JP2014061069A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with an operation of cancelling an information display even when touching a button for displaying information during wiping work, thereby efficiently performing the wiping work.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a call button enabling to accept an operation in a stand-by state; display control means that displays a display screen on the basis of the acceptance of the operation of the call button; two selection buttons disposed near the call button and, after the operation of the call button is accepted, enabling to accept an operation; detection means for detecting depressions of the call button and the selection buttons respectively; and operation acceptance means that, in a case of a state A (a second state) where depressions of the call button and one of the selection buttons are simultaneously detected in the stand-by state, does not accept the operation of the call button, in a case of a state B (a third state) where the depression of the call button is detected after the state A, does not accept the operation of the call button and, in a case of a state where depressions of the call button and the other of the selection buttons are simultaneously detected after the state B, does not accept the operation of the call button.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine typified by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine, and more particularly to button reception control of a gaming machine.

  Conventionally, for example, a slot machine is known as one of game machines. In this slot machine, when the reel is rotated by inserting a medal and operating the start lever, the role is determined internally by internal lottery, and the reel is stopped by operating the stop button. When a combination of symbols predetermined according to the internal determination is displayed, a combination is established. When a winning combination with payout of medals is established, a prescribed number of medals corresponding to the established winning combination are paid out.

  Among such game machines, there is a game machine that allows players to individually set their favorite performances. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine effect system that allows a player to set an effect that the player likes by inputting a password.

JP 2009-195432 A

  In a game machine that can set individual effects of a player, an information display button provided on the game machine is operated to display a screen such as a user menu and perform effect settings. By the way, the part where the information display button is provided (for example, around the operation part of the start lever, stop button, etc.) is easy to get dirty due to the player's hand etc. The store clerk wipes and cleans the game table that is not playing for the next player.

  In general, such an information display button is a button that is used before a player plays a game, so that a menu is displayed when operated in a state in which no game is being played. Therefore, if the store clerk touches the information display button when wiping and cleaning, an information display such as a user menu is displayed although it is not necessary, and the called information display must be canceled. There is annoyance that it must not.

  In addition, not only on a game machine that can set individual effects of a player, but also on a game machine equipped with an information display button, a store clerk at a game store touches the information display button during business hours in the same manner. The called information display must be canceled, and there is a problem that wiping and cleaning cannot be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when a button for displaying information is touched during wiping and cleaning, a game for canceling information display is not required, and wiping and cleaning can be performed efficiently. The purpose is to provide a stand.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes, as one aspect thereof, display means for displaying information related to the game and buttons that can be operated by the player, and at least the game is not performed. In a standby state, a first button that can accept an operation, and a display that displays player information for the player on the display means when an operation is accepted for the first button. A control means and a button operable by a player, the second button being disposed in the vicinity of the first button, and capable of accepting an operation after accepting an operation of the first button; And a detecting means for detecting depression of each of the first button and the second button, wherein the second button is a button group composed of two buttons. The third button and the fourth button The first button, the third button, and the fourth button are arranged in a substantially straight line, and the first button is an abbreviation of the third button and the fourth button. The third button and the fourth button are arranged at the center and at the detection timing when the first button is pressed in the standby state and when the first button is pressed. In the case of the first state in which none of the buttons is detected to be pressed, the first button operation is accepted, and in the standby state, the first button is detected to be pressed, and the first button In the second state where the pressing of the third button is detected at one detection timing when the pressing of the first button is detected, the operation of the first button is not accepted, and the second state is detected. After that, the first button press detection In the case of the third state in which the pressing of the fourth button is detected at one detection timing at which the pressing of the first button has been detected while continuing from the second state, An operation accepting unit that does not accept operation of one button is provided.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, even when a button for displaying information is touched during wiping and cleaning, an operation for canceling the information display is unnecessary, and wiping and cleaning can be performed efficiently.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28B is an exterior diagram of an information display button of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a user menu screen of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in the wiping cleaning of the information display button of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in the wiping cleaning of the information display button of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in the wiping cleaning of the information display button of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a surface arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, a diagram showing a type of a slot machine, a symbol combination, and a payout / operation. . 4 is a flowchart showing a main control unit main process flow of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of main control unit timer interrupt processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Flow of first sub-control unit main process, first sub-control unit command input process, first sub-control unit command reception interrupt process, and first sub-control unit timer interrupt process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention It is a flowchart which shows. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of the game start of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, the process at the time of payment, and the process at the time of medal insertion. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail a flow of information display button detection information update processing in step S2302 of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the information display button detection information of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail a flow of information display button reception processing in step S2005 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the execution button determination process of step S2711 of FIG. Flow of second sub-control unit main process, second sub-control unit command reception interrupt process, second sub-control unit timer interrupt process, and second sub-control unit image control process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention It is a flowchart to show. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of execution button determination processing of the slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the determination button reconfirmation process of step S3016 of FIG. 1 is an external view of a pachinko according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started when a medal is inserted, and a medal is paid out according to the result of the game.

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

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

  Reel backlights 285 for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 are disposed on the rear surfaces of the respective reels 110 to 112. The reel backlight 285 is preferably shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be irradiated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are 5 winning lines. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added 3 When a book is valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. Note that the number of winning lines is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, and the lower right winning line The five winning lines and the upper right winning line may be valid as winning lines. Hereinafter, a valid winning line may be referred to as a valid line.

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

  The medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one. When the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two are inserted, and when the medal insertion button 132 is pressed, 3 is inserted. A sheet is inserted. Hereinafter, the medal insertion button 132 is also referred to as a MAX medal insertion button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

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

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

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

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

  The information display button 146 is an operation button for calling a user menu (for example, a menu for setting game history information of individual players) described later. Since the information display button 146 is a characteristic component in the present embodiment, its configuration and operation will be described later.

  Under the stop button unit 136, a title panel 162 for displaying a model name and pasting various certificate stamps is provided. The title panel lamp 164 is a lamp for lighting the title panel 162. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened outward in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) is displayed in front of the slot machine 100 (game). The structure appears on the person side).

  In addition, even if it is not a liquid crystal display device, it should just be comprised so that various effect images and various game information can be displayed, for example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

<Information display button>
2A is an external perspective view of the information display button 146, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the information display button 146. As shown in FIG. 2, the information display button 146 includes a determination (calling) button 146O provided at the center, an upper selection button 146U provided adjacent to the upper, lower, left, and right of the determination (calling) button 146O. The button 146D includes a left selection button 146L, a right selection button 146R, and a cancel button 146C provided on the right side of the right selection button 146R. In the present embodiment, the upper selection button button 146U, the lower selection button button 146D, the left selection button button 146L, and the right selection button button 146R are collectively referred to as a selection button 146S.

  The information display button 146 can accept operations (valid) during the period from the start of the game to the insertion of medals. Hereinafter, the information display button 146 can be operated (valid) during the period when the information display button can be operated (or valid), and the information display button 146 cannot be operated (when it is invalid) during the period when the information display button cannot be operated. Also called (or invalid) period. However, even if the information display button operation is not possible other than the period from the start of the game to the medal insertion, if the adjustment button 134 is operated, the operation of the information display button 146 can be accepted, and the adjustment button The period from the operation 134 to the insertion of medals again becomes the information display button operable period. Note that the operation reception of the information display button 146 is possible (or valid) means that the operation reception of all six buttons included in the information display button 146 is possible (or valid). However, as will be described later, because the selection button 146S has its function, it cannot be accepted (valid) until the user menu is displayed by operating the decision (call button) 146O (see FIG. 15 described later). (Refer to (1) the case where the user menu is not displayed in step S2712).

  Regarding the operation of the information display button 146, when the determination (calling) button 146O is first operated in the information display button operable period, the user menu is displayed. In the present embodiment, the user menu is a menu indicating player information (for example, member registration, game history, table data, etc.) for individual players. FIG. 3 specifically shows a user menu screen. 3A is an initial screen of the user menu, FIG. 3B is a user menu screen when the cursor is positioned on “password input”, and FIG. 3C is a password input screen. That is, when the determination (calling) button 146O is operated during the information display button operable period, the screen shown in FIG. 3A is displayed.

