JP2017104300A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, when a specific-sound phrase is output, reducing a load of volume setup work for a plurality of phrases and capable of smoothly adjusting the volume balance of the respective phrases.SOLUTION: CPU of a sub control board determines whether or not to be Pmax=5 on the basis of output management information generated by output management information generation processing (S83). When Pmax=5 (YES in S83), volumes of phrase data other than a fifth priority phrase F5 are determined to volumes of 1/8 of the volumes determined in S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82 (S85). Consequently, the volumes of the phrase data, the volumes of which have been determined in the respective processing of S73, S77, and S78 are determined as a volume of 1/8 of a reference volume. Further, the volumes of the phrase data having been determined in the respective processing of S74 and S82 are determined as a volume of 1/16 of the reference volume.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that outputs sound from output means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gaming machines that output sound from output means such as speakers are known. The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows a sound to be output by superimposing a plurality of sound output components, and automatically adjusts the volume of a sound output component that exceeds a predetermined threshold, By adjusting the volume with the volume, the overall sound is prevented from becoming difficult to hear.

JP 2014-104242 A

  There are various sound output components such as a plurality of types of BGM and various sound effects (SE). For example, various SEs may be superimposed on the BGM and output. In the above game machines, it is necessary to set the sound volume for each sound output component at the time of sound source data development and design, according to each role required for production and according to the situation of the game and production There is. Depending on the scene, a specific sound output component may be output at a louder volume than other sound output components. Setting the sound volume of each sound output component for each scene involves a very complicated work, and thus there is a problem that the burden on development and design is large. It is also conceivable that the volume of the specific sound output component is relatively increased among the plurality of sound output components by uniformly reducing the output volume of the components other than the specific sound output component. However, in such a case, there is a problem that it may be difficult to smoothly adjust the volume balance of each sound output component after the output of the specific sound output component is completed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the burden of volume setting work for a plurality of phrases when a phrase of a specific sound is output and can smoothly adjust the volume balance of each phrase.

  A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a priority definition unit that predefines a relative priority with respect to other phrases for each of a plurality of phrases stored by a storage unit that stores a phrase of sound, and an output unit. The reference value defining means for defining the reference value of the volume of the phrase output by the storage means for each of the plurality of phrases stored in the storage means, and the output means from among the plurality of phrases stored in the storage means Designating means for designating a phrase to be output to the output means, and output control capable of reading out the phrase designated by the designating means from the storage means and causing the output means to simultaneously output a plurality of phrases according to the reference value And at least output management indicating which phrase output is controlled by the output control means Based on the output management information acquired by the information acquisition means, the information acquisition means for acquiring the output management information from the generation means for generating information, the phrase whose output is controlled by the output control means, A judgment means for judging whether or not a phrase having the first priority among the priorities defined by the priority definition means is included, and a phrase whose output is controlled by the output control means First volume determining means for determining the volume of the sound volume to be lower than the reference value according to the priority, wherein the first volume determining means has the priority lower than the first priority. The volume of the phrase that is the second priority is determined as the volume of the first predetermined ratio of the reference value defined by the reference value defining means, and the priority is higher than the second priority. The volume of the phrase is lower third priority, and determining a second predetermined percentage of the volume of the reference value defined by the reference value defining means.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention includes priority definition means for defining priorities of a plurality of phrases stored in the storage means. Further, an acquisition means for acquiring output management information indicating which phrase output is controlled by the output control means is provided. Based on the output management information, a phrase whose priority is the first priority is specified among phrases whose output is controlled by the output control means. Then, the first sound volume determining means determines that the sound volumes of the phrases having the second priority and the third priority are smaller than the reference value. That is, the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority and the third priority is automatically adjusted according to the output of the phrase whose priority is the first priority. When changing a small volume to a large volume, the volume may be gradually increased (fade in), for example, in order to smooth the volume change. When the volume that is lower than the reference value by the first volume determination means is increased to the reference value by the same degree of fade-in, the volume is increased to the reference value as the volume is reduced relative to the reference value. This takes a long time. Here, some phrases may be required to be output at a relatively larger volume than other phrases. In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority is set to the volume of the first predetermined ratio of the reference value by the first volume determination means, and the phrase whose priority is the third priority Is set at a second predetermined ratio of the reference value. Therefore, the time required for the volume to increase to the reference value can be made different between a phrase whose priority is the second priority and a phrase whose priority is the third priority. For this reason, for example, the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority can be increased to the reference value before the volume of the phrase whose priority is the third priority. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can reduce the burden of volume setting work for a plurality of phrases when a specific sound phrase is output, and can smoothly adjust the volume balance of each phrase.

  The information acquisition unit may acquire the output management information sequentially generated by the generation unit as time passes. The determination unit may determine whether a phrase whose priority is the first priority is included as time passes based on the output management information acquired by the information acquisition unit. . In the gaming machine, after the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority and the third priority is determined by the first volume determination unit, the priority is the first priority by the determination unit. When it is determined that the phrase is not included, the volume of the phrase determined by the first volume determination unit is multiplied by the same predetermined multiple, and the priority is the second priority and the first You may provide the 2nd sound volume determination means which determines the sound volume of the phrase which is a 3 priority.

  In this case, the output management information is sequentially generated as time elapses, and the gaming machine sequentially refers to the output management information, so that the priority is given first priority to the phrase whose output is controlled. You can monitor whether a phrase that is a degree is included. After the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority and the third priority is made lower than the reference value by the first volume determining means, the priority is set to the first priority for the phrase whose output is controlled. Certain phrases may not be included. In such a case, the second sound volume determination means determines the sound volume of the phrase by multiplying the sound volume of the phrase having the second priority and the third priority by the same multiple. Thereby, the volume of a plurality of phrases is increased while maintaining the balance of the volume of phrases determined by the first volume determination means and whose priority is the second priority and the third priority. Therefore, the gaming machine can adjust the volume of a plurality of phrases with a simple process.

  The gaming machine may include detection means for detecting fraud. The priority definition means may define the priority of the phrase designated by the designation means as the first priority according to detection by the detection means.

  In order to prevent fraud, a phrase whose output is designated in response to detection by the detecting means for detecting fraud must be output in a manner that is easy to hear for those around it in preference to other phrases. The priority definition means defines, as the first priority, a phrase type whose output is designated in accordance with detection by the detection means for detecting fraud. Therefore, the gaming machine can automatically control the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority and the third priority in accordance with the detection of the illegal act by the detection means.

  The gaming machine may comprise main control means for controlling the main control of the game and transmitting a signal corresponding to the control. The specifying means may be capable of specifying a phrase to be output to the output means in accordance with the signal received from the main control means. The priority definition means may define the priority of a phrase other than the first priority according to an expectation level of a game result controlled by the main control means.

  In this case, since the priority definition means defines the second priority and the third priority according to the expectation regarding the result of the game, the gaming machine can perform the effects accompanying the game result and the game result. It becomes easy to automatically set the volume according to the flow.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a sound control circuit 591. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a variation pattern determination table stored in a ROM 53. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing performed in the main board 41. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a priority table stored in a ROM 583. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of sub control board processing performed in a sub control board 58; It is a flowchart of the output management information generation process performed in a sub control board | substrate process. 5 is a conceptual diagram of output management information stored in a RAM 582. FIG. It is a flowchart of the sound control process performed in a sub control board | substrate process. It is a flowchart of the volume determination process performed in a sound control process. It is a flowchart of the sound volume control process performed in a sound control process. It is a flowchart of the notice image processing which CPU431 performs. It is a flowchart of the notice image processing performed in sub control board processing. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of sound output in the pachinko machine 1.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine 1 which is a first embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front side, back side, upper side, lower side, left side, and right side of FIG. 1 are defined as the front side, rear side, upper side, lower side, left side, and right side of the pachinko machine 1, respectively.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the mechanical structure of the pachinko machine 1 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 10 that is a rectangular frame that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. A main body frame 11 is attached to the inside of the outer frame 10 so as to be freely opened from the front with the left end edge as an axis. The game board 2 is provided in the upper half of the front side of the main body frame 11.

  The game board 2 has a substantially square plate shape when viewed from the front (see FIG. 2), and the front surface is protected by a front frame 12 holding a transparent glass plate. The front frame 12 is attached to the front side of the main body frame 11 so as to be freely opened from the front with the left end edge as an axis. An upper plate 5 is provided below the game board 2 in the main body frame 11. The upper plate 5 supplies metal game balls to the game ball launcher 37 (see FIG. 3) and receives prize balls. On the upper surface of the upper plate 5, an operation button 9 that is operated by a player is provided. A lower plate 6 for receiving a prize ball is provided immediately below the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. The launch handle 7 is provided so that the player can rotate the game handle. When the player rotates the launch handle 7 and performs the launch operation, the game ball launching device has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 7. A game ball is fired by 37. Speakers 48 are respectively provided on the left and right corners of the upper portion of the front frame 12. The speaker 48 executes various effects by outputting music such as BGM, voices of characters appearing in game effects, and various sound effects.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. The game balls launched by the game ball launching device 37 (see FIG. 3) are guided to the game area 4 by the guide rail 3 and flow down in the game area 4. A center ornament 8 for performing various effects is provided at the approximate center of the game area 4. The center decoration 8 mainly includes a display screen 28. The display screen 28 is arranged in the approximate center of the center decoration 8. The display screen 28 is configured by, for example, an LCD and can display various videos. In the present embodiment, the display screen 28 displays an effect symbol that notifies the result of the jackpot determination. The pachinko machine 1 changes a plurality (three in this embodiment) of the effect symbols, and then executes a notification effect for confirming and displaying the effect symbol combination indicating the result of the jackpot determination, thereby obtaining the result of the jackpot determination. Inform the player.

  A first starting port 14 is provided substantially below the center of the center ornament 8. Below the first starting port 14, a second grand prize winning port 17 is provided. A normal symbol operating gate 13 is provided diagonally to the right of the center ornament 8. A second start port 15 is provided below the normal symbol operating gate 13. A first grand prize winning port 16 is provided diagonally to the left of the second starting port 15. Each of the second start port 15, the first grand prize port 16, and the second major prize port 17 includes an opening / closing member. The game ball can be won in each of the second start port 15, the first grand prize port 16, and the second big prize port 17 only when the opening / closing member is opened.

  A symbol display unit 24 is provided in the lower right part of the game board 2. The symbol display unit 24 includes a first special symbol display unit, a second special symbol display unit, a normal symbol display unit, a first special symbol memory number display LED, a second special symbol memory number display LED, and a normal symbol memory number display LED. Prepare.

