JP2014090729A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel reel performance mode by easily and flexibly coping with a request for diversification of reel operation patterns, or the like, in a game machine which causes reels to operate irregularly.SOLUTION: In the game machine, the operation of plural reels are controlled in accordance with a scenario pattern table composed of a combination of scenario tables in which basic reel operation patterns are described. Each scenario table includes drive command data having a pair of reel rotation amount data and processing frequency data for rotating the reels by rotation amounts indicated by the rotation amount data. The scenario pattern table is composed of a combination of plural pieces of scenario execution command data each comprising a pair of the reference address of a scenario table and call frequency data of the scenario table to be referred to. Scenario pattern selection means determines a scenario table and the number of times of calling the scenario table so that symbols to be displayed by stopped reels become prescribed symbols.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine including a plurality of reels in which symbols are arranged along a peripheral surface, and more particularly to a gaming machine capable of producing a reel by irregularly operating a reel.

  A slot machine, which is one of the gaming machines, has three rotatable reels whose symbols are arranged along the peripheral surface. The reels are rotated according to an operation performed by the player, and the stopped reel displays a stop. It is a gaming machine that provides various games such as winning and paying out medals according to the design. Also, other pachinko machines, which are other gaming machines, include a model that includes a plurality of reels as an accessory and performs a special game when a reel stop symbol is displayed in a predetermined special manner (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  Also, in recent years, in some gaming machines having a plurality of reels, a game is frozen under a specific situation such as when a specific game player is internally elected, and during that time, the reels are operated irregularly, for example, in forward and reverse directions. Such reel production is made. In order to operate the reel irregularly in various modes, for example, a gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of variation patterns of the reel in a variation pattern table. According to the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, the irregular operation of the reel is controlled according to the variation pattern selected from the variation pattern table.

JP 2000-296219 A

  In the conventional gaming machine described above, a plurality of types of variation patterns are stored in advance in the variation pattern table. For this reason, when the types of variation patterns are increased, it is necessary to expand a new storage area in order to add the variation patterns to the variation pattern table. In addition, when making major changes to the reel fluctuation pattern, such as when changing the model of a gaming machine or diverting to another new model, it is necessary to rewrite the fluctuation pattern table from the beginning. Also lacked flexibility.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and in a gaming machine in which a reel effect is performed in which a reel is operated irregularly, simple table data is not required without expanding a new storage area. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and flexibly respond to demands such as diversification of operation patterns using the configuration, thereby providing a novel reel production mode.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a plurality of reels in which symbols are arranged along a peripheral surface, a plurality of reel driving units that respectively rotate and drive the plurality of reels, and an interrupt process with a predetermined period. A reel control means for controlling the plurality of reel drive means according to the rotation control means, the reel control means for rotating to command the amount of rotation to rotate the plurality of reels in the interrupt process. One or a plurality of drive command data configured to include a quantity data and a set of process count data for commanding the number of interrupt processes for rotating the reels by the rotation amount indicated by the rotation amount data A plurality of types of scenario tables configured as a program including the scenario address data for indicating a reference address of any of the predetermined scenario tables; And a set of call count data for commanding the number of calls for rotating the plurality of reels according to the drive command data constituting the scenario table called with reference to the scenario address data. A plurality of types of scenario pattern tables configured to include one or a plurality of scenario execution command data, stop position detecting means for detecting stop positions of the plurality of reels, and the plurality of stopped reels, Based on the rotation amount calculation means for calculating the rotation amount from the stop position detected by the stop position detection means to a predetermined symbol, and the scenario pattern based on the rotation amounts for the plurality of reels calculated by the rotation amount calculation means Scenario pattern selection means for selecting a table, and the reel control means includes By executing the drive command data indicated by the scenario table referenced from the scenario pattern table according to the scenario pattern table selected by the nario pattern selection unit, for the number of calls indicated by the call count data, The scenario pattern selection means controls the rotation operation of the reels, and the scenario pattern selection means calls the scenario table and the scenario table in the scenario pattern table so that the symbols displayed on the plurality of stopped reels are the predetermined symbols. Determine the number of times.

  In the gaming machine, it is preferable that each of the plurality of types of scenario tables includes drive command data for rotating only one of the plurality of reels.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, there are provided a scenario table in which a plurality of types of drive command data for reel driving are set, and a scenario pattern table in which a reference destination of the scenario table and the number of calls thereof are set. The reel operation is controlled based on the hierarchical table data. This makes it possible to easily and flexibly respond to demands such as diversification of reel operation patterns by using a simple table data configuration without expanding a new storage area or rewriting it significantly. become able to. Thereby, a novel reel production mode can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the slot machine with the front door open. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing one reel unit constituting the reel device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols attached to the reels and the types of the symbols. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration for controlling the slot machine. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a symbol aspect corresponding to a special combination (bonus combination). FIG. 6B is a diagram exemplifying a symbol aspect corresponding to a re-playing combination (replay combination). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a symbol aspect corresponding to a small role (bell role and cherry role). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a transition example of the gaming state of the slot machine. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing control means of the slot machine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main game control process corresponding to the unit game of the slot machine. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the betting number setting means. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the result of the combination lottery process in a general game. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the winning lottery process. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the reel rotation control process. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the waveforms of the drive pulse signal and the all-phase excitation stop signal and the reel rotation speed. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining stop symbol determination processing by the stop symbol determination means. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the rotation control of the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method. FIG. 18 schematically shows the internal structure of the stepping motor. FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a configuration of a reel control flag counter used for reel control of the slot machine. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a transition example of the reel control flag counter. FIG. 21 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a reel rotation speed change graph and an excitation pattern of an excitation stop signal. FIG. 22 is a table showing the relationship between the value of the phase counter and the excitation phase of the stepping motor. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a correction table for correcting the phase counter. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the winning determination process. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the medal payout control process. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the update process. FIG. 27 shows an example of a scenario pattern table and a scenario table. FIG. 28 is a conversion table of rotation amount data encoded by the scenario table. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing game control processing related to freeze. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing of a predetermined symbol display effect. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a first effect example. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a second effect example. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a third effect example. FIG. 34 is an example of the scenario pattern table and scenario table selected in the first to third production examples. FIG. 35 is a diagram exemplifying a change in the storage area where the rotation amount data for driving the reel is developed. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a fourth effect example. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a fifth effect example. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the random activation process. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a sixth effect example. FIG. 40 shows an example of a scenario pattern table selected in the sixth effect example. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a seventh effect example. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an eighth effect example. FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the interrupt signal generating means. FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining the execution timing of the first interrupt process and the second interrupt process. FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the first interrupt processing. FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the second interrupt processing. FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating the game control process, the first interrupt process, and the second interrupt process that are distributed in time series as a thick solid line.

  A slot machine 10 which is an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention is connected to three reels 40L, 40C and 40R which are cylindrical and have symbols arranged on the circumferential surface thereof, and the rotation shafts of the reels. Stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R as reel driving means to be driven, and reel control means 113 that controls the rotation and stop of the reels by driving and controlling the stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R according to interrupt processing of a predetermined cycle; Is provided. Further, the slot machine 10 has a plurality of types of roles provided for games. Each combination is associated with any combination of symbols that can be displayed by the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (design mode), and a combination lottery unit 112 provided in the slot machine 10 performs a combination lottery process. When the symbol corresponding to the winning combination (referred to as “internal winning”) is displayed on the active line by the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, the winning combination is established, and the type of the winning combination In accordance with the game, a game such as payout of medals betted is provided.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine 10 as an embodiment of a gaming machine will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Appearance structure of slot machine]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front appearance of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 includes a casing that is a substantially rectangular box, and the front door 20 is provided so that the opening of the casing can be opened and closed. Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the front door 20 is locked to the housing at a position where the opening is closed.

  The front door 20 is configured by a panel member that has a design that enhances the visual performance effect for the player. The panel member of the front door 20 includes a central panel portion 30 that is a game area for displaying symbols attached to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and mainly the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R below the central panel portion 30. An operation panel unit 50 in which switches for performing game operations such as rotation and stop are arranged, and an upper panel unit 60 in which lamps, speakers, and the like mainly for gaming effects are arranged above the central panel unit 30 A lower panel portion 70 on which a picture such as a character appearing in the game of the slot machine 10 is drawn below the operation panel portion 50 is generally configured. In addition, the front door 20 is assembled by the central panel part 30, the operation panel part 50, the upper panel part 60, the lower panel part 70, etc. which were unitized, respectively. Moreover, you may manufacture the front door 20 with one panel member by which these panel parts are comprised integrally.

  The middle panel 31 is provided with a middle panel 31 made of a resin plate such as hard acrylic. In the middle of the panel 31, a display window 32 composed of three rows of vertically-long rectangular transparent portions is formed. Through the display window 32, the slot machine 10 is capable of visually recognizing a total of nine frames of 3 rows x 3 frames on each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R inside the housing.

  In the display window 32, a total of five lines crossing the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are set. These five lines include three horizontal lines (horizontal middle line L1, horizontal upper line L2A, horizontal lower line L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonally lowering line L3A, Diagonally upwardly rising line L3B). In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regardless of the number of medals bet (hereinafter referred to as “the number of bets”), only the line L1 in the horizontal middle row is a reference line for winning determination (hereinafter referred to as an “effective line”). Shall be set as A plurality of active lines may be selected according to the number of bets placed on the game. Further, it may be determined in advance to 5 or 4 active lines, and the winning probability of the combination may be different depending on the number of bets.

  In addition to the display window 32 described above, the middle panel 31 of the central panel unit 30 is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information regarding the game.

  For example, three operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are provided adjacent to the display window 32. These operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r correspond to the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R and the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, respectively. For example, the operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are lit in an AT (assist time) game. This is used for notifying a player who assists the stop operation.

  Further, below the middle panel 31, bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, a credit number display 35, and an obtained number display 36 are provided.

  The bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c are lamps that display the number of medals bet on the game. That is, when one medal is bet, only the bet number display lamp 34a is lit. When two medals are bet, the bet number display lamps 34a and 34b are lit. When three medals are bet, all bets are placed. The number display lamps 34a, 34b and 34c are lit.

  The credit number display 35 is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of medals credited (stored internally) in the slot machine 10. The player can freely use the medals credited to the slot machine 10, and the number of credits is managed by the RAM 103 of the main control board 100 described later.

  The acquired number display 36 is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when a winning combination is established in the game. In addition, as a mode of paying out medals by winning a prize, there are a case where credit is given to the inside of the slot machine 10 and a case where medals are discharged from a medal payout opening 71 of the lower panel portion 70.

  The operation panel unit 50 provided below the central panel unit 30 has a table-like surface 50a whose upper surface is slightly inclined toward the player, and the player can place the slot machine 10 on the right side of the table-like surface 50a. A medal slot 51 is provided for inserting a medal. Inside the medal slot 51 is provided a medal selector 28 that detects inserted medals and distributes regular or irregular medals. The main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 recognizes the number of inserted medals by measuring the number of medal detection signals output from the medal selector 28.

  A bet button 52 and a max bet button 54 are provided on the left side of the table-like surface 50a of the operation panel unit 50 for the player to give an instruction to bet medals from credits. When the bet button 52 is operated, two medals credited to the slot machine 10 are bet on the game. When the max bet button 54 is operated, three of the credited medals are bet on the game. When a bet is placed by operating the bet button 52 or the maximum bet button 54, the number of bet medals is subtracted from the credit number, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number display 35 is also subtracted.

  When a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 51 while no medals have been bet on the slot machine 10, the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c are sequentially turned on each time the medal is inserted. Medals according to the respective numbers are bet on the slot machine 10. Then, when the number of inserted medals reaches the maximum of the prescribed number, every time a medal is inserted thereafter, the credit number is added, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number indicator 35 is also added.

  A start lever 55 having an operation knob capable of tilting operation is provided on the left front portion of the operation panel 50. When the player operates the start lever 55 after betting medals on the slot machine 10, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate at the same time. As a result, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are moved (scrolled) from the top to the bottom through the display window 32 and displayed.

  Three stop buttons 56L for performing an operation of stopping rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by a player's pressing operation (this is referred to as a “stop operation”) are provided at the center of the front surface of the operation panel 50. , 56C, 56R are provided. The left end stop button 56L corresponds to the left end reel (left reel) 40L, the center stop button 56C corresponds to the center reel (middle reel) 40C, and the right end stop button 56R corresponds to the right end reel (right reel) 40R. It corresponds to.

  That is, in the slot machine 10, when the stop button 56L is operated with respect to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotated by the tilting operation to the start lever 55, the reel 40L is stopped and the stop button 56C is operated. When the reel 40C is stopped and the stop button 56R is operated, the reel 40R is configured to stop.

  Although details will be described later, the stop symbol determination means 116 provided in the slot machine 10 is based on the lottery result by the combination lottery means 112 and the timing of the stop operation to the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R. A symbol within the number of slip control frames (for example, 5 frames) is determined as a stop symbol. Then, in order to stop the determined stop symbol on the effective line (for example, line L1), the drawing control of the symbol is performed by the reel control unit 113 (stop control unit 115) described later.

  Note that the reels 40L, 56C, and 56R with the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R from the start of rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R to the constant speed rotation (for example, 80 rotations / minute) triggered by the operation of the start lever 55 , 40C, 40R is not accepted and is invalidated. In some cases, a reel effect (such as “reel anomalous operation effect”) such as an anomalous operation of the reel in a normal or reverse direction may be performed under a specific situation. Details of this reel irregular operation effect will be described later.

  The upper panel portion 60 positioned above the central panel portion 30 is provided with an image display device 61 formed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display at the central portion. The image display device 61 displays, for example, an animation developed as the game progresses as an effect image. The display device provided in the slot machine may not be the image display device 61 but may be a dot matrix display device, for example. The game history and the internal lottery result information may be directly displayed with characters, symbols, or the like, or such information may be coded and displayed indirectly or implicitly. That is, as the display device, any type of display means suitable for the application and purpose can be used.

  The upper panel portion 60 is provided with an upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L and 63R. For example, when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and any combination is established, the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are lit and flashed in a pattern corresponding to the combination, thereby establishing the combination. Produce visually.

  The upper panel 60 is provided with stereo speakers 64L and 64R. For example, the effect sound is output via the speakers 64L and 64R along with the effect image of the moving image displayed by the image display device 61.

  A medal payout outlet 71 and a tray 72 are provided in the lower panel portion 70 located below the central panel portion 30. The medal payout opening 71 is formed as an opening for paying out the medal released by the medal payout device 83 housed inside the housing of the slot machine 10 to the tray 72.

  Speakers 73L and 73R are provided on the left and right sides of the lower part of the lower panel 70. For example, when any combination is established in the game, sound effects linked to lighting and blinking of the effect lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are output through the speakers 73L and 73R.

[Internal structure of slot machine]
FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 10 with the front door 20 opened. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 80. During the game, the casing 80 is closed and locked by the front door 20.

