JP2017108849A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a decrease in interest of a game.SOLUTION: A sub control part notifies that it performs AT start performance after AT starts and notifies that a first set of AT is started, when there is a next set after each set is over, executes battle victory performance or revival performance, and notifies that a next set (a second set and beyond) is started. A main control part performs external output of a signal in a set while each set of AT is controlled and, when there is a next set after each set is over and each notification performance is executed by the sub control part, finishes the external output of the signal in the set after each notification performance is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention includes a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can each be identified. After the variable display unit is variably displayed, a display result can be derived and a winning can be generated according to the display result. Related to slot machines.

  A slot machine generally includes a variable display device having a plurality of (usually three) reels on which a plurality of types of symbols as identification information are drawn on the outer periphery. The player first determines the number of bets by a BET operation, and performs a start operation (lever operation) in a state where a prescribed bet number is set. Thereby, the rotation of the reels is started, and the player stops the rotation by operating a stop button provided corresponding to each reel. When all reels stop rotating, a winning combination is obtained when a predetermined winning combination (for example, 7-7-7, hereinafter referred to as a combination of symbols) is arranged on the winning line. Will occur.

  The winning combinations include, for example, small combinations, bonuses, and replays. The player can obtain a profit by paying out a predetermined number of medals (or game balls) for each type of small role when winning the small role, and the bonus winning is advantageous for the player. Profits can be obtained by shifting to the gaming state (advantageous state). Further, the player can obtain a profit that the next game can be performed without consuming a new medal (or game ball) for setting the bet amount in the replay winning.

  As an example of such a slot machine, what is controlled as an AT (assist time) game that informs the pressing order of a stop switch (stop button) that can obtain a game result advantageous to the player is disclosed as an advantageous state. (For example, patent document 1). In Patent Document 1, not only the effect of notifying that the right to execute AT games has been granted and the effect of notifying the storage number (stock number, set number) of the execution rights of AT games, but also from non-AT games Game history signals such as the number of transitions to AT games and the number of continuations of AT games are externally output. For this reason, the player can recognize the number of transitions to AT games, the number of continuations of AT games, etc. by confirming the display contents of the notification contents of the effects and the display of the external game history display device that has received the game history signal. it can. In Patent Document 1, an AT game with 50 games as one set is executed, and the output of an external signal (continuation signal) 2 indicating the continuation of the AT game is turned on after a predetermined period (1500 ms) has elapsed since the AT game start determination. Then, after 50 games have been consumed since the start of the AT game, the output of the external signal 2 is turned off. When the AT game is continued, the external signal 2 is turned on again after a predetermined period (1000 ms) has elapsed.

JP 2014-033811 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, after the AT game is continued, that is, after one set of 50 games is digested and the next set of digestion is started, the effect of notifying the number of reserved AT game execution rights is notified. In the case where an effect that informs the continuation of the AT game is executed in a state where is not executed in advance, the external signal 2 may be output before the effect is executed. As a result, there is a possibility that an effect of notifying the continuation of the AT game is executed after the player recognizes the continuation of the AT game by the display of the game history display device that has received the external signal 2, and the interest of the game is reduced. There is a fear.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that can prevent a decrease in the interest of games.

(1) To achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A variable display unit (for example, reels 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable,
In a slot machine (for example, slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived after variably displaying the variable display unit, and a winning can be generated according to the display result.
Advantageous state control means for controlling to an advantageous state advantageous to the player (for example, AT) (for example, processing that the main control unit 41 and the sub control unit 91 control to AT),
Advantageous period setting means for setting an advantageous period (for example, each set given at the time of the first AT hit) controlled by the advantageous state (for example, the number of sets given by the main control unit 41 at the time of AT winning or AT extra winning) Process to decide)
A continuous advantageous period setting means capable of setting a new advantageous period (for example, each set after the second set, which is given at the time of AT first win, each set which is given at the time of winning the AT addition) For example, a process in which the main control unit 41 determines the number of sets to be given at the time of AT winning or AT extra winning)
External output control means (for example, processing of steps S201 to S214 and S251 to S253 executed by the main control unit 41) for controlling an external output of an advantageous period signal (for example, a set signal, a set start signal) relating to the advantageous period; ,
A notification effect executing means (for example, processing of steps S101 to S114 executed by the sub-control unit 91) for executing a notification effect (for example, battle victory effect 515, revival effect 517) that notifies the start of the advantageous period;
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the notification effect executing means executes the notification effect after the advantageous period ends (for example, the sub control unit 91 performs the processes of steps S107 to S113). Run),
When the new advantageous period is started after the end of the advantageous period, the external output control means can specify the start of the new advantageous period in the external device of the slot machine after the execution of the notification effect. The external output of the advantageous period signal is controlled (for example, the main control unit 41 executes the processes of steps S205 to S212, S205, S252 to S253, S207 to S209, and S212).

  According to such a configuration, when a new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the external output of the advantageous period signal is made so that the start of the new advantageous period can be specified in the external device after the execution of the notification effect. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the notification effect from being executed after the player recognizes the start of a new advantageous period by the external device, and to prevent a decrease in the interest of the game.

(2) To achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A variable display unit (for example, reels 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable,
In a slot machine (for example, slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived after variably displaying the variable display unit, and a winning can be generated according to the display result.
Advantageous state control means for controlling to an advantageous state advantageous to the player (for example, AT) (for example, processing that the main control unit 41 and the sub control unit 91 control to AT),
Advantageous period setting means for setting an advantageous period (for example, each set given at the time of the first AT hit) controlled by the advantageous state (for example, the number of sets given by the main control unit 41 at the time of AT winning or AT extra winning) Process to decide)
A continuous advantageous period setting means capable of setting a new advantageous period (for example, each set after the second set, which is given at the time of AT first win, each set which is given at the time of winning the AT addition) For example, a process in which the main control unit 41 determines the number of sets to be given at the time of AT winning or AT extra winning)
External output control means (for example, processing of steps S201 to S214 and S251 to S253 executed by the main control unit 41) for controlling an external output of an advantageous period signal (for example, a set signal, a set start signal) relating to the advantageous period; ,
A notification effect executing means (for example, processing of steps S101 to S114 executed by the sub-control unit 91) for executing a notification effect (for example, battle victory effect 515, revival effect 517) that notifies the start of the advantageous period;
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the notification effect executing means executes the notification effect after the advantageous period ends (for example, the sub control unit 91 performs the processes of steps S107 to S113). Run),
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the external output control means is configured to enable the end of the advantageous period to be specified in the external device of the slot machine after the execution of the notification effect. The external output of the period signal is controlled (for example, the main control unit 41 executes the processes of steps S205 to S212, S205, S252 to S253, S207 to S209, and S212).

  According to such a configuration, when a new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the external output of the advantageous period signal is controlled so that the end of the advantageous period can be specified in the external device after execution of the notification effect. After that, since the external output of the advantageous period signal is controlled so that the start of the new advantageous period can be specified in the external device, the notification effect is given after the player recognizes the start of the new advantageous period by the external device. It can be prevented from being executed, and a decrease in the interest of the game can be prevented.

(3) In the slot machine of (1) or (2) above,
The external output means includes
It is possible to control an external output of an advantageous state transition signal (for example, an AT initial hit signal) that can specify that the state has shifted to the advantageous state from a state different from the advantageous state,
After the start of the next game of the game that has finished controlling the external output of the advantageous state transition signal during the advantageous period (for example, during the first set) in which the advantageous state has been shifted from a state different from the advantageous state. Alternatively, the control of the external output of the advantageous period signal may be started (for example, the main control unit 41 may execute the processes of steps S204 to S206, S204, S205, and S251).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the advantageous state transition signal and the advantageous period signal from competing.

(4) In any one of the above slot machines (1) to (3),
Specific means (for example, steps S208, S209, and S212 executed by the main control unit 41) for specifying the notification timing (for example, the timing at which the battle victory effect 515 and the resurrection effect 517 are executed, the notification timing) at which the notification effect is executed. Further processing)
The external output control means may shift the external output control start timing for starting control of the external output of the advantageous period signal later than the specified notification timing (for example, the main control unit 41 performs steps S208 to S208). (S212, S205, S206, S208, S209, S212, S205, S251 may be executed).

