JP2017042598A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of further enhancing fun of a game.SOLUTION: An image for pressing operation to a touch panel 162 is displayed on a display screen 114a of an image display part 114. When one touches a contact position 32a of an input area R of the touch panel 162 with fingers, a finger icon 33 is displayed in a corresponding position 32A of the display screen 114a. The contact position 32a is specified by position information (xa, ya), and the corresponding position 32A is specified by position information (XA, YA). When the fingers slide on the input area R to change into a contact position 32b, the finger icon 33 travels from the corresponding position 32A to a corresponding position 32B. The contact position 32b is specified by position information (xb, yb), and the corresponding position 32B is specified by position information (XB, YB). When fingers are not in touch with the touch panel 162, the finger icon 33 is not displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 34

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that displays a lottery result when a plurality of reels are stopped in a combination of symbols when a pachinko gaming machine that wins a jackpot by winning a game ball or a game medium is inserted.

In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a big hit lottery is performed when a game ball wins a prize such as a start opening. When the jackpot is won, the gaming machine is put into a jackpot gaming state in which the jackpot is opened and many winning balls can be obtained. In the gaming machine, various effects such as the movement of the movable accessory, the display on the image display unit, the lighting of various lamps, the sound by the speaker, and the like are performed in accordance with the game of the game ball by the player.
For such various effects, a command including information related to the game is sent from the game control unit that controls the game to the effect control unit that controls the effect performed along with the game, and the effect control unit receives from the game control unit An effect is performed based on the received command (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-46082 A

Here, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game by performing an unprecedented performance.
An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can further improve the interest property of a game.

The gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that performs an effect, and has a display means (for example, an image display unit 114) having a display area (for example, a display screen 114a) for displaying an effect image. And a detection means (for example, touch panel 162) for detecting a contact position (for example, the contact position 32a, 32b) in the input area (for example, the input area R), and the detection means (for example, the input area R). The position in the input area (for example, the input area R) of the touch panel 162) is associated with the position in the display area (for example, the display screen 114a) of the display means (for example, the image display unit 114), and the contact position in the input area Detection result by the detection means (for example, touch panel 162) when (for example, the contact positions 32a and 32b) are displaced. Accordingly, a predetermined image (for example, finger icon 33) is moved and displayed at a position (for example, corresponding position 32A, 32B) of the display area (for example, display screen 114a) corresponding to the contact position (for example, contact position 32a, 32b). And moving display control means (for example, CPU 301) for controlling the predetermined image (for example, finger icon 33) to be different between a predetermined case and a case other than the predetermined case. is there.
Here, when the detection result of the detection means (for example, the touch panel 162) is switched from the detection of the contact position (for example, the contact position 32a, 32b) to the non-detection, the contact position ( For example, using the information (for example, position information (xb, yb)) of the contact positions 32a, 32b), an effect of executing an image effect in the display area (for example, the display screen 114a) of the display means (for example, the image display unit 114) An execution means (for example, CPU 301) is further provided.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the basic process by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process at the time of the power supply cutoff by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the main control processing of a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot symbol random number, (c ) Is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reach random number, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the fluctuation pattern used in a fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a figure which shows the structure of a command, (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a command, (b) is a figure which shows the structure as a bit string of a command. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an effect control part, (a) is a figure which shows a main process, (b) is a figure which shows an interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during completion | finish of the fluctuation effect of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the win production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the customer waiting command reception process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of a game control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) It is. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of an effect control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the random number used by a prior judgment process, (a) is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the jackpot random number in a prior judgment process, (b) is the structure of the jackpot symbol random number in a prior judgment process It is a figure which shows an example, (c) is a figure which shows the structural example of the reach random number in a prior determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception process of the alerting | reporting command by an effect control part. It is a figure explaining the structure of a touch panel. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the specific production which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the specific effect process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the specific effect execution process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a touchscreen reception process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the image display part setting process. It is a figure explaining the example of an application effect. It is a figure explaining the example of an application effect. It is a block diagram explaining the principal part of the pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the language selection reception process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a language return process. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect by an image display part. It is a figure explaining the other example of production by an image display part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment of the present invention (this embodiment) will be described separately for the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
[First Embodiment]
First, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. Note that the first embodiment and the second embodiment have configurations and functions that are common to each other, and thus such common portions may be described as the present embodiment.

[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a gaming ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 surrounding the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result) as the game progresses by the player, An effect image by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item or an effect image using a later-described hold display is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

  In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) starts when a game ball wins, and it is normal when a game ball passes. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. In FIG. 1, the gates 124 are provided on the left and right sides of the game area 111, the left gate 124 is indicated as 124L, and the right gate 124 is indicated as 124R. Moreover, the 1st starting port 121 and the 2nd starting port 122 here say the winning opening used as the operation opportunity of the predetermined 1 special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.

  The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers that are opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 has, as gaming states, a low probability state with a low winning probability and a high probability state with a higher winning probability than the low probability state based on the winning probability of the jackpot lottery. And it is controlled to either the low probability state or the high probability state under a predetermined condition. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Then, under a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to either the timeless state or the timeless state. The short-time state is controlled by any one or a combination of, for example, increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, reducing the normal symbol variation time, or extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123. It is a gaming state to be played. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Also, in this embodiment, as other prizes and lottery items, a lottery is performed even if a game ball wins a grand prize opening 125 as a special electric bonus that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery. An ordinary winning opening 126 that is not present is arranged on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, a game control board that determines whether or not a special symbol is won, an effect control board that comprehensively controls effects, an image control board that controls effects by images and sounds, various lamps, Various substrates (not shown) such as a lamp control substrate for controlling the effect by the movable accessory 115 are attached. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing in conjunction with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. And a plate 153 for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. A configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launching device emits light under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

Further, the frame member 150 includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball accumulated in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. The frame lamp 157 is composed of a light emitting body such as an LED, and performs various effects by light depending on a pattern due to lighting and blinking, a difference in emission color, and the like. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of the display unit 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. 2B is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display unit 221 displays the lottery result after stopping displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result after the special symbol is variably displayed on the basis of the winning of the second start port 122 after being variably displayed. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display 223 displays the lottery result by stopping the normal symbol after variably displaying it. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are each constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode. Similarly, the normal symbol display 223 is also composed of a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of holds is determined depending on the lighting mode. Is displayed.

  Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred. For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which three LEDs are arranged. One of the three LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win a prize at the second start port 122. Still another one is to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in a state advantageous to the player by making a right strike (by changing the hitting force of the game ball).
The state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 displayed by the state display 224 is not limited to the above example, and other states can be displayed. For example, when the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is set to a medium probability state in which the winning probability is higher than the low probability state and the winning probability is lower than the high probability state, the state indicator 224 indicates whether or not the state indicator 224 is in the medium probability state. May be notified by lighting.

  In addition, the indicator 130 includes a round number indicator 225 for displaying the number of rounds when the big winning opening 125 is operated in the jackpot game performed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery. The jackpot game will be described later. The round number display 225 is configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of operating rounds of the big winning opening 125 in the jackpot game is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, an effect button 161 and a touch panel 162 adjacent to the effect button 161 are arranged on the frame member 150 as an example of the input device. In the illustrated example, the player can instruct any of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating the touch panel 162, for example, and can operate the effect button 161. By doing so, it is possible to select the designated image. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the touch panel 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as effect keys, levers, dials, etc. composed of a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape can be used as input devices. Can be adopted.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A lamp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 330 for performing payout control of the payout ball.

  As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 330 are each a game as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The control board, the effect control board as the sub board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 is used as a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining whether or not a special symbol is won, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. RAM 203 to be provided.
When the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery and sends the lottery result to the effect control unit 300. In addition, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state and the change information of the short time state and the short time state are sent to the effect control unit 300.
Further, the game control unit 200 performs control to increase the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, shorten the normal symbol variation time, or extend the opening time of the electric tulip 123. In addition, the game control unit 200 holds up to the limit number (for example, four) of the unchangeable amount when the game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, or the game ball continues. Thus, the suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) of the unchangeable amount when passing through the gate 124.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 opens until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol drawing. Control is performed so that the round in which the state is maintained is repeated a predetermined number of times. Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 330 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 330 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 330 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction with it.
When the payout control unit 330 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 330. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 that displays the number of unreserved reserves that have been won to the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol within a limit number (for example, four). , A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays the number of unreserved reserves won in the second starting port 122 during the variation of the special symbol within the limit number, and the non-changed display that has passed through the gate 124 during the variation of the normal symbol A normal symbol hold indicator 220 for displaying the fluctuation hold amount within the limit number is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. The second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 350 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits the information about the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 330 and the information indicating the state of the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 350. To do.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs calculation processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect, for example, based on the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the touch panel 162, the contents of the effect according to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as the effect button 161, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect.
In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, the production control unit 300 instructs setting of a screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the productions.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored.
The ROM 312 further stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 330 is a CPU 331 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 332 that stores programs executed by the CPU 331, various data, and the like, and a RAM 333 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 331. And.
The payout control unit 330 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 330 acquires, from the game control unit 200, a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (the first start port 121 or the like). Then, the payout driving unit 334 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 334 is constituted by a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the game ball storage unit.

The payout control unit 330 includes a payout ball detection unit 335 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout driving unit 334, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Detecting unit 336 for detecting presence / absence of storage of the game, and detecting whether or not the plate 153 for holding the game ball used when the player plays the game or the paid-out prize ball is full. A full tank detection unit 337 is connected. The payout control unit 330 receives the detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, the ball presence detection unit 336, and the full tank detection unit 337, and performs a predetermined process according to these detection signals.
Further, the payout control unit 330 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 340 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 330, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 334, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 340. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
In addition, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc. As a function unit, a prize winning opening operation control unit 237, an electric tulip operation control unit 238, and a prize ball processing unit 239 are provided. And an output control unit 240 and a random number control unit 241.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a special symbol when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values and used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234.
The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a normal symbol when a game ball passes through the gate 124. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values, and used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232.
The special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the lottery result when the special symbol lottery is performed.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 17 at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of big hit when winning a big win”, “ It is determined whether or not the jackpot is lost or not when the jackpot is not won. That is, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value related to a special symbol when the first starting port switch 211 or the second starting port switch 212 serving as a detection unit detects passage of a game ball, and determines a special symbol. The unit 234 determines based on the acquired random number value whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player. The special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) described above refers to processing in the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. In other words, the type of jackpot based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game is a jackpot that becomes a high probability short-time gaming state having both a short-time state and a high-probability state after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, high probability A jackpot that becomes a low probability short-game state with both a short-time state and a low-probability state (hereinafter, a jackpot of a low-probability short-game state), both a short-time non-state state and a high-probability state A jackpot that becomes a low probability short-time non-game state that has both a short-time no-game state and a low-probability state that has both a short-time and low-probability state There is a possibility of a jackpot of probable short gameless state). Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the grand prize opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). It is. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) for 0.1 seconds. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short-time non-game state, the low-probability short short no-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the game state does not shift.
Also, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Here, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern based on the determination result whether or not to play the jackpot game, the determination result whether or not to reach, and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or not”.
The normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol in accordance with the normal symbol lottery result.
The electric tulip operation control unit 238 opens the electric tulip 123 for a specified time and a specified number of times when it is determined as “winning” by the normal symbol lottery, and the game ball can be easily won at the second start port 122. Generate a state. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

The special winning opening operation control unit 237 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The prize ball processing unit 239 sets commands for controlling the number of prizes received for various types of winning-related items and lottery, and for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 240 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 330.
The random number control unit 241 controls updating of various random number values used in processing by the main control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
When the power is turned on, the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs initialization and initial setting of various devices as a basic process at the time of activation. And after performing a basic process, the game control part 200 repeatedly performs the main control process which is a series of processes regarding progress of a game. In addition, when the power is shut off, the game control unit 200 executes a series of power-off processing.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of basic processing by the game control unit 200.
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, the game control unit 200 first permits access to the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) (step (hereinafter, “step” will be referred to as “S”) 101). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM 203 is ON (S102).
If the RAM clear switch is OFF (No in S102), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the backup flag relating to the operation at the time of power-off is ON (S103).
If the backup flag is ON (Yes in S103), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the checksum created when the power is turned off is normal (S104).
If the checksum is normal (Yes in S104), the game control unit 200 next executes a return process (S105). In this return process, the game control unit 200 performs setting of the sub-control means such as the effect control unit 300 accompanying the return from the state where the power is cut off. Specifically, the game control unit 200 is configured so that the internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is cut off (whether the game is a big hit game, either a high probability state or a low probability state, a short time state and a short time state) The command for setting the sub-control means is output to the effect control unit 300 so that any one of them is reflected. In this return process, the game control unit 200 turns off the backup flag.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is ON (Yes in S102), the backup flag is OFF (No in S103), and the checksum is abnormal (No in S104), then the game control unit 200 is initialized. As processing, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are cleared (S106), and the work area of the RAM 203 is set (S107). Then, the game control unit 200 outputs a command for setting (initializing) the sub control means to the effect control unit 300, and sets the sub board (sub control means) (S108). The setting of the sub board includes clearing the RAMs 303, 313, and 323 mounted on each sub board.

After the return process (see S105) is completed or after the setting of the sub-board (see S108) is finished, the game control unit 200 sets various counters and timers used for game control (S109). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the interrupt permission (S110), the interrupt prohibition (S111), the symbol random number control process (S112), the initial value random number update process (S113), and the power shutoff flag are ON. (S114) is repeatedly executed as a loop process.
Here, interrupt permission (S110) and interrupt prohibition (S111) are provided to enable execution of interrupt processing during execution of the loop processing (S110 to S114). In the present embodiment, main control processing in game control is executed by this interrupt processing. Details of the main control process will be described later.
In the symbol random number control process (S112), the game control unit 200 updates the variation pattern random number used in the special symbol lottery.
In the initial value random number update process (S113), the game control unit 200 updates initial values of various random number values used in the game control.
In the determination of the power cut-off flag, when the power cut-off flag is OFF (No in S114), the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not cut off, and the game control unit 200 performs main control by interruption together with the loop processing (S110 to S114). Repeat the process. On the other hand, when the power shut-off flag is ON (Yes in S114), the game control unit 200 starts a process for shutting off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (power shut-off process).