  In the present embodiment, when a game ball wins the first start opening 14, a first jackpot determination is performed, and a first special symbol indicating the determination result is displayed on the first special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. . In the first jackpot determination, it is determined based on the jackpot random number whether it is a jackpot or not. When it is determined in the first jackpot determination that the jackpot is a jackpot game in which the opening / closing member of the first jackpot 16 and the opening / closing member of the second jackpot 17 are opened in a predetermined order. A specific area is provided inside the second grand prize winning port 17. In the pachinko machine 1, a game ball passing through a specific area during a jackpot game is a condition for causing a probability variation state after the jackpot game is over. The probability variation state is a state in which the probability of determining “big hit” in the jackpot determination is higher than usual. In the present embodiment, the generated probability variation state is terminated by the operation of a so-called number cut probability variation function when the number of executions of jackpot determination in the probability variation state reaches a predetermined number.

  When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 13, the normal hit determination is performed, and the normal symbol indicating the determination result is displayed on the normal symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. When it is determined that it is a win in the normal hit determination, the opening / closing member of the second start port 15 is opened. When the game ball wins the second start port 15, a second big hit determination is performed, and a second special symbol indicating the determination result is displayed on the second special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. If it is determined in the second jackpot determination that the game is a jackpot, a jackpot game similar to the above is executed.

  The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 mainly includes a main board 41, a sub control board 58, a lamp driver board 46, an effect control board 43, a payout control board 45, a relay board 47, and a power supply board 42.

  The main board 41 controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The main board CPU unit 50 of the main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 for performing various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 for temporarily storing data obtained by the arithmetic processes by the CPU 51, and a ROM 53 for storing control programs and the like. ing. An interrupt signal generation circuit 57 is connected to the main board CPU unit 50. The main board 41 executes a program each time an interrupt signal is input from the interrupt signal generation circuit 57. The main board 41 is connected to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, the output port 55, the first start port switch 73, and the second start port switch 74 via the I / O interface 54. . The output port 55 outputs information of the pachinko machine 1 to a game hall management computer (not shown). The first start port switch 73 detects a game ball won in the first start port 14. The second start port switch 74 detects a game ball won in the second start port 15.

  The sub-control board 58 includes a CPU 581 that controls overall control such as effects. The CPU 581 is electrically connected to the RAM 582, the ROM 583, and the sound control circuit 591. The RAM 582 temporarily stores data obtained by the arithmetic processing by the CPU 581. The ROM 583 stores a program for executing a later-described sub control board process (see FIG. 8), flags used by various programs, initial values of data, and the like.

  The sound control circuit 591 reproduces a sound signal based on an instruction from the CPU 581 and causes the speaker 48 to output the sound. The sound control circuit 591 may be configured by, for example, an LSI for sound processing. The sound control circuit 591 is electrically connected to the ROM 593. The ROM 593 stores compressed sound data that is original data of a sound signal to be reproduced. Specifically, the ROM 593 stores in advance, as compressed sound data, various sound data used in the pachinko machine 1, such as music for one BGM, speech sound, warning sound, and various notification sounds. The compressed sound data is data specified by a phrase number having a predetermined bit length, for example. Hereinafter, the compressed sound data is also referred to as phrase data. Phrase data is stored corresponding to each phrase number. In the present embodiment, the sound signal is stored in such a manner that the sound signal becomes the maximum sound volume when played back. The maximum volume indicated by each phrase data is hereinafter referred to as a reference volume.

  The sub control board 58 is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the effect control board 43, the operation buttons 9 and the speaker 48. The lamp driver board 46 is connected to the electrical decoration board 31. The lamp driver board 46 controls the operation of various illumination lamps according to commands received from the sub-control board 58. The effect control board 43 includes a CPU 431, a CGROM 432, and the like, and controls display of the display screen 28 in accordance with a command received from the sub-control board 58. The CGROM 432 stores moving image and still image data used for various effects. The operation button 9 outputs a detection signal to the sub-control board 58 in accordance with the player's operation. The speaker 48 converts the digital sound signal transmitted from the sub-control board 58 into an analog sound and outputs it.

  The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 45a that controls the prize balls and the payout of the prize balls. The CPU 45a is electrically connected to the RAM 45b and the ROM 45c. The RAM 45b temporarily stores data obtained by the arithmetic processing by the CPU 45a. The ROM 45c stores a prize ball and a prize ball payout control program.

  The payout control board 45 is connected to a prize ball payout device 49, a door opening switch 61, a frame opening switch 62, and a lower pan full switch 63. The prize ball payout device 49 pays out a predetermined number of game balls to the lower plate 6 in response to a command transmitted from the main board 41. The door opening switch 61 outputs an ON signal to the payout control board 45 when the front frame 12 is opened with respect to the main body frame 11, and the payout control when the front frame 12 is not opened with respect to the main body frame 11. An OFF signal is output to the substrate 45. The frame opening switch 62 outputs an ON signal to the payout control board 45 when the main body frame 11 is opened with respect to the outer frame 10, and the payout control when the main body frame 11 is not opened with respect to the outer frame 10. An OFF signal is output to the substrate 45. The lower plate full switch 63 outputs an ON signal to the payout control board 45 when the lower plate 6 is full of prize balls, and an OFF signal to the payout control board 45 when the lower plate 6 is not full of prize balls. Output. When receiving the ON signal from the lower plate full switch 63, the CPU 45a stops the operation of the prize ball payout device 49. The number of prize balls according to the command transmitted from the main board 41 after receiving the ON signal from the lower plate full switch 63 is stored in the RAM 45b. Thereafter, when receiving an OFF signal from the lower plate full switch 63, the CPU 45a resumes the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 and pays out the prize balls stored in the RAM 45b to the lower plate 6.

  The relay board 47 includes a normal electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69, a first large prize opening solenoid 70, a second large prize opening solenoid 71, a specific area solenoid 72, a normal symbol operation switch 75, a first large prize opening switch 76, and a second. It is connected to the big prize opening switch 77, the specific area switch 78, the induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, the vibration sensor 67, and the symbol display unit 24. The ordinary electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the second start port 15 during the normal winning game. The first big prize opening solenoid 70 opens and closes the opening / closing member of the first big prize opening 16 during the big hit game. The second big prize opening solenoid 71 opens and closes the opening and closing member of the second big prize opening 17 during the big hit game. The specific area solenoid 72 opens and closes an opening / closing member (not shown) in a specific area in the second big prize opening 17 in a specific round of the big hit game. The normal symbol operation switch 75 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 13. The first grand prize opening switch 76 detects a game ball won in the first big prize opening 16. The second big prize opening switch 77 detects a game ball won in the second big prize opening 17. The specific area switch 78 detects a game ball that has passed a specific area.

  The induced magnetic field sensor 65 detects an induced magnetic field generated mainly by an illegal act. The magnetic sensor 66 detects magnetism generated mainly by fraud. The vibration sensor 67 detects vibrations mainly caused by fraud. The induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, and the vibration sensor 67 are respectively arranged at predetermined positions on the rear side of the game board 2. When the main board 41 receives the detection signals related to these illegal acts, the main board 41 outputs an external output signal to the game hall management computer via the output port 55.

  The power supply board 42 is connected to the main board 41 and the game ball launching device 37, and supplies DC stabilized power to each board and the game ball launching device 37. The game ball launching device 37 launches one game ball to the game area 4 at regular intervals (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment).

  A schematic internal configuration of the sound control circuit 591 will be described with reference to FIG. The sound control circuit 591 mainly includes a control register 591A, first to nth track processing units TR1 to TRn, and a mixer 591D. The control register 591A is electrically connected to the CPU 581. The control register 591A analyzes a command received from the CPU 581, specifies phrase data to be played back to each of the first to n-th track processing units TR1 to TRn, a playback instruction for the specified phrase data, and a playback sound volume instruction. Etc.

  The first to n-th track processing units TR1 to TRn perform processing on sounds corresponding to the phrase reproduction tracks of the first to n-th tracks. The first track processing unit TR1 includes a decoder 591B and a track volume 591C. The decoder 591B reads out desired phrase data from the ROM 593 based on the input phrase data reproduction instruction, and performs phrase data expansion processing (decoding). The track volume 591C controls the output volume, fade-in / fade-out, and the like of the reproduced sound data decoded by the decoder 591B. The first to nth track processing units TR1 to TRn are configured similarly. In FIG. 4, only the first track processing unit TR1 and the nth track processing unit TRn are shown, and the other track processing units are omitted. For example, n is 16. The mixer 591D mixes the sound signals output from the first to nth track processing units TR1 to TRn and outputs the mixed signal to the speaker 48.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the fluctuation pattern determination table stored in the ROM 53 will be described. The variation pattern determination table indicates whether the jackpot determination is the first jackpot determination or the second jackpot determination, the gaming state at the time of the jackpot determination (non-short-time state or time-short state in this embodiment), and the result of the jackpot determination (the jackpot or A plurality of tables are provided in accordance with the deviation. Each table is assigned a plurality of types of variation patterns, and each variation pattern is associated with a variation pattern determination random number value (0 to 511). When the first jackpot determination is performed, a table corresponding to the gaming state at that time and the determination result is referred to, and one variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern determination random number value acquired together with the jackpot random number is determined. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the determination result of the first jackpot determination in the non-time-saving state is a jackpot, the ratio of determining the variation pattern increases in the order of “reach effect A” to “reach effect E”. Here, the “reach effect” is a notification effect that executes an effect indicating that there is a possibility of jackpot after a reach state in which, for example, two of three effect symbols stop at the same symbol is configured. On the other hand, when the determination result is out of order, the rate at which the variation pattern is determined decreases in the order of “reach effect A” to “reach effect E”. Therefore, the expected value at which the result of the first jackpot determination is a jackpot increases in the order of “reach effect A” to “reach effect E”. In the present embodiment, the “non-reach” variation pattern is a notification effect in which the effect ends without reaching the reach state, and in this embodiment, is determined only when the result of the jackpot determination is out of place. The expected value that results in the jackpot determination is also referred to as “expectation” below.