  According to such a configuration, the external output of the advantageous period signal can be controlled at an appropriate external output control start timing according to the notification timing.

(5) In the slot machine of any of (1) to (4) above,
The external output control means includes
It is possible to control the external output of the first signal (for example, AT first hit signal) and the second signal (for example, set signal, set start signal) indicating the gaming state,
The external output of the first signal and the second signal may be controlled so that the game that ends the control of the external output of the first signal is different from the game that starts the control of the external output of the second signal. For example, the main control unit 41 may execute the processes of steps S203 to S206, S203 to S205, and S251.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the first signal and the second signal from competing.

(6) In the slot machine of any of (1) to (5) above,
The slot machine can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets per game using a gaming value (for example, a medal)
The external output control means controls the external output so that, at the start of the game, a game start signal (for example, a medal IN signal) that can specify the start of the game has the same output mode regardless of the set bet number. (For example, the main control unit 41 may output the same number of pulses corresponding to the number of medals used for setting the number of bets as the medal IN signal).

  According to such a configuration, it becomes easier to specify the game start than the slot machine that controls the external output so that the output mode varies depending on the bet number set for the game start signal.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a main control part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an external output board | substrate. (A) It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of a data display terminal, (B) It is a figure for demonstrating the importance of a data display terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the effect production execution process for AT which a sub-control part performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the production which a sub control part performs during AT control. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the external output process for AT which a main control part performs. It is a timing chart which shows the external output pattern of each signal during AT control. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of an AT external output process executed by a main control unit according to the second embodiment. 12 is a timing chart showing external output patterns of signals during AT control according to the second embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment for implementing a slot machine according to the present invention will be described below.
A slot machine according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 1a having a front surface and a housing 1a. It is comprised from the front door 1b pivotally supported by the side end so that rotation is possible. As shown in FIG. 2, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter referred to as a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery are juxtaposed in the housing 1a. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, three consecutive symbols out of the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (a plurality that can be distinguished from each other are drawn in 21 in a predetermined order). 3 of the types of symbols) are arranged so as to be seen from the see-through window 3 provided on the front door 1b.

  The front door 1b uses a medal insertion unit 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout exit 9 from which medals are paid out, and credits (the number of medals stored as a player's own game value). Set the maximum bet number (a specified number of RT0 to RT4, which will be described later, and a specified number of RB of 2 in the present embodiment) among the specified number of bets determined according to the gaming state. The MAXBET switch 6 that is operated at the time of operation is operated when the medal stored as credit and the medal used for setting the bet amount are settled (the medal used for setting the credit and bet number is returned). Checkout switch 10, start switch 7 operated when starting the game, stop switch 8L operated when stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, C, 8R are each provided so as to be operated by the player.

  Further, the front door 1b has a credit indicator 11 for displaying the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a prize, an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs, and a navigation notification described later. A game auxiliary indicator 12 that displays information that can identify the order in which the reels are stopped, etc., 1 BETLED 14 that notifies that the number of bets is set to 1, and that the number of bets is set to 2 2BETLED 15 for notifying by lighting, 3BETLED 16 for notifying that 3 bets have been set, lighting for requesting LED 17 for notifying that a medal can be inserted, and game start operation by operating start switch 7 Start valid LED 18 to notify that it is valid by lighting, wait (whether the previous game started There is a waiting LED 19 that lights up to indicate that the reel is in a standby state because the reel has not started rotating for a certain period of time, and a replaying LED 20 that lights up to indicate that a replay game is in progress. The game display section 13 is provided.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 or a bet number is set using credits. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets determined according to the gaming state are set, the winning line LN (see FIG. 1) becomes valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the state where the game can be started. Become. In the present embodiment, three bets are defined as a prescribed number of bets in RT0 to RT4, which will be described later, and two bets are established as a prescribed number of bets in an RB, which will be described later. When the bet number is set, the winning line LN becomes valid. In addition, when a medal is inserted exceeding the maximum number out of the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount is added to the credit.

  The winning line is a line that is set to determine whether a combination of symbols displayed on the perspective windows 3 of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is a winning symbol combination. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the winning line LN set across the symbols arranged in the horizontal direction in the middle stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the middle stage of the reel 2R, that is, the middle stage, is used as the winning line. It has been established. Further, in the present embodiment, as a winning combination, a winning combination is achieved when a combination of predetermined symbols determined as a winning combination in the winning line LN is achieved, and any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 is achieved by the combination of predetermined symbol combinations. When the symbol combinations that are easier to recognize than the predetermined symbol combinations are arranged, it includes a combination that can make it appear as if a winning combination is achieved by the symbol combinations arranged on any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously vary. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3. When all the reels 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped, one game is completed, and when a predetermined symbol combination on the winning line LN is stopped as a display result of each reel 2L, 2C and 2R. A winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player and added to the credit. Further, when the credit reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout opening 9 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 101. The game state is controlled by the game control board 40, and the game state is controlled by the effect control board 90. The production according to the control is controlled, and the power supply board 101 generates the drive power for the electrical components constituting the slot machine 1 and supplies them to each part.

  The game control board 40 includes a main control unit 41, a control clock generation circuit 42, a random number clock generation circuit 43, a switch detection circuit 44, a motor drive circuit 45, a solenoid drive circuit 46, an LED drive circuit 47, and a power interruption detection circuit. 48 and a reset circuit 49 are mounted to perform processing relating to the progress of the game and control each part of the control circuit mounted on the game control board 40 directly or indirectly.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the main control unit 41 mounted on the game control board 40. The main control unit 41 shown in FIG. 5 is a one-chip microcomputer, and includes an external bus interface 501, a clock circuit 502, a verification block 503, a specific information storage circuit 504, an arithmetic circuit 505, and a reset / interrupt. A controller 506, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 41b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 41c, a free-run counter circuit 507, random number circuits 508a and 508b, a timer circuit 509, The interrupt controller 510 includes a parallel input port 511, a serial communication circuit 512, a parallel output port 513, and an address decoding circuit 514.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 transmits various commands to the sub control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513. A command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 is sent in only one direction, and no command is sent from the sub control unit 91 toward the main control unit 41. In this embodiment, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513, that is, the command is transmitted as a parallel signal, but via the serial communication circuit 512. A configuration in which a command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91, that is, a configuration in which the command is transmitted as a serial signal may be employed.

  The effect control board 90 is connected to effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55, and these effect devices are sub-control units 91 mounted on the effect control board 90. It is driven on the basis of the control by. In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 performs output control of effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, effect effect LEDs 52, speakers 53 and 54, and reel LEDs 55. However, in addition to the sub-control unit 91, an output control unit that directly controls the output of the effect device is mounted on the effect control board 90 or another board, and the sub-control unit 91 is based on a command from the main control unit 41. The output control unit may determine the output pattern of the effect device, and the output control unit may control the output of the effect device based on the output pattern determined by the sub control unit 91. In such a configuration, the sub control unit 91 and the output control may be performed. The output control of the rendering device is performed by both of the units.

[Settings]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. More specifically, the medal payout rate is changed by using a winning probability according to a set value in an internal lottery to be described later, an AT (assist time) navigation stock lottery, or the like. The set value is composed of 6 levels of 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate and the payout rate being lower as the value is decreased in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is highest for the player, and as the value decreases in order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the advantage decreases stepwise. The set values may be set in three stages such as 1, 3, 6, 1, 4, H (High), and in seven stages 1 to 7, and need not be limited to six stages.

  In this embodiment, regardless of the set value, the winning probability of the internal lottery performed by the main control unit 41 is the same, and a navigation stock described later performed by the sub control unit 91 according to the set value. The medal payout rate is changed by using different winning probabilities as the winning probabilities for the lottery and the extra lottery, but at least one of the winning probabilities for the lottery performed by the main control unit 41 and the winning probabilities for the lottery performed by the sub-control unit 91 Alternatively, the medal payout rate may be changed by changing both winning probabilities according to the set value.

