JP2018000569A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of attracting a player's interest.SOLUTION: In a standby state, when it is determined that an intension to play games does not exist, a standby performance (display of a stop display screen) is executed in a first performance mode. When it is determined that the intension to play games exists, the standby performance (display of a demonstration moving image) is executed in a second performance mode. When it is determined that the intension to play games exists during execution of the standby performance in the second performance mode, the standby performance can be changed from the first performance mode to the second performance mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine played by a player.

  Some modern gaming machines, such as pachinko gaming machines, have various effects to entertain a player. For example, there are many that suggest the reliability (expectation) of the big hit by the display color of the title when performing the reach effect, and the reliability of the big hit by performing a so-called chance-up effect during the reach production. (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

“Pachinko Winning Guide”, Guide Works Co., Ltd., February 16, 2014 issue, February 16, 2014 issue, pages 4-11, CR Pachinko Hokuto no Ken 5th edition

  As described above, at present, gaming machines are required not only to provide fun to acquire gaming media (gaming machines, medals, etc.) but also to provide various values (for example, highly interesting effects). Yes. For this reason, game machines are always required to have new actions that can attract the player's interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main purpose is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing a new operation that attracts the interest of the player.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention employs the following configuration. In addition, reference numerals in parentheses, explanations, and the like indicate correspondence relationships with embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of one aspect of the present invention. Absent.

A gaming machine (1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
Special game determination means (100) for determining whether or not to perform a special game when the start condition is satisfied;
A symbol display control means (100) for controlling the variable display for stopping the determination symbol indicating the determination result after the symbol is changed in the symbol display means based on the determination result by the special game determination means;
Production control means (400, 500) for controlling production;
Game intention determining means (131, 100, 400, 500) for determining presence / absence of a game intention,
The production control means includes
Customer waiting determination means (100) for determining whether or not the variable display by the symbol display control means is in an uncontrolled customer waiting state because the starting condition is not satisfied when the special game is not being performed. Have
In the state where it is determined that the customer waiting state is determined by the customer waiting determination unit, when the game intention determination unit determines that there is a game intention, a customer waiting effect is executed in the first effect mode ( (Refer to (3) in FIG. 27),
In the state where it is determined that the customer waiting state is determined by the customer waiting determination means, when the game intention determination means determines that there is no gaming intention, the customer waiting effect is executed in a second effect mode. (See (4) and (5) in FIG. 27),
In the customer waiting state, when the customer waiting effect is executed in the second effect mode, and the game intention determination means determines that there is a game intention, the customer waiting effect is changed to the second effect mode. To the first effect mode (see (6) and (7) of FIG. 27).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the gaming machine which can attract a player's interest can be provided.

Schematic front view showing an example of a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention The enlarged view which shows an example of the indicator 4 provided in the pachinko machine 1 of FIG. Partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of FIG. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 An example of a flowchart showing main processing executed by the main control unit 100 An example of a detailed flowchart of the power-off monitoring process in step S911 in FIG. An example of a detailed flowchart of the recovery process in step S909 of FIG. An example of a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed by the main control unit 100 The figure for demonstrating the data used when performing a special figure game count process and a usual figure game count process, and the storage area (working area) of RAM103 of the main control part 100 An example of a conceptual diagram of a variation time table used for setting the special symbol variation display time in the area 11A An example of a detailed flowchart of the start port switch process in step S2 of FIG. An example of a detailed flowchart of the special symbol process in step S4 of FIG. The figure for demonstrating an example of a fluctuation pattern determination table The figure for demonstrating an example of a fluctuation pattern determination table The figure for demonstrating an example of a fluctuation pattern determination table The figure for demonstrating an example of a fluctuation pattern determination table An example of a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing performed by the effect control unit 400 An example of a detailed flowchart of the RTC effect update process in step S20 of FIG. The figure for demonstrating an example of the phase update which concerns on this embodiment An example of a detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S21 in FIG. An example of a detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S21 in FIG. An example of a detailed flowchart of the notification effect setting process in step S306 of FIG. An example of a flowchart showing a customer waiting process executed by the image sound control unit 500 An example of a flowchart showing a customer waiting process executed by the image sound control unit 500 An example of a flowchart showing an effect execution process executed by the image sound control unit 500 The figure which shows an example of the layer structure of a display image The figure for demonstrating an example of the effect image displayed in the image display part 6 which concerns on this embodiment. The figure for demonstrating an example of the effect image displayed in the image display part 6 which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Hereinafter, the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be simply referred to as a gaming machine 1.

[Schematic configuration of pachinko gaming machine 1]
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an example of the display 4 provided in the gaming machine 1. FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the gaming machine 1.

  In FIG. 1, a gaming machine 1 is a pachinko gaming machine configured to pay out a winning ball when a gaming ball launched by a player's operation wins a prize, for example. This gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 5 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 5 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main part of the gaming machine 1 around a hinge provided on the shaft support side. And the lock part 43 is provided in the predetermined position (for example, edge part on the opposite side to a shaft support side) which becomes the front side of the frame member 5, and the frame member 5 is unlocked by unlocking the lock part 43. Can be opened.

  A game area 20 for playing a game with a game ball is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. In the gaming area 20, a rail member (from which a game ball launched from below (the launching device 211; see FIG. 4) rises along the main surface of the game board 2 and forms a path toward the upper position of the gaming area 20 ( (Not shown) and a guide member (not shown) for guiding the raised game ball to the right side of the game area 20.

  In addition, the game board 2 is provided with an image display unit 6 that displays images for various effects at positions that are easily visible to the player. The image display unit 6 notifies the player of the result of the special symbol lottery (big hit lottery), for example, by displaying a decorative symbol according to the progress of the game by the player, the appearance of a character, the appearance of an item, etc. Or a reserved image showing the number of times the special symbol lottery is held. The image display unit 6 is configured by a liquid crystal display device, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, or the like, but any other display device may be used. Furthermore, a movable accessory 7 and a board lamp 8 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 2. The movable accessory 7 is configured to be movable with respect to the game board 2, and produces an effect by performing a predetermined operation in accordance with the progress of the game or in accordance with the operation of the player. The board lamp 8 emits light according to the progress of the game, thereby performing various effects by light.