  Although details are omitted, in the variation pattern determination table, a plurality of types of variation patterns are assigned to the second jackpot determination according to the gaming state, and each variation pattern corresponds to the variation pattern determination random number value. It is attached. The main board 41 fluctuates the first special symbol or the second special symbol for a variation time determined according to the determined variation pattern. Further, the main board 41 transmits to the sub control board 58 a fluctuation pattern designation command that is a command for designating the fluctuation pattern determined with reference to the fluctuation pattern determination table. The sub-control board 58 controls the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like according to the variation pattern specified by the command.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the operation | movement by the main board | substrate 41 of the pachinko machine 1 is demonstrated. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main processing of the control program is executed in the CPU 51 when the CPU 51 detects an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms by the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 3). Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the main process is started, a command output process is first performed (S10). In the command output process, a control command is output to the sub control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, and the like. The control command output here is a control command stored in the RAM 52 in the main process executed last time.

  Next, a switch reading process is performed (S11). In the switch reading process, the normal symbol operation gate 13, the first start port 14, the second start port 15, the first grand prize port 16, the second major prize port 17, the specific area in the second major prize port 17, and others Processing for detecting a game ball is performed from the detection result of each switch (see FIG. 3) provided in the winning opening. In the switch reading process, a security command is generated according to the detection results of the induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, and the vibration sensor 67. The security command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 that there is a possibility that an illegal act has occurred, and is stored in the RAM 52. The security command is transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10) of the main process to be executed next time.

  Next, a counter update process is performed (S12). In the counter update process, the value of the random number acquisition counter stored in the RAM 52 is added, and the value of the special symbol variation time counter that is a timer counter for measuring the variation time of the special symbol is subtracted.

  Next, special electric accessory processing is performed (S13). In the special electric accessory processing, processing for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly opening / closing operation of the opening / closing members of the first big winning port 16 and the second big winning port 17), and the game generated after the end of the big hit game Processing related to the state is performed. In the present embodiment, in the final round of one jackpot game, the second grand prize winning opening 17 is opened for 13 seconds or 0.3 seconds. In rounds other than the final round, the first grand prize opening 16 is opened with a maximum opening time of 29 seconds. When the game ball passes through a specific area in the second big prize opening 17 during the big hit game, the flag corresponding to the specific area switch 78 is set to “ON” in the switch reading process (S11). If this flag is “ON”, a probability variation flag, which will be described later, is set to “ON”. Then, once opened, the first big prize opening 16 and the second big prize opening 17 are closed when the conditions of the elapse of the maximum opening time and the winning of a predetermined number of game balls are satisfied. When the jackpot game is started, a jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is started is generated and stored in the RAM 52. The jackpot game start command is transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10) of the main process to be executed next time.

  Next, special symbol processing is performed (S14). In the special symbol processing, jackpot determination, determination of variation pattern, determination of special symbol, game state transition processing, and the like are performed. In the pachinko machine 1, the RAM 52 is provided with a first jackpot relation information storage area and a second jackpot relation information storage area. The first jackpot relation information storage area is provided with a plurality of storage areas. When a game ball is won at the first starting port 14, if the number of first reserved balls due to winning at the first starting port 14 is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are stored in order from the storage area with the smallest number. Is done. The first number of reserved balls is the number of random numbers stored in a state where the execution of the jackpot determination is held among the random numbers corresponding to the game balls won in the first starting port 14. In the present embodiment, the maximum number of first reserved balls is “4”. The CPU 51 uses the storage area with the smallest number among the random numbers in the storage area that has not yet been processed as a determination area, and performs various processes such as jackpot determination on the random number stored in the determination area. When the process related to the random number stored in the determination area is completed, the storage area with the next smallest number is set as the determination area, and the process such as the jackpot determination is repeated.

  In each storage area, a first jackpot random number field in which the value of the first jackpot determination counter is stored, a first special symbol determination random number field in which the value of the first special symbol determination counter is stored, and a first variation pattern determination counter A first variation pattern determination random number column is provided in which the values are stored. When a game ball wins the first starting port 14, the value of each random number acquisition counter counted at that time is stored in each column. The first jackpot random number is used for determining the first jackpot. The first special symbol determination random number is used to determine the first special symbol. The first variation pattern determination random number is used to determine a variation pattern indicating the variation time of the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24.

  In the pachinko machine 1, the variation time of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is equal to the effect time of the notification effect informing the player of the results of the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination. The sub control board 58 controls the notification effect according to the variation pattern determined by the main board 41. Specifically, the main board 41 starts the variation of the first special symbol according to the first variation pattern based on the first variation pattern determination random number. Moreover, the main board | substrate 41 starts the fluctuation | variation of a 2nd special symbol according to the 2nd fluctuation pattern based on a 2nd fluctuation pattern determination random number. The sub-control board 58 starts the variation display of the effect symbol in synchronization with the start of variation of either the first special symbol or the second special symbol. When the fluctuation time of either the first special symbol or the second special symbol that has started to change ends, the main board 41 displays the changed first special symbol or second special symbol for a predetermined special symbol stop display time. It is confirmed and displayed for 0.8 seconds in this embodiment. The sub-control board 58 confirms and displays the effect symbol in synchronization with the special symbol stop display time. Further, the sub control board 58 executes a notification effect synchronized with the variation pattern not only by the effect design but also by the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like.

  The configuration of the second jackpot relation information storage area is the same as the configuration of the first jackpot relation information storage area. When a game ball wins the second starting port 15, if the number of second reserved balls by winning the second starting port 15 is less than 4 (0 to 3), random numbers are stored in order from the storage area with the smallest number. Is done. The second reserved ball number is the number of random numbers stored in a state in which the execution of the jackpot determination is held among the random numbers corresponding to the game balls won in the second starting port 15.

  In the special symbol process, a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern is generated. Also, a special symbol stop command is generated as the special symbol variation time elapses. Further, a prefetch command is generated according to the prefetch information of the reserved random number stored when the game ball is won at the first start port 14 or the second start port 15. Note that prefetching refers to referring to information on a pending random number before actual jackpot determination is performed. These generated commands are stored in the RAM 52 and transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10) of the main process to be executed next time.

  In the following description, when the first jackpot random number and the second jackpot random number are collectively referred to, or when neither is specified, it is also referred to as a jackpot random number. Further, when the first variation pattern determination random number and the second variation pattern determination random number are collectively referred to, or when neither is specified, it is also referred to as a variation pattern determination random number. Further, when the first jackpot relation information storage area and the second jackpot relation information storage area are collectively referred to, or when neither is specified, it is also referred to as a jackpot relation information storage area. In addition, the jackpot random number that is stored in the jackpot relation information storage area, the jackpot random number for which the jackpot determination is suspended, and the various random numbers that are acquired together with the jackpot random number for which the jackpot determination is suspended and stored in the jackpot relation information storage area Collectively called a pending random number.

  Next, ordinary electric accessory processing is performed (S15). In the ordinary electric accessory process, a process for controlling the operation of the normal hit game is performed when the normal hit is reached. CPU51 will open the opening-and-closing member of the 2nd starting port 15 longer than in the non-time-short state, if the time-short state has occurred. Note that if the time reduction flag is set to “ON”, the CPU 51 determines that it is in the time reduction state.

  Next, normal symbol processing is performed (S16). In the normal symbol process, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 75 detects a game ball. Based on the acquired random number, processing such as ordinary hit determination, storage of commands for controlling fluctuations in ordinary symbols, and the like are performed. As described above, the normal hit determination is performed with each probability (99/100 or 4/100) depending on whether or not the time-short state has occurred.

  Next, a payout process (S17) is performed. In the payout process, payout of prize balls is controlled. In the payout process, a door open command, a frame open command, and a lower plate full command are generated according to the detection results of the door open switch 61, the frame open switch 62, and the lower plate full switch 63. The door opening command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 that the door (front frame 12) is open. The frame release command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 that the frame (main body frame 11) is open. The lower plate full command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 that the lower plate 6 is full. Each command is stored in the RAM 52 and transmitted to the sub control board 58 in the command output process (S10) of the main process to be executed next time.

  Next, an error check (S18) and an information output process (S19) are performed. In the error check, when an error occurs, the error is notified using the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like. In the information output process, various types of information are output to a game hall management computer (not shown).

  The priority table stored in the ROM 583 of the sub control board 58 will be described with reference to FIG. The priority table classifies each phrase data stored in the ROM 593 according to the sound type. There are eight types of sounds: “Normal SE”, “Normal BGM”, “Serif”, “Intense heat SE”, “That SE”, “Special BGM”, “Holding sound”, and “Notification sound”.

  “Normal SE” includes sound effects used regardless of the expected level of the notification effect, and sound effects used when the expected level of the notification effect is relatively low (for example, when the expected level is less than 40%). Phrase data is classified. For example, sound effects associated with a notice effect that is executed when the expectation level of the notification effect is relatively low is classified as “normal SE”. The notice effect is, for example, various effects that are executed in order to suggest the expected degree of the notification effect during the period from when the notification effect is started until when the effect symbol is confirmed and displayed. “Normal BGM” includes phrase data such as BGM used regardless of the expectation level of the notification effect and BGM used when the expectation level of the notification effect is relatively low (for example, when the expectation value is less than 40%). Are classified. For example, the phrase data of BGM used in the “non-reach” notification effect is classified as “normal BGM”. In “Serif”, the phrase data of the speech of the character is classified.

  “Intense heat SE” classifies phrase data of sound effects used when the expected degree of the notification effect is relatively high (for example, when the expected degree is 40% or more). “Accurate SE” classifies phrase data of sound effects used when the expected degree of the notification effect is very high (for example, when the expected degree is about 100%). For example, the phrase data of one notification sound used when notifying the jackpot before the effect design is confirmed and displayed in a combination indicating the jackpot in the notification effect is classified as “actual SE”. The “special BGM” classifies BGM phrase data used when the expected degree of the notification effect is relatively high (for example, when the expected degree is 40% or more). For example, BGM used in the case of so-called super reach is classified as “special BGM”. The “holding tone” classifies phrase data of the holding tone. The holding sound is, for example, a sound effect that is sounded when the reserved random number is acquired (when a game ball is won at the first starting port 14 or the second starting port 15) according to the pre-read information of the reserved random number. .