  In order to change the set value, first, it is necessary to turn on the power of the slot machine 1 after the setting key switch 37 is turned on with the front door 1b opened. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, a setting value read from a RAM (not shown) of the main control unit 41 is displayed as a display value on the setting value display 24 and set by operating the reset / setting switch 38. Shifts to a setting change state (setting change mode) in which a value can be changed. When the reset / setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change state, the display value displayed on the setting value display 24 is updated one by one (when further operation is performed from the setting 6, the display returns to the setting 1). . When the start switch 7 is operated, the display value is determined as the set value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the determined display value (setting value) is stored in the RAM, and the state shifts to a state in which the game can proceed. The setting value may not be changed unless the front door 1b is opened, thereby preventing unauthorized setting changes when the front door 1b is not opened. That is, the opening condition of the front door 1b, the operation of turning on the setting key switch 37, and the operation of the power switch 39 may be set as the start conditions of the setting change state. In this case, the set value change state may be maintained regardless of opening / closing of the front door 1b until the setting key switch 37 is turned off. That is, even when the opening of the front door 1b is set as the start condition of the setting change state, the opening / closing of the front door 1b may not be set as the end condition of the setting change state.

  Further, in order to confirm the set value, it is only necessary to open the front door 1b and set the setting key switch 37 to the ON state after the game is over and the bet number is not set. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on in such a situation, the setting value read out from the RAM is displayed on the setting value display 24 so that the setting value can be confirmed (setting confirmation mode). Transition. In the setting confirmation state, the game cannot be progressed, and by turning the setting key switch 37 to the OFF state, the setting confirmation state is ended and the state in which the game can proceed is returned. Similarly to the set value change state, the set value confirmation state prevents the setting value from being changed unless the front door 1b is opened to prevent unauthorized setting confirmation when the front door 1b is not opened. May be. That is, the opening condition of the setting confirmation state may be the opening of the front door 1b and the operation for turning on the setting key switch 37. Further, even when the opening of the front door 1b is set as the start condition of the set value confirmation state, the opening / closing of the front door 1b may not be set as the end condition of the set value confirmation state.

[About external output]
In addition, an external output board 1000 is connected to the game control board 40, and the game control board 40 outputs a game-related signal to an external device via the external output board 1000. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the game control board 40 sends each control signal to the game via the external output board 1000 and the information providing terminal board 1010 of the game store (hall) where the slot machine 1 is installed. The game data set corresponding to the hall computer 1020 for managing sales and the slot machine 1 is output to a hall device such as a data display terminal 1030 that can be viewed by the player.

From the game control board 40 to the external output board 1000, a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the number of bets, a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded to the player due to the occurrence of a win, and will be described later. In-setting signal, AT initial hit signal described later, special signal output when a specific condition is satisfied, door opening signal indicating that the front door 1b is being opened, and indicating that the setting change mode has been entered A setting change signal, an insertion error signal indicating abnormality of the medal selector, and a payout error signal indicating abnormality of the hopper unit 34 are output.
The medal IN signal of the present embodiment is a signal indicating that one medal is used for setting the betting number by outputting one pulse. Also, the medal OUT signal of the present embodiment is a signal indicating that one medal has been paid out by outputting one pulse, similarly to the medal IN signal.

  Further, a spare signal line is connected between the game control board 40 and the external output board 1000 in addition to the signal line for outputting the signal, and an error output signal line that may be expanded in the future. Is connected.

  The external output board 1000 is provided with a relay circuit 1001, a parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002, a terminal for each output signal, and a connector 1003 to be electrically connected to the circuit of the information providing terminal board 1010. ing.

  Of the signals output from the game control board 40, the medal IN signal, the medal OUT signal, the in-set signal, the AT initial hit signal, and the special signal are directly transmitted to the information providing terminal board 1010 as pulse signals via the relay circuit 1001. Is output.

  On the other hand, the door opening signal, the setting change signal, the closing error signal, and the paying error signal are converted by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002 into security signals that are serial signals that can be individually identified. Output to the provided terminal board 1010.

  The medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, in-set signal, AT initial hit signal, and special signal output from the external output board 1000 are output to the hall device via the information providing terminal board 1010. On the other hand, the security signal output from the external output board 1000 is again converted into the door opening signal, the setting change signal, the input error signal, and the payout error signal by the information providing terminal board 1010 and output to the hall device. It becomes.

  The external output signal includes a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, and a dispensing error signal, but these door opening signal, setting changing signal, closing error signal, and dispensing error signal are not frequently output signals. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an external output terminal for each of these signals.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the external output signal output from the game control board 40 as described above is output to the hall device via the external output board 1000, and the door opening signal among these external output signals, The setting change signal, the input error signal, and the payout error signal are converted into a security signal, which is a serial signal that can be individually identified, by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002 mounted on the external output board 1000 and output to the outside. Thus, it is possible to output the door opening signal, the setting change signal, the closing error signal, and the dispensing error signal from one terminal, and it is not necessary to provide more terminals than necessary.

  The information providing terminal board 1010 is connected to the hall computer 1020 and is used as a medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, in-set signal, AT initial hit signal, special signal, and security signal output from the external output board of the slot machine 1. Based on this, a medal IN signal, a medal OUT signal, a setting signal, an AT initial hit signal, a special signal, a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, and a payout error signal are output to the hall computer 1020.

  The signal lines for the medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, in-set signal, AT initial hit signal, and special signal output from the information providing terminal board 1010 to the hall computer 1020 are branched and connected to the data display terminal 1030. The medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, in-set signal, AT initial hit signal, and special signal output from the external output board 1000 of the slot machine 1 are output to the data display terminal 1030.

  The hall computer 1020 is configured by a general computer, and manages game data based on a signal output from the slot machine 1, and performs sales management of the gaming machine, data analysis, and the like based on the game data. Is possible. That is, based on the set signal, the number of AT (assist time) sets as an example of an advantageous state in each slot machine 1 installed in the game hall, and the number of times the AT was first won based on the AT initial hit signal are managed can do.

  The data display terminal 1030 manages game data based on the signal output from the slot machine 1 so that the player can view each game data. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, various data such as the number of bonuses of today, for example, the number of BB (big bonus) and RB (regular bonus), the history of past bonuses, the number of current games, etc. Can be displayed.

  Note that the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be controlled by a plurality of sets of ATs without being controlled by bonuses (BB, RB) as an example of an advantageous state. In such a configuration, in the data display terminal 1030 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that a larger value is displayed in the BB count display area than in the RB count display area. It is recommended that the initial number of hits of the AT be displayed in the display area of the RB. That is, a signal line for a signal being set is input to a terminal for a BB signal for counting the number of BBs, and a signal line for an AT initial hit signal is input to a terminal for an RB signal for counting the number of RBs. Recommended. For this reason, also in the data display terminal 1030 of this embodiment, the signal line of the setting signal is input to the terminal of the BB signal, and the signal line of the AT initial hit signal is input to the terminal of the RB signal for counting the number of RBs. The value of the display area for the number of BBs is updated each time a set signal is input (from OFF to ON), and the value of the display area for the number of RBs is updated each time an AT initial hit signal is input. It has come to be. In the present embodiment, the value in the display area is updated every time the in-set signal or the AT initial hit signal is turned from OFF to ON. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be always input, and the value of the display area may be updated each time input of these signals is stopped (from ON to OFF). That is, ON / OFF of the in-set signal and the AT initial hit signal may be reversed. In this case, the data display terminal 1030 needs to be able to update the value of the display area every time each signal changes from ON to OFF.

