JP2014104199A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of visibly confirming information without returning to a guest awaiting screen.SOLUTION: A game machine for executing a variable display game to display plural pieces of identification information on the basis of a winning of a game ball in a startup winning area comprises a variable display area for displaying the variable display game being executed; an information display area capable of displaying information having no relationship with the variable display game being executed or to be executed in the future; and display control means for controlling displays in the variable display area and the information display area. The display control means can display the information having no relationship in the information display area during the execution of the variable display game.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a display device.

  A gaming machine that enables selection of a display mode on a standby screen of a variable display device is known. Specifically, this gaming machine allows a plurality of display modes to be selected on the customer waiting screen (standby screen) and displays the most frequently selected display mode (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-16579 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when a display mode is selected or an attempt is made to know a display mode having the highest selection rate, the user must return to the customer waiting screen and visually recognize the information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of visually recognizing information without returning to the customer waiting screen.

  In a typical embodiment of the present invention, in a gaming machine that executes a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner based on winning of a game ball in a start winning area, the variable display game being executed is displayed. A variable display area, an information display area capable of displaying information unrelated to the variable display game being executed or executed in the future, and display control means for controlling display in the variable display area and the information display area The display control means can display the irrelevant information in the information display area during execution of the variable display game.

  The “variable display area” and the “information display area” are display areas in the main display device, the upper movable display device, or the right movable display device, for example. The display control means corresponds to, for example, an effect control device, and may include a main control microcomputer and an image control microcomputer of the effect control device.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the player can view various information during the variable display game without returning to the customer waiting screen (standby screen). This increases the timing at which the player obtains information even when the gaming machine 1 is not on standby, and as a result, the player can easily obtain various information.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the game board with which the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention is provided. It is a block block diagram which shows the control system centering on the game control apparatus of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the control system centering on the production | presentation control apparatus of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the first half of the main process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the latter half part of the main process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the timer interruption process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the special figure game process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the start port switch monitoring process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the special figure start port switch common process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the special figure pending | holding information determination process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process performed by the microcomputer (1stCPU) 710 for main control of the presentation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the 1st scene control process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in the fluctuation | variation of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process performed by the video control microcomputer (2ndCPU) of the production | presentation control apparatus of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the range of the symbol variation area and the multipurpose information display region changes for each variation display game when the symbol variation region and the multipurpose information display region are set in the main display device of the embodiment of the present invention. . It is a figure which shows the display content of the multipurpose information display area in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display method of the multipurpose information display area in the main display apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display method of the multipurpose information display area in the main display apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows a mode that the range of a symbol fluctuation | variation area | region and a multipurpose information display area changes for every step of pseudo | simulation continuous effect in the case where a symbol fluctuation | variation area | region and a multipurpose information display area are set in the main display apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is. When the symbol variation area and the multipurpose information display area are set in the main display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display contents that cannot be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550 to be reduced are displayed on the upper movable display device and / or the right side. It is a figure which shows a mode that it moves to a movable display apparatus and displays. When the multi-purpose information display area is set in the main display device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the symbol variation area is set in the upper movable display device, the upper movable display device moves for each variable display game, and the multi-purpose information display is performed. It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of area | region moves to a right side movable display apparatus. In the case where the multi-purpose information display area is set in the main display device of the embodiment of the present invention and the symbol variation area is set in the upper movable display device, the upper movable display device moves for each step of the pseudo-continuous effect, It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of information display area moves to a right movable display apparatus. When the multi-purpose information display area is set in the main display device of the embodiment of the present invention and the symbol variable area is set in the right movable display device, the right movable display device moves for each variable display game, and the multi-purpose information display is performed. It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of area | region moves to an upper movable display apparatus. In the case where the multipurpose information display area is set in the main display device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the symbol variation area is set in the right movable display device, the right movable display device moves for each step of the pseudo continuous effect, and the multipurpose information display region is set. It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of information display area moves to an upper movable display apparatus. In the main display apparatus of embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows a mode that the display size in a symbol fluctuation | variation area | region changes according to the step of a big hit expectation degree, or a pseudo-continuous production.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the front, rear, left, and right in the description of the embodiment refer to a direction viewed from the game board (a direction viewed from the player).

[Composition of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The upper plate unit 11 is provided with an effect button 17 for receiving an operation input from a player on the front side of the upper plate 11a. When the player operates the effect button 17, the player operates the player in a variable display game (decorative display variable display game) on the main display device (variable display device, variable display means) 35 (see FIG. 2) or the like. It is possible to perform an effect that has been intervened, and it is possible to change the effect pattern (effect mode) in the normal gaming state. The fluctuation display game includes a special figure fluctuation display game and a general figure fluctuation display game (a general figure game, a specific fluctuation display game). Shall be pointed to.

  The normal gaming state (normal state) is a gaming state in which a specific gaming state has not occurred. The specific game state is, for example, a probability variable game state (high probability state) with a high probability that the result of the special figure fluctuation display game will be a big hit, a special time fluctuation display game and / or a normal figure when the fluctuation time reduction function is activated. These are a short-time gaming state (short-time state), a big hit gaming state (special gaming state), and the like that can improve the number of executions of the variable display game per unit time. Further, the normal gaming state is also referred to as a low probability state corresponding to the high probability state. Note that, in the probability variation gaming state, the function for shortening the variation time is normally operated except in the latent probability variation gaming state, and therefore the probability variation gaming state other than the latent probability variation gaming state may be referred to as a probability variation short gaming state. The short game state when the probability of a special figure variation display game being a big hit is normal (low) may be referred to as the normal short game state in distinction from the short game state during probability change. In the short-time game state, the below-mentioned public power support is executed.

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

[Game board configuration]
FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 30 with the center case (front component) 34 attached.

  The game board 30 is provided with a metal guide rail 32a and a conductive resin partition member 32b on the surface of a rectangular game board 32 made of plastic or the like to partition and form a substantially circular game region 31. ing. The game board 32 is a transparent member that can be seen through the back. A game board main body is configured by the game board 32, the guide rail 32 a that partitions the game area 31, and the partition member 32 b.

  In the upper right corner of the game board 30, there is provided a static elimination unit 900 that releases and removes static electricity charged on the game board 32 to the glass frame 6.

  In the game area 31, a center case (front component) 34 having an opening (display window) 34a is disposed. An opening having a shape along the outer periphery of the center case 34 is formed in the game board 32, and the center case 34 is fitted into the opening from the front.

  On the back side of the game board 30 is provided an effect device unit (back surface component) (not shown) composed of various effect devices. On the back side of the effect device unit, a main display device 35 as a variable display device and And an effect control device 700 (FIG. 4) for controlling effects and the like displayed on the main display device 35.

  The main display device 35 includes a display unit 35a capable of displaying a variable display game that displays a plurality of pieces of identification information. The opening 34a of the center case 34 is provided corresponding to the display unit 35a of the main display device 35, and the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is visually recognized through the opening (display window portion) 34a of the center case 34. It is possible.

  The display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is a liquid crystal display capable of displaying an arbitrary image, and is based on the progress of the game, such as a plurality of identification information (special symbols) and a character that produces a variable display game on the display screen. An image can be displayed. The main display device 35 sets a plurality of variable display areas (for example, three variable display areas on the left side, the center, and the right side, or three variable display areas on the upper side, the center, and the lower side) on the display unit 35a to display the variable display. In the game, an independent image can be displayed in each display area. The main display device 35 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be a display such as an EL or CRT.

  An upper movable display device (sub display device 1) 300 is provided on the upper right side of the main display device 35, and a right movable display device (sub display device 2) 400 is provided on the lower right side of the main display device 35. . The upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400 can be moved by a known driving device including an actuator such as an electric motor and a solenoid, a driving force transmission member that transmits a driving force from the actuator, and the like.

  Each of the upper movable display device (sub display device 1) 300 and the right movable display device (sub display device 2) 400 includes display units 300a and 400a formed of a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like on the front surface (front surface). The upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400 can display a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner on the display unit 400a of the display unit 300a instead of the main display device 35.

  The display unit 35a of the main display device 35, the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300, and the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 are information (first information) related to a current or future variable display game. As the information (second information) not related to the current or future variable display game, the current variable display game itself and the accompanying effects, pre-reading effects, start memory display (hold display) can be displayed. The game history and model information of the machine 1 can be displayed. The start memory display can be said to be information related to a variable display game to be executed in the future. As will be described later, the effect control device 700 can control the display contents of the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 as display control means.

  The game area 31 on the left side of the center case 34 is provided with a normal figure start gate 36 that establishes a start condition for a normal symbol (normal figure) variable display game when a game ball passes. When the game ball that has been driven into the game area 31 passes through the usual figure start gate 36, the usual figure variation display game is executed.

  Three general winning holes 40 are arranged in the game area 31 on the lower left side of the center case 34, and one general winning opening 40 is arranged in the game area 31 on the lower right side of the center case 34.

  The game area 31 below the center case 34 is provided with a first start prize opening (first start prize area) 37 for giving a start condition of the special figure variation display game, and a second start prize opening ( A second start winning area 38) is provided. The second start winning opening 38 is provided with a pair of movable members 38a whose upper side is opened in an inverted “C” shape and converted into a state in which game balls can easily flow. When the game ball wins the first start winning opening 37 or the second starting winning opening 38, a special symbol (special drawing) variable display game is executed.

  The pair of movable members 38a of the second start winning prize port 38 normally maintains a closed state (a winning regulation state that is disadvantageous for the player) with an interval of about the diameter of the game ball. However, since the first start prize opening 37 is provided above the second start prize opening 38, the game ball may not win the second start prize opening 38 when the movable member 38a is closed. It has become.

  The movable member 38a opens in the shape of a reverse “C” via the general electric solenoid 27 (see FIG. 3) when the result of the normal figure change display game is in a predetermined stop display mode, and the game ball is The state is changed (converted) to an open state (easy winning state advantageous to the player) that easily flows into the second start winning opening 38.

  The movable member 38a is controlled by a game control device 600 described later. The game control device 600 increases the frequency of occurrence of the easy-to-win state or increases the occurrence time of the easy-to-win state compared to the normal gaming state in the probability variation state or the short time state. It is said to be in the state of ordinary power support.

  In the game area 31 between the first start winning opening 37 and the right general winning opening 40, the first winning prize is obtained by the upper winning side solenoid 28a (see FIG. 3) being rotated in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted forward. A first special variable winning device 41 having an attacker-type opening / closing door 41a that opens its mouth is provided. The first special variable winning device 41 converts the state of the first big prize opening from a closed state (blocking state unfavorable to the player) to an open state (special game state advantageous to the player) according to the result of the special figure display game. In addition, a predetermined game value (prize ball) is given to the player by facilitating the inflow of the game ball into the first big prize opening. It should be noted that lower count switches 605a to 605m (see FIG. 3) are arranged in the first grand prize opening as detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the special prize opening.

  In addition, a second special variable prize winning device 42 having a turning portion 42 a that opens the second big prize opening by being turned by a big prize opening solenoid 28 b (see FIG. 3) is provided at the upper left portion of the center case 34. It has been. Similar to the first special variable winning device 41, the second special variable winning device 42 is in an open state (from a closed state unfavorable to the player) from a state in which the second big winning opening is closed according to the result of the special figure display game. (Special gaming state advantageous to the player), and by allowing the game ball to easily flow into the second big prize opening, a predetermined game value (prize ball) is given to the player. . Note that an upper count switch 606 (see FIG. 3) is disposed in the second grand prize opening as detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the special prize opening.

  A game ball is placed in the general winning port 40, the first starting winning port 37, the second starting winning port 38, the first big winning port of the first special variable winning device 41, and the second big winning port of the second special variable winning device 42. When a prize is won, the payout control device 640 discharges the number of prize balls according to the type of the winning prize opening from the payout unit 642 to the upper plate 11a. In general, the number of winning balls (for example, 15) when winning the grand prize opening is the largest, followed by the general winning opening 40 (for example, 10) and the start winning opening (for example, 3), but the first big The number of winning balls at the winning opening and the second major winning opening or the number of winning balls at the first starting winning opening and the second starting winning opening may be different.

  The game area 31 below the second start winning opening 38 is provided with an out opening 43 for collecting game balls that have not won the winning opening or the like.

  In the upper right portion of the center case 34, a distribution space (distribution space portion) 34f into which game balls rolling on the guide portion of the center case 34 flows is formed, and the game balls are in the distribution space 34f. The first passage gate portion 34g (first specific region, lottery gate) and the second passage gate portion 34h (second specific region, fixed gate) through which can pass can be disposed. The game balls that have flowed into the distribution space 34f are distributed by the distribution device 90 and pass through the first passage gate portion 34g or the second passage gate portion 34h. The distribution device 90 is a device that switches the flow route of the game ball. The sorting apparatus 90 includes a switching unit 93 that is driven to rotate by a rotary motor and switches a flow-down route of game balls. The game balls that have passed through the first passage gate portion 34g and the second passage gate portion 34h are discharged to the game region 31 on the right side of the center case 34 through the discharge passage 98 formed in the lower portion of the distribution space 34f.

  In the lower part of the center case 34, a stage part 100 having a rolling surface 101 on which a game ball can roll, a warp passage 110 that guides the game ball flowing down the game area 31 to the stage part 100, and a rear surface configuration of the game board And a cover member 120 for restricting the inflow of game balls into the member. The stage unit 100, the warp passage 110, and the cover member 120 are configured as transparent members.

  The warp passage 110 is disposed in the lower left part of the center case 34. The warp passage 110 receives a game ball 111 that has flowed down the game area 31 on the left side of the center case 34, and the game ball that has passed through the reception unit 111 at the left end of the rolling surface 101 of the stage unit 100. And a guiding unit 112 for guiding. The receiving portion 111 is opened obliquely upward to the left so that it can easily receive the game ball flowing down the left side of the center case 34. The guide portion 112 has a path shape with an open rear surface, but the opening of the rear surface is blocked by the cover member 120.

