JP2014014607A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine improving taste of a game by searching for a performance content by an operation of a player.SOLUTION: Performance control means includes performance data storage means for storing performance data of a variable display game, and variable display control means. The performance data storage means stores at least: background display data that have a data area larger than a data area to be displayed on a display part that executes a variable display game by a plurality of pieces of identification information; and symbol data that are displayed in front of the background display data and represent a display mode of the identification information. In the background display data area, the variable display control means defines a display data area that is displayed on the display part after power activation of the game machine, as a start area. The player changes, by an operation of the operation means that the player can operate, the display data area into an operation-start area including a part of the start area, change it into a moving area including no start area by a further operation of the operation means, and plays the variable display game in the respective areas using symbol data corresponding to the start area, the operation-start area, and moving area.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a display device capable of displaying a variable display game for variably displaying a plurality of identification information, and in particular, the display content on the display device can be changed by a player according to the operation of an operation button. It relates to gaming machines.

  Conventionally, as a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an image display means constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like when a gaming ball is launched into a gaming area formed on the front surface of the gaming board and the launched gaming ball wins a start opening In addition, there is a game that performs a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information (special symbols) in a variable manner. In addition, a game that causes a special game state that gives value to the player is known in connection with the result of the variable display game being in a specific mode.

  In a gaming machine that performs such a variable display game, in order to improve the player's interest in the game, not only the image display on the display device but also the audio output, and further, the LED or the like according to the progress of the variable display game By emitting light, the interest of the game is enhanced until the result of the variable display game is displayed.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 1, an operation is performed on the player so that the player does not only see that the effect pattern selected based on the random value acquired at a predetermined timing is displayed on the display device. The production contents are changed by operating the buttons.

JP 2011-156001 A

  However, the conventional gaming machine only determines whether or not to display a predetermined effect in response to the operation of the operation button by the player. In addition, as a result of the player operating the operation buttons, the game result can be predicted to some extent before the end of the variable display game, and the interest of the game has been impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and does not display the effect determined for the player's operation, but the player searches for the effect by searching for the effect content. An object is to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the interest of the game through the process.

  The present invention provides a variable display means having a display unit capable of displaying a variable display game based on a plurality of identification information, an operation means that can be arbitrarily operated by a player, a game control means for comprehensively controlling a game, An effect control means for controlling a plurality of effect devices for effecting a game in response to a command from the game control means, wherein the effect control means stores effect data used for the variable display game Effect data storage means, and variable display control means for controlling display of the variable display game. The effect data storage means is included in the effect data and is more than a data area that can be displayed on the display unit. There are a small amount of background display data having a large data area, and symbol data included in the effect data, displayed in front of the background display data, and indicating a display mode of the identification information. The variable display control means, in the data area of the background display data, after turning on the gaming machine, the display data area displayed on the display unit as a start area, by the operation of the operating means, The display data area is changed to a start area partially including the start area, and the display data area is changed to a movement area not including the start area by further operation of the operation means, and the start area, The variable display game is performed in each area using the symbol data corresponding to the start area and the movement area.

  Here, the operation means may be a cross key or a stick as long as it can be operated by the player's operation in addition to the effect button 17 described in the embodiment. The effect devices include a board decoration device 760, a frame decoration device 21, a board effect device 770, a frame effect device 22, and a display device 35.

  According to the present invention, the effect of the variable display game on the display unit of the variable display means can be changed by the operation of the operation means by the player. As a result, it is possible to provide production contents that cannot be seen unless the player searches by operating the operation means, or to set various operation methods to reach the desired production contents. Through this, you can enhance the fun of gaming.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the game board with which the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the presentation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the operation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the first half part of the main process performed by the game control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the latter half part of the main process performed by the game control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the timer interruption process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the special figure game process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the 1st main control process performed by the presentation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of effect SW input processing of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the PUSH button control process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the touchscreen control process 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the touchscreen control process 2 of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining SW detection area and SW command table of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the attitude | position sensor control process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of effect SW control processing of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of LED lighting process for effect SW of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the 1st scene control process of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the production button with which the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention is provided. It is a figure explaining push operation of the production button of an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure explaining touch panel operation of the production | presentation button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining touch panel operation of the production | presentation button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining attitude | position sensor operation of the production button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining attitude | position sensor operation of the production button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining attitude | position sensor operation of the production button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen transition of the press effect using the PUSH operation of the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen transition of the line selection effect using the touch panel operation of the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen transition of the design cut effect using the touch panel operation of the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen transition of the symbol deformation | transformation effect using the attitude | position sensor operation of the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen display of the display position slide effect using the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen display of the display position slide effect using the effect button of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the screen display of the display position slide effect using the effect button of embodiment of this invention.

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

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the front, rear, left, and right in the description of the embodiment refer to a direction viewed from the game board (a direction viewed from the player). Here, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are defined as a Z axis, an X axis, and a Y axis, respectively. For the Z axis, the forward direction is the plus direction, the X axis is the right direction is the plus direction, and the Y axis is the upward direction is the plus direction. The XYZ axes are orthogonal coordinate axes.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The gaming machine 1 includes an opening / closing frame 4 that is attached to a main body frame 2 fixed to an island facility via a hinge 3 so that a right side portion can be freely opened and closed. The open / close frame 4 includes a front frame 5 and a glass frame 6.

  A game board 30 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the front frame 5, and a glass frame 6 having a cover glass 6 a that covers the front surface of the game board 30 is attached. The front frame 5 and the glass frame 6 can be opened individually. For example, only the glass frame 6 can be opened to access the game area 31 (see FIG. 2) of the game board 30. Further, by opening the front frame 5 in a state where the glass frame 6 is not opened, it is possible to access a game control device 600 (see FIG. 3) or the like disposed on the back side of the game board 30.

  A decorative member 7 is disposed around the cover glass 6 a of the glass frame 6. A frame decoration device 21 (see FIG. 4) configured by LEDs or the like is accommodated inside the decoration member 7, and the light emission state of the decoration member 7 can be adjusted by controlling the frame decoration device 21.

  An illumination unit 8 is disposed above the glass frame 6, and a movable illumination 9 is disposed on the left and right sides of the illumination unit 8. The illumination unit 8 accommodates an illumination member such as an LED inside, and performs a light emission effect according to the gaming state. The movable illumination 9 includes an illumination member such as an LED, and a frame effect device 22 (see FIG. 4) that includes an illumination drive motor that drives the illumination member. The frame effect device 22 of the movable illumination 9 is controlled so as to drive (for example, rotationally drive) the illumination member according to the gaming state. In addition, the illumination member arrange | positioned inside the illumination unit 8 and the movable illumination 9 also comprises some frame decoration apparatuses 21 (refer FIG. 4).

  The gaming machine 1 includes an upper speaker 10a and a lower speaker 10b that emit sound effects, alarm sounds, notification sounds, and the like. The upper speaker 10 a is disposed on both upper side portions of the glass frame 6, and the lower speaker 10 b is disposed below the upper plate 11 a constituting the upper plate unit 11.

  A gaming state notification LED 12 for notifying abnormality in the gaming machine 1 is provided on the upper right side of the movable illumination 9 disposed on the left side. When an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine 1, the gaming state notification LED 12 is turned on or blinks, and a notification sound for notifying the abnormality is output from the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b.

  Abnormalities occurring in the gaming machine 1 include failure of the gaming machine 1 and implementation of fraud. The illegal act includes, for example, an act of illegally manipulating the trajectory of the launched game ball with a magnet or an act of vibrating the gaming machine 1. These fraudulent acts are detected by detecting magnetism with the magnetic sensor switch 23 (see FIG. 3) or detecting vibration with the vibration sensor switch 24 (see FIG. 3).

  Further, the act of opening the open / close frame 4 illegally is also included in the illegal act. The open / closed state of the front frame 5 is detected by a front frame open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 3), and the open / closed state of the glass frame 6 is detected by a glass frame open detection switch 26 (see FIG. 3).

  An upper plate unit 11 including an upper plate 11 a is provided at the lower part of the glass frame 6. The game balls stored in the upper plate 11a are supplied to a hitting ball launcher (not shown) provided at the lower part of the front frame 5.

  A fixed panel 13 which is positioned below the glass frame 6 and fixed to the front frame 5 is provided with a lower plate 14 and an operation unit 15 for driving the hitting ball launching device. When the player rotates the operation unit 15, the hitting ball launching device launches the game ball supplied from the upper plate 11 a to the game area 31 (see FIG. 2) of the game board 30. The lower plate 14 is provided with a ball removal mechanism 16 for discharging game balls stored in the lower plate 14 to the outside.

  The upper plate unit 11 is provided with an effect button 17 for receiving an operation input from a player on the front side of the upper plate 11a. When the player operates the effect button 17, it is possible to perform an effect in which the player's operation is intervened in the variable display game on the display device 35 (see FIG. 2), and in the normal game state, the effect pattern ( The production mode) can be changed. The fluctuation display game includes a special figure fluctuation display game and a common figure fluctuation display game. In the present specification, when the fluctuation display game is simply referred to, the special figure fluctuation display game is indicated.

  The normal gaming state is a gaming state in which a specific gaming state has not occurred. The specific game state is, for example, a probability change state with a high probability of drawing a variable display game, a short time state capable of improving the number of executions of the variable display game per unit time, a jackpot game state (special game state), Or a small hit gaming state.

  In addition, after the variable display game is started, an operation promotion effect for promoting the operation of the effect button 17 is executed. By operating the effect button 17 while the operation promotion effect is being executed, the start memory is stored. It is possible to execute a notice effect or the like for notifying the result of the corresponding variable display game in advance. In the present embodiment, an effect reflecting the operation content of the effect button 17 is executed.

  Below the decorative member 7 of the glass frame 6, a ball lending button 18 that is operated when a player rents a game ball, and a discharge button 19 that is operated to discharge a prepaid card or the like from a card unit (not shown). Are arranged. Further, a balance display unit 20 for displaying a balance of a prepaid card or the like is provided between the ball lending button 18 and the discharge button 19.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the gaming board 30 disposed in the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 30 provided in the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The game board 30 is provided with guide rails 33 as partition members on the surface of a rectangular game board main body 32 made of plywood, plastic, or the like, thereby forming a substantially circular game region 31. A game ball is fired from a hitting ball launching device in a game area 31 surrounded by the guide rail 33 to play a game. The game area 31 is provided with a windmill as a hitting direction changing member, a number of obstacle nails, and the like. The shot game balls flow down the game area 31 while changing the rolling direction by these hitting direction changing members. To do.

  A center case 34 that forms a window portion serving as a display area of the variable display game is attached to the approximate center of the game area 31. Behind the window formed in the center case 34, a display device 35 is arranged as an effect display device capable of executing an effect of a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner (variable display). The display device 35 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that display contents can be visually recognized from the front side of the game board 30 through the window portion of the center case 34. Note that the display device 35 is not limited to a device including a liquid crystal display, and may include a display such as an EL or a CRT.

  A plurality of variable display areas are provided in an area (display area, display unit) 35a that can display an image of the display screen, and each variable display area has a character that produces identification information (special symbols) and a variable display game. Is displayed. In addition, an image (for example, jackpot display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) based on the progress of the game is displayed on the display screen.

  A plurality of movable accessories 510 are stored on the edge of the window of the center case 34. Since the movable accessory 510 moves and moves to the front of the display area 35a, the division of the display area 35a can be represented not only on the screen display but also three-dimensionally. That is, it is possible to make the display area 35a appear to be divided into a plurality of display areas by the movable accessory 510.

  In the game area 31 on the upper right side of the center case 34, a normal figure start gate 36 is provided that establishes a start condition for a normal symbol (normal figure) variable display game when a game ball passes.

  A gaming area 31 below the center case 34 is provided with a first start winning opening 37 that can give a start condition for a first special symbol (first special figure) variable display game based on winning of a game ball. In the center case 34, the warp passage 200 for guiding the game balls flowing down the game area 31 to the inside of the center case 34 and the game balls passing through the warp passage 200 can roll and roll. A stage unit 80 is provided for allowing the game ball to flow down to the game area 31 above the first start winning opening 37.

  The game area 31 on the lower right side of the center case 34 is provided with a second start winning opening (not shown) that can give a start condition for the second special symbol (second special figure) variable display game based on the winning of the game ball. Established. The second start winning opening is located behind the decorative board 39. The second start winning opening is a movable receiving portion that projects forward of the game area 31 when the result of the normal-variation display game is a win and can guide the flowing game ball to the second starting winning opening. (Not shown). The movable receiving portion is housed on the back side of the game board 30 in a normal state, and the game ball passing behind the decoration board 39 is in a state where it cannot enter the second start winning opening (a disadvantageous state for the player) The game ball flows down without winning the second start winning opening. On the other hand, when the result of the universal figure change display game is a win, the movable receiving portion projects forward of the game area 31 based on the driving force of the universal solenoid 27 (see FIG. 3), and the decorative board 39 The game ball passing behind is likely to flow into the second start winning opening (a state advantageous to the player). The movable receiving part provided in the second start winning opening is controlled by the game control device 600 (see FIG. 3). The game control device 600 generates a short-time state (a general power support state) as a specific game state by increasing the frequency of occurrence of the easy-to-win state or increasing the occurrence time of the easy-to-win state.