  A reel device 40 that rotatably supports the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is provided on the horizontal frame in the housing 80 so as to face the central panel portion 30 of the front door 20. In the reel device 40, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are provided such that their rotation axes coincide with one horizontal straight line. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotationally driven independently by stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R as reel driving means fixed to the frame of the reel device 40, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing one reel unit 45 constituting the reel device 40. The reel unit 45 has the same configuration for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Here, the reel unit for the left reel 40L will be described as a representative with reference to FIG.

  The skeleton that forms the cylindrical reel 40L is integrally formed of a relatively lightweight plastic. This skeleton body is connected to a boss portion 401 having a shaft hole into which a drive shaft of the stepping motor 41L is inserted, a plurality of arm portions 402 extending radially around the boss portion 401, and a tip portion of the arm portion 402. A concentric first ring portion 403 centered on the boss portion 401, a second ring portion 404 having the same diameter as the first ring portion 403 and positioned parallel to the first ring portion 403 at a predetermined interval, and a first ring portion 403 And a connecting portion 405 that connects the second ring portion 404 at a plurality of locations. Further, one arm portion 402 is formed with a tongue-shaped light shielding piece 406 extending toward the inside of the reel 40L. In the outer peripheral region including the first ring portion 403, the second ring portion 404, and the connecting portion 405 that connects these cylindrical skeletons, for example, a strip shape on which a plurality of designs as shown in FIG. 4 are printed. The reel tape 42L is wound around the entire circumference and mounted.

  The reel unit 45 has a substantially plate-like base frame body 451, and the base end portion of the stepping motor 41L is fixed to one surface side of the base frame body 451 with a bolt or the like (not shown). A back lamp unit 452 is provided in front of the base frame body 451, and three light emitting elements (back lamps) 452a, 452b, 452c are mounted in the vertical direction corresponding to the positions of symbols to be stopped and displayed. In addition to the back lamp unit 452, a photosensor 43L for detecting the rotation reference position of the reel 40L is provided obliquely below the stepping motor 41L. The photo sensor 43L detects the light blocked by the light shielding piece 406 passing between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and outputs a rotation reference position detection signal (light shielding detection method). Note that the photosensor 43L may be a method (reflection detection method) that detects the light shielding piece 406 by receiving reflected light.

  The shaft hole of the boss 401 of the skeleton body is fitted and fixed to the drive shaft 41La of the stepping motor 41L, whereby the reel 40L is attached to the stepping motor 41L so as to be rotationally driven. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R each having a rotation of 504 steps are used as reel driving means for the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the number of symbols assigned to each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is 20 frames (see FIG. 4). If the stepping motor makes one rotation, the number of steps is 504, and if the outer periphery of the reel is engraved with the minimum movable unit of one step described above, 25 steps are allocated to each of the 16 frames of 20 frames. 26 steps are assigned to each of the remaining four frames.

  In the arrangement of symbols attached to the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C and the right reel 40R shown in FIG. 4, symbol numbers “0” to “19” which increase by 1 along the direction of rotation of the reels are included. Assigned. A type code is assigned to each type of symbol. A symbol array table in which symbol numbers and type codes are associated with each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is stored in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, as a symbol attached to the reel, those having a motif of “bell”, “watermelon”, numerals “7”, “cherry” and the like are generally used. However, these motifs are only traditionally used. The design can be appropriately selected according to the model, theme, character, etc. of the slot machine, or changed to a novel one.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, at the bottom of the housing 80, a medal is provided with a power unit 82 for supplying power to various devices and devices mounted in the slot machine 10 and a hopper capable of storing a plurality of medals. The dispensing device 83 is accommodated. Further, the main control board 100 is fixed to the upper portion of the back plate of the housing 80 so as not to be removable from the housing 80. The main control board 100 as main control means mainly controls the progress of the game in the slot machine 10.

  On the back side of the front door 20, an upper panel unit 22 including speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R is provided on the upper stage. The upper panel unit 22 is configured as a unit including the above-described image display device 61, the upper lamp 62, the corner lamps 63L, 63R and the like on the front side in addition to the speakers 21L, 21R. Further, the sub control board 200 is fixed to the back side of the upper panel unit 22. The sub control board 200 as the sub control means mainly controls the effect of the game based on the command transmitted from the main control board 100.

  A selector 28 that sorts and detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 51 is provided in the middle step on the back side of the front door 20. Below the selector 28, a chute 24 that guides the medal determined to be legitimate by the selector 28 to the hopper of the medal payout device 83, and a medal payout outlet 71 on the front that is judged to be an irregular medal or a foreign object. And a medal return path 25 is provided. In addition, the above-described speakers 26L and 26R are provided in the lower part of the rear side of the front door 20, respectively.

[System configuration of slot machine]
Next, the overall system configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration for controlling the slot machine 10. The main control board 100 is a control circuit board that mainly controls the progress of the game, and includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, a ROM (read-only nonvolatile memory) 102, a RAM (read / write work memory) 103, It has. When the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 executes arithmetic processing in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 102, system control is executed by game control processing for progressing a game in the slot machine 10 and interval interrupt processing described later.

  The signal input port of the main control board 100 is connected to switches as game operation means such as the start lever 55, stop buttons 56L, 56C and 56R, the bet button 52 and the max bet button 54 shown in FIG. Then, contact signals such as a rotation start signal and a stop operation signal from these switches are input to the main control board 100, whereby the operation performed by the player is recognized by the CPU 101. The medal selector 28 is connected to the main control board 100. The medal selector 28 outputs a medal detection signal indicating that the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 51 is genuine to the main control board 100.

  The random number generator 108 provided in the main control board 100 constitutes a part of the lottery means 112, and generates a random value in the range of, for example, 0 to 65535, which is used for the lottery process of the combination. The role lottery means 112 may perform a lottery process by so-called software random number processing based on arithmetic processing of the CPU 101 instead of the hardware random number generator 108 as in the present embodiment.

  The main control board 100 is connected to indicators such as bet number display lamps 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, a credit number indicator 35 and an obtained number indicator 36. The CPU 101 of the main control board 100 lights up the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c according to the bet number of medals bet by the bet button 52 or the max bet button 54 or the like. Further, the CPU 101 converts information such as the number of credits stored in the RAM 103 and the number of paid-out medals into numeric segment codes as needed and displays them on the credit number display 35 and the acquired number display 36.

  The main control board 100 is also connected to a motor drive circuit 500 that rotationally drives stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R coupled to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The motor drive circuit 500, based on the drive command data signal from the reel control means 113 provided in the main control board 100, a drive pulse signal for accelerating and controlling the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, and An all-phase excitation stop signal for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R is output to the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R. Further, the photosensors 43L, 43C, and 43R are connected to the main control board 100 so that signals (rotation reference position detection signals) indicating the rotation reference positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are input to the main control board 100. .

  Further, a medal payout device 83 is connected to the main control board 100 via a payout control board 300. The medal payout device 83 has a hopper that can store medals and a payout mechanism that discharges medals stored in the hopper. The main control board 100 outputs a payout command signal to the payout control board 300 when paying medals to the player by winning or the like, and the payout control board 300 operates the medal payout device 83 to count the medals one by one. While releasing. The medals released from the medal payout device 83 are discharged from the medal payout outlet 71 to the tray 72.

  The sub control board 200 provided on the front door 20 side of the slot machine 10 is a control circuit board including a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The CPU 201 receives commands and game progress information transmitted from the main control board 100, and executes arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the ROM 202 in accordance with these various commands. Control the production of the game.

  The sub control board 200 is provided on the back surface side in a state of being connected to the image display device 61 described above. The sub-control board 200 is also connected to lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L and 63R, speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, and 73R via a wire harness wired to the front door 20. .

  The sub-control board 200 reads image data selected as needed from the image data memory, generates a video signal in which the synchronization signal, the luminance signal, and the color signal are combined, and sends a moving image based on the video signal to the image display device 61. Control the display.

  In addition, the sub-control board 200 drives the lamps 62, 63R, and 63L to turn on and blink, reads voice data such as announcements and musical sounds from the voice data memory, converts them into sound signals, and generates them. Based on the sound signal, the speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, 73R are sounded.

  The random number generator 208 provided in the sub-control board 200 outputs a random value in the range of 0 to 65535, for example. The effect lottery means 211 of the sub-control board 200 has a game effect effect pattern corresponding to information such as a role lottery result transmitted from the main control board 100 in accordance with a numerical range to which the acquired random number value belongs in the effect lottery table. Select. Such a lottery performed on the sub-control board 200 is referred to as an “effect lottery”. The effect lottery means 211 not only selects a game effect pattern, but also determines whether or not to perform a specific game effect and the lottery result by the role lottery means 112 of the main control board 100. A lottery (AT lottery) for notifying the player of the result of the stop operation order (push order) is also performed.

  Further, the effect lottery means 211 of the sub-control board 200 may perform lottery processing by so-called software random number processing based on arithmetic processing of the CPU 201 instead of the hardware random number generator 208 as in this embodiment.

[Role used for slot machine games]
FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of symbols attached to the outer peripheral portions of the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R. The number of symbols assigned to one reel is 20 frames, and symbol numbers “0” to “19” are assigned to each symbol along the direction in which the reel rotates (here, “frame” is the symbol number). It is a quantifier that is commonly used when counting numbers.) A type code is assigned to each type of symbol. A symbol array table in which symbol numbers and type codes are associated with each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is stored in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams illustrating a combination of a combination provided for a game of the slot machine 10 and a symbol corresponding to each combination. Among these, FIG. 6A shows a special combination (bonus combination) to be shifted to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and FIG. 6B shows the next game without inserting a medal. It is shown about the re-playing role (replaying role) that enables the player to perform. Further, FIG. 7 shows a small combination in which a player pays out medals due to winning.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, a special combination, a BB (Big Bonus) special game (hereinafter referred to as “BB game”), and an RB (Regular Bonus) special game are transferred. “RB combination” to be shifted to the state (hereinafter referred to as “RB game”) is shown. The BB game state is a game state in which a high-probability game with a higher probability of winning a small role than a general game continues a plurality of times, and ends when a predetermined maximum payout number (for example, 419) is paid out. . As for the RB game state, a high probability game with a high probability of winning a small role continues, and a predetermined number of games (for example, 12 games) is consumed, or a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) of a small role is won. The gaming state that ends with

  These special roles (BB role, RB role) are bonus-type roles that can carry over the winning state by the role lottery means 112 to the next game. That is, even if the special combination is not established in the game, if the combination is established in the subsequent game, the corresponding special game state can be entered. In addition, a role lottery is performed in a general game in which the winning state of the special role is carried over (in the state where the internal winning flag of the BB role or the RB role is on), and as a result, a small role or a replaying role, etc. together with the winning of the special role It is also possible that there are usually cases where the winning combination of the winning prize is duplicated. In the state where the internal winning flag for such a combination of a bonus item and a winning combination is ON, a priority order is given to a winning combination such as, for example, preferentially pulling in and controlling a symbol related to a re-game.

  A reel irregularity that freezes the game for a certain period in the middle of the game in which the internal winning flag of the role advantageous to the player such as a special role is turned on, and operates the reels 40L, 40C, 40R irregularly by a method described later. An operation effect may be performed. If the player does not enter the special game state even after a certain number of games have been won after the special role is elected, it is assumed that the player has not noticed the internal winning of the special role, and the winning status of the special role is indicated to the player. Such a freeze effect may be used for notification. On the other hand, even if the special role is not elected internally, in rare cases, a so-called freezing effect of Gasse may be performed. During such a freezing period, operations to game operation means such as the bet buttons 52 and 54, the start lever 55, and the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R are basically invalidated. However, for example, if any game operation means is operated during the freeze effect period after winning a prize, the freeze effect may be canceled (terminated) and the game may be resumed early. Good.

  FIG. 6B illustrates a pattern form of a plurality of types of re-game players (re-games-A to L). Among these, the re-game-A is a “normal replay” that is established when three replay symbols (type code R01 shown in FIG. 4) are aligned on the middle active line L1. In each reel 40L, 40C, 40R, the replay symbols are arranged on the reel tape within an interval of 5 frames, which is the maximum number of sliding control frames, so that these replay symbols are pulled in and controlled to ensure replay-A. It is a symbol array that can be established.

  Replays -B to F are "chance replays" in which symbol patterns including replay symbols on the left and right are associated with each other. Among these, the re-game-B is assigned a symbol form called a bell replay in which bell symbols are aligned on the oblique line L3A when established. When these chance replay symbols are aligned with the active line, the game shifts to a state of RT2 that is slightly advantageous to the player (see FIG. 8). Of the chance replay symbols of the replays -B to F, the replay symbols of the left and right reels 40L and 40R are symbols that can be pulled in and controlled at any desired timing (stop operation) as described above. For the middle reel 40C, the bells are arranged within an interval of five frames, and any of the other red seven, blue seven, black bar, and white bar symbols is arranged within an interval of five frames. That is, in a game in which re-games -B to F are simultaneously elected, even if the player performs a stop operation at any timing, any one of these symbols is pulled in and controlled to ensure chance replay (re-game -B to F) is a symbol array in which one of the above holds.

  Here, the simultaneous winning is a state in which a plurality of types of winning combinations are won simultaneously, but there may be a single winning lottery result and a plurality of displayable symbol combinations. That is, in the above example, the lottery result A that can display the re-games -B to F is provided, and when the lottery result A is won, any one of the re-games -B to F can be displayed by the stop operation.

  The re-game-G associated with the symbol pattern of “Red Seven Match” is a re-game player that requires an eye-open at a predetermined timing. This is because the red seven symbol has only one frame arranged on each reel 40L, 40C, 40R as shown in FIG. The re-game-G of the present embodiment is also a role serving as a trigger for transition to the RT3 state where the probability of a re-playing role is high and the winning of a special role can be waited without reducing medals.

  Re-games -H to L are re-games that are associated with the symbol pattern that is partly common to the “red seven uniforms”. That is, when the red seven symbols are successfully pushed to some of the reels, the player can have an expectation that a re-game-G in which all the red seven symbols are arranged will be established. In addition, the replay-H to K symbols do not include replay symbols, but when these symbols are aligned on the horizontal middle line L1, three replay symbols are displayed on the horizontal lower line L2B at the same time. It is a symbol arrangement. For this reason, even if the replay symbols are not arranged on the active line, the player can visually recognize the formation of the re-gamer.

  The replay-L of this embodiment is associated with the red seven, replay, and red seven symbols. For example, when the stop order of the right, left, and center is so-called reverse pinching and the red seven symbol display for the left and right reels 40L and 40R is successfully pressed, a “red seven uniform” reach is obtained. The re-game which can be established when the reach between the red seven symbols is displayed on the active line is either re-game-G or re-game-L. At this point, by making the player aim for the red seven symbol of the middle reel 40C, it is possible to increase the expectation for the establishment of the “Red Seven Match” replay-G role.