  The stage unit 100 is disposed at the lower center of the center case 34. The stage unit 100 includes a rolling surface 101 that extends in the left-right direction and allows a game ball to roll. A cover member 120 is provided behind the stage unit 100.

  The rolling surface 101 of the stage unit 100 is formed in a wavy shape in which both the left and right ends and the center are raised. A first guide portion 102 that slopes downward toward the rear is provided at the center of the rolling surface 101, and a second slope that slopes downward toward the front on the rolling surface 101 on both the left and right sides of the first guide portion 102. A guide unit 103 is provided.

  The cover member 120 includes an upright wall portion 121 that rises upward from the rear end portion of the rolling surface 101 and a folded wall portion 122 that is folded back from the upper end of the upright wall portion 121 so as to face the rolling surface 101. It consists of. By the standing wall portion 121 and the folded wall portion 122 of the cover member 120, it is possible to prevent a game ball rolling on the rolling surface 101 from flowing into the main display device 35 side.

  The standing wall 121 of the cover member 120 communicates with an opening 121 a formed at a position corresponding to the first guide 102 and an opening 121 a and an outlet 104 that opens at the lower front of the stage unit 100. A passage 121b is formed. The game ball that has flowed into the communication path 121b from the first guide portion 102 through the opening 121a is guided below the rolling surface 101 and discharged from the outlet 104 to the game area 31.

  Is the game ball guided from the warp passage 110 to the stage unit 100 rolling on the rolling surface 101 and then discharged from the first guide unit 102 through the communication passage 121b to the game area 31 from the outlet 104? Or from the second guide 103 to the game area 31. Since the outlet 104 of the stage unit 100 is formed immediately above the first start winning port 37, the second guide unit 103 is disposed to be shifted to the left and right sides of the first starting winning port 37. The probability that the game ball discharged from the outlet 104 is guided to the first start winning opening 37 is higher than the game ball discharged from the second guide portion 103.

  In addition, on the outside of the game area 31 and in the lower right part of the game board 32, a collective display for executing a special figure fluctuation display game (special figure 1 fluctuation display game, special figure 2 fluctuation display game) and a general figure fluctuation display game. A device 50 is provided. The collective display device 50 includes display units 51 to 60 that display information such as the current gaming state.

  The collective display device 50 includes a first special figure fluctuation display unit (special figure 1 display unit) 51 and a second special figure fluctuation display unit (figure display unit) (figure display game) composed of a 7-segment type display (LED lamp) or the like. Special figure 2 display) 52, a general figure fluctuation display section (general figure display) 53 for a common figure fluctuation display game, and a memory display section for notifying the start (hold) memory number of each fluctuation display game (special figure) 1 hold display part 54, special figure 2 hold display part 55, universal figure hold display part 56).

  In addition, the collective display device 50 has a high-probability display portion 57 and a short-time state for notifying that the jackpot probability state is a high-probability state from when the gaming machine 1 is turned on until the first jackpot occurrence. A game state display unit comprising a short-time state display unit 58 that lights up when it occurs and notifies the occurrence of a short-term state, and the number of rounds at the time of a big hit (the number of opening and closing rounds of the first special variable winning device 41 and the second special variable winning device 42 ) Is displayed.

  Next, the flow of the game in the gaming machine 1, the details of the general map variation display game and the special diagram variation display game will be described.

  In the gaming machine 1, a game is played by launching a game ball from the ball launch unit 13 toward the game area 31. The launched game balls flow down the game area 31 while changing the rolling direction by obstacle nails, windmills, etc. arranged in various places in the game area 31, and the normal start gate 36, the general winning opening 40, the first start The winning opening 37, the second start winning opening 38, the first special variation winning apparatus 41 or the second special variable winning apparatus 42 is won, or the game area 31 flows into the out opening 43 provided at the bottom of the gaming area 31. Discharged from. Then, when a game ball wins the general winning port 40, the first starting winning port 37, the second starting winning port 38, the first special variable winning device 41 or the second special variable winning device 42, the type of the winning port that is won is determined. A corresponding number of prize balls are discharged to the upper plate 11a via the payout unit 642.

  The normal start gate 36 is provided with a gate switch 603 (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed the normal start gate 36. When the game ball passes through the usual figure start gate 36, it is detected by the gate switch 603, and the usual figure variation display game is executed.

  A state in which the normal map variable display game cannot be started, for example, when the normal map variable display game has already been played and the normal map variable display game has not been completed, When the 2 start winning opening 38 is converted to the open state, when the game ball passes the normal start gate 36, the stored number is added (+1) if the normal start memory number is less than the upper limit number.

  In the normal map start memory, a random number value for hit determination for determining the hit error of the normal map fluctuation display game is stored, and when this hit determination random number value coincides with the determination value, the normal map change display is performed. A specific result mode (specific result) is derived by winning the game.

  The universal map display game is executed by a universal map display 53 provided in the collective display device 50. The general-purpose indicator 53 is composed of LEDs indicating normal identification information (general-purpose) in the lit state and indicating a shift in the unlit state, and the normal identification information varies by blinking this LED. Display is performed, and after a predetermined fluctuation display time has elapsed, the result is displayed by turning on or off the LED.

  When the common figure random number extracted when passing through the common figure start gate 36 is a winning value, the normal symbol displayed on the universal figure display unit 53 stops in a hit state and enters a hit state. At this time, when the electric solenoid 27 (see FIG. 3) is driven, the movable member 38a is converted to an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds), and the game ball to the second start winning prize port 38 is converted. Is acceptable.

  The winning of the game ball to the first start winning opening 37 and the winning to the second start winning opening 38 are detected by the first start opening switch 601 (see FIG. 3) and the second start opening switch 602 (see FIG. 3). The A game ball won in the first start winning opening 37 is detected as a start winning ball of the special figure 1 variable display game, and a predetermined upper limit number is stored, and a game ball won in the second start winning opening 38 is It is detected as a start winning ball of the special figure 2 variable display game, and is stored up to a predetermined upper limit.

  When detecting the starting winning ball of the special figure variation display game, the big hit random number value, the big hit symbol random number value, and each fluctuation pattern random number value are extracted. These random numbers are stored in the special figure holding storage area (a part of the RAM) of the game control device 600 as a special figure start winning memory for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of eight times). The number stored in the special figure start winning memory is displayed on the special figure 1 hold display unit 54 and the special figure 2 hold display unit 55 for notifying the start winning number of the collective display device 50, and the display unit 35a of the main display device 35. Or on the display units 300a and 400a of the upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400.

  The game control device 600 executes the special figure 1 variable display game with the special figure 1 display 51 based on the winning to the first start winning opening 37 or the first start memory. In addition, the game control device 600 executes the special figure 2 variable display game on the special figure 2 display 52 based on the winning to the second starting prize opening 38 or the second start memory.

  The special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game are played by stopping and displaying a predetermined result form after the identification information is variably displayed on the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52. In the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400, a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) are changed corresponding to each special figure change display game. A display of special decoration map display game to be displayed is executed.

  In the special display variation display game on the main display device 35 or the like, the special decoration pattern (identification information) composed of the numbers and the like described above is left or top (first special design), right or bottom (second special design), It is performed by starting the variable display (scroll display) in the order of the middle (third special symbol), sequentially stopping the symbols changing after a predetermined time, and displaying the result of the special symbol variable display game. Further, on the main display device 35 and the like, various effect displays such as the appearance of characters are performed in order to improve interest.

  When a game ball is won at the first start winning opening 37 or the second starting winning opening 38 at a predetermined timing (when the big hit random number at the time of winning detection is a big hit value), the special figure variation display game As a result of this, a specific result mode (special result mode) is derived from the display symbols, and a big hit state (special game state) is obtained. Correspondingly, the display mode of the main display device 35 or the like is a special result mode (for example, a state in which numbers such as “7, 7, 7” are arranged).

  After that, when a special gaming state occurs, energization to the big prize opening solenoid 28a and the big prize opening solenoid 28b (see FIG. 3) provided in the first special variation prize winning device 41 and the second special variable prize winning device 42 causes a large amount. The winning opening is converted from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). That is, the big winning opening provided in the first special variable winning device 41 and the second special variable winning device 42 is opened widely for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls wins, during which the player opens many game balls. The privilege that it can be acquired is given.

  In the present embodiment, a round number determination game (auxiliary game), which will be described later, may be executed after the special result mode is derived and before the special game state occurs. In addition, the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 may be configured as separate displays or the same display, but each special figure variation display game is not executed simultaneously. Is set as follows.

  As for the decorative special figure variation display game in the main display device 35 or the like, the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game may be executed in different display devices or in different display areas. It may be executed in the display device or display area. In this case, the decorative special figure fluctuation display game corresponding to the special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game is prevented from being executed simultaneously. The special figure 2 variable display game is executed with priority over the special figure 1 variable display game, and there is a start memory of the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game. When the figure change display game is ready to be executed, the special figure 2 change display game is executed. The special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game may be executed in the order in which the start memory is stored.

  Also, the first start winning opening 37 (second start winning opening 38) in a state where the first special figure variation display game (second special figure variation display game) can be started and the start memory number is zero. When the game ball wins, the start memory (special drawing start memory) is stored as the start right is generated. At this time, the start memory number is incremented by 1, and the first special figure fluctuation display game (second special figure fluctuation display game) is immediately started based on the start memory. At this time, the start memory number is decremented by one. The

  On the other hand, a state in which the first special figure fluctuation display game (second special figure fluctuation display game) cannot be started immediately, for example, the first special figure fluctuation display game or the second special figure fluctuation display game has already been performed, and the special figure fluctuation is performed. If the game ball wins the first start winning opening 37 (second start winning opening 38) when the display game is not finished or in the special gaming state, the start memory number is less than the upper limit number. The start memory number is incremented by 1, and one start memory is stored. Then, in a state where the starting memory number becomes 1 or more, a state in which the first special figure fluctuation display game (second special figure fluctuation display game) can be started (the end of the previous special figure fluctuation display game or the special game state) (End), the start memory number is decremented by 1, and the first special figure fluctuation display game (second special figure fluctuation display game) is started based on the stored start memory.

  Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the player performs left-handed or right-handed according to the gaming state. A left-handed or right-handed instruction is displayed on the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 so that the player can easily make a game according to the gaming state.

[Game control device]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the game control device 600 provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing a control system centering on the game control device 600 of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

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

  The proximity I / F 621 is an interface that receives signals output from various switches, converts the input signals, and outputs the converted signals to the input port 622. A first start port switch 601, a second start port switch 602, a gate switch 603, winning port switches 604a to 604n, and lower count switches 605a to 605m are connected to the proximity I / F 621a. In addition, an upper count switch 606, a first passage detection sensor 607a, and a second passage detection sensor 607b are connected to the proximity I / F 621b.

  The first start port switch 601 is a switch that detects that a game ball has won the first start winning port 37. The second start port switch 602 is a switch that detects that a game ball has won the second start winning port 38. The gate switch 603 is a switch that detects that the game ball has passed the usual start gate 36. The winning award opening switches 604a to 604n are switches for detecting that the game ball has won the general winning opening 40.

  The lower count switches 605a to 605m and the upper count switch 606 are switches that detect that a game ball has won a big winning opening. When a winning game ball is detected by the lower count switches 605a to 605m and the upper count switch 606, the number of winning game balls is counted, and the counted number of gaming balls is stored in a memory provided in the game control device 600. Remembered.

  The first passage detection sensor 607a detects that the game ball has passed through the first passage gate portion 34g provided in the sorting device 90. Similarly, the second passage detection sensor 607b detects that a game ball has passed through the second passage gate portion 34h.

  The proximity I / F 621 receives a negative logic signal such as a high level of 11 V and a low level of 7 V supplied from various switches, and converts it to a positive logic signal of 0V-5V. Since the proximity I / F 621 is normally within a predetermined range (7V-11V), the lead wire of the sensor or proximity switch is improperly shorted, the sensor or switch is disconnected from the connector, or the lead wire is disconnected. It is possible to detect an abnormal state such as a floating state and output an abnormality detection signal.

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

  The reason for providing two proximity I / Fs, the proximity I / F 621a and the proximity I / F 621b, is that the number of input terminals of the proximity I / F 621a is limited. The proximity I / F 621b may be smaller than the proximity I / F 621a depending on the number of input terminals that are insufficient, so that the cost may be reduced. Note that the proximity I / F 621b may not be provided by using the proximity I / F 621a having a necessary number of input terminals.

  Of the output of the proximity I / F 621, the detection signal of the radio wave sensor 24 and the abnormality detection signals 1 and 2 output when the abnormality of the sensor or the switch is detected are input to the input port 622a. Further, the detection signal of the fraud detection magnetic sensor 23 provided on the front frame 5 of the gaming machine 1 or the like is also input to the input port 622a.

  The magnetic sensor 23 detects a magnetic force in order to detect an illegal act of manipulating the trajectory of the launched game ball with a magnet. The radio wave sensor 24 detects a radio wave irradiated toward the gaming machine 1 in order to detect an illegal act that causes the prize opening switch 604 or the like to malfunction. Note that a vibration sensor that detects vibration may be provided in the gaming machine, and the detection signal may be input to the input port 622a.

  Further, among the outputs of the proximity I / F 621, the output to the input port 622b is supplied from the game control device 600 to a test firing test device (not shown) via the relay board 650. Further, the detection signals of the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602 among the outputs of the proximity I / F 621 are input to the gaming microcomputer 611 via the inverting circuit 612 in addition to the input port 622b. It is configured. The inversion circuit 612 is provided because the signal input terminal of the gaming microcomputer 611 assumes that a signal from a micro switch or the like is input, and detects negative logic, that is, low level (0 V) as an effective level. Because it is designed to do.