  Here, the user menu of this embodiment will be outlined. In the user menu, in the case of a player whose membership is not registered, first, the member is operated by operating the decision (call) button 146O according to the membership registration. When registration is selected, a QR code (registered trademark) is issued (displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 157). Therefore, the issued QR code is read with a mobile phone terminal or the like to access the mobile site and register as a member. Do. After registering as a member, the personal game history is recorded in the slot machine 100 by inputting the password acquired from the mobile site into the slot machine 100 using the mobile phone terminal. ing. Then, after the game is finished, a QR code is issued (displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 157), and the mobile site is accessed by reading the issued QR code with a mobile phone terminal or the like. The game history of individual players will be managed. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to manage the game history of individual players via the user menu.

  Next, after the user menu is displayed, the selection button 146S is operated to move the cursor up / down / left / right, the desired menu is selected, and the selection (call) button 146O is operated to confirm the selection. For example, in the user menu shown in FIG. 3, when “password input” is selected from the menu and a password is input, first, “member registration” is positioned on the initial screen (see FIG. 3A). The cursor is moved to the “password input” by operating the down selection button 146D, and then the enter (call) button 146O is operated (see FIG. 3B). As a result, a password input screen is displayed (see FIG. 3C). The cursor on the keyboard is moved to the position of the desired character by operating the selection button 146S, and the decision (call) button 146O. Operate to enter passwords sequentially. When the entry of the 5-digit password is completed, the cursor is automatically moved to the “decision” position, and the decision (call) button 146O is operated to confirm the password entry.

  As described above, the determination (call) button 146O is a button having a function of calling a user menu and a function of determining an object on which the cursor is positioned in the displayed user menu. The selection button 146S is a button having a function of moving the cursor up / down / left / right in the displayed user menu (in other words, even if the selection button 146S is operated in a state where the user menu is not displayed) Operation is not accepted). The cancel button 146C is a button having a cancel function (returns to the user menu screen or positions the cursor at “delete” or “return”).

  In the present embodiment, the selection button 146S can be accepted when triggered by the display of the user menu. However, separately from this, when the decision (call) button 146O is accepted during the information display button operable period. The operation of the selection button 146S may be accepted. For example, when the enter (call) button 146O is operated during the information display button operable period, the enter (call) button pressing flag is set to ON, and the enter (call) button pressing flag is set to ON. In addition, the operation of the selection button 146S may be accepted.

  In the present embodiment, the user menu is closed by performing an end instruction (selecting “End” from the menu shown in FIG. 3) from the user menu or performing a medal insertion operation (bet operation) (user The menu can be hidden). In other words, the displayed user menu is not displayed when an instruction to hide the menu from the player is received, or when a game progress using a game medium is accepted.

  Here, the operation (pressing) control of the information display button 146 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, in the present embodiment, simultaneous pressing of two buttons is invalid even during the information display button operable period. For example, simultaneous pressing of the lower selection button 146D and the upper selection button 146U or simultaneous pressing of the lower selection button 146D and the determination (call) button 146O is invalid. Note that the simultaneous pressing in the present embodiment means simultaneous pressing during one interrupt time (2 ms) in the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400 described later. In other words, in this embodiment, even when the timings at which the two buttons are pressed are slightly different, both input ports corresponding to the two buttons are turned on at the timing of the timer interrupt process executed every 2 ms. If it is in the state (pressed state), it is considered that the buttons are pressed at the same time, and at the detection timing when one of the buttons is pressed, the case where the other button is pressed is detected as simultaneous pressing.

  In the information display button operable period, the selection button 146S (upper selection button 146U, lower selection button 146D, left selection button 146L, right selection button 146R) is valid, but the enter (call) button 146O is effective. The cancel button 146C is invalid for a long press. In the present embodiment, since a hierarchical menu is adopted, if the long press of the decision (call) button 146O and the cancel button 146C is enabled, the player makes an unintended decision or cancellation across a plurality of layers. This is to avoid such inconvenience. The long press in the present embodiment means 350 ms or more, but the long press time is not limited to this value.

  In addition, in the information display button operable period, when the pressing of one of the selection buttons 146S is stopped after the simultaneous pressing of the two selection buttons 146S, the pressing of the other selection button 146S is effective. On the other hand, when pressing of the decision (call) button 146O is stopped from the simultaneous pressing of the determination (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S, the pressing of the selection button 146S is effective, and when pressing of the selection button 146S is stopped. In this case, pressing the enter (call) button 146O is invalid. This is due to the following reason. Since the information display button 146 has a plurality of buttons arranged in a compact configuration, it may be pressed including an unintended button due to a subtle operation error. In such a case, since the operation of the selection button 146S does not relate to the player's decision making action, no problem occurs even if the selection button 146S is enabled, but the operation of the decision (call) button 146O It becomes invalid because it becomes a decision making action that is not intended by the person and causes a problem.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the information display button operation period is (1) the determination (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are pressed at the same time, pressing the determination (call) button 146O is invalid. (2) If the selection button 146S is not pressed and only the determination (call) button 146O is pressed from the state where the determination (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are pressed simultaneously, the determination is made. Pressing the (call) button 146O is invalid.

  Next, the operation of the information display button 146 in wiping and cleaning will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 are operation outline diagrams of the information display button 146 in wiping and cleaning. Specifically, FIG. 4 is directed from the front (the left direction shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is the front) to the back (the right direction shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is the back) with respect to the information display button 146. FIG. 5 shows a wiping cleaning in a direction (a direction from the front to the back is also referred to as a forward direction and a direction from the back to the front is also referred to as a backward direction). FIG. FIG. 6 shows wiping and cleaning in the case of retreating, and FIG. 6 shows wiping and cleaning in the case of retreating from the state of FIG. 4 (d) or FIG. 5 (d). In addition, since it is assumed that the store clerk of the game store wipes and cleans the information display button 146 of the slot machine 100 during business hours, the slot machine 100 to be wiped is a standby game in which no game is being performed. The slot machine 100 is in an information display button operable period.

  When the information display button 146 is wiped from the front to the back with the elephant Z or the like, the elephant Z first presses the lower selection button 146D as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The depression of the lower selection button 146D is not accepted (the operation of the lower selection button 146D cannot be accepted (invalid)). This is because the selection button 146S can accept an operation after the determination (call) button 146O is pressed and the user menu is displayed.

  Next, when the elephant Z goes further in the back direction and the elephant Z presses the lower selection button 146D and the decision (call) button 146O simultaneously as shown in FIG. 4C, the lower selection button 146D and the decision (call) ) None of the buttons 146O are accepted to be pressed (the lower selection button 146D and the decision (call) button 146O cannot be accepted (invalid)). This is because, in this embodiment, simultaneous pressing of two buttons is invalid. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 4C, the enter (call) button 146O is pressed, but the user menu is not displayed.

  Next, when the elephant Z moves further in the back direction and the elephant Z presses only the enter (call) button 146O as shown in FIG. 4D, the press of the enter (call) button 146O is not accepted ( Operation acceptance of the decision (call) button 146O is impossible (invalid)). In the present embodiment, when the state where the determination (calling) button 146O and the selection button 146S are simultaneously pressed is changed to the state where only the determination (calling) button 146O is pressed, the determination (calling) button 146O is changed. This is because pressing of is invalid. Alternatively, the determination (calling) button 146O is pressed over the states shown in FIGS. 4C to 4D, and thus the long pressing of the determination (calling) button 146O is invalid.