  FIG. 7 shows a design aspect for a plurality of types of small roles (Bell-A to W and Cherry-A to C). The small bell role (bell role) is a bell in which the bell symbols are aligned on the active line when the stop operation order of the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R (also referred to as “stop operation order” or “push order”) is correct. -A and bells -B to W that are displayed in a different pattern when the pressing order is incorrect. Note that the correct answer / incorrect answer in the pressing order is associated with the lottery result by the combination lottery means 112. Also, normally, the number of medals to be paid out is set more in the bell-A when the pushing order is correct than in the bells B to W when the pushing order is incorrect. Other than the bell-A with the same bell design, the symbol modes corresponding to these bell-B to W roles are said to be “baraque bell”, “bell spilled eyes”, and the like.

  In addition, you may use the bell-B-W displayed as a symbol which changes when the pushing order is incorrect as a trigger of the transition of the RT state in a general game. Further, the bells R to W to which specific symbol forms are associated correspond to the lottery results 7 to 12 by the role lottery means 112, respectively (see FIG. 12). That is, conversely, when a specific symbol aspect related to the bells -R to W is displayed on the effective line L1, the lottery result is a result corresponding to the specific symbol aspect (lottery results 7 to 12). Is finally announced to the player.

  Cherry-A to C are a combination in which medals are paid out by simultaneous winning (see FIG. 12), and when it is determined that a winning is given by a specific symbol display of only the left reel 40L (cherry-A, B), left There is a case (Cherry-C) where it is determined that a winning is given by a specific symbol display of the reel 40L and the middle reel 40C.

[Game state provided in the slot machine]
FIG. 8 illustrates a game state transition flow controlled by the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. However, since the state transition flow of FIG. 8 is merely an example, a change in the lottery probability in each gaming state, an increase or decrease in the number of RT states, or an additional change in the transition condition between gaming states may be appropriately performed.

  As described above, the gaming state of the slot machine 10 is roughly divided into a “general gaming state” and a “special gaming state” in which an RB role or a BB role is established. In view of the difference in the winning probability of the re-gamer, there are at least five more RT states (non-RT and RT1 to 4) in the general gaming state. That is, the general game shifts from “non-RT” and “RT1” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively low, “RT3” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively high, from non-RT1 to RT3. It belongs to either the RT state in the middle of the “RT2” state or the “RT4” state in which the special role is internally won.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the RT state in the general game provided in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the general game immediately after the end of the special game state such as the BB game or the RB game is in the RT1 state in which the internal winning probability of the re-gamer is 1 / 7.3, for example. Here, when the general game in the state of RT1 is performed, for example, when a bell combination including any of Bell-A and Bell-B to W is won simultaneously, the stop button 56L is selected according to the lottery result. , 56C, 56R are associated with the correct and incorrect answer push order. As described above, when the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R are operated in the order in which the corresponding correct answers are pressed, there is a high possibility that the bell symbol will be aligned with the active line and the role of Bell-A will be won. On the other hand, in the case where the pressing order in which the stop operation is performed is incorrect, the symbol of “Barakebell” bell spilling is displayed on the effective line, and any one of the corresponding bells B to W is established.

  In the state of RT1, if such a bell spilling due to an incorrect push order is displayed on the active line, the game shifts to a non-RT state. There is no change in the replay winning probability when transitioning from RT1 to non-RT, but as shown in FIG. 8, non-RT is closer to RT3, which is more advantageous to the player than RT1. .

  While a general game in a non-RT state is being performed, for example, the re-gamer's re-games -A to F are won at the same time, and the symbols related to re-games -B to F (chance replay) are displayed on the active line Sometimes, the game shifts from non-RT to RT2. In addition, according to the order of pressing by the player, a symbol related to chance replay or a symbol related to normal replay may be displayed on the active line. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the state of RT2 is also a chance state in which a transition to the state of RT3 that is advantageous to the player can be made when, for example, “Red Seven Match” re-game-G is established.

  However, on the other hand, if the bell role is won at the same time in RT2, and the bell spilled pattern is displayed on the active line due to the incorrect push order stop operation, the game falls from RT2 to a non-RT state. Resulting in.

  When the state of RT2 is maintained and the “Red Seven Match” re-game-G combination is established, the game shifts to the state of RT3 advantageous to the player. In the event that a winning combination is entered in response to the operation of the start lever 55, the game is frozen for a few seconds and the reels are operated irregularly. Also good. For example, in the lottery result 4 shown in FIG. 12, by shifting the rotation start timing of each reel in the order of right (reel 40R), middle (reel 40C), and left (reel 40L), The stop button 56R), the middle (stop button 56C), and the left (stop button 56L) may be urged to "reversely press", thereby assisting the establishment of the replay-G of "Red Seven Match". At this time, the reel may be rotated at a speed different from the normal speed, such as a double speed that is faster than the normal reel rotation speed or a 1/2 speed that is slower than the normal speed. Further, the reel may be set in the reverse direction (the direction in which the symbol moves from the bottom to the top) instead of the normal normal direction (the direction in which the symbol moves from the top to the bottom), or may be vibrated in the forward and reverse directions.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, “Red Seven” symbol is included in a part of the symbol aspect of the chance replay of the replays H to L. For example, even in the case of a lottery result (for example, lottery result 6 shown in FIG. 12) that includes simultaneous wins of replays H to L but does not include a win of “Red Seven Match (Replay-G)”, The reel production may be performed. In this case, since Re-Game-G has not been won, it will eventually be a spill of “Red Seven”, but due to the irregular action effect at the start of reel rotation, the same game as Re-Game-G has won. Thus, the expectation of the transition to the RT3 state can be increased.

  The RT state transition control shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the main control board 100 as described above. In parallel with this, the sub-control board 200 controls AT and the like in the game in progress. In an AT game, for example, the correct pressing order associated with the lottery result by the role lottery means 112 is notified to the player by lighting of the operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, 33r and an image displayed on the image display device 61. The Note that the AT does not necessarily report only the correct answer push order. For example, by notifying the push order of the incorrect answer of the bell role, which is a condition for transition from RT1 to non-RT, the final transition to RT3 is performed. You may navigate.

  The notification of the pushing order by the AT is executed in a predetermined number of games after the end of the BB game which is a special game, for example. Further, for example, AT may be executed by lottery by the effect lottery means 211 of the sub-control board 200, or AT may be executed when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. The executed AT continues for a predetermined number of games (for example, one set is 30 games). If another AT wins during the AT state, another set (for example, 30 games) of the AT state continues. Such AT execution lottery results (AT execution rights) can also be stocked.

  In this manner, basically, one execution right of AT is acquired by lottery by the effect lottery means 211, whereby one set (for example, 30 games) of AT is executed. The AT lottery by the effect lottery means 211 may be performed during the AT state or at the end of the AT. The probability that one set of AT states will continue after the end of one set of AT states is referred to as “AT continuation rate”.

[Control method of slot machine]
Next, the operation of the control means provided in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The overall control in the slot machine 10 is performed by the cooperation of the control means provided in the main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 described above. Each control unit shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 and the CPU 201 of the sub-control board 200 performing arithmetic processing, but some of them can be configured by hardware. Hereinafter, each control means will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like.

<Game control means>
First, the game control means 110 provided in the main control board 100 is generated by calling various subroutines stored in the ROM 102. The betting number setting means 111, the winning lottery means 112, the reel control means 113, the winning determination means. 120, the control means such as the medal payout control means 121, the update processing means 122, and the command transmission means 123 are integrated to control the progress of the game performed in the slot machine 10.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart corresponding to a unit game executed in the slot machine 10 and shows a flow of main game control processing executed by the game control means 110.

<Betting number setting means>
In the waiting state for starting the game, the betting number setting means 111 is activated (step S10). Here, the game start standby state is a state after the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and the winning determination is made, and waiting for the next bet operation. The end of the freeze effect after the end of the previous game may be in a standby state for starting the game. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing bet number setting processing by the bet number setting means 111.

  The operation of the betting number setting unit 111 will be described with reference to FIG. The betting number setting means 111 determines whether or not the established combination flag relating to the re-game combination is turned on in the game (step S101). The established combination flag relating to the re-game is set to ON when the re-game is established in the previous game (see step S166 in FIG. 24). When the winning combination flag relating to the re-game is set on (step S101: YES), the winning combination flag is cleared to off (step S102), and the process proceeds to the subsequent game control process. That is, when the re-game is established, the player can perform the next game without inserting a medal (bet operation).

  When the bet number setting unit 111 detects that the winning combination flag relating to the re-gamer is not set in the game (step S101: NO) and detects the operation of the bet button 52 (step S103: YES), there is a credit. (Step S104: YES), “1” is subtracted from the credit number variable (Step S105). Then, “1” is added to the bet number variable in the RAM 103 (step S107).

  In addition, when the medal selector 28 detects the insertion of a regular medal in the game start standby state (step S106: YES), the bet number setting means 111 changes the bet number variable every time the inserted medal is detected. Add (step S107). The bet number variable is added (step S107) until the bet number of medals reaches the specified number desired by the player (maximum “3”) (step S108: YES).

  Further, when detecting the operation of the maximum bet button 54 (step S103: YES), the betting number setting means 111 subtracts “3” from the credit number variable when there is a credit (step S104: YES) (step S105). ), The bet number variable is set to “3” (step S107).

  Through such processing, a prescribed number of 1-3 medals are bet on the game.

  Referring to FIG. 10 again, when the start lever 55 is tilted by the player and the game control means 110 detects a rotation start signal in a state where the bet number of medals has reached the prescribed number (step S11: YES), a lottery drawing The means 112 is activated (step S12).

<Role selection method>
The combination lottery means 112 performs a combination table lottery based on the random number value acquired from the random number generator 108.

  In the slot machine 10, for example, one of the lottery results shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by the lottery process of the combination lottery means 112. FIG. 12 shows a lottery result including an internal winning combination (lottery results 1 to 14) and a miss (lottery result 0) in the general gaming state. Each lottery result 0-14 is sequentially assigned a numerical range included in the numerical range 0-65535 that can be output by the random number generator 108 (not shown), and the width of each assigned numerical range is determined by winning the lottery result. Corresponds to the probability. The association between the lottery result and the random value range is stored in advance in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100 as a role lottery table. Since the winning probability of the combination differs depending on the gaming state, a plurality of winning lottery tables are managed in the ROM 102 for each gaming state.

  According to the embodiment of FIG. 12, when the random number acquired from the random number generator 108 in response to the operation of the start lever 55 belongs to the numerical range of the lottery result 1, the BB combination is won. When the random number value belongs to the numerical range of the lottery result 2, the RB combination is won. Similarly, if the random value is in the numerical range of the lottery result 3, the replay replay-A is won independently, and if the random number is in the lottery result 4, the replay-A and the replay-G to L are Win simultaneously. In the same way, for a small combination such as a bell combination, the lottery result referred to in the combination lottery table is obtained according to the acquired random number value.

  If there are a plurality of winning combinations at the same time, the winning combination is associated with the stop operation order (pushing order) according to the lottery result. For replay, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case of lottery result 4, “replay-A” and “forward push” of normal replay are associated with each other, and “replay-GL” and “reverse” “Push or other operation order (that is, other than forward press)” is associated. Note that, as in the case of the lottery result 5, there may be a lottery result in which the push order is not associated with a plurality of chance replays that are won simultaneously.

  As for the bell role, in this embodiment, Bell-A has the largest number of payouts. Therefore, the stop operation order associated with “Bell role-A” is treated as “pushing order correct answer”, and the design varies. The stop operation order associated with the displayed “bell role-B to W” is treated as “incorrect push order”. For example, in the case of lottery result 7, the left middle right push order is set as the correct answer push order that Bell-A can win. In other words, if the lottery result 7 is won and the stop operation is performed in the correct order of left, middle and right, the bell symbol A is highly likely to win, and in the other operation sequences, the bells B to R Any symbol aspect (bell spilled eyes) is displayed on the active line.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a role lottery process (details of step S12 in the game control process of FIG. 10) by the role lottery means 112. In the process shown in FIG. 13, the hand lottery means 112 acquires the random number value indicated by the random number generator 108 at the falling timing of the ON signal of the start lever 55 (step S131), and the acquired random value is stored in the RAM 103. Is stored in a random value variable. Here, the random number generator 108 is composed of, for example, a 16-bit increment counter that operates with a clock, and outputs a numerical value of “0” to “65535”.

  Then, the winning lottery means 112 refers to the winning lottery table stored in the ROM 102 and selects a winning combination corresponding to the winning numerical range to which the acquired random number value belongs as an internal winning combination. That is, when the acquired random number value belongs to the winning numerical value range of the small role such as the bell role or the cherry role, the winning of the small role is determined (step S132: YES), and the winning combination flag relating to the selected small role is turned on. It sets (step S133).

  If the acquired random number value belongs to the winning numerical value range of the re-gamer (step S135: YES), the winning lottery means 112 sets the winning combination flag related to the re-playing player who has won the game (step S136). .

  If the acquired random number value falls within the winning numerical value range of the BB role, the role lottery means 112 determines the winning of the BB role (step S138: YES), and sets the winning combination flag relating to the winning BB role to ON ( Step S139). Similarly, when the winning combination of the RB combination is determined (step S140: YES), the winning combination flag relating to the RB combination is set to ON (step S141).

  The winning combination flag is a flag for storing the type of the winning combination in accordance with the lottery results 1 to 14, and is set to ON by winning by the winning lottery means 112, and is turned OFF by the establishment (winning) of the winning combination. (S173 in FIG. 24). In the case of a winning combination in which the winning state cannot be carried over to another game, the winning combination flag is cleared to OFF at the end of the unit game in which no winning is established (S174 in FIG. 24).

  In this way, the role lottery means 112 supports lottery of prize-winning roles such as small roles and re-playing roles, and role-type roles such as special roles, as well as small roles and re-playing roles where multiple roles are won simultaneously. The order of stop operations that are attached is also determined or lottery. Further, the combination lottery means 112 temporarily stops the progress of the game when a predetermined combination is won, etc., and performs the production period by the image production by the image display device 61 or the irregular operation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R. The presence / absence of a freeze effect, a freeze effect time, a freeze effect condition (for example, a start condition, an end condition), and its contents (such as an effect operation pattern) may be drawn.

  In the game control process referred to in FIG. 10, the command transmission means 123 is a part lottery result command indicating the result of the part lottery by the part lottery means 112 (including the association between the winning part and the determined or lottery stop operation order). Is transmitted to the sub-control board 200 (step S13). Then, the command transmission unit 123 transmits a rotation start command to the sub control board 200 (step S14).

<Reel control means>
Next, the reel control means 113 will be described. In step S15 (see FIG. 10) of the game control process, the reel control means 113 controls the reels 40L, 40C, 40R according to the rotation start signal from the start lever 55 and the stop operation signal from the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R. Controls rotation and stop. As shown in FIG. 9, the reel control means 113 controls the rotation control means 114 that controls the rotation acceleration and constant speed of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and the stop control of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Stop control means 115 and stop symbol determining means 116 for determining a stop symbol to be displayed on the effective line by the reel corresponding to the operated stop button. The reel control unit 113 includes an irregular operation control unit 117 and a startup correction unit 119. As will be described later, the irregular motion control means 117 controls irregular motions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R at the time of freeze production or the like. Further, the startup correction unit 119 performs a process of correcting the value of the phase counter RC2 that manages the phase state in order to optimize the initial phase at the startup of the stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R.