  Therefore, when using a micro switch as the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602, it is possible to directly input the detection signal to the gaming microcomputer 611 without providing the inverting circuit 612. . That is, when it is desired to directly input negative logic signals from the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602 to the gaming microcomputer 611, the proximity switch cannot be used. As described above, the proximity I / F 621 has a signal level conversion function. In order to enable such a level conversion function, the proximity I / F 621 is supplied with a voltage of 12 V in addition to a voltage such as 5 V required for normal IC operation from the power supply device 800. It has become.

  A signal from the magnetic sensor 23 is directly input to the input port 622a, and signals from the front frame opening detection switch (SW) 25 and the glass frame opening detection switch (SW) 26 are directly input to the input port 623. The input port 623 also receives a status signal indicating a payout abnormality from the payout control device 640.

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

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

  The data held in the input port 622b can be read out by asserting the enable signal CE2 (changing to an effective level) by the gaming microcomputer 611 decoding the address assigned to the input port 622b. The same applies to the input port 622a and the input port 623 described later.

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

  The gaming microcomputer 611 includes a CPU 611a, a ROM 611b, and a RAM 611c, and executes various processes such as a big hit lottery by executing a program stored in the ROM 611b based on a signal input via the input unit 620. . The gaming microcomputer 611 is connected via the output unit 630 to a first special figure fluctuation display part (special figure 1 display) 51, a second special figure fluctuation display part (special figure 2 display) 52, and a general figure fluctuation display part. (Common figure display) 53, special figure 1 hold display part 54, special figure 2 hold display part 55, universal figure hold display part 56, high probability display part 57, short time state display part 58, round number display part 59 are provided. A control signal is transmitted to the collective display device 50, the general electric solenoid 27, the special prize opening solenoid 28, the effect control device 700, and the payout control device 640 composed of the special figure / general LED board etc. Overall control. The gaming microcomputer 611 selects a port for inputting or outputting a signal by chip selection.

  The ROM 611b is a non-volatile storage medium and stores programs, data, and the like for game control.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Information output from the CPU unit 610 by parallel communication is transmitted to the payout control device 640 via the port 631a. Specifically, a 4-bit data signal and a control signal (data strobe signal) indicating the validity / invalidity of the data are output. Since there is no need to secure one-way communication for the payout control device 640, a control signal is directly transmitted from the port 631a to the payout control board of the payout control device 640.

  Further, the payout control device 640 outputs a firing permission signal to the firing control device. The launch control device can launch a game ball into the game area 31 only when a launch permission signal is input.

  The payout control device 640 discharges the winning ball from the payout unit (not shown) based on the prize ball command signal from the game control device 600, or the payout unit based on the lending request signal from the card unit (not shown). Or renting a ball. As described above, the payout control device 640 outputs a payout abnormality status signal, a shot ball shortage switch signal, and an overflow switch signal to the game control device 600 when a failure such as a ball breakage or a failure occurs.

  The payout abnormality status signal is a signal output when the game ball is not paid out normally. The payout chute ball switch signal is a signal that is output when there is a shortage of game balls before payout. The overflow switch signal is a signal output when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower plate 14 (see FIG. 1). Data is transmitted from the game control device 600 to the effect control device 700 by serial communication.

  Subcommands are input to the effect control device 700 via the buffer 632a of the output unit 630. By having the buffer 632a, it becomes possible to prevent a signal from being input to the game control device 600 from the side of the effect control device 700, and unidirectional communication can be secured. The subcommands transmitted to the effect control device 700 include effects such as a change start command (including a change pattern command), a customer waiting demo command, a fanfare command, a probability information command (a command indicating a gaming state), and an error designation command. A control command signal is included.

  A signal output from the CPU unit 610 is input to the special winning opening solenoid 28 and the general power solenoid 27 via the port 631b and the driver 633a. The big prize opening solenoid 28a rotates the opening / closing door 41a (see FIG. 3) of the first special variable prize winning device 41, and the big prize opening solenoid 28b is a turning portion 42a (see FIG. 3) of the second special variable prize winning device 42. And the ordinary solenoid 27 converts the movable member 38a to the open state so that the game ball can be won into the second start winning opening 38.

  The collective display device 50 includes a special figure / common figure LED substrate and a case member for accommodating the special figure / general figure LED substrate. The anode terminal of the LEDs of the collective display device 50 is connected to the driver 633c via a segment line, and the driver 633c and the port 631c are connected. The cathode terminal of the LEDs of the collective display device 50 is connected to the driver 633b via a digit line, and the driver 633b and the port 631b are connected. The on / off drive signal from the driver 633c is input to the anode terminal of the LEDs of the collective display device 50, and the on / off drive signal is output from the cathode terminal of the LED of the collective display device 50 to the driver 633b.

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

  The game control device 600 is configured to be connectable to an external test test device via a relay board 650. The test firing test apparatus is an apparatus for performing a type test of the gaming machine 1 in a predetermined engine. The test firing test apparatus includes signals from the first start port switch 601, the second start port switch 602, the gate switch 603, the winning port switches 604a to 604n, the lower count switches 605a to 605m, and the upper count switch 606. Signals necessary for the test fire test, such as signals output to the mouth solenoid 28 and the ordinary electric solenoid 27, are input.

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

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

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

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

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

  As described above, the power failure monitoring signal and the initialization switch signal are once input to the input port 623, taken into the game microcomputer 611 via the data bus 680, and are handled as signals equivalent to signals from various switches. . This is because the number of terminals receiving external signals provided in the gaming microcomputer 611 is limited.

  On the other hand, the reset signal RST from which noise has been removed by the Schmitt circuit 624 is directly input to the reset terminal provided in the gaming microcomputer 611 and supplied to each port of the output unit 630 as described above. Further, the reset signal RST is output directly to the relay board 650 without going through the output unit 630, thereby turning off the test test signal held in the port (not shown) of the relay board 650 for output to the test board. Is configured to do. Further, the reset signal RST may be configured to be output to the test firing test apparatus via the relay board 650. The reset signal RST is not supplied to the ports 622 and 623 of the input unit 620. Data set to each port of the output unit 630 by the gaming microcomputer 611 immediately before the reset signal RST is input needs to be reset to prevent malfunction of the system, but each data of the input unit 620 immediately before the reset signal RST is input. This is because the data read by the gaming microcomputer 611 from the port is discarded when the gaming microcomputer 611 is reset.

[Production control device]
With reference to FIG. 4, an effect control device 700 provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing a control system centering on the effect control device 700 of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

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

  PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) 702 and 703 storing programs executed by the CPUs are connected to the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720, respectively.

  An image ROM 704 in which character images and video data are stored is connected to the VDP 730.

  The sound source LSI 705 is connected to an audio ROM 706 that stores audio data and the like.

  The main control microcomputer 710 analyzes the command transmitted from the game microcomputer 611 of the game control device 600, instructs the video control microcomputer 720 about the contents of the output video, and instructs the sound source LSI 705 about the contents of the reproduced sound. Or The main control microcomputer 710 also executes processing such as LED lighting control, various motor drive control, and production time management based on a control command from the game control device 600.

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

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

  The VDP 730 includes a VRAM (video RAM) 731 used for expanding and processing image data such as characters read from the image ROM 704, a scaler 732 for enlarging and reducing images, and an LVDS. A signal conversion circuit 733 that generates a video signal to be transmitted to the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 in a (small amplitude signal transmission) system is provided.

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

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

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

  Note that the video control microcomputer 720 uses a CPU capable of performing higher-speed processing than the main control microcomputer 710. By providing a video control microcomputer 720 separately from the main control microcomputer 710 and sharing the processing, it is possible to display on the main display device 35, etc., a fast moving image with a large screen that is difficult to achieve with the main control microcomputer 710 alone. And an increase in cost can be suppressed as compared with the case where two CPUs having the same processing capability as the video control microcomputer 720 are used.

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

  The effect control device 700 includes a panel decoration LED control circuit 741 that controls a panel decoration device 760 including LEDs and the like provided on the center case 34 and the game board 30, and a frame decoration device 21 that includes LEDs and the like provided on the front frame 5 and the like. Frame decoration LED control circuit 742 for controlling the display, board effect motor / SOL for driving and controlling the board effect device 770 including the electric accessory and the decoration member 7 that enhance the effect of the effect in cooperation with the effect display on the main display device 35 Solenoid) control circuit 743, and a frame effect motor control circuit 744 for driving and controlling the frame effect device 22 including an illumination drive motor for the movable illumination 9 and the like are provided. These control circuits (741 to 744) are connected to a main control microcomputer 710 via an address / data bus 740. The board effect device 770 also includes drive devices for operating the upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400, respectively. The board effect motor / SOL (solenoid) control circuit 743 is an electric motor as an actuator in these drive devices. Drive and control the solenoid.

  Further, the effect control device 700 includes an effect button SW (switch) 751 for detecting that the effect button 17 or the selection button 29 (see FIG. 1) is operated, and an effect motor for detecting that various drive motors are driven. A switch (SW) input circuit 750 that detects the on / off states of the SWs (switches) 752a to 752n and transmits a detection signal to the main control microcomputer 710 is provided. In addition, amplifier circuits 707 and 708 including audio power amplifiers for driving the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b are provided.

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

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

  As described above, the production control device 700 functions as production control means for performing production control based on the command transmitted from the game control device 600, and further, the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right side. It has functions as display control means for controlling display contents displayed on the movable display device 400 and sound output control means for outputting sound effects and the like from the speaker 10.

  The above is the configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Next, specific control by the game control device 600 will be described.

[Main processing (game control device)]
First, main processing executed by the game control device 600 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the first half of the main processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the latter half of the main processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. In the flowchart of the process executed by the game control device 600, the step code (number) is represented as “A ***”.

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

  When the main process is executed, the game control device 600 first prohibits interruption (A1001). Next, interrupt vector setting processing for setting a vector address indicating a jump destination executed when an interrupt occurs is executed (A1002). Furthermore, a stack pointer that is the head address of an area for saving a value of a register or the like when an interrupt occurs is set (A1003). Further, the state of the input port 623 is read (A1004), and the interrupt processing mode is set (A1005).

  Next, the game control device 600 sets a power-on delay timer for waiting until the programs of the subordinate control devices (the payout control device (payout board)) 640 and the effect control device 700 start normally (A1006). . For example, the power-on delay timer is set to wait for 3 seconds. By controlling in this way, when the power is turned on, the game control device 600 is started first and the command is transmitted to the subordinate control device before the start-up of the payout control device 640 and the effect control device 700 is completed. By doing so, it is possible to avoid that the subordinate control device misses the transmitted command. Therefore, the game control device 600 serves as standby means for setting a predetermined standby time for delaying activation of the main control means (game control device 600) and waiting for activation of the subordinate control device when the power is turned on.

  Note that an initialization switch signal is input to the input port 623, and the operation of the initialization switch can be reliably detected by reading the state of the input port 623 before the start of the standby time. In other words, if the status of the initialization switch is read after the standby time has elapsed, the initialization switch is operated after waiting for the standby time to elapse, or the initialization switch is continuously operated from when the power is turned on until the standby time elapses. There is a need to. However, by reading the status before the start of the standby time, it can be detected by operating immediately after turning on the power without performing such troublesome operations. Can be prevented from being accepted.

  When the setting of the power-on delay timer is completed, the game control device 600 executes processing for monitoring a power failure (A1007 to A1011). First, the game control device 600 sets the number of checks of the power failure monitoring signal (A1007). The power failure monitoring signal is checked by reading the power failure monitoring signal output from the power supply device 800. The number of checks of the power failure monitoring signal is, for example, twice. When a power failure occurs, the power failure monitoring signal is turned on.

  Next, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on (A1008). Then, the determination of A1008 is repeated for the number of checks set in the processing of A1007 (A1009).

  When the game control device 600 has measured that the power failure monitoring signal is ON for the number of checks (the result of A1009 is “Y”), the game control device 600 determines that a power failure has occurred and the power is cut off. stand by. In this way, by checking the power failure monitoring signal for a predetermined number of checks, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to noise or the like. That is, the game control device 600 serves as a power failure monitoring means for monitoring the occurrence of a power failure during a predetermined standby time. As a result, it is possible to cope with a power failure that occurs during the period in which the activation of the game control device 600 is delayed, and it is possible to appropriately deal with a malfunction at power-on.

  Note that access to the RAM is not permitted until the end of the standby time, and the stored contents at the time of the previous power shut-off are retained, so backup processing is performed when a power failure occurs here There is no need. For this reason, even if a power failure occurs during the standby time, it is not necessary to back up the RAM, and the control burden can be reduced.

  On the other hand, when the power failure monitoring signal is not on (the result of A1009 is “N”), that is, when no power failure has occurred, the game control device 600 updates the power-on delay timer by −1 (A1010), It is determined whether or not the value of the power-on delay timer is 0 (A1011). If the value of the power-on delay timer is not 0 (the result of A1011 is “N”), that is, if the standby time has not elapsed, the process returns to A1007.

  On the other hand, when the value of the power-on delay timer is 0 (the result of A1011 is “Y”), that is, when the standby time has elapsed, the game control device 600 reads / writes RWM (RAM, EEPROM, etc.) Access to the read / write memory is permitted (A1012). Further, all output ports are set to OFF (no output) (A1013). In addition, the serial port preinstalled in the gaming microcomputer 611 is set not to be used (A1014). In the present embodiment, the game control device 600 performs serial communication with the effect control device 700.

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the initialization switch signal in the power supply device 800 is set to ON (A1015). The initialization switch signal is a signal for setting whether or not to start a game in an initialized state when the gaming machine 1 is powered on.