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of power-off processing by the game control unit 200.
In the power-off process, the game control unit 200 first clears the setting of the output port for performing various outputs (S115). Next, the game control unit 200 creates a checksum and stores it in the RAM 203 (S116). Next, the game control unit 200 turns on the backup flag (S117), prohibits access to the RAM 203 (S118), and shifts to an infinite loop.

[Main control processing of gaming machines]
Next, main control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
In the main control process, the game control unit 200 controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100, instructs the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, to control the effect, and gives a prize ball to the payout control unit 330. Instructs payout control.

FIG. 5-3 is a flowchart showing main control processing of the game control unit 200.
The main control process includes a series of processes in game control, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds). In the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 generates an interrupt every predetermined time set in advance, and when the interrupt is permitted in the loop process shown in FIG. Execute main control processing. As shown in FIG. 7, in the main control process, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (S501 to S506).

  In the random number update process (S501), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the random number control unit 241, and updates various random number values used in the game control by the game control unit 200. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (S502), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231, monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed.
In the gate switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the normal symbol determination unit 232, monitors the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. Execute the process.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (S503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235, and executes the special symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation. To do.
In the normal symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the normal symbol variation control unit 236, and executes a normal symbol variation and a process associated with the symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (S504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the special prize opening operation control unit 237 and controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the electric tulip operation control unit 238 and controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition.
The detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the winning ball process (S505), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the winning ball processing unit 239, and sets a command for controlling the number of winnings and a control for paying out a winning ball according to the winnings.

  In the output process (S506), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240, outputs a command for effect control to the effect control unit 300, and sends a command for payout control to the payout control unit 330. Output. The effect control command is generated in each processing from S502 to S504, and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. The payout control command is generated in the processing of S 505 and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. A storage area is set in the RAM 203 for each type of control command.

  The output control unit 240 sequentially checks the storage area of each control command in the RAM 203, and if the control command is stored in each storage area (that is, the control command is generated in the processing of S502 to S505). The control command is read out and output to the output destination (production control unit 300 or payout control unit 330).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, output processing is performed at the end of a series of main control processing. That is, the command generated in each process of S502 to S505 by the above functions as the first processing means is stored in a corresponding storage area of the RAM 203 in each process. After these processes, the output control unit 240 as a second processing unit collectively outputs the commands generated in each process accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 203. In other words, in this embodiment, when the main control process is executed for one cycle, the command generated in the execution of the one cycle is output after the last command generation in the execution of the one cycle is performed.

[Modified example of basic operation of gaming machine]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the interrupt is permitted in the loop process portion of the basic process, and the main control process including a series of processes is executed as the interrupt process. However, the main control process only needs to be configured to be repeatedly executed at regular intervals, and specific implementation means (execution procedure) is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. It is not limited. For example, the main control process may be incorporated in a series of operations of the basic process, the elapsed time may be measured at a predetermined timing, and the process may return to the main control process every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). In addition, while incorporating the main control process in the series of operations of the basic process, as in the operation described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. If it occurs, it may be configured to return to the main control process incorporated in the basic process.
When a command generated by basic processing is output, in principle, every time a command is generated, the command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203, and the function of the output control unit 240 as the second processing means is called. Output. The basic process is a special process such as an initial operation that is performed when the power is turned on, and the processing procedure may vary depending on conditions such as the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is turned on. This is to promptly output the generated command so that there is no such thing. In addition, when a command is continuously generated by a plurality of related processes, a process procedure for storing a plurality of commands in the command storage area of the RAM 203 and outputting them in response to a specific process request is adopted. May be.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in S502 of FIG. 5-3.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (S601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (S602). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit (No in S602), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S602), the game control unit 200 next adds 1 to the value of the hold number U1 (S603). And the random number acquisition part 231 of the game control part 200 acquires the random value for the lottery by this time winning, and stores it in RAM203 (S604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random numbers here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after the end of jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state and low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value that determines the winning pattern, jackpot symbol random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value for specifying the variation pattern in symbol variation, reach random number value that determines whether or not to perform with reach in the event of a loss, etc. Is included.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S605). In this preliminary determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (that is, in S605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect based on the advance determination, the advance determination process may be omitted.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U1 in S603 in the RAM 203 (S606), and finishes the process for winning in the first start port 121. To do. When the advance determination process of S605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S605 is included in the pending number increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 6, next, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (S607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (S608). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in S608), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the holding number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S608), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (S609). And the random number acquisition part 231 of the game control part 200 acquires the random value for the lottery by this prize-winning, and stores it in RAM203 (S610). Here, since the winning of the second start port 122 is won, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random number value, reach random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value, etc.) are acquired as in S604 above. Is done. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S611). The content of this pre-determination process is the same as that of said S605. This prior determination process may also be omitted in a gaming machine that does not perform a notice effect based on prior determination.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in S609 in the RAM 203 (S612), and finishes the process for winning at the second start port 122. To do. When the advance determination process of S611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S611 is included in the pending number increase command.

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (S701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (S702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in S702), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S702), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (S703). And the random number acquisition part 231 of the game control part 200 acquires the random value for the lottery by this time winning, and stores it in RAM203 (S704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

  After the random value is acquired in S704, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in S703 in the RAM 203 (S705). The process for winning is completed.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( S801). Here, the winning game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit. Either the long winning game flag or the short winning game flag is set according to the type of winning. In the present embodiment, these are collectively called a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in a big hit, the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation (Yes in S801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in S801), then the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (S802). If the special symbol is not changing (No in S802), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) of the special symbols that have not been changed (S803 to S806). In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

  Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (S803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (S804). On the other hand, if the holding number U2 = 0 (No in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the holding number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (S805). When the number of holds U1 is 1 or more (Yes in S805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds U1 (S806). On the other hand, if the holding number U1 = 0 (No in S805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting process for waiting for customers set in another routine To finish the process (S816).

  After subtracting the reserved number U1 or the reserved number U2 in S804 or S806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (S816, see FIG. 12).

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (S808, S809). As will be described in detail later, by the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process, setting information for variation of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a variation pattern, etc.) is determined. Is done. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (S810). Then, a change start command including setting information (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in the RAM 203 (S811). The change start command set in S811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  When it is determined in S802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in S802), or after the change start command is set in S811, the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed (S812). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol in S810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in S809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in S812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in S812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the variation of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit determination process in S808. It stops at the symbol determined in (S813). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design, which will be described later, is set in the RAM 203 (S814). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (S815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in S814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (S808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (S901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made (S902). , S905). Whether or not the jackpot or the jackpot is determined is whether or not the value of the jackpot random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a big hit (Yes in S902), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number value (S903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value for each jackpot type (FIG. 17 ( b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets a symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203 (S904).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a small hit (No in S902, Yes in S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses a symbol representing the small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol) as setting information It is set in the RAM 203 (S906).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is neither big win nor small win (No in S902 and S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses the symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) as the setting information in the RAM 203. (S907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (S809 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery using the determination result of S902 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). (S1001). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1002).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in S1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random value for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (S1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value (see FIG. 17C). .
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in S1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for detachment from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1006).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in S604 or S610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in S1002, 1005, and 1006 (S1007). ). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern table is different, the determined variation pattern is different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in S1007 in the RAM 203 as setting information (S1008). The setting information of the variation pattern set in S1008 is included in the variation start command set in S811 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG. Details of the variation pattern selected in this embodiment and its setting will be described later.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S815 in FIG. 8).
In the stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter referred to as a short time flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1101). When the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1101), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (S1102), and whether or not the number of lotteries J has become zero. (S1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in S1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (S1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in S1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in S1104, or if the value of the lottery count J is not 0 (No in S1103), the game control unit 200 next stores the value in the RAM 203. It is checked whether or not a flag indicating the high probability state in the flag setting (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is ON (S1105). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in S1105), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (S1106), and whether or not the number of lotteries X has become 0. (S1107). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in S1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in S1105), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in S1108, or if the value of the lottery count X is not 0 (No in S1107), the game control unit 200 next It is determined whether or not a special symbol lottery has been won (S1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1109), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the big hit type is a long win (S1110).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B to be described later is set, “Yes” is determined in S1109. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in S1109.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the long hit game flag (S1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (S1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the winning game flag in S1111 or S1112, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (S1113). Further, the game control unit 200 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in S1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in S1103 (S1114). Similarly, when the probability variation flag is ON in S1105 and the number of lotteries X is not 0 in S1107, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1114).

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in S1109), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (S1115). If it is not a small hit (No in S1115), the stopped process is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is a small hit (Yes in S1115), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game (S1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in S1113, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (S1117). Here, the content of the opening operation differs depending on which of S1111 and S1112 the winning game flag is turned on. That is, according to the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1118), and ends the stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (S816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  If the customer waiting flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and thus the processing is terminated as it is (Yes in S1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag (S1203). The customer waiting command set in S1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is set in a state where there is no suspension with the special symbol change stopped.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in S1301). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in S1301), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (S1302). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in S1302), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether the number G of the normal symbol remaining unchanged (see FIG. 7) is 1 or more (S1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in S1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in S1303), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 decrements the value of the reserved number G by 1 (S1304), and determines the winning random number in the current normal symbol lottery. To determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (S1305). Whether or not the winner has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in S704 of FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. It is determined.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets a normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (S1306). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (S1307). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11, S1504 and S1507 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in S1307, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is done. After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 based on the setting contents of S1307 (S1308).

  After starting the change of the normal symbol in S1308 or when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing in S1302 (Yes in S1302), the normal symbol change control unit 236 determines whether or not the change time has passed (S1309). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the normal symbol variation in S1308 has reached the variation time set in S1307. If the fluctuation time has not elapsed (No in S1309), the normal symbol variation is continued, so that the normal symbol processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in S1309), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (S1310). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won based on the stopped normal symbol (S1311). If a win is made (Yes in S1311), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (S1312). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in S1311), the normal symbol processing is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, and the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1401). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is ON (Yes in S1401), then the special winning opening operation control unit 237 opens in the operation control at the time of the big hit started by the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not the operation is in progress (S1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in S1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (S1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (S1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0). Then, the value of the number R of rounds of operation of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (S1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (S1407).

  In the operation setting of S1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. As an example, in the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same for the case of short win and the case of small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in S1404 has elapsed (S1408). If the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in S1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 then sets the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 to a predetermined number (for example, 9). It is determined whether or not (S1409). When the opening time has not elapsed and the winning number C is less than the specified number, the operation state (opening state) of the large winning opening 125 is continued, so the large winning opening process is terminated (No in S1409). ). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1408) or the winning number C reaches the specified number (Yes in S1409), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 finishes operating the special winning opening 125 (closing). (S1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the number R of rounds of operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in S1404 (S1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1411).

If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in S1411), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then starts an ending operation (S1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 sets an ending command for performing an effect in the ending operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1413). This ending command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 resets the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 to 0 (S1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether the power time (ending time) has elapsed (S1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then performs a game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (S1418), then turns off the winning game flag, The big prize opening process is terminated (S1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in S1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in S1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not it is ending (S1415). If the ending is in progress (Yes in S1415), the operations after S1417 are executed.

On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in S1415), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the special winning opening 125 is operating (opening) (S1416). If it is not in operation (No in S1416), the operation after S1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in S1416), the operation after S1408 is executed.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the contents of the game state setting process (S1418) performed by the game control unit 200, which is executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417).
When the game state setting process is performed, as a premise, the winning game flag is set to ON in S1401 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of the hit (S1501, S1502, S1503, S1506). These determinations can be made based on, for example, the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). Since these determinations are substantially the same as S902, S903, and S905 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of S902, S903, and S905 may be used.

If it is a small hit (Yes in S1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
When the winning type is a big hit with a low probability short game state (No in S1501, Yes in S1502 and S1503), the game control unit 200 turns on the short flag (S1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state with a low probability. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (S1505) and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, if the winning type is a big hit in the low probability short-time no-game state (No in S1501, Yes in 1502, No in S1503), the game control unit 200 ends the process without turning on both the short-time flag and the probability change flag. To do. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit in the short probability gaming state with a high probability (No in S1501, S1502, Yes in S1506), the game control unit 200 turns on the hourly flag (S1507) and sets the initial value of the number of lottery times J. (S1508). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability change flag (S1509), and sets an initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit in the high probability short-time no-game state (No in S1501, S1502, and S1506), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability variation flag (S1509), and the initial value ( 10000 times) is set (S1510). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1601). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in S1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is operating (S1602).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in S1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (S1603), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern (S1604). . Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11, S1504 and S1507 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in S1603, an operation pattern that opens once with an opening time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, 1.80 seconds are released. An operating pattern that opens three times in time is set. Thus, normally, when the time reduction flag is ON (when it is in the time reduction state), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second start port 122 (electricity chewing support). Is done.

  When it is determined in S1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in S1602), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in S1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 passes the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether it has been done (S1605). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1605). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1605), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (S1606).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a random number (determination table) used in the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of the jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, and FIG. 17C shows a special symbol lottery. A configuration example of reach random numbers used, and FIG. 17 (d) each show a configuration example of hit random numbers used in normal symbol lottery.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), as the jackpot random number determination value, the jackpot when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 at the time of jackpot determination is a low probability state and the jackpot when the game state at the time of jackpot determination is a high probability state 2 types and small hits are set. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (a jackpot lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case of the special symbol lottery in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 17 (b), five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols indicating that the low-probability state is a big hit. Of these, the low-probability symbol A is a long win (low-probability short-time gaming state), and the low-probability symbol B is Represents each short hit (low probability, short no-game state). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long win (high-probability short-time gaming state), and the high-probability symbol B is a short-hit ( High probability short-time non-game state). The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

In the low probability pattern A, 35 values are assigned as winning values in both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning a jackpot is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the low probability symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol B is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 25/250 (= 1/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121.
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 175/250 (= 7/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3/10).
On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1/10).