  Next, from the state shown in FIG. 4D, the elephant Z is further advanced, and as shown in FIG. 5A, the elephant Z presses the enter (call) button 146O and the up selection button 146U at the same time. In this case, neither the decision (call) button 146O nor the upper selection button 146U is accepted to be pressed (the operation acceptance of the decision (call) button 146O or the upper selection button 146U is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  Next, when the elephant Z goes further in the back direction and only the upper selection button 146U is pressed as shown in FIG. 5B, the upper selection button 146U cannot be pressed (operation reception of the upper selection button 146U is accepted). Is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  Next, when the elephant Z returns to the front side and the elephant Z presses the upper selection button 146U and the decision (call) button 146O simultaneously as shown in FIG. 5C, the upper selection button 146U and the decision (call) Any of the buttons 146O cannot be pressed (the operation reception of the upper selection button 146U and the decision (call) button 146O is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  Next, when the elephant Z returns further forward and the elephant Z presses only the enter (call) button 146O as shown in FIG. 5D, the press of the enter (call) button 146O is not accepted ( Operation acceptance of the decision (call) button 146O is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  When the information display button 146 is wiped and cleaned with the reciprocating operation from the front to the back and then from the back to the front in this way, specifically, the elephant Z is a selection button 146D, a decision (call) button 146O, a selection button. Even when each of the information display buttons 146 is pressed in the order of 146U and the decision (call) button 146O, the user menu is not displayed in a series of operations.

  On the other hand, from the state of FIG. 4D, the elephant Z returns to the front as shown in FIG. 6A, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the elephant Z moves to the down (call) button 146O. When the selection button 146D is pressed at the same time, neither the determination (calling) button 146O nor the lower selection button 146D is received (the operation reception of the determination (calling) button 146O and the lower selection button 146D is impossible (invalid)). . For the same reason as in FIG.

  Next, when the elephant Z is further returned to the near side and only the lower selection button 146D is pressed as shown in FIG. 6C, the lower selection button 146D cannot be pressed (operation reception of the lower selection button 146D is accepted). Is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  That is, even when the elephant Z presses each of the information display buttons 146 in the order of the selection button 146D, the decision (call) button 146O, and the selection button 146D, the user menu is displayed in a series of operations. There is nothing.

  In addition, from the state of FIG. 5D, as shown in FIG. 6A, the elephant Z returns to the near side, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the elephant Z is changed to the enter (call) button 146O. When the lower selection button 146D is pressed at the same time, neither the determination (calling) button 146O nor the lower selection button 146D is accepted (the operation reception of the decision (calling) button 146O and the lower selection button 146D is impossible (invalid)). ). For the same reason as in FIG.

  Next, when the elephant Z returns further to the back and only the lower selection button 146D is pressed as shown in FIG. 6C, the lower selection button 146D cannot be pressed (the operation reception of the lower selection button 146D is accepted). Is impossible (invalid)). For the same reason as in FIG.

  That is, even when the elephant Z presses each of the information display buttons 146 in the order of the selection button 146D, the determination (calling) button 146O, the selection button 146U, the determination (calling) button 146O, and the selection button 146D. The user menu is not displayed during the operation.

  From the above, in the present embodiment, when the information display button 146 is wiped and cleaned with a reciprocating operation in the information display button operable period, that is, (1) as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. When the information display button 146 is wiped and cleaned in the order of the (call) button 146O, the selection button 146U, and the decision (call) button 146O, (2) the selection button 146D and the decision (call) button as shown in FIGS. When the information display button 146 is wiped and cleaned in the order of 146O and the selection button 146D, (3) as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the selection button 146D, the decision (call) button 146O, the selection button 146U, and the decision (call) button When the information display button 146 is wiped and cleaned in the order of 146O and the selection button 146D, the user menu is displayed. Since not being, who do cleaning is released from the trouble of performing display cancellation of the user menu can be efficiently perform wipe. That is, conventionally, when wiping and cleaning the information display button 146 of the slot machine 100 during business hours, the user menu shown in FIG. 3A is displayed when the decision (call) button 146O is touched. It is necessary to position the cursor to the “end” position using the selection button 146S and press the enter (call) button 146O again or insert a medal to cancel the user menu, which is troublesome. was there. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, even if the determination (call) button 146 </ b> O is touched during wiping, the user menu is not displayed, so the information display button 146 is efficiently wiped. be able to.

<Internal configuration>
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 opened.

  The main body 101 is a box body that is surrounded by an upper surface plate 261, a left side plate 260, a right side plate 260, a lower surface plate 264, and a back plate 242 and has an open front surface. Inside the main body 101, a main control board storage case 210 in which a main control board (a board on which a main control unit 300 to be described later is mounted) is stored in a position where it does not overlap with the ventilation port 249 provided on the upper part of the back plate 242. And three reels 110 to 112 are arranged below the main control board storage case 210. The side panel 260 on the left side of the main control board storage case 210 and the reels 110 to 112, that is, the left side plate 260, contains a first sub control board (a board on which a first control unit 400 described later) is stored. A control board storage case 220 is provided. Further, an external concentrated terminal plate 248 that is connected to the main control board and outputs the information of the slot machine 100 to an external device is attached to the side plate 260 on the right side.

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

  In the present embodiment, the above-described features are provided in the operation control of the information display button 146 so that the information display button 146 can be efficiently wiped and cleaned. However, the information display button is turned off with the power switch 244 turned off. If the 146 can be wiped and cleaned, the information display button 146 need not be provided with the operation control function. However, at the amusement store, it is difficult and difficult for the store clerk to wipe and clean after opening the front door 102 and turning off the power switch 244 during business hours, and once the power is turned off again Since it takes time to start up the liquid crystal display device 157 when the power is turned on, it is not realistic to perform wiping and cleaning with the power switch 244 turned off during business hours. For this reason, in this embodiment, the operation control of the information display button 146 has the characteristics described above.

  On the right side of the medal payout device 180, a medal auxiliary storage case 240 for storing medals overflowing from the medal payout device 180 is provided, and an overflow terminal is provided behind this (not shown). The power supply device 252 is provided with a power cord connecting portion for connecting a power cord 265, and the power cord 265 connected thereto extends to the outside through a power cord hole 262 provided in the back plate 242 of the housing 101. ing.

  The front door 102 is hinged to the left side plate 260 of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and an effect device 160 and a second control board (which controls the effect device 160) are provided above the symbol display window 113. An illustration is omitted: a substrate on which a second control unit 500 to be described later is mounted) and an upper speaker 272 are provided. Below the symbol display window 113 are provided a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, a passage 266 through which the medal passes when the medal selector 170 drops an illegal medal or the like on the medal tray 161. ing. Further, a bass speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the sound hole 191.

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

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

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. A ROM 306 for storing a position, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency It is installed. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The basic circuit 302 includes a random number generation circuit 316 that is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535, and a start signal output circuit 332 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 332, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts a main control unit main process described later).

  Further, the basic circuit 302 is provided with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 every interruption time). Medal medal acceptance sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal medal payout sensor paid out from medal payout device 180, index sensor for reel 110, The status of the index sensor of the reel 111, the index sensor of the reel 112, the setting key switch 281 sensor, the reset switch 291 sensor, the setting change button 292 sensor, etc.) is monitored.

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

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

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the case input operation. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 180. The setting key switch 281 sensor is provided in the setting key switch 281 and detects the ON / OFF state of the setting key switch 281. The reset switch 291 sensor is provided in the reset switch 291 and detects the operation of the reset switch 291. The setting change button 292 sensor is provided on the setting change button 292 and detects an operation of the setting change button 292. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, and the index sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and each time a light shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes through L Become a level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 180. A drive circuit 326 for driving a motor, and various lamps 338 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, a stored number indicator 125, a game information display 126, a payout number display 127, and a drive circuit 328 for driving the reel backlight 285).

  In addition, an information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is slotted into an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. The information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can transmit a signal such as a command to the first sub control unit 400, but the first sub control A signal such as a command cannot be transmitted from the unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

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

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

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

  The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422. Various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel lamp 164, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. Is connected.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sensor circuit 432, and the CPU 404 monitors the state of the operation unit sensor 431 for each interrupt time. The operation unit sensor 431 is provided on the information display button 146 and detects pressing of the information display button 146. The operation unit sensor 431 is provided for each of the six buttons constituting the information display button 146, and detects pressing of each button.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 controls the effect image display device 157, the shutter 163, and the like. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be configured by a plurality of control units such as a control unit that controls the effect image display device 157 and a control unit that controls the shutter 163.

  Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 receives a control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface, and includes a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter for measuring time, frequency, and the like. A timer 512 is mounted. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a ROM 506 that stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

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

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 for driving the shutter 163, and the shutter 163 is connected to the drive circuit 530 via an output interface. The drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a sensor circuit 532, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 every interruption time.

  The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 534 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 536 are connected to the VDP 534 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 536, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

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

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

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

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

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

  The “regular bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning. The corresponding symbol combination is “RB symbol (also called bonus) -RB symbol-RB symbol”. Note that the RB carries over the flag as well as the above-mentioned BB. However, in the big bonus game (BB game), the start of the big bonus game without having the start condition that the regular bonus game (RB game) is won internally or the symbol combination is displayed on the winning line. A regular bonus game may be set to automatically start such that when a regular bonus game is started later and one regular bonus game is completed, the next regular bonus game is immediately started.

  “A small role (cherry, watermelon, bell) (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as“ cherry ”,“ watermelon ”,“ bell ”) is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning, and the corresponding pattern As for combinations, cherry is “cherry symbol-ANY symbol-ANY symbol”, watermelon is “watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol”, and bell is “bell symbol-bell symbol-bell symbol”. Further, the corresponding payout number is as shown in the figure, with 4 cherries, 12 watermelons, and 8 bells. In the case of “cherry symbol-ANY symbol-ANY symbol”, the symbol of the left reel 110 may be a “cherry” symbol, and the symbol of the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbol.

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

  Here, an outline of the internal winning probability of the winning combination will be outlined.

  For the internal winning probability of each combination, the numerical data corresponding to the range of the lottery data associated with each combination is represented by the numerical data in the range of random values acquired in the internal lottery described later (in this embodiment, 65536). It is calculated by dividing by. The lottery data is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each combination and lose is associated with each numerical range. In a winning combination internal lottery process to be described later, it is determined whether the random value obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to any of the combinations, and the internal winning combination is determined. Actually, in this lottery data, settings 1 to 6 are prepared in which the winning probabilities of at least one combination are different, and a clerk of the game shop can arbitrarily select and set any set value. .

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, the main process of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit 300.

  Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 304 of the main controller 300, and the CPU 304 repeatedly executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG.

  When the power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step S101. In this initial setting, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of interrupt prohibition, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, operation permission to the WDT 314, and initial setting Set the value.

  In step S102, a game start process is executed. In the game start process, an error check regarding medal overflow in the medal auxiliary storage case 240, setting of an automatic trigger (SRB), updating of a bonus signal, setting of a prescribed number of medals, and preparation for transmission of a game start command indicating the start of the game are performed. Do. Also, if the replay (replay) is won internally, the medal inserted number is set to the number of medals inserted in the previous game, and if the regame (replay) is not won internally, the game is in a non-game state Set the game idle timer to monitor the time.

  In step S103, medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of the medal. In addition, preparation is made for transmitting a medal insertion command indicating that a medal has been inserted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that when a re-win is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that it is not necessary for the player to insert medals. Also, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined and the start lever 135 is operated with respect to the first sub-control unit 400. Prepare to send a start lever acceptance command indicating that.

  In step S104, the number of inserted medals is determined, and an effective winning line is determined.

  In step S105, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired.

  In step S106, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read according to the current gaming state, and an internal lottery is performed using this and the random number value acquired in step S104. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination (including an operating combination) is won internally, the condition device (flag) of the internal winning combination is activated (the winning combination flag is turned ON). Further, in this step S106, preparation is made for transmitting an internal lottery command indicating the result of the winning combination internal lottery to the first sub-control unit 400. For example, when a re-game (replay) is won internally, the internal lottery command indicating that the re-game (replay) is internally won is prepared for transmission to the first sub-control unit 400, and the winning combination internal lottery If the result is a loss (no winning combination), preparation for transmitting an internal lottery command indicating a loss to the first sub-control unit 400 is made.

  In step S107, reel stop data is selected based on the internal lottery result in step S106.

  In step S108, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started. In step S108, preparation is made to transmit a reel rotation start command indicating that the reels 110 to 112 have started to rotate to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S109, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel stop data selected in step S106 is one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop button. Stop based on. When all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S109, for each stop operation, a stop button reception command related to the stop buttons 137 to 139 that have been stopped (specifically, for the first stop operation, the stop button reception 1 command, the second stop operation In response to the stop button reception 2 command and the third stop operation, the stop button reception 3 command) is prepared for transmission to the first sub-control unit 400. Reel stop command related to the stop position (specifically, a reel stop 1 command for the first stop reel, a reel stop 2 command for the second stop operation, and a reel stop for the third stop operation. 3 commands) is prepared for transmission to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S110, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a picture combination corresponding to some winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol” is aligned on the activated winning line, it is determined that the watermelon symbol is won. Further, in this step S110, preparation is made for transmitting a display determination command indicating the result of the winning determination to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S111, a medal payout process is performed. In this medal payout process, if a winning combination with a payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In step S112, a game state control process is performed in which control for shifting the game state is performed. For example, in the case of winning a BB (big bonus), preparation is made so that the BB gaming state can be started from the next time. In step S112, preparation is made for transmitting a gaming state command indicating the gaming state. For example, when the gaming state is a BB game, preparation is made to transmit a game information command indicating the BB game.

  Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S102 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.

  The various commands prepared in the above steps are transmitted in a command setting transmission process (step S1006 in FIG. 10) of the main control unit timer interrupt process described later.

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

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 1.5 ms), and the main control unit timer is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. Interrupt processing is executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S1001, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step S1002, the WDT is counted periodically (to prevent detection of processing abnormality) so that the WDT 314 count value exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and no WDT interruption occurs. In the embodiment, the restart is performed once in about 1.5 ms which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S1003, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port state update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and various sensors 318 (for example, door opening / closing) are stored in the RAM 308. Each sensor 294, setting key switch sensor, reset switch sensor, etc.) is stored in a signal state storage area provided separately.

  In step S1004, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing according to this status is performed. For example, if the interrupt status is in the medal insertion process, the medal insertion acceptance process is performed. If the interrupt status is in the payout process, the medal payout process is performed.

  In step S1005, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step S1006, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, basic command, start lever reception command, internal lottery command, rotation start command for starting rotation of reels 110 to 112, stop button for receiving operation of stop buttons 137 to 139 A reception command, a stop position information command associated with the stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command associated with the medal payout processing, a payout end command, etc.), and bits 0 to 10 are command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type). It is composed.

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

  In step S1007, external signal output processing is performed. In this external signal output process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652 that is separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S1008, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S1003 are read, the presence / absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality, etc. are monitored, and an error is detected. Performs error handling. Further, according to the current gaming state, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 338, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set.

  In step S1009, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. If the low voltage signal is on (when the power supply is detected to be shut off), the process proceeds to step S1011. If the low voltage signal is off (when the power supply is not shut off), the process proceeds to step S1010.

  In step S1010, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S1001 is set in each original register. Thereafter, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S1011, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as input / output port initialization is performed. Then, the process returns to the main control unit main process shown in FIG.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
The process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4B is a flowchart of command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and FIG. 4C is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. These are the flowcharts of the timer interruption process of the 1st sub control part 400. FIG.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S2001. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed. In the present embodiment, the power mode is set. Specifically, the power mode set in the RAM 408 is taken over as it is before the power is turned off. For example, if the power mode before the power is shut off is the normal mode, the power saving mode is set if the normal mode is the power saving mode. At the time of factory shipment, the power saving mode is set to the normal mode.

  In step S2002, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 5 or more, and this process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 5. When the timer variable becomes 5 or more, the process proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2003, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

  In step S2004, a first sub control unit command input process (details will be described later) is performed. In the first sub control unit command input process, it is determined whether or not a command is received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S2005, an information display button reception process (details will be described later) for determining whether to accept the operation of the information display button 146 is performed.