  For example, if the power is turned off while the store is closed, etc., and the power is turned on when the store opens the next day, the initialization switch signal is set to ON so that the game starts in the initialized state. Is done. On the other hand, when the power is turned on again after a power failure, the initialization switch signal is turned off so that the game machine is not initialized in order to resume the game as close to the gaming state as possible before the power failure. Is set.

  When the initialization switch signal is set to OFF (the result of A1015 is “N”), the game control device 600 checks whether the data in the power failure inspection area in the RWM is normal (A1016). , A1017). More specifically, the power outage inspection area includes a power outage inspection area 1 and a power outage inspection area 2. The power failure inspection area 1 stores power failure inspection area check data 1, and the power failure inspection area 2 stores power failure inspection area check data 2. In the process of A1016, it is determined whether or not the power failure inspection area check data 1 stored in the power failure inspection area 1 is normal. Similarly, in the process of A1017, it is determined whether or not the power failure inspection area check data 2 stored in the power failure inspection area 2 is normal.

  When it is determined that the power failure inspection area check data in the power failure inspection area in the RWM is normal (results of A1016 and A1017 are “Y”), the game control apparatus 600 calculates verification data called a checksum. The checksum calculation process is executed (A1018).

  Then, the game control device 600 compares the checksum value calculated in the checksum calculation process with the checksum value calculated when the power is turned off, and determines whether or not these values match ( A1019).

  On the other hand, in the game control device 600, when the initialization switch signal is set to ON (result of A1009 is “Y”), the value of the power failure inspection area is not normal (result of A1016 or A1017 is “N”). If the checksum value at power-off does not match the checksum value calculated in the processing of A1018 (the result of A1019 is “N”), the initialization processing from A1040 to A1043 in FIG. 46 is performed. Run. Details of the initialization process will be described later.

  If the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value at power-off (the result of A1019 is “Y”), the game control device 600 initializes because the power failure process has been executed normally. The initial value at the time of power failure recovery is saved in the power area (A1020). For example, information for determining whether or not the information at the time of power failure has been normally stored is stored in an area (power failure inspection area, checksum, error) in RWM (read / write memory: RAM in the embodiment) Clear the related information and the area for storing information for monitoring fraud).

  Next, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the game state at the time of the power failure is a high probability state from the area for storing the game state in the RWM (A1021). If it is determined that the probability is not high (the result of A1021 is “N”), the processing after A1024 is executed.

  In addition, when it is determined that the gaming state at the time of the power outage is a high probability state (the result of A1021 is “Y”), the game control device 600 sets the high probability notification flag to ON and performs the high probability notification. Save in the flag area (A1022). Subsequently, the LED of the high probability display unit 57 provided in the collective display device 50 is set to ON (lighted) (A1023).

  Furthermore, the game control device 600 transmits a command at the time of power failure recovery corresponding to the special figure game process number to the effect control device 700 (A1024). The special figure game process number is a number indicating the state of the special figure game, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RWM when a power failure occurs. In this way, by transmitting the power failure recovery command corresponding to the special figure game process number to the effect control device 700, the game can be resumed in a state as close as possible to before the power failure occurs.

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

  In the initialization process, the game control device 600 first clears all work areas before the access prohibited area (A1040). Further, all stack areas after the access prohibited area are cleared (A1041). Then, the initial value for power-on is saved in the initialized area (A1042). Further, a command for turning on the power is transmitted to the effect control device 700 (A1043), and the processes after A1025 are executed.

  Note that the power failure recovery command transmitted in A1024 and the power-on command transmitted in A1043 include a model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine, and a decorative special diagram 1 indicating the number of suspensions in FIGS. A hold number command, a decoration special figure 2 hold number command, and a probability information command indicating a probability state are included. Also, depending on the state when the power is turned off or when the power is turned on, if the special figure fluctuation display game is being executed when the power is turned off, the recovery screen command is used. When initialized at power-on, a power-on command is included. Furthermore, an effect mode information command indicating the state of the effect mode depending on the model, and a time-saving count information command indicating the number of remaining games in the time-saving state are included.

  When the processing of A1024 or A1043 ends, the game control device 600 activates a CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) circuit that generates a timer interrupt signal and a random number update trigger signal (CTC) in the game microcomputer 611 (clock generator). (A1025).

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

  When the CTC circuit is activated, the game control device 600 performs activation setting of the random number generation circuit (A1026). Specifically, the CPU 611a executes processing such as setting a code (specified value) for starting the random number generation circuit in a predetermined register (CTC update permission register) in the random number generation circuit. At this time, it may be checked whether the random number generation circuit operates normally.

  Furthermore, the game control device 600 uses the values of predetermined registers (soft random number registers 1 to n) in the random number generation circuit at power-on as the initial values (start values) of the corresponding various initial value random numbers. (A1027). Thereafter, the game control device 600 permits an interrupt (A1028).

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

  Subsequently, the game control apparatus 600 executes an initial value random number update process for updating the values of various initial value random numbers and breaking the regularity of the random numbers (A1029). In the present embodiment, the big hit random number is configured to be generated using a random number generated in the random number generation circuit. That is, the big hit random number is a hard random number generated by hardware, and the big hit symbol random number, the hit random number, and the variation pattern random number are soft random numbers generated by software. Note that the source of various random numbers is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the big hit random number may be a software random number, or the big hit symbol random number, the hit random number, and the variation pattern random number may be a hardware random number. .

  Further, after the initial value random number update process is executed, the game control device 600 sets the number of times of checking the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 800 and read via the port and the data bus (A1030). Normally, a value of 2 or more is set as the number of checks. It is possible to determine whether or not a power failure has occurred by checking the power failure monitoring signal. The game control device 600 determines whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on (A1031). When the power failure monitoring signal is not on, that is, when there is no power failure (result of A1031 is “N”), the initial value random number update processing of A1029 is executed again, and the processing from A1029 to A1031 is executed repeatedly ( Loop processing).

  Further, by permitting an interrupt (A1028) before the initial value random number update process (A1029), if a timer interrupt occurs during the initial value random number update process, the interrupt process can be executed with priority. Become. Accordingly, since the timer interrupt process cannot be executed until the execution of the initial value random number update process is completed, it is possible to avoid a shortage of time for executing various processes included in the interrupt process.

  In the initial value random number update process (A1029), the initial value random number update process may be executed by a timer interrupt process in addition to the main process. However, when the initial value random number update process is executed in the timer interrupt process, an interrupt is issued during the initial value random number update process in the main process in order to avoid executing the initial value random number update process in both processes. It is prohibited to release the interrupt after updating the initial random number. However, if the initial value random number update process is not executed in the timer interrupt process and the initial value random number update process is executed only in the main process as in this embodiment, the interrupt can be canceled before the initial value random number update process. There is no problem, and there is an advantage that the main processing is simplified. Further, various random numbers may be updated not in the timer interrupt process but in the main process.

  The detection of the occurrence of a power failure (check of the power failure monitoring signal) may be executed by a timer interrupt process. At this time, the detection result may be monitored by the main process, or may be waited until it is reset.

  On the other hand, when the power failure monitoring signal is set to ON (the result of A1031 is “Y”), the game control device 600 continuously detects that the power failure monitoring signal is set to ON. It is determined whether the number of checks set in the process of A1030 has been reached (A1032). When the number of times that the power failure monitoring signal is set to ON is not reached the number of checks (result of A1032 is “N”), whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is ON again. Is determined (A1031). That is, when the power failure monitoring signal is on, it is determined whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on for the number of checks.

  When the number of times that the power failure monitoring signal is continuously turned on reaches the number of checks (the result of A1032 is “Y”), the game control device 600 considers that a power failure has occurred. Then, the process when a power failure occurs is executed (A1033 to A1039).

  The game control device 600 prohibits interruption (A1033) and sets all output ports to off (A1034). Thereafter, the power failure recovery inspection region check data 1 is saved in the power failure recovery inspection region 1 (A1035), and further, the power failure recovery inspection region check data 2 is saved in the power failure recovery inspection region 2 (A1036).

  Further, the game control apparatus 600 executes a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum when the RWM is turned off (A1037), and saves (saves) the calculated checksum value in the checksum area of the RWM ( A1038). Finally, access to the RWM is prohibited so that the contents of the RWM are not changed (A1039), and the system waits until the power of the gaming machine 1 is cut off. In this way, by saving check data in the power failure recovery inspection area and calculating and storing the checksum at the time of power-off, the information stored in the RWM before power-off is correctly backed up. It is possible to determine when the power is turned on again.

[Timer interrupt processing (game control device)]
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of timer interrupt processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

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

  When the timer interrupt process is started, the game control device 600 first saves the register by moving the value held in the predetermined register to the RWM (A1101). In this embodiment, a Z80 microcomputer is used as the game microcomputer. The Z80 microcomputer is provided with a front register and a back register, and the processing of A1101 can be implemented by saving the value held in the front register to the back register.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes input processing for acquiring input signals from various sensors and switches input via the input unit 620 and reading the state of each input port (A1102). The various sensors include a first start port switch 601, a second start port switch 602, a conventional gate switch 603, lower count switches 605a to 605m, an upper count switch 606, a first passage detection sensor 607a, and a second passage detection sensor. 607b and the like are included. In the input process, the input information is confirmed by performing chattering removal or the like on the input signal.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes output processing for transmitting output data related to game control set in various processes to the effect control device 700 and the payout control device 640 (A1103). The output data is information for performing drive control of an actuator such as a solenoid, and the solenoids to be controlled include, for example, a big prize opening solenoid 28 and a general electric solenoid 27. The output process also includes a process of outputting game data to an information collecting terminal device (not shown) that collects game data in the gaming machine.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes payout command transmission processing for transmitting (outputting) the command set in the transmission buffer to the payout control device 640 (A1104). For example, a prize ball command specifying the number of prize balls to be paid out from the payout device is transmitted.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes a random number update process 1 for updating the jackpot symbol random number 1 and the jackpot symbol random number 2 (A1105), and subsequently uses a variation pattern random number for determining the variation pattern in the special diagram variation display game. Random number update processing 2 to be updated is executed (A1106). In random number update processing 1 and random number update processing 2, in order to give randomness to various random numbers, the values of counters corresponding to various random numbers (big hit random number counter, hit random number counter, presentation determination random number counter, etc.) are incremented by one To do.

  After that, the game control device 600 executes a winning port switch / error monitoring process for monitoring various winning port switches and the like, and monitoring errors such as unauthorized opening of a frame (A1107). The various winning opening switches include, for example, a first start opening switch 601, a second starting opening switch 602, a gate switch 603, winning opening switches 604a to 604n, lower count switches 605a to 605m, and upper count switch 606. In the prize opening switch / error monitoring process, it is monitored whether a normal signal is input from these switches. As for error monitoring, the front frame 5 and the glass frame 6 are targeted for unauthorized opening.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a distribution state process for controlling the operation of the distribution device 90 for determining the number of big hit rounds in the special game state (A1108). In the distribution state process, the distribution state of the switching unit 93 provided in the distribution device 90 disposed in the upper right part of the center case is switched at a predetermined interval (in this embodiment, 5 seconds). When the first passage detection sensor 607a detects that the game ball has passed through the first passage gate portion 34g, and when the second passage detection sensor 607b detects that the game ball has passed through the second passage gate portion 34h. And the game control apparatus 600 can set the number of rounds of big hit to a different value. Further, when the game ball passes through one of the first passing gate part 34g and the second passing gate part 34h, the game control device 600 can set the number of rounds for the big hit by lottery.

  Further, the game control device 600 executes a special figure game process for performing a process related to the special figure variation display game (A1109). Details of the special game process will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, two types of special figure game processing may be prepared for normal time and big hit time corresponding to the result of the variable display game to be started.

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 executes a general game process for performing a process related to the general map display game (A1110).

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a segment LED editing process for controlling the display contents of the segment LED for displaying the special figure variation game and various information related to the game (A1111). Specifically, the parameters for outputting the results of the special map variation display game and the general map variation display game to the segment LED (for example, the collective display device 50) are edited.

  The game control device 600 checks the detection signal from the magnetic sensor 23 and executes a magnet error monitoring process for determining whether or not there is an abnormality (A1112). Further, the detection signal from the radio wave sensor 24 is checked, and radio wave fraud monitoring processing for determining whether there is an abnormality is executed (A1113). When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected, a notification sound is output from the speaker 10 or the gaming state notification LED 12 is turned on to notify the outside.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes an external information editing process for editing various signals output from the external information terminal 660 (A1114).

  Then, the game control device 600 clears the interrupt request and declares the end of the interrupt (A1115). Thereafter, the register temporarily saved in the process of A1101 is restored (A1116), the interrupt and timer interrupt by the prohibited external device are permitted (A1117), the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process. .

[Special Figure Game Processing]
Next, the details of the special game process (A1108) in the timer interrupt process described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special game process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  In the special figure game process, input signal monitoring by the first start opening switch 601 and the second start opening switch 602, control of the entire process related to the special figure variation display game, and setting of display of the special figure (identification symbol, identification information) are set. Do. The game control device 600 that executes special figure game processing constitutes special figure control means (second control means).

  When the special figure game process is started, the game control device 600 first executes a start switch monitoring process for monitoring winnings of the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602 (A1201).

  In the start port switch monitoring process, when a game ball wins at the first start winning port 37 and the second start winning port 38, various random numbers (such as big hit random numbers) are extracted, and a special variable display game based on the win Prior to the start of the game, a game result pre-determination is made to pre-determine a game result based on a prize. The details of the start port switch monitoring process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the game control device 600 executes a special winning opening switch monitoring process (A1202). In the big winning opening switch monitoring process, the game balls won by the upper count switch 606 provided in the second special variable winning device 42 and the lower count switches 605a to 605m provided in the first special variable winning device 41 are detected. The number of winning game balls is monitored.