  In the game areas 31 on both the left and right sides of the first start winning opening 37, a plurality of general winning openings 40 are provided which satisfy only the conditions for paying out a winning ball when a winning game ball is won.

  In the game area 31 on the right side of the first start winning opening 37, an attacker-type opening / closing door that can be opened by turning the upper end side to the front side by a large winning opening solenoid 28 (see FIG. 3). A first variable winning device 41 having a large winning opening 41a is provided. When the result of the first special figure variation display game is a big hit, the first variable prize winning device 41 changes from a state in which the big prize opening is closed (blocking state unfavorable to the player) to an open state (state advantageous to the player). By converting and facilitating the inflow of game balls into the special winning opening, prize balls are given to the players.

  In the game area 31, in addition to the above-described start winning opening and the like, an out opening 42 for collecting game balls that have flowed down without winning a prize is provided.

  A second variable winning device 100 is provided on the right side of the center case 34. The second variable winning device 100 distributes game balls received in the device to a special winning port (not shown) or a general winning port, and can generate a predetermined gaming state according to the winning port where the distributed game ball has won. It is. The second variable winning device 100 includes a receiving port 101 that receives a game ball and an opening / closing unit 102 that opens and closes the receiving port 101. The receiving port 101 of the second variable winning device 100 is disposed so as to be positioned between the second starting winning port provided behind the decorative plate 39 and the usual starting gate 36 in the vertical direction.

  The second variable winning device 100 is configured to be able to execute a small hit game based on the result of the second special figure variable display game. When the result of the second special figure variation display game is out of place, the opening / closing unit 102 closes the receiving port 101 and the game ball cannot flow into the second variation winning device 100 (a disadvantage to the player). State). On the other hand, when the result of the special figure 2 variable display game is a win, the opening / closing unit 102 opens the receiving port 101 and the game ball easily flows into the second variable prize winning device 100 (for the player). Advantageous state). The game balls that have flowed into the second variable winning device 100 are distributed to a special winning opening or a general winning opening.

  In the lower right part of the game board 30, a special figure fluctuation display of the special figure fluctuation display game (the first special figure fluctuation display game and the second special figure fluctuation display game), the special figure winning memory number (the first special figure) Fluctuation display game and second special figure fluctuation display game start memory number), ordinary figure fluctuation display game usual figure fluctuation display, ordinary figure winning memory number (ordinary figure fluctuation display game start memory number), and determination of jackpot A status indicator 50 for displaying the number of rounds and the like is provided.

  The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the player makes a left or right strike according to the gaming state, and a short-time state does not occur after a normal gaming state or a big hit gaming state such as immediately after the game starts. Is left-handed by the player. Note that a left-handed or right-handed instruction may be displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35 so that the player can easily make a game according to the gaming state.

  When left-handed, the game ball flows down the game area 31 on the left side of the center case 34, and the first winning prize opening 37 and the general winning opening provided on the left side of the first starting prize opening 37 are displayed. The player wins the prize 40 or is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 1 through the out port 42 provided at the bottom of the gaming area 31. The game ball guided to the stage unit 80 through the warp passage 200 also wins the first start winning opening 37 or wins the general winning opening 40 on the left side of the first starting winning opening 37. When a game ball wins the general winning opening 40 or the first start winning opening 37, the number of game balls corresponding to the type of the winning winning opening is paid out to the player as a winning ball.

  When a game ball wins the first start winning opening 37, the first special figure variation display game is executed on the state display 50, and a decorative special figure variation display game corresponding to the first special figure variation display game is displayed on the display device. 35. In the display device 35, a decoration special figure fluctuation display game in which identification information composed of three numbers or the like is sequentially displayed in a changing manner is started, and an image relating to the decoration special figure fluctuation display game is displayed on the display unit 35a. When a game ball is won at the first start winning opening 37 at a predetermined timing, the result of the first special figure variation display game becomes a special result mode (big hit), and the ornament special figure variation display game has three displays. Stop when the symbols are aligned. In this case, the open / close door 41a of the first variable winning device 41 is opened, and a big hit gaming state (special gaming state) is entered.

  During the big hit gaming state, in order to make the game ball win a big winning opening of the first variable winning device 41, the player will make a right strike. When a right strike is made, the game ball flows down the game area 31 on the right side of the center case 34. The game winning ball from the closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) that does not accept the game ball until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number of game balls wins the game winning port. Is in an open state (a state advantageous to the player). When a game ball wins a big winning opening, a player is given a game value capable of acquiring many game balls. One round is defined as opening the grand prize opening until a predetermined number of game balls are won in the big prize opening or a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening of the grand prize opening. The number of rounds (for example, 15 times or 2 times) is continued.

  By the way, when the stop symbol at the time of the big hit is a specific symbol or the like, the gaming state after the big hit gaming state becomes a short time state. The time reduction state is continued until a special figure fluctuation display game (first special figure fluctuation display game or second special figure fluctuation display game) is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). During the short-time state, the gaming machine 1 is set so that the player makes a right turn. In addition, when the short-time state does not occur after the big hit gaming state, a left-handed instruction may be displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35. As a result, it is understood that the player only needs to make a left-hand strike.

  When a right-handed strike is made during the short-time state and the game ball passes through the usual figure start gate 36, a usual figure change display game is started on the state display 50. When the game ball is passed to the usual figure start gate 36 at a predetermined timing, the result of the usual figure change display game is won. In this case, the movable receiving portion of the second start winning opening located behind the decorative board 39 projects forward of the game area 31 based on the driving force of the general electric solenoid 27 (see FIG. 3), and the second start winning prize is obtained. The possibility of winning a game ball to the mouth is increased.

  When the game ball wins the second start winning opening, the second special figure variation display game is executed on the status display 50. When a game ball is won at the second start winning opening at a predetermined timing, the result of the second special figure variation display game is a win (small hit). In this case, the opening / closing part 102 of the second variable winning device 100 is opened, and a small hit gaming state is entered. When the game ball is won at the second start winning opening, the state indicator 50 executes the second special figure variation display game, and displays the decorative special figure variation display game corresponding to the second special figure variation display game. If the result of the second special figure fluctuation display game is a win (small hit), the result corresponding to the decorative special figure fluctuation display game (for example, three display symbols are “1, 2, 3”). ”Or the like) may be displayed in a state of being arranged in a specific arrangement order.

  In the small hit gaming state, the opening / closing part 102 of the second variable winning device 100 opens the receiving port 101, and the game ball is likely to flow into the second variable winning device 100. The game balls that have flowed into the second variable winning device 100 are distributed to the special winning port 103 or the general winning port 104. When the distributed game ball wins a special winning opening, the open / close door 41a of the first variable winning device 41 is opened, and a big hit gaming state (special gaming state) is entered. On the other hand, when a game ball wins a general winning opening, a big hit gaming state does not occur. As described above, when the game ball has won a special winning opening, the second variable winning apparatus 100 generates a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than when the game ball has been won.

  In addition, after completion of the time-saving state, a left-handed instruction is displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35, and left-handed by the player. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game progresses while the player makes a left strike or a right strike.

  Next, the game control device 600, the effect control device 700, and the operation control device 900 provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the game control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the effect control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the operation control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A game control device 600 shown in FIG. 3 is a main control device (main board) that comprehensively controls games in the gaming machine 1. A power supply device 800, a payout control device 640, and an effect control device 700 are connected to the game control device 600. The game control device 600 transmits a control signal (command) to the payout control device 640 and the effect control device 700 to instruct execution of various processes. Furthermore, the game control device 600 is connected to various switches, solenoids to be controlled, and the like.

  The game control device 600 includes a CPU unit 610 that performs various arithmetic processes, an input unit 620 that receives input of various signals, and an output unit 630 that outputs various signals and control signals. The CPU unit 610, the input unit 620, and the output unit 630 are connected to each other by a data bus 680.

  The input unit 620 receives signals output from various switches provided on the game board 30 and the like and signals output from the payout control device 640. The input unit 620 includes a proximity interface (I / F) 621 and input ports 622 and 623.

  The input ports 622 and 623 receive a signal input via the proximity I / F 621 or directly receive a signal input from the outside. Information input to the input ports 622 and 623 is provided to the CPU unit 610 and the like via the data bus 680.

  The proximity I / F 621 is an interface that receives signals output from various switches, converts the input signals, and outputs the converted signals to the input port 622. The proximity I / F 621 is connected to a first start port switch 601, a second start port switch 602, a gate switch 603, winning port switches 604a to 604n, and a count switch 605.

  The first start port switch 601 is a switch that detects that a game ball has won the first start winning port 37. The second start port switch 602 is a switch that detects that a game ball has won a second start winning port. The gate switch 603 is a switch that detects that the game ball has passed the usual start gate 36. The winning award opening switches 604a to 604n are switches for detecting that the game ball has won the general winning opening 40.

  Detection signals of the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602 are output to the input port 622 and also to the gaming microcomputer 611 via the inversion circuit 612 of the CPU unit 610. This is because the signal input terminal of the gaming microcomputer 611 is designed to detect the low level as an effective level.

  The count switch 605 is a switch for detecting that a game ball has won a big winning opening. When a winning game ball is detected by the count switch 605, the number of winning game balls is counted, and the counted number of gaming balls is stored in a memory provided in the game control device 600.

  Since the voltage of the input signal to the proximity I / F 621 is normally within a predetermined range, according to the proximity I / F 621, disconnection of lead wires in various switches based on voltage values of signals from the various switches, Short circuit, abnormal voltage value, etc. can be detected. When such an abnormality is detected, the proximity I / F 621 outputs a signal indicating the abnormality from the abnormality detection output terminal.

  In addition, since the output value (ON / OFF) of the signal input to the proximity I / F 621 is switched by attaching / detaching the connector of the switch connected to the proximity I / F 621, the proximity I / F 621 is not connected to the switch. Even so, the output is kept constant.

  Further, signals from the magnetic sensor switch 23 and the vibration sensor switch 24 are directly input to the input port 622, and from the front frame opening detection switch (SW) 25 and the glass frame opening detection switch (SW) 26 to the input port 623. The signal is input directly. Various signals from the payout control device 640 are also input to the input port 623.

  The magnetic sensor switch 23 detects a magnetic force in order to detect an illegal act of manipulating the trajectory of the launched game ball with a magnet. The vibration sensor switch 24 detects the vibration of the gaming machine 1 in order to detect an illegal act that vibrates the gaming machine 1.

  The front frame opening detection SW 25 detects that the front frame 5 is opened. The front frame opening detection SW 25 is set to ON when the front frame 5 is released from the main body frame 2, and is set to OFF when the front frame 5 is closed by the main body frame 2.

  The glass frame open detection SW 26 detects that the glass frame 6 has been opened. The glass frame open detection SW 26 is set to ON when the glass frame 6 is released from the front frame 5, and is set to OFF when the glass frame 6 is closed to the front frame 5.

  The CPU unit 610 of the game control device 600 includes a game microcomputer 611, an inversion circuit 612, and a crystal oscillator 613.

  The gaming microcomputer 611 includes a CPU 611a, a ROM 611b, and a RAM 611c, and executes various processes such as a big hit lottery by executing a program stored in the ROM 611b based on a signal input via the input unit 620. . The gaming microcomputer 611 is connected via an output unit 630 to a collective display device including a gaming state notification LED 12 and a status indicator 50, a general electric solenoid 27, a special winning opening solenoid 28, an effect control device 700, and a payout control. A control signal is transmitted to the device 640 to control the gaming machine 1 in an integrated manner. The gaming microcomputer 611 selects a port for inputting or outputting a signal by chip selection.

  The ROM 611b is a non-volatile storage medium and stores programs, data, and the like for game control. The ROM 611b stores, for example, variation pattern distribution information for determining a variation pattern that defines the total variation display time (execution time), production contents, presence / absence of reach of the special figure variation display game.

  Here, the reach includes the display device 35 whose display state can be changed, the display device 35 derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are predetermined special results. In the gaming machine 1 in which the gaming state becomes a gaming state advantageous to the player (special gaming state) when it becomes an aspect, a part of a plurality of display results has already been derived and displayed at a stage where it has not yet been derived and displayed. A display state that satisfies the condition that the display result is a special result mode (for example, a plurality of pieces of identification information except for the identification information to be stopped last is stopped with identification information capable of generating a special result in which a special gaming state is generated, This is a state in which the identification information to be stopped last is variably displayed.

  In other words, the reach is deviated from the display condition that is a special result mode even when the display control of the display device 35 progresses and the display result is reached before the display result is derived and displayed. There is no display mode. For example, the reach includes a state in which a variation display is performed using a plurality of variation display regions while maintaining a state in which special result modes are aligned (so-called full rotation reach). The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the display device 35 has progressed to reach a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. The display state in the case where at least some of the display results of the plurality of variable display areas satisfy the conditions for the special result mode.