In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2/5).
On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning at the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 on the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125).

It should be noted that the effect with reach and the effect without reach determined by the reach random number indicate the mode of effect performed in the image display unit 114. That is, during the variation display of special symbols, for example, three columns of symbols consisting of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction are displayed, and the variation display of special symbols is started. At the same time, these symbols start to scroll.
Then, in the effect with reach, when the scrolling is stopped and the symbols are stopped and displayed after elapse of a predetermined time after the start of the scrolling, any two symbols (sequences) are stopped first. At this time, the same numbers stop and display on a straight line that extends horizontally or diagonally, and the last line gradually decreases the scrolling speed, and there is a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on the straight line. Give to the player. Such an effect with reach includes a so-called super reach effect in which various characters appear or a story develops before the last line of scrolling stops. On the other hand, unlike the effect with reach, the effect without reach does not produce an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation, and the symbols stop and display in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Is.
As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach in the image display unit 114 when the determination result of the jackpot random number is a loss. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In addition, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is always performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or loss, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the timeless state, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.

A random value as determination information used for various types of lottery starts from a predetermined initial value and is incremented by one each time the random number update process (S501) shown in FIG. 5-3 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). The Note that this random value counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the jackpot random number shown in FIG. 17A). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Setting example of fluctuation pattern]
Next, an example of setting a variation pattern used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the variation pattern used in the variation pattern selection process illustrated in FIG.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, three types of variation patterns A to C are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (in the case of Yes in S1001 in FIG. 10). In addition, six types of variation patterns D to I are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of place (in the case of No in S1001 in FIG. 10). The fluctuation time is 90 seconds for the fluctuation pattern A, 60 seconds for the fluctuation pattern B, 30 seconds for the fluctuation pattern C, 60 seconds for the fluctuation pattern D, 30 seconds for the fluctuation pattern E, 15 seconds for the fluctuation pattern F, and 15 seconds for the fluctuation pattern G. 13 seconds, the fluctuation pattern H is set to 7 seconds, and the fluctuation pattern I is set to 3 seconds. That is, the variation pattern of the special symbol determines the determination result in the special symbol lottery and the variation time of the special symbol.

  The variation patterns D to F are variation patterns selected when the reach effect is performed (in the case of Yes in S1004 in FIG. 10), and the variation patterns G to I are when the reach effect is not performed (FIG. 10 in the case of No in S1004). Since the reach effect is always performed when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the presence or absence of the reach effect is not referred to when the variation patterns A to C are selected.

  Further, among the variation patterns G to I, when the variation pattern G has a holding number of 0, when the variation pattern H has one or two holding numbers, the variation pattern I has a holding number of three or four. It is set as a variation pattern to be selected for each of the individual patterns. That is, the average time of the special symbol variation is set to be shorter as the number of pending determinations in the special symbol lottery is larger.

  The game control unit 200 determines whether or not the variation pattern random value (see S604 and S610 in FIG. 6) acquired when the game ball wins the start ports 121 and 122, the determination result shown in the setting example in FIG. The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on conditions such as the number of holds. Then, the information of the determined variation pattern of the special symbol is included in the variation start command and is sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300. As will be described later, in the effect control unit 300, an effect corresponding to a change time specified based on information of a change pattern included in the change start command (executable during the change time) as an effect when the special symbol changes Is selected and executed.

Although not shown, the variation pattern A is selected at the highest rate among the variation patterns A to C selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, and the variation at the next highest rate. It can be set so that the pattern B is selected and the variation pattern C is selected at the lowest rate.
In the example shown in FIG. 18, there is no distinction between the case where the game ball wins the first start port 121 and the case where the game ball wins the second start port 122, but the first start port 121 and the second start port 121 It is also possible to change the setting of the variation pattern depending on which of 122 is won.

[Command structure and transmission method]
Here, the configuration and transmission method of commands (effect control commands and setting commands) output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a command configuration. 19A shows the data structure of the command, and FIG. 19A shows the structure of the command as a bit string.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of 2 bytes. This command is composed of a 1-byte “code” as the first data portion and a 1-byte “data” as the second data portion. “Code” indicates the type of command, and “Data” indicates the value of the command. This command is transmitted from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 using asynchronous synchronization by one serial signal. More generally, the “code” that is the first data part has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more), and the value of the leading 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0. The “data” as the second data part has a size of n × a bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the value of the first 1 bit is different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data part. Specific to the value.

  Since start-stop synchronization is used, a start bit (bit indicated as “S” in the figure) is provided at the head of each of “code” and “data” constituting the command, and 1 at the end. End bits of bits (bits indicated as “E” in the figure) are provided. Each of the “code” and “data” constituting the command is provided with one parity bit (bit indicated as “P” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 19A, both the “code” and “data” constituting the command have a data size of 1 byte (8 bits). When transmitted, the “code” and “data” are provided with a start bit, an end bit, and a parity bit, respectively. For this reason, it is not easy for the presentation control unit 300 that receives a command to identify whether the received data string is a “code” or “data” of the command from the outline of the data string. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flag for identifying “code” and “data” is set. Specifically, the value of the specific portion of the 8-bit value constituting the “code” is made different from the value of the portion corresponding to the specific portion of the “code” among the 8-bit values constituting the “data”. .

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 19B, the first 1 bit of each of “code” and “data” is used as a flag. That is, in the 8-bit value constituting the “code”, the first 1-bit value is “1”, and in the 8-bit value constituting the “data”, the first 1-bit value is “0”. . Thereby, the effect control unit 300 can identify whether the data string is “code” or “data” by examining the value of the first 1 bit following the start bit of the received data string. The specific value of the flag is merely an example, and a value different from the above value may be used as long as “code” and “data” can be identified.

  Here, since the value of the first bit of “code” is specified as “1”, the range of values that can be taken by “code” is 128 from 10000000B (= 80H) to 11111111B (= FFH). It is. Note that the letter “B” attached to each value indicates binary notation, and the letter “H” indicates hexadecimal notation. In addition, since the value of the first 1 bit of “data” is specified as “0”, the range of values that “data” can take is 128 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 01111111B (= 7FH). is there. That is, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, 128 types of commands that can take 128 types of values can be set.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, many types of effects are executed according to the gaming state, the determination result of the special symbol lottery, and the like. Therefore, a large number of commands are prepared for the commands for effect control. In particular, the “data” that is the value indicating the specific content of the command may be insufficient with the above 128. On the other hand, the “code” indicating the type of command is usually smaller than the above 128. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a part of the bit string of “code” to describe the value of “data”.

  For example, consider the case where the last 1 bit of “code” is used to describe the value of “data”. Hereinafter, each bit in the 8-bit bit string constituting “code” and “data” is referred to as first to eighth bits. Separately from the bit string that makes up the “code”, the “code” value that actually indicates the type of command is called the “code value”, and separately from the bit string that makes up the “data”, the actual command value is The value of “data” shown is called “data value”. Then, the code value is described using the first to seventh bits in the “code” bit string, and the data value is all of the “data” bit string (from the first bit to the eighth bit). , And the 8th bit of “code”.

  With this configuration, the possible range of the code value is that the value of the first bit is specified as “1” and the total size is 7 bits, so that the range from 1000000B (= 40H) to 1111111B (= 7FH) ) Up to 64). The possible range of the data value is 128 values represented by 8 bits of “data” in which the value of the first bit is specified as “0”, and values “0” and “8” of the 8th bit of “code”. 1 ”is 256. Therefore, it is possible to set a command having 256 kinds of values as data values.

  Note that the above configuration in the case where a data value is described using a part of the “code” is merely an example, and the specific number of bits and value are not limited to the above configuration example. For example, the data value may be described using the seventh bit and the eighth bit of the “code”. More generally, a predetermined type of data (data value) using a predetermined bit constituting “code” as the first data portion and a bit constituting “data” as the second data portion. Is recorded. Then, by using the remaining bits excluding the predetermined bits in the “code” which is the first data portion, other types of data (code values) different from the predetermined types of data (data values) are recorded. The In other words, a bit constituting “data” as the second data part and b bit (b is smaller than a−1 and an integer of 1 or more) constituting “code” as the first data part. In use, a data value having a size of (a + b) bits is recorded.

  Further, as a means for increasing the number of data values that can be handled, it is conceivable to increase the bit string of “data” describing the data values. For example, it is conceivable to prepare “first data” and “second data” as bit strings describing data values. In this case, if each bit string is 8 bits, a data value can be described by a bit string of 16 bits in total. In order to distinguish between “first data” and “second data”, if the second bit of the 8-bit bit string is used as a flag, for example, the first bit and the second bit of “first data” Can be “00B”, and the first and second bits of “second data” can be “01B”. The first bit has a value “0” as a flag for identifying “code”. That is, the “data” that is the second data portion is a bit string (“first data”, “second data”,...) That represents each data value every 8 bits (more generally, For each a bit), the same value as the value of the first 1 bit is set.

  With this configuration, the range of values that the “first data” can take is 64 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 00111111B (= 3FH), and the range of values that the “second data” can take is Since there are 64 from 01000000B (= 40H) to 01111111B (= 7FH), the total is 4096 (= 64 × 64). Here, the first bit is used as a flag for identifying “code” and “data” (“first data” and “second data”), and “first data” and “second data” Although the second bit is used as a flag for identifying the first and second bits, a flag for identifying four types of bit strings may be set using the first and second bits. For example, “code” may have the value of the first and second bits “11B”, and “data” may have the value of the first and second bits “00B”, “01B”, and “10B”. Conceivable.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19-2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 19-2 (a) and an interrupt process shown in FIG. 19-2 (b). Referring to FIG. 19-2 (a), the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (S1901), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (S1902), and then sets the cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating the random number used in the production control (S1903).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the cycle set in S1902. Referring to FIG. 19-2 (b), in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (S1911). In this command reception process, an effect pattern is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting an operation of the effect button 161 and the like by the player (S1912). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (S1913). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (S1911 in FIG. 19-2 (b)).
In this command reception process, the production control unit 300 first determines whether or not the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (holding number increase command) (S2001). This pending number increase command is set by the game control unit 200 in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6 (S606, S612), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3. Is done. When the command is an increase command for the number of holds (Yes in S2001), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2002), and shows the value of the number of holds after the addition. Is set in the RAM 303 (S2003).

When the received command is not a pending number increase command (No in S2001), or when a command is received after setting the pending number increase command in S2003, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change start command. (S2004). This variation start command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S811), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in S2004), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (S2005). Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a variation start command (No in S2001 and S2004), or when a command is received after execution of the effect selection process in S2005, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change stop command. (S2006). This variation stop command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S814), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is a change stop command (Yes in S2006), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during end of change effect (S2007). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not the change start command and the change stop command (No in S2001, S2004, and S2006), or when the command is received after the execution of the variable effect end process in S2007, the effect control unit 300 determines that the received command is It is determined whether or not it is an opening command for starting the opening in the jackpot effect (S2008). This opening command is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 11 (S1118), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in S2008), the effect control unit 300 executes a hit effect selection process (S2009). Details of the winning effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a change start command, a change stop command, and an opening command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, and S2008), or when a command is received after performing the hit effect selection process in S2009, the effect control unit 300 It is determined whether or not the received command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect (S2010). This ending command is set in the special winning opening process shown in FIG. 14 (S1413), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is an ending command (Yes in S2010), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (S2011). Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a variation start command, variation stop command, opening command and ending command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, S2008 and S2010), or if a command is received after the end of the ending effect selection process in S2011, The effect control unit 300 executes a customer waiting command reception process for the received command to shift to the customer waiting state (S2012). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 4, and five types of effect modes from A mode to E mode are assigned to each mode flag. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.
Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B and low probability symbol B, jackpot of latent symbol symbol and A mode flag 4 is assigned to each small hit. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. No mode flag 0 is assigned to any of them. In mode flags 1 to 4, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 21, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is set individually for each mode except the A mode.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection process (S2005) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation start command (S2201). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2202), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2203). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, gaming state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, an effect pattern (fluctuation effect pattern) of symbol variation by an image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (S2204). Finally, the effect control unit 300 reads from the ROM 302 image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern, and sets a change effect start command instructing the start of execution of the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. Then, the effect selection process ends (S2205).

  Although not described in detail, in the effect change pattern selection process in S2204, the effect mode, the change pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in S1903 in FIG. The production pattern is determined based on the random number value). Based on the effect pattern determined here, the decorative symbol variation display, the background effect, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (S2007) of FIG.
In this variation effect end process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation stop command (S2301). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2302). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol variation obtained from the analysis result of the variation stop command is stopped (big hit or small hit). It is determined whether or not (S2303). If it is any hit (Yes in S2303), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 21 according to the type of the hit (S2304).

  On the other hand, if the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not successful (No in S2303), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (S2305). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in S2305), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (S2306), and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (S2307). If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in S2307), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (S2308).

  If the mode flag is 0 in S2305 (Yes in S2305), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in S2307 (No in S2307), or after setting the mode flag to 0 in S2308, or in S2304 After changing the mode flag, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the design change effect in the RAM 303, and ends the change effect end process (S2309). Here, referring to FIG. 21, when the mode flag is changed in S2304, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the winning type. When the mode flag is 0 in S2305 and when the mode flag is set to 0 in S2308, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of parameter M does not become 0 in S2307, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hit effect selection process (S2009) of FIG.
In this winning effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (S2401), and selects an effect pattern (winning effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2402). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a hit effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2403). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (S2011) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (S2501), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2502). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2503).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (S2012) of FIG.
The effect control unit 300 determines whether or not a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (S2601). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in S2601), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (S2602), and turns on the measurement flag in the RAM 303 (S2603). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in S2601), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (S2604). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in S2604), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in S2604 or after being turned ON in S2603), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time (S2605). . If the time is not up (No in S2605), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in S2605), the effect control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S2606), and sets a customer waiting effect command for performing the customer waiting effect in the RAM 303. The customer waiting command reception process is terminated (S2607).