  In step S2006, an effect control process is performed. For example, when there is a new command in step S2004, the effect data is read from the ROM 406 based on the result of each event process (for example, effect setting process, gaming state control process, etc.) corresponding to this command. When the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data of each effect device (speaker, lamp, liquid crystal image display device, shutter, etc.) is updated.

  In step S2007, a sound control process is performed. In the sound control process, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S2006, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step S2008, a lamp control process (described later in detail) is performed.

  In step S2009, information output processing is performed. In the information output process, when there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in step S2006, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S2002. As a result, the set control command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  Next, the first sub control unit 400 command input process will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub control unit 400 command input process is a flowchart showing the flow of the first sub control unit 400 command input process in step S2004 of FIG.

  In step S2101, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed command in the command storage area of the RAM 408. If there is an unprocessed command, the process proceeds to step S2102, and if there is no unprocessed command, the first sub-control unit 400 command input process is terminated.

  In step S2102, the process jumps to a process corresponding to an unprocessed command. For example, when an unprocessed command is a game start command, a game start process (details will be described later), when an unprocessed command is a medal insertion command, a medal insertion process (not described), when a start lever is received In the case of a command, processing at the time of accepting a start lever (explanation is omitted), in the case of an internal lottery command, processing at the time of internal lottery (details will be described later), and in the case of a stop button 1 to 3 acceptance command, the stop button 1 -3 processing at the time of reception (explanation is omitted), in the case of a display determination command, processing at the time of display determination (explanation is omitted), in the case of a gaming state command, processing at the time of gaming state control (explanation is omitted), unprocessed If the command is a checkout command, the process jumps to a checkout process (described later in detail). The settlement command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 when the settlement button 134 is operated.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S2201 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

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

  In step S2301, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S2002 in the first sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Accordingly, in step S2002, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 5 or more every 10 ms (2 ms × 5).

  In step S2302, an information display button detection information update process (details will be described later) for updating the information display button detection information is executed.

  In step S2303, an effect random number update process is performed.

<Processing at game start>
Next, the game start process will be described with reference to FIG. The game start process is an event process that is executed when the unprocessed command is a game start command in step S2102 of FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the game start process.

  In step S2401, it is determined whether or not a re-game is won in the previous game. If a re-game is won in the previous game, the game start process is terminated. If a re-game is not won in the previous game, the process proceeds to step S2402.

  In step S2402, an initial value is set in the demonstration timer. The demonstration timer is a timer for monitoring the non-game state time. When it is determined that a predetermined time (a time corresponding to the initial value) has elapsed based on the demonstration timer, a demonstration effect is executed.

  In step S2403, the game medal insertion possible lamp 124 indicating that game medals can be inserted is turned on.

  In step S2404, the operation reception of the information display button 146 is set to be enabled (valid). That is, the information display button operable period is started.

  In step S2405, the enter (call) button 146O is turned on. The lighting of the decision (call) button 146O indicates that the operation can be accepted for the decision (call) button 146O, that is, the information display button operation period, and the decision (call) button 146O is unlit. ) Button 146O cannot accept operations (invalid), that is, the information display button operation is disabled.

<Processing at checkout>
Next, the adjustment processing will be described with reference to FIG. The settlement processing is event processing that is executed when the unprocessed command is a settlement command in step S2102 of FIG. In addition, the figure is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of adjustment.

  In step S2501, the operation display of the information display button 146 is set to be enabled (valid). That is, the information display button operable period is started.

  In step S2502, the enter (call) button 146O is turned on.

  In step S2503, other processes related to the settlement process are executed. For example, the production data for executing the demonstration production is reserved and set.

<Processing at the time of medal insertion>
Next, the medal insertion process will be described with reference to FIG. The medal insertion process is an event process that is executed when the unprocessed command is a medal insertion in step S2102 of FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the medal insertion process.

  In step S2601, the operation reception of the information display button 146 is set to impossible (invalid). That is, the information display button operable period ends, and the information display button disabled period starts.

  In step S2602, the decision (call) button 146O that is lit is turned off.

  In step S2603, other processing relating to medal insertion is executed. For example, the game medal insertion enabling lamp 124 is turned off, and the effect data related to the medal insertion sound is reserved and set.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the period from the start of the game until the medal is inserted is the information display button operable period. Even if the information display button operation is disabled, when the settlement button 134 is operated, the information display button operation enabled period is started again.

  In the information display button 146 of the present embodiment, as described above, simultaneous pressing of the selection button 146S and the determination (call) button 146O is invalid, and long press of the determination (call) button 146O is not performed. Even in such a case, the decision (call) button 146O is kept lit during the information display button operable period. This is to indicate that the information display button operable period is continued and to make the determination (call) button 146O dirty.

<Information display button detection information update processing>
Next, the information display button detection information update process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the information display button detection information update process in step S2302 of FIG.

  Here, before explaining the processing flow shown in FIG. 14, the information display button detection information will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information display button detection information.

  The information display button detection information is 2-byte information related to detection of pressing of the information display button 146, and is stored in the information display button detection information storage area of the RAM 408.

  Specifically, the upper 1 byte is information on pressing each of the six buttons of the information display button 146. The pressed information is information indicating whether the button is in a pressed state or a non-pressed state. In this embodiment, “1” is displayed when the button is pressed (the port of the button is ON), and the button is not pressed (the button is pressed). "0" is set in the case of the port of (OFF). As shown in FIG. 14, bit 0 is the upper selection button 146U, bit 1 is the lower selection button 146D, bit 2 is the left selection button 146L, bit 3 is the right selection button 146R, bit 4 is the decision (selection button) 146O, bit 5 is assigned information of pressing the cancel button 146C.

  Further, the lower 1 byte is switching information for each of the six buttons of the information display button 146. The switching information is information indicating whether the pressed / non-pressed state of the button has been switched. In the present embodiment, the switching information indicates whether the pressed / non-pressed state has changed since the previous timer interruption. When there is a change (when the button port is OFF → ON or ON → OFF), “1”, when there is no change (the button port is OFF → OFF or ON → In the case of ON state), “0” is set. Similarly to the upper 1 byte, bit 0 is the upper selection button 146U, bit 1 is the lower selection button 146D, bit 2 is the left selection button 146L, bit 3 is the right selection button 146R, bit 4 is the decision (selection button) 146O, bit 5 is assigned switching information of the cancel button 146C. In the following, the pressed state is also referred to as an ON state, and the non-pressed state is also referred to as an OFF state.

  Returning to FIG. 14, in step S2901, the information display button detection information pressing information stored in the information display button detection information storage area of the RAM 408 is acquired (pressing information in the previous first sub control unit timer interrupt process), The acquired pressing information is saved in the previous pressing information storage area of the RAM 408 as the previous pressing information.

  In step S2902, the port state (ON state / OFF state) of each button of the information display button 146 is acquired, and information display button detection information of the RAM 408 is acquired based on the acquired port state of each button of the information display button 146. The pressing information of the information display button detection information stored in the storage area is updated. Specifically, if the port state of the predetermined button of the information display button 146 is ON, “1” is set in the bit string corresponding to the predetermined button, and “0” is set in the bit string corresponding to the predetermined button if the state is OFF. Overwrite and update.

  In step S2903, the saved previous press information is compared with the updated press information for each button of the information display button 146.

  In step S2904, the switching information stored in the information display button detection information storage area of the RAM 408 is updated based on the comparison in step S2903. Specifically, as a result of the comparison, switching information is generated for each button of the information display button 146, and the generated switching information is overwritten and updated. For example, when the previous pressing information regarding the upper selection button 146U is “0” and the pressing information is “1”, the switching information “1” regarding the upper selection button 146U is generated. Further, when the previous pressing information regarding the determination (selection button) 146O is “0” and the pressing information is “0”, the switching information “0” regarding the determination (selection button) 146O is generated.