  Therefore, for example, the decoration special figure fluctuation display game displayed on the display device 35 in correspondence with the special figure fluctuation display game has a plurality of pieces of identification information for a predetermined time in each of the left, middle, and right fluctuation display areas in the display unit 35a. If the result display is displayed after the variable display is stopped in the order of left, right, and middle, the condition for the special result mode is satisfied in the left and right variable display areas ( For example, a state where the variable display is stopped with the same identification information) is a reach (reach state). In addition to this, when the variable display in all the variable display areas is temporarily stopped, the condition that becomes a special result mode is satisfied in any two variable display areas of left, middle, and right (for example, the same identification The information state (except for the special result mode) may be set as the reach state, and the remaining one variable display area may be variably displayed from the reach state.

  The RAM 611c is a volatile storage medium, and is used as a work area for temporarily storing information (for example, random number values) necessary for game control.

  The inversion circuit 612 inverts the logical value of the signal (the signal from the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602) input via the proximity I / F 621 and outputs the inverted value to the gaming microcomputer 611.

  The crystal oscillator 613 is configured as an operating clock source of a hard random number for performing a timer interrupt, a system clock signal, a big hit lottery, and the like.

  The output unit 630 of the game control device 600 includes ports 631a to 631e, buffers 632a and 632b, drivers 633a to 633d, and a photocoupler 634.

  The ports 631a to 631e receive signals input via the data bus 680.

  The buffers 632a and 632b temporarily hold signals input via the data bus 680 and the ports 631a and 631b.

  The drivers 633a to 633d generate various drive signals from the signals input via the ports 631c to 631e and output them to each device.

  The photocoupler 634 is configured to be connectable to an external inspection device 670, and removes noise from various signals that are input and output to shape the waveforms of the various signals. Information is transmitted and received between the photocoupler 634 and the inspection device 670 by serial communication.

  Information output from the CPU unit 610 by parallel communication is transmitted to the payout control device 640 via the port 631a. Since there is no need to secure one-way communication for the payout control device 640, a control signal is directly transmitted from the port 631a to the payout control board of the payout control device 640.

  The payout control device 640 discharges the winning ball from the payout unit (not shown) based on the prize ball command signal from the game control device 600, or the payout unit based on the lending request signal from the card unit (not shown). Or renting a ball. The payout control device 640 outputs a payout abnormality status signal, a shot ball shortage switch signal, and an overflow switch signal to the game control device 600 when a failure such as a ball breakage or a failure occurs. In addition, on condition that the card unit is connected, the payout control device 640 issues a game ball launch permission signal, so that the launch control device 641 is ready to launch.

  The payout abnormality status signal is a signal output when the game ball is not paid out normally. The payout chute ball switch signal is a signal that is output when there is a shortage of game balls before payout. The overflow switch signal is a signal output when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower plate 14 (see FIG. 1).

  The effect control device 700 receives a data strobe signal (SSTB) from the port 631a of the output unit 630 and an 8-bit data signal from the port 631b via the buffer 632a. The data strobe signal (SSTB) is a 1-bit signal indicating whether data is valid or invalid. The 8 + 1 bit signal (subcommand) from the buffer 632a is output by parallel communication. The buffer 632a is provided to secure one-way communication so that a signal cannot be transmitted from the effect control device 700 to the game control device 600. The subcommands transmitted to the effect control device 700 include effect control command signals such as a change start command, a customer waiting demo command, a fanfare command, a probability information command, and an error designation command.

  A signal output from the CPU unit 610 is input to the special winning opening solenoid 28 and the general power solenoid 27 via the port 631c and the driver 633a. The large winning opening solenoid 28 rotates the open / close door 41a (see FIG. 2) of the first variable winning apparatus 41, and the general electric solenoid 27 has a movable receiving portion of the second starting winning opening disposed behind the decorative plate 39. Move back and forth.

  The collective display device includes a gaming state notification LED 12, a state indicator 50, and the like. The anode terminal of the LEDs of the collective display device is connected to a driver 633c via a segment line, and the driver 633c and the port 631d are connected. The cathode terminal of the LED of the collective display device is connected to a driver 633b through a digit line, and the driver 633b and the port 631c are connected. The on / off drive signal from the driver 633c is input to the anode terminal of the LED of the collective display device, and the on / off drive signal is output to the driver 633b from the cathode terminal of the LED of the collective display device.

  The external information terminal 660 is a terminal for outputting game data such as a start signal indicating the start of the variable display game and a special prize signal indicating the occurrence of the big hit gaming state to the information collecting terminal device. The game data is output to the external information terminal 660 via the port 631e and the driver 633d.

  The game control device 600 is configured to be connectable to an external test test device via a relay board 650. The test firing test apparatus is an apparatus for performing a type test of the gaming machine 1 in a predetermined engine. The test firing test apparatus includes signals from the first start port switch 601, the second start port switch 602, the gate switch 603, the winning port switches 604a to 604n, and the count switch 605, the big winning port solenoid 28 and the general electric solenoid 27. Signals necessary for the test fire test, such as signals output to, are input.

  The game control device 600 is connected to the power supply device 800 via a Schmitt circuit 624 provided in the input unit 620. The Schmitt circuit 624 is a circuit that removes fluctuation (noise) of the input signal in order to prevent the operation of the gaming machine 1 from becoming unstable when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. The Schmitt circuit 624 receives a power failure monitoring signal, an initialization switch signal, and a reset signal from the power supply device 800.

  The power supply device 800 includes a normal power supply unit including an AC-DC converter that generates a DC32V DC voltage from a 24V AC power supply, and a DC-DC converter that generates a lower level DC voltage such as DC12V and DC5V from the DC32V voltage. 810, a backup power supply unit 820 that supplies a power supply voltage to the RAM 611c in the gaming microcomputer 611 at the time of a power failure, a power failure monitoring circuit and an initialization switch, and notifies the game control device 600 of the occurrence and recovery of the power failure And a control signal generation unit 830 that generates and outputs control signals such as a power failure monitoring signal, an initialization switch signal, and a reset signal.

  The backup power supply unit 820 is a power supply for backing up game data stored in the RAM 611c of the game microcomputer 611. After the power failure is restored, the game control device 600 restores the gaming state before the power failure based on the game data held in the RAM 611c.

  The control signal generator 830 monitors the input voltage (guaranteed DC 32V) of the switching regulator that generates DC 12V and DC 5V. When the detected voltage is DC 17.2 V to DC 20.0 V, it is determined that there is a power failure, and a power failure monitoring signal is output from the control signal generation unit 830. The power failure monitoring signal is input to the input port 623 of the input unit 620 via the Schmitt circuit 624. After the power failure monitoring signal is output, the power failure monitoring circuit outputs a reset signal. The reset signal is input to each port 631a to 631e of the gaming microcomputer 611 and the output unit 630 via the Schmitt circuit 624. When the game control device 600 receives the power failure monitoring signal, the game control device 600 performs a predetermined power failure process, and stops the operation of the CPU unit 610 after receiving the reset signal.

  The control signal generation unit 830 includes an initialization switch (not shown), and an initialization switch signal is output from the control signal generation unit 830 when the initialization switch is in an ON state when the power is turned on. The initialization switch signal is input to the input port 623 of the input unit 620 via the Schmitt circuit 624. The initialization switch signal is a signal for forcibly initializing information stored in the RAM 611c of the gaming microcomputer 611 and the RAM of the payout control device 640.

  The effect control device 700 shown in FIG. 4 controls the video under the control of the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 composed of an amusement chip (IC) and the main control microcomputer 710 in the same manner as the game microcomputer 611 of the game control device 600. A video control processor (2ndCPU) 720 that performs the above and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 730 that performs image processing for video display on the display device 35 (see FIG. 2) according to commands and data from the video control microcomputer 720. And a sound source LSI 705 that reproduces various melodies and sound effects from the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b.

  PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) 702 and 703 storing programs executed by the CPUs are connected to the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720, respectively. Character images and video data are stored in the VDP 730. An image ROM 704 is connected, and an audio ROM 706 storing audio data is connected to the tone generator LSI 705. The main control microcomputer 710 analyzes the command from the game microcomputer 611 of the game control device 600, instructs the video control microcomputer 720 about the contents of the output video, instructs the sound source LSI 705 to reproduce the sound, LEDs, etc. Processing such as lighting, motor drive control, production time management, etc. is executed.

  RAMs 711 and 721 that provide work areas for the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 are provided in the respective chips. The RAMs 711 and 721 that provide the work area may be provided outside the chip.

  Data transmission / reception is performed between the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 and between the main control microcomputer 710 and the tone generator LSI 705 in a serial manner. In contrast, the main control microcomputer 710 and the VDP 730 are configured to transmit and receive data in a parallel manner. By transmitting and receiving data in the parallel system, commands and data can be transmitted in a shorter time than in the serial system.

  The VDP 730 includes an ultra-high-speed VRAM (video RAM) 731 used for expanding and processing image data such as characters read from the image ROM 704, and a scaler 732 for enlarging and reducing the image. , And a signal conversion circuit 733 for generating a video signal to be transmitted to the display device 35 by the LVDS (small amplitude signal transmission) method.

  A vertical synchronization signal VSYNC is output from the VDP 730 to the main control microcomputer 710 in order to synchronize the image of the display device 35 and the lighting of the LEDs provided on the front frame 5 and the game board 30. Also, the VDP 730 notifies the video control microcomputer 720 that it is waiting to receive commands and data from the interrupt signals INT0 to n and the video control microcomputer 720 in order to notify the processing status such as the end of drawing in the VRAM 731. A wait signal WAIT is output.

  From the video control microcomputer 720 to the main control microcomputer 710, a synchronization signal SYNC for notifying that the video control microcomputer 720 is operating normally and giving command transmission timing is output.

  Between the main control microcomputer 710 and the tone generator LSI 705, an interrogation signal CTS and a response signal RTS are exchanged in order to transmit and receive commands and data by the handshake method.

  The video control microcomputer 720 uses a CPU that is faster than the main control microcomputer 710. By providing the video control microcomputer 720 separately from the main control microcomputer 710 and sharing the processing, it is possible to display on the display device 35 a fast moving image with a large screen that is difficult to achieve with the main control microcomputer 710 alone. In addition, an increase in cost can be suppressed as compared with the case where two CPUs having processing capabilities equivalent to those of the video control microcomputer 720 are used.

  The effect control device 700 includes an interface chip (command I / F) 701 for receiving a command transmitted from the game control device 600. The effect control device 700 receives the change start command, the customer waiting demo command, the fanfare command, the probability information command, the error designation command, and the like transmitted from the game control device 600 as the effect control command signal via the command I / F 701. To do. Since the game microcomputer 611 of the game control device 600 operates at DC 5V and the main control microcomputer 710 of the effect control device 700 operates at DC 3.3V, the command I / F 701 is provided with a signal level conversion function. Yes.

  The effect control device 700 includes a panel decoration LED control circuit 741 that controls a panel decoration device 760 including LEDs and the like provided on the center case 34 and the game board 30, and a frame decoration device 21 that includes LEDs and the like provided on the front frame 5 and the like. Frame decoration LED control circuit 742 for controlling the display, board effect motor / SOL (solenoid) for driving and controlling the board effect device 770 including an electric accessory or effect device that enhances the effect of the effect in cooperation with the effect display on the display device 35 A frame effect motor control circuit 744 for driving and controlling the frame effect device 22 including the switch control circuit 743, the illumination drive motor for the movable illumination 9, and the like is provided. These control circuits 741 to 744 are connected to the main control microcomputer 710 via an address / data bus 740.

  Further, the effect control device 700 detects the on / off state of effect motor switches (SW) 751a to 751n that detect that various drive motors are driven, and operates the effect button 17 (see FIG. 1). The switch (SW) input circuit 750, the upper speaker 10a, and the lower speaker 10b for detecting a signal (operation signal) transmitted from the operation control device 900 to be controlled and transmitting the detected signal to the main control microcomputer 710 are provided. Amplifier circuits 707 and 708 each including an audio power amplifier to be driven are provided.

  The normal power supply unit 810 of the power supply device 800 is configured to be able to generate a plurality of types of voltages in order to supply a predetermined level of DC voltage to the effect control device 700 and the electronic components controlled by the effect control device 700. ing. Specifically, in addition to DC 32V for driving the drive motor and solenoid, DC 12V for driving the display device 35 including a liquid crystal panel, DC 5V serving as the power supply voltage for the command I / F 701, the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker It is possible to generate a DC 18V for driving the speaker 10b and a voltage of NDC 24V used as a reference for these DC voltages or for turning on the power monitor lamp.