  First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a normal reel rotation control process in which the freeze effect is not executed will be described. Here, FIG. 15 shows the drive pulse signal based on the drive command data signal from the rotation control means 114 and the waveform of the all-phase excitation stop signal based on the stop command data signal from the stop control means 115 and the reel rotation speed. It is a figure which shows a relationship. The drive command data signal and the stop command data signal output from the main control board 100 are converted into a drive pulse signal and an all-phase excitation stop signal that are phase-adjusted and current-amplified by the motor drive circuit 500, and corresponding stepping motors 41L. , 41C, 41R.

  When the start lever 55 is operated in a state where medals are bet on the game, the rotation control means 114 is first activated. The rotation control means 114 outputs a drive pulse signal that rotates all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once, and performs acceleration control so that the pulse width becomes gradually or stepwise (step S151). Then, when the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80 rotations / minute (step S152: YES), the rotation control unit 114 sets the cycle of the drive pulse signal to a constant speed. Control is performed (step S153).

  When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach the constant speed rotation control, the stop operation by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R can be accepted (step S154). When a stop operation signal is received from any of the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R (step S155: YES), the stop symbol determining means 116 becomes the stop button for the lottery result by the combination lottery means 112 and the reel being rotated. Based on the timing of the stop operation, the stop symbol that the reel should display on the active line is determined (step S156).

  Here, stop symbol determination processing by the stop symbol determination means 116 will be described with reference to FIG. The stop symbol determination means 116 sets a stop control flag as shown in FIG. 16 for each of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R according to the lottery result by the combination lottery means 112. For example, in the case of the simultaneous winning of the bell role (for example, lottery result 7), the correct push order and the incorrect stop operation order are associated with each other. The stop control flag has a structure in which the number of sliding symbols during stop control is associated with each symbol number.

  FIG. 16 is an example of a stop control flag for the middle reel 40C in the internal winning state of the lottery result 7. As shown in FIG. 12, in the lottery result 7, when the correct answer is in the pushing order, the bell symbols are aligned with the active line (line L1) and the bell-A wins.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the stop control flag for the correct answer in the pressing order includes each symbol number and the number of frames up to the bell symbol in the direction in which the symbol moves starting from the symbol number (the direction in which the symbol number increases). Is set. If the bell symbol is not within 5 frames, the number of frames up to the blue seven or white bar relating to the other bell role is set. The stop control flag in the case of incorrect push order is the symbol of each symbol number and the symbols of the red seven, blue seven, black bar, and white bar related to the other bells B to Q that are selected at the same time starting from the symbol number. The number of frames up to is set. The data of the number of sliding symbols is stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and the stop symbol determination means 116 immediately sets the stop control flag of the RAM 103 in response to the result of the lottery process by the role lottery means 112.

  Then, the stop symbol determination means 116 accepts a stop operation in the correct push order (left-middle-right press) set at the time of the lottery result 7, and at that time, the symbol passing through the middle line L1 is displayed. For example, in the case of the cherry symbol of symbol number 16, the symbol ahead of three frames (the bell symbol of symbol number 19) referred to by the stop control flag at the correct pressing order is determined as the stop symbol (see FIG. 16A). ).

  On the other hand, the stop symbol determination means 116 accepts the stop operation in the order of pushing the incorrect answer set in the case of the lottery result 7, and the symbol passing through the middle line L1 at that time is, for example, the cherry with the symbol number 16 as well. In the case of a symbol, the symbol two symbols ahead (the white bar symbol of symbol number 18) referred to by the stop control flag when the pressing order is incorrect is determined as the stop symbol (see FIG. 16B).

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 14, when stop operation signals from the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R are received (step S155: YES) and the stop symbol is determined (step S156), the command transmission means 123 issues a rotation stop command. Transmit to the sub-control board 200 (step S157). Then, the stop control unit 155 of the reel control unit 113 controls the stop of the rotating reel on which the stop operation has been performed at a position where the determined stop symbol and the effective line exactly coincide with each other.

(Stepping motor control)
Next, the control of the stepping motor 41 by the reel control unit 113 will be described in more detail. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the principle of the rotation control of the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method adopted by the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment.

  A stepping motor 41 that rotates the reel has four phases φ0 to φ3. Based on the drive command data signal from the rotation control means 114, the drive pulse signals whose phases are shifted from each other by π / 2 (unit: radians) are interrupted to the excitation coils 411 to 414 of each phase φ0 to φ3 at predetermined intervals. It is supplied one after another by processing. The drive pulse signal has a pulse width with a duty ratio of 3/8 (corresponding to 3 / 4π for one cycle). With such a 1-2 phase excitation method, the excitation state of each phase changes in step order of 8 excitation phases of φ0, φ0 · φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3 and φ3 · φ0. However, the rotation operation is repeated with this as one cycle.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the stepping motor 41. A rotating rotor 410 is provided at the center of the stepping motor 41, and, for example, S-pole rotating magnetic poles M, M,... On the stator surrounding the outer side of the rotor 410, fixed exciters E0, E1, E2, E3,... Facing the rotating magnetic poles M, M,.

  The stator of the stepping motor 41 is provided with a total of eight exciting coils 411 to 418 corresponding to the phases φ0 to φ3 at positions where the angle is changed every 45 ° with the rotor 410 as the center. The excitation coils 411 and 415 related to the φ0 phase are each configured with a magnetic circuit so as to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E0 to the N pole. Similarly, a magnetic circuit is configured to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E1 to N poles in the excitation coils 412 and 416 related to the φ1 phase, and a predetermined number of excitation coils 413 and 417 related to the φ2 phase. The magnetic circuit is configured to excite the fixed exciter E2 to the N pole, and the magnetic circuit is configured to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E3 to the N pole in the excitation coils 414 and 418 related to the φ3 phase. Is done.

  The pitch of the fixed exciters E0 to E3 is the same as that of the rotating magnetic pole M. However, with reference to the φ0 phase fixed exciter E0, the φ1 phase fixed exciter E1 is arranged at a position close to the fixed exciter E0 by a phase corresponding to a quarter pitch thereof. Further, the φ2 phase fixed exciter E1 is disposed at a position closer to the fixed exciter E0 by a phase corresponding to 1/2 pitch, and the φ3 phase fixed exciter E1 further corresponds to 3/4 pitch. It is arranged at a position close to the fixed exciter E0 by the phase.

  As described above, the positions of the fixed exciters E0 to E3 are displaced by ¼ pitch so that, for example, when the φ0 phase is excited, the S pole of the rotating magnetic pole M and the fixed exciter E0. When the rotor 410 rotates to a position where the N pole attracts and the φ0 phase and the φ1 phase are excited in the next step, the two phases of the S pole of the rotating magnetic pole M and the fixed exciters E0 and E1 The rotor 410 of the stepping motor 41 is driven to rotate in one direction step by step so that the rotor 410 rotates to a position where the N pole is balanced and attracted. According to such a 1-2 phase excitation method, it is possible to suppress power consumption while sufficiently securing the rotational torque of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R.

(Reel control flag counter)
In the variable storage area of the RAM 103 of the main control board 100, a reel control flag counter having a configuration as shown in FIG. 19 corresponding to each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is managed. The reel control unit 113 performs control while recognizing the exact rotation position of the reel one by one by updating the reel control flag counter every time the stepping motor 41 is driven one step in response to interruption processing of a predetermined cycle. Here, the reel control flag counter shown in FIG. 19 has a flag variable area including a reel status flag RF1, a photo sensor flag RF2, a symbol step flag RF3, a passing symbol flag RF4, and a stop symbol flag RF5. doing. The reel control flag counter has a counter variable area including a step counter RC1 and a phase counter RC2. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the reel control flag counter changes over time for any one reel. In these figures, “h” added after the alphanumeric character means that the alphanumeric character is represented by a hexadecimal number.

  The reel status flag RF1 is a flag that indicates the status of rotation or stop of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R. The reel status flag RF1 is set to “0” when the reel is stopped, and is set to “1” when the reel is accelerating. “2” is set during high speed rotation, and “3” is set during braking.

  The photo sensor flag RF2 is a flag indicating that the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R have passed the rotation reference position, and “FFh” is set while the photo sensors 43L, 43C, and 43R of each reel are turned on.

  The symbol step flag RF3 is a flag indicating the relative position (rotation angle) of the symbol passing through the horizontal middle line L1 with respect to the line L1 by the number of remaining steps of the stepping motor 41. That is, when the end of a symbol reaches the line L1, the number of steps (“25” or “26”) assigned to the symbol is set in the symbol step flag RF3 as an initial value. Each time the stepping motor 41 rotates step by step, the value of the symbol step flag RF3 is decremented by one (decrement).

  The passing symbol flag RF4 is a flag indicating the symbol number of the symbol that is passing through the horizontal middle line L1.

  The stop symbol flag RF5 is a flag in which the symbol number of the stop symbol determined by the stop symbol determination means 116 is set when the reel stop operation is accepted, that is, the symbol number of the symbol to be stopped on the middle line L1. It is a flag to show.

  The step counter RC1 is a flag counter that indicates the current rotation position of the reel by the number of steps from the rotation reference position. When the rotation reference positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are detected by the photosensors 43L, 43C, and 43R, the step counter flag RF6 related to the reels is reset to “1”, and the stepping motor 41 of the reels is set for one step. Each time a drive pulse signal is output, it is incremented by one.

  In the phase counter RC2, the current phase state corresponding to the rotational position of the stepping motor 41 is coded and set. Here, the phase state is a relative positional relationship of the rotating magnetic pole M with respect to the fixed exciters E0, E1, E2, and E3 in the stepping motor 41. Specifically, the phase state depends on the excitation phase (φ0, φ0 · 1, φ1, φ1 · 2, φ2, φ2 · 3, φ3, and φ3 · 0) that changes for each minimum movable unit (minimum step) of the stepping motor 41. expressed. While the stepping motor 41 is normally controlled based on the drive pulse signal, the phase state and the excitation state coincide with each other. Therefore, a corresponding code value is set in the phase counter RC2 based on the phase of the drive pulse signal being output (see FIG. 19).

  As shown in the lower table of FIG. 19, when the excitation phase of the stepping motor 41 is φ3 · 0, “0” is set to the phase counter RC2, and when the excitation phase is φ0, RC2 is set to “1”. When the excitation phase is φ0 · 1, RC2 is set to “2”, when the excitation phase is φ1, RC2 is set to “3”, and when the excitation phase is φ1 · 2, RC2 is set to “4”. When the phase is φ2, RC2 is set to “5”, when the excitation phase is φ2 · 3, RC2 is set to “6”, and when the excitation phase is φ3, RC2 is set to “7”.

  An example of the transition of the reel control flag counter will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 20, when the symbol of symbol number 5 is passing through the line L1 (the value of RF4 is “5”), the stop operation by the stop button is accepted, and the symbol of symbol number 8 is stopped on the line L1. (RF5 value is “8”). Further, FIG. 21 shows a timing chart of the change in the rotation speed when the reel stops and the excitation pattern (all phase excitation) of the excitation stop signal in each phase of φ0 to φ3.

  When the stop symbol determining unit 116 determines, for example, the symbol of symbol number 8 as the stop symbol based on the lottery result obtained by the combination lottery unit 112 and the timing of the stop operation for the rotating reel, the reel control unit 113 displays the stop symbol. “8” is set in the flag RF5.

  Here, the dimension width in the rotation direction of the reel occupied by the design number 8 (for example, the red seven design) corresponds to 25 steps in terms of the rotation angle of the stepping motor 41. The stop control means 115 of the reel control means 113 calculates the remaining number of steps of the design (symbol number 7) just before the determined stop symbol (symbol number 8) approaches the line L1, that is, one frame before the stop symbol. When the flag RF3 shown is set to “4”, an all-phase excitation stop signal for exciting the fixed exciters E0 to E3 of all phases φ0 to φ3 is output to the stepping motor 41 of the reel. The braking force of the stepping motor 41 generated by the all-phase excitation stop signal and the inertial force of the rotating reel counteract, and as a result, the rotor advances in an uncontrolled state by an amount equivalent to 16 steps, thereby stopping the symbol (symbol number 8). The reel stops at a position where the center of the line coincides with the line L1. Thereby, for example, a red seven symbol of symbol number 8 is displayed on the line L1.

  Note that FIG. 20 is merely an example, and the actual timing of all-phase excitation varies according to the inertia of the reel, the number of steps of the stepping motor, torque performance, and the like. For this reason, for example, a control program such as the timing of all-phase excitation is determined after confirming the amount of advance of the reel during braking with an actual machine.

(Compensation when starting the stepping motor)
Next, correction processing of the phase counter RC2 performed immediately after the reels stop or immediately before the reel rotation starts will be described. In the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R (symbols) are selected in accordance with the rotation direction of the reel that was rotating before stopping, the phase state of the stopped reel, and the rotation direction of the reel that starts rotation. The phase of the drive pulse signal to be given first is determined. The start-up correction means 119 of this embodiment corrects the value of the phase counter RC2 that manages the phase state of the stepping motor 41 according to a predetermined rule according to the rotation start direction of the reel, so that such a start-up phase is corrected. Processing to determine the state (excitation phase) is performed.

  FIG. 22 shows the relationship between the value of the phase counter RC2 and the excitation phase of the stepping motor. As described above, the drive pulse signal output to the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method has eight excitation phases of φ0, φ0 · φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3, and φ3 · φ0. The phase changes through these steps, and this is repeated as one cycle. As shown in FIG. 22, the phase counter RC2 is set with codes (0 to 7) corresponding to excitation phases that change every time the stepping motor rotates by the minimum movable unit (1 step). While the reel is driven to rotate, the phase counter RC2 is updated every time the excitation phase changes by one step.

  As described above, when the excitation stop signal is output to the stepping motor 41, about 16 steps are advanced while the reel is braked, so the actual phase of the stepping motor 41 after the stop and the excitation stop signal are output. An error occurs between the value of the phase counter RC2 indicating the immediately preceding excitation phase (this is referred to as the “preceding phase”). For this reason, if the stepping motor is restarted on the basis of the excitation phase indicated by the value of the held phase counter RC2, there is a risk of causing rapid acceleration or step-out of the motor.

  In order to avoid such inconvenience at the time of starting the reel, in the present embodiment, for example, based on the correction table shown in FIG. 23, correction of the value of the phase counter RC2 held at the time of the latest reel braking is performed at the time of starting. The correction means 119 performs it. Note that the correction table shown in FIG. 23 is based on the assumption that the reel before stopping was rotating forward.