  When the command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a hit effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer waiting effect command.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (S1912 in FIG. 19-2 (b)).
In this effect button process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an operation means such as the effect button 161 by the player has been operated (S2701). Here, the operation of the operating means includes turning on the effect button 161 and turning it ON, and operating the touch panel 162 to turn it ON. Moreover, when operation devices other than the production buttons 161 and the touch panel 162, such as a touch panel, are provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting an operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If the operation means such as the effect button 161 is operated (Yes in S2701), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the operation means in the RAM 303, and ends the effect button process. (S2702).

  Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs S1913) of FIG. 19-2 (b), and the commands set in the RAM 303 by the above-described command reception process and effect button process are received by the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit. To 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display an image on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the received command. Is controlled to execute the set effect.

[Advance notice based on prior judgment]
Next, a notice effect based on prior determination according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the game ball wins the first start port 121 (see FIG. 1 or 3) and the first start port switch 211 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. And when the game ball is won at the second start port 122 (see FIG. 1 or 3) and the second start port switch 212 (see FIG. 3) is turned ON, the lottery at the time of symbol change Prior to the determination (see S808 and S809 in FIG. 8), prior determination (prefetching) of the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is performed (see S05 and S611 in FIG. 6).

  Further, in the present embodiment, based on the result of the above prior determination, a notice effect (suggest effect) for indicating the determination result to the player is performed. This notice effect is executed at the time of a symbol change for another winning ball that is performed prior to a symbol change for the winning ball (holding ball) for which a prior determination has been made. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of holding balls is four per one starting port (first starting port 121 or second starting port 122) (see FIG. 6). In addition, priority is given to the digestion of the reserved balls in the second start port 122. In this case, for example, when a preliminary determination is made with respect to the reserved ball with the second start opening 122, the maximum symbol variation for four winning balls is performed before the symbol variation for the reserved ball is performed. It becomes. In the notice effect related to the reserved ball that has been determined in advance, if multiple symbol changes are made before the symbol change for the reserved ball, even if the notice effect that spans the multiple symbol changes is performed good.

[Configuration of the RAM of the Game Control Unit and the RAM of the Production Control Unit for Performing the Advance Effect]
In order to execute such a notice effect based on the prior determination, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 in the present embodiment have the following configurations.
FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 28A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 204, and FIG. 28B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, the RAM 203 includes a storage area 204 as a special symbol holding storage area for storing the jackpot random number acquired by the jackpot random number lottery. This storage area 204 has eight storage units corresponding to the maximum number of reservations of the first start port 121 and the number of reservations of the second start port 122 (when the upper limit value of each reservation number is 4). . Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), each of these storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the number of fluctuations N when winning the jackpot, and a winning start port (first start port 121 or And an area in which information indicating the second start port 122) is stored. Each of the storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the acquired jackpot random number, an area for storing a design random number, and an area for storing a reach random number. That is, each of the storage units 204a to 204h stores a jackpot random number, a design random number, and a reach random number.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 29A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reserved storage areas 305 and 306, and FIG. 29B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each of the storage units shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 29 (a), the RAM 303 includes a first hold storage area 305 and a second hold storage area 306 as a hold status storage area for storing a status where a hold ball is held. The first holding storage area 305 and the second holding storage area 306 correspond to holding for winning in the first starting port 121 and holding for winning in the second starting port 122, respectively. Have. Specifically, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  As shown in FIG. 29 (b), each of these storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d has a hold flag storage area for turning ON / OFF the hold flag, and a notification flag storage for turning ON / OFF the notification flag. And a region. The hold flag is a flag for identifying the presence or absence of a hold ball for each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d. That is, for example, when the number of holds due to winning at the first start port 121 is 3, the hold flag is turned ON in the three hold flag storage areas of the first to third storage units 305a, 305b, and 305c. The notification flag is a flag for identifying the presence / absence of a notification command of a pre-read result to be described later for each reserved ball. That is, for example, when a pre-determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 30 to be described later) is performed on the above-described three reserved balls and a notification command is set for the third reserved ball, The notification flag is turned on in the notification flag storage area of the storage unit 305c.

  That is, the RAM 203 and the RAM 303 function as a storage unit that stores hold information that is start information based on establishment of a predetermined start condition with a predetermined number as a limit in the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300. In addition, the game control unit 200, based on the hold information that is the start information, before the determination of the special symbol determination unit 234 triggered by the establishment of the start condition corresponding to the start information, It is a prior determination means which performs the prior determination process regarding whether to transfer to. The effect control unit 300 is an effect control unit that performs a notice effect for giving a notice (improvement) of a preliminary determination result.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the RAM 203 has an area for storing prior determination information (hereinafter referred to as a prior determination information storage area) separately from the configuration illustrated in FIG. The advance determination information is information obtained by the advance determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) based on each of the above random numbers. The content of the pre-determination information is the same as the information obtained as various determination results in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 8), and specifically, the type of winning (big hit, small hit, off) and big hit In this case, the type of jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable production or a non-reach production. The pre-determination information stored in the pre-determination information storage area is unique or independent from the hold information corresponding to the winning ball (holding ball) subjected to the pre-determination process (hereinafter referred to as hold information). At the timing, it is included in the pending number increase command and the change start command and sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300.

[Preliminary judgment processing]
Next, the prior determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) will be described in detail.
First, a determination method using random numbers in the prior determination process will be described.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random numbers used in the pre-determination process in the present embodiment. 30A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number in the predetermination process, FIG. 30B shows a configuration example of a design random number in the predetermination process, and FIG. 30C shows a reach random number in the predetermination process. Each of the configuration examples is shown.

Referring to FIG. 30A, the jackpot random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the jackpot random number in the jackpot determination process shown in FIG. In other words, two types of game states of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are set: a jackpot with a low probability state and a jackpot with a high probability state. The range of random numbers is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. The winning probability in the prior determination is 1/300 in the low probability state and 10/300 (= 1/30) in the high probability state.
In addition, the determination as to whether or not a small hit is made when there is a shift in the special symbol lottery has the same configuration as the random number shown in FIG. That is, the winning probability per small is 3/300 (= 1/100) regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state.

  Referring to FIG. 30B, the jackpot symbol random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the jackpot symbol random number in the jackpot determination process shown in FIG. That is, as a type of jackpot based on a special symbol triggered by winning the first starting port 121, a jackpot of low probability symbol A, a jackpot of low probability symbol B, a jackpot of high probability symbol A, a jackpot of high probability symbol B Five types of jackpots and jackpots of latent patterns are prepared. In addition, as a type of jackpot based on a special symbol triggered by winning the second starting port 122, a jackpot of low probability symbol A, a jackpot of low probability symbol B, a jackpot of high probability symbol A, a jackpot of high probability symbol B Four types of jackpots are available.

  The range of the random number value is 250 from 0 to 249 regardless of which of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 is won. In addition, for the high probability symbol A and the high probability symbol B, different winning values are set depending on whether the first starting port 121 is won or the second starting port 122 is won, and the winning probabilities are different. .

  Referring to FIG. 30 (c), the reach random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the reach random number in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 17 (c). That is, the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and 228 to the lottery result (without reach) for the reach effect. Random number values are assigned. Therefore, when the special symbol lottery is not a big hit, it is determined by the prior determination that the reach effect is performed with a probability of 8.8 / 100 (= 22/250).

[Preliminary judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the contents of the pre-determination process (S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) according to the present embodiment.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 31, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the internal state is a high probability state (S3101). If the game control unit 200 determines that the internal state is a high probability state (Yes in S3101), the start port switch process (FIG. 6). It is determined how many times the jackpot lottery right acquired in (see) corresponds to the right of the jackpot lottery after the current high probability state is shifted.

  That is, if the winning of the jackpot that the gaming state after the jackpot game becomes a high probability state (in the example shown in FIG. 30B, the jackpot of the high probability symbol A and the jackpot of the high probability symbol B) is confirmed, the jackpot is won. The number N of fluctuations at that time is set to the reference number M. For example, when the jackpot of the high probability symbol A is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (special symbol fluctuation display) after turning on the power, the data “200” is stored in the RAM 203, and accordingly When the internal state is high probability, it becomes a short game state. Therefore, the jackpot lottery performed at the 201st time after turning on the power corresponds to the first jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability short-time gaming state, and similarly, the jackpot lottery performed at the 210th time The lottery corresponds to the tenth jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability short-time gaming state. In this way, it is calculated how many jackpot lotteries the right of the jackpot lottery acquired by the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) corresponds to the high probability short-time gaming state. Specifically, the game control unit 200 obtains the calculated value Z by subtracting the reference number M from the variation number N (S3102).

Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number X (S3103). The predetermined number of times X here is the upper limit number of times that the big hit random number is determined based on the high probability state hit determination table (see FIG. 30A).
Here, for example, if the winning state where the gaming state after the jackpot game becomes the high probability short-time gaming state is won, then the jackpot random number is determined based on the hit determination table for the high probability state with the upper limit being 100 times. Think about the case. In this case, the predetermined number of times X is set to 100, and it is determined whether or not the calculation value Z is 100 or less.
That is, whether the jackpot random number acquired by the start switch processing (see FIG. 6) is determined based on the hit determination table for the high probability state, or for the low probability state when the high probability short-time gaming state ends. Here, it is determined whether the determination is made based on the winning determination table (see FIG. 30A).
For example, suppose that the winning jackpot of the high-probability symbol A (the long win that becomes the short game state at the high probability) is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (number of fluctuations N = 200) after the power is turned on. Thereafter, 98 jackpot lotteries were performed after entering the high-probability short-lived gaming state, and in a situation where the jackpot has not been won yet, the number of changes N = 299 hold A, the number of changes N = 300 hold B, Assume that the hold C with the number of fluctuations N = 301 is stored in the RAM 203. At this time, since the reference number M = 200 is set, the hold A is the calculated value Z = 99, the hold B is the calculated value Z = 100, and the hold C is the calculated value Z = 101. Therefore, hold A and hold B are determined as “Yes” in S3103, and hold C is determined as “No” in S3103.
In this way, the processing of S3102 and S3103 makes it possible to make a jackpot determination based not on the current internal state but on the internal state at the time of special symbol processing. Therefore, an accurate determination result can be derived even when the gaming state changes from the high probability state to the low probability state.

If the game control unit 200 determines that the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times X (Yes in S3103), then the jackpot for changing the internal state after the jackpot game to a low probability state (in FIG. It is determined whether or not the prior determination information relating to “big hit” is stored before the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) is started (S3104). This is because if such a holding ball is put on hold first, the gaming state becomes a low probability state when digesting the holding ball put on hold in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6). It is.
Therefore, if it is determined No in S3104, a hit determination table for a high probability state (during probable change) is selected (S3106), and if Yes is determined in S3104, it is for a low probability state (normal time). A winning determination table is selected (S3107).

On the other hand, when the current gaming state is a low probability state (No in S3101), or when it is determined that the calculated value Z exceeds the predetermined number X even if the current gaming state is a high probability state (S3103). No) performs the following process. That is, the game control unit 200 stores, in the advance determination information storage area of the RAM 203, advance determination information related to a jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a high probability state (described as “a jackpot with probability change” in FIG. 31). Then, it is determined whether or not it is stored before the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) is started (S3105). For example, in S605 of the start port switch process (see FIG. 6), when a random number as the hold information is stored in the sixth storage unit 204f (see FIG. 28) of the storage area 204, the first storage unit 204a to the fifth storage unit 204f. As the advance determination information corresponding to the hold related to the hold information stored in the storage unit 204e (see FIG. 28), the advance determination information related to any of the jackpots that are in a high probability state is stored in the advance determination information storage area. Determine whether or not. That is, it is determined whether there is a reserve sphere that is digested earlier than the currently generated reserve sphere in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) changes the internal state to the high probability state. This is because if such a holding ball exists first, the internal state becomes a high probability state when digesting the holding ball generated this time in the start port switch process.
Therefore, if it is determined No in S3105, the hit determination table for the low probability state (normal time) is selected (S3107), and if it is determined Yes, the hit for the high probability state (probability change) is selected. A determination table is selected (S3106).

  Although not shown in detail, in S3104 and S3105, it is preliminarily determined that the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to the high probability state and the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to the low probability state When stored in the storage area, the game control unit 200 makes the above determination (S3104, S3105) based on the prior determination information related to the reserved ball to be digested later among these two jackpots.

  As described above, the processing of S3104 and S3105 makes it possible to determine the jackpot based on the internal state during the special symbol processing. Therefore, even when the internal state changes from the high probability state to the low probability state, or when the internal state changes from the low probability state to the high probability state, an accurate prior determination result can be derived.

  Thereafter, the game control unit 200 determines each random number based on the selected determination table (S3108), and stores the determination result as prior determination information in the prior determination information storage area (S3109). Then, it is determined whether or not the determination result is a big hit or a small win (S3110). If it is a big win or a small win (Yes in S3110), a prefetch result notification command (indicated as simply a notification command in the figure). ) Is set (S3111), and if it is a loss (No in S3110), a normal command is set (S3112), and the preliminary determination process ends. The normal command is a command for displaying only the number of holds without notifying the result of the prior determination (prefetching) in a hold display effect described later. These set commands are included in the pending number increase command (see S606 and S612 in FIG. 6), and are transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (see S506 in FIG. 5).

  It is also conceivable to employ control not shown in FIG. 31 in the prior determination process. For example, when it is a loss (No in S3110), it is determined whether or not a reach effect is performed during the change, and a reach command is set when it is determined that a reach effect is performed. In addition, when it is determined in advance that it is a jackpot (Yes in S3110), the type of jackpot is determined in advance.