  Next, the game control device 600 updates the special figure game processing timer by -1 if the special figure game processing timer has not expired (A1203). Then, it is checked whether or not the special figure game processing timer has expired (A1204). Note that the special figure game processing timer is set with an initial value of the variation time of the special figure fluctuation display game to be executed, and the value of the special figure game processing timer is decremented by 1 in the process of A1204. When the value of the special figure game processing timer becomes 0, it is determined that the time is up. Note that the variation time may be measured by updating the variation control timer only when the variation display game is executed.

  When the special-purpose game process timer has not expired (the result of A1204 is “N”), the game control apparatus 600 executes processes after A1216.

  On the other hand, when the special game process timer expires (the result of A1204 is “Y”), the game control device 600 refers to the special game sequence to be branched to the process corresponding to the special game process number. The branch table is set in the register (A1205). Further, the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the special figure game process number is acquired based on the table (A1206). Then, the return address after the branch process ends is saved in the stack area (A1207), and the process is branched according to the game process number (A1208). The game process number indicates the progress state of the special figure variation display game, and indicates the progress state of the special figure variation display game in seven stages of 0 to 6. When the process corresponding to a certain game process number is completed, the game process number is changed to the next number or the like.

  When the game process number is “0” (the result of A1208 is “0”), the game control device 600 executes a special figure routine process (A1209). The special chart routine process monitors the fluctuation start of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the fluctuation start of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the effects, sets the information necessary to execute the special figure fluctuation processing, etc. Do.

  When the game process number is “1” (the result of A1208 is “1”), the game control device 600 executes the special figure changing process (A1210). In the special figure changing process, the stop display time of the identification information in the special figure changing display game, the setting of information necessary for performing the special figure display process, and the like are performed.

  When the game process number is “2” (the result of A1208 is “2”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a special figure display process (A1211). In the special figure display process, if the result of the special figure fluctuation display game is a big hit, the fanfare command setting according to the type of the big hit, the fanfare time corresponding to the big winning opening opening pattern of each big hit, Information necessary for performing fanfare / interval processing is set.

  When the game process number is “3” (the result of A1208 is “3”), the game control apparatus 600 executes the fanfare / interval process (A1212). In the fanfare / interval processing, setting of the opening time of the big prize opening, updating of the number of times of opening, setting of information necessary for performing the processing during opening of the big prize opening, and the like are performed.

  When the game process number is “4” (the result of A1208 is “4”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a special winning opening opening process (A1213). The processing during opening of the big prize opening is necessary to set an interval command if the big hit round is not the final round, while setting the command of the big hit end screen if the big round is the final round, or to perform the big prize opening remaining ball processing Set information.

  When the game process number is “5” (the result of A1208 is “5”), the game control device 600 executes the big winning opening remaining ball process (A1214). In the winning ball remaining ball processing, when the big hit round is the final round, the time for the remaining ball in the big winning mouth to be discharged is set, or the information necessary to perform the big hit end processing is set Or

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

  When the game process number is “6” (the result of A1208 is “6”), the game control apparatus 600 executes a jackpot end process (A1215). In the big hit end process, information necessary for performing the special figure routine process of A1209 is set. In particular, in the jackpot ending process, the game control device 600 corresponds to the result of the special figure variation display game (here, the type of jackpot), when there is a utility support after the jackpot ends (that is, the normal short game after the jackpot ends). A flag indicating that there is a high probability of winning the normal figure change display game and that there is a general power support in the normal game mode flag area described below. Save figure high probability & ordinary power support flag). In the big hit end process, the game control device 600 saves the initial value (for example, 50 times) of the short-time variation count in the short-time variation count area. Here, the result of the special figure variation display game (type of jackpot) is a variety of jackpot results (with a promiscuous electric power support) that determine this according to the type of gaming state after the jackpot as shown in FIG. Jackpot, jackpot with normal power support, etc.).

  After that, the game control device 600 prepares a table for controlling the variation of symbols in the collective display device 50 (the special figure 1 display 51) (A1216). Subsequently, the symbol variation control process related to the collective display device 50 (special figure 1 display 51) is executed (A1217).

  Further, the game control device 600 prepares a table for controlling the variation of symbols in the collective display device 50 (special figure 2 display 52) (A1218). Subsequently, the symbol variation control process related to the collective display device 50 (special figure 2 display 52) is executed (A1219).

[Starter switch monitoring process]
Next, the details of the start port switch monitoring process in the special figure game process described above will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the start port switch monitoring process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  When the start port switch monitoring process is started, the game control device 600 first prepares a table for setting information on hold due to winning of a game ball in the first start winning port 37 (A1301).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 executes a special-purpose start port switch common process that is executed in common when a game ball has won the first start winning port 37 or the second starting winning port 38 (A1302). The details of the special figure start port switch common process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in the game control device 600, the ordinary electric accessory (ordinary variable winning device, first variable winning device, movable member 38a of the second start winning port 38, ordinary power) is operating, that is, the second start. It is checked whether or not the movable member 38a of the winning opening 38 is in an open state in which a game ball can be won (A1303). When the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (the result of A1303 is “Y”), the processes after A1306 are executed.

  On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (the result of A1303 is “N”), the game control device 600 determines whether or not the number of fraudulent winnings in the second start winning award 38 is greater than or equal to the fraud occurrence determination number. It is checked (A1304), and it is determined whether or not the number of fraudulent winnings is equal to or greater than the number of fraud occurrence determination (A1305).

  The illegal winning award will be described in detail. The second start winning opening 38 cannot receive a game ball when the movable member 38a is closed, and can receive a game ball only when the movable member 38a is open. Therefore, when the game ball wins in the closed state, there is a high possibility that some abnormality or fraud has occurred, and when there is a game ball won in the closed state, the number is counted as the number of illegal wins. In the process of A1305, it is determined whether or not the number of illegal winnings counted in this way is equal to or greater than a predetermined fraud occurrence determination number (upper limit value).

  When the number of fraudulent winnings is equal to or greater than the number of fraud determinations (the result of A1305 is “Y”), the game control device 600 determines that the game ball is won and invalidated at the second start winning opening 38, and the processing related to the special figure variable display game Is not executed, and the start port switch monitoring process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of fraudulent winnings is less than the number of fraud determinations (the result of A1305 is “N”), the game control device 600 prepares a table for setting information on hold by the second start winning award 38 (A1306). Then, the special figure start port switch common process is executed (A1307). Thereafter, the start port switch monitoring process is terminated.

[Special figure start port switch common processing]
Next, details of the special drawing start port switch common processing (A1302, A1307) in the above-described start port switch monitoring processing will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure start port switch common process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The special chart start port switch common processing is when a signal is input from the first start port switch 601 or the second start port switch 602 because the game ball has won the first start winning port 37 or the second start winning port 38. This process is executed in common.

  First, the game control device 600 checks whether a signal is input from a monitored start port switch (for example, the first start port switch 601) of the first start port switch 601 and the second start port switch 602. (A1401, A1402). If no signal is input from the start port switch to be monitored (the result of A1402 is “N”), the special view start port switch common process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when a signal is input from the monitored start port switch (the result of A1402 is “Y”), the game control device 600 sets the start port winning flag corresponding to the monitored start port switch to the RWM. Save to a predetermined area (A1403). Furthermore, the big hit random number extracted to the hard random number latch register corresponding to the monitoring target start port switch is loaded, and preparation for use in subsequent processing is made (A1404).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 outputs the number of times information related to the number of times of winning in the start winning port corresponding to the monitored start port switch is output to the management device outside the gaming machine 1 (start port signal output). Number of times) is loaded (A1405). Then, it is updated by adding 1 to the loaded value, and it is checked whether or not the start port signal output count overflows (1406, A1407).

  When the start port signal output count does not overflow (the result of A1407 is “N”), the game control device 600 sets the updated start port signal output count value in the start port signal output count area of the RWM. Save (A1408).

  After the processing of A1408 is completed, or when the number of times of starting port signal output overflows (the result of A1407 is “Y”), the game control device 600 determines the characteristics of the update target corresponding to the monitored starting port switch. It is checked whether or not the figure holding (starting memory) number is less than the upper limit value (A1409, A1410).

  When the special figure hold number is less than the upper limit value (the result of A1410 is “Y”), the game control device 600 sets information corresponding to the winning detected by the start port switch. Specifically, first, 1 is added to the number of special figure hold to be updated (for example, the number of special figure 1 hold) to update (A1411).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 prepares a decoration special figure holding number command. The decoration special figure reservation number command is composed of a MODE part and an ACTION part. More specifically, the game control device 600 first prepares a decoration special figure hold number command (MODE part) of the start port switch to be monitored (A1412), and further displays a special figure corresponding to the special figure hold number. A pending number command (ACTION section) is prepared (A1413). Then, command setting processing for setting transmission of the prepared special figure reservation number command is executed (A1414).

  Next, the game control device 600 calculates the address of the random number save area corresponding to the updated special figure hold number (A1415). Then, the big hit random number acquired in the processing of A1404 is saved in the big hit random number save area of the RWM (A1416). Further, a jackpot symbol random number of the start switch to be monitored is extracted and prepared (A1417). Thereafter, the prepared jackpot symbol random number is saved in the RWM jackpot symbol random number saving area (A1418).

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 extracts the corresponding variation pattern random number 1 and saves the extracted value in the variation pattern random number 1 save area of the RWM (A1419). Similarly, the corresponding variation pattern random number 2 is extracted, and the extracted value is saved in the RWM variation pattern random number 2 save area (A1420). Further, the corresponding variation pattern random number 3 is extracted, and the extracted value is saved in the variation pattern random number 3 save area of the RWM (A1421). The variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 are used, for example, for individually setting the variation patterns of the first half and the second half, or for executing a specific effect.

  Fluctuation pattern random numbers (variation patterns 1 to 3) for determining a variation pattern in the first or second special figure variation display game (including the execution time of the variation display game in variation display without various reach and reach), Unlike the big hit symbol random number which is updated by the software of the random number generation circuit, it is updated by the game control program. Note that the update of the variation pattern random number is not limited to being performed by the game control program, but may be performed by hardware or software of the random number generation circuit.

  Then, the game control device 600 loads a jackpot symbol random number corresponding to the monitored start port switch saved in the RWM in the process of A1418, and executes a special figure hold information determination process (A1422). Details of the special figure hold information determination process will be described later with reference to FIG. Then, the special figure start port switch common process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the special figure hold number is not less than the upper limit value (result of A1410 is “N”), the game control device 600 prepares a decorative special figure hold number command (overflow command) (A1423), and sets the command. Is executed (A1424).

  On the other hand, in the case where the monitoring target is not the first start port switch 601 (the result of A1431 is “N”), or the command setting process of A1424 is completed, the game control device 600 performs the special figure start port switch common process. Exit.

[Special figure hold information judgment processing]
Next, details of the special figure hold information determination process (A1422) in the special figure start port switch common process (FIG. 10) described above will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of special figure hold information determination processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The special figure hold information determination process is a prefetching process for determining the result related information (game result information) corresponding to the start memory before the start timing of the special figure variation display game based on each start memory.

  First, the game control device 600 checks whether or not the execution condition of the prefetch effect (notice) is satisfied (A1501), and determines whether or not the execution condition of the prefetch effect is satisfied (A1502). The execution condition of the pre-reading effect is that when the game ball wins the first start winning opening 37, there is no general power support (electric support) and the game is not in a special game state. Further, when the game ball wins the second start winning opening 38, the execution condition for the prefetch effect is always satisfied. Note that it may be determined that the condition for transmitting the prefetching prohibition command, that is, the condition for executing the prefetching effect, is not satisfied even when the number of executions of the variable display game is less than eight after the power failure recovery. The general electric power support (electric support) means that the movable member 38a of the second start winning opening 38 is opened and closed for a predetermined time (long opening time) for a short predetermined time interval so that a game ball is placed in the second starting winning opening 38. To make it easy to flow in.

  When the execution condition of the prefetch effect is satisfied (the result of A1502 is “Y”), the game control device 600 executes a big hit determination process for determining whether or not the pending start-up memory is a big hit ( A1503). In the big hit determination process, it is determined whether or not the big hit random number value included in the pending start memory coincides with the big hit determination value (lottery means), and the result of the variable display game related to the start memory is a big hit. It is determined whether or not.

  On the other hand, when the execution condition for the prefetch effect is not satisfied (the result of A1502 is “N”), the game control device 600 ends the special figure hold information determination process. That is, when the first start winning opening 37 is won and the power transmission support (electric support) or the big hit, the pre-reading process for determining the result related information (game result information) corresponding to the start memory is performed. Configured not to run. Note that the prefetching process may not be executed even when the condition for transmitting the prefetching prohibition command, that is, when the number of executions of the variable display game is less than eight after the recovery from the power failure.

  Thereafter, the game control device 600 determines whether or not the determination result of the big hit determination process of A1503 is a big hit (A1504). If the determination result of the big hit determination process is not a big hit (the result of A1504 is “N”), a slip information table is set as a table for selecting the production contents (A1507). Then, the processing after A1508 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination process is a big hit (the result of A1504 is “Y”), the game control device 600 specifies the identification symbol at the time of the big hit in the big hit symbol random number check table corresponding to the winning start port. Is set as a table for this (A1505). In the jackpot symbol random number check table, a determination value of a random number indicating a distribution rate as to whether or not the jackpot is hit and an address of the jackpot information table corresponding to the determination value are defined.

  Further, the game control device 600 checks the jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot symbol random number check table set in the processing of A1505, acquires and sets the corresponding jackpot symbol table (A1506). In the jackpot information table, symbol information and a start opening winning symbol command are defined.

  Subsequently, the game control device 600 acquires symbol information from the jackpot information table set in the processing of A1506 or the loss information table set in the processing of A1507, and saves the symbol information in the symbol information area for work of the RWM. (A1508).