  In the game area 20, a game nail and a windmill (both not shown) that change the falling direction of the game ball are arranged. Further, in the game area 20, various bonuses related to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In FIG. 1, the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the gate 25, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24 are arranged on the game board 2 as an example of various prizes related to winning and lottery. Has been. In addition, the game area 20 is provided with a discharge port 26 through which game balls that have not been won in any of the game areas of the game balls launched into the game area 20 are discharged out of the game area 20. .

  The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are awarded when a game ball enters, respectively, and a special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) is started. The first start port 21 operates a predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 23) and / or a predetermined special symbol display (first special symbol display 4a described later). It is a winning opening related to winning a game ball. Further, the second start opening 22 operates the special electric accessory and / or a predetermined special symbol display device (second special symbol display device 4b described later), and wins related to winning a game ball. The mouth. When the game ball passes through the gate 25, the normal symbol lottery (the open / close lottery of the electric tulip 27 described below) starts. The lottery is not started even if a game ball wins the normal winning opening 24.

  The second start port 22 is provided on the right side of the first start port 21 and includes an electric tulip 27 in the vicinity of the entrance of the game ball as an example of an ordinary electric accessory. The electric tulip 27 has a pair of wings imitating tulip flowers, and the pair of wings opens and closes left and right by driving an electric tulip opening / closing unit 112 (for example, an electric solenoid) described later. When the pair of blade portions are closed (see FIG. 1), the electric tulip 27 is closed so that the game ball does not enter the second starting port 22 because the opening width guided to the inlet of the second starting port 22 is extremely narrow. It becomes a state. On the other hand, in the electric tulip 27, when the pair of blades are opened to the left and right (not shown), the opening width guided to the entrance of the second start port 22 increases, so that the game ball enters the second start port 22. Easy opening. When the electric tulip 27 passes through the gate 25 and the normal symbol lottery is won, the pair of blades opens for a specified time (for example, 0.10 seconds) and opens and closes for a specified number of times (for example, once). To do.

  The special winning opening 23 is located below the second starting opening 22 and opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery. The big prize opening 23 is normally in a closed state so that no game balls can enter, but depending on the result of the special symbol lottery, it protrudes from the main surface of the game board 2 and is in an open state. The game ball is easy to enter. For example, the special winning opening 23 repeats a round that is in an open state until a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds elapses or a winning of 10 game balls) is satisfied a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times).

  Further, on the lower right side of the game board 2, a display 4 for displaying the results of the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery described above and the number of reserved items is arranged. Details of the display 4 will be described later.

  Here, the payout of prize balls will be described. When a game ball enters (wins) the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, a predetermined number per game ball is determined according to the place where the game ball has won. Prize balls are paid out. For example, when one game ball is won at the first start port 21 and the second start port 22, three prize balls are awarded, and when one game ball is won at the big prize port 23, thirteen prize balls are given to the normal prize slot 24. When one game ball is won, ten prize balls are paid out. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 25, there is no payout of the prize ball in conjunction with it.

  The frame member 5 on the front surface of the gaming machine 1 is provided with a handle 31, a lever 32, a stop button 33, a take-out button 34, a speaker 35, a frame lamp 36, an effect button 37, an effect key 38, a dish 39, and the like. Yes.

  When the player touches the handle 31 and performs an operation to rotate the lever 32 clockwise, the launching device 211 (100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle (for example, 100 per minute). 4) electrically fires the game ball. The tray 39 (see FIG. 3) is provided so as to protrude in front of the gaming machine 1 and temporarily stores game balls supplied to the launching device 211. In addition, the above-described prize balls are paid out to the plate 39. The game balls stored in the tray 39 are supplied to the launching device 211 one by one by a supply device (not shown) at a timing linked with the operation by the player's lever 32.

  The stop button 33 is provided on the lower side surface of the handle 31, and even when the player touches the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, the game ball is released by being pressed by the player. Is temporarily stopped. The take-out button 34 is provided on the front surface in the vicinity of the position where the tray 39 is provided, and when the player presses it, the game balls accumulated in the tray 39 are dropped into a box (not shown).

  The speaker 35 and the frame lamp 36 respectively notify the gaming state and situation of the gaming machine 1 and perform various effects. The speaker 35 performs various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. In addition, the frame lamp 36 performs various effects by light depending on a pattern by lighting / flashing or a difference in emission color.

  Next, the display 4 provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the display 4 includes a first special symbol display 4a, a second special symbol display 4b, a first special symbol hold indicator 4c, a second special symbol hold indicator 4d, a normal symbol indicator 4e, and a normal symbol indicator 4e. A symbol hold display 4f and a game status display 4g are provided.

  The first special symbol display 4a is displayed with the display symbol varying corresponding to the winning of the game ball at the first starting port 21. For example, the first special symbol display 4a is composed of a 7-segment display device, and when a game ball is won at the first starting port 21, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and then the lottery result is displayed. Further, the second special symbol display 4b is displayed with the display symbols varying corresponding to the winning of the game ball at the second starting port 22. For example, the second special symbol display 4b is similarly composed of a 7-segment display device, and when a game ball wins at the second starting port 22, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner and then stopped and the lottery result is displayed. To do. In the normal symbol display 4e, the display symbol is changed and displayed in response to the game ball passing through the gate 25. For example, the normal symbol display 4e is constituted by an LED display device, and when a game ball passes through the gate 25, the normal symbol is variably displayed and then stopped and displayed.

  The first special symbol hold indicator 4c displays the number of times that the special symbol lottery is held when a game ball wins at the first start port 21. The second special symbol hold indicator 4d displays the number of times that the special symbol lottery is held when the game ball wins at the second start port 22. The normal symbol hold display 4f displays the number of times the normal symbol lottery is held. For example, the first special symbol hold indicator 4c, the second special symbol hold indicator 4d, and the normal symbol hold indicator 4f are each composed of LED display devices arranged in a row, and the number of times of hold is displayed according to the lighting mode. The

  The game state display 4g displays a game state (such as a short time state) when the gaming machine 1 is powered on.

  Next, an input device provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 is provided with an effect button 37 and an effect key 38 as an example of an input device.