[Preliminary production by production control unit]
In the pachinko gaming machine 100, when a game ball wins further to the starting port during a special symbol change and a holding ball is generated, the first special symbol hold display on the display 130 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Display according to the number of holdings is performed by the device 218 and the second special symbol holding display 219. In addition to the display by the display device 130, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs an effect (holding display effect) for displaying information (presence / absence, number of reservations, etc.) regarding the reserved ball on the image display unit 114 as part of the effect display. There is. Furthermore, when a preliminary determination is made regarding the holding ball as described above, a notice effect that informs or suggests the determination result can be performed. In order to perform this notice effect, the effect control unit 300 performs the notification command reception process.

  As described above, the notification command and the normal command are sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 in the pending number increase command. Therefore, in the command reception process (see S1911 in FIG. 19-2 and FIG. 20), when the hold number increase command is received, the effect control unit 300 sets the hold number addition and the hold number command (S20001). In addition, the notification command or the normal command is extracted from the pending number increase command and stored in the RAM 303.

[Notification command acceptance processing]
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of notification command reception processing by the effect control unit 300.
After the processing at the time of reception of the above-described hold number increase command, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the notification command extracted from the hold number increase command is stored in the RAM 303 (S3201). When it is determined that the notification command is stored (Yes in S3201), the effect control unit 300 stores the storage areas (first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and first to fourth storage units) corresponding to the current reserved ball in the RAM 303. In any of 306a to 306d), the hold flag and the notification flag are turned ON. When a normal command is extracted from the hold number increase command instead of the notification command, only the hold flag is turned ON (S3202). If the notification command is not stored (No in S3201), the notification command reception process is terminated.

  Next, the effect control unit 300 determines whether the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d of the RAM 303 (S3203). ). If it is determined that the notification flag is ON in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (Yes in S3203), then the presentation control unit 300 determines whether the variation time T is greater than the predetermined value K It is determined whether or not (S3204). If it is determined that the variation time T is greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in S3204), a notification effect command for performing a notification effect (notification effect) is set (S3205), and a notification command reception process is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification flag is not ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d (No in S3203), the fluctuation time T is a predetermined value K. When it is determined that it is the following (No in S3204), the effect control unit 300 sets a normal effect command for performing a normal effect that does not notify the prefetch result (S3206), and ends the notification command receiving process.

  These commands are for informing the player of the number of holds in the effect control process, and individual information for each hold ball (whether the hold ball is related to the first start port 121 or the second start port 122) , And the number of the holding ball at each starting port). The notification effect command also includes information indicating which of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d has the notification flag turned on.

  More specifically, the variation time T referred to here is a time during which the special symbol varies due to the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 9), and can also be referred to as a variation time related to the variation. Further, the predetermined value K is a value larger than the time (scale) necessary for performing the notice effect. For example, when the scale of the notice effect to be executed is 3 seconds, a value of 4 seconds may be adopted as the predetermined value K. This is because the notice effect cannot be performed during the symbol change unless the fluctuation time T is longer than the scale of the notice effect to be executed. Therefore, even when the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d, the variation time T is equal to or less than the predetermined value K. Is set not a notification effect command but a normal effect command (see S3203, S3204, and S3206).

  Note that the variation time T is not necessarily limited to one special symbol variation time (a time during which a special symbol variation relating to one winning ball (holding ball) is performed). That is, as the fluctuation time T, a time during which the symbol fluctuation is performed a plurality of times (two or three times when the upper limit of the number of holdings is four) can be set. In other words, the time obtained by adding a plurality of fluctuation times is the value of T. In this case, the effect is performed as a notice effect (so-called continuous notice) performed over a plurality of symbol variations.

  When the notice effect spans multiple symbol variations, not only guarantees the lower limit of the entire variation time T as shown in S3104 of FIG. 31, but also the overall effect against the scale of the notice effect (continuous notice). In order for the length of the fluctuation time T not to be excessive, it is necessary to limit the fluctuation time in the symbol fluctuation that is the target of the notice effect.

[Production on the image display unit 114]
Next, an effect on the image display unit 114 in the first embodiment will be described.
The pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that when a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel 162, the image display unit 114 performs an effect corresponding thereto. Hereinafter, such an effect is referred to as a specific effect.
Here, it is possible to further feel the joy of gaming by performing a new effect that is not found in conventional gaming machines. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the following configuration is provided to enable execution of an effect different from the conventional one.

[Configuration of touch panel 162, etc.]
First, the configuration and functions of the touch panel 162 included in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be mainly described. In addition, although the input device which employ | adopted the electrostatic capacitance system is used as the touch panel 162, it is not restricted to this, For example, the input device which employ | adopted other systems, such as a resistive film system, an acoustic wave collation system, and an ultrasonic system It is also possible to use.
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the touch panel 162. (A) of the figure is a block diagram showing a configuration related to the touch panel 162 and the touch panel 162, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the operation panel unit 10 of the touch panel 162.
As shown in (a) of FIG. 33, the touch panel 162 is a process for performing an operation panel unit 10 that the player directly operates for production, and a process for specifying the operation content by the player on the operation panel unit 10. Part 20. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the touch panel 162 is provided with the processing unit 20 is employed. However, the configuration in which the effect control unit 300 includes the processing unit 20 may be employed.
Touch panel 162 outputs the processing result to effect control unit 300. The effect control unit 300 generates a command based on the data from the touch panel 162 and transmits the command to the image / sound control unit 310. The image / sound control unit 310 causes the image display unit 114 to perform an image effect corresponding to the transmitted command.

As shown in FIG. 33 (b), the operation panel unit 10 includes a glass 11, a shield conductive film 12 located on one surface of the glass 11, a conductive film 13 located on the other surface of the glass 11, and a conductive film 13. And a coating film 14 for covering. On the surface of the coating film 14, an input region (touch surface) R, which is a region that enables an input operation for production using the player's finger F, is formed.
More specifically, electrodes (not shown) and sensors (not shown) are disposed at the four corners of the glass 11 of the operation panel unit 10, and a uniform electric field is formed by the conductive film 13. When an input operation with the player's finger F is performed, a change in capacitance proportional to the distance from the four corners of the glass 11 to the finger F in the input region R occurs. A sensor (not shown) continuously measures such capacitance and outputs the measurement result to the processing unit 20 shown in FIG.

[Outline of specific production]
Next, the outline of the specific effect will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, an image displayed on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 with an operation (touch operation) on the touch panel 162 will be described, and position information acquired by the effect control unit 300 with the touch operation will be described.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the specific effect according to the first embodiment, and shows the time series in the order of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
The specific effects are effects performed by the image display unit 114 in cooperation with the touch panel 162. For convenience of explanation, the display screen 114a and the touch panel of the image display unit 114 are shown in FIGS. Only the input area R of 162 is illustrated.

  When the specific effect is started, an image for prompting an operation (touch operation) on the touch panel 162 is displayed on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a specific effect start display 31 including a character image 31 a “touch the touch panel!” And a graphic image 31 b for notifying the player of the position of the touch panel 162 is exemplified as such an image. Yes. Such a specific effect start display 31 on the image display unit 114 is performed by providing a specific effect start condition.

When the player performs a touch operation according to the specific effect start display 31, the specific effect progresses. That is, when the player touches an arbitrary place in the input area R of the touch panel 162 with the finger F, a predetermined image is displayed at the position of the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 corresponding to the touched place. When the place touched by the player's finger F in the input area R changes, the predetermined image on the image display unit 114 moves to the position on the display screen 114a corresponding to the changed place and is displayed.
The ROM 302 of the effect control unit 300 stores correspondence data for specifying the position of the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 corresponding to the position in the input area R of the touch panel 162. Instead of such correspondence data, a calculation formula for converting the position of the input region R into the position of the display screen 114a is stored in the ROM 302 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300, and is calculated each time. An example of effect control is also conceivable.

The outline of the specific performance will be described more specifically. When the player first touches the contact position 32a of the input area R of the touch panel 162 with a finger as shown in FIG. 34 (b) in accordance with the display of the image for prompting the touch operation, the image display unit 114 is displayed. A finger icon 33 as an example of a predetermined image is displayed at the corresponding position 32A on the display screen 114a. Therefore, the corresponding position 32A referred to here can also be referred to as a finger icon display position.
The finger icon 33 as an example of the predetermined image is an image imitating the shape of a finger, indicating that the player's finger is touching the touch panel 162 and a position touched by the touch panel 162. Is to indicate to the player. Therefore, an image other than the finger icon 33 may be used as the predetermined image.

In addition to the case where one type of image is prepared as the finger icon 33, a case where a plurality of types of images are prepared is also conceivable. In the latter case, the control selected according to the conditions is adopted.
For example, it detects or infers whether the input area R of the touch panel 162 is touched with the left hand or the right hand. An example of selecting the finger icon 33 for a finger can be considered.
More specifically, the finger icon 33 displayed when the game ball is being fired is for the left finger, and the finger icon 33 displayed when the game ball is being fired is for the right finger. Is. It is assumed that the touch panel 162 is touched with the left hand since the handle 151 is touched with either hand while the game ball is being fired, and the handle 151 is generally touched with the right hand. Is done. Therefore, the finger icon 33 displayed during the launch of the game ball is selected for the left hand. In addition, it can be said that such an estimation is also caused by a layout in which the touch panel 162 is located on the left side in a front view.
On the other hand, when the game ball is not being fired, a finger icon 33 other than the left hand finger icon 33, for example, the right hand finger icon 33 is selected.
An example in which the presence / absence of such a game ball is released may be determined by providing a sensor (not shown) for detecting the released game ball and acquiring the signal from the sensor to determine the effect control unit 300. In addition, an example in which a signal from a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing a game ball is acquired via the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300 determines is also possible.

The corresponding position 32A of the display screen 114a corresponds to the contact position 32a of the input area R. The position information of the corresponding position 32A includes position information for specifying the contact position 32a of the input area R and the ROM 302 described above (FIG. 3). Reference) corresponding data.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 34 (b), the contact position 32a of the input region R is specified by the position information (xa, ya), and the corresponding position 32A of the display screen 114a is , Specified by position information (XA, YA). Such position information (XA, YA) can be obtained by referring to the corresponding data in the ROM 302 from the position information (xa, ya).

Then, as shown in FIG. 34 (c), when the player's finger moves while touching the input area R, and the location of the touched input area R changes from the contact position 32a to the contact position 32b. The display of the finger icon 33 is moved from the corresponding position 32A to the corresponding position 32B on the display screen 114a. In (c) of the figure, the finger icon 33 displayed at the contact position 32b is shown by a solid line, and the finger icon 33 (see (b) of the figure) displayed at the contact position 32a is shown by a broken line. Illustrated.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 34 (c), the contact position 32b is specified by position information (xb, yb), and the corresponding position 32B is specified by position information (XB, YB). . The correspondence between the position information (XB, YB) and the position information (xb, yb) is defined in the correspondence data in the ROM 302.

As described above, when the player performs a touch operation such that the finger slides without separating from the input area R of the touch panel 162, the image display unit 114 moves the finger icon 33 in the display screen 114a correspondingly. And display. That is, when the input area R of the touch panel 162 is continuously pressed, the finger icon 33 is continuously displayed.
In other words, the finger icon 33 is displayed on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 at a position corresponding to the position information received in the input area R. By tracing the input area R, the finger icon 33 is displayed. The position is changed. In other words, the locus tracing the input area R is not displayed on the display screen 114a. In addition, the modification which displays a locus | trajectory is also considered.

The finger icon 33 displayed on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 is not displayed unless the player's finger touches the input area R of the touch panel 162, as shown in FIG. . Then, instead of the finger icon 33, an image indicating that the effect specification performed by the image display unit 114 and the touch panel 162 in cooperation with each other is displayed on the display screen 114a. In the present embodiment, an image including the characters “End!” (Specific effect end display 34) is exemplified as such an image.
Such a specific effect end display 34 is performed when the player's finger leaves the input area R (in other words, when the touch panel 162 shifts from the detection state to the non-detection state). More specifically, the specific effect end display 34 may be performed even when a specific effect end condition described later is provided because of a relationship with effect control for executing an effect other than the specific effect (for example, a variable effect). is there.
In other words, when the player's finger is touching the input area R, the finger icon 33 will continue to be displayed unless the specific effect end condition is satisfied.

More specifically, information on the position where the player's finger first touched the input area R and information on the position where the player's finger last touched are stored in the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300. That is, when the player's finger touches the input area R, information on the position first touched is acquired and stored in the RAM 303, and when the player's finger leaves the input area R, the position of the last touched position is acquired. Information is acquired and stored in the RAM 303.
The position information stored in the RAM 303 here is the position information (xa, ya), (xb, yb) of the contact positions 32a, 32b shown in FIG. 34, as well as the position information of the corresponding positions 32A, 32B. (XA, YA), (XB, YB) may be considered, or both may be considered.

[Specific effects processing]
Next, the specific effect process performed regarding a specific effect is demonstrated. The specific effect process is executed by the effect control unit 300, whereby an effect game is executed.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the contents of the specific effect process.
In the specific effect process, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the specific effect start condition is satisfied (S3501). The specific production start condition here refers to a condition for allowing the specific production to be started, and examples thereof include a start of a variation production and a variation production. Moreover, the case where such a variation effect is a reach effect can be cited, and the case where the time for performing the continuous effect and the variation effect is a predetermined value or more can also be exemplified.
Among the productions with reach here, various characters appear or the story develops so-called SP (super) reach production, and SP / SP with higher expectation to win a big hit than SP reach production (Super / Super) reach production is included. In the case of such an SP reach production, it can be determined that the specific production start condition is satisfied.
The continuous effect here includes a notice effect that spans multiple symbol variations, and it is possible to secure a relatively long effect time. It can be determined that the start condition is satisfied.
In addition, as other cases satisfying the specific effect start condition, a right-handed game or a short-time game state after a big hit can be cited.