  In the “notification sound”, phrase data of various notification sounds is classified. According to the detection results of the induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, and the vibration sensor 67, the notification sound indicates that a fraudulent act may have occurred, such as those around the pachinko machine 1 (players, hall employees Etc.) (for example, siren sound) to be notified. Further, according to the detection result of the door opening switch 61, the notification sound is a sound for notifying the surrounding people that the door (front frame 12) is open (for example, a sound such as “the door is open”). ) Is included. In addition, according to the detection result of the frame opening switch 62, the notification sound is a sound for notifying the surrounding people that the frame (main body frame 11) is open (for example, a sound such as “the frame is open”). ) Is included. In addition, according to the detection result of the lower plate full switch 63, the notification sound is a sound for notifying the player or the like that the lower plate 6 is full (for example, “please remove the ball of (the lower plate 6)”. Etc.). Since these notification sounds are not sounded according to the expected degree of the notification effect, there are few opportunities to be output in a normal game. However, when an output opportunity arrives, it is necessary to sufficiently notify the people around the pachinko machine 1 or the player about the contents of the ringing from the viewpoint of preventing fraud and smooth progress of the game.

  The priority table defines “reference volume” and “priority index” for each piece of phrase data classified for each sound type. The “priority index” is a numerical value that defines the relative priority of a plurality of phrase data stored in the ROM 593 with respect to other phrase data. In the present embodiment, the priority index is determined for each sound type. The priority index of “normal SE” and “normal BGM” is “0”. The priority index of “Serif” is “1”. The priority index of “Intense heat SE” is “2”. The priority index of “probable SE” is “3”. The priority index of “special BGM” and “hold tone” is “4”. The priority index of “notification sound” is “5”.

  The priority index indicates that the higher the value is, the more the phrase data is to be output at a volume that has priority over other phrase data. For example, since the speech is often desired to be clearly heard by the player for production, the priority index of “Serif” is set to a higher value than “Normal SE” and “Normal BGM”. In addition, regarding “Intense Heat SE” which is easy to be used in the production with higher expectation than “Normal SE”, there is a scene that the player wants to hear at a volume that has priority over “Normal SE”. "Is set to a higher value than" Normal SE ". The same reason holds true for “Accurate SE”, which is more likely to be used in productions with higher expectations than “Intense Heat SE”, so the priority index of “Accurate SE” is set to a higher value than “Intense Heat SE”. Has been. In addition, for “Special BGM” used for special effects such as SP reach, the priority index is given for the reason that there is a scene that you want to output at a higher priority than the sound used for other reach effects. "4" which is the highest value among the sounds used in. The “holding sound” is a sound effect that is produced in a relatively short time due to its nature, and is output as one of the prefetch effects based on the prefetch information. The ringing of the “holding sound” is determined according to the expectation level indicated by the pre-read information based on the holding random number (big hit random number, variation pattern determining random number, special symbol determining random number, etc.). The “holding sound” is a sound that is sounded according to the expectation level indicated by the prefetch information, and the priority index is assigned to the sound used in the production because the prefetch effect is of interest to the player. The highest value is “4”. In addition, the “notification sound” has a role to immediately notify the surroundings that a serious abnormal situation has occurred. For this reason, “notification sound” is set with the highest priority index among all sound types. Hereinafter, the value of the priority index is also referred to as “P”.

  With reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 16, sub control board processing executed by the sub control board 58 and sound output control executed in the present embodiment will be described. The pachinko machine 1 can reproduce phrase data and simultaneously output a plurality of sounds. In the pachinko machine 1, when outputting a plurality of sounds simultaneously, ducking according to the priority index is performed. Ducking is a process of temporarily lowering the volume of other sounds that are output at the same time as the sound that is to be preferentially heard among a plurality of sounds. In the pachinko machine 1, ducking is performed using the above-described priority index.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the sub control board processing is started, it is determined whether a variation pattern designation command is received from the main board 41 (S22). When the variation pattern designation command has not been received (S22: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S26. When the variation pattern designation command is received (S22: YES), the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command received from the main board 41 is stored in the RAM 582 (S23). A notification effect start command for causing the effect control board 43 to start image display processing related to the notification effect according to the variation pattern is stored in the RAM 582 (S24). Next, a sound reproduction command for causing the sound control circuit 591 to reproduce the sound related to the notification effect according to the variation pattern is stored in the RAM 582 (S25). Specifically, in accordance with the variation pattern stored in the process of S23, information for reproducing BGM, SE, lines, etc. used in the notification effect corresponding to the variation pattern and outputting from the speaker 48 is a reproduction command. Generated. The process proceeds to the determination at S26.

  Next, it is determined whether a special symbol stop command is received from the main board 41 (S26). If the special symbol stop command has not been received (S26: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S29. When the special symbol stop command is received (S26: YES), the notification effect is ended by confirming and displaying the combination of effect symbols indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination (S27). The process proceeds to the determination in S29.

  Next, it is determined whether a jackpot game start command is received from the main board 41 (S29). If the jackpot game start command has not been received (S29: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S32. When the jackpot game start command is received (S29: YES), a notification effect start command for causing the effect control board 43 to start an image display process related to the jackpot game effect which is an effect during the jackpot game is stored in the RAM 582 ( S30). Next, a sound reproduction command for causing the sound control circuit 591 to reproduce a sound related to the jackpot game effect is stored in the RAM 582 (S31). The process proceeds to the determination at S32.

  Next, it is determined whether another command related to sound has been received (S32). Other commands related to sound include a security command transmitted from the main board 41, a door opening command, a frame opening command, a lower plate full command, and the like. In addition, a sound may be output in response to an operation by a player or the like, and a detection signal transmitted from the operation button 9 at such a time is also included in other commands. If a command related to these sounds has not been received (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S34. When a command related to these sounds is received (S32: YES), a sound reproduction command for causing the sound control circuit 591 to reproduce a sound corresponding to each command is stored in the RAM 582 (S33). The process proceeds to S34.

  Next, the command stored in the RAM 582 is output to the sound control circuit 591 and the effect control board 43 (S34). The sound control circuit 591 that has received the sound reproduction command reads out the sound corresponding to the sound reproduction command from the ROM 583 and reproduces it. The process proceeds to S35.

  Next, output management information generation processing is executed (S35). The output management information generation process is a process for generating output management information. The output management information is information about the playback status of phrase data and the volume of the sound being played in each of the phrase playback tracks from the first track to the n-th track. The output management information generation process is executed every time the sub control board process is executed. That is, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 sequentially generates output management information as time elapses by repeatedly executing output management information generation processing. In addition, the CPU 581 always grasps the state of sound in the first to nth tracks by acquiring and referring to new output management information every time a sound control process (S36) described later is executed.

  The output management information generation process (S35, see FIG. 8) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the output management information generation process is started, the playback status for each phrase playback track, the phrase number, and the priority index value P are acquired from the decoder 591B of each phrase playback track (S41). The reproduction status is information indicating whether any phrase data is being reproduced on the phrase reproduction track. In this embodiment, it is indicated as either “reproducing” or “stopped”. The phrase number is a phrase number of the phrase data decoded by the decoder 591B of the phrase playback track. P indicates a priority index associated with the phrase data decoded by the decoder 591B of the phrase playback track. When the playback status is “playing”, the CPU 581 acquires the phrase number and P corresponding to the phrase data based on the phrase data being played and the priority table.

  Next, the current volume and fade status for each phrase playback track are acquired from the track volume 591C of each phrase playback track (S42). The current volume is the output volume of the playback sound currently being played on the phrase playback track. In the present embodiment, the volume is indicated as a percentage with respect to the reference volume of each phrase data. The fade status is information indicating whether or not fade-in / fade-out is set for playback sound data, or a fade rate (fade rate) when set. The fade rate is indicated, for example, by the number of seconds required to change the volume from minimum to maximum or from maximum to minimum.

  Next, output management information is generated based on the information acquired in the processing of S41 and S42 (S43). In the present embodiment, output management information is generated with the configuration shown in FIG. The output management information is indicated by the playback status, phrase number, P, current volume, and fade rate for each of the phrase playback tracks from the first track to the nth track.

  As shown in the example of FIG. 10, in the output management information, the phrase data of phrase 15 with P = 0 in the first track is being played back, and the current volume is 60%, which is completed in 0.5 seconds. Indicates that a fade-in / fade-out is being executed. Further, the output management information indicates that the reproduction status is “stopped” in the second track, and no phrase data is reproduced. Similarly, for the third track to the nth track, the playback status, phrase number, P, current volume, and fade rate are shown for each phrase playback track.

  Next, the generated output management information is stored in the RAM 582 (S44). Thus, by generating the output management information, the CPU 581 can grasp the playback status of the phrase data and the volume of the sound being played back for each phrase playback track when the output management information processing is executed. Further, since the output management information is repeatedly generated as time elapses, the CPU 581 can monitor the phrase data reproduction status and the volume level of the sound being reproduced for each raise reproduction track. The process returns to the sub control board process (see FIG. 8).

  Returning to the description of FIG. Next, a sound control process is executed (S36), and the process proceeds to the determination of S38. The sound control process (S36, see FIG. 8) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the sound control process, control for outputting a necessary sound is performed in accordance with various commands transmitted to the sub-control board process.

  When the sound control process is started, output management information is acquired (S52). The CPU 581 acquires the output management information generated in the output management information generation process (S35, see FIG. 8) from the RAM 582.

  Next, the output management information acquired in the process of S52 is compared with the output management information acquired last time (S53). If the sound control process is executed by the CPU 581 for the first time and there is no output management information acquired last time, the CPU 581 shifts the process to S61 without performing the process of S53.

  Next, based on the comparison result in the process of S53, it is determined whether the output management information acquired this time has changed with respect to the output management information acquired last time (S54). If there is no change in the output management information (S54: NO), the process proceeds to S62.

  When there is a change in the output management information (S54: YES), it is determined whether the P5 flag is “ON” (S55). The RAM 582 of the sub control board 58 stores a P5 flag and the like. The P5 flag stores “1” and is “ON” when it is determined that the phrase data with P = 5 is reproduced in any of the phrase reproduction tracks in the volume determination process (S61) described later. Become. Thereafter, when it is determined that the phrase data with P = 5 is not reproduced in any of the phrase reproduction tracks, “0” is stored and “OFF” is set. When the P5 flag is “OFF” (S55: NO), the process proceeds to S61.

  When the P5 flag is “ON” (S55: YES), it is determined whether or not Pmax, which is the maximum P value, is “5” in the output management information acquired in the process of S52 (S56). That is, based on the latest output management information, it is determined whether the notification sound is reproduced in any of the first to nth tracks. When Pmax is “5” (S56: YES), the process proceeds to S61.