  The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are provided for the player to input the effect. The effect button 37 is provided on the side of the upper surface of the tray 39 protruding forward of the gaming machine 1. The production key 38 has a center key and four direction keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, and is provided on the upper side of the plate 39 adjacent to the production button 37. The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are each pressed by the player to perform a predetermined effect. For example, the player can enjoy a predetermined effect by pressing the effect button 37 at a predetermined timing. Further, the player can select one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 6 by operating the four direction keys of the effect key 38. Further, the player can input the selected image as information by operating the center key of the effect key 38.

  In addition, on the back side of the gaming machine 1, a ball tank for storing game balls for payout and a payout device (payout drive unit 311) for paying out the game balls to the tray 39 are provided, and various substrates are attached. ing. For example, a main board, a sub board, and the like are disposed on the rear surface of the game board 2. Specifically, a main control board on which a main control unit 100 (see FIG. 4) that performs internal lottery and determination of winning is configured is disposed on the main board. The sub-board includes a firing control board 200 (see FIG. 4) configured to control a launching device 211 that launches a game ball to the upper part of the game area 20, and a payout control unit 300 that controls the payout of a prize ball. A payout control board configured with an effect control board configured with an effect control section 400 for overall control of effects, an image control board configured with an image acoustic control section 500 for controlling effects with images and sounds, and various types The lamp control board etc. in which the lamp control part 600 which controls the effect by the lamp (frame lamp 36, panel lamp 8) and the movable accessory 7 are arranged. In addition, on the rear surface of the gaming board 2, the power source of the gaming machine 1 is switched on / off, and 24V (volt) AC power supplied to the gaming machine 1 is converted into DC power of various voltages. A switching power supply is provided for outputting the direct current power to the various substrates described above.

[Configuration of control device of pachinko gaming machine 1]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a control device that performs operation control and signal processing in the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device provided in the gaming machine 1.

  4, the control device of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 100, a launch control unit 200, a payout control unit 300, an effect control unit 400, an image sound control unit 500, a lamp control unit 600, and the like.

  The main control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. The CPU 101 performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the number of payout prize balls, such as internal lottery and determination of winning. The ROM 102 stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. The RAM 103 is used as a working memory for the CPU 101. Hereinafter, main functions of the main control unit 100 will be described.

  The main control unit 100 performs a special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) when a game ball wins at the first starting port 21 or the second starting port 22, and effects control is performed on determination result data indicating whether or not the special symbol lottery is won. Send to part 400.

  The main control unit 100 controls the opening time when the blade portion of the electric tulip 27 is opened, the number of times the blade portion is opened and closed, and the opening / closing time interval at which the blade portion is opened and closed. Further, the main control unit 100 executes the special symbol lottery execution suspension number when the game ball wins the first start port 21, the special symbol lottery execution suspension number when the game ball wins the second start port 22, In addition, the number of execution suspensions of the normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 25 is managed, and data related to the number of suspensions is sent to the effect control unit 400.

  The main control unit 100 controls the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 23 according to the result of the special symbol lottery. For example, the main control unit 100 repeats a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) in which the big winning opening 23 protrudes and tilts until a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds elapse or 10 game balls are won) is satisfied. Control to repeat only times. Further, the main control unit 100 controls an opening / closing time interval (interval time) at which the special winning opening 23 opens and closes.

  The main control unit 100 changes the game state in accordance with the progress of the game, and according to the progress of the game, the winning probability of the special symbol lottery, the execution interval of the special symbol lottery (the special symbol is variably displayed on the display 4) In other words, it may be said that it is a time to stop and display), and the opening / closing operation of the electric tulip 27 is changed.

  When a game ball is won in the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, the main control unit 100 determines a predetermined number per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 300 is instructed to pay out the prize balls. Even if the main control unit 100 detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 25, the main control unit 100 does not instruct the payout control unit 300 to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith. When the payout control unit 300 pays out a prize ball according to an instruction from the main control unit 100, information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 300 is sent to the main control unit 100. Then, the main control unit 100 manages the number of paid-out prize balls based on the information acquired from the payout control unit 300.

  In order to realize the above-described functions, the main control unit 100 includes a first start port switch 111a, a second start port switch 111b, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 112, a gate switch 113, a big prize opening switch 114, a big prize opening opening / closing. 115, normal winning opening switch 116, display 4 (first special symbol display 4a, second special symbol display 4b, first special symbol hold indicator 4c, second special symbol hold indicator 4d, normal symbol display 4e, a normal symbol hold display 4f, and a game status display 4g) are connected.

  The first start port switch 111 a sends a signal to the main control unit 100 in response to the winning of the game ball to the first start port 21. The second start port switch 111 b sends a signal corresponding to the winning of the game ball to the second start port 22 to the main control unit 100. The electric tulip opening / closing unit 112 opens and closes the pair of blade portions of the electric tulip 27 in accordance with a control signal sent from the main control unit 100. The gate switch 113 sends a signal corresponding to the game ball passing through the gate 25 to the main control unit 100. The big winning opening switch 114 sends a signal corresponding to the winning of the game ball to the big winning opening 23 to the main control unit 100. The special prize opening / closing unit 115 opens and closes the special prize opening 23 in accordance with a control signal sent from the main control unit 100. The normal winning port switch 116 sends a signal to the main control unit 100 in response to the winning of the game ball to the normal winning port 24.

  In addition, the main control unit 100 displays the result of a special symbol lottery started by winning a game ball at the first starting port 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first special symbol lottery) on the first special symbol display 4a. indicate. The main control unit 100 displays on the second special symbol display 4b the result of the special symbol lottery started by the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the second special symbol lottery). . The main control unit 100 displays the number of times the first special symbol lottery is on hold on the first special symbol hold display 4c. The main control unit 100 displays the number of holdings for which the second special symbol lottery is held on the second special symbol holding display 4d. The main control unit 100 displays the result of the normal symbol lottery started by passing the game ball to the gate 25 on the normal symbol display 4e. The main control unit 100 displays the number of times of holding the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol hold display 4f. Further, the main control unit 100 displays the gaming state at that time on the gaming state display 4g when the gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  Further, the main control unit 100 is touched (held) by the player who is output from the touch sensor 131 provided on the handle 31 via the launch control unit 200 and the payout control unit 300. Acquire a signal according to the situation.

  The launch control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The CPU 201 performs arithmetic processing when performing various controls related to the launching device 211. The ROM 202 stores programs executed by the CPU 201 and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a working memory for the CPU 201.