  A general slot machine often has different medal payout rates depending on set values. That is, the higher the set value (for example, 6), the higher the medal payout rate (for example, 120%), and the lower the set value (for example, 1), the lower the medal payout rate (for example, 96%). The medal payout rate depends on the number of times that the medal payout rate is controlled in an advantageous state. In other words, the medal payout rate increases as the number of times of being controlled to the advantageous state increases. For these reasons, a slot machine with a high setting value has a high probability of being controlled by an AT that is in an advantageous state, and a slot machine with a low setting value generally has a low probability of being controlled by an AT. For this reason, there are many players who determine a slot machine to play based on data displayed on the data display terminal 1030. At this time, since it may be determined whether or not to play a game in the slot machine based on the probability of being controlled in an advantageous state based on the data display terminal 1030, the data display terminal does not give distrust to the player. The display data 1030 requires accuracy.

  For example, assume that a plurality of slot machines 1 displaying data as shown in FIG. 7B are arranged. At this time, if all of the four slot machines 1 shown in the figure have consumed 1000 games, the probability of being controlled by the AT is the highest at the rightmost stand, “20 ÷ 1000 × 100 = 2”, and the left It can be seen that the second base is the lowest “2 ÷ 1000 × 100 = 0.2”. In other words, the rightmost platform is controlled by AT once in about 50 games (1000/20), and the leftmost platform is controlled by AT only once in 500 games (1000/2). That is, the rightmost platform is likely to be controlled by the AT with a small number of games, and the leftmost platform is likely to require a large number of games to be controlled by the AT. In this case, the player has a high possibility of playing a game by selecting a table that is likely to be controlled by the AT with a small number of games, that is, the rightmost table. It is understood that the display data of the data display terminal 1030 is important because the player selects the game stand in view of such a probability.

  Further, in the slot machine according to the present embodiment, when the AT lottery process based on the internal lottery result is won, the main control unit 41 provides a navigation notification for notifying the stop order advantageous to the player according to the internal lottery result. The AT can be controlled to be an executable notification period.

  When the main control unit 41 is controlled by the AT, the main control unit 41 performs navigation notification by winning the navigation target combination corresponding to the gaming state, and transmits a push order command to the sub control unit 91. In this way, the navigation effect is executed. The navigation target combination corresponding to the game state is, for example, a navigation target combination having a common push order replay and push order bell. Further, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 can execute navigation notification and execute a navigation effect by satisfying certain conditions even in a normal state that is not controlled by the AT.

  The navigation notification of the present embodiment notifies the stop order that is advantageous for the player in an identifiable manner by changing the lighting mode of the game auxiliary indicator 12. Note that the navigation notification mode is not limited to such a mode, and may be any mode as long as the player can be distinguished according to the winning situation. In addition, the navigation notification is not limited to the game auxiliary display 12, that is, the display used for notification other than the navigation notification, and may be executed using a dedicated display. The navigation effect of the present embodiment notifies the stop order advantageous for the player notified by the navigation notification by displaying the navigation image from the liquid crystal display 51 and outputting the navigation sound from the speakers 53 and 54.

  For example, when informing the stop order of the left middle right stop switch 8L such as “123” (indicating that the left reel is the first stop, the middle reel is the second stop, and the right reel is the third stop), A stop order image indicating the stop order of 8C and 8R is displayed. In addition, as the navigation voice, for example, “left middle right!” (Indicating that the left reel is the first stop, the middle reel is the second stop, and the right reel is the third stop) Is output.

  When the stop order in which the left reel is first stopped is notified, the stop order of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R such as “1--” (indicating that the left reel is the first stop) is indicated. Display stop order images. Further, as the navigation voice, for example, “left!” (Indicating that the left reel is in the first stop) (indicating that the left reel is in the first stop) indicating the stop switch stop order is output. To do.

  The mode of the navigation effect is not limited to such a mode, and any mode may be used as long as the player can distinguish according to the winning situation. Further, the navigation effect is not limited to using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speakers 53 and 54, but may be executed using the effect effect LED 52, the reel LED 55, and the like.

  As described above, in the navigation notification and the navigation effect, the stop order that is advantageous to the player is notified in an identifiable manner. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to control to the AT when a lottery condition is satisfied. Further, the main control unit 41 selects a specified number of games from a plurality of games at the end of the AT, and counts the number of games that are not controlled by the AT continuously from the end of the AT. The specified number of games is selected from any number of games from 1 to 399 games and 600 games. Then, the main control unit 41 controls the AT by winning the AT lottery process or when the number of games that are not controlled continuously by the AT reaches the specified number of games.

  Further, during the AT, when the lottery condition is satisfied, an extra lottery is performed for determining whether or not to add the number of navigation stocks (set number) of the AT. If the winning lottery is won, the navigation stock number lottery that determines the number of navigation stocks of the AT is performed in the same way as when AT starts, and the navigation stock number won in the navigation stock number lottery is assigned to the AT assigned to the RAM 91c. It is added to the number of remaining navigation stock (number of sets).

  Further, the main control unit 41 performs a game control process to control one game. In the game control process, first, a BET process for setting a bet amount and performing a credit settlement / a bet settlement is performed. When the start switch 7 is operated after setting the bet amount, an internal lottery process is performed to determine whether or not a prize is allowed to be generated by random lottery (internal lottery). When the internal lottery process ends, a reel rotation process is performed. In the reel rotation process, the stop switches 8L to 8R are activated after starting the rotation of the reels 2L to 2R on the condition that a specified period (eg, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the reel rotation of the previous game. And the rotation of the reel is stopped according to the stop operation. When the reels 2L to 2R are stopped and the reel rotation process is completed, a winning determination process is performed for determining whether or not a winning has occurred based on the symbol combination on the winning line. When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed. In the payout process, medals are paid out or credits are added according to the occurrence of a winning, and the gaming state is shifted according to the symbol combination on the winning line. Thereby, the game control process for one game is completed, and the game control process for the next one game is started.

  Further, the main control unit 41 performs AT lottery processing during execution of the internal lottery processing, and when the winning is given to the AT, that is, when the number of navigation stocks of the AT is given, controls to the AT, and the number of navigation stocks of the given AT During (the number of sets), control for navigation notification and navigation effects is performed. The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets the number of assigned AT games for each set by lottery. For example, when the main control unit 41 wins the AT and is given 3 sets (the number of navigation stock is 3), the first set is 50 games, the second set is 30 games, and the third set is 20 games. You may set so that.

  Next, the contents of each process executed in the slot machine 1 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the AT effect execution process executed by the sub-control unit. The sub control unit 91 performs the AT effect execution process shown in FIG. 8 after the main control unit 41 is in a state where the game can proceed, that is, after the above-described game control process can be executed. First, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not AT is started (step S101). When the sub control unit 91 has not started the AT (step S101; N), the process of step S101 is repeated, and when the AT is started (step S101; Y), the AT start effect is executed (step S102). It is determined whether or not an internal winning combination has been won for the push order (navigation target combination, for example, push order bell, push order replay) (step S103). When the sub-control unit 91 internally wins the push order (step S103; Y), the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation effect (step S104).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of effects performed by the sub control unit during the AT control. Here, the AT start effect 511 of the present embodiment is an example of a notification effect in which a character image “AT winning !! Start!” Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 as shown in FIG. It is. In addition, the navigation effect 512 of the present embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, a character image of “Bell!”, An image supported by a teammate character, and “1”, “ This is an effect of displaying on the liquid crystal display 51 an image in which character images “2” and “3” are circled.

Returning to FIG. 8, after executing the navigation effect, or when the internal winning combination for the push order is not made (step S <b>103; N), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not it is the final game in the current set ( Step S105). If it is not the final game (step S105; N), the sub-control unit 91 returns to the process of step S103, and if it is the final game (step S105; Y), executes the battle effect (step S106). In order to control in this way, in the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 receives a command indicating the number of games in the current set transmitted from the main control unit 41.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the battle effect 513 of the present embodiment is displayed after displaying a character image of “Battle start!”, An image of a friend character and an enemy character confronting each other. This is an effect of displaying on the liquid crystal display 51 continuous images (moving images) confronting each other.