  When Pmax is not “5” (S56: NO), it is determined that the volume of phrase data reproduced in each phrase reproduction track is 8 times the current volume (S58). The effect of this process will be described later. Next, the P5 flag is set to “OFF” (S59). That is, P = 5 is determined based on the latest output management information after it is determined that the phrase data with P = 5 is being reproduced in any of the phrase reproduction tracks and the P5 flag is set to “ON”. When it is determined that the phrase data is not reproduced, the P5 flag is set to “OFF”. The process proceeds to S61.

  Next, a sound volume determination process is executed (S61). The volume determination process is a process for determining the volume of the sound reproduced on each phrase reproduction track based on the priority index in order to automatically perform ducking.

  The volume determination process (S61, see FIG. 11) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the sound volume determination process is started, the latest output management information is referred to. Then, in the latest output management information, phrase data indicating P1 having the maximum value of P in the range of 0 ≦ P ≦ 4 is specified (S71). That is, the phrase data with the highest priority index is specified from the output management information, except for the phrase data classified as a notification sound. The phrase data identified by this process and having a P value of P1 is hereinafter referred to as a first priority phrase F1. When 0 ≦ Pmax ≦ 4, Pmax = P1. When Pmax = 5, in addition to the processing from S71 to S82, each processing after S84 described later is executed.

  Next, it is determined whether P1 associated with the first priority phrase F1 is 0 ≦ P1 ≦ 3 (S72). If 0 ≦ P1 ≦ 3 (S72: YES), the volume of the first priority phrase F1 is determined as the reference volume (S73). Next, the volume of phrase data other than the first priority phrase F1 is determined to be ½ of the reference volume (S74). That is, the volume of phrase data having a lower P value than the first priority phrase is set to ½ of the reference volume. The process proceeds to the determination in S83.

  On the other hand, when 0 ≦ P1 ≦ 3 is not satisfied (S72: NO), that is, when P1 = 4, phrase data indicating P2 having the next largest P value after P1 is specified from the latest output management information (S76). . When P1 = 4, the phrase data associated with the next highest priority index after P1 is specified from the output management information. The phrase data identified by this processing and having the value P is P2 is hereinafter referred to as a second priority phrase F2.

  Next, the volume of the first priority phrase F1 is determined as a reference value (S77). The volume of the second priority phrase F2 is determined as the reference value (S78). Next, it is determined whether or not phrase data indicating P3 having a P value smaller than P2 is included in the output management information (S81). Phrase data in which the value of P is P3 is hereinafter referred to as a third priority phrase F3. If the output management information does not include the third priority phrase F3 (S81: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S83. When the third priority phrase F3 is included in the output management information (S81: YES), the volume of the third priority phrase is determined to be 1/2 of the reference volume (S82). The process proceeds to the determination in S83.

  Thus, when 0 ≦ P1 ≦ 3, the volume of the first priority phrase F1 is determined as the reference volume in the processes of S73 and S74. Further, the volume of all phrase data other than the first priority phrase F1, that is, the volume of phrase data having a value P lower than P1, is uniformly determined to be ½ of the reference volume. Thereby, the pachinko machine 1 can automatically perform the ducking process according to the priority index for the plurality of sounds to be output. In particular, since a part of the priority index is set according to the expectation level, the pachinko machine 1 can output the sound according to the effect with a high expectation level with priority over other sounds.

  When P1 = 4, the volume of the second priority phrase F2 is determined as the reference volume in addition to the first priority phrase F1 in the processing from S76 to S82. Further, the volume of the third priority phrase F3 is determined to be ½ of the reference volume. That is, P = 4 is a special priority index with respect to other priority indexes, and particularly when P1 = 4, the second priority associated with P2 having a lower value of P than P1. The volume of the phrase F2 is not set lower than the reference volume. For the third priority phrase F3 associated with P3 having a lower P value than P2, the volume is determined to be smaller than the reference volume. For example, when the sound corresponding to the phrase data classified as “special BGM” is output, the sound volume of all other sound types is not uniformly reduced below the reference sound volume, but for some sounds. In some cases, the production effect can be improved by outputting at a volume equivalent to the sound of “Special BGM”. The pachinko machine 1 can diversify the ducking process by providing a special priority index such as P = 4 among a plurality of priority indices, thereby providing a range of effects.

  Next, it is determined whether Pmax is “5” (S83). When Pmax is not “5” (S83: NO), the process proceeds to S89. When Pmax is “5” (S83: YES), the phrase data associated with Pmax (P = 5) is specified, and the volume is determined as the reference volume (S84). In this processing, the phrase data in which the volume is determined as the reference value and the value of P is “5” is hereinafter referred to as a fifth priority phrase F5. The fifth priority phrase F5 having a value P of “5” is phrase data whose sound type is “notification sound”.

  Next, the volume of phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/8 of the volume determined in each process of S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82 (S85). As a result, the volume of the phrase data whose volume has been determined in the processes of S73, S77, and S78 is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. Further, the volume of the phrase data determined in each process of S74 and S82 is determined to be 1/16 of the reference volume. The process proceeds to S88.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of phrase data satisfying 0 ≦ P ≦ 3 are reproduced at the same time, the volume of the phrase data having the maximum value of P among 0 ≦ P ≦ 3 is prioritized over other phrase data. It is said. In other words, when the phrase data with P = 0, P = 1, P = 2 and P = 3 are reproduced simultaneously, the volume of the phrase data of P = 3 is set as the reference volume, and the volume of the other phrase data Is ½ of the reference volume. When a plurality of phrase data with P = 0, P = 1, P = 2, P = 3, and P = 4 are reproduced at the same time, the volume of the phrase data with P = 4 having the maximum P value is set. In addition, the volume of phrase data having the next largest P value after “4” (in this case, “P = 3”) is set as the reference volume. That is, when a plurality of phrase data are reproduced simultaneously, the phrase data with P of “3” or “4” is likely to be output at a louder volume than other phrase data.

  In such a situation where the volume is determined, when Pmax = 5, the volume of the phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/8 of the determined volume. When a plurality of phrase data with P = 0, P = 1, P = 2 and P = 3 and P = 4 are reproduced at the same time, and when phrase data with P = “3” or “4” is reproduced The volume is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. Also, since the phrase data with P = 0, P = 1, and P = 2 when the phrase data with P = “3” or “4” is reproduced, the volume is determined to be ½ of the reference volume. This is further reduced to 1/8 and determined to be 1/16 of the reference volume. When Pmax = 5, P is not reproduced with phrase data “3” or “4”, and when phrase data with 0 ≦ P ≦ 2 is reproduced, the determination is made in S73 and S74. A volume obtained by multiplying the volume by 1/8 is determined as the output volume. That is, the volume of the phrase data output at the reference volume at the start of ducking for the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. In addition, the volume of the phrase data that has been output at a volume that is ½ of the reference volume at the start of ducking to the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/16 of the reference volume. As a result, the volume of the phrase data satisfying 0 ≦ P ≦ 4 is set to the fifth priority phrase while maintaining the relationship of the phrase data satisfying 0 ≦ P ≦ 4 before and during the reproduction of the fifth priority phrase F5. Ducking can be done for F5 volume.

  The volume of phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is ducked with respect to the volume of the fifth priority phrase F5 while maintaining the relationship of the volumes determined in the processes of S73, S74, S77 and S78. There is yet another advantage. In general, when multiple phrase data are played back simultaneously, if you want to hear the sound of specific phrase data with priority given to others, ducking is performed to reduce the volume of phrase data other than the specific phrase data. Is called. Thereafter, when the reproduction of the specific phrase data is finished, the ducking is finished, and in this embodiment, the volume of each phrase is controlled to a volume corresponding to the priority index. When the volume of phrase data once the volume is lowered is increased to the reference volume, the volume may be increased by fading in to smooth the change in volume. When the volume is changed by fading in, the volume is changed at a predetermined fade rate. Therefore, it takes a predetermined time corresponding to the fade rate before the change in volume from a small volume to a large volume is completed. For this reason, the longer the change in volume, the longer the time required to complete the change in volume.

  For example, it is assumed that the volume of phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is uniformly set to 1/16 of the reference volume when the fifth priority phrase F5 is reproduced. When the output of the sound of the fifth priority phrase F5 is completed, the pachinko machine 1 determines the volume of each phrase data in each process of S73, S74, S77 and S78 after the ducking to the fifth priority phrase F5 is completed. It is necessary to return to the volume and proceed with the normal game. The plurality of phrase data whose volume is controlled include phrase data for returning the volume to the reference volume and phrase data for returning the volume to ½ of the reference volume.

  In this assumption, when the volume is returned to the reference volume by fading in, it takes time to return the volume from 1/16 of the reference volume to the reference volume. In this embodiment, the CPU 581 does not uniformly reduce the volume of phrase data to be ducked for the fifth priority phrase F5 in S85, but sets the volume to the reference volume in the processes of S73, S77, and S78. For the phrase data that is determined to be performed, the volume is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. In S85, the CPU 581 determines the volume of the phrase data whose volume has been determined to be ½ of the reference value in the processes of S74 and S82 as 1/16 of the reference volume. That is, the time required to adjust the volume of the phrase data that returns the volume to the reference volume after ending the ducking for the fifth priority phrase F5 is the time required to return the volume from 1/8 of the reference volume to the reference volume. This time is shorter than the time required to return the volume from 1/16 of the reference volume to the reference volume. The CPU 581 does not uniformly reduce the volume of phrase data to be ducked for the fifth priority phrase F5, but instead determines the volume to be the reference value in the processes of S73, S77, and S78. For data, the volume is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. Further, the CPU 581 determines the volume of the phrase data whose volume is determined to be ½ of the reference volume in the processes of S74 and S82 as 1/16 of the reference volume. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 can further shorten the time required to change the volume by fading in after the ducking is completed for the phrase data whose volume is determined to be the reference volume in S73, S77, and S78. . Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can return the volume of each phrase after completion of ducking to the fifth priority phrase F5 to a volume corresponding to the original effect in a short time.

  In addition, the process which determines whether the ducking with respect to the 5th priority phrase F5 is complete | finished is performed in above-mentioned S54 to S56 (refer FIG. 11). In the determination of S54, it is determined whether there is a change between the previous output management information and the latest output management information. If there is a change in the output management information (S54: YES), that is, if there is phrase data that has been newly started or phrase data that has been played back, the state of the P5 flag is referred to (S55). If the P5 flag is “ON” (S55: YES), it is determined whether Pmax is “5” (S56). That is, it is determined in S56 whether or not the fifth priority phrase is still being reproduced after the reproduction of the phrase data (fifth priority phrase) with P = 5 is started. If the reproduction of the fifth priority phrase is completed (S56: YES), the volume of the phrase data reproduced on each phrase reproduction track is determined to be 8 times the current volume (S58). In this way, the ducking of the sound corresponding to the other phrase data with respect to the sound corresponding to the fifth priority phrase F5 is completed. At this time, the volume of the phrase data set to 1/16 of the reference volume becomes 1/2 of the reference volume. The volume of the phrase data that has been set to 1/8 of the reference volume is the reference volume. That is, the pachinko machine 1 returns the relationship of the volume of each phrase data to the state before the reproduction of the fifth priority phrase is started by simply multiplying the volume of each phrase data by 8 in the process of S58. be able to.