  When the lever 32 is in the neutral position, the lever 32 is in a firing stop state without outputting a signal. When the player is rotated clockwise by the player, the lever 32 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle to the firing control unit 200 as a hitting ball firing command signal. The launch control unit 200 controls the launch operation of the launch device 211 based on the hit ball launch command signal. For example, the launch control unit 200 controls the operation of the launch device 211 so that the speed at which the game ball is launched increases as the rotation angle of the lever 32 increases. When the signal indicating that the stop button 33 is pressed is output, the launch control unit 200 stops the operation of the launch device 211 firing the game ball.

  Further, a touch sensor 131 is connected to the launch control unit 200. The touch sensor 131 outputs a signal corresponding to the handle 31 being touched (held) by the player to the firing control unit 200. The launch control unit 200 transmits the signal output from the touch sensor 131 to the main control unit 100 via the payout control unit 300.

  The payout control unit 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The CPU 301 performs a calculation process when controlling the payout of the payout ball. The ROM 302 stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data. A RAM 303 is used as a working memory for the CPU 301.

  The payout control unit 300 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the main control unit 100. Specifically, the payout control unit 300 acquires from the main control unit 100 a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won. Then, the payout driving unit 311 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 311 is configured by a drive motor or the like that sends out a game ball from a game ball storage unit (ball tank).

  The effect control unit 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, and an RTC (real time clock) 404. The effect control unit 400 is connected to the effect key 38 operated by the player, and the effect control unit 400 acquires operation data output from the effect key 38 in accordance with the operation of the effect key 38 by the player. To do. Further, the effect control unit 400 acquires operation data output from the effect button 37 via the lamp control unit 600. The CPU 401 performs a calculation process when controlling the effect. The ROM 402 stores programs executed by the CPU 401 and various data. The RAM 403 is used as a working memory for the CPU 401. The RTC 404 measures the current date and time.

  The production control unit 400 sets production contents based on data indicating the special symbol lottery result and the like sent from the main control unit 100. In addition, when the effect button 37 or the effect key 38 is pressed by the player, the effect control unit 400 may set the effect content according to the operation input or the detection result.

  The image sound control unit 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, and a RAM 503. The CPU 501 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the image and sound expressing the content of the effect. The ROM 502 stores programs executed by the CPU 501 and various data. The RAM 503 is used as a working memory for the CPU 501.

  The image sound control unit 500 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 6 and the sound output from the speaker 35 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 400. Specifically, in the ROM 502 of the image sound control unit 500, a decorative symbol image for notifying a special symbol lottery result, an image of a character or item for displaying a notice effect or a pre-read notice effect, a special symbol lottery The image data for displaying on the image display unit 6 a reserved image indicating that the image is held, various background images, and the like are stored. The ROM 502 of the image sound control unit 500 stores various types of sound data such as music and sound output from the speaker 35 in synchronization with the image displayed on the image display unit 6 or independently of the displayed image. It is remembered. The CPU 501 of the image sound control unit 500 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 400 from the image data and sound data stored in the ROM 502. The CPU 501 performs image processing for background image display, decorative symbol image display, character / item display, and the like using the read image data, and performs various processes corresponding to commands sent from the effect control unit 400. Perform production display. Then, the CPU 501 displays the image indicated by the image processed image data on the image display unit 6. In addition, the CPU 501 performs sound processing using the read sound data, and outputs the sound indicated by the sound processing sound data from the speaker 35.

  The lamp control unit 600 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, and a RAM 603. The CPU 601 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the operation of the movable accessory 7. The ROM 602 stores programs executed by the CPU 601 and various data. The RAM 603 is used as a working memory for the CPU 601.

  The lamp control unit 600 controls the lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the emission color based on the command sent from the effect control unit 400. The lamp controller 600 controls the operation of the movable accessory 7 based on the command sent from the effect controller 400. Specifically, the ROM 602 of the lamp control unit 600 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern data) for the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 400. ) Is stored. The CPU 601 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 602 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 400. Then, the CPU 601 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 based on the read light emission pattern data. In addition, the ROM 602 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 7 corresponding to the effect contents set by the effect control unit 400. The CPU 601 selects and reads out the operation pattern data stored in the ROM 602 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 400. Then, the CPU 601 controls the operation of the movable accessory 7 based on the read operation pattern data.

  The lamp control unit 600 is connected to an effect button 37 operated by the player, and the lamp control unit 600 acquires operation data output from the effect button 37 in response to the operation of the effect button 37 by the player. Then, the operation data is transmitted to the effect control unit 400.

  The effect control unit 400 controls the image sound control unit 500 based on the operation data of the effect button 37 transmitted from the lamp control unit 600 and the operation data output from the effect key 38. The operation state of the production key 38 is notified. Here, the operation state of the effect button 37 and the effect key 38 is whether or not the operation is being performed and what kind of operation is being performed (for example, long press of the effect button 37 or the left of the effect key 38). Information including pressing of a direction key). Therefore, for example, when the effect button 37 is operated by the player, the operation state of the effect button 37 detected by the lamp control unit 600 is transmitted to the image sound control unit 500 via the effect control unit 400. For this reason, the image sound control unit 500 can change the content of the effect based on the operation state of the effect button 37 transmitted from the effect control unit 400.