  Returning to FIG. 8, after executing the battle effect, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a third stop operation has been performed by the player in the final game (step S107). In order to control in this way, in the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 indicates that each operation transmitted from the main control unit 41 is performed when each operation by the player is performed. The command is received. When the third stop operation is not performed (step S107; N), the sub control unit 91 repeats the process of step S107. When the third stop operation is performed (step S107; Y), the current set is It is determined whether there is a next set after the end (step S108). In order to control in this way, in this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 determines the number of sets (the number of navigation stocks) given by the AT lottery process and the AT continuous lottery process transmitted from the main control unit 41. The command shown is received.

  If there is a next set (step S108; Y), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not it has been notified that the next set has been confirmed (step S109). Here, the fact that the next set has been confirmed is, for example, informing that a plurality of sets have been won in the AT winning effect, or navigation stock (set after the next set) during AT control. ) Is given, indicating that the AT continuation effect has been executed, winning a small role in which AT continuation is confirmed during AT control, or a combination of symbols in which AT continuation is confirmed during AT control. Means that. The AT continuation effect 514 of the present embodiment is an effect of displaying a character image such as “Congratulations! AT + 3 sets!” On the liquid crystal display 51 as shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the sub-control unit 91 executes the battle victory effect (step S <b> 110) when the confirmation notification has been made (step S <b> 109; Y), returns to step S <b> 103, and when the confirmation notification has not been made (step S <b> 109; N). ), A battle defeat effect is executed (step S111), and it is determined whether or not the player has operated the start switch 7, that is, lever-on, in the start game of the next set (step S112). If the start game lever is not turned on (step S112; N), the sub-control unit 91 repeats the process of step S112. If the start game is turned on (step S112; Y), the sub-control unit 91 performs a reversion effect. Then (step S113), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, when there is no next set (step S108; N), the sub-control part 91 performs a battle defeat effect (step S114), and complete | finishes a process.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (E), the battle victory effect 515 of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display that displays a character image of “Victory!” And an image in which an ally character attacks an enemy character. 51 is an example of a notification effect displayed on 51. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9F, for example, as shown in FIG. 9F, the battle defeat effect 516 of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display 51 that displays a character image of “defeat!” It is an effect displayed on the screen. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 9G, the revival effect 517 of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display 51 that displays a character image of “Restoration !!” and an image in which the ally character rises and confronts the enemy character again. It is an example of the notification effect displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the AT external output execution process executed by the main control unit. The main control unit 41 performs AT external output processing shown in FIG. 10 after the game is ready for progress. First, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not AT is started (step S201). When the AT is not started (step S201; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S201. When the AT is started (step S201; Y), the main control unit 41 starts external output of the AT initial hit signal ( Step S202), it is determined whether or not a third stop operation has been performed by the player in the AT start game (one game of the first set) (Step S203). When the third stop operation of the start game is not performed (step S203; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S203, and when the third stop operation of the start game is performed (step S203; Y). ), The external output of the AT initial hit signal is stopped (step S204). Here, the AT initial hit signal is an example of an external output signal (advantageous state transition signal, first signal) indicating that the AT is won and AT is started. The AT initial hit signal of the present embodiment is configured as a so-called one-shot signal that is output after the AT is started until the third stop operation of the start game is performed.

  After stopping the external output, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the lever is turned on after two games (step S205). When the lever is not turned on after the second game (step S205; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S205, and when the lever is turned on after the second game (step S205; Y), setting is in progress. External output of the signal is started (step S206), and it is determined whether or not the third stop operation of the final game has been performed (step S207). Here, the in-set signal is an example of an external output signal (advantage period signal, in-control signal, second signal) indicating that each set is being digested under the control of the AT. The in-set signal of the present embodiment is configured as a so-called continuation signal that is continuously output during digestion of each set.

  When the third stop operation of the final game is not performed (step S207; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S207, and when the third stop operation of the final game is performed (step S207; Y). ), It is determined whether there is a next set after the end of the current set (step S208). When there is a next set (step S208; Y), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not it has been notified that the next set has been confirmed (step S209). In order to control in this way, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 transmits a command instructing the sub-control unit 91 to notify that a plurality of sets have been won in the AT winning effect. , It is controlled so as to transmit a command instructing execution of the AT continuation effect 514, so that the sub-control unit 91 cannot notify that the next set is confirmed by its own judgment. It has become.

  When the final notification has been made (step S209; Y), the main control unit 41 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed (step S210). In the present embodiment, 0.5 seconds is preset as the predetermined period. When the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S210; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S210. When the predetermined period has elapsed (step S210; Y), the main control unit 41 ends the external output of the setting signal. (Step S211), the process returns to Step S205. On the other hand, if the final notification is not completed (step S209; N), the main control unit 41 determines whether the third stop of the start game of the next set has been performed (step S212). When the third stop of the start game is not performed (step S212; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S212, and when the third stop of the start game is performed (step S212; Y), The process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, when there is no next set (step S208; N), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed (step S213). When the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S213; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S213, and when the predetermined period has elapsed (step S213; Y), ends the external output of the setting signal. (Step S214), the process ends.

  The above is the description of the contents of each process executed in the slot machine 1.

  Next, specific control of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing external output patterns of signals during AT control. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the AT is started, the sub control unit 91 executes the AT start effect 511, and the main control unit 41 outputs the external output of the AT initial hit signal. Start (turn on, turn on). Further, the main control unit 41 ends the external output of the AT initial hit signal after the third stop operation of the start game (one game of the first set) (after turning it off and turning it off), 2 After the game (first set of 3 games), after the lever is turned on, the external output of the setting signal is started.

Here, for example, there is a case where the battle victory effect 515 is executed after the third stop operation as a result of the battle effect 513 in the final game by executing the AT continuation determination effect 514 in one set. In this case, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the main control unit 41 ends the external output of the setting signal after a predetermined period (0.5 seconds) has elapsed from the start of execution of the battle victory effect 515. Then, after the lever is turned on after two games (second game of the second set), the external output of the setting signal is resumed.
In addition, for example, in spite of the next set (second set), the effect of notifying the AT continuation is not executed, and the battle is defeated after the third stop operation as a result of the battle effect 513 in the final game of the first set. An effect 516 may be executed. In this case, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11C, the sub control unit 91 executes the resurgence effect 517 after the lever of the next game (second set) is started, and the main control unit 41 The external output of the in-setting signal is resumed after the lever is turned on after two games (second game, three games) from the start game in which the revival effect is executed.
Further, for example, there is no next set (second set), and the battle defeat effect 516 may be executed after the third stop operation as a result of the battle effect 513 in the final game of the first set. In this case, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11D, the main control unit 41 ends the external output of the setting signal after a predetermined period (0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the execution of the battle defeat effect 516. To do.

  This completes the description of the specific control of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 notifies the start of the first set of AT by executing the AT start effect 511 after the AT starts, and sets each set. When there is a next set after the end of, a battle victory effect 515 or a resurrection effect 517 is executed to notify the start of the next set (second set or later). Further, the main control unit 41 outputs a setting signal to the outside during control of each set of AT, and provides information indicating that the slot machine 1 is controlling each set of AT to the data display terminal 1030 or the like. Then, the main control unit 41 has a next set after the end of each set, and when the notification effects 515 and 517 are executed by the sub-control unit 91, External output is terminated (see FIGS. 11B and 11C).
In this manner, since the external output of the next set signal is started after the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517, the data display terminal 1030 accompanying the start of the external output of the next set signal is started. It is possible to prevent the notification effects 515 and 517 from being executed after the player recognizes the start of the next set by changing the display of the player, and the player is interested in executing the notification effects 515 and 517. Can prevent a decrease in the interest of the game.

Note that, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 starts external output of a new set signal at the start of each set, and the slot machine 1 is set in the data display terminal 1030 or the like. It can be said that not only that each set is being controlled by the medium signal but also the start of each set is provided when external output is started. Then, the main control unit 41 has the next set after the end of each set, and when the notification effects 515 and 517 are executed by the sub-control unit 91, the set in the next set after the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517. External output of the medium signal is started (see FIGS. 11B and 11C).
In this way, the notification effects 515 and 517 are displayed after the player recognizes the start of the next set by the display change of the data display terminal 1030 accompanying the start of the external output of the next set signal in the next set. It is possible to prevent the game from being executed, and the player can be interested in the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517, thereby preventing a decrease in the interest of the game.