  Next, the volume corresponding to each phrase data finally determined in S73, S74, 77, S78, S82, S84 and S85 is stored in the RAM 582 (S89). The process returns to the sound control process (see FIG. 11).

  Returning to the description of FIG. Next, a volume control process is executed (S62), and the process returns to the sub control board process (see FIG. 8). In the volume control process, control according to the volume of each phrase data determined in the volume determination process or the like and control to output a sound corresponding to each phrase data to the speaker 48 are performed.

  The volume control process (S62, see FIG. 11) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the volume control process is started, the volume determined for the phrase data in each phrase playback track is referred to (S91). Specifically, in the sound volume determination process (see FIG. 12), each sound volume stored in the RAM 582 is referred to in the processes of S73, S74, 77, S78, S82, S84, and S85.

  Subsequently, the volume of the phrase data of each phrase playback track referred to in S91 is compared with the volume of the phrase data of each phrase playback track indicated by the output management information acquired in the process of S52 (see FIG. 11) ( S92). Next, phrase data whose volume is changed with respect to the output management information is specified based on the comparison result (S93). The phrase data whose volume has changed with respect to the output management information is hereinafter referred to as a phrase Fc. The phrase Fc is phrase data in which the relative priority with respect to other phrase data varies with the passage of time. Note that if the phrase Fc whose volume has changed is not specified based on the comparison result obtained in the process of S92, the following processes of S94 to S96 may not be performed.

  Next, it is determined whether the change in the volume of the phrase Fc is a change (plus change) in a direction in which the volume increases (S94). The volume of the phrase Fc changes positively when the phrase data to be reproduced on the phrase playback track transitions from the third priority phrase F3 to the second priority phrase F2, and from the second priority phrase F2 to the first priority phrase F1. This is the case when a transition occurs. When the change in volume of the phrase Fc is a positive change (S94), control is performed to change the volume of the phrase Fc from a lower level to a higher level toward the reference volume (S95). In the present embodiment, the volume change of the phrase Fc in this process is performed by fading in. Specifically, the CPU 581 instructs the track volume 591C corresponding to the phrase Fc to fade in the volume. As a result, when the volume of the phrase data whose volume has been lowered by ducking is returned to the reference volume, the volume of the phrase data is positively changed by fading in, so that the volume change after the end of ducking becomes smooth. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can make it easy for a player or the like to hear the produced sound. The process proceeds to the determination at S97.

  On the other hand, if the change in the volume of the phrase Fc is not a positive change (S94: NO), the volume of the phrase Fc is lowered to the volume stored in the RAM 582 in the processes of S73, S74, 77, S78, S82, and S85 (S96). ). In the present embodiment, when the volume is reduced in the process of S96, the fade-out process is not performed, and the volume is switched from the current volume to the volume stored in the RAM 582. For this reason, in the process of S96, the volume is lowered at a stroke. Thereby, the pachinko machine 1 can perform ducking more quickly than, for example, lowering the volume by fading out, and can clearly hear the sound to be given priority to the surroundings. The process proceeds to the determination at S97. The CPU 581 executes the processes from S94 to S96 for each of the phrases Fc specified in the process of S93.

  Next, for all the phrases Fc, the volume change is determined in the process of S94, and it is determined whether the process of S95 or S96 is performed (S97). When the processing for all the phrases Fc is incomplete (S97: NO), the processing from S94 to S96 is repeated. When the processing for all the phrases Fc is completed (S97: YES), a setting for maintaining the volume of the phrase data whose volume has not changed is performed based on the comparison result in the processing of S92 (S98). The CPU 581 instructs the track volume 591C corresponding to the phrase data whose volume has not changed to maintain the volume.

  Next, the sound corresponding to each phrase data is output to the speaker 48 (S99). Specifically, an instruction to output the sound of each phrase data at a volume stored in the RAM 582 is transmitted to the sound control circuit 591. Upon receiving this instruction, the sound control circuit 591 causes each of the first to nth track processing units TR1 to TRn to transmit a sound signal obtained by decoding the phrase data corresponding to the determined volume to the mixer 591D. Further, the sound signals transmitted from the first to n-th track processing units TR1 to TRn are mixed in the mixer 591D, and the mixed signal is transmitted to the speaker 48. The speaker 48 converts the mixed signal, which is a transmitted digital sound signal, into an analog sound and outputs the analog sound. The process returns to the voice control process (see FIG. 11).

  Returning to the description of FIG. Next, it is determined whether a notice overlap command has been received from the effect control board 43 (S38). The preliminary announcement duplication command is a command generated and stored in the preliminary announcement processing described later, and when it is determined that an image relating to the announcement effect is displayed on the display screen 28 in duplicate, This is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 that the image display is to be stopped. In the pachinko machine 1, various notice effects are executed according to the expected degree of the notification effect based on the variation pattern or the like. The notice effect includes an effect using a moving image and a still image. Multiple notice effects may be displayed simultaneously using different display layers. In such a case, a plurality of preview images that are images of a preview effect may be displayed at overlapping positions on the display screen 28. In such a case, the display of some of the preview images that are displayed in duplicate may be canceled depending on, for example, the importance / priority of the notification effect.

  With reference to FIG. 14, the preview image processing executed by the CPU 431 of the effect control board 43 will be described in detail. The CPU 431 receives the notification effect start command from the sub control board 58 to start the image display process related to the notification effect. The preview image process is a process for controlling the display of the preview image related to the preview effect executed in the notification effect.

  When the notice image processing is started, notice image data indicating the notice image corresponding to the notice effect designated to be executed according to the notice effect is acquired from the CGROM 432 (S101). Next, the position at which the acquired preview image data is displayed on the display screen 28, the size to be displayed, and the like are acquired (S102).

  Based on the information such as the display position of the preview image data acquired in the process of S102, it is determined whether a plurality of preview images are displayed at overlapping positions on the display screen 28 (S103). When a plurality of preview images are displayed at overlapping positions on the display screen 28 (S103: YES), it is determined whether or not to hide some of the preview images displayed in duplicate (S104). . This determination may be determined according to the importance / priority of the notice effect corresponding to the notice image.

  When it is determined to hide some of the preview images that are displayed in duplicate (S104: YES), an instruction to not display the preview image determined to be hidden is displayed on the display screen 28. (S105). In response to this instruction, the display screen 28 stops displaying the notice image determined to be hidden or does not display it. Next, a preliminary announcement duplication command is generated and stored in a RAM (not shown) of the effect control board 43 (S106). The notice overlap command stored in the RAM of the effect control board 43 is transmitted to the sub control board 58 thereafter. Note that the duplicate notice command is generated including information (for example, a phrase number) designating which notice effect is the notice effect corresponding to the notice image determined to be hidden. Next, an instruction to display the notice image data corresponding to the notice image to be displayed is transmitted to the display screen 28 (S107). Thereafter, the preview image processing ends.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of preview images are not displayed at the overlapping positions on the display screen 28 (S103: NO), and when it is not determined to hide some of the preview images displayed in duplicate (S104: NO), an instruction to display the preview image indicated by the preview image data acquired in S101 is transmitted to the display screen 28 (S108). Thereafter, the preview image processing ends.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If the notice overlap command has not been received from the effect control board 43 (S38: NO), the process returns to the determination in S22. When the duplicate notice command is received from the effect control board 43 (S38: YES), the duplicate notice process is executed (S39), and the process returns to the determination in S22.

  With reference to FIG. 15, the duplication notice process (see S39 and FIG. 8) will be described in detail. In the overlapped notice process, the display of the image related to the part of the notice effect is stopped in response to the determination that the image related to the notice effect is displayed on the display screen 28 in duplicate. This is a process for stopping output of sound effects and the like related to the notice effect corresponding to the notice image. When the preliminary announcement duplication process is started, the output management information acquired in the process of S52 (see FIG. 11) is referred to (S111).

  Next, phrase data related to the notice effect specified by the notice duplication command is specified from the output management information (S112). An instruction to stop the reproduction of the phrase data is transmitted to the phrase reproduction track reproducing the specified phrase data (S114). Thereafter, the process returns to the sub-control board process.

  An example of sound output control according to the priority index in the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows an example of the volume transition for each sound type, and the horizontal axis shows the passage of time. “100%”, “50%”, and “0%” indicate the ratio of the volume to the reference volume of the phrase data. In the actual pachinko machine 1, sounds based on a plurality of phrase data belonging to one sound type may be output, but in order to simplify the explanation, sounds based on one phrase data are output in one sound type. This will be described assuming that

  A description will be given before the elapsed time reaches t1. When only the “normal BGM” sound is output, the phrase data classified as “normal BGM” is identified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined as the reference volume (S73). Therefore, in this case, the sound “normal BGM” is output at a volume of 100% (full volume) of the reference volume. Further, when the “normal SE” sound is output in a state where the “normal BGM” sound is output, both the “normal BGM” sound and the “normal SE” sound are 100% of the reference volume. Is output at a volume of. This is because P of phrase data classified as “normal BGM” and P of phrase data classified as “normal SE” are both the same value (P = 0). In this case, both the phrase data classified as “normal BGM” and the phrase data classified as “normal SE” are specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is the reference volume (100%). (S73). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  Assume that the output of the “serif” sound is started from t1. P of the phrase data classified as “serif” is P = 1, which is larger than P (= 0) of “normal BGM” and “normal SE”. For this reason, the phrase data classified as “line” is specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S73). On the other hand, the volume of phrase data of “normal BGM” and “normal SE” corresponding to other than the first priority phrase F1 is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume (S74). In this case, the volume levels of the “normal BGM” and “normal SE” sounds that have been output before the start of the output of the “speech” sound are rapidly reduced from 100% to 50% of the reference volume at t1 (S96). It is a setting for production that the volume of the sound of “Serif” is increased by the fade-in from t1 at the output start time. For example, the volume of the “serif” sound may not be faded in, and output may be started at a volume of 100% of the reference volume from t1 of the output start time. And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99). After the elapse of t1, the output of the “normal SE” sound is terminated while the “serif” sound is being output.