  Then, the game control device 600 acquires the start opening prize effect symbol command from the set information table and saves the start opening prize effect symbol command in the winning effect symbol command area of the RWM (A1509). The start opening winning effect design command is used, for example, to notify the effect control device 700 of a pre-determination result (prefetch result) corresponding to the start memory.

  Next, the game control device 600 prepares a start opening prize flag corresponding to the start opening switch to be monitored (A1510), and prepares a target table for setting a start opening winning effect command (A1511). For example, reach system information can be notified to the production control device 700 by the start opening prize production command.

  Thereafter, the game control device 600 executes a special figure information setting process for setting special figure information set for the start target to be monitored (A1512). Subsequently, among the variation modes in the special figure variation display game, after executing the latter half variation pattern setting process for setting the latter half variation pattern (A1513), the variation pattern setting process for setting the first half variation pattern of the special figure variation display game is performed. Execute (A1514). Here, the first half variation pattern is a variation pattern before reaching the reach state, and the second half variation pattern is a variation pattern after reaching the reach state.

  The latter half fluctuation pattern setting process (A1513) and the fluctuation pattern setting process (A1514) are processes for selecting one fluctuation pattern from a plurality of fluctuation patterns indicating the fluctuation mode of the identification information. It is executed based on the variation pattern selected by.

  Then, the game control device 600 calculates and prepares the MODE portion of the variation (start opening winning effect) command corresponding to the first variation number of the first variation pattern (A1515), and varies the value of the second variation number of the second variation pattern. Prepared as the ACTION section of the command (A1516), and executes a command setting process for combining them as a start opening prize effect command to be sent to the effect control device 700 (A1517). Subsequently, the start opening winning effect command command is loaded and prepared from the winning effect symbol command area (A1518), and the command setting process is executed (A1519). Thereafter, the special figure hold information determination process is terminated.

  That is, a start opening prize effect command is prepared in the processes of A1515 and A1516, and a start opening prize effect symbol command is prepared in the process of A1518, and the determination result (prefetch result) corresponding to the start memory is set to the corresponding start. It is possible to notify the effect control device 700 before the start timing of the special figure variation display game based on the memory. The effect control device 700 changes the display mode of the start memory display displayed on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400, and the start timing of the special figure variation display game. Before that, the player is notified of the result of the special figure variation display game. Here, the game control device 600 functions as a prior determination unit, and the effect control device 700 functions as a prior notification unit.

  In the above description, the reach state (also simply referred to as “reach”) means that the display result of the identification information that has already been derived and displayed among a plurality of identification information (special symbols) in the decoration special figure fluctuation display game. A display state that satisfies the conditions for the special result mode of the game. In the present embodiment, the reach state is a state in which a plurality of pieces of identification information except for the identification information that stops last is stopped at the identification information that can generate the special result mode, and the identification information that stops last varies. There may be full rotation reach. The reach state includes a plurality of states with different expectation levels (reliability levels) in which a special outcome mode is derived and a jackpot gaming state (special gaming state) is generated. As the reach state, normal reach, special 1 reach (long reach), special 2 reach (super reach), etc. are set. Note that the expectation level (reliability) of the jackpot is set to increase in the order of no reach <normal reach <special 1 reach <special 2 reach. The reach system information is information indicating reach systems such as no reach, normal reach, special 1 reach (long reach), and special 2 reach (super reach).

[1st CPU main processing (production control device)]
Next, details of the main process executed by the effect control device 700 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of main processing executed by the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 of the presentation control device 700 according to the first embodiment of this invention. The main process is executed when the gaming machine 1 is turned on. In the flowchart of the process executed by the effect control device 700, the step code (number) is represented as “B ***”.

  When the execution of the main process is started, the main control microcomputer (1st CPU) 710 first prohibits interruption (B1001). Next, the RAM 711 as a work area is cleared to 0 (B1002), and CPU initialization processing is executed (B1003). Thereafter, initial values necessary for executing various processes are set in the RAM 711 (B1004), and a random number initialization process is executed (B1005).

  Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 activates various interrupt timers for generating an interrupt at a predetermined timing (for example, 1 millisecond) (B1006), and permits the interrupt (B1007). When the interrupt is permitted, a command reception interrupt process for receiving a command transmitted from the game control device 600 is executable.

  The main control microcomputer 710 clears WDT (watchdog timer) (B1008). The WDT is activated by the above-described CPU initialization process (B1003) and monitors whether the CPU is operating normally. If the WDT is not cleared after a certain period, the WDT times out and the CPU is reset.

  Next, the main control microcomputer 710 detects an operation signal of the operation unit such as the effect button 17 by the player, or executes a process according to the detected signal (B1009). Further, a game control command analysis process for analyzing the game control command received from the game control device 600 is executed (B1010).

  Next, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a test mode process (B1011). In the test mode process, an inspection command is received at the time of inspection at the time of shipment from the factory, and LED lighting or the like is inspected. Therefore, the test mode process is executed when the CPU is inspected at the time of factory shipment.

  Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 displays a scene (display content) to be displayed on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 based on the control command analyzed in the game control command analysis process (B1010). 1st scene control processing for controlling () is executed (B1012). In the 1st scene control process, the display contents of the screen are controlled in an integrated manner. Also included is a pre-reading notice control process for informing in advance that a variable display game with a high expectation level of jackpot is executed. The first scene control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a gaming machine error monitoring process for monitoring occurrence of abnormality in the gaming machine 1 (B1013). In addition to the abnormality relating to the effect control device 700, when a command for instructing error notification is received from the game control device 600, a predetermined process such as alarm sound notification is executed.

  Then, the main control microcomputer 710 executes an effect command editing process for editing the effect command transmitted to the video control microcomputer (2ndCPU) 720 (B1014).

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 executes sound control processing for controlling sound output from the speaker 10 (B1015). Further, a decoration control process for controlling a decoration device (board decoration device 760, frame decoration device 21) made of LEDs or the like is executed (B1016), and further, an electric accessory driven by a motor and a solenoid, a movable illumination 9, etc. A motor / SOL control process for controlling the effect devices (board effect device 770, frame effect device 22) is executed (B1017). Thereby, the operation control of the upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400 is also possible.

  Finally, the main control microcomputer 710 executes random number update processing for updating random numbers such as effect random numbers (B1018), and returns to the processing of B1008. Thereafter, the processing from B1008 to B1018 is repeated.

[1st scene control processing]
Next, details of the 1st scene control process (B1012) in the 1st main process described above will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the 1st scene control process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  First, the main control microcomputer 710 determines whether or not the gaming machine 1 is in the testing mode (B1101). In the case of the in-test mode (the result of B1101 is “Y”), it is not necessary to actually perform the production control, so the 1st scene control process is terminated.

  When the gaming machine 1 is not in the testing mode (the result of B1101 is “N”), the main control microcomputer 710 determines whether or not a scene change command transmitted from the gaming control device 600 has been received ( B1102). If the scene change command has not been received (the result of B1102 is “N”), the processing after B1107 is executed. The scene change command is a command corresponding to the processing of B1108 to B1116, which will be described later. For example, “power-on command” “power failure recovery command” “customer waiting demo command” “variation pattern command” “design stop command” “fanfare” Command, “large-open-release n-th command”, “interval command”, “ending command”, and the like.

  When the main control microcomputer 710 has received the scene change command (the result of B1102 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer 710 acquires the updated (current) gaming state (B1103). Further, it is determined whether a valid command is received (B1104). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the change destination scene matches the current gaming state. If the main control microcomputer 710 has not received a valid command (the result of B1104 is “N”), the main control microcomputer 710 executes the processing after B1107.

  When receiving a valid command (result of B1104 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer 710 saves the received command in a predetermined area of the memory (RAM) (B1105). Further, an effect request flag is set (B1106). The effect request flag is a flag indicating that it is time to change the scene, and a process according to whether or not the effect request flag is set is executed in the changing process (B1111) described later.

  Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 executes processing according to the received identifier of the scene change command (B1107).

  When the received command identifier indicates “power-on command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a power-on process (B1108). In the power-on process, the screen displayed when the gaming machine 1 is powered on is controlled.

  When the received command identifier indicates “power failure recovery command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a power failure recovery process (B1109). In the power failure recovery process, the screen displayed when the gaming machine 1 recovers from the power failure is controlled. It should be noted that no special process is executed when the customer waiting process is executed before the power failure.

  When the received command identifier indicates “customer waiting demo command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a customer waiting process (B1110). In the customer waiting process, a customer waiting screen (standby screen) that is displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last execution of the variable display game is controlled.

  When the identifier of the received command indicates “variation pattern command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes the changing process (B1111). In the changing process, information necessary for displaying a scene corresponding to the set change pattern is acquired, and effect control corresponding to the set change pattern is performed. Details of the changing process will be described later with reference to FIG. Note that the main control microcomputer 710 indicates the number of executions of the changing process from the time the game machine is turned on, that is, the number of executions of the variable display game (so-called total number of rotations) as information related to the past variable display game. It may be stored as a certain game history.

  The main control microcomputer 710 executes symbol stop processing when the identifier of the received command indicates “symbol stop command” (B1112). In the symbol stop process, the symbol variation display is stopped at the specified symbol. The main control microcomputer 710 uses the total jackpot number (the number of jackpot symbol appearances) of today (from the time the game machine is turned on until it is turned off) as a game history that is information related to past variable display games. You may remember it.

  When the received command identifier indicates “fanfare command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes fanfare processing (B1113). In the fanfare process, a fanfare corresponding to the generated jackpot is output.

  The main control microcomputer 710 executes the in-round processing when the identifier of the received command indicates “large-open-release n-th command” (B1114). In the round process, effect control during each round in the special gaming state is performed.

  When the received command identifier indicates “interval command”, the main control microcomputer 710 executes interval processing (B1115). In the interval process, effect control between each round in the special gaming state is performed.

  The main control microcomputer 710 executes an ending process when the identifier of the received command indicates “ending command” (B1116). In the ending process, effect control is performed when the special gaming state is finished.

  Subsequently, when the execution of the process based on each command is completed, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a symbol command receiving process for receiving a symbol command (B1117). The symbol command includes information for designating a stop symbol.

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a hold number command receiving process for receiving a decoration special figure hold number command (B1118). The decorative special figure hold number command (special figure hold number command) is a command for notifying the updated hold number. In the hold number command reception process, the hold display and the like are updated based on the received hold number.

  Next, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a prefetch command reception process (B1119). The prefetch command reception process is a process for setting a hold display effect or the like based on a prefetch command (also referred to as a prior determination command). In the prefetch command receiving process, the main control microcomputer 710 receives and receives a start opening prize effect symbol command (preliminary effect symbol command) and a start opening prize effect command (preliminary effect command) as a prefetch command (preliminary determination command). The contents of the prior determination command thus saved are saved in the corresponding start storage area (a part of the RAM 711) as prefetch information. The main control microcomputer 710 acquires the start memory design information from the start opening winning effect command as pre-read information, and acquires the start system reach system information from the start opening winning effect command. The main control microcomputer 710 determines from the symbol information whether the result of the variable display game corresponding to the start-up memory is a loss or a big hit, and further determines the prefetch information (the information of the determination result of the loss / big hit and the reach system) Based on the information), the production information related to the pre-reading production is set in the start storage area. Here, the prefetching effect is an effect based on the prefetching information, and is a prefetching notice effect (including a continuous notice effect) or other effects.

  Next, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a probability information command reception process (B1120). The probability information command reception process is a process for setting a gaming state such as an internal probability based on the received probability information command. The probability information command includes, for example, a high probability / short time command, a low probability / short time command, a low probability / no support command, etc., and based on the probability information command, a gaming state such as a short time gaming state or a probability variable gaming state is displayed. Can be determined. It should be noted that the main control microcomputer 710 receives a total big hit from the symbol stop command indicating whether or not the big hit and the probability information command indicating the gaming state until the big hit gaming state (special gaming state) is once returned to the normal gaming state. It is possible to calculate and store the number of times (the so-called “ream” number).

[Fluctuation processing]
Next, details of the changing process (B1111) in the first scene control process (FIG. 13) will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the changing process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  First, the main control microcomputer 710 determines whether or not the effect request flag of B1106 is set (B1201). When the effect request flag is set (result of B1201 is “Y”), various information is set.

  Specifically, the main control microcomputer 710 first clears the information of the effect button 17 (PB, push button) (B1202). The effect button information is input information input by the effect button 17 via the effect button SW751.

  Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 sets a movable body request (B1203). That is, the operation mode of the movable illumination 9 and the electric accessory (movable accessory) is set according to the contents of the production. Here, the main control microcomputer 710 sets operation modes of the upper movable display device 300 and the right movable display device 400. For example, the main control microcomputer 710 may use the upper movable display device according to the expectation level (reliability) of the variable display game determined from reach system information (that is, game information of the variable display game) in the prefetch information. The operation mode is set so that 300 and the right movable display device 400 move.

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 performs a variation count management process for managing the variation count (B1204). The main control microcomputer 710 may store the total number of changes per day in a memory (RAM) as a game history. Thereafter, the main control microcomputer 710 executes a variation pattern information setting process for setting the variation pattern, details of the effect during the variation, and the like (B1205).

  Next, the main control microcomputer 710 executes random number seed initialization processing (B1206). Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 displays the decorative special figure variation display executed by the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400 in accordance with the information set in the variation pattern information setting process. A scene sequence table is set for managing the execution timing and display time of various displays such as the start and stop of the variable display in the game and the display of the effect character (B1207). The decorative special figure variation display game is executed in accordance with the set scene sequence table. The random number seed initialization process is a process for initializing a seed value of a random number for determining the production information so as not to cause the production. Subsequently, the main control microcomputer 710 clears the effect request flag (B1208).

  On the other hand, when the production request flag is not set (when the scene change command is not received) (the result of B1201 is “N”), the main control microcomputer 710 changes the display production state by the update timer. Determine whether to change. Specifically, first, it is determined whether the update timer is 0, that is, whether the time is up (B1209).