If the specific effect start condition is satisfied (Yes in S3501), the effect control unit 300 initializes the timer and sets a predetermined time for the timer (S3502), and then performs a specific effect execution process (S3503). ). The specific effect execution process will be described later. The timer here is a function (countdown) realized by software by the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300. That is, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the specific effect execution process is forcibly terminated. An example in which such a predetermined time is not set is also conceivable.
If the specific effect start condition is not satisfied (No in S3501), the specific effect process is terminated.

[Specific production execution processing]
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the contents of the specific effect execution process (S3503 in FIG. 35).
In the specific effect execution process, the effect control unit 300 displays a predetermined image on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 (S3601). As the display of the predetermined image here, for example, the above-described specific effect start display 31 (see FIG. 34A) can be cited.
And the production | presentation control part 300 judges whether the contact to the input area R (refer FIG.33 (b)) of the touch panel 162 was detected (S3602). When contact with the touch panel 162 is detected (Yes in S3602), touch panel reception processing is performed (S3603), and image display unit setting processing is performed (S3604). The touch panel reception process and the image display unit setting process described here will be described later.
Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S3605). If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S3605), the specific effect execution process is terminated, and if it has not elapsed ( No in S3605), the process returns to S3602.

[Touch panel acceptance processing]
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the contents of the touch panel reception process (S3603 in FIG. 36).
In the touch panel reception process, the effect control unit 300 first starts a countdown from a predetermined value (S3701), waits for the countdown to end, and when the countdown ends (S3702), the input area R ( The position information relating to the first contact position in (b) of FIG. 33) is stored in the RAM 303 (S3703). As described above, when the touch to the touch panel 162 is detected, the position information regarding the first contact position is not stored, but the contact position after a predetermined time has passed as shown in FIG. Recognize as This is a control for storing the position intended by the player as the first contact position. That is, the position touched first is not necessarily the position intended by the player. Rather, the player touches an appropriate place such as the center of the touch panel 162 for the time being. If the control is started as the position intended by the player, the player's willingness to participate in the production game may be reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a preparation period for starting the production game is set to give the player a chance to participate in the production game.

In other words, the period from the start of the countdown (S3701) to the end of the countdown (S3702) is a preparation stage for starting the effect game, and the acceptance of the touch panel 162 is not effective. Then, after completion of the countdown, the acceptance of the touch panel 162 becomes valid, and the effect game is started. It is also conceivable to change the display mode depending on whether such reception is valid or not. That is, after the specific effect execution process is started, regardless of whether the reception is valid or not, control is performed so that some image is displayed at the corresponding position in the image display unit 114. This is an example in which the image displayed at the corresponding position is changed depending on whether or not it is. For example, when the acceptance is valid, the above-described finger icon 33 (see (b) or (c) in FIG. 34) is displayed at the corresponding position in the image display unit 114, but when the acceptance is not valid. An image other than the finger icon 33 (an image simpler than the finger icon 33, such as a cross mark) is displayed at a corresponding position on the image display unit 114. By changing the display mode in the image display unit 114 as described above, the player can intuitively recognize whether or not the reception is valid by looking at the image display unit 114.
More specifically, during the countdown (see S3701), there can be considered an effect example in which the remaining time is displayed numerically or gauged with an image indicating that the image display unit 114 is counting.

  Note that a modified example in which a later-described drop image aggregate 40 (see FIG. 39A) displayed on the image display unit 114 during the countdown is also displayed on the touch panel 162 is conceivable. After the countdown is completed, it is usual to perform an operation of tracing the touch panel 162 while looking at the image display unit 114 instead of the touch panel 162 at hand. Therefore, after the countdown is completed, the display of the drop image aggregate 40 on the touch panel 162 is displayed. Although it is conceivable not to perform this, it is not excluded that the drop image aggregate 40 is continuously displayed on the touch panel 162 even after the countdown ends.

As described above, the effect control unit 300 stores in the RAM 303 position information regarding the first contact position in the input area R of the touch panel 162 at the end of the countdown (S3703). Explaining in accordance with the example of FIG. 34 described above, the effect control unit 300 stores the position information (xa, ya) of the contact position 32a on the touch panel 162 or the position information (XA, YA) of the corresponding position 32A on the image display unit 114 in the RAM 303. Store. The position information stored in the RAM 303 is used in an image display unit setting process described later.
Then, the effect control unit 300 displays the finger icon 33 (see FIG. 34) at the corresponding position 32A of the image display unit 114 (S3704).

The effect control unit 300 determines whether or not to continue to display the finger icon 33 on the image display unit 114, and if so, whether or not the display position is okay at the corresponding position 32A of the image display unit 114. . That is, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the player's finger F is in contact with the input area R of the touch panel 162 (S3705), and if in contact (Yes in S3705), the contact position moves. It is determined whether or not (S3706). If not in contact (No in S3705), the process proceeds to S3709 described later.
In other words, whether or not the player's finger F is in contact is determined based on whether or not detection on the touch panel 162 continues.

When the contact position is moving (Yes in S3706), the effect control unit 300 moves and displays the finger icon 33 (S3707). That is, the finger icon 33 is displayed at the corresponding position on the image display unit 114 corresponding to the contact position on the touch panel 162 after movement.
After the finger icon 33 is moved and displayed (S3707), the effect control unit 300 determines whether it is within the time limit (S3708). The time limit will be described later.
If the contact position has not moved (No in S3706), the process advances to S3708 to determine whether the time is within the time limit.

If it is within the time limit (Yes in S3708), the process returns to S3705, and if the time limit has passed (No in S3708), the effect control unit 300 stores the position information regarding the last contact position in the RAM 303 (S3709). Then, the display of the finger icon 33 on the image display unit 114 is terminated (S3710).
Explaining in accordance with the example of FIG. 34 described above, the effect control unit 300 stores the position information (xb, yb) of the contact position 32b on the touch panel 162 or the position information (XB, YB) of the corresponding position 32B on the image display unit 114 in the RAM 303. Store. The position information stored in the RAM 303 is used in an image display unit setting process described later.

The time limit of S3708 described above is a time limit from when the first contact position is touched to when the last contact position is touched. In other words, it is a time limit from the start of the display of the finger icon 33 to the end of the display of the finger icon 33 while being in contact, and can also be referred to as an operable time. As the time limit, it is conceivable to set a fixed time, for example, 4 seconds.
It is also conceivable that the time limit is changed according to the situation. For example, this is an example in which the time is set according to the fluctuation time and the number of holdings. It is conceivable that the time limit is increased when the fluctuation time is long, or the time limit is increased when the number of holds is large, and the time limit is shortened when the number of holds is small.

Various types of display modes on the image display unit 114 relating to the time limit in S3708 are conceivable. For example, an effect example of displaying the remaining time together with the finger icon 33 on the image display unit 114 is conceivable. In such an effect example, when the remaining time is displayed from the beginning when the finger icon 33 is displayed, the remaining time is not initially displayed, but the remaining time is reduced. It may be possible to display the remaining time from the middle. Further, as a display indicating the remaining time, in addition to using a specific number, an image suggesting the remaining time may be used.
In addition, an example in which the display mode of the finger icon 33 itself changes with time within the time limit of S3708 is also conceivable. Further, an example in which the display mode indicating the remaining time changes in accordance with the change in the display mode of the finger icon 33 is also conceivable.
The display mode related to the time limit in S3708 described above can be applied to the display mode related to the predetermined time in S3605.

Here, in the case where the operation from when the player's finger starts to contact the input area R of the touch panel 162 (see FIG. 33 (b)) until it is released is a single operation, in the touch panel receiving process in the present embodiment, When one operation is completed within the time limit, effect control that allows a plurality of operations is adopted (see Yes in S3708). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a modification (S3709, S3710) is also conceivable in which position information relating to the last contact position is stored and display of the finger icon 33 is terminated when one operation is completed within the time limit.
In addition, even in the case of such a modification, a plurality of operations can be performed until a predetermined time has elapsed (No in S3605).
Further, in the present embodiment and the above-described modification example, it is conceivable to limit the number of operations. In addition, when the number of operations is limited, there is an example in which the number of operations is set according to conditions such as a change time and the number of holdings, in addition to limiting the number of operations to a certain number.

In the touch panel accepting process, after the player's finger F touches the touch panel 162 once, the time limit elapses in the contacted state (No in S3708), or is not in contact (No in S3705), the last After the contact position is stored, the display of the finger icon 33 ends (S3709, S3710).
As described above, by performing the touch panel reception process, the RAM 303 stores the position information regarding the first contact position and the position information regarding the last contact position in the input area R of the touch panel 162.

More specifically, in the touch panel reception process, the position information regarding the first contact position is determined by the first finger contact with the input region R, and the determined first position information is stored in the RAM 303. Then, by releasing the finger from the input area R, the position information regarding the last contact position is confirmed, and the confirmed last position information is stored in the RAM 303. Since the finger icon 33 continues to be displayed on the image display unit 114 from the determination of the first position information to the determination of the last position information, the player can determine the position touched on the touch panel 162 by the image display unit. 114 can be recognized without changing the line of sight.
Note that the information stored in the RAM 303 as the position information related to the first contact position and the information stored as the position information related to the last contact position may be different from each other or the same.

In the touch panel reception process, the position information related to the first contact position and the position information related to the last contact position are stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the locus from the first contact position 32a to the last contact position 32b is performed. An example of storing information or an example of storing trajectory information from the first corresponding position 32A to the last corresponding position 32B can be considered.
In addition, regardless of whether or not such trajectory information is temporarily stored, an image of a character or the like displayed on the display screen 114a of the image display unit 114 is used to move the finger icon 33 based on the trajectory information. It is conceivable to perform image control that is affected. In this example, when the position of the finger icon 33 is changed, the display mode of another image is changed or another image is moved. For example, other images on the movement trajectory of the finger icon 33 and other images displayed around the finger icon 33 may be changed.

(Image display setting process)
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the contents of the image display unit setting process (S3604 in FIG. 36).
In the image display unit setting process, the effect control unit 300 acquires the position information of the first corresponding position in the image display unit 114 from the position information regarding the first contact position stored in the RAM 303 (S3801). Further, the effect control unit 300 acquires the position information of the last corresponding position in the image display unit 114 from the position information regarding the last contact position stored in the RAM 303 (S3802). Then, the effect control unit 300 sets the image corresponding to the first corresponding position to move to the last corresponding position (S3803).
Explaining according to the example of FIG. 34 described above, the effect control unit 300 acquires the position information (XA, YA) of the corresponding position 32A as the position information of the first corresponding position, and as the position information of the last corresponding position. The position information (XB, YB) of the corresponding position 32B is acquired (see S3801, S3802).
Then, the effect control unit 300 specifies the image displayed in the position information (XA, YA) of the corresponding position 32A, and moves the specified image to the position information (XB, YB) of the corresponding position 32B for display. (See S3803). As the identified image is moved and displayed, it may be possible to adjust the position of the images displayed in other areas and display them.

[Example of production applying the specific production according to the first embodiment]
Next, an effect example in which the specific effect according to the first embodiment is applied will be described.
FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 are diagrams for explaining an example of the applied effect. FIG. 39 (a), (b) and (c) and FIG. It shows with.
As shown in FIG. 39A, a drop image aggregate 40 in which a plurality of types of drop images are arranged vertically and horizontally is displayed at a substantially front position of the image display unit 114, and a decorative symbol 50 is displayed at the upper right position. It is displayed. And in such a drop image aggregate 40, the specific effect mentioned above is applied. Details will be described later.
When the drop image aggregate 40 is displayed on the image display unit 114, an example in which the drop image aggregate 40 is displayed on the touch panel 162 is conceivable, and an example in which the drop image aggregate 40 is not displayed on the touch panel 162 is also conceivable.

  The drop image aggregate 40 can be erased by rearranging the same type of drop images. In other words, when one selected drop image is moved in the vertical or horizontal direction, other drop images on the movement trajectory move. By repeating such movement, the same type of drop images are rearranged. Can do. Such rearrangement can be performed by touching the input area R (see FIG. 33B) of the touch panel 162 with a finger, and can be performed until the finger leaves the touch panel 162.

An example of applied effects will be specifically described. As shown in (a) of FIG. 39, the drop image aggregate 40 is displayed on the image display unit 114 when the decorative design 50 is reached in the image display unit 114 and the reach effect is started.
Then, as shown in FIG. 39B, when the player touches any position in the input area R of the touch panel 162 with a finger, the touched position of the touch panel 162 (contact position in FIG. 34). The finger icon 33 is displayed at a position (corresponding to the corresponding position 32A in the figure) of the image display unit 114 corresponding to (corresponding to 32a). Then, in the drop image aggregate 40 displayed on the image display unit 114, one white drop image 41 at the position where the finger icon 33 is displayed is selected.
Therefore, the player can operate the touch panel 162 while looking at the white drop image 41 or the finger icon 33 displayed on the image display unit 114 on the front. That is, once the finger is placed on the touch panel 162 at hand, it is not necessary to look at the touch panel 162, and the operability is improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operation burden in the player's applied rendering example.

A case where the white drop image 41 is moved (displaced) along the locus shown in FIG. 39C by a tracing operation on the touch panel 162 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the finger icon 33 repeats turns in various directions and performs eight turns. That is, the finger icon 33 moves one with the white drop image 41 and moves one to the left, then moves three times up and moves one to the left, and further moves two to the left one up. It has moved, and further down, two to the right and one up. In this way, the white drop image 41 moves from the corresponding position 32A to the corresponding position 32B, and accordingly, each of the other drop images positioned on the locus is shifted by one to the rear side in the traveling direction of the white drop image 41. ing. Specifically, 13 drop images located on the locus are moving.
In addition, as a direction of the tracing operation with respect to the touch panel 162, for example, in addition to limiting to the four directions of up, down, left, and right, an example in which the operation direction is not limited can be considered.