  For example, when the reel is started in the normal rotation direction in a normal game or the like, and the phase immediately before the latest stop is single phase excitation (φ0, φ1, φ2, φ3), the value of the phase counter RC2 is set to “−1”. To correct. When the immediately preceding phase is two-phase excitation (φ3 · 0, φ0 · 1, φ1 · 2, φ2 · 3), the value of the phase counter RC2 is left as it is. Also, when the reel is activated in the reverse direction, such as when performing an irregular motion effect of the reel, the value of the phase counter RC2 is set to “+1” when the immediately preceding phase is single-phase excitation (φ0, φ1, φ2, φ3). To correct. When the immediately preceding phase is two-phase excitation (φ3 · 0, φ0 · 1, φ1 · 2, φ2 · 3), the value of the phase counter RC2 is corrected by “+2”.

  Note that the correction method of the phase counter RC2 described above is merely an example, and the correction amount of the phase counter RC2 is appropriately changed to an appropriate numerical value in accordance with the capability, type, reel inertia mass, and the like of the stepping motor to be used.

<Winning determination means>
Next, the winning determination means 120 activated in step S16 of the game control process shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The winning determination means 120 is activated when all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are stopped. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a winning determination process by the winning determination means 120.

  The winning determination unit 120 first clears and initializes the winning combination flags for all the combinations managed by the RAM 103 (step S161). Subsequently, the winning determination unit 120 refers to the reel control flag counter of the RAM 103 for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and recognizes the symbol displayed on the active line (line L1) (step S162). The winning determination means 120 may recognize a symbol on the effective line based on the number of steps of the drive pulse signal sent from the reel rotation reference position.

  Further, the winning determination means 120 refers to the role symbol table in the ROM 102 and checks whether or not the symbol mode of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R displayed on the active line matches a combination corresponding to any of the roles. The winning determination means 120 determines that the corresponding combination has been established (wins) when the display mode of the symbol on the active line matches the combination of symbols corresponding to any combination.

  For example, when the winning determination means 120 determines that a small combination has been established (step S163: YES), the winning combination flag relating to the small combination is set to ON (step S164). Further, when it is determined that the re-gamer is established (step S165: YES), the established game flag relating to the re-gamer is set on (step S166).

  For example, when the winning determination means 120 determines that the BB combination is established (step S167: YES), the winning combination flag relating to the BB combination is set to ON (step S168), and the BB state flag is set to ON (step S168). Step S169). Similarly, when it is determined that the RB combination has been established (step S170: YES), the established combination flag relating to the RB combination is set on (step S171), and the RB state flag is set on (step S172).

  If the winning determination means 120 determines that any of the small combination, replay combination (replay combination) or special combination (BB combination, RB combination) is established, the winning combination flag of the established combination is cleared. (Step S173). On the other hand, when a small role or re-playing role that cannot carry over the winnings other than the special role has been won internally, and these games are missed, the winning flag is cleared (step S174). Further, when the winning determination means 120 determines that the predetermined transition condition of the RT state shown in FIG. 8 is satisfied (step S175: YES), the RT state flag of the RAM 103 is set to a value indicating the transition destination state. Update (step S176).

  Information on the result of the winning determination by the winning determination unit 120 is transmitted to the sub-control board 200 as a prize determination result command by the command transmission unit 123 (step S17 in FIG. 10).

<Medal payout control means>
Next, in step S18 of the game control process shown in FIG. 10, the medal payout control means 121 is activated when the winning determination means 120 determines that, for example, a small role is awarded with a medal payout. Here, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a medal payout control process by the medal payout control means 121.

  There are two methods for paying out medals to be paid to a player when winning a small role: internal storage as credits, and payment of medals from a medal payout outlet 71 to a tray 72. In the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, priority is given to internal storage in credits, that is, normally, the number of medals to be paid out is added to the credits, but the added credits exceed a predetermined upper limit (for example, 50). Sometimes, more medals than that are discharged from the medal payout opening 71.

  When a medal payout control means 121 wins a small role such as a bell, the medal payout number in the RAM 103 is calculated by multiplying the number of payouts corresponding to the winning small character by the number of active lines with the symbols. Hereinafter, “PCNT”) is set (step S181). If PCNT is greater than or equal to zero in step S182, that is, if there is a payout (step S182: YES), it is determined whether or not the credit number variable is the upper limit (full) of 50 cards (step S183).

  When the credit number variable is full (step S183: YES), the medal payout control means 121 operates the medal payout device 83 to release one medal (step S184). Then, PCNT is subtracted by “1” (step S186), and the process returns to step S182. When the credit number variable is not full (step S183: NO), the medal payout control means 121 adds “1” to the credit number variable (step S185), and subtracts “1” from PCNT (step S186). The process returns to S182. The medal payout control means 121 repeats the processing from steps S182 to S186 for paying out medals one by one until PCNT becomes zero.

<Update processing means>
Next, the update processing means 122 will be described. The update processing means 122 performs an update process including a transition to the next game in step S19 (see FIG. 10) in the game control process. Here, FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing processing by the update processing means 122.

  When the BB state flag relating to the BB game is ON (step S191: YES), the update processing means 122 adds the number of medals paid out by winning in the game to a payout total counter (hereinafter referred to as “DCNT”). Integration is performed (step S192). When the DCNT exceeds, for example, 480 cards corresponding to the maximum payout number, which is the BB game end condition (step S193: YES), the BB state flag related to the BB game is turned off (step S194), and the DCNT is cleared. (Step S195).

  When the RB state flag relating to the RB game is ON (step S196: YES), the update processing unit 122 adds “1” to the game number counter (hereinafter “GCNT”) (step S197). Further, when a small combination is established in the game and the formed combination flag is ON (step S198: YES), “1” is added to the small combination winning number counter (hereinafter “WCNT”) (step S199).

  When the GCNT corresponding to the number of RB games exceeds, for example, 12 games, or when the WCNT corresponding to the number of small roles established exceeds, for example, 8 times (step S200: YES), The flag is turned off (step S201), and GCNT and WCNT are cleared (step S202).

  When the game state is changed between the non-RT, RT1 to RT4 or the general game and the special game described above with reference to the flag relating to the game state (step S203: YES), the update processing unit 122 changes the game state. The combination lottery table corresponding to the gaming state is read from the ROM 102 and set in the combination lottery means 112 (step S204).

<Production control means>
Next, various control means provided in the sub-control board 200 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The effect control means 210 of the sub-control board 200 mainly controls the effects performed along with the progress of the game of the slot machine 10 together with the control means described below.

  The effect control unit 210 generates effects by using lights such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R, the speakers 64L and 64R, according to the content and timing of the command transmitted from the main control board 100. An effect by sound using 73L and 73R, and an effect by image or character using the image display device 61 are controlled.

  For example, when the start lever 55 is tilted and the rotation start command (step S14 in FIG. 10) is received from the main control board 100, the effect control unit 210 displays a predetermined or any time-selected effect image on the image display device 61. Display and produce an effect that attracts the player's interest in the reel rotation. Further, the effect control means 210 selects an effect pattern to be effected on the image display device 61 or the like according to the result of the lottery executed by the main control board 100 and the current game progress state. An effect image or effect pattern may be selected by a lottery process of the effect lottery means 211 described below.

  For example, when the effect control means 210 receives an internal winning combination lottery result command of “Red Seven Match (Re-Game-G)” from the main control board 100, the effect pattern that makes the player aim for the red Seven symbol. Alternatively, an effect pattern that prompts the user to “reversely press” the red seven symbols may be selected and displayed on the image display device 61 or the like. Further, the effect control means 210 may receive a command from the main control board 100 and perform a corresponding effect such that the reel operates in conjunction with the irregular operation of the reel. Further, when the reel does not operate irregularly, only the normal effect may be performed without performing the above-described corresponding effect.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a part of the symbol pattern of the replays H to L includes a red seven symbol. The production control means 210, even if it receives a combination lottery result command of a lottery result that includes simultaneous wins of replays H to L but does not include a win of “Red Seven Match (Replay-G)”. May be performed. Such a Gase effect can increase the expectation of “Red Seven Match” in the same way as when the Re-Gamer-G is elected internally while the Red Seven symbol approaches the reach.

<Direction lottery means>
The effect lottery means 211 provided in the sub-control board 200 is activated every time a command is received from the main control board 100 or when a specific rotation start command or a role lottery result command is received. The effect lottery unit 211 acquires the random value indicated by the random number generator 208 at a predetermined timing, refers to the effect lottery table stored in the ROM 202, and selects the effect content corresponding to the numerical range to which the acquired random number value belongs. To do.

  In addition to the lottery for selecting an effect pattern (effect lottery), the effect lottery unit 211 determines whether or not to notify the role lottery result transmitted from the main control board 100 (role notification lottery) Further, a lottery (AT lottery) for determining whether or not to perform an AT effect that assists the player in the operation, such as a stop operation order, may be performed.

<AT control means>
The AT control means 212 provided in the sub-control board 200 selects an effect pattern corresponding to the association between the combination indicated by the combination lottery result command and the stop operation order from the plurality of effect patterns related to the AT. The effect pattern and AT effect image related to the execution of these ATs may be selected by lottery by the effect lottery means 211.

  When the AT execution condition is satisfied, the AT control unit 212 should receive the rotation stop command transmitted from the main control board 100 each time the stop button 56L, 56C, 56R is stopped, and then stop it. An AT effect image for notifying the reel is displayed on the image display device 61.

<Anomalous motion control means>
Next, an embodiment in which the slot machine 10 freezes a game under a specific situation and performs a game effect using the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R during that time will be described. The reel irregular operation effect that irregularly operates the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, for example, in the forward and reverse directions, is executed with the irregular operation control means 117 and the startup correction means 119 of the reel control means 113 involved (see FIG. 9).

  The anomalous operation control means 117 provided on the main control board 100 calls the selected scenario pattern table 131 and the scenario table 132 referred to thereby as shown in FIG. Thus, the rotation operation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is controlled by the scenario pattern (anomalous operation pattern) defined in the scenario pattern table 131. The irregular operation control means 117 includes a stop position detection means 133, a rotation amount calculation means 134, and a scenario pattern selection means 135 shown in FIG. FIG. 27 shows one embodiment of the scenario pattern table 131 and the scenario table 132, and the data configuration and functions of these tables will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

(Scenario pattern table)
The scenario pattern table 131 is based on the combination of the scenario table 132, and a plurality of types are prepared in advance according to the element operation patterns (scenario patterns) of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R to be programmed. More specifically, the scenario pattern table 131 includes one or more scenario execution command data for commanding the rotation amount, rotation direction, rotation speed, and the like of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R.

  A plurality of types of scenario pattern tables 131 having default values (initial setting values) are stored in advance in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100. Then, the scenario pattern table 131 selected at the time of effect execution is loaded from the ROM 102 to a predetermined area of the RAM 103. When the scenario pattern table 131 is loaded into the rewritable RAM 103, scenario execution command data including the number-of-calls data described next in the scenario pattern table 131 can be edited and reset, and the reel operation pattern can be changed more finely. It can be done.

  As shown in detail in the table on the left side of FIG. 27, the scenario pattern table 131 (for example, TBL_COMB1, TBL_COMB2,...) Includes start-up correction data (described later) of the first byte, and one word (2 bytes) each. Scenario execution command data and a terminator (value is “0000h”) indicating the end of the table. Each of the scenario pattern tables TBL_COMB1 and TBL_COMB2 shown in FIG. 27 has two sets of scenario execution command data. However, how the scenario execution command data is set or how many sets are set can be arbitrarily determined. Although not shown, the start correction data may be added immediately before the scenario execution command data for calling the scenario table in which the rotation of the reel is reversed.

  The scenario execution command data constituting the scenario pattern table 131 includes scenario address data (1 byte) for indicating a reference address of a predetermined scenario table 132 and the number of times the scenario table 132 referred to by the scenario address data is called. It consists of a pair of call count data (1 byte) to be commanded (2 bytes in total).

  For example, the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB1 shown in FIG. 27 calls a scenario table TBL_SDAT2 that rotates all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R in the forward direction at 1/4 speed 36 times as described later, and issues a reel operation execution command. Scenario execution command data 1 to be performed, and thereafter scenario execution command data 2 to call a scenario table TBL_SDAT1 for waiting all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R for 255 times to issue a reel operation execution command. In this example, in the upper byte of the scenario execution command data 1, the value “36” of the number-of-calls data that the irregular operation control means 117 calls and executes the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 is set, and the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 is set in the lower byte. An address to be referred when calling is set. Here, “address” of the scenario address data means an address on the memory, and the set data may be an absolute address of the scenario table 132 (for example, TBL_SDAT2) stored in the ROM 102. Any of relative addresses (offset addresses) may be used.

  In the plural types of scenario pattern tables 131, default values such as the number-of-calls data included in the scenario execution command data are preset and stored in the ROM 102. However, the irregular operation control means 117 can load the scenario pattern table 131 of the ROM 102 into the RAM 103, and variable data such as the number of calls of the scenario table 132 referred to by the scenario execution command data of the scenario pattern table 131 on the RAM 103. If necessary, only the amount of rotation (rotation time) of the reel can be arbitrarily changed without changing the operation pattern of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R.

(Scenario table)
The scenario table 132 includes one or a plurality of drive command data for instructing the rotation amount and the rotation direction of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R for each interval interrupt of a predetermined period to be described later. There are a plurality of types of scenario tables 132. Among them, the scenario table 132 may be configured to include drive command data for instructing an operation in which only one of the reels is rotated forward and backward independently and the other two are stopped. The scenario table 132 also includes drive command data for rotating the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R individually in forward and reverse directions, and drive command data for rotating the two reels individually in forward and reverse directions and stopping one reel. It may be included.

  That is, in the scenario table 132, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are independently rotated in the forward and reverse directions (3 × 2 = 6 ways), and the left reel, the left reel, the right reel, and the right reel are independent. Scenario operation for forward / reverse rotation (3 × 2 × 2 = 12 ways), scenario operation for all reels 40L, 40C, 40R independently rotating forward / reversely (2 × 2 × 2 = 8 ways) ) At least 26 basic scenarios are possible. Furthermore, since the drive command data for realizing these basic scenarios can be arbitrarily combined, there is no theoretical upper limit for the types of scenarios represented by the scenario table 132.

  A plurality of types of scenario tables 132 having default values are stored in advance in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100. When the reference source scenario pattern table 131 is loaded into the RAM 103, the scenario table 132 referred to in the scenario pattern table 131 is simultaneously loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 103. As a result, it is possible to rewrite / reset the drive command data for instructing the number of interrupt processes determined in the scenario table 132 and the rotation amount of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, etc. in the variable area of the RAM, and further finely adjust the reel operation. It can be done.

  Specifically, as shown in the table on the right side of FIG. 27, the scenario table 132 (for example, TBL_SDAT1, TBL_SDAT2, TBL_SDAT3...) Includes one or a plurality of 1-word (2-byte) drive command data, The data structure includes a terminator (byte value is “00h”) indicating the end. In FIG. 27, an example including one or two drive command data is shown. However, as described above, there is no limitation on how to set the drive command data, and how or how many are set is arbitrarily determined. Can do.