Further, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 outputs an AT initial hit signal externally after the AT starts and provides information to the data display terminal 1030 and the like that the slot machine 1 has started the AT. . Then, in the first set for starting AT, the main control unit 41 starts external output of the in-set signal after the lever is turned on for three games after the next game of one game that has finished external output of the AT initial hit signal. (See FIG. 11A).
By doing this, it is possible to prevent the end of the external output of the AT initial hit signal and the start of the external output of the set signal from overlapping in the same game, so that the AT initial hit signal and the set signal compete. Can be prevented. As a result, for example, when a plurality of signals (in-set signal, AT first hit signal) are input from different terminals (signal lines) in the same game, the data display terminal 1030 is configured to ignore one signal. Even so, both signals can be recognized and operate correctly.

In particular, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 has a game (1 game) for starting the external output of the AT first hit signal and a game (1) for starting the external output of the first set signal in the set ( Each signal is externally output so as to be different from (3 games).
By doing so, it is possible to prevent the start of the external output of the AT initial hit signal and the start of the external output of the set signal from overlapping in the same game, so that the AT initial hit signal and the set signal compete. Can be prevented. As a result, for example, when a plurality of signals (in-set signal, AT first hit signal) are input from different terminals (signal lines) in the same game, the data display terminal 1030 is configured to ignore one signal. Even so, both signals can be recognized and operate correctly.

In this embodiment, the game (3 games) that starts external output of the first set signal in the first set is after 2 games of the game (1 game) that externally outputs the AT initial hit signal, and the AT initial hit signal One game was secured as a sufficient period to prevent contention from the end of external output to the start of external output of the set signal, but the game that starts the external output of the set signal and the external output of the AT first hit signal The game is not limited to this as long as it is different from the game to be started. For example, a game that starts external output of the first set signal in the first set is one game after the game that starts external output of the AT initial hit signal (one game) (2 games) or after 3 games (after 4 games).
Further, in the present embodiment, the game that starts the external output of the in-set signal of the next set is set as two games after the game that ends the external output of the in-set signal of the current set, and is set after the external output of the in-set signal is completed One game is secured as a sufficient period to prevent contention until the start of external output of the medium signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be after one game of the game that ends the external output of the set signal during the set, or after three games.

Further, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 determines that the timing at which the battle victory effect 515 is executed (notification timing at which the start of the next set is notified) is the third stop of the final game of each set. Based on the fact that the timing (notification timing) at which the revival effect 517 is executed later is after the lever of the start game of the next set is turned on, the external output end timing for ending the external output of the in-setting signal is notified to these The timing is shifted later than the timing (see steps S107 and S112 in FIG. 8 and steps S207 and S212 in FIG. 10).
By doing in this way, the external output of the setting signal can be ended at an appropriate external output end timing according to the notification timing.

In the present embodiment, the notification timing at which the battle victory effect 515 is executed and the timing at which the battle defeat effect 516 is executed are set after the third stop of the final game of each set. It may be after the effect switch 56 is operated by the player after the third stop. In this case, for example, in the battle effect 513 after the third stop, it is necessary to display a character image such as “Press the effect switch!” To prompt the operation of the effect switch 56. Further, in the present embodiment, the timing at which the revival effect 517 is executed is after the lever-on of the start game of the next set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Or after the MAXBET switch 6 is operated), after the reel is rotated, after each stop operation is received by the player, or after each reel is stopped.
Even when the notification timing is changed to these timings, the effects of the present invention can be obtained as long as the external output end timing is shifted from the changed notification timing.

In this embodiment, the external output end timing when the battle victory effect 515 is executed is after a predetermined period from the third stop of the final game, but after the battle victory effect 515 is executed (the third stop of the final game). This is not limited to this as long as the timing is (after), for example, after setting the number of bets in the start game of the next set (after inserting a medal or operating the MAXBET switch 6), after turning on the lever, or after rotating the reel. Alternatively, it may be after each stop operation is received by the player, after each reel is stopped, or after the betting amount is set for two games. Further, the external output end timing when the revival effect 517 is executed is after the third stop of the start game of the next set, but as long as it is the timing after the revival effect 517 is executed (after the lever of the start game of the next set). However, it is not limited to this, for example, after the reel rotation of the start game of the next set, after each stop operation is accepted by the player, after each reel is stopped, or after the betting number setting of two games. May be.
In the present embodiment, the external output end timing is set to be different when the notification effects 515 and 517 are executed. However, the timing after the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517 (after the lever of the start game of the next set is turned on) ), The external output end timing may be the same. For example, the external output end timing when the battle victory effect 515 is executed is the same as the external output end timing when the revival effect 517 is executed ( After the third stop of the start game of the next set).

Further, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 outputs a number of pulses corresponding to the number of medals used for setting the betting number as a medal IN signal. That is, the main control unit 41 outputs the same pulse regardless of the bet number set as the medal IN signal.
This makes it easier for the hall computer 1020 and the data display terminal 1030 that are external devices to specify the start of the game than the slot machine that outputs the medal IN signal in an output mode that varies depending on the set number of bets. .

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, during the control of each set of ATs, a set signal as a continuation signal is output to the outside to provide information to the data display terminal 1030 and the like that the slot machine 1 is controlling each set of ATs. May provide information that each set of ATs is controlled by other external output signals. For example, a set start signal as an example of an external output signal (advantage period signal, control start signal, second signal) indicating that each set of AT is started instead of the in-set signal may be output externally. Hereinafter, a second embodiment in which a set start signal is output externally will be described.
In the present embodiment, detailed description of the parts having the same configuration and processing as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and parts different from those in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The set start signal of the second embodiment is configured as a one-shot signal that is output in any one game of each set. Like the in-set signal, the signal line (set) is different from the signal line of the AT initial hit signal. The signal is externally output from the signal line of the start signal.

  Next, the contents of each process executed in the slot machine 1 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of changing the control content of the AT external output execution process executed by the main control unit according to the second embodiment. The main control unit 41 according to the second embodiment performs the AT external output process shown in FIG. 12 after the game can be advanced. First, the main control unit 41 executes the processes of steps S201 to S205. When the lever is turned on after two games (step S205; Y), the main control unit 41 starts external output of a set start signal (step S251). 3. It is determined whether or not a stop operation has been performed (step S252). When the third stop operation is not performed (step S252; N), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of step S251, and when the third stop operation is performed (step S252; Y), The external output is terminated (step S253), and the processes of steps S207 to S209 are executed. The main control unit 41 returns to the process of step S205 when the confirmation notification has been completed (step S209; Y), and executes the process of step S212 when the determination notification has not been completed (step S209; N). If the third stop has not been performed (step S212; N), the process of step S212 is repeated. If the third stop of the start game has been performed (step S212; Y), the process returns to step S205. On the other hand, the main control part 41 complete | finishes a process, when there is no next set (step S208; N).

  The above is the description of the contents of each process executed in the slot machine 1.

  Next, specific control of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart illustrating external output patterns of signals during AT control according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the AT is started, the sub control unit 91 executes the AT start effect 511, and the main control unit 41 outputs the external output of the AT initial hit signal. Start, and after the third stop operation of the start game, external output of the AT first hit signal is terminated. Thereafter, the main control unit 41 starts the external output of the set start signal after the lever of the three games is turned on, and ends the external output of the set start signal after the third stop operation of the game.

Here, for example, when the battle victory effect 515 is executed after the third stop operation of the first game of the first set, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The external output of the set start signal is resumed after the lever is turned on after two games (second game of the second set), and the external output of the set start signal is terminated after the third stop operation of the game.
Further, for example, when the battle defeat effect 516 is executed after the third stop operation of the last game of the first set and then the revival effect 517 is executed after the lever of the start game of the second set is performed, As shown in FIG. 13C, the main control unit 41 resumes the external output of the set start signal after the lever is turned on two games after the start game (second set of three games), and after the third stop operation of the game. Ends external output of the set start signal.
For example, when the revival effect 517 is not executed after the battle defeat effect 516 is executed, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13D, the main control unit 41 outputs the set start signal externally. Absent.