[Outline of gaming state in this embodiment]
Next, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 includes at least a high probability state, a low probability state, an electric support state, a non-electric support state, a short-time state, a non-short-time state, and a big hit gaming state. The low probability state is a gaming state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is set to a normal low probability (for example, 1/300), and the high probability state is that the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is lower than the low probability state. The gaming state is set to a high probability (for example, 1/80). In the non-electric support state, the winning probability of the normal symbol lottery is a normal low probability (for example, 1/10), and even if the normal symbol lottery is won, the electric tulip 27 is short (for example, 0.10 seconds). Is a game state in which the release control is performed only once), and therefore, it is a game state in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter the second start port 22. In the electric support state, the winning probability of the normal symbol lottery is higher than the non-electric support state (for example, 10/10), and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the electric tulip 27 is long (for example, 2.00 seconds). 3), the electric tulip 27 is frequently opened for a long period of time, and it is easy for the game balls to enter the second start port 22 frequently (winning). A gaming state. The non-short-time state is a gaming state in which the execution time of the special symbol lottery is a normal predetermined time, and the short-time state is a gaming state in which the execution time of the special symbol lottery is shortened compared to the non-short-time state. The jackpot game state is a game state in which a jackpot game is executed in which a special symbol lottery is won (winning) and the jackpot 23 is opened. In the present embodiment, the electric support state and the short-time state are controlled at the same time. However, in this gaming state, the gaming ball is likely to win a prize at the second starting port 22, so that the gaming ball is mostly Many special symbol lotteries can be executed in a short time without decreasing. In the following, the gaming state controlled to the low-accuracy state, the non-electric support state, and the non-short-time state is referred to as the normal gaming state, and the gaming state controlled to the high-accuracy state, non-electric support state, and the non-time-short state is latent It is called a gaming state, a gaming state that is controlled to a highly accurate state, an electric support state, and a short time state is called a probability changing gaming state, and a low probability state, an electric support state, and a short time state are called a short time gaming state.

  Next, a processing flow executed by the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

[Main processing by main control unit 100]
First, the main process executed by the main control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This main process is started when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, and is continuously executed while the main control unit 100 is activated.

  In step S901 in FIG. 5, first, the CPU 101 waits for, for example, 2000 ms, and the process proceeds to step S902. Although not shown, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 can receive a signal from the main control unit 100 without performing standby processing. . That is, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 is in a state where processing can be started before the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100.

  In step S902, the CPU 101 can access the RAM 103, and the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S903, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch (not shown) is “ON”. If the determination in step S903 is YES, the process proceeds to step S904. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S907.

  In step S904, the CPU 101 clears the RAM. Here, the RAM clear is a well-known technique and will not be described in detail, but various information (for example, information indicating the gaming state) stored in the RAM 103 is set to a predetermined initial state. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S905.

  In step S905, the CPU 101 sets a work area when the RAM is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S906.

  In step S906, the CPU 101 performs initial setting of the peripheral portion. Here, the peripheral portion is the effect control unit 400, the payout control unit 300, or the like. Initial setting of the peripheral unit is performed by transmitting an initial setting command for instructing execution of the initial setting to each control unit. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S910.

  In step S907, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the backup flag is “ON”. Note that the backup flag is a flag that is turned on when the generation of backup data is normally completed when the power is turned off, and is a flag indicating that the backup data is valid in association with the generated backup data. If the determination in step S907 is YES, the process moves to step S908. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S904.

  In step S908, the CPU 101 determines whether the checksum is normal. If the determination in step S908 is YES, the process proceeds to step S909. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S904.

  In step S909, the CPU 101 executes a recovery process (see FIG. 7) described later, and the process proceeds to step S910.

  In step S910, the CPU 101 sets a cycle (for example, 4 ms) of a built-in CTC (timer counter). The CPU 101 executes a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 8) described later using the period set here. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S911, the CPU 101 executes a power shutdown monitoring process (see FIG. 6) described later, and the process proceeds to step S912.

  In step S912, the CPU 101 performs setting to prohibit interruption of the timer interrupt process, and the process proceeds to step S913.

  In step S913, the CPU 101 updates (counts up) various initial value random numbers, and the process proceeds to step S914. Here, the initial value random number is used to determine the start value of various random numbers (big hit random number, symbol random number, reach random number, variation pattern random number) counted up and updated in a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 8) described later. A plurality of initial value random numbers corresponding to various random numbers are prepared. The initial value random number includes the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 8) that occurs every predetermined CTC period (4 ms) and the remaining time (that is, the processing time required for the timer interrupt process from the predetermined CTC period). The count-up is updated both in the main process (see FIG. 5) processed during the subtracted time, and after reaching the set maximum value (for example, 299), it returns to the minimum value (for example, 0) again. Further, since this remaining time varies depending on the processing status of the CPU 101, it is a random time, and the number of updates of the initial random number that is updated with the remaining time is also random. On the other hand, as will be described in detail later, since various other random numbers (big hit random numbers, design random numbers, reach random numbers, fluctuation pattern random numbers) are updated only by timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 8), initial value random numbers are random number update processing. The processing cycle is different. In this way, due to the difference in processing cycle, for example, even if the random number range of the initial value random number and the big hit random number is the same (for example, 0 to 299), the initial value random number acquired as the start value of the big hit random number The value is random every time. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to predict the timing at which the big hit random number value that generates the big hit is acquired.

  In step S914, the CPU 101 performs setting to permit interruption of the timer interrupt process, and the process returns to step S911. That is, the CPU 101 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S911 to S914.

[Power-off monitoring process by the main control unit 100]
FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of the power-off monitoring process in step S911 in FIG. In step S9111, the CPU 101 prohibits the interrupt process, and the process proceeds to step S9112.

  In step S9112, the CPU 101 determines whether the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is cut off based on whether a power cut-off signal is input from a power supply unit (not shown). If the determination in step S9112 is YES, the process moves to step S9114. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S9113.

  In step S9113, the CPU 101 permits the interrupt process and ends the power shutdown monitoring process (the process moves to step S912 in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, in step S9114, the CPU 101 clears the output port through which various information is input / output to / from the CPU 101, and the process proceeds to step S9115.

  In step S 9115, the CPU 101 creates backup data in the RAM 103 based on the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1, creates a checksum from the contents of the RAM 103, and stores the checksum in the RAM 103. In this process, the power supply voltage is set to “0” after detecting that the power supply voltage has started to decrease due to the power supply cutoff of the power supplied to the main control unit 100 (after “YES” is determined in step S9112). It is done during the period until it becomes. Through this process, game state information and the like immediately before the power is turned off are stored in the RAM 103. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S9116.

  In step S9116, the CPU 101 sets the backup flag to “ON”, and the process proceeds to step S9117.

  In step S <b> 9117, the CPU 101 prohibits access to the RAM 103 and ends the power shutdown monitoring process (the process moves to step S <b> 912 in FIG. 5).

[Restoration process by main control unit 100]
FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the recovery process in step S909 of FIG. First, in step S9091 of FIG. 7, the CPU 101 sets a work area of the RAM 103 at the time of restoration, and the process proceeds to step S9092.