  Thereafter, the output of the “serif” sound ends at t2. In this case, since the first priority phrase F1 transitions from the phrase data of “Serif” to the phrase data of “Normal BGM”, the volume of the sound of “Normal BGM” is determined to be 100% of the reference volume (S73). When the volume increases from 50% to 100% of the reference volume, the volume is changed by fading in (S95). The pachinko machine 1 gradually changes the rising volume by fading in, thereby smoothing the change in volume and making it easier for the player to hear the “normal BGM” sound.

  It is assumed that the output of the sound of “Intense heat SE” is started at t3. Phrase data classified as “Intense heat SE” is P = 2, which is larger than P = 0 of phrase data classified as “normal BGM”. For this reason, the phrase data classified as “Intense heat SE” is identified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S73). That is, the first priority phrase F1 transitions from the phrase data “normal BGM” to the phrase data “high heat SE”. Thereby, the volume of phrase data of “normal BGM” corresponding to other than the first priority phrase F1 is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume (S74). For this reason, the volume of the “normal BGM” sound is lowered from 100% to 50% of the reference volume at t2 (S96). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  In this state, it is assumed that the “serif” sound is output at t4. Phrase data classified as “Serif” is P = 1, which is smaller than P = 2 of the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” output at the same time. Therefore, the volume of the “line” sound is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume (S74). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99). Thereafter, the output of the “speech” sound is terminated during the output of the “severe heat SE” sound.

  Assume that the output of the “correct SE” sound is started at t5 in a state where the sound of “hot heat SE” and the sound of “normal BGM” are simultaneously output. Phrase data classified as “actual SE” is P = 3, which is larger than P = 2 of phrase data classified as “extreme heat SE”. For this reason, the phrase data classified as “true SE” is specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S73). That is, the first priority phrase F1 transitions from the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” to the phrase data of “Present SE”. Thereby, the volume of the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” is determined to be 1/2 (50%) of the reference volume (S74). For this reason, the volume of the sound of “hot heat SE” is lowered from 100% to 50% of the reference volume at t5 (S96). Further, the volume of the sound of “normal BGM” (P = 0) is maintained as it is at 50% of the reference volume (S98). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99). After that, during the output of the sound of “certain SE”, the output of the sound of “super heat SE” ends.

  After t5, “Normal SE” (P = 0) and “Serif” (P = 1) sounds are output in a state in which “Accurate SE” sound and “Normal BGM” sound are output simultaneously. Let's say. Since the P value of the phrase data classified as “normal SE” and “serif” is smaller than P = 2 of the phrase data of “hot heat SE” being simultaneously output, “normal SE” and “ The volume of the “Serif” sound is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume (S74). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  At t6, the output of the “normal BGM” sound is finished and the output of the “special BGM” sound is started. Further, it is assumed that the output of the “true SE” sound is continued after t6. In this case, the phrase data of “special BGM” with P = 4 is specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S77). Also, the phrase data of “actual SE” having the next largest P value after the first priority phrase F1 is specified as the second priority phrase F2 (S76), and the volume is determined as the reference volume (100%) (S78). . For this reason, the volume of the sound of “correct SE” after t6 is maintained at 100% of the reference volume (S98). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  After t6, it is assumed that the output of the “hold tone” sound is started in a state where the “special BGM” sound and the “probable SE” sound are simultaneously output. P of phrase data classified as “holding tone” and P of phrase data classified as “special BGM” are both the same value (P = 4). For this reason, both the phrase data classified as “special BGM” and the phrase data classified as “holding sound” are specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is the reference volume (100%). (S77). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  It is assumed that the sound of “normal SE” is output at t7 in a state where the sound of “special BGM” and the sound of “holding sound” are output at the same time and the sound of other sound types is not output. . In this case, the phrase data classified as “special BGM” and the phrase data classified as “holding sound” are specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is determined as the reference volume (100%). (S77). Moreover, phrase data of “normal SE” having the second largest P value after the first priority phrase F1 is identified as the second priority phrase F2 (S76), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S78). . Thus, when the first priority phrase F1 is P = 4 phrase data, even if the phrase data has a relatively low value of P, if the phrase is specified as the second priority phrase F2, the volume Is determined as the reference volume (100%). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  Thereafter, during the output of the “Special BGM” sound and the “Normal SE” sound, the output of the “holding sound” sound ends, but the phrase data classified as “Special BGM” is the first priority phrase F1. Therefore, the volume is maintained at 100% of the reference volume (S98). Further, since the phrase data classified as “normal SE” is maintained as the second priority phrase F2, the volume is also maintained at 100% of the reference volume (S98). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99). Thereafter, the output of the “normal SE” sound is terminated during the output of the “special BGM” sound.

  Next, it is assumed that during the output of the “special BGM” sound, the output of the “serif” sound is started at t8. In this case, the phrase data (P = 4) classified as “special BGM” is maintained as the first priority phrase F1 (S71), and the volume is maintained at 100% of the reference volume (S98). Phrase data (P = 1) classified as “Serif” is specified as the second priority phrase F2 (S76), and the volume is determined to be the reference volume (100%) (S78). The volume of the sound of “Serif” increases to the reference volume (100%) by fading in.

  After that, at t9, it is assumed that the output of the sound “high heat SE” is started. The P value (P = 2) of the phrase data “Intense heat SE” is larger than the P value (P = 1) of the phrase data “Line” output at t9. Therefore, the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” is specified as the second priority phrase F2 (S76). That is, the second priority phrase F2 transitions from the phrase data of “Serif” to the phrase data of “Intense heat SE”. Note that the phrase data (P = 4) classified as “special BGM” is maintained as the first priority phrase F1. Thereby, the volume of the sound of “Special BGM” and the sound of “Intense heat SE” is determined as the reference volume (100%) (S77 and S78). Further, the phrase data of “Serif” corresponds to the third priority phrase F3 (S81: YES), and the volume of the sound of “Serif” is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume (S74). ). Therefore, the volume of the “serif” sound is reduced from 100% to 50% of the reference volume at t9 (S96). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99). Thereafter, the output of the “speech” sound ends by t10.

  Assume that at t10, the output of the sound of “correct SE” is started. In this case, the phrase data (P = 4) classified as “special BGM” is maintained as the first priority phrase F1. Further, the second priority phrase F2 transitions from the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” to the phrase data of “Present SE”. Thereby, the volume of the sound of “special BGM” and the sound of “probable SE” is determined as the reference volume (100%) (S77 and S78). In addition, the phrase data of “Intense heat SE” corresponds to the third priority phrase F3 (S81: YES), and the volume of the sound of “Intense heat SE” is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference volume. (S74). Therefore, the volume of the “serif” sound is reduced from 100% to 50% of the reference volume at t10 (S96). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  After that, in addition to the sound of “Special BGM” and “Present SE”, the output of “Normal SE”, “Normal BGM”, “Serif”, “Present SE” and “Holding sound” by t11 Suppose it starts. In this case, each phrase data of “special BGM” and “hold tone” is specified as the first priority phrase F1 (S71). In addition, the phrase data of “actual SE” is specified as the second priority phrase F2 (S76). Also, each phrase data of “normal SE”, “normal BGM”, “line”, and “extreme heat SE” is specified as the third priority phrase F3 (S81: YES). Therefore, the volume levels of the “special BGM”, “holding tone”, and “accurate SE” sounds corresponding to the first priority phrase F1 and the second priority phrase F2 are determined as the reference volume (100%) (S77 and S78). ). In addition, the sound volume of “normal SE”, “normal BGM”, “serif”, and “hot heat SE” corresponding to the third priority phrase F3 is determined to be ½ (50%) of the reference sound volume ( S74). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  In this state, it is assumed that the output of the “notification sound” sound is started at t11. In this case, Pmax becomes “5” which is the value of P of the phrase data classified as “notification sound” (S83: YES). In this case, the phrase data classified as “notification sound” is the fifth priority phrase F5. For this reason, the volume of the sound of “notification sound” corresponding to the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined as the reference volume (100%) (S84). In addition, the volume of the “true SE”, “special BGM”, and “hold tone” sounds output at the reference volume until t11 is determined to be 1/8 (12.5%) of the reference volume ( S85). Further, the volume of the sound of “normal SE”, “normal BGM”, “line”, and “extreme heat SE” that was output at half the reference volume until just before t11 is 1/16 of the reference volume. (6.25%) is determined (S85). Further, the P5 flag is set to “ON” (S88). And the sound of each phrase data is output with the determined volume (S99).

  Thereafter, at t12, the output of the “notification sound” is terminated. In this case, Pmax is “4” which is the value of P in the phrase data of “special BGM” and “holding tone” which are the first priority phrases F1. At this time, the P5 flag is “ON” (S55: YES), and Pmax = 4 (S56: NO). Therefore, the volume of each phrase data is uniformly determined to be 8 times (S58). As a result, the volume of each sound type other than “notification sound” returns to the volume balance immediately before t11 when the output of the sound of “notification sound” is started.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 stores the priority table that defines the priority index P for each of a plurality of phrase data stored in the ROM 593 in the ROM 583 of the sub-control board 58. Further, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 acquires output management information that is information about the reproduction status of phrase data and the volume of the sound being reproduced in each of the phrase reproduction tracks from the first track to the n-th track. (S52). Based on the output management information, the CPU 581 identifies the fifth phrase data F5 whose P value is “5” (S83: YES). Then, the volume of phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/8 of the volume determined in the processes of S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82 (S85). As a result, the volume of the phrase data whose volume is determined in the processes of S73, S77 and S78 among the phrase data having a lower priority than the fifth priority phrase is determined to be 1/8 of the reference volume. The For phrase data having a lower priority than phrase data for which the volume has been determined in each process of S73, S77, and S78, the volume determined in each process of S74 and S82 is 1/16 of the reference volume. To be determined. Thus, in response to the output of the sound of the fifth priority phrase F5 whose sound type is “notification sound”, the volume of the other phrase data is automatically set to a different volume according to the priority. It is determined. In the pachinko machine 1, when a small volume is changed to a large volume, the volume may be faded in to smooth the change in volume. In order to increase the volume lower than the reference volume to the reference volume, time corresponding to the fade rate is required. As the volume is reduced with respect to the reference volume, the time required to increase the volume to the reference volume becomes longer. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of phrase data are reproduced simultaneously, the phrase data with P being “3” or “4” is likely to be output at a higher volume than other phrase data. For this reason, the pachinko machine 1 determines that the volume of the phrase data is set to 1/8 or 1/16 of the reference volume according to the priority index. Assume that the volume of phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is uniformly determined to be 1/16. In this case, the time required to change 1/8 of the reference volume to the reference volume is shorter than the time required to change 1/16 of the reference volume to the reference volume. There is. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 reduces the burden of volume setting work for a plurality of phrase data when the sound of the fifth priority phrase F5 whose sound type is “notification sound” is output, and the volume of each phrase data The balance can be adjusted smoothly.