  This completes the description of the specific control of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 externally outputs a set start signal at the start of each set of AT, and the slot machine 1 is connected to the data display terminal 1030 or the like. Provides information about the start of each set. When the main control unit 41 has the next set after the end of each set and the sub control unit 91 executes the notification effects 515 and 517, the main control unit 41 sets the set start signal after the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517. External output is started (see FIGS. 13B and 13C).
In this way, each notification effect 515, 517 is displayed after the player recognizes the start of the next set by the display change of the data display terminal 1030 accompanying the start of the external output of the set start signal of the next set. It is possible to prevent the game from being executed, and the player can be interested in the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517, thereby preventing a decrease in the interest of the game.

According to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when there is a next set after the end of each set, the main control unit 41 outputs a new set start signal externally every time the next set starts. It can be said that the slot machine 1 provides not only the start of the next set but also the end of the previous set to the display terminal 1030 and the like. That is, in this embodiment, it can be said that after the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517, the data display terminal 1030 and the like are simultaneously provided with information on the end of the previous set and the start of the next set.
In this way, each notification effect 515, 517 is displayed after the player recognizes the start of the next set by the display change of the data display terminal 1030 accompanying the start of the external output of the set start signal of the next set. It is possible to prevent the game from being executed, and the player can be interested in the execution of the notification effects 515 and 517, thereby preventing a decrease in the interest of the game.

In addition, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41, in the first set for starting AT, performs three games after the next game of one game that has finished external output of the AT first hit signal. After the lever is turned on, external output of the set start signal is started (see FIG. 13A).
By doing so, it is possible to prevent the end of the external output of the AT initial hit signal and the start of the external output of the set start signal from overlapping in the same game, so that the AT initial hit signal and the set start signal compete with each other. Can be prevented.

In particular, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 has a game (1 game) for starting the external output of the AT initial hit signal and a game (1) for starting the external output of the first set set start signal ( Each signal is externally output so as to be different from (3 games).
By doing so, it is possible to prevent the start of the external output of the AT initial hit signal and the start of the external output of the set start signal from overlapping in the same game, so that the AT initial hit signal and the set start signal compete with each other. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the game (3 games) that starts external output of the first set start signal is assumed to be after 2 games of the game (1 game) that externally outputs the AT initial hit signal, and the AT initial hit signal One game was secured as a sufficient period to prevent contention between the end of external output and the start of external output of the set start signal, but the game that starts the external output of the set start signal and the external output of the AT first hit signal The game is not limited to this as long as it is different from the game to be started. For example, a game that starts external output of the first set set start signal is one game after the game that starts external output of AT first hit signal (one game) (2 games) or after 3 games (after 4 games).

Further, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs the resurrection effect 517 when the notification timing at which the battle victory effect 515 is executed is after the third stop of the final game of each set. Based on the fact that the notification timing is after the lever of the start game for the next set, the external output start timing for starting the external output of the set start signal is shifted later than these notification timings (step S107 in FIG. 8, S112, see steps S207 and S212 in FIG. 12).
By doing in this way, the external output of a set start signal can be complete | finished with the appropriate external output start timing according to alerting | reporting timing.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes the reel control process after starting the game to start the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and then performs the stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. It waits until it is detected, and when the operation of the effective stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, the control for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel at a predetermined stop position is performed until the rotation of all the reels is stopped. It may be configured to repeatedly perform and determine whether or not a specific event that may have caused an abnormality has occurred in a state in which rotation of at least one or more reels is being controlled.
In such a configuration, after a stop operation is performed during the rotation of the reel, it is determined whether or not an event related to an abnormality has occurred in a period during which stop control is performed to stop the rotation of the reel. Excessive processing is performed during the stop control period, and the target reel for stop control may stop at an unintended stop position.
Therefore, the main control unit 41 detects a valid operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R after performing the reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R during the reel control process. The reel rotation stop process for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel is performed by detecting the stop operation of the effective stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and effective after the reel rotation start process. In a period of waiting until an operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, an abnormality determination process (for example, an input / output error check process) for determining whether or not a specific event that may have caused an abnormality has occurred. , Rotation error check process, door open check process). In this case, in a state that occupies most of the rotation of the reel, the specific event can be determined. On the other hand, the reel rotation is stopped by the reel rotation stop processing after the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected. The abnormality determination process does not have to be executed during the period until the time. By doing so, the load during the process related to the stop of the reel is reduced, and therefore, the extra process is performed during the stop control of the reel, so that the reel is stopped at the position where the target reel of the stop control is not intended. Can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes the reel control process in the main process, while periodically interrupting the main process and executing the timer interrupt process (main). In the period when the reel rotation start processing for starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is performed, the timer interrupt processing (in the period waiting until the operation of the effective stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected) ( Each time (main) is executed, abnormality determination processing may be executed to determine whether or not a specific event has occurred. In this case, since it is not necessary to always execute the abnormality determination process during the period of waiting until the operation of the effective stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, the processing load can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs an effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R after performing the reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R during the reel control process. When the stop operation is detected, the reel rotation stop process for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel is performed, and the control for stopping the reel may be repeated until the rotation of all the reels is stopped. After the stop process is performed and the reels are stopped, if there is still a rotating reel, the abnormality determination process is executed in a period until a stop operation of an effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. Also good. In this case, the specific event can be determined while reducing the load during the reel stop control.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 41 still performs rotation control after stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel by detecting an effective stop operation during execution of the reel control process. When the reel remains, the stop operation is performed until a predetermined time elapses after the previous stop operation is detected while executing the abnormality determination process each time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed. It waits without determining whether or not it has been received, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the acceptance of the next stop operation is set to be valid, and each time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, the abnormality determination process and Waiting while executing the determination of whether or not a stop operation has been performed, and by detecting a valid stop operation, the control to stop the corresponding reel is repeated until the rotation of all reels is stopped. Also good. In this case, the abnormality determination is performed even during a period from when a valid stop operation is detected until reception of the next stop operation is validated, and when it is not determined whether or not the stop operation has been performed. Processing may be executed. By doing in this way, a specific event can be determined also in the said period.

  In particular, in the reel control process, when the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated, after the valid stop operation is detected based on the validation timer, the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated. It may be determined whether or not the predetermined period has elapsed, and when the predetermined period has elapsed, the acceptance of the next stop operation may be validated. By doing so, the time from when an effective stop operation is detected until the reel is stopped varies depending on the number of sliding symbols (for example, 0 to 4) at the time of stopping, but the number of sliding symbols is related. In other words, the period from when the effective stop operation is detected to when the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated can be made constant. The main control unit 41 determines an abnormality every time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed even during a period from when the effective stop operation is detected until the next stop operation is accepted. Since the process is executed, it is possible to determine the specific event even during the period.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 41 starts a timer interrupt when a valid stop operation is detected after starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R during the reel control process. The number of reel motor steps that are updated by the timer interrupt process (main) and the reel stop operation specified when the stop operation is performed with the timer interrupt disabled. Based on the number of position steps, the number of sliding frames is specified from the stop control table, and a reel rotation stop process is executed to stop the corresponding reel based on the number of sliding frames. In the case where it remains, stop control table setting processing for setting a stop control table for those reels may be executed. By doing in this way, it is possible to avoid that the timer interrupt process (main) is executed during the execution of these processes and the control in these processes is unintentionally interrupted. The process is not complicated.

  In the above embodiment, when an error (abnormality) occurs during a game, an error signal (security signal) is output after the game ends, and when an error occurs during a game with payout, the outside of the payout signal is output. The output of the error signal may be started before the output is completed. Specifically, the external output board 1000 that outputs an external output signal such as a security signal or a payout signal to an external device (for example, the hall computer 1020) detects an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game during the game. In this case, the security signal may be output after the game is ended, instead of outputting the security signal immediately after detecting the abnormality. In addition, the external output board 1000 outputs a payout signal every time one medal is paid out. Immediately after detecting an abnormality in a game with a payout process, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected. Instead of outputting the security signal, the output of the security signal may be started before the output of the payout signal is completed. By doing so, it is possible to determine the occurrence trigger of the abnormality.