  In step S9092, the CPU 101 refers to the information in the RAM 103, confirms information regarding the gaming state at the time of power-off and the number of special symbol lotteries held, and sends a recovery notification command including the information to the effect control unit 400. Send. As described above, the CPU 101 transmits a recovery notification command indicating the power-off state to the effect control unit 400 in order to notify that the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been recovered. By the processing in step S9092, the effect control unit 400 can check the gaming state before power-off and the like.

  In step S9093, the CPU 101 sets a peripheral part, and the process proceeds to step S9094.

  In step S9094, the CPU 101 sets the backup flag to “OFF” and ends the recovery process (the process moves to step S910 in FIG. 5).

[Timer interrupt processing of main control unit]
Next, a timer interrupt process executed in the main control unit 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of timer interrupt processing performed by the main control unit 100. Hereinafter, a timer interrupt process performed in the main control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes shown in FIG. 8 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Note that processing performed by the main control unit 100 described based on the flowcharts in FIG. 8 and the subsequent steps is executed based on a program stored in the ROM 102.

  First, in step S1, the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 serves as a starting value for updating various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers, and counting up each random number. Random number update processing for updating each initial value random number is executed. Here, the big hit random number is a random number for determining whether or not a special symbol lottery is won or lost (that is, performing a special symbol lottery). The symbol random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot when the special symbol lottery is won. The big hit random number and the design random number are random numbers used in the process of step S407 in FIG. The reach random number is a random number for determining whether or not a reach effect is performed when a special symbol lottery is lost. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining the variation time (variation pattern) of the special symbol. Here, the variation time of the special symbol is equal to the execution time of the notification effect (variation effect) executed in synchronization with the variation of the special symbol. The reach random number and the variation pattern random number are used in the process of step S408 in FIG. In the random number update process of step S1, the big hit random number, the design random number, the reach random number, the variation pattern random number, etc. are each added and updated by one. That is, it is counted up. Each random number is acquired in the start port switch (SW) process in step S2 and the gate switch (SW) process in step S3, and is used in the special symbol process in step S4 and the normal symbol process in step S5 described later. Note that the counter that performs the processing of step S1 is typically a loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 299 for the variation pattern random number) (that is, the circulation counter). To do). In addition, in the random number update process of step S1, each counter such as a big hit random number, a design random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number is initialized to an initial value corresponding to each random number at that time when the loop counter counts once. A random number is acquired, and the loop counter is newly started using the initial random number as a start value. The random number ranges such as jackpot random numbers, design random numbers, reach random numbers, and fluctuation pattern random numbers may be set arbitrarily, but by setting each to a different range, the counter value (count) (Value) is preferably set so as not to synchronize.

  Next, in step S2, the CPU 101 monitors the state of the first start port switch 111a and the second start port switch 111b, and when one of the switches is turned on (the first start port switch 111a or the second start port switch 111b). When a game ball detection signal is output from the mouth switch 111b), a start opening switch that performs processing relating to the number of holdings U1 for the first special symbol lottery, the number of holdings U2 for the second special symbol lottery, and processing for obtaining various random numbers. Execute the process. Details of the start port switch process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S3, the CPU 101 monitors the state of the gate switch 113 and, based on the output signal from the gate switch 113, determines that the game ball has passed through the gate 25. Is determined to be less than the upper limit value (for example, 4), and if it is determined that the number of holds is less than the upper limit value, a gate switch process for acquiring a random number used in the normal symbol process in step S5 described later is executed. .

  Next, in step S4, the CPU 101 executes the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, and after the special symbols are variably displayed on the first special symbol display 4a or the second special symbol display 4b, these are displayed. The stop symbol display process showing the lottery result of the above and the special symbol process for transmitting various commands to the effect control unit 400 are executed. This special symbol process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S5, the CPU 101 executes a normal symbol process for determining whether or not the random number acquired in the gate switch process in step S3 matches a predetermined hit random number. Then, the CPU 101 stops and displays the normal symbol indicating the determination result after the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display 4e. Specifically, the CPU 101 sets the normal symbol change time to be stopped and displayed after the normal symbol is variably displayed to 10 seconds in the non-time-short state and to 0.5 seconds in the time-short state. Further, the CPU 101 sets the probability that the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 4e becomes a predetermined winning symbol (that is, the winning probability of the normal symbol lottery) is set to a low probability (1/10) in the non-short-time state. In the short-time state, the probability is increased to a high probability (10/10).

  Next, in step S6, when it is determined that the special symbol lottery is won in the special symbol processing in step S4 (when the big win is made), the CPU 101 controls the big prize opening / closing unit 115 to control the big prize opening 23. A predetermined opening / closing operation (for example, the grand prize opening 23 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and the first round game (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “R”) is started. When 10 game balls are won or when the opening time has elapsed 29.5 seconds, an open / close operation for closing the big prize opening 23 from the open state to the closed state is performed a predetermined number of times, and various commands relating to so-called big hit game effects, etc. Is performed to transmit to the effect control unit 400. By this processing, the big hit game (special game) is progressed, and the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls. In addition, the CPU 101 receives a round start notification command for notifying the round start (round game start) in the jackpot game, a round end notification command for notifying the round end (round game end), and the effect control unit 400 of the jackpot game. An ending command for instructing execution of the ending effect is set in the RAM 103.

  Next, in step S7, the CPU 101 performs electric driving when the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 4e by the normal symbol processing in step S5 is a predetermined winning symbol (that is, when the normal symbol lottery is won). An electric tulip process for operating the tulip 27 is executed. At that time, the CPU 101 controls the opening of the electric tulip 27 for a very short period (once for 0.10 seconds) in the non-electric support state, and the electric tulip 27 for a long period (three times for 2.00 seconds) in the electric support state. Open control. In addition, when the electric tulip 27 is controlled to be in the open state, a game ball can be won at the second start port 22, and when the game ball wins at the second start port 22, a second special symbol lottery is performed. Will be.

  Next, in step S <b> 8, the CPU 101 executes prize ball processing for managing the number of winning game balls and controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prize.

  Next, in step S <b> 9, the CPU 101 detects a signal output from the touch sensor 131 according to whether the handle 31 is touched by the player, which is detected by the firing control unit 200. A touch sensor process is performed to transmit to the effect control unit 400 whether or not it is being transmitted through 300. The effect control unit 400 notifies the image sound control unit 500 whether or not the handle 31 is touched by the player based on the transmission from the main control unit 100.