  The reset signal RST generated by the control signal generation unit 830 of the power supply device 800 is supplied to the main control microcomputer 710, the video control microcomputer 720, the VDP 730, the tone generator LSI 705, and the various control circuits 741 to 744, 707, and 708. To the reset state. The power supply device 800 has a function of generating and supplying a reset signal for the VDP 730 using a general-purpose port of the video control microcomputer 720. Thereby, the cooperation of the operations of the video control microcomputer 720 and the VDP 730 can be improved.

  An operation control device 900 shown in FIG. 5 is a control device that comprehensively controls the operation of the effect button 17 (see FIG. 1). The operation control apparatus 900 includes an operation control microcomputer 910, a buffer 901, a crystal oscillator 902, and A / D converters 903 to 905.

  The operation control microcomputer 910 of the operation control device 900 includes a CPU 911, a ROM 912, and a RAM 913, and a program stored in the ROM 912 based on a signal (command) received from the effect control device 700 via the buffer 901. To execute various calculation processes related to the operation of the effect button 17.

  In addition, the operation control microcomputer 910 receives input signals detected for each operation mode (the push button SW 920, the touch panel 930, and the attitude sensor 940) of the effect button 17 through the A / D converters 903 to 905. The CPU 911 executes various arithmetic processes and transmits operation information (operation signal) to the effect control device 700 via the buffer 901.

  The push button SW 920 is provided with a main button SW 921 and a sub button SW 922, the touch panel 930 is provided with a plurality of touch sensors 931 a to 931 n, and the attitude sensor 940 is provided with an acceleration sensor 941 and an angular velocity sensor 942. ing. Further, when the attitude sensor 940 receives the reset signal RST from the operation control microcomputer 910, the attitude sensor 940 enters a reset state.

  The ROM 912 is a non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs, data, and the like for operation control.

  The RAM 913 is a volatile storage medium and is used as a work area for temporarily storing information (for example, operation signals) necessary for operation control.

  The buffer 901 temporarily holds a signal input / output between the effect control device 700 and the operation control microcomputer 910.

  The crystal oscillator 902 is configured as an operation clock source for counting the operation valid period of the effect button 17 and the like.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, specific processing for the control by the game control apparatus 600 will be described.

[Main processing (game control device)]
First, main processing in the control by the game control device 600 will be described. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the first half of the main process executed by the game control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a flowchart of the latter half of the main process executed by the game control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The main process is executed when the gaming machine 1 is powered on. For example, it is executed when a gaming machine is turned on to start business at a game hall or when a power failure is restored.

  When the execution of the main process is started, the game control device 600 first prohibits interruption (S601). Next, interrupt vector setting processing for setting a vector address indicating a jump destination executed when an interrupt occurs is executed (S602). Furthermore, a stack pointer that is the start address of an area for saving a value of a register or the like when an interrupt occurs is set (S603). Further, an interrupt processing mode is set (S604).

  Next, the game control device 600 stands by until the program of the payout control device (payout board) 640 is normally activated (S605). For example, wait for 4 milliseconds. By controlling in this way, when the power is turned on, the game control device 600 is activated first, and the command is transmitted to the payout control device 640 before the start-up of the payout control device 640 is completed. Thus, it is possible to avoid that the payout control device 640 misses the transmitted command.

  Thereafter, the game control device 600 permits access to a read / write RWM (read / write memory) such as a RAM or an EEPROM (S606). Further, all output ports are set to off (no output) (S607). In addition, the serial port preinstalled in the gaming microcomputer 611 is set not to be used (S608). This is because the serial port is not used because parallel communication is performed with the payout control device 640 and the effect control device 700 in the present embodiment.

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the initialization switch signal in the power supply device 800 is set to ON (S609). The initialization switch signal is a signal for setting whether or not to start a game in an initialized state when the gaming machine 1 is powered on. For example, when the power is normally turned off at the time of closing the store and the power is turned on at the opening of the next day, the initialization switch signal is set to ON so that the game is started in the initialized state. . On the other hand, when the power is turned on again after a power failure, the initialization switch signal is turned off so that the game machine is not initialized in order to resume the game as close to the gaming state as possible before the power failure. Is set.

  When the initialization switch signal is set to OFF (the result of S609 is “N”), the game control device 600 checks whether or not the data in the power failure inspection area in the RWM is normal (S610). ~ S613). More specifically, the power outage inspection area includes a power outage inspection area 1 and a power outage inspection area 2. The power failure inspection area 1 stores power failure inspection area check data 1, and the power failure inspection area 2 stores power failure inspection area check data 2. In the processing of S610 and S611, it is checked whether or not the power failure inspection area check data 1 stored in the power failure inspection area 1 is normal. Similarly, in the processing of S612 and S613, it is checked whether or not the power failure inspection area check data 2 stored in the power failure inspection area 2 is normal.

  When it is determined that the power failure inspection area check data in the power failure inspection area in the RWM is normal (the result of S613 is “Y”), the game control device 600 performs a check to calculate verification data called a checksum. Sum calculation processing is executed (S614).

  Then, the game control device 600 compares the checksum value calculated in the checksum calculation process with the checksum value calculated when the power is turned off (S615), and determines whether these values match. Determination is made (S616).

  On the other hand, in the game control device 600, when the initialization switch signal is set to ON (the result of S609 is “Y”), the value of the power failure inspection area is not normal (the result of S611 or S613 is “N”). If the checksum value at power-off does not match the checksum value calculated in S614 (the result in S616 is “N”), the initialization processing in S641 to S645 in FIG. 6B is executed. To do. Details of the initialization process will be described later.

  When the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value at the time of power-off (the result of S616 is “Y”), the game control apparatus 600 has executed the power failure process normally, and therefore The process for recovering to this state is executed (S617 to S623 in FIG. 6B). First, an area in the RWM (read / write memory: RAM in the embodiment) in which information for determining whether or not the information at the time of a power failure has been normally stored is cleared (initialized). Specifically, all the power outage inspection areas are cleared (S617), and the area where the checksum is stored is cleared (S618). Further, an area for storing error-related information and information for monitoring fraud is reset (S619).

  Next, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the game state at the time of the power failure is a high probability state from the area for storing the game state in the RWM (S620). If it is determined that the probability is not high (the result of S620 is “N”), the processing after S623 is executed.

  In addition, when it is determined that the gaming state at the time of the power outage is a high probability state (result of S620 is “Y”), the game control device 600 sets the high probability notification flag to ON and performs the high probability notification. Save in the flag area (S621). Subsequently, the high-probability notification LED (error indicator) provided in the status indicator 50 is set to ON (lighted) (S622).

  Further, the game control device 600 transmits a command at the time of power failure recovery corresponding to the special figure game process number to the effect control device 700 (S623). The special figure game process number is a number indicating the state of the special figure game, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RWM when a power failure occurs. In this way, by transmitting the power failure recovery command corresponding to the special figure game process number to the effect control device 700, the game can be resumed in a state as close as possible to before the power failure occurs.

  Here, a case where the initialization process is executed will be described. As described above, the initialization process is executed when a gaming machine that has been normally powered off is activated or when it cannot return to the state before the occurrence of a power failure.

  In the initialization process, the game control device 600 first clears all work areas before the access prohibited area (S641). Further, all stack areas after the access prohibited area are cleared (S642). Then, an initial value for power-on is saved in the area to be initialized (S643).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 saves an output timer initial value for outputting external information (security signal) relating to RWM clear in the security signal control timer area (S644). Then, at the end of the initialization process, a command for turning on the power is transmitted to the effect control device 700 (S645), and the processes after S624 are executed.

  When the processing of S623 or S645 ends, the game control device 600 activates a CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) circuit that generates a timer interrupt signal and a random number update trigger signal (CTC) in the game microcomputer 611 (clock generator). (S624).

  The CTC circuit is provided in a clock generator in the gaming microcomputer 611. The clock generator includes a frequency dividing circuit that divides the oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the crystal oscillator 613 and the CTC circuit described above. The timer interrupt signal is a signal for causing the CPU 611a to generate a timer interrupt with a predetermined period (for example, 4 milliseconds) based on the divided signal. The random number update trigger signal (CTC) is supplied to the random number generation circuit based on the divided signal, and the random number generation circuit serves as a trigger for updating the random number.

  When the CTC circuit is activated, the game control device 600 performs activation setting of the random number generation circuit (S625). Specifically, the CPU 611a executes processing such as setting a code (specified value) for starting the random number generation circuit in a predetermined register (CTC update permission register) in the random number generation circuit. Further, the values of predetermined registers (soft random number registers 1 to n) in the random number generation circuit at power-on are saved in predetermined areas of the RWM as initial values (start values) of various initial value random numbers (S626). . Thereafter, the game control device 600 permits an interrupt (S627).

  Note that the random number generation circuit in the CPU 611a of the present embodiment is configured such that the initial value of the soft random number register is changed each time the power is turned on, and initial values of various initial value random numbers are based on the initial value of the soft random number register. By setting a value (start value), it becomes possible to break the regularity of random numbers generated by software, making it difficult for a player to acquire illegal random numbers. The various initial value random numbers include, for example, a random number for determining a jackpot symbol (big hit symbol random number 1, a jackpot symbol random number 2), and a random number for determining a hit of a normal variation display game (a hit random number).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 executes an initial value random number update process for updating the values of various initial value random numbers and breaking the regularity of the random numbers (S628). In the present embodiment, the big hit random number is configured to be generated using a random number generated in the random number generation circuit. That is, the big hit random number is a hard random number generated by hardware, and the big hit symbol random number, the hit random number, and the variation pattern random number are soft random numbers generated by software. Note that the source of various random numbers is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the big hit random number may be a software random number, or the big hit symbol random number, the hit random number, and the variation pattern random number may be a hardware random number. .

  Further, after the initial value random number update process is executed, the game control device 600 sets the number of times of checking the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 800 and read via the port and the data bus (S629). Normally, a value of 2 or more is set as the number of checks. It is possible to determine whether or not a power failure has occurred by checking the power failure monitoring signal. The game control device 600 determines whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on (S630). When the power failure monitoring signal is not on, that is, when there is no power failure (result of S630 is “N”), the initial value random number update processing of S628 is executed again, and the processing from S628 to S630 is repeated ( Loop processing).

  Also, by permitting an interrupt (S627) before the initial value random number update process (S628), if a timer interrupt occurs during the initial value random number update process, the interrupt process can be preferentially executed. Become. Accordingly, since the timer interrupt process cannot be executed until the execution of the initial value random number update process is completed, it is possible to avoid a shortage of time for executing various processes included in the interrupt process.

  In the initial value random number update process (S628), the initial value random number update process may be executed by a timer interrupt process in addition to the main process. However, when the initial value random number update process is executed in the timer interrupt process, an interrupt is issued during the initial value random number update process in the main process in order to avoid executing the initial value random number update process in both processes. It is prohibited to release the interrupt after updating the initial random number. However, if the initial value random number update process is not executed in the timer interrupt process and the initial value random number update process is executed only in the main process as in this embodiment, the interrupt can be canceled before the initial value random number update process. There is no problem, and there is an advantage that the main processing is simplified.

  On the other hand, when the power failure monitoring signal is set to ON (the result of S630 is “Y”), the game control device 600 indicates the number of times that the power failure monitoring signal has been continuously detected to be ON. It is determined whether or not the number of checks set in the process of S629 has been reached (S631). When the number of times that the power failure monitoring signal is set to ON is not reached the number of checks (result of S631 is “N”), whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is ON again. Is determined (S630). That is, when the power failure monitoring signal is on, it is determined whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on for the number of checks.

  When the number of times that the power failure monitoring signal is continuously turned on reaches the number of checks (the result of S631 is “Y”), the game control device 600 considers that a power failure has occurred. Then, the process when a power failure occurs is executed (S632 to S638).

  The game control device 600 prohibits interruption (S632) and sets all output ports to off (S633). Thereafter, the power failure recovery inspection region check data 1 is saved in the power failure recovery inspection region 1 (S634), and further, the power failure recovery inspection region check data 2 is saved in the power failure recovery inspection region 2 (S635).

  Further, the game control apparatus 600 executes a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum when the RWM is turned off (S636), and saves (saves) the calculated checksum value in the checksum area of the RWM ( S637). Finally, access to the RWM is prohibited so that the contents of the RWM are not changed (S638), and the system waits until the gaming machine 1 is powered off. In this way, by saving check data in the power failure recovery inspection area and calculating and storing the checksum at the time of power-off, the information stored in the RWM before power-off is correctly backed up. It is possible to determine when the power is turned on again.

[Timer interrupt processing (game control device)]
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of timer interrupt processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The timer interrupt process is started when a periodic (for example, 1 millisecond) timer interrupt signal generated by a CTC circuit in the clock generator is input to the CPU 611a.

  When the timer interrupt process is started, the game control device 600 first saves the register by moving the value held in the predetermined register to the RWM (S701). In this embodiment, a Z80 microcomputer is used as the game microcomputer. The Z80 microcomputer has a front register and a back register, and the processing of S701 can be implemented by saving the value held in the front register to the back register.