  When the update timer expires (the result of B1209 is “Y”), the main control microcomputer 710 determines whether or not the current scene is the final scene (B1210). If it is the final scene, the end of the variable display game is set (B1211). If it is not the final scene, the next scene data set in the scene sequence table is set (B1212). If the update timer has not expired (the result of B1209 is “N”), the main control microcomputer 710 ends the current variation process.

[2nd CPU main processing (production control device)]
Next, details of the other main process executed by the effect control device 700 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing executed by the video control microcomputer (2ndCPU) 720 of the effect control device 700 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The 2nd CPU main process is executed when the gaming machine 1 is powered on.

  First, the video control microcomputer (2nd CPU) 720 executes CPU initialization processing (B1301). Then, the RAM 721 as a work area is cleared to 0 (B1302), and initial values necessary for executing various processes are set in the RAM 721 (B1303). Then, a VDP initialization process for initializing a graphic processor that performs image processing is executed (B1304). Next, various interrupts such as a V blank interrupt are permitted (B1305).

  Further, the video control microcomputer 720 executes initialization processing of various control processes (B1306). In the initialization process of various control processes, initialization of variables used in each control process to be described later is performed. For example, the background of the video displayed on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 is initialized, or the arrangement of symbols is initialized. Then, screen drawing of the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 is permitted (B1307).

  Thereafter, the video control microcomputer 720 clears (initializes) the system cycle wait flag (B1308) and waits until the system cycle wait flag is set to 1 (B1309).

  When the system cycle wait flag is set to 1 (result of B1309 is “Y”), the video control microcomputer 720 determines whether the video control microcomputer 720 is operating normally. The dock timer is cleared (B1310). Note that if a predetermined time elapses without clearing the WDT, the video control microcomputer 720 is reset.

  Subsequently, the video control microcomputer 720 executes reception command check processing (B1311). In the received command check process, the effect command (B1014) received from the main control microcomputer 710 is specified and classified according to the process to be executed thereafter.

  Next, the video control microcomputer 720 executes 2nd scene control processing for determining the contents to be displayed on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 (B1312). The video control microcomputer 720 interprets the effect command (B1014) and determines the content to be displayed.

  Next, the video control microcomputer 720 executes background processing for performing background display according to the gaming state and the reach scene on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400 (B1313). Subsequently, a variation display process for performing display control related to variation display in the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400 is executed (B1314). Furthermore, a hold display process for performing a hold display on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400 is executed based on the hold effect information stored in the prefetch storage area in the prefetch command reception process described above. (B1315).

  Next, the video control microcomputer 720 executes a customer waiting demo process for setting a customer waiting demo background in the main display device 35 after elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) after receiving the customer waiting demo command (B1316). .

  Finally, the video control microcomputer 720 transfers the data stored in the image ROM 557 to the RAM, and executes display system processing for actual display on the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400. Then (B1317), the process returns to B1308. Thereafter, the processing from B1308 to B1317 is repeated.

  As described above, the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 cooperate to display the display unit 35a of the main display device 35, the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300, and the display unit of the right movable display device 400. The display in 400a is controlled.

  As an example, the main control microcomputer 710 uses the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, or the right movable display device 400 as an effect command to play the decorative special figure variation display game (which will be described later). A command for instructing whether to set the variation area 510 and a command for designating the range (position and size) of the symbol variation area 510 in each display device are set and transmitted to the video control microcomputer 720 (B1014). ). Here, the symbol variation area 510 is an area for displaying information (first information) related to a variation display game that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future, and at least a decorative special symbol variation display game is performed. Start memory display (hold display) may also be performed in the symbol variation area 510. On the other hand, the video control microcomputer 720 receives the effect command and displays the main display device 35, the upper movable display device 300, and the right movable display device 400 in accordance with the effect command (B1312-B1315).

  As an alternative, the main control microcomputer 710 sends necessary information such as the big hit expectation of the special figure variation display game as a production command, and the video control microcomputer 720 that received the production command receives the upper movable display device. Which of the 300 and the right movable display device 400 is used to play the decorative special symbol variation display game (whether the symbol variation region 510 is set), and the range (position and size) of the symbol variation region 510 in each of these display devices. ) May be determined.

  Basically, a decorative special figure variation display game for variably displaying a plurality of identification information is executed on the main display device 35. However, the main control microcomputer under a predetermined situation (condition), such as displaying information irrelevant to the variable display game currently being executed or executed in the future on the main display device 35 (second information: for example, game history). In 710, an effect command is given so that the decoration special figure variation display game is performed on a part of the display unit 25a of the main display device 35, the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300, or the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400. It can be set (B1014). In this way, the gaming machine 1 can display information (second information) irrelevant to the currently displayed or future changed display game on any display device even during the execution of the changed display game. Note that the main display microcomputer 35 may display the second information when the main control microcomputer 710 detects an operation signal of the operation unit such as the effect button 17 by the player (B1009) or at a predetermined time interval.

  In the case where the second information is displayed on the main display device 35, the display device that performs the decorative special symbol variation display game and / or the range (position and size) of the symbol variation region 510 related to the variation display game is as follows. This is determined depending on the expectation (reliability) that the variable display game is a big hit (special result mode). For example, when the symbol variation area 510 is set in the main display device 35, the greater the expectation that the variation display game will be a big hit, the larger the symbol variation area 510 becomes, and the center position of the symbol variation area 510 is An effect command can be set to move to the center side of the main display device 35. Note that the main control microcomputer 710 can determine the degree of expectation that the variable display game will be a big hit (special result mode) from, for example, reach system information indicating game information of the variable display game in the prefetch information.

  Below, the example of a display by said control is demonstrated. 16 to 21 and FIG. 26, a special symbol variation display game is performed on the display unit 35a of the main display device 35, and a symbol variation region 510 for performing the special ornament variation display game is set in the display unit 35a. A display example is shown. FIGS. 22 and 23 are display examples in which a special symbol variation display game is performed on the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300, and a symbol variation region 510 in which the special symbol variation display game is displayed on the display unit 300a is set. Indicates. FIGS. 24 and 25 are display examples in which a special symbol variation display game is performed on the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400, and a symbol variation region 510 in which the special symbol variation display game is displayed on the display unit 400a is set. Indicates.

[Display Example 1-1]
As shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the video control microcomputer 720 responds to the effect command (B1014) received from the main control microcomputer 710 in the display unit 35 a of the main display device 35. 510 and a multi-purpose information display area 550 that is an area other than the symbol variation area 510 is set. The symbol variation area 510 and the multipurpose information display area 550 may be divided by a background display (B1313). The symbol variation area 510 displays information (first information) related to the current or future variation display game, and the multipurpose information display area 550 displays information irrelevant to the current or future variation display game (first information). 2 information: information other than the first information) is displayed. Thus, even during the current execution of the variable display game, information (second information) not related to the current or future variable display game can be displayed.

  The video control microcomputer 720 displays the current variation display game itself and the start memory display (pending display) as information (first information) related to the variation display game to be executed now or in the future in the symbol variation area 510. . The start memory display is information relating to a variable display game to be executed in the future. The video control microcomputer 720 sets a change display area 520 and a hold display area 530 in the symbol change area 510, displays a change display game in the change display area 520, and displays a start memory display (hold display) in the hold display area 530. Is displayed (B1312). The sizes of the change display area 520 and the hold display area 530 are substantially proportional to the size of the symbol change area 510 and increase / decrease in accordance with the increase / decrease of the size of the symbol change area 510. In the multipurpose information display area 550, game history of the gaming machine 1 (that is, information related to the past variable display game), model information, etc., as information not related to the current or future variable display game (second information). Can be displayed.

  For example, the main control microcomputer 710 determines the expectation level (reliability) of the variation display game from the reach system information in the prefetch information, and the symbol variation for each variation display game according to the expectation level of the jackpot. An effect command is set so as to change the range (position and size) of the area 510. Then, the video control microcomputer 720 that has received the effect command changes the range of the symbol variation area 510 for each variation display game. In this example, the video control microcomputer 720 expands the range of the symbol variation area 510, reduces the multi-purpose information display region 550, and displays the center position of the symbol variation area 510 as the expectation of the big hit of the variation display game increases. It moves to the center side of the part 35a. Whether or not to change the range of the symbol variation area 510 according to the degree of expectation of the jackpot (the size of the size) depends on the operation of the effect button 17 or the like while waiting for a customer who is not running the variation display game. The player can be set on the customer waiting screen (standby screen) by the operation of the department.

  FIG. 16A shows a normal case where the degree of expectation for jackpot is small, and the symbol variation area 510 is small. FIG. 16B shows a case where the degree of expectation of jackpot is medium, and the symbol variation area 510 is medium. FIG. 16C shows a case where the degree of expectation of the big hit is large, and the entire display portion 35a is a symbol variation area 510. When the symbol fluctuation area 510 is enlarged, the fluctuation display area 520 and the hold display area 530 are also enlarged, and the change display game and the hold display are displayed in a large size. The multipurpose information display area 550 is an area excluding the symbol variation area 510 in the display unit 35a.

  In the normal variation display game, as shown in FIG. 16C, the entire display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is used as the symbol variation region 510, and the multipurpose information display region 550 is not set. However, when an operation signal of the operation unit such as the effect button 17 is detected in the state before the reach in the variable display game (B1009), the video control microcomputer 720 instructs the main control microcomputer 710 (command). 16A, a multipurpose information display area 550 can be set as shown in FIG. 16A to display the game history, model information, and the like of the gaming machine 1. Regardless of the operation of the operation buttons, the video control microcomputer 720 sets the symbol variation area 510 at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of minutes), and performs predetermined video (variable display game) such as music video. May be sent to the symbol variation area 510. Thereafter, the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 change the range of the symbol variation area 510 for each variation display game as shown in FIGS.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating a display example in the multipurpose information display area 550. The multi-purpose information display area 550 includes, for example, game history of the gaming machine 1, model information, introduction of reach types, explanation of games, mobile phones, as information (second information) not related to the variable display game that is executed now or in the future. Displays password input reception of linked service, mini game, story of displayed content or character introduction. Which information is to be displayed as the second information is determined by the player operating the operation unit such as the effect button 17 by displaying a menu on the customer waiting screen (standby screen) as part of the customer waiting process (B1110). It is good also as a structure which can be selected by (B1009).

  As shown in FIG. 17A, the multi-purpose information display area 550 includes, as the game history of the gaming machine 1, the total number of revolutions up to now (the number of executions of the variable display game up to now), the total number of big hits of today (big hit symbol). Number of occurrences) and the highest number of consecutive changs. Note that the gaming history of the gaming machine 1 may be acquired from the hall computer instead of the memory of the gaming machine 1 (for example, the main control microcomputer 710). As shown in FIG. 17B, the multipurpose information display area 550 can display the character introduction. The main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 may change or select the display content of the multipurpose information display area 550 in response to the operation of the operation unit such as the effect button 17 (the game history of the previous day). Etc.)

  FIGS. 18A and 18B and FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating the display when the multipurpose information display area 550 becomes narrower due to the enlargement of the symbol variation area 510. Without changing the display contents when the multipurpose information display area 550 is narrow as shown in FIG. 18A, the symbol variation area 510 is enlarged and the multipurpose information display area 550 is displayed as it is as shown in FIG. The contents may be covered. The display contents when the multipurpose information display area 550 is narrow as shown in FIG. 19A may be changed as the symbol variation area 510 is enlarged, and the display contents may be reduced as shown in FIG. Note that, when the symbol variation area 510 is enlarged, the degree of expectation of the jackpot is high, so the multipurpose information display area 550 is changed to the effect display area 560 as shown in FIG. May be. Here, the effect display area 560 is an area for displaying effects related to the variable display game.

[Display Example 1-2]
FIGS. 20A to 20C differ from the above-described display example 1-1 in that the range of the symbol variation area 510 and the multipurpose information display region are not displayed for each variation display game but for each step (stage) of pseudo-continuous production. In this example, the range of 550 is changed. Other aspects are the same as those of Display Example 1-1 described above. The greater the number of steps (stages) of pseudo-continuous production, the higher the degree of expectation for jackpot. Here, the quasi-continuous effect is an effect that is displayed so that apparently variable display is performed several times in the symbol variable region 510 during one variable display game corresponding to one start memory (hold). is there. Accordingly, the hold display does not change during the pseudo continuous effect. 20 (A)-(C), the pseudo continuous effect is performed in three steps (stages), and the range of the symbol variation area 510 is expanded as the stage of the pseudo continuous effect progresses. Can be notified. In addition, before displaying the final stop symbol of the decorative special symbol variation display game, the pseudo-continuous symbol 525 is displayed in the central variation display region at each step.

[Display Example 1-3]
21A to 21D show display contents that can no longer be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550 to be reduced, the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device (sub display device 1) 300 and / or the right movable display device ( The example of a display which moves and displays on the display part 400a of the sub display apparatus 2) 400 is shown. In FIGS. 21A to 21C, the display on the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is the same as the above-described display example 1-1 (FIGS. 16 to 20). However, the display content that can no longer be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550 is moved to the display unit 300a and / or the right movable display apparatus 400 of the upper movable display apparatus 300 used as the effect display area 560.

  In FIG. 21A, the expectation degree of jackpot is small, and the symbol variation area 510 of the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is also small, so the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 and the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400. Is used as an effect display area 560. In FIG. 21B, when the degree of expectation becomes medium, the display of the total number of revolutions that can no longer be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550 reduced by the enlargement of the symbol variation area 510 is displayed on the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300. Has been moved to. Furthermore, in FIG. 21C, when the degree of expectation is further increased, the total number of big hits and the maximum consecutive number of times that can no longer be displayed in the multi-purpose information display area 550 due to the expansion of the symbol variation area 510 change the display form. The right-side movable display device 400 is moved to the display unit 400a. Note that when the degree of expectation is high, a display such as FIG. 21D may be performed instead of the display of FIG. In FIG. 21D, the display of the total number of revolutions in FIG. 21B is moved from the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 to the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400.