  Next, in step S10, the CPU 101 performs various commands and effects set in the RAM 103 by the start opening switch process in step S2, the special symbol process in step S4, the big winning opening process in step S6, the prize ball process in step S8, and the like. Output processing for outputting information necessary for the production control unit 400 or the payout control unit 300 is executed. The CPU 101 notifies each winning opening that a gaming ball has won each time the gaming ball wins the first starting opening 21, the second starting opening 22, the big winning opening 23, and the normal winning opening 24. Are set in the RAM 103, and the winning command is output to the effect control unit 400 or the payout control unit 300.

[About control time count processing]
Here, although explanation is omitted in the timer interrupt process described above with reference to FIG. 8, in this timer interrupt process, the CPU 101 measures a series of control times on the special symbol game side using one timer function. Control time count processing on the game side (referred to as “special game count processing”), and control time count processing on the normal symbol game side that measures a series of control times on the normal symbol game side using one timer function (“ The usual game count process ”is executed. For example, the special game count process and the normal game count process are executed in order between the process of step S7 and the process of step S8 in FIG. In addition, the special symbol game waits for the winning of the game ball to the start opening (21 or 22), repeatedly executes the special symbol lottery in response to the winning of the game ball, and notifies the lottery result, When the special symbol lottery is won, the game is a big hit game. The normal symbol game waits for the game ball to pass to the gate 25, repeats the normal symbol lottery according to the passing of the game ball and informs the lottery result, and wins the normal symbol lottery. In this case, the opening / closing control of the electric tulip 27 (electric chew opening game) is executed.

  In the following, first, the special game count process will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the data used when executing the special game count process and the normal game count process, and the storage area (work area) of the RAM 103 of the main control unit 100.

  (1) of FIG. 9 shows the type of data (referred to as “special drawing side setting data”) for setting (specifying) the time to be counted on the special symbol game side. The special figure side setting data is data for setting which period of each period (time) of the special symbol game is measured. In each period (time) of this special symbol game, as shown in (1) of FIG. 9, “Waiting for start opening prize”, “Displaying special symbol variation”, “Displaying special symbol stop” , “Opening display”, “Rounding”, “Large winning slot valid period”, and “Ending display” are included.

  “Waiting for start entrance prize” is a state (period) in which a special symbol lottery related to the start entrance prize can be immediately executed to start displaying the variation of the special design when there is a start entrance prize. It is not a big hit game, and it is in a state where neither a special symbol change display nor a specified time stop display is displayed. “During special symbol variation display” is a state (period) in which special symbol lottery is executed according to the start opening winning and the special symbol variation display is performed on the display 4. “During special symbol stop display” is a state (period) in which the special symbol variably displayed on the display unit 4 is completely stopped and displayed for a specified time (0.5 seconds) in a display mode for notifying the special symbol lottery result. It is. “Opening display” is a state (period) in which an opening effect is displayed on the image display unit 6 informing that the special symbol lottery is won and that the big hit game has started. “During round” is a state (period) in which a round (round game) in which the big winning opening 23 is opened in the big hit game is being executed. “During the grand prize winning period” is a period of time that is arranged immediately after each round, and that the winning of the game ball to the big prize opening 23 is recognized as being valid despite the end of the round and the closing of the big prize opening 23 Thus, a so-called over-winning is recognized. In addition, in the period excluding the period during the round and the grand prize winning period, the winning of the game ball to the big prize opening 23 is not recognized as valid. “During ending display” is a state (period) in which an ending effect is displayed on the image display unit 6 to notify the end of the big hit game.

  As shown in (1) of FIG. 9, for example, the special figure side setting data “00H” is data for setting “waiting for a start opening prize”, for example, the special figure side setting data “01H” is This is data for setting that “special symbol variation is being displayed”. These special figure side setting data are stored in the ROM 102.

  FIG. 9 (3) is a schematic diagram of a storage area (working area) of the RAM 103. As shown in (3) of FIG. 9, the storage area of the RAM 103 includes a count target time setting area 10, a time count area 11, and a simple variation display time count area 12. The count target time setting area 10 includes a count target time setting area 10A (referred to as “area 10A”) on the special symbol game side and a count target time setting area 10B (referred to as “area 10B”) on the normal symbol game side. The time count area 11 includes a time count area 11A (referred to as “area 11A”) on the special symbol game side and a time count area 11B (referred to as “area 11B”) on the normal symbol game side. The simple variation display time count area 12 includes a special symbol display time count area 12A (referred to as "Area 12A") on the special symbol game side and a simple variation display time count area 12B ("Area 12B") on the normal symbol game side. Said).

  Area 11A is a timer area for measuring the passage of time for each period of the above-described special symbol game (such as “special symbol variation display”), and measures one passage of time by writing one piece of time data. This is a timer area. The area 10A is an area for setting the type of time measured in the area 11A by writing any one of the special figure side setting data described with reference to (1) of FIG. When the special symbol is variably displayed in the 7-segment display on the first special symbol display 4a (or the second special symbol display 4b), the area 12A displays the three display modes of the 7-segment display every 48 milliseconds. This is a timer area for measuring the time lapse of 48 milliseconds when executing the control for switching and displaying in order, and a timer area for measuring one lapse of time by writing one time data. is there. Note that the three display modes of the 7-segment display are, for example, a display mode that indicates the number 0, a display mode that indicates the number 7, and a display mode in which all seven segments are turned off.

  The CPU 101 sets the type of period (time) to be measured by the area 11A by writing the special setting side setting data in the area 10A, and writes the time data to be measured in the area 11A. In the timer interrupt process of FIG. By subtracting the time data value of the area 11A by 1 by the special figure game count process executed every millisecond, the progress of each period of the special symbol game is sequentially performed using one timer area (area 11A). Measure in order.

  Further, when the special symbol variation display time is measured in the area 11A, the CPU 101 writes predetermined time data ("12") in the area 12A and executes it every 4 milliseconds in the timer interrupt processing of FIG. When the value of the time data in the area 12A is subtracted by 1 by the special figure game count process to be 0, the predetermined time data ("12") is written again and the display mode of the special symbol is switched. As a result, when the special symbol is variably displayed in the 7-segment display on the first special symbol display 4a (or the second special symbol display 4b), the three display modes of the 7-segment display are changed every 48 milliseconds. It will be switched in order and displayed cyclically.