  Next, the game control device 600 takes in input signals from various sensors and switches input via the input unit 620, and executes an input process of reading the state of each input port (S702). The various sensors include a first start port switch 601, a second start port switch 602, a conventional gate switch 603, a count switch 605, and the like. In the input process, the input information is confirmed by performing chattering removal or the like on the input signal.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes output processing for transmitting output data related to game control set in various processes to the effect control device 700 and the payout control device 640 (S703). The output data is information for performing drive control of an actuator such as a solenoid. The solenoids to be controlled include, for example, a big prize opening solenoid (SOL) 28 and a general electric solenoid (SOL) 27. The output processing includes outputting game data to an information collection terminal device (not shown) that collects game data in the gaming machine.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a command transmission process for transmitting (outputting) the command set in the transmission buffer in various processes to the effect control device 700, the payout control device 640, etc. (S704). Specifically, the effect control device 700 includes a change pattern designation command for designating the change pattern of the identification information in the special figure change display game, and a power failure recovery command for causing the effect control device 700 to execute the power failure recovery process when recovering from the power failure. Or a prize ball command specifying the number of prize balls to be paid out from the payout device is sent to the payout control device 640.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes a random number update process 1 for updating the jackpot symbol random number 1 and the jackpot symbol random number 2 (S705), and subsequently uses a variation pattern random number for determining a variation pattern in the special diagram variation display game. Random number update processing 2 to be updated is executed (S706). In random number update processing 1 and random number update processing 2, in order to give randomness to various random numbers, the values of counters corresponding to various random numbers (big hit random number counter, hit random number counter, presentation determination random number counter, etc.) are incremented by one To do.

  After that, the game control device 600 executes a winning port switch / error monitoring process for monitoring various winning port switches and the like, and monitoring errors such as illegal opening of the frame (S707). The various winning opening switches include, for example, a first starting opening switch 601, a second starting opening switch 602, a gate switch 603, winning opening switches 604a to 604n, and a count switch 605. In the prize opening switch / error monitoring process, it is monitored whether a normal signal is input from these switches. As for error monitoring, the front frame 5 and the glass frame 6 are targeted for unauthorized opening.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes a special figure game process for performing a process related to the special figure variation display game (S708). The details of the special figure game process will be described later with reference to FIG. Subsequently, a general game process for performing a process related to the general map variable display game is executed (S709).

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a segment LED editing process for controlling the display contents of the segment LED that displays special information variation game display and various information related to the game (S710). Specifically, the parameters for outputting the results of the special map variation display game and the general map variation display game to the segment LED (for example, the status indicator 50) are edited.

  The game control device 600 checks the detection signals from the magnetic sensor switch 23 and the vibration sensor switch 24, and executes a magnetic error monitoring process for determining whether there is an abnormality (S711). When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected, a notification sound is output from the upper speaker 10a or the lower speaker 10b, or the gaming state notification LED 12 is turned on to notify the outside.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes an external information editing process for editing various signals output from the external information terminal 660 (S712).

  Then, the game control device 600 clears the interrupt request and declares the end of the interrupt (S713). Thereafter, the register temporarily saved in the process of S701 is restored (S714), the interrupt and timer interrupt by the prohibited external device are permitted (S715), the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process. .

[Special Figure Game Processing]
Next, details of the special game process (S708) in the timer interrupt process described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of special figure game processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the special figure game process, input signal monitoring by the first start opening switch 601 and the second start opening switch 602, control of the entire process related to the special figure change display game, and display of special figure (special symbol, identification information) are set. Do.

  When the special figure game process is started, the game control device 600 first executes a start switch monitoring process for monitoring winnings of the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602 (S801). In the start port switch monitoring process, when a game ball wins at the first start winning port 37 and the second start winning port 38, various random numbers (such as big hit random numbers) are extracted, and a special variable display game based on the win Prior to the start of the game, a game result pre-determination is made to pre-determine a game result based on a prize.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a count switch monitoring process (S802). In the count switch monitoring process, a winning game ball is detected by a count switch 605 provided in the first variable winning device 41 to be opened, and the number of winning game balls is monitored.

  Next, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the special figure game process timer has already expired or the special figure game process timer has expired as a result of updating (-1) the special figure game process timer. Is checked (S803). The special figure game process timer is set to an initial value when each process (S809 to S815) to be branched according to a special figure game process number to be described later is executed. In the process of S803, the special figure game process timer is set. Decrease the value by 1. The value set as the initial value is a time value until the process corresponding to the special figure game process number is terminated. For example, the value is set in the special figure normal process (S809; special figure game process number “0”). As the value to be set, the time value during which the special symbol is variably displayed in the special figure variation display game is set. Then, when the value of the special figure game processing timer becomes 0, it is determined that the time is up.

  If the special game process timer has not expired (the result of S804 is “N”), the game control apparatus 600 executes the processes after S816.

  On the other hand, when the special game process timer expires (the result of S804 is “Y”), the game control device 600 refers to the special game sequence to be branched to the process corresponding to the special game process number. The branch table is set in the register (S805). Further, the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the special figure game process number is acquired based on the table (S806). Then, the return address after the branch process ends is saved in the stack area (S807), and the process is branched according to the game process number (S808).

  When the game process number is “0” (the result of S808 is “0”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a special figure routine process (S809). The special chart routine process monitors the fluctuation start of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the fluctuation start of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the effects, sets the information necessary to execute the special figure fluctuation processing, etc. Do.

  When the game process number is “1” (the result of S808 is “1”), the game control apparatus 600 executes the special figure changing process (S810). In the special figure changing process, the stop display time of the identification information in the special figure changing display game, the setting of information necessary for performing the special figure display process, and the like are performed.

  When the game process number is “2” (the result of S808 is “2”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a special figure display process (S811). In the special figure display process, if the result of the special figure fluctuation display game is a big hit, the fanfare command setting according to the type of the big hit, the fanfare time corresponding to the big winning opening opening pattern of each big hit, For example, information necessary for performing fanfare / interval processing is set.

  When the game process number is “3” (the result of S808 is “3”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a fanfare / inter-interval process (S812). In the fanfare / interval processing, setting of the opening time of the big prize opening, updating of the number of times of opening, setting of information necessary for performing the processing during opening of the big prize opening, and the like are performed.

  When the game process number is “4” (the result of S808 is “4”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a special winning opening opening process (S813). The processing during opening of the big prize opening is necessary to set an interval command if the big hit round is not the final round, while setting the command of the big hit end screen if the big round is the final round, or to perform the big prize opening remaining ball processing Set information.

  Further, in the special prize opening opening process, when the result of the special figure variation display game becomes a special result, the opening / closing door 41a of the first variable prize winning device 41 is opened based on the opening time of the special prize opening, and the player Therefore, the game control device 600 serves as special game state control means.

  When the game process number is “5” (the result of S808 is “5”), the game control apparatus 600 executes the big winning opening remaining ball process (S814). In the winning ball remaining ball processing, when the big hit round is the final round, the time for the remaining ball in the big winning mouth to be discharged is set, or the information necessary to perform the big hit end processing is set Or

  In the winning prize remaining ball process, information necessary for updating the special symbol process timer and performing the fanfare / interval process or the big hit end process is set. In addition, it is determined whether the maximum opening time of the grand prize opening has elapsed, or a predetermined number (predetermined number) of game balls have been won in the big prize opening, and the opening / closing door 41a is closed when any of the conditions is met. To do. After this is repeated for a predetermined number of rounds, the special figure game process number is set to 6.

  When the game process number is “6” (the result of S808 is “6”), the game control device 600 executes a jackpot end process (S815). In the big hit end process, information necessary for performing the special figure routine process of S809 is set.

  Thereafter, the game control device 600 prepares a table for controlling the variation of the symbols in the state display 50 (S816). Subsequently, the symbol variation control process related to the status indicator 50 is executed (S817).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 17, specific processing for the control by the effect control device 700 will be described.

[1st CPU main processing (production control device)]
Next, details of the main process executed by the effect control device 700 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing executed by the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The main process is executed when the gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  When the execution of the main process is started, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 first prohibits interruption (S901). Next, the RAM 711 as a work area is cleared to 0 (S902). Then, CPU initialization processing is executed (S903). Thereafter, initial values necessary for executing various processes are set in the RAM 711 (S904), and random number initialization processing is executed (S905). Subsequently, various interrupt timers for generating an interrupt at a predetermined timing (for example, 1 millisecond) are started (S906). Then, an interrupt is permitted (S907).

  Here, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 clears the WDT (watchdog timer) (S908). The WDT is activated in the CPU initialization process (S903) described above, and monitors whether the CPU is operating normally. If the WDT is not cleared after a certain period, the WDT times out and the CPU is reset.

  Then, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 detects an operation signal of the effect button 17 by the player and executes an effect SW input process for performing a process according to the detected signal (S909). Further, during the period when the operation of the effect button 17 by the player is valid, an effect SW control process for performing a process of lighting the LED of the effect button 17 is executed (S910). Details of the effect SW input process will be described later with reference to FIG. Details of the effect SW control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a game control command analysis process for specifying a game control command received from the game control device 600 (S911). In the game control command analysis processing, it is determined whether or not the information set in the buffer 632a of the game control device 600 has been correctly received by interruption, and if it is received, command classification for subsequent scene control processing is performed. .

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a test mode process (S912). In the test mode process, an inspection command is received at the time of inspection at the time of shipment from the factory, and the display and the operation of the accessory are inspected. If display, sound, LED lighting, or the like is necessary, control is performed in the processing of S916 to S918 described later, and the processing ends when the inspection ends and the power is turned off. The test mode process is executed when the CPU is inspected at the time of factory shipment.

  Subsequently, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a 1st scene control process for controlling a scene (display content) to be displayed on the display device 35 based on the control command analyzed in the game control command analysis process (S911). (S913). Details of the 1st scene control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a gaming machine error monitoring process for monitoring occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine 1 (S914). In addition to the abnormality related to the effect control device 700, when a command for instructing error notification is received from the game control device 600, predetermined processing such as setting of information for alarm sound notification is executed. Here, the control of actually turning on the gaming state notification LED 12 and generating an alarm sound from the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b is performed in the processing of S916 to S918 described later.

  Then, the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 executes an effect command editing process for editing a command transmitted to the video control microcomputer (2ndCPU) 720 (S915). The command written in the register in the effect command editing process is output to the video control microcomputer (2nd CPU) 720.

  Further, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a sound control process for controlling sound output from the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b (S916). In addition, a decoration control process for controlling decoration devices such as LEDs (board decoration device 760, frame decoration device 21) is executed (S917), and further an effect device such as an electric accessory driven by a motor and a solenoid or movable illumination. A motor / SOL control process for controlling (board effect device 770, frame effect device 22) is executed (S918).

  Finally, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 551 executes a random number update process for updating the random number (S919), and returns to the process of S908. Thereafter, the processing from S908 to S919 is repeated.

[Production SW input processing]
Next, details of the effect SW input process (S909) in the first main process (FIG. 9) described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the effect SW input process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this process, an operation signal of the effect button 17 is detected, and a process according to the detected signal is performed.

  First, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 determines whether or not the effect button 17 is operated (S1001). When there is an operation (the result of S1001 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not the operation is within the operation effective time of the effect button 17 (S1002).

  When the effect button 17 is operated within the operation effective time (the result of S1002 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 activates the effect button 17 during operation (effective operation mode). The process branches according to (S1003). The effective operation mode is set according to the gaming state, and the control flag of the effective operation mode is also set at this time. When the push button is valid, the push button control process is executed (S1004), when the touch panel is valid, the touch panel control process 1 is executed (S1005), and when the attitude sensor is valid, the attitude sensor control is performed. Processing is executed (S1006). The details of the PUSH button control process, the touch panel control process 1, and the attitude sensor control process will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not the touch panel control flag is set when the effect button 17 is not operated within the operation effective time (the result of S1002 is “N”). (S1007). The touch panel control flag is a flag that is set when the effective SW of the effect button 17 is a touch panel, and is set immediately after the operation effective time of the touch panel is ended.

  When the touch panel control flag is set (the result of S1007 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes touch panel control processing 2 for setting the production in accordance with the operation information of the touch panel. (S1008). Details of the touch panel control processing 2 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12B. Next, the SW detection area for storing the operation information of the effect button 17 is cleared (S1014), and the effect SW input process is terminated. Note that if a control flag of an effective operation mode is set in the processing of S1014, it is cleared together. In the process of S1014 after executing the touch panel control process 2 of S1008 described above, the touch panel control flag is always cleared.

  When the touch panel control flag is not set (the result of S1007 is “N”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether the gaming state is in a specific mode such as a customer waiting demo state. (S1009).

  Then, when in the specific mode (the result of S1009 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 adds 1 to the number of overtime SW detections and updates it (S1010). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of detected overtime SW has reached a predetermined number or more (S1011).

  When the number of overtime SW detections is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (the result of S1011 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 switches the effect mode to the lower mode as a penalty of repeated unnecessary operations ( S1012), the number of overtime SW detections is cleared (S1013). Further, the SW detection area for storing the operation information of the effect button 17 is cleared (S1014), and the effect SW input process is terminated.