  As the degree of expectation increases, the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 expand the symbol variation area 510 and reduce the multipurpose information display area 550 in the display section 35a of the main display device 35, and display the display section 35a. The display content that cannot be displayed in the multi-purpose information display area 550 is controlled to be moved to the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 and / or the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400.

[Display Example 2-1]
As shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, the video control microcomputer 720 responds to the effect command (B1014) received from the main control microcomputer 710 in the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300. 510 is set, the multipurpose information display area 550 is set on the display unit 35 a of the main display device 35, and the effect display area 560 is set on the display unit 400 a of the right movable display device 400. Therefore, even when the variable display game is being executed on the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300, information (second information) not related to the current or future variable display game is displayed on the display unit 35a of the main display device 35. it can.

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 sets the operation mode so that the upper movable display device 300 moves more greatly as the expectation of the big hit of the variable display game increases (B1017, B1203). Therefore, the position of the upper movable display device 300 varies depending on the expectation for each variable display game.

  The driving device 570 of the upper movable display device 300 includes an electric motor 570a (actuator) and a driving force transmission member 570b (here, an arm) that transmits the driving force from the electric motor 570a to the upper movable display device 300. The upper movable display device 300 is rotatably supported by the driving force transmission member 570b and moves to the main display device 35 side while maintaining the vertical direction due to weight or the like.

  The multi-purpose information is displayed on the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 at a ratio proportional to the overlapping area of the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 and the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 that are overlapped by the movement of the upper movable display device 300. The range (size) of the display area 550 is set. The overlapping area of the display unit 35a and the display unit 300a is associated with the operation amount (rotation amount) of the electric motor 570a and thus the expectation of jackpot. When the amount of operation (rotation amount) of the electric motor 570a increases due to the increase in the degree of expectation of the jackpot, the amount of movement of the upper movable display device 300 increases, and the range of the multipurpose information display area 550 on the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 is increased. (Size) increases. Therefore, the memory (PROM 702, 703) of the effect control device 700 stores a map and a table for associating the big hit expectation with the range (size) of the multipurpose information display area 550 of the display unit 400a, and the main control microcomputer. The microcomputer 720 or the video control microcomputer 720 can set the range (size) of the multipurpose information display area 550 of the display unit 400a corresponding to the degree of expectation of the big hit with reference to the map and the table. Note that as the amount of movement of the upper movable display device 300 increases, the total range of the multipurpose information display area 550 of the display unit 35a and the display unit 400a also increases.

  In FIG. 22A, since the degree of expectation of the big hit is small, the movement amount of the upper movable display device 300 is zero and is in the initial position, and the display portion 35a and the display portion 300a do not overlap. For this reason, the multipurpose information display area 550 is not set in the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400. In FIG. 22B, when the degree of expectation is medium, the amount of movement of the upper movable display device 300 is medium, and a part of the display unit 300a and the display unit 35a overlap each other. For this reason, the multipurpose information display area 550 is set in a part of the display unit 400 a of the right movable display device 400. In FIG. 22C, when the degree of expectation increases, the amount of movement of the upper movable display device 300 increases, and the entire display unit 300a overlaps the display unit 35a. For this reason, the multipurpose information display area 550 is set in the entire display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400. When the expectation level of the big hit of the variable display game is extremely high, as shown in FIG. 22D, as the big hit finalizing effect, the symbol fluctuation area 510 set on the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 is displayed. You may move to the display part 35a of the main display device 35 and use the display part 300a as the effect display area 560.

  In addition, combining the display example 2-1 with the display example 1-1 to provide the symbol variation area 510 in the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 to expand the range of the symbol variation region 510 of the display unit 35a. Accordingly, the multipurpose information display area 550 may be enlarged in the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400.

[Display Example 2-2]
23A to 23D, unlike the above-described display example 2-1, the upper movable display device 300 moves greatly as the step (stage) of the pseudo-continuous effect progresses, not for each variable display game. The position of the upper movable display device 300 changes for each step of the pseudo continuous effect. Other aspects are the same as those of Display Example 2-1. Note that the greater the number of steps (stages) of pseudo-continuous production, the higher the degree of expectation for jackpot. When reaching the final step (step 3) as shown in FIG. 23 (D), the upper movable display device 300 is returned to the initial position and set to the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 as a big hit finalizing effect. The symbol variation area 510 may be moved to the display section 35a of the main display device 35, and the display section 300a may be used as the multipurpose information display area 550.

  In addition, by combining the display example 2-2 with the display example 1-2, the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is also provided with the symbol variation region 510, and the range of the symbol variation region 510 of the display unit 35a is changed to a pseudo continuous effect. As the step proceeds, the multipurpose information display area 550 may be enlarged on the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 as it expands.

[Display Example 3-1]
As shown in FIGS. 24A to 24C, the video control microcomputer 720 responds to the effect command (B1014) received from the main control microcomputer 710 in the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400. 510 is set, the multi-purpose information display area 550 is set on the display unit 35 a of the main display device 35, and the effect display area 560 is set on the display unit 300 a of the upper movable display device 300. Therefore, even when the variable display game is being executed on the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400, information (second information) not related to the current or future variable display game is displayed on the display unit 35a of the main display device 35. it can.

  Further, the main control microcomputer 710 controls the operation by setting the operation mode so that the right movable display device 400 moves more as the expectation of the big hit of the variable display game increases (B1017, B1203). Therefore, the position of the right movable display device 400 changes depending on the expectation for each variable display game.

  Unlike the case of the main display device 35, the decoration special figure variation display game in the right movable display device 400 displays the decoration special symbols (identification information) composed of numbers or the like in the order of up, down, and middle (scrolling). Display) is started, and the symbols that have been changed after a predetermined time are sequentially stopped, and the result of the special drawing change display game is displayed.

  The driving device (not shown) of the right movable display device 400 includes an actuator such as an electric motor and a solenoid, and a driving force transmission member that transmits the driving force from the actuator to the right movable display device 400. The right movable display device 400 slides linearly toward the main display device 35 side (left side) and moves.

  The multipurpose information is displayed on the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300 at a ratio proportional to the overlapping area of the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 and the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 that are overlapped by the movement of the right movable display device 400. The range (size) of the display area 550 is set. The overlapping area of the display unit 35a and the display unit 400a is associated with the amount of operation (rotation amount) of the actuator and the expected degree of jackpot. When the amount of operation of the actuator increases due to the increase in the degree of expectation of jackpot, the movement amount of the right movable display device 400 increases, and the range (size) of the multipurpose information display area 550 increases in the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300. . Accordingly, the memory (PROM 702, 703) of the effect control device 700 stores a map and a table for associating the expectation degree of the jackpot with the range (size) of the multipurpose information display area 550 of the display unit 300a, and the main control microcomputer. The microcomputer 720 or the video control microcomputer 720 can set the range (size) of the multipurpose information display area 550 of the display unit 300a according to the degree of expectation of the jackpot by referring to the map and the table.

  In FIG. 24A, since the degree of expectation of the big hit is small, the movement amount of the right movable display device 400 is zero and in the initial position, and the display portion 35a and the display portion 400a do not overlap. For this reason, the multipurpose information display area 550 is not set in the display unit 300 a of the upper movable display device 300. In FIG. 24B, when the degree of expectation is medium, the movement amount of the right movable display device 400 is medium, and a part (half) of the display unit 400a overlaps the display unit 35a. Therefore, the multipurpose information display area 550 is set in a part (half) of the display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300. In FIG. 24C, when the degree of expectation increases, the amount of movement of the right movable display device 400 increases, and the entire display portion 400a overlaps the display portion 35a. For this reason, the multipurpose information display area 550 is set in the entire display unit 300a of the upper movable display device 300.

  When the expectation level for the big hit of the variable display game is extremely high, the symbol fluctuation area 510 set in the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 is used as the big hit finalizing effect as in display example 3-1. It moves to the display part 35a of the main display device 35, and the display part 400a may be used as the multipurpose information display area 550 or the effect display area 560.

[Display Example 3-2]
25 (A)-(C), unlike the display example 3-1, the right movable display device 400 moves more greatly as the step (stage) of the pseudo-continuous effect progresses, not for each variable display game. The position of the right movable display device 400 changes for each step of the pseudo continuous effect. Other aspects are the same as those of Display Example 3-1. Note that the greater the number of steps (stages) of pseudo-continuous production, the higher the degree of expectation for jackpot. When the final step is reached, the symbol variation area 510 set in the display unit 400a of the right movable display device 400 is moved to the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 as a big hit finalizing effect, and the display unit 400a is displayed. It may be used as the multipurpose information display area 550 or the effect display area 560.

[Display Example 4]
In the above display example 1-1 (FIGS. 16A to 16C), the display unit 35a of the main display device 35 is divided into a symbol variation area 510 and a multipurpose information display area 550. However, as shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, the entire display unit 35a is set in the symbol variation area 510 without dividing the display portion 35a, and the display size in the symbol variation area 510 is a big hit. It may be changed according to the degree of expectation and the step of pseudo-continuous production. In this case, the multipurpose information display region 550 may be set in the upper movable display device 300 and / or the right movable display device 400, or the symbol variation region 510 and the multipurpose information display region 550 may overlap each other. In FIGS. 26A to 26C, the main control microcomputer 710 and the video control microcomputer 720 have decorative special symbols (identification information) such as numbers and the like as the degree of expectation increases or the step of pseudo continuous production progresses. Increase the display size (size) of the start memory display (hold display).

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 executes a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner based on the winning of a game ball in the start winning area. Then, the gaming machine 1 includes a variable display area 520 that displays a running variable display game, a multi-purpose information display area 550 that can display information irrelevant to a running or future changed display game, Display control means for controlling display on the variable display area 520 and the multipurpose information display area 550. Here, the display control means corresponds to the effect control device 700, and particularly includes the main control microcomputer 710 and the image control microcomputer 720 of the effect control device 700. The display control means (production control device 700) can display the irrelevant information in the multipurpose information display area 550 during the execution of the variable display game. Therefore, the player can visually recognize this information during the variable display game. This increases the timing at which the player obtains information even when the player is not waiting (waiting) for the gaming machine 1, and as a result, the player can easily obtain various information.

  According to the present embodiment, the display control means (production control device 700) controls the multi-purpose information display area 550 so that it can be widened or narrowed. Therefore, information can be displayed more easily in the multipurpose information display area 550.

  According to the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 includes determination means (a game control device 600 or an effect control device 700) that determines an expectation level at which the variable display game is a special result (big hit) from the game information of the variable display game. . The display control means (production control device 700) controls the width of the multipurpose information display area 550 according to the degree of expectation. Accordingly, when the variable display area 520 and the multi-purpose information display area 550 are provided in the same display device, the variable display area 520 is widened according to the degree of expectation. It becomes easy to understand and the interest of the game is improved.

  According to the present embodiment, the display control means (production control device 700) changes the position of the variable display area 520 and widens the multipurpose information display area 550. Therefore, by changing the position of the variable display area 520, the expected degree of the variable display game can be notified. Note that changing the position of the variable display region 520 includes moving the upper movable display device 300 or the right movable display device 400 in which the variable display region 520 is set. Further, when the visible portion of the multipurpose information display area 550 is reduced by changing the position of the variable display area 520, the multipurpose information display area 550 is enlarged to display information, and conversely, the multipurpose information display area 550 is visually recognized. When the number of possible parts increases, the multipurpose information display area 550 can be reduced.

  According to the present embodiment, the display control means (production control device 700) widens the variable display area 520 according to the width of the variable display area 520, and conversely displays the variable display according to the width of the multipurpose information display area 550. The region 520 is widened or narrowed. The multi-purpose information display area 550 can be widened according to the expectation of the variable display game, and the variable display area 520 can be widened according to the width. Accordingly, the degree of expectation of the variable display game can be notified by the size of the variable display area 520.

  According to the present embodiment, the display control means (production control device 700) can select the content of information to be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550 in a state where the variable display game is not being executed (for example, a waiting state for customers). It is. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately select the information content to be displayed in the multipurpose information display area 550, for example, on the customer waiting screen. It should be noted that there is a possibility that it is difficult to select information contents during the variable display game because there is no time allowance.

  According to the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 includes a movable movable display device provided with a variable display area 520 or a multipurpose information display area 550. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the expected degree of the variable display game by moving the movable display device.

  The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 30 Game board 31 Game area 35 Fluctuating display apparatus 35a Display part 300 Upper movable display apparatus 300a Display part 400 Right movable display apparatus 400a Display part 510 Symbol fluctuation area 520 Fluctuation display area 530 Hold display area 550 Multipurpose information display area 560 Effect display area 570 Drive device 600 Game control device 700 Effect control device 710 Main control microcomputer 720 Video control microcomputer

Claims (7)

In a gaming machine that executes a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner based on the winning of a game ball in a start winning area,
A variable display area for displaying the variable display game being executed;
An information display area capable of displaying information unrelated to the variable display game being executed or executed in the future;
Display control means for controlling the display in the variable display area and the information display area,
The gaming machine characterized in that the display control means can display the irrelevant information in the information display area during execution of the variable display game.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the information display area so that the information display area can be widened or narrowed. A determination means for determining an expectation level at which the variable display game has a special result from game information of the variable display game;
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit controls the width of the information display area according to the expectation.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the display control means widens or narrows the information display area as the position of the variable display area is changed.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the display control means widens the variable display area according to a width of the information display area.   The said display control means can select the content of the said irrelevant information displayed on the said information display area in the state in which the said variable display game is not performed, The any one of Claim 1 to 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The gaming machine described in one.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a movable movable display device provided with the variable display area or the information display area.

Images