  The drive command data includes the rotation amount data (1 byte) for instructing the rotation amount for rotating the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R in the interval interrupt process of a predetermined cycle, and the rotation amount indicated by the rotation amount data. A processing frequency data (1 byte) pair (2 bytes in total) for commanding the number of interrupt processings to be rotated is configured.

  For example, in the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 shown in FIG. 27, the minimum movable unit of the stepping motor (that is, one step) is applied to all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R on the left middle right in the interrupt process in which the interrupt signal having a predetermined cycle is received for the first time. Drive command data 1 that advances in the forward direction only, and drive command data 2 that maintains the positions of all stepping motors in the subsequent three interruption processes. In this example, “1” is set as the processing count data of the interrupt process in the upper byte of the drive command data 1, and the rotation amount data “172” is set in the lower byte. In the upper byte of the drive command data 2, “3” is set as the processing count data of the interrupt process, and the rotation amount data “0” is set in the lower byte.

Here, in the rotation amount data, each digit represented by a hexadecimal number which is a predetermined decimal number corresponds to a plurality of reels 40L, 40C and 40R. For example, when the rotation amount data “172” is expressed in hexadecimal, it is “444 (= 4 × 6 ² + 4 × 6 ¹ + 4 × 6 ⁰ )”, and the value “4” in the third most significant digit is the value of the left reel 40L. Corresponding to the command rotation amount, the second digit value “4” corresponds to the command rotation amount of the middle reel 40C, and the first digit value “4” corresponds to the command rotation amount of the right reel 40R.

  The command rotation amount for each of these reels 40L, 40C, 40R, that is, the value of each digit when expressed in hexadecimal, is a value obtained by adding information indicating the normal and reverse rotation directions to a multiple of the minimum movable unit of the reel. It is coded as That is, the command rotation amount here is represented by the number of steps which is the minimum movable unit of the stepping motor, and is coded in a form including information on the forward (DW) or reverse (UP) direction to be rotated. In order to distinguish the forward (DW) / reverse (UP) rotation direction, each command rotation amount is converted based on the conversion table shown in FIG.

  For example, in the scenario table TBL_SDAT2, the command rotation amount for each reel 40L, 40C, 40R in the drive command data 1 is coded as a value “4”. According to the conversion table of FIG. 28, the code value “4” means that the reel is advanced by one step in the forward direction.

  Further, in the scenario table TBL_SDAT2, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are moved forward by one step by the drive command data 1 in one interrupt process out of the total four interrupt processes, and the reel is not moved during the three interrupt processes. stand by. The resulting average reel speed is 1/4 times the normal reel rotation speed.

Further, for example, the scenario table TBL_SDAT3 includes the drive command data 3 that advances all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R in the reverse direction by one step in the first interrupt process, and the positions of all stepping motors in the second interrupt process. Drive command data 4 to be maintained. In this example, “1” is set in the processing count data of the drive command data 3, and “86 (= 2 × 6 ² + 2 × 6 ¹ + 2 × 6 ⁰ )” is set in the rotation amount data. Further, “1” is set in the processing count data of the drive command data 4, and “0” is set in the rotation amount data.

In the rotation amount data, as described above, the value of each digit represented by a hexadecimal number is coded corresponding to each command rotation amount of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R, for example, rotation of the drive command data 3 The quantity data “86 (= 2 × 6 ² + 2 × 6 ¹ + 2 × 6 ⁰ )” means that each reel is advanced by one step in the reverse direction (see FIG. 28).

  As a result, in the scenario table TBL_SDAT3, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R advance backward by one step in the first interrupt process (drive command data 3) out of the total two interrupt processes, and the second interrupt process (drive command) The reel waits for data 4). As a result, the reel rotates in reverse at a half speed with respect to the normal reel rotation speed.

  Here, the speed at which the stepping motor advances by the minimum movable unit (one step) in one interrupt process is defined as the “reference rotation speed” of the reel. The “normal reel rotation speed” used in the description of the present embodiment means the reference rotation speed. The unit of “revolution speed” of the reel rotation speed is a speed ratio with respect to the reference rotation speed of the reel, and is also a dimensionless amount expressed by the number of steps of the stepping motor / the number of interruption processes. Further, the same speed as the “reference rotation speed” may be referred to as “1 × speed”.

  The rotation speeds of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R when the scenario table 132 is executed are based on the first drive command in which the called scenario table 132 includes the first rotation amount data and the first processing count data. Data, and second drive command data having second rotation amount data and second processing count data, and the composition ratio of the command rotation amount indicated by the first and second rotation amount data, It is defined based on the composition ratio of the number of processes indicated by the second process number data.

In the example of the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 illustrated in FIG. 27, the “first drive command data” is the drive command data 1, and the drive command data 1 has the value “first rotation amount data” “ 162 (= 4 × 6 ² + 4 × 6 ¹ + 4 × 6 ⁰ ) ”and“ first processing count data ”value“ 1 ”. Further, the “second drive command data” is the drive command data 2, and the drive command data 2 is the value “0 (= 0 × 6 ² + 0 × 6 ¹ + 0 ×) of the“ second rotation amount data ”. 6 ⁰ ) ”and“ second processing count data ”.

  The “composition ratio of command rotation amounts indicated by the first and second rotation amount data” can be described as follows using this scenario table TBL_SDAT2. The value of the first rotation amount data (an arbitrary digit value expressed in hexadecimal) for any one reel of the drive command data 1 is “4”, and for any one reel of the drive command data 2 The second rotation amount data value (an arbitrary digit value expressed in hexadecimal) is “0”. Referring to FIG. 28, the value of the rotation amount data “4” means that the reel advances one step in the forward direction in one interruption process, and the value of the rotation amount data “0” In the interrupt process, this means that the position of the reel is maintained. Therefore, the “composition ratio of command rotation amounts indicated by the first and second rotation amount data” in the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 is specifically, first rotation amount: second rotation amount = 1: 0.

  The “composition ratio of the processing counts indicated by the first and second processing count data” is similarly described in the scenario table TBL_SDAT2, and the processing count indicated by the first processing count data of the first drive command data 1 is “1”. And the number of processes indicated by the second process count data of the second drive command data 2 is “3”. Specifically, the first process count: the second process count = 1: 3. Become.

上述したように図２７のシナリオテーブルＴＢＬ_ＳＤＡＴ２によるリールの回転速度は１／４倍速であるが、このことは第１の回転量：第２の回転量＝１：０、第１の処理回数：第２の処理回数＝１：３の各構成比率の値を式（１）に代入し演算することによっても容易に求めることができる。 The rotational speed of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is “based on the composition ratio of the command rotation amount indicated by the first and second rotation amount data and the composition ratio of the processing times indicated by the first and second processing number data. “Specified” means that the value of these component ratios and the average rotation amount in one interrupt process, that is, the double speed with respect to the reference rotation speed satisfy the following expression (1). .

As described above, the rotation speed of the reel according to the scenario table TBL_SDAT2 of FIG. 27 is ¼ times the speed, which means that the first rotation amount: the second rotation amount = 1: 0, the first number of processing times: The number of processing ratios of 2 = 1: 3 can also be easily obtained by substituting the values of the respective composition ratios into the formula (1).

  The plural types of scenario tables 132 are stored in the ROM 102 with default values set in advance for their drive command data (a pair of processing count data and rotation amount data). However, the irregular operation control means 117 loads the scenario table 132 of the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and, if necessary, the drive command data (the composition ratio of the command rotation amount indicated by the rotation amount data and the composition ratio of the processing times indicated by the processing frequency data). ) Is appropriately changed, the rotation speed of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R obtained by the equation (1) can be easily changed.

<Startup correction means>
In the first byte of the scenario pattern table 131, as described above, the reel control means 113 (anomalous operation control means 117) corrects the phase state when starting each stepping motor 41 according to the scenario pattern table. Startup correction data is set. The start correction data is stored in the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R defined by the scenario pattern table 131 so that the phase state immediately after the start of the stepping motor 41 becomes the phase state at the time of the latest stop of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. It is set according to the direction of rotation start. The activation correction data illustrated in the scenario pattern table 131 of FIG. 27 uses the upper 3 bits of 1 byte, the most significant bit is the left reel 40L, the second bit is the middle reel 40C, and the third bit is the right. It corresponds to the reel 40R. When the rotation start direction of the left reel 40L is the forward direction according to the called scenario table 132, “1 (= @ DW)” is set to the most significant bit of the start correction data, and “0 (= @ UP) when the reverse direction is the reverse direction. Is set. Similarly, “1” or “0” is set in the upper second bit and third bit of the start correction data according to the rotation start direction of the middle reel 40C and the right reel 40R.

  The startup correction unit 119 is a reel indicated by the startup correction data set in the scenario pattern table 131 before the irregular operation control unit 117 starts controlling the rotation operation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R according to the scenario pattern table 131. The phase counter RC2 is corrected and initialized in accordance with the rotation start direction (see FIG. 23). As a result, the stepping motor 41 is started from the phase state referenced by the initialized phase counter RC2, and the rotation operations of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are smoothly started.

  When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, the phase counter RC2 is temporarily corrected according to the rotation direction of the reels when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped (in this primary correction, the reels are started in the forward direction next time). The phase counter is corrected on the assumption that the phase counter RC2 is corrected), and the start-up correction means 119 recorrects (secondary correction) the phase counter RC2 in accordance with the direction of rotation start of the reel when the reel is started. The structure which has this may be sufficient. In the primary correction, the phase counter is corrected on the assumption that the reel is activated in the forward direction, so in the secondary correction, the phase counter is re-corrected only when the reel is activated in the reverse direction. become.

  By providing such a start-up correction means 119, even when an effect that causes the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R to rotate forward and backward and perform anomalous operation is repeated, an error is added to the value of the phase counter RC2. Will never be done. For this reason, the phase state of the stepping motor 41 can be accurately managed, and the initial operation when the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are activated can be performed by correcting the phase counter RC2 according to the rotation direction at the time of activation. It can be smooth.

[Example of reel production]
Next, some examples of reel operation effects will be described. Here, FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a part related to a process of performing a reel effect by temporarily suspending (freezing) a game among operations managed by the game control means 110 of the slot machine 10. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are stopped (step S301), and immediately after that, the correction means described above corrects the phase counter RC2 (primary correction). At this time, the phase counter RC2 is corrected by, for example, the method shown in FIG. 23 on the assumption that the reel is next activated in the positive direction (step S302).

  Thereafter, the game control means 110 checks whether the reel effect flag is on or off (step S303). The reel effect flag is a flag indicating an operating condition of freeze accompanied by a reel effect such as a reel irregular operation effect. That is, if the flag is on (step S303: YES), a reel effect is performed (step S304), and if it is off (step S303: NO), the operation of the bet buttons 52 and 54 or the start lever is performed without performing the reel effect. The process shifts to a state of waiting for an operation 55 (step S305).

  Note that the reel effect flag is turned on when, for example, a symbol relating to a re-game is displayed on the active line and a re-game is established. In addition, when an internal winner is selected for a role that is advantageous to a player, such as a special role that is a BB role or an RB role, or after winning a special role is confirmed or a special role is won, The reel effect flag may be turned on when a winning is not confirmed. Further, even when an advantageous combination such as a special combination is not won, the reel effect flag may be turned on rarely to perform the effect.

  If the reel effect flag is ON (step S303: YES), the irregular operation control means 117 performs the reel effect (freezing effect between games) after the reel stops by the method described above (step S304). An example of the reel production in step S304 will be described later.

  When the freeze process between the games accompanied by the reel effect (step S304) is performed for a predetermined time, the process shifts to a state waiting for the operation of the bet buttons 52 and 54 or the operation of the start lever 55 (step S305). When the game control means 110 receives the rotation start signal from the start lever 55 (step S305: YES), the role lottery process by the role lottery means 112 is performed (step S306). The game control means 110 checks the state of the reel effect flag again, and if it is on (step S307: YES), the reel effect before the start of reel rotation (freeze effect during game) is performed (step S308). A specific example of the reel effect executed in the freeze process during the game in step S308 will also be described later together with an example of the reel effect executed in step S304.

  After receiving the rotation start signal from the start lever 55 in step 305 or following the reel effect in step 308, the reel control means 113 normally rotates the reels 40L, 40C, 40R by the method described above (step S309). ).

  Next, some examples of reel effects performed in the freeze period of step S304 and step S308 described above will be described.

<Predetermined symbol display effect>
FIG. 30 is a flowchart when a predetermined symbol display effect is performed by the irregular motion control means 117 of the slot machine 10. Here, the predetermined symbol display effect refers to an effect of temporarily aligning a predetermined symbol (for example, a red seven symbol) to, for example, the horizontal middle line L1, and the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are irregularly arranged until the predetermined symbol is aligned. It can be rotated, applied with vibration, and bounce stopped.

  The execution of the predetermined symbol display effect involves the stop position detection means 133, the rotation amount calculation means 134, and the scenario pattern selection means 135 shown in FIG. Here, the stop position detection means 133 detects the stop positions at which the reels 40L, 40C, 40R have stopped. That is, the stop position detection means 133 refers to the passing symbol flag RF4 for the stopped reel and, if necessary, the symbol symbol RF5, and acquires the symbol number of the symbol currently located on the line L1. Based on the acquired symbol number, the current stop position with respect to the reel rotation reference position can be determined.

  The rotation amount calculation unit 134 calculates the rotation amount from the reel stop position detected by the stop position detection unit 133 to a predetermined symbol of the reel. For example, since the symbol number of a predetermined symbol to be displayed is known, the rotation amount to the predetermined symbol based on the difference (distance) between the symbol number of the symbol located on the current line L1 and the symbol number of the predetermined symbol You can easily see how many frames there are.

  The scenario pattern selection unit 135 selects one scenario pattern table 131, and based on the rotation amount for each reel calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 134 so that the symbol displayed on each stopped reel becomes a predetermined symbol. Thus, the scenario table 132 constituting the scenario pattern table 131 and its call count data are determined.

(First production example)
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a first effect example of a predetermined symbol display effect. FIG. 34 shows an example of the scenario pattern table 131 and the scenario table 132 selected when executing the first to third effect examples. In the first effect example, the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 of FIG. 34 is used. A first effect example shown in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 of FIG. 34 according to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description of the predetermined symbol display effect, the predetermined symbol temporarily stopped on the line L1 is assumed to be a “red seven symbol (symbol number“ 8 ”)” common to each reel 40L, 40C, 40R.

  First, the stop position detection means 133 detects the current stop positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (step S401). Next, the rotation amount calculation means 134 calculates the number of symbols (x, y, z) as the rotation amount up to a predetermined symbol for each reel 40L, 40C, 40R (step S402). Here, the number of symbols x up to the red seven symbol on the left reel 40L is 8 frames, the number of symbols y up to the red seven symbol on the middle reel 40C is 6 frames, and the number of symbols y up to the red seven symbol on the right reel 40R is 13 frames. Suppose that

  The scenario pattern selection means 135 selects TBL_COMB11 as one scenario pattern table 131 (step S403). The scenario pattern table 131 selected here may be a predetermined one, one selected by a lottery having a certain probability, or one selected according to the type of winning combination. The selected scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 is loaded into a predetermined storage area of the RAM 103 together with the scenario tables TBL_SDAT11, TBL_SDAT12, and TBL_SDAT13 to be referred to.