  In the pachinko machine 1, sounds according to various effects are output. Therefore, there are various sounds that are output as time passes, and whether the fifth priority phrase F5 is output varies as time passes. The CPU 581 acquires and refers to output management information that is sequentially generated as time elapses every time the sound control process is executed. Accordingly, the CPU 581 monitors the reproduction status of phrase data and the volume of the sound being reproduced for each phrase reproduction track by acquiring and referring to new output management information. After ducking for the sound of the fifth priority phrase F5 is started, the output of the sound of the fifth priority phrase F5 is finished. In such a case, the CPU 581 determines the volume of phrase data reproduced in each phrase reproduction track to be eight times the current volume (S58). Thereby, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the volume of each phrase while maintaining the balance of the volume of each phrase determined in the processes of S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can appropriately adjust the volume of the sound of the plurality of phrase data by a simple process.

  The cheating is a serious abnormal situation for the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, when a security command is transmitted to the sub control board 58 according to the detection results of the induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, and the vibration sensor 67, the pachinko machine 1 may have caused an illegal act. It is necessary to notify the surrounding people. The same applies when a door opening command, a frame opening command, and a lower pan full command are transmitted to the sub-control board 58. In the priority table, the priority index related to the sound type of “notification sound” output when these commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 58 is set to P = 5 which is the maximum value. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can automatically control the volume of sounds of sound types other than “notification sound” in response to the detection of a serious abnormal situation for the pachinko machine 1.

  The priority table has eight sound types of “normal SE”, “normal BGM”, “serif”, “extreme heat SE”, “actual SE”, “special BGM”, “holding sound”, and “notification sound”. Is set a priority index. For the sound types other than “Notification Sound”, “Normal SE”, “Normal BGM”, “Serif”, “Intense Heat SE”, “Sure SE”, “Special BGM”, “Holding Sound” A priority index is defined according to the degree of expectation of the result. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can automatically perform volume setting according to the expected level of the game and the flow of the production accompanying the expected level.

  In this embodiment, the ROM 593 corresponds to the “storage unit” of the present invention. The priority table corresponds to “priority definition means” and “reference value definition means” of the present invention. The reference volume corresponds to the “volume reference value” of the present invention. The speaker 48 corresponds to the “output unit” of the present invention. The CPU 581 of the sub control board 58 that executes the process of S34 in FIG. 8 functions as the “designating means” of the present invention. The sound control circuit 591 corresponds to the “output control means” of the present invention. The CPU 581 of the sub control board 58 that acquires the output management information in S52 of FIG. 11 functions as the “information acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that determines whether Pmax = 5 in S83 in FIG. 12 functions as the “determination unit” of the present invention. In S85 of FIG. 12, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that determines the volume of the phrase data to be 1/8 of the volume determined in S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82 is the “first volume determination means” of the present invention. ”.

  In S58 of FIG. 11, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that determines 8 times the volume determined in the process of S85 functions as the “second volume determination unit” of the present invention. The induction magnetic field sensor 65, the magnetic sensor 66, the vibration sensor 67, the door opening switch 61 and the frame opening switch 62 correspond to the “detecting means” of the present invention. The CPU 51 of the main board 41 that executes the main process of FIG. 6 functions as the “main control means” of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the priority table, phrase data of a character's speech may be classified into a sound type other than “Serif”. For example, the phrase data of the speech sound used when the expected degree of notification effect is about 100% may be classified as “correct SE”. The phrase data classified as “special BGM” is not limited to the phrase data of BGM used when the expectation degree of the notification effect is relatively high. For example, phrase data such as BGM used during a jackpot game and BGM during a specific mode production such as a probability variation state may be classified.

  In the above embodiment, in the process of S85, the volume of the phrase data other than the fifth priority phrase F5 is determined to be 1/8 of the volume determined in the processes of S73, S74, S77, S78, and S82. Yes. The ratio with respect to the reference volume is not limited to 1/8, and other ratios may be set arbitrarily.

  In the above embodiment, the volume of the sound to be ducked is set to 1/2 (50%) of the reference volume as ducking to the “notification sound” in a state where the sound of the “notification sound” is not output ( S74 and S82). The rate at which the volume is reduced with respect to the reference volume is not limited to this, and may be arbitrarily determined according to the content of the performance to be performed, the ease of hearing the sound, and the like. In this case, the volume of the sound to be ducked in the above embodiment may be 0% of the reference volume (silenced state).

  In the above embodiment, output management information is generated and stored sequentially by executing output management information generation processing (see FIG. 9) in the sub control board processing (see FIG. 8) (S43 and S44). ). Then, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 acquires output management information (S52), and executes processing necessary for ducking such as volume control. The configuration in which the output management information is generated is not limited to this. For example, the sound control circuit 591 is provided with a specific configuration that automatically generates output management information, for example, periodically, and even if the CPU 581 acquires the output management information from this specific configuration, The same effect as the invention can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the priority table is stored in the ROM 583, but may be stored in another storage device such as the ROM 593, for example. Further, the “sound type”, “reference volume”, and “priority index” are not limited to the configuration stored in association with each phrase data in the priority table. For example, the configuration may include the information of “sound type”, “reference volume”, and “priority index” as metadata of each phrase data stored in the ROM 593. The “reference volume” may be specified each time from the phrase data itself or the decoded data obtained by decoding the phrase data by the decoder 591B. For example, the configuration may be such that the reference volume of the phrase data is specified by detecting the level of the sampled waveform in the decoded data. Note that the decoded data includes, for example, a plurality of sampling points. The interval between the sampling points corresponds to a predetermined sampling rate (for example, 11.025 kHz). That is, the volume of the phrase data is determined for each sampling point. The maximum value of the determined volume may be extracted to specify the reference volume.

  In the above embodiment, output management information generation processing (S35) is executed every time the sub control board processing is executed, and new output management information is generated each time. Each time a sound control process is executed. In addition, for example, the sound control process (S36) may be executed every time the content indicated by the output management information changes.

  In the above embodiment, each of the first to n-th track processing units TR1 to TRn of the sound control circuit 591 is provided with the decoder 591B and the track volume 591C, but the configuration of the sound control circuit 591 is not limited to this. . For example, one decoder 591B can reproduce phrase data by specifying each of a plurality of phrase playback tracks, and one track volume 591C can adjust each output volume by specifying each of a plurality of phrase playback tracks. There may be. In this case, each of the decoder 591B and the track volume 591C provided in the sound control circuit 591 may be one.

  All elements described in the claims, specification and drawings (eg, display means, movable means, corresponding images, etc.) are physically single unless explicitly stated to limit the number. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of arrangements, and the arrangement may be changed as appropriate. Further, the names (element names) given to the elements are merely given for convenience in describing the present case, and there is no particular awareness that a special meaning is caused thereby. Therefore, what is an element is not limitedly interpreted only by the element name. For example, the “output unit” may be hardware alone or may include software. Furthermore, it is easy for a person skilled in the art to determine whether a plurality of elements among all the above elements should be integrally configured as appropriate, or whether one element is divided into a plurality of elements. Since it is clear that all patterns are within the expected range even if not all the patterns are described in the description etc., the statement that they are clearly excluded in the claims etc. Needless to say, all of these are included in the scope of the right according to the present invention. Therefore, merely adopting the difference in configuration within the range to the gaming machine because it is not described in the present embodiment does not mean that the right according to the present invention is avoided. . The same applies to differences in obvious ranges that can be easily considered by those skilled in the art from the present embodiment in the configuration and shape of each element.

1 Pachinko machine 41 Main board 48 Speaker 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
58 Sub-control board 581 CPU
582 RAM
583 ROM
591 Sound control circuit 593 ROM

Claims (4)

Priority definition means for predefining relative priorities for other phrases for a plurality of phrases stored by the storage means for storing the sound phrases;
A reference value defining means for defining a reference value of the volume of the phrase output by the output means for each of a plurality of phrases stored in the storage means;
A designation means for designating a phrase to be output to the output means from a plurality of phrases stored in the storage means;
An output control unit capable of reading a phrase designated by the designation unit from the storage unit and causing the output unit to simultaneously output a plurality of phrases according to the reference value;
Information generating means for acquiring the output management information from generating means for generating output management information at least indicating which phrase output is controlled by the output control means;
Based on the output management information acquired by the information acquisition means, the phrase whose output is controlled by the output control means is the first of the priorities defined by the priority definition means. A judging means for judging whether or not a phrase having one priority is included;
First volume determining means for determining a volume of a phrase whose output is controlled by the output control means, according to the priority, a volume smaller than the reference value;
The first volume determination means includes
The volume of the phrase that is the second priority whose priority is lower than the first priority is determined as the volume of the first predetermined ratio of the reference value defined by the reference value defining means,
The volume of the phrase having the third priority lower than the second priority is determined as the second predetermined ratio of the reference value defined by the reference value defining means. To play. The information acquisition unit acquires the output management information sequentially generated according to the passage of time by the generation unit,
The determination means determines whether or not a phrase whose priority is the first priority is included over time based on the output management information acquired by the information acquisition means;
After the volume of the phrase whose priority is the second priority and the third priority is determined by the first volume determination means, the phrase whose priority is the first priority is determined by the determination means. When it is determined that it is not included, the priority is the second priority and the third priority by multiplying the volume of the phrase determined by the first volume determination means by the same predetermined multiple. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising second volume determining means for determining a volume of the phrase. A detection means for detecting fraud,
The said priority definition means defines the said priority of the phrase designated by the said designation | designated means according to the detection by the said detection means to said 1st priority, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The gaming machine described. The main control means that controls the main control of the game and transmits a signal according to the control,
The designation means can designate a phrase to be output to the output means according to the signal received from the main control means,
The said priority definition means defines the said priority of phrases other than said 1st priority according to the expectation degree about the result of the game controlled by the said main control means. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 3.

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