  The information display button detection information update process shown in FIG. 14 is one process of the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms). The button detection information is obtained every interrupt time regardless of whether the operation of the information display button 146 can be accepted (whether it is the information display button operation period or the information display button operation period). Updated. That is, detection of pressing / non-pressing of the information display button 146 is always performed.

<Information display button reception processing>
Next, the information display button reception process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the information display button receiving process in step S2005 of FIG.

  In step S2701, it is determined whether or not the operation reception for the information display button 146 is possible (valid) (whether or not it is the information display button operation enabled period). If the operation reception for the information display button 146 is possible (valid), the process proceeds to step S2702, and if the operation reception for the information display button 146 is impossible (invalid), the information display button reception process is terminated. .

  In step S2702, information display button detection information stored in the RAM 408 is acquired.

  In step S2703, it is determined whether all six buttons are in the OFF state based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information. If all the six buttons are in the OFF state, the information display button reception process is terminated. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2704.

  In step S2704, based on the acquired switching information of the information display button detection information, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the ON / OFF state of any of the information display buttons 146. If there is a change in the ON / OFF state of any button, the process proceeds to step S2705; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2708.

  In step S2705, 350 is set as the long press detection determination value. Here, the long press detection determination value is a threshold value for determining the long press of the information display button 146, and 350 means 350 ms (as shown in FIG. 12A) This is a loop process executed every 10 ms). That is, in this embodiment, when any button has a state change, 350 ms is set as a threshold value, and it is determined that there is a long press when a time equal to or greater than the threshold value has elapsed. This is a measure for determining that a continuous press within a predetermined time (350 ms in the present embodiment) is a single press and preventing a player from determining a long press and an unintentional press as a long press. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately determine the difference between pressing the selection button 146S that is permitted to be pressed once and pressing the button once.

  In step S2706, a button whose state has changed from the OFF state to the ON state is acquired based on the acquired switching information of the information display button detection information. If there is no button whose state has changed from the OFF state to the ON state, no acquisition is made.

  In step S2707, based on the button information acquired in step S2706, it is determined whether there is a button that has changed from the OFF state to the ON state. If there is a button whose pressed state has changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2711. If not, the information display button reception process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S2708, since any one of the buttons is kept pressed (the ON state is maintained), 10 is subtracted from the long press detection determination value. Here, 10 subtraction of the long press detection determination value means 10 ms subtraction.

  In step S2709, it is determined whether or not the subtracted long press detection determination value is zero. If the subtracted long press detection determination value is 0, the process proceeds to step S2710. If not, the information display button reception process ends.

  In step S2710, 50 is set as the long press detection determination value, and the flow proceeds to step S2711. Here, the long press detection determination value of 50 means 50 ms. That is, when it is determined that the button is long-pressed, the execution button determination process described later is not executed every time in the information display button reception process, but after any button has changed in its pressed / non-pressed state. The execution button determination process is executed only when 350 ms elapses or when {350 + 50 × n (n is a natural number)} ms elapses.

  In step S2711, execution button determination processing (details will be described later) for determining an execution button from the information display buttons 146 is performed.

  In step S2712, processing corresponding to the function of the execution button determined in step S2711 is executed.

  Specifically, the following processing is performed when (1) the user menu is not displayed or (2) the user menu is displayed.

(1) When the user menu is not displayed The execution button is one of “none”, a cancel button 146C, and a selection button 146S (upper selection button 146U, lower selection button 146D, left selection button 146L, right selection button 146R). When it is determined, the process assigned to the execution button is not performed. That is, in the present embodiment, when the user menu is not displayed, it is impossible (invalid) to accept the operation of the selection button 146S.

  On the other hand, when the execution button is the enter (call) button 146O, the user menu is displayed.

(2) When the user menu is displayed: The process assigned to the execution button is executed. For example, when the execution button is the up selection button 146U, the cursor is moved to the next upper object, and when the execution button is the determination (call) button 146O, the function of determining the object where the cursor is positioned is executed. .

  Note that the determination in step S2707 is NO, and the case where the information display button reception process is terminated is, for example, that both the decision (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are in the ON state (simultaneous ON state at one detection timing). This is a case where one of the buttons is turned off.

<Execution button decision processing>
Next, the execution button determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the execution button determination process in step S2711 of FIG.

  In step S2801, whether or not only the upper selection button 146U is in the ON state (bit 0 of the pressing information in FIG. 15 is 1) is determined based on the pressing information of the acquired information display button detection information. If only the upper selection button 146U is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2802, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2803.

  In step S2802, only the upper selection button 146U is pressed, so the upper selection button 146U is determined as an execution button.

  In step S2803, based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information, it is determined whether only the lower selection button 146D is in the ON state (bit 1 of the pressed information in FIG. 15 is 1). If only the lower selection button 146D is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2804, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2805.

  In step S2804, since only the lower selection button 146D is pressed, the lower selection button 146D is determined as an execution button.

  In step S2805, based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information, it is determined whether only the left selection button 146L is in the OFF state (bit 2 of the pressed information in FIG. 15 is 1). If only the left selection button 146L is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2806, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2807.

  In step S2806, since only the left selection button 146L is pressed, the left selection button 146L is determined as an execution button.

  In step S2807, based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information, it is determined whether only the right selection button 146R is in the ON state (bit 3 of the pressed information in FIG. 15 is 1). If only the right selection button 146R is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2808; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2809.

  In step S2808, since only the right selection button 146R is pressed, the right selection button 146R is determined as an execution button.

  In step S2809, based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information, only the decision (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C is in the ON state (only bit 4 or 5 of the pressed information in FIG. 15 is 1). Determine whether or not. If only the enter (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S2811, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2810.

  In step S2810, since two or more buttons are pressed at the same time, the execution button is determined as “none” (FIGS. 4C, 5A, 5C, and 6B). reference).

  In step S2811, it is determined whether the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information matches the switching information. If the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information matches the switching information, the process proceeds to step S2813, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2812. Here, when only the enter (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C is in the ON state and the pressing information of the acquired information display button detection information matches the switching information, the enter (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C Indicates that the button is not long-pressed, the decision (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C is in the ON state, and the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information does not match the switching information. A case where the long press of the 146O or the cancel button 146C is shown.

  In step S2812, only the enter (call) button 146O or the cancel button 146C is pressed for a long time, so the execution button is determined as “none”.

  In step S2813, based on the pressed information of the acquired information display button detection information, it is determined whether only the determination (call) button 146O is in the ON state (bit 4 is 1). If only the enter (call) button 146O is in the ON state (bit 4 is 1), the process proceeds to step S2815. Otherwise, only the cancel button 146C is in the ON state (bit 5 is 1). The process proceeds to step S2814.

  In step S2814, since only the cancel button 146C is pressed, the cancel button 146C is determined as an execution button.

  In step S2815, since only the determination (call) button 146O is pressed, the determination (call) button 146O is determined as an execution button.

  Note that if either the enter (call) button 146O or the select button 146S is turned on and the other button is turned off, as described above, the information display button reception process shown in FIG. 16 accepts NO in step S2707. 16 is not executed in the information display button reception process, but the execution button reception process is executed in the information display button reception process after 350 ms from the information display button reception process. The execution button is determined.

  For example, when the decision (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are in the ON state, the decision (call) button 146O is in the OFF state, and the selection button 146S remains in the ON state (the selection button 146S is held down), 350 ms Since it is determined YES in any of steps S2801, S2803, S2805, or S2807 of the subsequent information display button reception process, the selection button 146S that remains in the ON state is determined as the execution button. That is, when the enter (call) button 146O and the select button 146S are in the ON state and only the enter (call) button 146O is in the OFF state, it is effective to press the select button 146S (long press).

  On the other hand, when the enter (call) button 146O and the select button 146S are in the ON state, the select button 146S is turned off, and the enter (call) button 146O remains in the ON state (the enter (call) button 146O is pressed and held). Is determined to be NO in step S2811 of the information display button reception process after 350 ms, and therefore the execution button is determined as “none”. That is, when the selection (calling) button 146O and the selection button 146S are turned on and only the selection button 146S is turned off, the pressing (long pressing) of the decision (calling) button 146O is invalid (FIG. 4 ( d) and FIG. 5 (d)).