In the above embodiment, an address including a vector table (interrupt processing start address (for example, A7A0h to A7A1h)) is set in the ROM memory space of the microcomputer used as the main control unit 41 and the sub-control unit 91. A table) may be provided, and the interruption may be permitted after setting the timer interruption in the initial control process executed by the main control unit 41 at the time of activation.
At this time, if an unintended address is defined in the vector table, normal processing is executed until an interrupt occurs even after the microcomputer is started, but it is not intended when an interrupt occurs. There is a risk of processing being performed.
Therefore, the main control unit 41 may limit the activation of the microcomputer when the value set in the vector table is a value other than a predetermined value (for example, 0000h, 8000h to HPRGEND).
By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent an unintended interrupt process from being executed in advance.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 may set the interrupt prohibition before setting the timer interrupt in the initial control process.
By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent an unintended interrupt process from being executed in advance.
In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 disables interrupts during the initial control process, and the values set in the vector table (for example, INT / NMI values) are predetermined values (for example, 0000h, 8000h to HPRGEND). In the case of a value other than, activation of the microcomputer may be restricted.
By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent an unintended interrupt process from being executed in advance.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 backs up the interrupt enable / disable state when the power is turned off in the power interruption process and returns the interrupt enable / disable state when the power is turned off in the initial control process. When the value set in the table is a value other than a predetermined value (for example, 0000h, 8000h to HPRGEND), the activation of the microcomputer may be restricted.
By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent an unintended interrupt process from being executed in advance.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 may prohibit interrupts in the initial control process after the user program is started (for example, execute a DI (Disable Interrupt) instruction to permit interrupt masters). The flag may be turned off).
Here, in the conventional configuration, interrupts are prohibited when executing a boot process (for example, security check process) when the power is turned on, or interrupts are prohibited when starting execution of a user program. However, if a boot process or a user program is not executed normally when a restart or a system reset is performed, there is a possibility that an interrupt is not prohibited and an unintended interrupt occurs.
For this reason, the main control unit 41 prohibits interrupts at the start-up of the microcomputer, such as at the start of boot processing or user program execution, and prohibits interrupts in the initial control processing after the user program is started. May be.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent unintended interruptions from occurring.

In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 periodically updates the value of the timer counter assigned to the RAM, and specifies the passage of time by becoming a specific value (for example, 0). Good.
Here, in the conventional configuration, when measuring a plurality of types of time intervals, the timer value is set and updated in a plurality of types of processing requiring time measurement, and the timer value for updating a plurality of types of timer values is set. Since it is necessary to provide a program in each process, the program capacity is increased. In addition, since multiple types of timer counters are assigned as data groups for each process used, it is necessary to read out the values of unrelated addresses in order to update all of them in one process. there were.
For this reason, in the main control unit 41, an area in which a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored is set to an area to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule in the RAM, and the timer value stored in the designated address is updated. A plurality of types of timer values may be updated by repeatedly executing the processing to be performed while adding a constant to the current specified address while changing the specified address for an area where a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored. .
By doing so, the program capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where each of the processes for designating a plurality of types of addresses and updating the values of the addresses is performed in each process.

  The slot machine 1 of the above embodiment is configured not to be controlled by bonuses (BB, RB) but only to a plurality of sets of ATs, but may be configured to be controlled by bonuses. That is, the structure controlled to a several types of advantageous state may be sufficient. In this case, for example, the signal line for the special signal may be used as the signal line for the BB signal indicating that BB is being used, and the spare signal line may be used as the RB signal line for indicating that RB is being used. In addition, when a signal line for a special signal or a spare signal line is used as a signal line for another external output signal, for example, a signal line for a set signal in the first embodiment (a set start signal in the second embodiment) May be used as a signal line for both the BB medium signal and the set signal (set start signal), and the signal line for the AT initial hit signal may be a signal line for both the RB medium signal and the AT initial hit signal. In this case, for example, the same signal line is used by changing the pulse shape of the BB medium signal and the setting signal (set start signal), or changing the pulse shape of the RB signal and the AT initial hit signal. Each signal needs to be distinguishable. Also, for example, in the case where the bonus can be controlled during the AT, when the AT is interrupted and the bonus is started and then the bonus is ended and returned to the AT again, the hall computer 1020 which is an external device or data when returning It is necessary to prevent the display terminal 1030 from misidentifying the number of AT sets and the number of initial hits. For example, it is necessary to control the external output of each signal so that it is possible to specify that it is after the return to AT, or to adjust the start timing of bonus, the interrupt timing of AT, or the return timing.

  In the above embodiment, the operation procedure advantageous to the player can be identified by both the navigation notification controlled on the main control unit 41 side and the navigation effect controlled on the sub control unit 91 side. It is good also as a structure which can identify the operation procedure advantageous for a player only by the navigation alert | report controlled by the main control part 41 side, or the operation procedure advantageous for a player only by the navigation effect controlled by the sub-control part 91 side. It is good also as a structure which becomes distinguishable.

  In the above embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs control related to ART as a benefit advantageous to the player. However, the sub-control unit 91 performs part or all of control related to the benefit advantageous to the player. It is good also as a structure to perform.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine in which bets are set using medals and credits as game values has been described, but bets are set using game balls as game values. The present invention may also be applied to a slot machine that performs the game, or a fully credit type slot machine that uses only credit as a gaming value to set a bet amount. When using game balls as gaming value, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls, and when 3 is set as the bet number in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the number of bets using.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the use of only one of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, for example, a combination of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls. It may be. That is, it is possible to play a game by setting the number of bets using any of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and a plurality of types of games such as medals and game balls when a winning occurs. You may apply the slot machine which can pay out any of utility value.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reel, 6 MAXBET switch, 7 start switch, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch, 41 main control unit, 91 sub control unit, 51 liquid crystal display, 511 AT start effect, 512 navigation effect 513 Battle production, 514 AT continuation production production, 515 Battle victory production, 516 Battle defeat production, 517 Resurrection production, 1000 External output board, 1010 Information provision terminal board, 1020 Hall computer, 1030 Data display terminal.

Claims (2)

A variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each capable of being identified,
In the slot machine capable of deriving a display result after variably displaying the variable display unit and generating a prize according to the display result,
Advantageous state control means for controlling advantageous state advantageous to the player;
Advantageous period setting means for setting an advantageous period controlled to the advantageous state;
A continuous advantageous period setting means capable of setting a new advantageous period that continues after the end of the advantageous period;
External output control means for controlling an external output of an advantageous period signal relating to the advantageous period;
A notification effect executing means for executing a notification effect for notifying the start of the advantageous period;
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the notification effect executing means executes the notification effect after the advantageous period ends,
When the new advantageous period is started after the end of the advantageous period, the external output control means can specify the start of the new advantageous period in the external device of the slot machine after the execution of the notification effect. A slot machine for controlling an external output of the advantageous period signal. A variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each capable of being identified,
In the slot machine capable of deriving a display result after variably displaying the variable display unit and generating a prize according to the display result,
Advantageous state control means for controlling advantageous state advantageous to the player;
Advantageous period setting means for setting an advantageous period controlled to the advantageous state;
A continuous advantageous period setting means capable of setting a new advantageous period that continues after the end of the advantageous period;
External output control means for controlling an external output of an advantageous period signal relating to the advantageous period;
A notification effect executing means for executing a notification effect for notifying the start of the advantageous period;
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the notification effect executing means executes the notification effect after the advantageous period ends,
When the new advantageous period starts after the end of the advantageous period, the external output control means is configured to enable the end of the advantageous period to be specified in the external device of the slot machine after the execution of the notification effect. Slot machine that controls the external output of the period signal.

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