  On the other hand, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 is not in the specific mode in the process of S1009 (the result of S1009 is “N”) or when the number of out-of-time SW detection is less than the predetermined number in the process of S1011 ( After the result of S1011 is “N”) and the process of S1014 is executed, the effect SW input process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that the effect button 17 is not operated (the result of step S1001 is “N”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes the process of step S1014 and then performs the effect SW The input process is terminated.

[PUSH button control processing]
Next, the details of the PUSH button control process (S1004) in the effect SW input process (FIG. 10) described above will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the PUSH button control process according to the embodiment of this invention.

  First, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 prepares a PUSH button input command for transmitting that the operation of the effect button 17 is detected by the PUSH button SW 920 (S1101). Update by adding 1 (S1102). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of operations has reached the specified number (S1103). In the processing of S1102 and S1103, not only the number of times the effect button 17 has been pressed (number of times of operation) but also operation information such as the amount of pressing may be included.

  When the number of operations is the designated number (the result of S1103 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 turns on the PUSH button effect determination flag (S1104) and sets the PUSH button effect determination command. (S1105). In addition, since the operation of the effect button 17 has been achieved, preparations are made to transmit a push button effect LED turn-off command for turning off the LED of the effect button 17 to notify that the operation is valid to the operation control device 900 ( S1106), the push button control process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of operations is not the designated number (the result of S1103 is “N”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 does not perform the PUSH button effect, and ends the PUSH button control process as it is.

[Touch panel control processing]
Next, details of the touch panel control process 1 (S1005) and the touch panel control process 2 (S1008) in the effect SW input process (FIG. 10) described above will be described. FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing a procedure of touch panel control processing 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of touch panel control processing 2 according to the embodiment of this invention. First, with reference to FIG. 12A, the touch panel control process 1 which is a process which memorize | stores in order the touch sensor detected by operation of the presentation button 17 by a player is demonstrated.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 first transmits that the effect button 17 functions as the touch panel 930 and any one of the touch sensors 931a to 931n reacts according to the player's operation area. The touch panel operation command is set (S1201), and the process branches according to the detected SW (touch sensor) (S1202).

  In the present embodiment, nine touch sensors 931a to 931i are provided on the effect button 17, and SW is detected when the player touches the corresponding areas A to I. Here, one or a plurality of SWs are detected in order during one operation effective time by a touch operation over a predetermined period by the player. The touch panel operation required at this time is suggested by the display device 35. Details of the operation mode of the touch panel will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 detects the SW 931a in the area A, it sets (A) SW detection in the detection area (S1203). If the SW 931b in the area B is detected, (B) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1204). If the SW 931c in the area C is detected, (C) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1205). If the SW 931d in the area D is detected, (D) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1206). If the SW 931e in the area E is detected, (E) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1207). If the SW 931f in the area F is detected, (F) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1208). If the SW 931g in the area G is detected, (G) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1209). If SW931h in area H is detected, (H) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1210). If SW931i in area I is detected, (I) SW detection is set in the detection area (S1211). Details of the detection area will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 sequentially stores the touch sensors detected by the SW in the SW detection area, and ends the touch panel control processing 1.

  Next, the touch panel control process 2 for setting an effect corresponding to the operation history of the touch panel stored in the touch panel control process 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 12B. The touch panel control process 2 is executed whenever the operation valid period ends when the operation of the touch panel is valid.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 confirms the SW detection area (S1212) and compares it with the SW command table (see FIG. 13B) (S1213). Then, the process branches depending on the comparison result of whether or not the touch sensor order stored in the SW detection area matches the touch order set in the SW command table (S1214).

  If they match, the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 executes SW command execution processing for transmitting a command for performing the corresponding effect (S1215), and ends touch panel control processing 2.

  On the other hand, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 terminates the touch panel control process 2 if they do not match.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 13, the SW detection area and the SW command table used in the touch panel control process 1 in FIG. 12A and the touch panel control process 2 in FIG. 12B will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the SW detection area and the SW command table according to the embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of the SW detection area. The SW detection area is provided in the work area RAM 711 of the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710. The SW detection area includes, for example, storage areas from No. 1 to No. 9, and the nine touch sensors 931a to 931i provided on the effect button 17 are sequentially stored from the first storage area in the order in which the SW is detected. When the player operates in the order of the areas A, B, C, D, and E of the effect buttons 17, they are stored in the first to fifth storage areas in order as shown in the figure.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of the SW command table. The SW command table is a table showing the SW detection arrangement order for determining the contents of the effect on the display device 35. As shown in FIG. 13A, when SW is detected in the order of A → B → C → D → E, A to E are written in the frames of the touch order 1 to 5 in the fifth row of the table. Therefore, it can be seen that the corresponding production (SW command) is set. In this case, the result of S1214 of the touch panel control process 2 described above becomes “match”.

  When the SW detection is E → A → B → C → D, the touch order of A → B → C → D excluding the SW detection of E matches the fourth level of the SW command table. Therefore, SW commands having A to D written therein are set in the frames of the touch order 1 to 4 on the table, and the corresponding effects are executed on the display device 35.

  In the above description, it is determined whether or not a series of SW detections over a predetermined period coincides with the touch order of any stage of the SW command table, but it may be determined only by the first SW detection. That is, in the SW command table of FIG. 13B, since the first touch operation is the area A at any stage, all the effects determined using this table are the same effects. At this time, the display device 35 may execute a touch operation promotion effect suggesting a plurality of SW detections, but actually the second and subsequent SW detections are not related to the determination of the effect. Thus, since the effect is determined only by the first SW detection, SW detection mistakes can be reduced. In addition, since the SW detection area and the SW command table can be simplified, the load on the touch panel control process is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, an effect corresponding to the operation of the touch operation over a predetermined period is performed on the display device 35, so that the entertainment of the game can be enhanced. Details of a specific effect example will be described later with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

[Attitude sensor control processing]
Next, details of the attitude sensor control process (S1006) in the effect SW input process (FIG. 10) described above will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the attitude sensor control process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 sets an attitude sensor start command for setting the effect button 17 to function as the attitude sensor 940 and detect the action posture of the effect button 17 (S1401). . Then, after acquiring the posture information (old) before the operation of the effect button 17 (S1402), the post-operation posture information (new) is acquired (S1403). The posture sensor according to the present embodiment is provided with an acceleration sensor 941 that detects the movement of each of the virtual axes XYZ in Cartesian coordinates and an angular velocity sensor 942 that detects rotation around each axis. Here, the posture information includes the detection result of the effect button 17 detected by the acceleration sensor 941 such as the tilt, vibration, movement, and impact, and the rotation speed around the virtual axis measured by the angular velocity sensor 942. Details of the operation mode of the attitude sensor will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there is a change in the acceleration in the X direction (left and right direction) from the old and new posture information (S1404). If there is a change (the result of S1404 is “Y”), an X-direction acceleration command indicating movement in the X direction is set (S1405). If there is no change (the result of S1404 is “N”), the command is not set.

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there is a change in the rotational speed in the X direction (left and right direction) based on the old and new posture information (S1406). If there is a change (the result of S1406 is “Y”), an X-direction rotation command indicating rotation about the X axis is set (S1407). If there is no change (the result of S1406 is “N”), the command is not set.

  Similarly, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there is a change in acceleration in the Y direction (vertical direction) based on the new and old posture information (S1408). If there is a change (the result of S1408 is “Y”), a Y-direction acceleration command indicating movement in the Y direction is set (S1409). If there is no change (the result of S1408 is “N”), the command is not set.

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there has been a change in the rotational speed in the Y direction (vertical direction) from the old and new attitude information (S1410). If there is a change (the result of S1410 is “Y”), a Y-direction rotation command indicating rotation about the Y axis is set (S1411). If there is no change (the result of S1410 is “N”), the command is not set.

  Further, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there has been a change in acceleration in the Z direction (front-rear direction) from the old and new posture information (S1412). If there is a change (the result of S1412 is “Y”), a Z-direction acceleration command indicating movement in the Z direction is set (S1413). If there is no change (the result of S1412 is “N”), the command is not set.

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not there is a change in the rotational speed in the Z direction (front-rear direction) from the old and new posture information (S1414). If there is a change (the result of S1414 is “Y”), a Z-direction rotation command indicating rotation about the Z-axis is set (S1415), and the attitude sensor control process is terminated. If there is no change (the result of S1414 is “N”), the attitude sensor control process is terminated without setting a command.

  The effect button 17 may include any one of the acceleration sensor 941 and the angular velocity sensor 942 and may be the posture sensor 940.

[Production SW control processing]
Next, details of the effect SW control process (S910) in the first main process (FIG. 9) described above will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the effect SW control process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this process, the LED (light emitting means) of the effect button 17 is turned on while the operation of the effect button 17 is valid, and is turned off when it is no longer valid, thereby performing a process of notifying the player of the validity and invalidity of the operation. .

  First, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 determines whether or not the operation effective time for enabling the operation of the effect button 17 has started (S1501). If it has not started (the result of S1501 is “N”), it is determined whether or not the valid operation time has ended (S1502).

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 determines whether or not the LED of the effect button 17 is lit (S1503) when the effective operation time has expired (the result of S1502 is “Y”). If the LED is lit (result of S1503 is “Y”), the effect SW that turns off the LED that has been lit to notify the player that the operation of the effect button 17 is no longer effective. The LED turn-off command is set (S1504), and the effect SW control process is terminated.

  Note that the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 indicates that the operation valid time has not expired (result of S1502 is “N”) or the LED is not lit (result of S1503 is “N”). The effect SW control process is terminated without setting a command.

  On the other hand, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710, when the operation effective time starts (result of S1501 is “Y”), sets the LED lighting according to the effective operation mode of the effect button 17 SW LED lighting processing is executed (S1505). Thereafter, the effect SW control process ends. The details of the effect SW LED lighting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

[LED lighting process for effect SW]
Next, details of the effect SW LED lighting process (S1505) in the effect SW control process (FIG. 15) described above will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the effect SW LED lighting process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 branches the process according to the effective operation mode of the effect button 17 (S1601).

  When the PUSH button SW920 is valid, the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 sets a PUSH button LED lighting command for lighting the LED for the PUSH button (S1602), and ends the effect SW LED lighting process. .

  If the touch panel 930 is valid, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 sets a touch panel LED lighting command for lighting the LED for the touch panel (S1603), and ends the effect SW LED lighting process.

  The main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 sets a posture sensor LED lighting command to turn on the posture sensor LED when the posture sensor 940 is valid (S1604), and ends the effect SW LED lighting processing. .

[1st scene control processing (1st CPU)]
Next, details of the 1st scene control process (S913) in the 1st main process (FIG. 9) described above will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the first scene control process according to the embodiment of this invention.

  First, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the effect control device 700 determines whether or not it is in the test mode (S1701). The test mode is a mode that is executed when the CPU is inspected, such as at the time of factory shipment. If it is in the test mode (the result of S1701 is “Y”), the 1st scene control process is terminated.

  If the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 is not in the test mode (the result of S1701 is “N”), the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 has received a scene change command for changing the scene (all display contents) to be displayed on the display device 35. If the scene change command has not been received (the result of S1702 is “N”), the process proceeds to S1707 without executing the processes of S1703 to S1706. The scene change command is a command corresponding to execution of processing in S1708 to S1716 described later, and indicates, for example, a power-on command, a power failure recovery command, or the like.

  On the other hand, when the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 receives the scene change command (the result of S1702 is “Y”), it acquires the game state to be updated, that is, the current game state (S1703). Then, it is determined whether or not the received scene change command is an effective command corresponding to the current gaming state transmitted from the gaming control device 600 and analyzed in the gaming control command analysis process (S911) described above ( S1704).

  If the received scene change command is valid (the result of S1704 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 saves the received scene change command in the RAM 711 that is the work area (S1705). ). Then, an effect request flag indicating that it is time to change the scene (display content) is set (S1706).

  If the received scene change command is not valid (the result of S1704 is “N”), the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 proceeds to the processing of S1707 without executing the processing of S1705 and S1706.

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 branches to a process corresponding to the command identifier analyzed in the above-described game control command analysis process (S911) (S1707).

  When the command identifier is set to “power-on command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes power-on processing (S1708).

  When the command identifier is set to “power failure recovery command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a power failure recovery process other than the customer waiting process described later (S1709).

  When the command identifier is set to “customer waiting demo command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes customer waiting processing (S1710).

  When the command identifier is set to “variation pattern command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes the changing process (S1711). In the changing process, information necessary for displaying a scene corresponding to the set change pattern is acquired, and effect control corresponding to the set change pattern is performed.

  When the command identifier is set to “design stop command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a design stop process (S1712).

  When the command identifier is set to “fanfare command”, the main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 executes a big hit fanfare process (S1713).

  The main control microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 executes the process during the big hit round when the command identifier is set to “large open / closed nth command” (S1714). In the in-round processing, if the big hit round is not the final round, an interval command is set, while if it is the final round, information necessary for setting an ending command is set.