<Processing of second sub-control unit>
The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 7B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 8C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  First, the main process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in S4001. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step S4002, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S4003.

  In step S4003, 0 is substituted for the timer variable.

  In step S4004, command processing is performed. The CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 determines whether a command has been received from the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S4005, an effect control process is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S4004, the effect data corresponding to the command is read from the ROM 506, and if the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data is updated.

  In step S4006, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S4005, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S4007, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S4005, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S4002.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the second sub control unit 500 detects the strobe signal output from the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S4101 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the first sub-control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Next, the second sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle, and executes a timer interrupt process at a predetermined cycle triggered by this timer interrupt.

  In step S4201, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S4002 in the second sub-control unit main process shown in FIG.

  In step S4202, various update processes for updating the production random number and the like are performed.

  Next, the image control processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6D is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the image control process in step S4007 of FIG.

  In step S4301, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 536. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the effect image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 536), and the like in the attribute register of the VDP 534 based on the position information table, and then the image from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536. Set an instruction to start data transfer. The VDP 534 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 534 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step S4302, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal from VDP 534 is input. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S4303. If not, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it.

  In step S4303, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536 in step S4301, the CPU 504 includes information on image data constituting the display image (coordinate axes and image sizes of the VRAM 536). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 534. The VDP 534 performs parameter setting in accordance with the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step S4304, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to start drawing an image. The VDP 534 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504.

  In step S4305, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 based on the end of image drawing has been input. If a generation end interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S4306; Wait for input.

  In step S4306, a scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

Second Embodiment
In the above embodiment, even when the information display button is available, if (1) the decision (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are pressed simultaneously, (2) the decision (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S are simultaneously When the state is changed from the pressed state to the state where only the enter (call) button 146O is pressed, the operation reception of the enter (call) button 146O is impossible (invalid), but the enter (call) button 146O The condition for disabling (invalidating) the operation reception is not limited to this. For example, the determination (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S may not be pressed simultaneously. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which it is impossible (invalid) to accept the operation of the enter (call) button 146O before a minute fixed time elapses after the selection button 146S is pressed (for example, less than 750 ms) ( Second embodiment). Even in this case, the information display button 146 can be suitably applied to efficient wiping and cleaning. On the other hand, when the selection button 146S is pressed before a minute fixed time has elapsed (for example, less than 750 ms) after the determination (calling) button 146O having the reverse operation order is pressed, the determination (calling) button 146O is pressed. Operation acceptance should not be disabled (invalid). This is because it is a normal operation procedure when displaying the user menu.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the execution button determination process of the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the determination button reconfirmation process in step S3016 of FIG.

  Steps S3001 to S3015 in the execution button determination process of the second embodiment are the same as the execution button determination process of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the execution button determination process of the second embodiment, after the process of step S3002, S3004, S3006, S3008, step S3010, S3012, S3014 or S3015, a determination button reconfirmation process (details will be described later) is performed in step S3016.

  Here, the determination button reconfirmation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In step S3101, it is determined whether a user menu is displayed. If the user menu is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S3102. If the user menu is displayed, the determination button reconfirmation process is terminated.

  In step S3102, it is determined whether the determined execution button is “none”. When the determined execution button is “none”, the determination button reconfirmation process is terminated, and the determined execution button is not “none”, that is, any of the information display buttons 146 is an execution button. If determined, the process proceeds to step S3103.

  In step S3103, it is determined whether the determined execution button is a determination (call) button 146O. If the determined execution button is the determination (call) button 146O, the process proceeds to step S3105, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3104.

  In step S3104, the current value of a timer (hereinafter referred to as a first timer) that is counted up every 10 ms since the power is turned on is set as the final depression timer value. That is, the value of the first timer at the time when a button (select button 146S, cancel button 146C) other than the enter (call) button 146O is pressed is set as the final pressed timer value. In addition, after the process of step S3104 is completed, the determination button reconfirmation process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step S3105, 750 ms is added to the final pressing timer value set in step S3104. This is because the minute fixed time described above is set to 750 ms in the present embodiment.

  In step S3106, it is determined whether or not the current timer value of the first timer is smaller than the final pressing timer value added in step S3105. This determination is performed to determine whether or not the decision (call) button 146O has been pressed before 750 ms has elapsed since a button other than the decision (call) button 146O (selection button 146S, cancel button 146C) has been pressed. is there. When the current timer value of the first timer is smaller than the final pressing timer value added in step S3105, 750 ms has elapsed since the button other than the [decision (call) button 146O (selection button 146S, cancel button 146C)] was pressed. If the determination (call) button 146O has been pressed before proceeding], the process proceeds to step S3107. Otherwise, the buttons other than the [decision (call) button 146O (selection button 146S, cancel button 146C) have been pressed]. If the determination (call) button 146O is pressed after 750 ms or more], the determination button reconfirmation process is terminated.

  In step S3107, the execution button is determined as “none”. That is, if the determination (call) button 146O is pressed before 750 ms has elapsed since the button (selection button 146S, cancel button 146C) other than the determination (call) button 146O is pressed, the execution once determined Cancel the button and set the execution button to “None”.

  In the determination button reconfirmation process shown in FIG. 20, the minute fixed time is set to 750 ms, but the value of the minute fixed time is not limited to this. That is, various suitable values are assumed depending on the specifications of the information display button 146 of the slot machine 100 (for example, the distance between the buttons, the length of the pressing stroke, etc.).

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the user menu (player information) displayed when the information display button 146 is operated is a menu for setting the player's individual game history information. The display screen displayed when 146 is operated is not limited to this. For example, a menu screen for setting the player's individual performance, a screen for displaying a game description telop, a screen for displaying base data (display screen for bonus winning times, slump graphs, etc.), and setting a power saving mode for lamps and sounds It may be player information such as a screen that can be played. Here, specifically, the menu screen for setting the player's individual performance is assumed to be a menu screen for selecting a user's favorite performance mode from among a plurality of performance modes. It is also possible to use a screen for selecting a character or stage to be selected (either a fixed selection method or a random setting method). Further, the user menu (player information) may be a menu for selecting a game medium payout rate (out of play). For example, two modes related to ART (assist replay time) may be provided in advance, and either one may be selected from the user menu. As an example, a ball appearance mode A in which an ART composed of one set of 10 games is continuously set with a probability α, and a ball appearance mode B in which an ART composed of one set of 20 games is continued with a probability β (<α). And may be selected in accordance with the player's preference.

  Further, the information display button 146 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2, and is arranged in the vicinity so that one of the decision (call) button 146 O and each selection button 146 S constituting the information display button 146 can be touched with one hand. Any shape may be used as long as it is. However, as shown in FIG. 2 of the above-described embodiment, in the case of a compact configuration in which the decision (call) button 146O and each selection button 146S are touched by two adjacent fingers, they are simultaneously or continuously in wiping. Accordingly, since the opportunity to touch the decision (call) button 146O and the selection button 146S is increased, the above-described pressing control of the information display button 146 functions more effectively.

  In the above embodiment, the information display button 146 can be accepted during the information display button operation period regardless of the gaming state (whether or not the bonus is in effect). An information display button operable period may be set. For example, the information display button operable period may not be set when the gaming state is during the bonus, and the information display button operable period may be set when the gaming state is not during the bonus.