Although not shown in (c) of FIG. 39, there can be considered an effect example in which the number of turns by the tracing operation and the number of dropped images shifted by the tracing operation are displayed on the image display unit 114. Further, when a time limit is set for the tracing operation, an example of an effect in which the remaining time is displayed on the image display unit 114 or an image suggesting the remaining time is displayed can be considered.
In the case of such a production example, there are examples in which the finger icon 33 is displayed so as to be overlapped, displayed around the finger icon 33, or separated from the finger icon 33 and displayed at a position different from the drop image aggregate 40. Conceivable.

In addition, as position information for specifying the corresponding positions 32A and 32B in the drop image aggregate 40, the position of the lower left corner is the origin, that is, the coordinates (1, 1), and the X coordinate value increases as it moves rightward. A control example is conceivable in which the coordinate system is set so that the Y coordinate value increases as it moves upward. For example, the position information of the corresponding position 32A shown in (c) of FIG. 39 is (6, 2), and the position information of the corresponding position 32B is (3, 4).
When the finger icon 33 is displayed in the drop image aggregate 40, control can be facilitated by using such a coordinate system.

In the case shown in FIG. 40D, the player's finger is separated from the touch panel 162, the finger icon 33 that has been displayed at the corresponding position 32B until then disappears, and the corresponding position 32B is Determine. In other words, it is a stage at which the touch panel receiving process (see FIG. 37) and the image display unit setting process (see FIG. 38) are completed.
As shown in FIG. 40 (d), among the rearranged drop images, three rainbow drop images are aligned and three green drop images are aligned. The three rainbow drop images and the three green drop images arranged in this way are to be erased, but in order to notify that such erasure target has been displayed, a different display mode from other drop images (Indicated by a broken line in FIG. 40D).
As described above, when the finger is removed from the touch panel 162, the current effect is ended and the next effect is started.

The three rainbow drop images and three green drop images to be erased are erased as shown in (e) of FIG. 40 (drop image elimination processing), and then as shown in (f) of FIG. In the space that has been erased and emptied, other drop images falling from above move (drop image drop processing). In addition, a new drop image is added instead of the deleted drop image.
In this way, post-processing such as erasing the drop image that has been erased (drop image erasing process) and moving the drop image accompanying the erasure (drop image dropping process) is performed.

Referring to (f) of FIG. 40, the character image 42 is additionally displayed on the image display unit 114. The display of the character image 42 is an effect performed corresponding to the deletion of the drop image, and is performed as one of the notice effects. That is, it is a notice effect that suggests the degree of expectation as to whether or not the result of the jackpot lottery in the variation is advantageous for the player depending on whether or not the character image 42 is displayed and the content of the display.
For example, when the character image 42 is displayed, effect control is performed so that the degree of expectation is higher than when the character image 42 is not displayed.
Further, when the character image 42 is displayed, effect control that suggests the degree of expectation may be considered depending on the type or content of the character image 42 to be displayed. For example, the larger the size of the character image 42 is, the higher the degree of expectation is, or when the character image 42 has a predetermined pattern, the degree of expectation is higher than when there is no predetermined pattern. Further, the color of the character image 42 is set so that the degree of expectation is high in the order of white, blue, yellow, green, red, gold, and rainbow, for example, and the degree of expectation is set according to the color of the character image 42 to be displayed. Produce control as suggested. Further, if the displayed character image 42 is premium, image control is performed so that the degree of expectation is high.
In addition, when the character image 42 is displayed, the effect which the display mode of the finger icon 33 changes by the character image 42 shining is also considered. It is also conceivable to perform image control so that the expectation is higher when the character image 42 shines than when the character image 42 does not shine.

  Further, it is conceivable to apply the notice effect that suggests the above-described expectation degree to a newly added drop image. For example, the degree of expectation is suggested by the color of the newly added drop image or the pattern of the newly added drop image. In addition, the degree of expectation may be suggested by the shape of the drop image. In this way, it is possible to employ an effect that causes the player to guess the heat of the reach effect based on the contents of the drop image that is newly added along with the erasure.

In addition, a transparent touch sensor is arranged on a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player in such an effect that the image display unit 114 erases the drop image of the drop image aggregate 40 by rearranging the drop images. A configuration example is also conceivable in which the operation is performed along the transparent plate instead of the operation on the touch panel 162. A mode in which an image is displayed on the transparent touch sensor and a mode in which no image is displayed are considered.
In the case of the former mode, a control example that allows input in an unused portion in the game area 111 can be considered. For example, when the player is right-handed, the left portion of the game area 111 is not used, so the drop image aggregate 40 is displayed on the left portion of the transparent plate, and the drop images are rearranged.

[Description of Technical Features in First Embodiment]
By adopting the configuration and control as described above, the first embodiment has various technical features. This technical feature can solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can further enhance the interest of the game by adopting effect control in which the contents operated by the player are reflected in the effect.
That is, the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine that performs an effect (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and has a display means (for example, an image display) having a display area (for example, a display screen 114a) for displaying the effect image. 114), a detection means (for example, touch panel 162) that includes an input region (for example, input region R) and detects a contact position (for example, contact position 32a, 32b) in the input region (for example, input region R), and the detection The position in the input area (for example, the input area R) of the means (for example, the touch panel 162) is associated with the position in the display area (for example, the display screen 114a) of the display means (for example, the image display unit 114). When the contact position (for example, the contact position 32a, 32b) is displaced, the detection means (for example, the touch panel 162) The predetermined image (for example, the finger icon 33) moves to the position (for example, the corresponding position 32A, 32B) of the display area (for example, the display screen 114a) corresponding to the contact position (for example, the contact position 32a, 32b) according to the detection result. And moving display control means (for example, CPU 301) for controlling the predetermined image (for example, finger icon 33) to be different between a predetermined case and a case other than the predetermined case. It is what.
Here, when the detection result of the detection means (for example, the touch panel 162) is switched from the detection of the contact position (for example, the contact position 32a, 32b) to the non-detection, the contact position ( For example, using the information (for example, position information (xb, yb)) of the contact positions 32a, 32b), an effect of executing an image effect in the display area (for example, the display screen 114a) of the display means (for example, the image display unit 114) An execution means (for example, CPU 301) is further provided.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to a second embodiment will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration and function as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the common configuration, and the description and illustration of the common configuration and function are used. May be omitted. Various modifications described above for the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment. Also, a part of the configuration or control of the second embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment, and the part of the configuration or control of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment. It is also possible to apply to the embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the language output from the pachinko gaming machine 100 can be set to a language other than Japanese. In other words, the presentation is usually performed by voice (sound) or display in Japanese, but if the player desires, the presentation is performed by voice or display in a language other than Japanese.
On the premise that the player understands the Japanese language and plays the game, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs the performance in Japanese. However, even if you do not understand Japanese, you may be interested in games on the pachinko gaming machine 100. In such a case, there is a concern that it is difficult to continue the game because it is not known how to play the game, and even if the game is started, the contents to be notified or suggested by various effects are not known.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, a selection of a language other than Japanese is prepared, and execution of effects in a language other than Japanese is left to the player. That is, the player is allowed to select a language other than Japanese when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment, and shows the function of the effect control unit 300 in the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 41, the CPU 301 of the effect control unit 300 includes a reception processing unit 61 that receives a player's operation using the effect button 161 and / or the touch panel 162, and a language used for the effect according to the content received by the reception processing unit 61. An effect language selection unit 62 for selecting an effect, and an effect execution unit 63 for performing an effect in the language selected by the effect language selection unit 62.
The ROM 302 of the effect control unit 300 includes language data used for the effect. That is, the ROM 302 includes Japanese effect data 71 and foreign language effect data 72. The foreign language effect data 72 here is in a language other than Japanese, and in addition to an example having effect data in one language, an example having effect data in a plurality of types of languages is also conceivable (multilingual support). .

  Then, in the effect control unit 300, when the effect execution unit 63 executes an effect in response to a command from the game control unit 200, image display is performed using the effect data in the language corresponding to the content selected by the effect language selection unit 62. The information is displayed on the unit 114 or output from the speaker 156.

Next, a language selection acceptance process that is a process performed when a language is selected and a language return process that is a process for setting the language will be described. The language selection receiving process is a process of receiving a language selected by a player's operation input. On the other hand, the language return process is a process performed without the player's operation input. That is, the process of setting a language other than Japanese is performed in response to a player's operation input, and the process of returning from a language other than Japanese to Japanese is automatically performed.
The language setting in the language selection acceptance process and the language restoration process is performed using a language setting flag, as will be described later. The language setting flag is stored in the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300, and is read and rewritten as necessary.

[Language selection acceptance processing]
First, language selection acceptance processing will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the contents of the language selection receiving process.
In the language selection reception process shown in FIG. 42, the reception processing unit 61 (see FIG. 41) determines whether or not the reception condition is satisfied (S4201). The accepting condition here may be, for example, that a predetermined timing related to the game has arrived, such as starting a variation effect, starting a reach effect, or starting a game ball. In addition, the acceptance condition may include events other than the game-related events such as the display of the customer waiting screen on the image display unit 114 and the customization by the password input.

If the acceptance condition is satisfied, the acceptance processing unit 61 displays a language selection image on the image display unit 114 (S4202). The language selection image here is an image for displaying a plurality of types of languages stored in the ROM 302 of the effect control unit 300 and for selecting one (see FIG. 44).
After displaying the language selection image, the reception processing unit 61 determines whether or not an input by the operation of the effect button 161 and the touch panel 162 has been received (S4203), and in the case of no reception (No in S4203), for a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not elapses (S4204). When the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in S4204), the process returns to S4203. That is, the reception processing unit 61 waits for an operation input by the player until a predetermined time has elapsed.

  On the other hand, when there is reception before the predetermined time elapses (Yes in S4203), the reception processing unit 61 hands over the received content to the effect language selection unit 62 (see FIG. 41). The effect language selection unit 62 sets a language setting flag according to the received acceptance contents (S4205), and stores the set language setting flag in the RAM 303 (S4206). The language setting flag stored in this way is referred to when the effect executing unit 63 (see FIG. 41) performs a predetermined effect on the image display unit 114 and / or the speaker 156.

When the language setting flag is stored in the RAM 303 by the effect language selection unit 62, the reception processing unit 61 deletes the language selection image displayed on the image display unit 114 (S4207) and ends the language selection reception processing.
Also, if no acceptance is made within a predetermined time (No in S4203, Yes in S4204), the language selection image is deleted without setting the language setting flag (see S4207), and a series of processes Exit.
If the acceptance condition is not satisfied (No in S4201), the process ends without displaying the language selection image.

Here, various modified examples of the language selection receiving process can be considered.
For example, if no acceptance is made even after a predetermined time has passed (No in S4203, Yes in S4204), the language setting flag is not set. In such a case, a modification example in which the language setting flag is changed is considered. It is done.
For example, there is a modified example in which the language setting flag is set to Japanese even if there is no reception. That is, setting of a language other than Japanese needs to be performed by the player, but setting of Japanese is performed without any operation by the player. As a result, it is possible to save the time and effort of the player who can set Japanese. More specifically, when a game is started with a pachinko machine 100 that is set in a language other than Japanese, a player who thinks that the Japanese language will naturally be performed will be used for the Japanese setting. Such a modification can be considered because the operation is excessively burdened when it is desired to concentrate on the game.
Assuming that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is installed in a hall store in Japan, there can be a variation that is automatically changed to Japanese settings, but in the case of installation in a foreign country, It will be automatically changed to the language.

[Language recovery processing]
Next, language restoration processing will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the contents of the language restoration process.
In the language return process shown in FIG. 43, it is determined whether or not the effect language selection unit 62 (see FIG. 41) has a return condition (S4301). As the return condition here, for example, it can be mentioned that a predetermined timing related to the game has arrived, such as the end of the variation effect, the end of the reach effect, or the fact that the game ball is no longer being fired. In addition, examples of the return condition may include events other than the game-related events such as the display of the customer waiting screen on the image display unit 114 and the customization by the password input.

When the return condition is satisfied (Yes in S4301), the effect language selection unit 62 determines whether or not the language setting flag stored in the RAM 303 is set to Japanese (S4302). If it is not set to Japanese (No in S4302), the effect language selection unit 62 returns the language setting flag to Japanese setting (S4303), and stores the language setting flag in the RAM 303 (S4304).
If the return condition is not satisfied (No in S4301) and the language setting flag is set to Japanese (Yes in S4302), the language return process is terminated.

[Example of production in the second embodiment]
Next, a specific effect in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining an effect example by the image display unit 114, which is shown in time series in the order of (a), (b), (c-1), and (d-1). (B), (c-2) and (d-2) are shown in time sequence. In the figure, the case where “start reach effect” is set as the acceptance condition (see S4201).
As shown in (a) of FIG. 44, the fluctuating effect by the decorative symbol 50 is started in the image display unit 114, and as shown in (b) of FIG. When the reach effect is started with the state of being changed, the language selection image 80 is displayed on the image display unit 114 (see S4202).

The language selection image 80 here is an image indicating that the player can select a language, and includes a plurality of language images 81, 82, and 83 as language options. The language image 81 is for selecting Japanese, the language image 82 is for selecting Korean, and the language image 83 is for selecting Chinese. Therefore, when the language selection image 80 is displayed on the image display unit 114, the player performs an operation of selecting any of the language images 81 to 83 using the effect buttons 161 and the touch panel 162.
When the touch panel 162 has a function of displaying an image in the input area R (see FIG. 33), an example in which the language selection image 80 is displayed on the touch panel 162 is also conceivable.

  For example, as shown in (c-1) of FIG. 44, when the language image 82 of the language selection image 80 is selected, the Korean language data in the foreign language effect data 72 (see FIG. 41) is used. As shown in (d-1) of 44, an effect by the character 90 in the image display unit 114 is performed in Korean notation 92. Also, the sound output from the speaker 156 changes to Korean voice. In this way, the performance performed in Japanese is replaced with the performance performed in Korean (Korean version). That is, the language of the production itself is changed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 44 (c-2), when the language image 83 of the language selection image 80 is selected, the Chinese data in the foreign language effect data 72 (see FIG. 41) is used. As shown in (d-2) of FIG. 44, an effect by the character 90 in the image display unit 114 is performed in Chinese notation 93. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 changes to Chinese voice. In this way, the performance performed in Japanese is replaced with the performance performed in Chinese (Chinese version).
The character 90 is different from the Korean version in the Chinese version, but it is also possible to use the same image. That is, the same image is used in the Japanese version, the Korean version, and the Chinese version.