  When the command identifier is set to “interval command”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes jackpot interval processing (S1715).

  When the command identifier is set to “ENDING COMMAND”, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes jackpot ending processing (S1716).

  Next, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 executes a symbol command reception process for receiving a decoration special figure command transmitted from the game control device 600 prior to the variation pattern command at the start of variation (S1717). Also, a hold number command reception process is performed in which a hold number command transmitted from the game control device 600 is received at the time of starting winning and at the start of variation, and the hold number command receiving process for updating the hold number in the start memory by the hold number command is executed (S1718). . Further, a prefetch command receiving process for setting an effect of holding display or the like by a prefetch command including a symbol information command for determining whether or not the variation display game is a big hit and a variation pattern random number command for specifying a variation pattern to be executed is executed. (S1719).

  Then, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 internally sets a value corresponding to the probability information command and executes a probability information command reception process for transmitting the background command to the video control microcomputer (2nd CPU) 720 (S1720). . Thereafter, the 1st scene control process is terminated.

[Operation mode of production buttons (operation means)]
Next, an operation mode of the effect button 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an effect button provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 (A) is a view showing a state in which the upper plate unit 11 is disposed, and FIG. 18 (B) is an enlarged view.

  The effect button 17 (operation means) is disposed at the center of the upper plate unit 11 and on the front side of the upper plate 11a. The effect button 17 includes a large main button at the center and a sub button on the left side of the main button. In the present embodiment, the effect button 17 indicates a main button. The effect button 17 is covered with an operation cover that can be directly contacted by the player, and includes an operation detection means for detecting an operation caused by the player's operation and a light emitting means for emitting light. Although not shown, the light emitting means includes an LED and a liquid crystal and is disposed below the operation detecting means. The light emitting means may emit light at the timing detected by the operation detecting means, or may emit light according to the game effect or game state. The effect button 17 of the present embodiment is excellent in durability because an operation cover is provided so that the player does not directly contact the operation detection means.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the effect button 17 uses any one of the operation modes of the PUSH (press) button 920, the touch panel 930, and the attitude sensor 940 according to the game mode or the player's selection. It is possible to accept a player's operation. When the effect button 17 is used as the PUSH button 920, the main button SW921 and the sub button SW922 are used as operation detection means. When the effect button 17 is used as the touch panel 930, the touch sensors 931a to 931i are used as operation detection means. When the effect button 17 is used as the sensor 940, the acceleration sensor 941 and the angular velocity sensor 942 are used as operation detection means.

[PUSH operation]
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a push operation of the effect button according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 19A is an enlarged perspective view of the effect button 17 as viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 19B is an effect button cross-sectional view for explaining the push operation of the effect button 17.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the effect button 17 is provided so as to protrude from the base so that the player can easily operate it. Further, the effect button 17 has a spherical body structure in which the cross section in front view is an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. The production button 17 has a substantially upper half (distance L1 in the vertical direction) protruding from the base in a stationary state, and the operation cover covering the surface of the elliptical sphere of the protruding portion is raised most at the center.

  Then, when the player pushes (presses) the effect button 17, the effect button 17 sinks downward, and the protruding portion from the base becomes smaller (L2 <L1). By this operation, the main button SW921 provided inside detects the push operation. Details of the effect display of the display device 35 reflecting the PUSH operation will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Touch panel operation]
Next, touch panel operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 are diagrams for explaining the touch panel operation of the effect buttons according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 20A is a top view of the effect button 17, and FIG. 20B is a diagram showing the arrangement of the touch sensors 931a to 931i in the simplified top view. The effect button 17 is provided with a touch sensor 931e at the most raised central portion, and eight touch sensors 931a to 931d and 931f to 931i are equally arranged around the touch sensor 931e along the circumference. Is done. In this manner, the effect button 17 is provided with the touch sensor 931e corresponding to the most raised portion, so that the player can easily understand the position of the touch sensor 931e. In addition, since the positional relationship with other touch sensors can be easily measured based on the position of the touch sensor 931e, the player can operate the touch sensor accurately.

  It should be noted that the operation surface (operation cover) of the effect button 17 may be recessed at the center where the touch sensor 931e is disposed. In addition, a portion corresponding to the detection area of the touch sensors 931a to 931i may be recessed so that the player can easily grasp the position by touch.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing four examples of touch panel operations. Here, description will be made with reference to the effect button 17 in a top view. (1) is an operation flow line in which the player touches the effect button 17 in the order of regions C, E, and G. At this time, an operation input is detected by the touch sensors 931c, 931e, and 931g arranged corresponding to the respective areas, and stored in the SW detection area (FIG. 13A) described above in the order of detection. Then, an effect corresponding to the detection signal (detection result) of the player's operation (operation on the effect button 17) is performed. The details of the specific content of the display device 35 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

  (2) is an operation flow line in which the player touches the effect button 17 in the order of the regions F, I, and H. (3) is an operation flow line in which the player touches the effect button 17 in the order of the regions D, E, and F. (4) is an operation flow line in which the player touches the effect button 17 in the order of the regions H, E, B, A, D, and G. Similarly to (1), the operation input is detected by the corresponding touch sensor, and an effect corresponding to the detection result (for example, an effect incorporating the same movement as the operation flow line) is performed.

(Attitude sensor operation)
Subsequently, the posture sensor operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 22-24 is a figure explaining the attitude | position sensor operation of the production button of embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 22A is an enlarged perspective view of the effect button 17, and FIG. 22B is a diagram showing the posture measurement reference position in the simplified top view. Here, the orthogonal coordinate axes (virtual axes) in the three directions (X direction, Y direction, Z direction) in the overall view (see FIG. 1) described above are applied to the effect button 17 while changing the base point. Then, as shown in FIG. 22B and FIG. 23, the center of the effect button 17 in the front / rear / right / left direction and the apex in the up / down direction is set as the center of the axis as the base point of the axial and axial rotation measurement. . The effect button 17 is provided with an acceleration sensor 941 that measures the operation speed in the three-axis directions based on the virtual axis, and an angular velocity sensor 942 that measures the rotational speed around each axis, and the amount of change of the effect button 17 by the player's operation From these, acceleration and angular velocity are calculated. And the production corresponding to the detection result by each sensor is performed. Details of the specific contents of the display device 35 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 23A is an image cross-sectional view of the effect button 17 as viewed from the right side when the effect button 17 is moved by 10 in the positive direction (forward direction) of the Z-axis (front-rear direction axis). The effect button 17 sinks on the player side and rises on the opposite side (rear side). At this time, a negative rotation occurs around the X axis. The acceleration sensor 941 detects a positive acceleration in the Z-axis direction, and the angular velocity sensor 942 detects a negative rotation speed around the X-axis.

  FIG. 23B is an image cross-sectional view of the effect button 17 as viewed from the right side when the effect button 17 is moved by 10 in the negative direction (backward direction) of the Z axis (front-rear direction axis). The effect button 17 rises on the player side and sinks on the opposite side (rear side). At this time, a positive rotation occurs around the X axis. The acceleration sensor 941 detects negative acceleration in the Z-axis direction, and the angular velocity sensor 942 detects a positive rotational speed around the X-axis.

  FIG. 23C is an image cross-sectional view of the effect button 17 as viewed from the front when the effect button 17 is moved by 10 in the positive direction (right direction) of the X axis (left-right direction axis). The production button 17 sinks on the right side and rises on the left side. At this time, a positive rotation occurs around the Z axis. The acceleration sensor 941 detects a positive acceleration in the X-axis direction, and the angular velocity sensor 942 detects a positive rotational speed around the Z-axis.

  The effect button 17 may be provided as an operation part of a joystick 17b extending from the lower bearing part 17a as shown in FIG. As a result, the effect button 17 can be operated as a multi-directional switch for three-axis operation, increasing the degree of freedom of operation and improving operability.

[Screen transition example]
Thus, in this embodiment, the effect in the effect device is executed in response to the detection signal (detection result) of the player's operation (operation on the effect button 17). Here, the effect device is a device capable of executing a game effect, and includes a board decoration device 760, a frame decoration device 21, a board effect device 770, a frame effect device 22, and a display device 35. Below, with reference to FIGS. 25-31, the example of an effect which reflects the detection result of operation | movement of the effect button 17 is demonstrated about the effect displayed on the display apparatus 35. FIG.

[Push production (PUSH operation)]
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen transition of a push effect using the push operation of the effect button according to the embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 25A shows an example of screen transition when a single (single) operation is requested. First, a message “PUSH!” Prompting the player to press the effect button 17 is displayed on the display device 35. Therefore, the player presses the effect button 17. By the player's pressing operation, the display device 35 displays game information (here, “reach!”) Related to the running variable display game.

  FIG. 25B is an example of a screen transition when a plurality of (continuous) operations are requested. First, on the display device 35, a message “continuous hit!” Prompting the player to continuously press the effect button 17 is displayed. Therefore, the player hits the effect button 17 repeatedly. At this time, a gauge frame is displayed on the display device 35, and “reach”, “development”, “extreme heat”, and “big hit” are displayed as game information from the bottom in the gauge frame. Here, an effect that the gauge rises from the bottom to the top by the player's continuous hit is performed, and it stops at the game information related to the running variable display game. Then, game information is notified to the player.

[Line selection effect (touch panel operation)]
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen transition of a line selection effect using the touch panel operation of the effect button according to the embodiment of the present invention. The line selection effect is an effect performed when reach occurs in the variable display game. The player can select two pieces of identification information to be reach among the three pieces of identification information.

  FIG. 26A is a start screen for a line selection effect. The display device 35 displays six pieces of identification information arranged in three columns and two rows. In addition, a message “Draw line!” Is displayed at the center of the screen of the display device 35, and the same operation flow line as the line desired to be drawn on the screen of the display device 35 by sliding the effect button 17 to the player is displayed. Prompt to draw on the production button 17.

  FIG. 26 (B1) is a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of areas A, E, and I. Since the player's operation at this time is an operation of drawing a line in a straight line from the upper left to the lower right, the display device 35 displays the identification information “6” displayed on the upper left of the six pieces of identification information displayed on the screen. A line is drawn from “2” toward identification information “2” displayed in the lower right. The other four identification information is not displayed.

  FIG. 26 (B2) is a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of regions B, E, and H. Since the player's operation at this time is an operation of drawing a line in a straight line from the upper center to the lower center, the display device 35 has the identification displayed on the center among the six identification information displayed on the screen. A line is drawn from the information “3” toward the identification information “3” displayed in the lower center. The other four identification information is not displayed.

  FIG. 26 (B3) is a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of regions C, E, and G. Since the player's operation at this time is an operation of drawing a straight line from the upper right to the lower left, the display device 35 has the identification information “4” displayed on the upper right among the six pieces of identification information displayed on the screen. A line is drawn from “” to identification information “4” displayed in the lower left. The other four identification information is not displayed.

[Design cut effect (touch panel operation)]
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining an example of the screen transition of the symbol cut effect using the touch panel operation of the effect button according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol cutting effect is an effect performed on the identification information (symbol) that stops last in the reachable variation display game. The player wants to stop the identification information to be stopped at the end with the reach identification information. Therefore, when different identification information is displayed, the identification information being displayed is cut off, and the other identification information is displayed so that the three identification information are aligned in a glance.

  FIG. 27A shows a start screen for a symbol cutting effect. In the center of the screen of the display device 35, the identification information “2” that has not been stopped among the three pieces of identification information is displayed. In addition, a message “Cut the symbol!” Is displayed on the display device 35, and the same operation flow line as the method of cutting the identification information of the display device 35 is made on the effect button 17 by sliding the effect button 17 to the player. Encourage you to draw.

  FIG. 27B1 shows a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of areas A, E, and I. Since the player's operation at this time is a straight line cutting operation from the upper left to the lower right, the display device 35 cuts the identification information “2” displayed on the screen from the upper left to the lower right.

  FIG. 27 (B2) is a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of regions H, E, and B. Since the player's operation at this time is a straight line cut from the lower center to the upper center, the display device 35 cuts the identification information “2” displayed on the screen from the lower center toward the upper center. It is done.

  FIG. 27 (B3) is a display screen when the effect button 17 is touch-operated in the order of regions C, E, and G. Since the player's operation at this time is a straight line cutting operation from the upper right to the lower left, the display device 35 cuts the identification information “2” displayed on the screen from the upper right to the lower left.

  Thus, since the flow line drawn by the player operating the effect button 17 is used for the effect on the display device 35, the game is enhanced and the player is satisfied with creating the effect. A feeling can be given.

  In FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 described above, the sliding operation of the effect button 17 is reflected in the effect of the variable display game. The content of the operation requested from the player in the production before and after the reach does not change, but may be changed. If the operation content requested according to the state of the game, such as a specific reach or a specific mode, is changed, it is possible to increase the interest of the game without becoming a monotonous game. In addition, it is possible to set the operation content suitable for the game state, and the same operation is required in a certain game state, so that the player can get used to the operation of the effect button 17.