  The scenario pattern selection means 135 determines the number of times each of the scenario tables TBL_SDAT11, TBL_SDAT12, and TBL_SDAT13 constituting the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 is called based on the number of symbols (x, y, z) up to a predetermined symbol (step S404). .

  Here, the scenario tables TBL_SDAT11, TBL_SDAT12, and TBL_SDAT13, which are called in a predetermined symbol display effect using the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11, respectively, are drive commands for rotating only one of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Consists of data. For example, in the scenario table TBL_SDAT11, drive command data is configured to advance only the left reel 40L in the DW direction (down direction, that is, the positive direction) by 25 steps (that is, one symbol), and the scenario table TBL_SDAT12 includes only the middle reel 40C. The drive command data is configured to advance one symbol in the DW direction, and the scenario table TBL_SDAT 13 includes the drive command data so that only the right reel 40R is advanced in the DW direction by one symbol.

  The scenario pattern selection means 135 that has selected the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 determines the number of calls of the scenario table TBL_SDAT11 for rotating the left reel 40L as x (= 8), and sets the number of calls of the scenario table TBL_SDAT12 for rotating the middle reel 40C to y. (= 6) and the number of calls of the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 for rotating the right reel 40R is determined to be z (= 13).

  In addition, the RAM 103 is provided with storage areas RML, RMC, RMR as storage means for storing rotation amount data for rotating each reel by interval interrupt processing corresponding to each reel 40L, 40C, 40R. Here, FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the contents of the storage areas RML, RMC, and RMR are updated as time passes.

  In accordance with the selected scenario pattern table 131, each time the scenario table 132 referred to from the scenario pattern table 131 is called, the drive command data is expanded (decoded), and the rotation amount data of each expanded reel is stored in the stepping motor. The number of steps is stored in each storage area RML, RMC, RMR. The irregular operation control means 117 (reel control means 113) refers to the values of the storage areas RML, RMC, and RMR by interruption processing at a predetermined cycle, and drives each stepping motor by the amount of rotation stored therein.

  For example, the value “1” of the storage areas RML, RMC, and RMR shown in FIG. 35 means that the stepping motor is advanced one step in the forward direction (DW direction) by one interrupt process. Although not shown, when the stepping motor is advanced two steps in the forward direction (DW direction) by one interrupt process, the value “2” is stored in the storage areas RML, RMC, RMR and in the reverse direction (UP direction). When returning one step, the value “−1” is stored, and when returning two steps in the reverse direction (UP direction), the value “−2” is stored. In addition, when the stepping motor is advanced by two steps in one interrupt process, specifically, when the stepping motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method, it is made by exciting the excitation phase of the second ahead, Returning the stepping motor by two steps is performed by exciting the previous excitation phase. Thus, when one step of the excitation phase of the stepping motor is skipped by one interruption process and the stepping motor is rotated two steps, the rotation speed of the reel is doubled.

  In the drive command data constituting the scenario table 132, each digit represented by a hexadecimal number in the rotation amount data of the plurality of reels 40L, 40C, 40R corresponds to each reel, and the command rotation amount for each reel corresponds to the rotation. It is encoded in the value of each digit represented by the hexadecimal number of the quantity data. According to this embodiment, the rotation amount data of the drive command data is decoded when the scenario table 132 is called, and the number of drive steps for each decoded reel is divided into the storage areas RML, RMC, and RMR. Is remembered. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform a complicated reel effect that causes the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R to be irregularly operated separately while using a scenario table having a simple data configuration. Therefore, the load required for the reel drive process in the interrupt process can be reduced, and the interrupt process time can be shortened.

  Returning to FIG. 30, after the scenario tables TBL_SDAT11, TBL_SDAT12, and TBL_SDAT13 are determined, the startup correction means 119 corrects the phase counter RC2 in accordance with the reel startup direction (DW / UP) (step S405). As described above, the start correction data (@ DW × 80h + @ DW × 40h + @ DW × 20h) corresponding to the start direction of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is set in the first byte of the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 to start The time correction means 119 corrects the phase counter RC2 with reference to this data by the method shown in FIG. When the primary correction is performed immediately after the reels are stopped, the correction here corresponds to the secondary correction.

  Then, the irregular operation control unit 117 (reel control unit 113) drives and controls the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R according to the scenario tables TBL_SDAT11, TBL_SDAT12, and TBL_SDAT13 referred to in the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB11 (step S406).

  The irregular operation control means 117 first calls the scenario table TBL_SDAT11 eight times to rotate the left reel 40L (FIG. 31a). Since the scenario table TBL_SDAT11 advances the left reel 40L in the positive direction by one symbol, when called and executed eight times, the left reel 40L rotates in the positive direction by eight symbols. As a result, a red seven symbol, which is a predetermined symbol, is displayed in the center on the left reel 40L stopped (FIG. 31b).

  Next, the anomalous motion control means 117 rotates the reel 40 </ b> C while calling the scenario table TBL_SDAT <b> 12 6 times by 6 symbols. As a result, a red seven symbol, which is a predetermined symbol, is also displayed at the center on the middle reel 40C (FIG. 31c). Finally, the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 is called 13 times and the right reel 40R is rotated 13 symbols. As a result, the red seven symbol is also displayed at the center of the right reel 40R (FIG. 31d).

  As described above, in the first effect example, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate in order at different timings, and an effect in which predetermined symbols are sequentially displayed in that order is performed.

(Second production example)
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a second effect example of the predetermined symbol display effect. FIG. 34 also shows a scenario pattern table TBL_COMB12 that is selected when the second effect example is executed. The scenario table TBL_SDAT17 called by the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB12 is a table that advances all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by one symbol in the forward direction. The scenario table TBL_SDAT15 is a table that advances the left and right reels 40L and 40R in one symbol and forward direction, and the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 is a table that advances the right reel 40R in one symbol and forward direction.

  In the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB12, the scenario table TBL_SDAT17 is first called 3 × 20 times. Since the number of symbols printed on one reel is 20, when the scenario table TBL_SDAT 17 is executed 3 × 20 times, all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are aligned and rotate three times in the forward direction (FIG. 32a). Subsequently, the scenario table TBL_SDAT 17 is called six times, and all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R further rotate by six symbols. A red seven symbol which is a predetermined symbol is displayed in the center only by the middle reel 40C stopped at this time (FIG. 32b).

  After the middle reel 40C stops, the scenario table TBL_SDAT15 is continuously called twice, and the left reel 40L and the right reel 40R rotate by two symbols. As a result, the left reel 40L has advanced 3 rotations + 8 symbols from the initial position, and a predetermined red seven symbol is displayed in the center by the stopped left reel 40L (FIG. 32c). Further, the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 is called five times, and only the right reel 40R rotates by 5 symbols and stops. As a result, the right reel 40R has advanced three rotations + 13 symbols from the initial position, and the red seven symbols are displayed together on all reels including the right reel 40R stopped at this time (FIG. 32d).

  As described above, in the second effect example, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate at the same time, stop at different timings, and perform an effect in which predetermined symbols are sequentially displayed.

(Third production example)
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a third effect example of the predetermined symbol display effect. FIG. 34 also shows a scenario pattern table TBL_COMB13 that is selected when executing the third effect example.

  In the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB13, the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 is first called five times, and the right reel 40R rotates 5 symbols (FIG. 33a). Subsequently, the scenario table TBL_SDAT15 is called twice, and the left reel 40L and the right reel 40R rotate by two symbols (FIG. 33b). Subsequently, the scenario table TBL_SDAT 17 is called six times, and all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotate by six symbols (FIG. 33c). At this point, the left reel 40L has advanced 8 (= 2 + 6) symbols from the initial position, the middle reel 40C has advanced 6 symbols, and the right reel 40R has advanced 13 (= 5 + 2 + 6) symbols. As a result, the predetermined red seven symbols are aligned side by side on all reels.

  Further, in the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB13, the scenario table TBL_SDAT17 is called 5 × 20 times. Since the number of symbols printed on one reel is 20, when the scenario table TBL_SDAT 17 is executed 5 × 20 times, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are aligned and further rotated five times. Thereafter, red seven symbols are aligned and displayed in the center by the stopped reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (FIG. 33d).

  As described above, in the third effect example, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start rotating in order at different timings, and after a predetermined time, all reels are stopped simultaneously and a predetermined symbol is displayed.

(Fourth production example)
If the scenario pattern table 131 is configured by variously combining the scenario table 132 that performs the basic reel operation as described above, a more complicated and diverse reel effect can be easily realized. In particular, the reel rendering program is not complicated and does not require a large memory area. The fourth effect shown in FIG. 36 is also an example realized by such a combination of the scenario pattern table 131 and the scenario table 132.

  In the fourth effect, first, the rotation of the middle reel 40C starts (FIG. 36a), then the rotation of the right reel 40R starts (FIG. 36b), and all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R rotate (FIG. 36c). ). After rotation for a predetermined time, first, the middle reel 40C is stopped and a red seven symbol which is a predetermined symbol is displayed (FIG. 36d), then the left reel 40L is stopped and a red seven symbol is displayed (FIG. 36e). The right reel 40R stops and the red seven symbols are displayed together (FIG. 36f).

(Fifth production example)
In the fifth effect shown in FIG. 37, first, the middle reel 40C rotates backward (FIG. 37a), then the left and right reels 40L and 40R rotate forward (FIG. 37b). The middle reel 40C stops and displays the red seven symbol (FIG. 37c), then the left reel 40L stops and represents the red seven symbol (FIG. 37d), and finally the right reel 40R stops and displays the red seven symbol. Displayed (FIG. 37e).

<Random rotation start effect>
In the predetermined symbol display effect described above, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped in a state where the predetermined symbols are aligned with the line L1. In this way, when a reel is rotated from the state where the combination of symbols is aligned and the game is started, it rotates with a pattern that is larger and more prominent than other symbols, such as 7 symbols (red seven and white seven symbols). As a result, the pushing operation of the seven symbols becomes easy, which may impair the player's sense of fairness. If the reel rotation cycle is detected by some means, and the stop operation is performed in accordance with the cycle, it may be relatively easy to press the winning symbol. In order to prevent this, the game is started after performing a random rotation start effect for controlling each reel 40L, 40C, 40R so as to be a combination of symbols different from the combination of the predetermined symbols displayed in the above-described predetermined symbol display effect. You may make it make it.

  More specifically, the scenario pattern selection unit 135 arbitrarily selects the first scenario pattern table (for example, TBL_COMB11 shown in FIG. 34) that performs the predetermined symbol display effect described above, and reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The number of calls of the scenario table referenced from the first scenario pattern table based on the rotation amount calculated by the rotation amount calculation means 134 so that a predetermined symbol (for example, a red seven symbol) is displayed when is stopped. decide. Further, the scenario pattern selection unit 135 selects a second scenario pattern table (for example, TBL_COMB25 shown in FIG. 40), and the rotation amount selected at random for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The number of calls of the scenario table referenced from the second scenario pattern table is determined.

  Then, the irregular motion control means 117 (reel control means 113) controls the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R according to the selected first scenario pattern table, thereby aligning the predetermined symbols (for example, the red seven symbols) with the predetermined symbols. A display effect is performed, and subsequently, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are controlled according to the second scenario pattern table, thereby performing a random rotation start effect in which the symbol combination is different from the predetermined symbol combination.

  Even in the random rotation start effect using the second scenario pattern table, an irregular operation such as rotating or vibrating the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R can be accompanied.

(Sixth production example)
FIG. 38 is a flowchart when a random rotation start effect is performed by the irregular motion control means 117. FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a random rotation start effect according to the sixth effect example. FIG. 40 shows an example of the second scenario pattern table TBL_COMB 25 selected when executing the sixth effect example. The sixth effect example shown in FIG. 39 will be described with reference to the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 of FIG. 40 according to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description of the random rotation start effect, the combination of the predetermined symbols arranged in the predetermined symbol display effect described above is red seven-red seven-red seven, and the reel from the position where the combination of these symbols is displayed. The operation effect will be described.

  First, the rotation amount calculation means 134 selects a random number for the initial rotation amount (i, j, k) of each reel 40L, 40C, 40R converted to the number of symbols (step S501). The random number selection here is a method of selecting a random number of 0 to 19 from software or a hardware random number generator, a method of determining the number of calls according to a predetermined number of calls pattern, and high speed operation in the range of 0 to 19 Either a method of acquiring a value from the increment counter or a method of selecting and selecting a value of 0 to 19 on the table based on the acquired random value.

  Note that the initial rotation amount (number of symbols) i of the left reel 40L selected at random in step S501 is 2 frames, the initial rotation amount (number of symbols) j of the middle reel 40C is 12 frames, and the initial rotation amount (design) of the right reel 40R. Number) Assume that k is 5 frames.

  The scenario pattern selection unit 135 selects one scenario pattern table 131 (second scenario pattern table) (step S502). The selection of the scenario pattern table 131 here may be any of predetermined ones, one selected by lottery, or one selected according to the type of winning combination. The present embodiment will be described using an example in which TBL_COMB 25 is selected to perform the sixth effect example shown in FIG. The selected scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 is loaded into a predetermined storage area of the RAM 103 together with the scenario tables TBL_SDAT13, TBL_SDAT15, and TBL_SDAT17 to be referred to.

  Based on the selected initial rotation amount (i, j, k), the scenario pattern selection means 135 determines the number of times each of the scenario tables TBL_SDAT13, TBL_SDAT15, and TBL_SDAT17 constituting the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 is called (step S503).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 40, the scenario pattern selecting unit 135 determines, for example, that the number of calls of the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 for rotating the right reel 40R is 3, and the scenario table TBL_SDAT15 for rotating the left and right reels 40L and 40R The number of calls is determined as 9, and the number of calls in the scenario table TBL_SDAT17 for rotating all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R is determined as 12.

  Each time the scenario tables TBL_SDAT13, TBL_SDAT15, and TBL_SDAT17 referenced from the selected scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 are called, the drive command data is expanded (decoded), and the rotation amount data of each expanded reel is the stepping motor step. The number is stored separately in each storage area RML, RMC, RMR.

  Next, the startup correction means 119 corrects the phase counter RC2 by the method shown in FIG. 23 in accordance with the reel startup direction (DW / UP) (step S504). Then, the irregular operation control unit 117 (reel control unit 113) drives and controls the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R according to the scenario tables TBL_SDAT13, TBL_SDAT15, and TBL_SDAT17 referred to in the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 (step S505). The reel driving process for driving the reel is performed by interrupt processing at a predetermined cycle, and the irregular operation control means 117 refers to the storage areas RML, RMC, RMR in which the drive command data of the scenario table 132 is expanded for each interrupt processing. Each stepping motor is driven by the amount of rotation stored therein.