  In the above embodiment, even if the determination (call) button 146O is operated after the selection button 146S is operated first, the operation reception of the determination (call) button 146O is invalidated. It may be realized by processing. For example, (1) if the slot machine 100 is in a standby state and the selection button 146S is pressed first, the result of detecting the pressing (calling) button 146O (pressing information) is not acquired (2 ) When the slot machine 100 is in a standby state and the selection button 146S is detected to be pressed first, the result of pressing the decision (call) button 146O (press information) is determined from the time when the selection button 146S is detected. Time, processing not acquired, etc. By executing such processing, when the slot machine 100 is in a standby state and the selection button 146S is detected to be pressed first, the determination (calling) is performed even if the determination (calling) button 146O is operated. Since the pressing information of the button 146O is not acquired, the operation reception of the decision (call) button 146O is not valid.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the information display button of the slot machine has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to information display buttons of other game machines such as pachinko machines.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, “a launching device 1010 that launches a game ball in a predetermined game area 1002, a start winning opening 1006 configured to allow a game ball launched from the launching device 1010 to enter, and a start prize A detecting means 1008 for detecting a game ball that has entered the mouth 1006; and a payout means 1012 for paying out a game ball when the detecting means 1008 detects a game ball (or a giving means for giving a price corresponding to the game ball); The variable display device 1004 that variably displays a predetermined symbol (identification information) is provided, and when the game ball is detected by the detection means 1008, the variable display device 1004 stops the display after changing the symbol, An information display button 146 may be provided on the pachinko machine 1000 ”that notifies the game state transition. In this case, for example, the operation of the information display button 146 may be accepted (valid) when the game other than the jackpot is in a non-game state (when the change of the special figure is stopped). In addition to this, it may be possible (valid) from the start of fluctuation of a special figure to the stop of fluctuation of any decorative symbol. Of course, this is only an example, and the operation reception of the information display button 146 may be enabled (valid) even during the jackpot. And the operation control function with respect to the information display button 146 mentioned above may be mounted in such a pachinko machine 1000.

  It should be noted that the user menu displayed by accepting the operation of the information display button 146 during the period during which the operation of the information display button 146 can be accepted (valid) is input to the end instruction from the user menu or the start winning opening 1006. When the detecting means 1008 detects the game ball that has been balled, it is closed (not displayed).

<Summary of Embodiment>
As described above, according to the gaming table (for example, the slot machine 100) of the above embodiment, the display means (for example, the effect image display device 157) for displaying information related to the game, and the player can operate. A first button (for example, a decision (call) button 146O) that can accept an operation in a standby state (for example, an information display button operable period) at least when no game is being performed; Display control means for displaying player information for a player (for example, a user menu indicating game history information of each player) on the display means when an operation of one button is accepted. For example, the first sub-control unit 400, the information display acceptance process S2005), and a button that can be operated by the player, disposed near the first button, and operated by the first button. A second button (e.g., a selection button 146 </ b> S) that can accept an operation after the acceptance is performed, and a detection unit (e.g., a first button that detects pressing of the first button and the second button). A sub-control unit 400 and an information display button detection information update process S2302), wherein the second button is a button group including two buttons, the third button and the second button. Four buttons (for example, two buttons, a lower selection button 146D and an upper selection button 146U, and a left selection button 146L and a right selection button 146R), the first button, the third button, and the first button The four buttons are arranged on a substantially straight line, and the first button is arranged at a substantially center between the third button and the fourth button, and the first button is detected in the standby state. In the first state where none of the third button and the fourth button has been detected at one detection timing when the first button has been pressed. The first detection is performed when the operation of the first button is accepted and the first button is detected to be pressed in the standby state and the first button is detected to be pressed. In the case of the second state in which the pressing of the third button is detected at the timing (for example, in the case of FIG. 4C), the second button is not accepted and the second button is not accepted. After the state, the first button pressing detection continues from the second state, and the first button pressing detection is detected at one detection timing when the first button pressing is detected. In the third state (for example, figure In the case of (a), operation accepting means that does not accept the operation of the first button (for example, the first sub-control unit 400, information display acceptance processing S2005, execution button determination processing S2711, determination button reconfirmation processing) S3016) is a basic configuration.

  In the above basic configuration, the second button is configured as a button group including two buttons, and in the standby state, the first button and the third button are operated simultaneously, the first button and the fourth button. Even if wiping and cleaning are performed in the order of simultaneous button operation, the first button operation is not accepted (invalid), so the store clerk at the amusement store touches the first button that displays information when wiping and cleaning. Even if it does, the operation | work which cancels an information display becomes unnecessary and it can wipe off efficiently.

  As an example of the basic configuration, the operation accepting unit may detect the first button when only the first button is detected between the second state and the third state. It is preferable not to accept the operation.

  In this case, when there is a state where only the first button is pressed without simultaneously pressing the first button and the second button in a series of wiping and cleaning, that is, the first button and the second button. Even if the interval between the three buttons or the interval between the first button and the fourth button is slightly open, it will be impossible (invalid) to accept the operation of the first button. However, even if the first button for displaying information is touched during wiping and cleaning, the operation for canceling the information display is not necessary, and wiping and cleaning can be performed efficiently.

  As an example of the basic configuration, the operation accepting unit is in the second state again after the third state, and detection of pressing of the first button is continued from the third state. In the case of being pressed (for example, when the buttons are pressed in the order of FIG. 4C, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6B), it is preferable not to accept the operation of the first button.

  In this case, in the standby state, the simultaneous operation of the first button and the third button, the simultaneous operation of the first button and the fourth button, and the simultaneous operation of the first button and the third button. Even if wiping is performed, the first button operation is not accepted (invalid) throughout the series of operations, so that the store clerk at the amusement store displays information during wiping and cleaning with a reciprocating motion. Even if one button is touched, the operation of canceling the information display is not required, and wiping and cleaning can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, the operation receiving means detects that only the first button is pressed between the second state and the third state, and between the third state and the second state. In this case, it is preferable not to accept the operation of the first button.

  In this case, when there is a state where only the first button is pressed without simultaneously pressing the first button and the second button in a series of wiping and cleaning, that is, the first button and the second button. Even if the interval between the three buttons or the interval between the first button and the fourth button is slightly open, it will be impossible (invalid) to accept the operation of the first button. Even when the first button for displaying information is touched during wiping and cleaning with reciprocation, the operation for canceling the information display is not required, and wiping and cleaning can be performed efficiently.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications and changes can be made, and those accompanying such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

100 slot machine 110, 111, 112 reel 113 symbol display window 114 winning line 130, 131, 132 medal insertion button 135 start lever 137, 138, 139 stop button 146 information display button 146O determination (call) button 146U up selection button 146D down Selection button 146L Left selection button 146R Right selection button 146S Selection button (up / down / left / right selection button)
146C Cancel button 157 Liquid crystal display device 300 Main control unit 400 First sub control unit 500 Second sub control unit

Claims (4)

Display means for displaying information related to the game;
A button that can be operated by the player, and at least in a standby state in which no game is being performed,
Display control means for displaying player information for the player on the display means when the first button operation is accepted;
A button that can be operated by a player, and is disposed in the vicinity of the first button, and a second button capable of accepting an operation after accepting an operation of the first button;
A game machine comprising detection means for detecting depression of each of the first button and the second button,
The second button is a button group composed of two buttons, and has a third button and a fourth button,
The first button, the third button, and the fourth button are arranged in a substantially straight line, and the first button is arranged in the approximate center of the third button and the fourth button. ,
In the standby state, when the first button is pressed and when the first button is detected, both the third button and the fourth button are detected. In the case of the first state where there is no, accept the operation of the first button,
In the standby state, the first button is detected to be pressed, and the first button is detected to be detected at the first detection timing. In the second state, the third button is detected to be pressed. In this case, the operation of the first button is not accepted.
After the second state, the first button pressing detection continues from the second state, and at the one detection timing when the first button pressing is detected, the fourth button A game table comprising operation receiving means for not receiving an operation of the first button in the third state in which pressing is detected. The game table according to claim 1,
The operation receiving means is
A gaming machine characterized in that when the first button is detected to be pressed between the second state and the third state, the operation of the first button is not accepted. The game table according to claim 1,
The operation receiving means is
After the third state, when the second button is in the second state again and the detection of pressing of the first button is continued from the third state, the operation acceptance of the first button is not accepted. A game stand characterized by not performing. The game table according to claim 3,
The operation receiving means is
If there is a pressing detection of only the first button between the second state and the third state and between the third state and the second state, the first state A game stand characterized by not accepting button operations.