[Design deformation effect (attitude sensor operation)]
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen transition of a symbol deformation effect using the posture sensor operation of the effect button according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol deformation effect is an effect of changing the posture of the identification information in accordance with the posture of the effect button 17 when the three pieces of identification information are in a stop mode in the variable display game, and it is also possible to notify the game information. .

  FIG. 28A shows a normal screen display in which three pieces of identification information are stopped in the center of the screen.

  FIG. 28B is a screen display when the effect button 17 is tilted in the positive direction (right side) of the X axis. At this time, the three pieces of identification information that were the display mode of FIG. 28A change in accordance with the operation of the effect button 17 for a predetermined period. Here, acceleration in the right direction (X-axis) is detected by the acceleration sensor 941, and the rotational speed around the front-rear direction axis (Z-axis) is detected by the angular velocity sensor 942. Then, the type of aspect change of the identification information is determined based on the rotation speed, and the aspect change speed is determined based on the acceleration. Specifically, the three pieces of identification information are crushed up and down as they go from left to right so as to be sucked into the right side of the screen, and the changing speed at this time depends on the acceleration in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 28C is a screen display when the effect button 17 tilts in the negative direction (left side) of the X axis. At this time, the three pieces of identification information that were the display mode of FIG. 28A change in accordance with the operation of the effect button 17 for a predetermined period. Here, acceleration in the left direction (X-axis) is detected by the acceleration sensor 941, and a rotational speed around the longitudinal axis (Z-axis) is detected by the angular velocity sensor 942. Then, the type of aspect change of the identification information is determined based on the rotation speed, and the aspect change speed is determined based on the acceleration. Specifically, the three pieces of identification information are crushed up and down as they go from right to left so as to be sucked into the left side of the screen, and the changing speed at this time depends on the acceleration in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 28D is a screen display when the effect button 17 tilts in the negative direction (rear side) of the Z axis. At this time, the three pieces of identification information that were the display mode of FIG. 28A change in accordance with the operation of the effect button 17 for a predetermined period. Here, acceleration in the rearward direction (Z-axis) is detected by the acceleration sensor 941, and rotational speed about the left-right direction axis (X-axis) is detected by the angular velocity sensor 942. Then, the type of aspect change of the identification information is determined based on the rotation speed, and the aspect change speed is determined based on the acceleration. Specifically, the three pieces of identification information have a shape that is crushed to the left and right so as to fall from the bottom to the back of the screen with the bottom as the base point, and the changing speed at this time depends on the acceleration in the Z-axis direction.

  FIG. 28E is a screen display when the effect button 17 continues to tilt in the negative direction (rear side) of the Z axis from the state of FIG. In this case, the mode change of the three identification information further progresses and falls backward, and the bottom of the identification information is displayed on the screen. At this time, the game information (here, “hot heat”) is displayed at the bottom.

  FIG. 28 (F) shows a screen display when the effect button 17 tilts in the negative direction (rear side) of the Z-axis as in FIG. 28 (D), and is a different pattern. In FIG. 28D, the posture of the identification information is changed, but here, the posture of the hold display is changed. Specifically, the hold display is enlarged and reduced so as to roll into the back of the screen and be sucked. The hold display gradually changes in size as the position is moved. Further, the change speed of the hold display depends on the acceleration in the Z-axis direction.

  As described above, the orientation of the identification information and the hold display can be changed in accordance with the change in the orientation of the effect button 17 by the player's operation. Further, since the posture change is obtained from the posture before and after the elapse of a predetermined period, it is continuously reflected in the production with the passage of time. For this reason, the effect button 17 can be pushed, and the effect linked to the player's operation can be made more than the conventional effect in which the number of times of pressing is reflected in the effect. Thereby, the aspect of the effect is diversified by the player's operation, and the effect as if the player himself / herself is constructed is performed, so that the interest of the game can be enhanced. When the hold display mode is changed by the player's operation, the player must first store the launched game ball as a start-up memory and create a hold state. For this reason, the player is further involved in the construction of the production, and the interest of the game can be enhanced.

  In addition, the effect control device 700 sets a reflection possible period during which the operation of the effect button 17 can be reflected in the effect, and a non-reflective period during which the action cannot be reflected. Then, only the change in posture of the effect button 17 detected during the reflection possible period is reflected in the effect. By setting the period during which vibration is likely to occur due to the movable performance of the electric accessory or the operation of the operation unit 15 at the time of launching the game ball as a non-reflective period, the player does not operate the performance button 17. Nevertheless, it is possible to prevent the posture sensor 940 from erroneously detecting an operation.

[Display contents slide effect]
FIGS. 29 to 31 are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen display of a display position slide effect using the effect buttons according to the embodiment of the present invention. The display position slide effect is an effect in which the player operates the effect button 17 to select display contents to be displayed on the display device 35. At this time, the operation mode of the effect button 17 may be any of the push button 920, the touch panel 930, and the attitude sensor 940.

  FIG. 29A is a diagram showing the size of the display unit 35a of the display device 35 and the fourth symbol displayed on the display unit 35a and the display position of the hold display. These display positions are fixed, and the 4th symbol is always displayed. When there is a start memory, a hold display is also displayed for a predetermined period according to the game progress. Here, the predetermined period is, for example, during the first half of the fluctuation display game and immediately before the reach occurs, during the standby time, after the reach presentation of the fluctuation display game, the identification information becomes the stop mode and the next fluctuation Indicates the time until the display game starts.

  That is, the 4th symbol and the hold display are not related to the display position slide effect. Here, the fourth symbol is a symbol for displaying the game result of the variable display game on the display device 35. In addition, the size of the display unit 35a in the drawing can be compared with the size of background display data described later.

  FIG. 29B is a diagram showing background display data prepared as display contents of the display device 35. The background display data is larger in size than the data that can be displayed on the display portion 35a of the display device 35 shown in FIG. On the front of the background display data, four sets of symbol data can be displayed with three pieces of identification information as one set. That is, the background display data has four times the data area that can be displayed on the display unit 35a. Note that background display data and symbol data are stored in the image ROM 704 (effect data storage means) of the effect control device 700 as effect data used for the variable display game.

  FIG. 29C is a diagram comparing the display unit 35a of the display device 35 and the area of the background display data. Of the background display data, the data displayed on the display device 35 is only the data within the frame of the display unit 35a, and the data in the shaded area is not displayed.

  When the gaming machine 1 is turned on, a part of the background display data is displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35. The display data area displayed at this time is set as a start area. The display data area displayed on the display unit 35a in FIG. 29C described above corresponds to the start area.

  Then, when the player operates the effect button 17, the display data area displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35 starts to change as shown in FIG. Here, an area when the display data area starts to change by the player's operation, that is, a display data area partially including data of the start area is set as a start area. The display data area displayed on the display unit 35a in FIG. 30A corresponds to the start area.

  Thereafter, when the player continues to operate the effect button 17, as shown in FIG. 30B, the display data area displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35 is a moving area that does not include the data of the start area. Move to. Thereby, the player can enjoy the variable display game by the symbol data (three identification information) corresponding to the background display data of the moving area. Further, since the player can enjoy the variable display game in various areas according to his / her selection, the interest of the game can be enhanced.

  Further, even if the display content displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35 is changed by the player operating the effect button 17, the 4th symbol is always displayed on the display unit 35a, and there is a start-up memory. Is also displayed on hold. For this reason, even if the presentation button 17 is operated and the display content of the display part 35a is changed, the player can see the result of the variable display game on the display part 35a. Since it is possible to operate the effect button 17 while confirming whether or not the variable display game is being executed, the player can operate the effect button 17 and launch the ball with peace of mind.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effect in which a player searches for reach in a display position slide effect.

  As shown in FIG. 31A, nine pieces of identification information arranged in three columns and three rows are displayed in the start area, and subsequently, the fluctuation of the identification information is started all at once as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 31C, the identification information at the four corners of the start area stops at different numbers. At this time, there are only two lines that may reach in the start area, the central horizontal line and the central vertical line.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31 (D), the player operates the effect button 17 to move the display data area of the background display data displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35, thereby having a reach area. Search for. The display data area in the figure corresponds to the start area. When a reach line occurs in the display data area, the display data area cannot be changed thereafter.

  Here, the corresponding identification information varies even in the non-display data area (shaded area) around the display data area displayed on the display unit 35a. When the display data area in the figure is moved to the right by two rows of symbols, reach lines are generated on both diagonal lines. However, the player does not know the situation of the variable display game in the non-display data area. Therefore, the occurrence of reach in the non-display data area is regarded as a requirement for satisfying the predetermined condition, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, display that guides to the data area having the reach line may be performed on the display unit 35a. Specifically, an effect of prompting the display unit 35a to operate the effect button 17 in the right direction is performed.

  In this way, instead of making the player search for the data area indiscriminately, the player can enjoy the pleasure of searching for the production without having the stress that the reach production is not found, by suggesting useful operations to the player. be able to.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is satisfied and the player is not instructed to perform the operation, or if the player cannot reach the data area having the reach line within the effective operation time, the symbol data in the non-display data area is the special result. When the specific condition (big hit condition) is satisfied, the gaming state shifts to the special gaming state even if the specific condition is not satisfied on the display unit 35a. Note that the symbol data that satisfies the specific condition may be composed of symbol data in the non-display data area and symbol data in the display data area.

  In this case, it is unlikely that the player will be in a special gaming state based on the result of the variable display game on the display unit 35a. Since it can be shown that a big hit has occurred suddenly, the interest of the game can be enhanced.

  As described above, in the display content slide effect, when the player operates the effect button 17, the identification information (symbol data) displayed on the display unit 35a of the display device 35 is changed. Since the player can enjoy the pleasure of searching for the symbol data to be reached, or capturing a variety of search methods (operation methods) independently, the interest of the game can be enhanced.

  In addition, although display is abbreviate | omitted in this figure, the 4th symbol and the holding | maintenance corresponding to starting memory are displayed on the display part 35a.

  In FIG. 25 to FIG. 31 described above, the display device 35 is described as an effect device. However, for example, when applied to the electric accessory of the board effect device 770, the electric character corresponding to the operation detection result of the effect button 17 is used. What is necessary is just to set the operation | movement aspect, such as the movable speed and movable direction of an object. Further, when applied to the LEDs of the frame decoration device 21 and the panel decoration device 760, the LED is lit while the effect button 17 is operated, and the lighting and extinguishing are repeated according to the operation time and the number of operations. Since the effect device operates in conjunction with the player's operation, the player can construct the effect and enhance the interest of the game.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 gaming machine 17 production buttons (operation means)
21 Frame decoration device (production device)
22 Frame production device (production device)
30 game board 35 display device (variation display means)
35a Display area (display section)
600 Game control device 700 Production control device 704 Image ROM 704 (production data storage means)
760 Frame board decoration device (direction device)
770 board production device (production device)
900 Operation control device 920 PUSH button SW (operation detection means)
930 Touch panel (operation detection means)
931a to 931i Touch sensor (detection unit)
940 Attitude sensor (operation detection means, attitude detection means)
941 Acceleration sensor (acceleration detection means)
942 Angular velocity sensor (angular velocity detection means)

Claims (4)

A variable display means having a display unit capable of displaying a variable display game with a plurality of identification information;
Operation means that the player can arbitrarily operate;
Game control means for overall control of the game;
In a gaming machine comprising, in response to a command from the game control means, an effect control means for controlling a plurality of effect devices that perform an effect of the game,
The production control means includes
Effect data storage means for storing effect data used for the variable display game;
Variable display control means for performing display control of the variable display game,
The effect data storage means is
Background display data that is included in the effect data and has a data area larger than a data area that can be displayed on the display unit;
Design data included in the effect data, displayed in front of the background display data, and indicating a display mode of the identification information;
In the data area of the background display data, the variable display control means
After turning on the gaming machine, the display data area displayed on the display unit is a start area,
By operating the operation means, the display data area is changed to a start area partially including the start area,
By further operation of the operation means, the display data area is changed to a movement area not including the start area,
A game machine, wherein the variable display game is played in each area using the symbol data corresponding to the start area, the start area, and the movement area.   The variable display control means always displays an information symbol indicating the result of the variable display game being executed on the display unit, and if there is a start memory serving as the right to execute the variable display game, 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding hold display is displayed for a predetermined period. The variation display control means includes
Even if it is a non-display data area that does not correspond to the display data area in the data area of the background display data, the variable display game is performed using the symbol data corresponding to the non-display data area,
The establishment of a predetermined condition causes the display unit to perform a display prompting an operation of the operation means for guiding the display data area to a data area including the symbol data satisfying the predetermined condition. Item 3. The gaming machine according to Item 2.   When the variable display game using the symbol data corresponding to the data area of the background display data satisfies a specific condition, the game control means includes the symbol data satisfying the specific condition in the display data area. 4. A gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the gaming state of the gaming machine is shifted to a special gaming state even if not.