.

  As described above, the gaming table (for example, the slot machine 100) according to the present embodiment is based on the image display control unit (for example, the second sub-control unit 500) that controls the display of images and the determination of the game effect. And a game effect control means (for example, a first sub-control unit 400) for transmitting display information to the image display control means, wherein the game effect control means includes a game start information including game start information. If one display information (for example, a normal game start command) is transmitted, then second display information (for example, an internal winning command) can be transmitted, and the image display control means An image (for example, the first game image 702A) and a second game image (for example, the second game image 702B) can be displayed, and the first game image is not displayed and the second game is displayed. Hiding image A game background image (for example, a game background image 700) can be displayed, and the game effect control means transmits display information for displaying the first game image to the image display control means. Instead of transmitting the first display information, third display information including the game start information (for example, a special game start command) can be transmitted, and the image display control means is configured to transmit the first game image. When the reception of the third display information is determined during display of the image, a standby image (for example, the standby image 704) is displayed, and the reception of the second display information is determined during the display of the standby image. In addition, the gaming machine is capable of displaying the second game image instead of the standby image.

  According to the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the display of the first game image 702A is terminated on the gaming machine capable of displaying the game background image 700 during the non-display period of the first game image 702A and the second game image 792B. When the second game image 702B is to be displayed, the game background image 700 is prevented from being instantaneously displayed between the first game image 702A and the second game image 702B. There are cases where it is possible.

  In addition, by displaying the standby image 704 until the first game image 702A is displayed until the second game image 702B is displayed or until the first game image 702A is displayed until the game background image 700 is displayed, the player If the second game image 702B is to be displayed (in the case of internal winning), it may be possible to prevent the notification image from being overlooked.

  In addition, the first game image (for example, the first game image 702A) is displayed in the previous period display image (for example, the previous stage) that is displayed before the reception of the third display information (for example, the special game start command) is determined. Part 702AF) and a late display image (for example, the latter part 702AR) displayed after determining the reception of the third display information, and the standby image (for example, the standby image 704). ) May be the late display image.

  With such a configuration, there are cases where the player's interest is enhanced and the display image can be watched.

  Further, the standby image (for example, standby image 704) may be configured by at least a partial image of the first game image (for example, first game image 702A).

  In this way, the first game image is displayed as the standby image 704 during the period from when the start lever 135 is operated while the first game image 702A is displayed until the game background image 700 or the second game image 702B is displayed. 702A can be continuously displayed, and there is a case where the start of the production can be waited without giving the player a sense of incongruity.

  The game effect control means (for example, the first sub-control unit 400) can transmit a plurality of types of the first display information (for example, a normal game start command) corresponding to each of a plurality of types of states. The image display control means (for example, the second sub-control unit 500) selects the game background image (for example, the game background images 700A, 700D, etc.) corresponding to each of the plurality of types of the first display information. When the first display information that is determined to be received is different from the first display information that is determined to be received last time, the first display information that is determined to be received this time corresponds to the first display information that is determined to be received this time The game background image may be displayed.

  With this configuration, the player can easily determine the current gaming state (whether it is a normal gaming state, a high-probability re-gaming state, a bonus gaming state, etc.) based on the gaming background image. It may be visible.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 are arranged on different boards (first sub-control board and second sub-control board), and communication is performed between both boards. The case where the structure to perform is provided was demonstrated to the example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 may be provided on one board (sub-control board). One sub-control unit that can execute the processes of the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of the slot machine 100 using medals (coins) as a game medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slot machine using game balls (for example, pachinko balls) as game media is shown. Is also applicable.

  Note that the slot machine may be a slot machine that only exchanges electronic data without using medals. In this case, the game medium includes computerized data corresponding to medals. The input includes inputting the digitized data from a predetermined external device (electronic storage device), and the payout of the game medium is the conversion of the digitized data to the predetermined external device (electronic storage device). Including output.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to an arrange ball game machine, a ball ball game machine, and a pinball machine. In addition, the present invention is a gaming machine (for example, a casino machine, a video game machine, an encapsulated pachinko gaming machine) that can be played with the input of gaming media, and a gaming machine that uses the gaming media itself for gaming (for example, It may be applied to a medal dropping game machine). Here, “inserting game media” means “betting”, and “bet” is also agreed. “Input of game media” includes “input of currency” and “input of electronic money”. A casino machine is a casino in which a game can be started by inserting a currency, and when a lottery result is won, a symbol set in association with the corresponding selection result is stopped, and a payout as a bonus to a player is performed. Machine.

  In addition, the gaming table of the present invention is applicable to slot machines using gaming balls (for example, pachinko balls) as game media, arrangement ball gaming machines, jade ball gaming machines, and ball ball gaming machines such as smart balls. .

  The pachinko machine includes a launching device that launches a ball into a predetermined game area, a winning opening configured to be able to enter a ball launched from the launching device, and a detection means that detects a ball that has entered the winning opening. And a payout means for paying out a ball when the detecting means detects a ball, and a variable display device for variably displaying a predetermined symbol (identification information), and when a game ball enters the winning opening and wins The pachinko machine may be such that the variable display device stops the display after changing the symbol and notifies the game state transition.

  In addition, the gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to an enclosed gaming machine. Here, the “enclosed game machine” is one that circulates and uses game balls enclosed in the game machine. The enclosed game machine may use an enclosed ball as a launch ball, and the payout of the ball may be executed by credit.

  Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done. Further, in some cases, the contents described in one configuration among the plurality of configurations described in the embodiments may be applied to other configurations to further widen the game.

  The game machine according to the present invention can be applied to game machines represented by a spinning machine (slot machine), a ball game machine (pachinko machine), and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 157 Effect image display apparatus 300 Main control part 400 1st sub control part 500 2nd sub control part 700 Game background image 702A 1st game image 702B 2nd game image 704 Standby image

Claims (4)

Image display control means for controlling display of the image;
A game effect control means for transmitting display information to the image display control means based on the determination of the game effect;
A game machine equipped with
When the game effect control means transmits the first display information including the game start information, the second display information can be transmitted next.
The image display control means includes
The first game image and the second game image can be displayed,
A game background image can be displayed during non-display of the first game image and non-display of the second game image,
If the game effect control means transmits display information for displaying the first game image to the image display control means, then the game effect control means replaces the transmission of the first display information and includes the game start information. Display information can be sent,
The image display control means includes
When the reception of the third display information is determined during the display of the first game image, the standby image is displayed, and the reception of the second display information is determined during the display of the standby image , The second game image can be displayed instead of the standby image,
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1,
The first game image is displayed by a first-term display image that is displayed before the reception of the third display information is determined, and a second-stage display image that is displayed after the reception of the third display information is determined. Is composed of,
The standby image is the late display image.
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1,
The standby image is composed of at least a partial image of the first game image.
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The game effect control means is capable of transmitting a plurality of types of the first display information corresponding to a plurality of types of states,
The image display control means includes
The gaming background image corresponding to each of the plurality of types of the first display information can be displayed,
When the first display information determined to be received this time is different from the first display information determined to be received last time, the game background image corresponding to the first display information determined to be received this time is displayed. To do,
A game stand characterized by that.