  The irregular motion control means 117 calls the scenario table TBL_SDAT13 referred to in the scenario pattern table TBL_COMB25 three times, and rotates the right reel 40R in the forward direction by three symbols from the state where the red seven symbols are aligned on the line L1 (FIG. 39a). (FIG. 39b).

  Next, the irregular motion control means 117 calls the scenario table TBL_SDAT15 nine times, and rotates the left reel 40L by 9 symbols and the right reel 40R by 9 symbols in the forward direction (FIG. 39c). Then, the irregular operation control means 117 calls the scenario table TBL_SDAT17 12 times, and further rotates all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by 12 symbols in the forward direction (FIG. 39d).

  As a result, in the left reel 40L, 9 + 12 = 21 symbols from the first position, that is, one round and two frames are advanced, and the initial rotation amount i (two frames) selected in step S501 is offset. Become. Similarly, the middle reel 40L has advanced 12 frames from the initial position, and the right reel 40R has advanced 3 + 9 + 12 = 24 symbols from the initial position, that is, one cycle has advanced 5 frames, and the initial rotation amount selected in step S501. It is offset by j and k.

  Then, the reel control means 113 normally rotates the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (step S506). In this way, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are returned to the random state from the state where the predetermined symbols are aligned, and then the game is resumed.

(Seventh production example)
FIG. 41 shows a random rotation start effect according to the seventh effect example. In this example, the left and right reels 40L and 40R rotate in opposite directions (FIG. 41b) from a state where predetermined symbols are aligned (FIG. 41a), and then stop and display the symbols randomly ( FIG. 41c). The freeze is released by the operation of the start lever 55 after the reel stops, and the reels 40L, 40C, 40R normally rotate (FIG. 41d).

(Eighth production example)
FIG. 42 shows a random rotation start effect according to the eighth effect example. In this production example, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R vibrate up and down (FIG. 42b) by operating the start lever 55 from a state where predetermined symbols are aligned (FIG. 42a), and then stop and display random symbols. (FIG. 42c) is an example in which the reels 40L, 40C, 40R normally rotate (FIG. 42d).

  The reel effect that performs the complicated operation as described above can be realized by a simple combination of the scenario pattern table 131 and the scenario table 132. Therefore, it is possible to easily and flexibly respond to a request for changing the operation pattern of the reel or diversifying the operation pattern without increasing the storage capacity of the table data or rewriting it significantly. In addition, the symbol display mode by the predetermined symbol display effect can be prevented from affecting the next game by performing the random rotation start effect. Moreover, the novel reel production | generation aspect which combined these can also be provided.

  In addition, you may make it forcibly end the freeze accompanying such a reel production by operation of the bet buttons 52 and 54, for example. In this case, for example, the bet buttons 52 and 54 are operated on the freeze effect after the re-playing game (for example, the re-playing game B shown in FIG. 6) in which the symbols of the small roles are aligned with the oblique line L3A, and the effect is ended. When this is done, the game can be started without inserting medals from credits. By doing so, it is possible to give the player the feeling of starting the game that the bet buttons 52 and 54 originally have. Although the operation to the game operation means is basically invalidated during the freeze effect, other game operation means such as the start lever 55 may be provided with a function for forcibly ending such effect. However, if the red seven symbols are canceled when the red seven symbols are aligned, the rotation will be performed with the red seven symbols aligned. Alternatively, a random rotation start effect may be performed when starting rotation.

[Interval interrupt processing]
Since the reel effect unrelated to the game can be performed during the freeze period, an effect of rotating the reel at a higher speed than usual is also possible. In the present embodiment, in order to rotate the reel at high speed with stable controllability, a special interval interrupt process described below is provided to the slot machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes an interrupt signal generation unit 140 that generates an interval interrupt signal (herein simply referred to as “interrupt signal”) having a predetermined cycle, and an interrupt. An interrupt management unit 160 that manages interrupt processing executed by the CPU 101 based on the signal and a system control unit 170 that detects at least an operation state of the game operation unit are provided.

  The interval interrupt process managed by the interrupt management means includes a reel driving process for driving the stepping motor 41 by one step (in some cases, two or more steps) by the reel control means 113 (including the irregular operation control means 117) described above, There is system control processing by the system control means 170. In the conventional slot machine 10, the reel driving process and the system control process are executed by the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 in one interrupt process. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, a first interrupt process for performing a reel drive process and a system control process and a second interrupt process for performing a reel drive process but not a system control process are provided. The distribution of interrupt processing is managed by the interrupt management means 160.

  FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of the interrupt signal generation means 140. As shown in FIG. The interrupt signal generation unit 140 includes, for example, a reference clock generation source 141 and a frequency dividing circuit 142. A reference clock signal having a fixed period from the reference clock generation source 141 is input to the frequency dividing circuit 142, and the frequency dividing circuit 142 outputs an interrupt signal having a period T2 obtained by dividing the reference clock signal by a variable frequency dividing ratio. When an interrupt signal is input to the CPU 101, the game control process of the CPU 101 is interrupted, the contents of registers such as a program counter are saved in the stack area of the memory, and a predetermined interrupt process is preferentially executed.

  In the example of FIG. 43, the period T2 may be varied using a programmable counter (not shown) instead of the frequency divider 142. Further, the interrupt signal generation unit 140 and the interrupt management unit 160 described below may be configured by software executed by the CPU 101, and the first and second interrupt processing may be performed as internal timer interrupt processing.

  FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining the execution timing of the first interrupt process (1st) and the second interrupt process (2nd) managed by the interrupt management unit 160. 44, a cycle T1 is a cycle corresponding to a system clock for inputting / outputting signals between the main control board 100 of the conventional slot machine 10 and an external game operation means, an LED lamp, etc. For example, T1 = 2. 24 milliseconds. The reel speed at which the stepping motor rotates one step at the interval of the period T1 is a so-called reference rotation speed.

  In the present embodiment, the interrupt signal generation means 140 generates an interrupt signal having a cycle T2 that is the same as or shorter than the cycle T1 (in FIG. 44, the reel rotation speed is double speed, T2 = 1/2 × T1). And T2 = 1/4 × T1 which is a quadruple speed is shown.) As shown in FIG. 44, for example, when the interrupt cycle is set to T2 = 1/2 × T1, the reel driving process and the system control process are performed every cycle T1 when the interrupt signal is generated twice ( First interrupt processing), reel driving processing is performed in the interrupt processing of cycle T2 (second interrupt processing).

  If the cycle of the interrupt signal is set to T2 = 1/4 × T1, reel driving processing and system control processing are performed every cycle T1 when the interrupt signal is generated four times (first interrupt processing). In the meantime, the reel driving process is performed by three interrupt processes (second interrupt process).

  As described above, the control processing related to the system such as the monitoring of input / output signals is performed when the first interrupt processing is performed based on the interrupt signal of the cycle T1 set to a positive integer n times the cycle T2. It is. Here, the integer n is variable, and is a parameter that allows programmable control over the interrupt signal generation means 140. Then, the interrupt signal generation means 140 changes the cycle T2 of the interrupt signal, thereby changing the rotation speed of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R.

  That is, the reel control means 113 and the irregular operation control means 117 perform the reel driving process for advancing the stepping motor by one step for each interval interrupt process of the period T2. Therefore, by shortening the interrupt signal period T2, the reel control process can be easily performed. The rotation speed can be increased. According to this method, there is less risk of step-out compared to the method of exciting the next excitation phase by the 1-2 phase excitation method, and the control is stable, and the cycle T2 is stepwise. It is characterized by good controllability, such as being able to accelerate the reel smoothly by changing to a shorter one.

  The interrupt signal generation means 140 may select the reference clock signal from the reference clock generation source 141 and generate an interrupt signal with a period T2. By changing the interval of the selected reference clock signals, the cycle T2 can be changed stepwise. For example, in FIG. 44, the constant generation timing of the reference clock signal is indicated by a circle indicated by a solid line and a dotted line. For example, one of four generations of the reference clock signal can be selected and used as a reference interrupt signal (T2 = T1). In this case, in order to double the reel rotation speed (T2 = 1/2 × T1), it is only necessary to select one out of two generations of the reference clock signal and use it as an interrupt signal. In order to set the reel rotation speed to quadruple speed (T2 = 1/4 × T1), the reference clock signal for each time can be used as an interrupt signal.

  The interrupt signal generation means 140 can also change the cycle T2 of the interrupt signal stepwise by changing the frequency division ratio N of the frequency divider circuit 142 as shown in FIG. For example, if the interrupt signal when the frequency division ratio N is 4 is used as a reference (T2 = T1), the frequency division ratio N may be 2 (T2 = 1) in order to make the reel rotation speed double. / 2 × T1), the frequency division ratio N may be set to 1 (T2 = 1/4 × T1) in order to increase the reel rotation speed to quadruple speed.

  As described above, the system control process in which the input / output signal is monitored in the first interrupt process is executed every cycle T1, and the cycle is always constant regardless of the cycle T2 of the interrupt signal. For example, when the interrupt signal cycle T2 is set so that the rotation speed of the reel is doubled in the interrupt signal generation means 140, the multiple n of the cycle T1 with respect to the cycle T2 is set to 2 (T1 = 2 × T2). Is set to 4 times (T1 = 4 × T2). In this way, the period T2 is always kept constant.

  FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the first interrupt processing. The system control process in the first interrupt process activated every cycle T1 includes a power-off detection process (step S601), a timer measurement process (step S602), an input port data generation (signal input process) (step S603), and an LED display. (Signal output processing) (step S604), random number update processing (step S605) of the role lottery means 112 is included. Note that the system control process shown in FIG. 45 is an example, and may include other processes. Further, some of these processing steps may be performed by the second interrupt processing.

  In this first interrupt processing, reel drive processing is also performed. In the reel driving process, each stepping motor is driven by the rotation amount (usually one step) indicated by the driving data of the scenario table 132 (step S606). Thereby, the total processing time of the first interrupt processing is set to about 0.7 milliseconds, for example.

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the second interrupt processing. In the second interrupt process activated every cycle T2, only the reel drive process is performed, and each stepping motor is driven by the rotation amount (usually one step) indicated by the drive data in the scenario table 132 (step S701). The total processing time of the second interrupt processing is, for example, about 0.1 ms. The second interrupt process may include a part of the system control process described above, and the second interrupt process may include a part of the system control process that is not illustrated in FIG.

  In a configuration in which the interval of interrupt processing is simply shortened in order to control the reel at high speed and stably, the game control processing executed by the main control board 100 is eroded by the frequently performed interrupt processing, and the influence can be ignored. Disappear. For example, if an interrupt process with a processing time of 0.7 msec is generated in a system having a clock interrupt with a period of 2.24 msec, the game control processing time per clock is 1.54 msec. The time ratio (load ratio) is about 68%. On the other hand, if the clock cycle is simply halved (1.12 msec) in an attempt to obtain a double reel speed in the same system, the game control processing time between clocks is reduced to 0.42 msec, The time ratio of game control processing is reversed to about 37% and interrupt processing.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, a second interrupt process with a low processing load that performs only the reel driving process is newly provided, and the first interrupt process of the period T2 is performed between the first interrupt processes of the period T1 in which the system control process is performed. Two interrupt processing was performed multiple times. Here, FIG. 47 shows an example in which the reel rotation speed is set to quadruple speed (n = 4) in the slot machine 10 of this embodiment, and the game control process executed by the CPU 101 at that time and The first and second interrupt processes are indicated by thick solid lines. As shown in FIG. 47, the game control process, the first interrupt process, and the second interrupt process are distributed in time series by the interrupt management means 160.

  In the quadruple speed embodiment shown in FIG. 47, the cycle T1 is 2.24 ms, the cycle T2 is 0.56 ms, the processing time of the first interrupt processing is 0.7 ms, and the processing time of the second interrupt processing is 0.00. If it is 1 ms, the calculated time ratio of the game control process is about 55%. The load ratio of this game control processing that is borne by the CPU 101 is only a slight decrease from about 68% when the reel is at the 1 × speed (reference speed).

  As described above, according to the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the cycle of the second interrupt process for performing the reel drive process is shortened to realize high-speed rotation of the reel, and the load of the second interrupt process is reduced. Even if the second interrupt process is frequently performed, erosion to the game control process can be suppressed.

10 slot machine 20 front door 30 central panel 32 display window 40L, 40C, 40R reel 41 stepping motor 43L, 43C, 43R photo sensor 50 operation panel 51 medal slot 52 bet button 54 max bet button 55 start lever 56L, 56C , 56R Stop button 60 Upper panel portion 61 Image display device 62 Upper lamp 63L, 63R Corner lamp 64L, 64R Speaker 70 Lower panel portion 71 Medal payout port 72 Receptacle 73L, 73R Speaker 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROM 103 RAM
110 Game control means 111 Multiplying number setting means 112 Role lottery means 113 Reel control means 114 Rotation control means 115 Rotation stop means 116 Stop symbol determination means 117 Anomalous motion control means 119 Start-up correction means 120 Prize determination means 121 Medal payout control means 122 Update processing means 131 Scenario pattern table 132 Scenario table 133 Stop position detection means 134 Rotation amount calculation means 135 Scenario pattern selection means 140 Interrupt signal generation means 141 Reference clock generation source 142 Dividing circuit 160 Interrupt management means 170 System control means 200 Sub control Substrate 500 Motor drive circuit RC2 Phase counter

Claims (2)

A plurality of reels having symbols arranged along a peripheral surface, a plurality of reel driving means for rotating and driving the plurality of reels, respectively, and the plurality of reel driving means are controlled according to interrupt processing of a predetermined cycle A gaming machine comprising reel control means,
The reel control means includes
Rotation amount data for instructing a rotation amount for rotating the plurality of reels in the interrupt processing, and a processing number for instructing the number of interruption processes for rotating the plurality of reels by the rotation amount indicated by the rotation amount data A plurality of types of scenario tables configured as a program including one or a plurality of drive command data configured to have a data set;
Rotating operation of the plurality of reels according to scenario address data for indicating a reference address of any one of the predetermined scenario tables and the drive command data constituting the scenario table called by referring to the scenario address data A plurality of types of scenario pattern tables configured to include one or a plurality of scenario execution command data configured to include a set of call count data for commanding the number of calls to be performed;
Stop position detecting means for detecting stop positions of the plurality of reels;
A rotation amount calculation means for calculating a rotation amount from the stop position detected by the stop position detection means to a predetermined symbol for the plurality of stopped reels;
Scenario pattern selection means for selecting the scenario pattern table based on the rotation amount for the plurality of reels calculated by the rotation amount calculation means,
The reel control means executes the drive command data indicated by the scenario table referenced from the scenario pattern table for the number of calls indicated by the call count data according to the scenario pattern table selected by the scenario pattern selection means. By controlling the rotation operation of the plurality of reels,
The gaming machine, wherein the scenario pattern selection means determines the scenario table in the scenario pattern table and the number of times the scenario table is called so that each symbol displayed on the plurality of stopped reels becomes the predetermined symbol. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of types of scenario tables includes drive command data for rotating only one of the plurality of reels.

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