As described above, the effect using the foreign language effect data 72 is performed until the return condition (see S4301) is satisfied.
In addition, although the Korean version or the Chinese version of the production is shown by an example in which characters are displayed by the image display unit 114 and voice by the speaker 156, they are performed by one of the characters by the image display unit 114 and the voice by the speaker 156. Examples are also possible.
Moreover, although the Korean data and the Chinese data are included in the foreign language effect data 72 (see FIG. 41), the present invention is not limited to this, and an example in which another language is included is also conceivable. For example, by including English data and including English as an option in the language selection image 80, an English version effect can be executed.
In addition to the reach effect, the effect using the foreign language effect data 72 can be applied to other effects (for example, a variable effect). Further, as described above, a Korean version or a Chinese version of a guide (operation guide) on how to play with the pachinko gaming machine 100 can be prepared in addition to the Japanese version.

[Another production example in the second embodiment]
Next, another example of effect different from the case of FIG. 44 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIGS. 45A and 45B are diagrams for explaining another example of the effect produced by the image display unit 114. FIG. 45A shows a Japanese version, FIG. 45B shows a Korean version, and FIG. 45C shows a Chinese version of a reach effect image example. Show. This figure corresponds to (d-1) and (d-2) in FIG. 44 described above, and the same reference numerals are used for the common parts, so the description thereof may be omitted. .
The Japanese version of the reach image 91 shown in (a) of FIG. 45 is used in the Korean version of (b) and the Chinese version of (c). More specifically, in the case of a foreign language version other than Japanese, the foreign language explanation images 92a and 93a are added to the Japanese version reach image 91 and displayed.
That is, the Korean version shown in FIG. 45B is displayed by adding the explanation image 92a in Korean to the reach image 91 of the Japanese version. Further, the Chinese version shown in (c) of the same figure is displayed by adding an explanation image 93a in Chinese to the reach image 91 of the Japanese version.

Here, the explanation image 92a in Korean and the explanation image 93a in Chinese are translated Japanese “Leach”. In addition to the explanation images 92a and 93a obtained by simply translating “reach”, it is conceivable to add an image (not shown) explaining the meaning (explanatory text) of “reach” in a foreign language.
In the case of the production example shown in the figure, the voice of “reach” in the sound production is performed in Japanese regardless of whether it is a Korean version or a Chinese version. It can be done in Japanese, and in Chinese versions, it can be done in Chinese.
In addition, if the Korean version or the Chinese version is used, the reach image 91 is used in the Japanese version. If possible, examples in Chinese are also possible.

Further, in the second embodiment, a control example in which language is set by an operation by a player is adopted, but a configuration example in which a person other than the player sets is also conceivable. For example, this is an example in which the pachinko gaming machine 100 is provided with a language setting operation unit (not shown) on the back so that a store clerk can set each pachinko gaming machine 100 in a hall store.
In such an example, it is conceivable to adopt a control example in which the pachinko gaming machine 100 confirms the setting of the language setting operation unit and sets the language setting flag according to the setting of the operation unit when the power is turned on. By adopting such a control example, the language can be set according to the arrangement in the hall store. For example, in a hall store, by installing a pachinko gaming machine 100 that produces a Korean version or a pachinko gaming machine 100 that produces a Chinese version at a location different from the Japanese version of the pachinko gaming machine 100, It becomes possible to enjoy a game separately for a general player and a foreign player.

In addition, although the case where it applies to a reach effect was demonstrated as 2nd Embodiment, applying to another effect, for example, a hold change effect and a right-handed notification effect, is also considered.
In addition, as described above, the production for the Japanese version is also produced in the foreign language version, and conversely, the foreign language version does not produce the production for the Japanese version (for example, the foreign language version is easier than the Japanese version). Production control can be considered. In addition, as described above, it may be possible to employ a presentation control that enables a foreign language version to display content that is understood by a Japanese but not understood by a foreigner. Further, as described above, in addition to a mode in which the foreign language version is replaced with the entire Japanese version, a mode in which the foreign language version is partially replaced, a mode in which the sound is changed as it is, and the like can be considered.

[Description of Technical Features in Second Embodiment]
By adopting the configuration and control as described above, the second embodiment has various technical features. This technical feature can solve the problem of providing a gaming machine that can further enhance the interest of the game by having the player who does not speak Japanese as the native language understand the contents of the performance.
That is, a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) including a rendering device (for example, an image display unit 114, a speaker 156) that performs a rendering, and the rendering device (for example, First language effect data (for example, Japanese effect data 71) for effecting in the first language on the image display unit 114 and the speaker 156) and second language effect data (for example, foreign language) for effecting in the second language An effect using the holding device (for example, ROM 302) holding the word effect data 72) and the first language effect data (for example, Japanese effect data 71) held by the holding means (for example, ROM 302) is the effect device (for example, And the image display unit 114 and the speaker 156), the image is held by the holding means (for example, the ROM 302). It has a receiving means (for example, reception processing unit 61) for receiving a setting for causing the second language effect data (for example, foreign language effect data 72) to be performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It is.

As described above, various structures and controls have been described in this document. However, it is possible to apply or combine all or part of the described contents to other structures and controls even when there is no mention in this document. is there. Although various modifications are also mentioned, it is possible to apply or combine the contents of such modifications to other structures, controls, and the like even when there is no mention in this document.
It is also conceivable to apply the above-described configuration, control, etc. to a gaming machine other than the pachinko gaming machine 100, such as a slot machine.

In the present embodiment, in the main control process of the game control unit 200, the operation of finally outputting the commands generated in each process of the main control process to the effect control unit 300 has been described (FIG. 5-3). reference).
In the present embodiment, in the basic process that is initially executed by the game control unit 200 when the power is restored, the main control process is performed in order to output a command or the like for instructing the initialization to the effect control unit 300. The function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240 used in the above is called and executed (see FIG. 5A).
In this embodiment, the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of a “code unit” and a “data unit”, and an identification flag is provided for each head bit. This has been described (see FIG. 19-1).
Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a part of a “code part” of a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is used to describe a data value.

[Technical features of the present embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the main control process repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals by the game control unit 200 in order to reduce the increase in the control command for controlling the operation of the game control means, one cycle At the end of the main control process, the commands generated by the execution of the one cycle are collected and output to the effect control unit 300. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect according to the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and performs a main control process that is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. A game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) that repeatedly executes according to conditions and generates data including information on a game obtained by executing the main control process, and executes a series of the main control processes in one cycle Output means (for example, the output control unit 240) for outputting the data generated by the execution of the one cycle after the last data is generated in the execution of the one cycle, and the output means (For example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the output control unit 240 and performs an effect based on the received data. Equipped with a.
In this way, since it is not necessary to perform output processing for each generated data, control instructions for performing output processing can be reduced, and an increase in program size can be suppressed. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform output processing every time data is generated, the time required for the entire output processing can be shortened.
More specifically, in the above gaming machine, storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated by the main control processing in a storage area (for example, command storage area) set for each data is provided. The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) further stores the data generated in the main control process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The output means (for example, the output control unit 240) checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and obtains data from the storage area where the data is stored. Read and output.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

Another game machine that achieves the above object is a game machine (for example, pachinko game machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game, and is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. Is repeatedly executed according to a predetermined condition, and a game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) for executing a special process different from the main control process according to a condition different from the main control process, and the game control means ( For example, it includes an effect control unit (for example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control unit 200) and performs a process related to the effect based on the data, and the game control unit in the main control process The process (for example, the game control unit 200) performs a process based on the progress of the game and generates data including information obtained by executing the process 1 Or the part which calls and executes a plurality of first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) and the data generated by the execution of the first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) are the effect control. A second processing means (for example, the output control section 240) that outputs to the means (for example, the effect control section 300), and executes the game control means (for example, the game control section) in the special processing. 200) includes a part for executing a setting process for setting a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and data generated in the setting process as the second processing means in the main control process ( For example, the output control unit 240) can be called and output to the effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300).
In this way, there is no need to prepare individual control instructions for the output processing of data generated by special processing, so control instructions for output processing are reduced and the increase in program size is suppressed. can do.
More specifically, the above gaming machine further comprises storage means (for example, a RAM 203) for storing the data generated in the main control process in a storage area set for each data, and the main control process The first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) in the table sequentially stores the data generated by executing the process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The second processing means (for example, the output control unit 240) in the main control process checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and stores the data. The data is read out from the storage area that is being output and output, and in the setting process in the special process, the data generated in the setting process is憶 means (e.g., RAM 203) is stored in a predetermined said memory area in.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

Also, in this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means, a predetermined bit of “code” as the first data portion and “data” as the second data portion A predetermined bit of “is used as a flag for identifying“ code ”and“ data ”. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes a main control process related to the progress of the game, and the main control process The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that performs processing related to the effect based on the received data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) includes: a A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of bits (a is an integer of 2 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a The first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). 2 data portions (for example, “data”).
In this way, since the first data portion and the second data portion can be clearly distinguished by recognizing the value of the leading 1 bit, data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means The accuracy can be improved.
More preferably, in the gaming machine, the second data portion (for example, “data”) of the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit from the beginning. Is set to the same value as the value of the first one bit.
In this way, even when the size of the second data portion is large, it is easy to identify each of the second data portions by dividing each specific size.

In the present embodiment, the data sent from the game control means to the effect control means even when it is necessary to send large-size data, such as when a command specifying a variation pattern to be executed is sent. In order to suppress an increase in the overall size, a predetermined bit of “code” that is the first data portion is used to describe the data value, and a part of “code” and “data” that is the second data portion In this paper, we proposed a method for describing data values. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes a main control process related to the progress of the game, and the main control process The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that receives and processes the effect based on the data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of (a is an integer of 3 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a bits n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), and the first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). (For example, “data”), and a predetermined bit constituting the first data part (eg “code”) and a bit constituting the second data part (eg “data”) The data of a predetermined type is recorded, and other types different from the data of the predetermined type are used by using the remaining bits except the predetermined bit in the first data portion (for example, “code”). The data can be recorded.
Another gaming machine according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game, and executes main control processing relating to the progress of the game. From the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control process, and the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives the output data and performs processing related to production based on the data, and is generated by the game control unit (for example, game control unit 200). The data has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 3 or more), and the first data portion (for example, “code”) in which the value of the first 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0, A second data portion (eg, “data”) having a bit size and a value of the leading 1 bit different from a value of the leading 1 bit of the first data portion (eg, “code”) ), And b bits (b is smaller than a-1 and an integer greater than or equal to 1) constituting the first data portion (for example, “code”) and the second data portion (for example, “data”) )) And data having a size of (a + b) bits can be recorded.
With the above configuration, the size of data to be recorded in the second data portion can be increased without changing the total size of the first data portion and the second data portion. When large data is sent from the game control means to the effect control means, an increase in the size of the entire transmitted data can be suppressed.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 1) is an example of a gaming machine. The game control unit 200 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a game control unit. The production control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) is an example of production control means. The output control unit 240 (see FIG. 4) is an example of an output unit. The RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a storage unit. The command storage area is an example of a storage area.

32a, 32b ... contact position (an example of a contact position)
32A, 32B ... corresponding position (an example of a position in the display area)
33 ... finger icon (an example of a predetermined image)
100 ... Pachinko machine (an example of a game machine)
114 ... Image display unit (an example of display means)
114a ... display screen (example of display area)
162 ... Touch panel (an example of detection means)
301... CPU (an example of moving display control means, an example of effect execution means)
R ... Input area (an example of input area)

A gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine includes a game control unit (main control unit) that controls a game and an effect control unit (sub control unit) that controls an effect performed in accordance with the game. Then, a command including information related to the game is sent from the game control unit to the effect control unit, and the effect control unit performs an effect based on the command received from the game control unit (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) .

JP 2014-46082 A JP 2014-64711 A

The present invention aims to provide a game machine capable you to reduce the time required for the entire output process.

A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect along with a game, and is obtained by executing a main control process related to game control and executing the main control process. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for generating data including information related to the game, and all the data generated in one cycle of the main control process by the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) Storage means (e.g., RAM 203) and output means (e.g., RAM 203) that outputs the data stored in the storage means (e.g., RAM 203) in a predetermined order in one cycle of the main control process. An output control unit 240) and an effect that receives data output from the output means (for example, the output control unit 240) and performs processing related to the effect And control means (for example, the performance control unit 300), wherein the game control means (e.g., a game controller 200) determines whether to shift to an advantageous special game state for the player in response to the establishment of the start conditions When the data including the information on the result of the determination is generated, and the effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) receives the data including the information on the result of the determination, the effect device ( for example, in the image display section 114) is executable suggested effect suggesting a result of the determination, and is characterized in capable der Rukoto, input by the operation in a predetermined period of the suggestion effect.

According to the present invention it allows you to reduce the time required for the entire output process.

1 00 ... Pachinko machine (an example of a game machine)
114 ... Image display unit (an example of a production device)
200 ... Game control unit (an example of game control means)
203 ... RAM (an example of storage means)
240... Output control unit (an example of output means)
300 ... Production control unit (an example of production control means)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that produces a performance,
Display means having a display area for displaying the effect image;
A detection means including an input area and detecting a contact position in the input area;
The position in the input area of the detection means is associated with the position in the display area of the display means, and when the contact position in the input area is displaced, the position corresponds to the contact position according to the detection result by the detection means Moving display control means for controlling the predetermined image to be different between a predetermined case and a case other than the predetermined case, wherein the predetermined image is moved and displayed at the position of the display area.
A gaming machine comprising:

Images