  In (3) of FIG. 9, as an example, it is set that “01H” is written in the area 10 </ b> A so that the elapsed time of the special symbol variation display is measured in the area 11 </ b> A. In addition, in the area 11A of (3) in FIG. 9, a value “2500” indicating time is written as an example, but this value is decremented by 1 every 4 milliseconds by the timer interrupt processing of FIG. Since it is updated, this value “2500” indicates 10.000 seconds. In addition, in the area 12A of (3) in FIG. 9, a value “12” indicating time is written as an example, and this value is also subtracted by 1 every 4 milliseconds by the timer interrupt processing of FIG. Therefore, this value “12” indicates 48 milliseconds.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a series of control times for a special symbol game is measured using one timer function (see 11A in FIG. 9 (3)). Here, in the conventional gaming machine, each control time (control time for special symbol variation display, control time for round execution, etc.) constituting the special symbol game was measured using an individual timer function. A separate time count area was provided for each control time constituting the special symbol game in the RAM storage area of the main control unit. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the series of control times of the special symbol game is measured using one timer function, so that the calculation load can be effectively reduced. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the special symbol display 4a (or 4b) in the execution period of the special symbol variation display is configured to cyclically display three 7-segment display modes in turn every 48 milliseconds. For the measurement of the switching time, a timer function (see 12A in (3) in FIG. 9) different from the timer function (see 11A in (3) in FIG. 9) is used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the complexity of the arithmetic processing.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a conceptual diagram of a variation time table used for setting the special symbol variation display time in the area 11A. This variation time table is stored in the ROM 102 and read out to the RAM 103 for use. As shown in FIG. 10, the variation time table includes a variation pattern identification number, data indicating basic variation time (seconds), and data indicating addition variation time (seconds). The variation pattern identification number is a number for identifying the variation pattern included in the variation pattern determination tables HT1-1, HT1-2, HT2-1, and HT2-2, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. . The basic variation time is a basic variation time constituting a variation pattern (that is, a special symbol variation time). The added fluctuation time is an added fluctuation time constituting a fluctuation pattern. A time obtained by adding the basic fluctuation time and the addition fluctuation time is a fluctuation pattern. For example, the variation pattern corresponding to the identification number 5 is 90.06 seconds obtained by adding the addition variation time 0.06 seconds to the basic variation time 90 seconds. For example, the variation pattern corresponding to the identification number 21 is the basic variation time. 8 seconds. In FIG. 10, only an example of the variation pattern is displayed, and not all variation patterns are displayed.

  When the CPU 101 measures the special symbol variation display time in the area 11A of (3) in FIG. 9, the time data (“seconds”) corresponding to the variation pattern determined in the process of step S408 in FIG. Is read from the fluctuation time table (see FIG. 10) of the RAM 103, and the read time data is multiplied by 250 to be converted into time data suitable for time measurement processing executed in a cycle of 4 milliseconds. Then, the converted time data is written in the area 11 A of the RAM 103. For example, when the value of the time data indicating the variation pattern “90.06 seconds” corresponding to the identification number 5 is set in the area 11A, the basic variation time 90 seconds and the addition variation time 0.06 from the variation time table of the RAM 103. The time data indicating the second is read and added, and the added time data is multiplied by 250 to be converted into time data “22515” adapted to the arithmetic processing with a period of 4 milliseconds, and the converted time data “22515” is converted into the RAM 103. Is written in the area 11A. Note that, for reference, time data that is multiplied by 250 and adapted to a calculation process with a period of 4 milliseconds is described beside the variation time table in FIG. Things (see values in parentheses) are adjusted to natural numbers by rounding off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time data indicating the variation pattern (special symbol variation time) of the variation time table stored in the ROM 102 and read out to the RAM 103 is changed to the data indicating the time of “second” (that is, the division value). Time data (refer to the basic variation time portion of FIG. 10), and when setting the special symbol variation time, it is multiplied by 250 to adapt to the calculation process of the cycle of 4 milliseconds (that is, the time of the multiplication value) Data; see the right side of the variable time table in FIG. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the data indicating the special symbol variation time in the variation time table may be suppressed to a data amount of 1 byte or less (for example, identification numbers 20 to 24 in FIG. 10), so the ROM 102 In addition, the used memory area of the RAM 103 can be effectively suppressed. In addition, according to the present embodiment, for example, a special symbol variation time exceeding 90 bytes for a special symbol variation time exceeding 90 bytes, such as a special symbol variation time of 90.04 seconds, the additional variation time A variable time table is configured by dividing the data (time data indicating the time after the decimal point) (see FIG. 10). Here, in FIG. 10, the same time data value is described for each variation pattern in the table of the added variation time portion for convenience of explanation, but actually the same time data value is duplicated in this table. Only one is stored. For example, in the table of the added fluctuation time part, three time data values of 0.02 seconds are shown for convenience of explanation in FIG. 10, but only one is actually stored. From this, according to the present embodiment, the used memory areas of the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 can be effectively suppressed. Here, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, 24 variation patterns are used (see FIG. 10). However, in an actual gaming machine, the variation pattern is enormous, 1000 to 10,000. For this reason, the above-described effect of suppressing the used memory area according to the present embodiment is enormous in an actual gaming machine.

  Next, a general game count process for measuring a series of control times on the normal symbol game side using one timer function will be described with reference to FIG.

  (2) of FIG. 9 shows the types of data (hereinafter referred to as “general map side setting data”) for setting (specifying) the time to be counted on the normal symbol game side. The normal-side setting data is data for setting which period of each period (time) of the normal symbol game is measured. In each period (time) of this normal symbol game, as shown in (2) of FIG. 9, “Waiting for passing gate”, “Normal symbol change display”, “Normal symbol stop display”, “During electric Chu open / close control” and “during the second start port effective period” are included.

  “Waiting for gate passage” is a state (period) in which a normal symbol lottery related to this passage can be executed immediately when a game ball passes through the gate 25 to start display of fluctuation of the normal symbol. It is not during the opening / closing control of the tulip 27 (during the opening of the electric chew), it is not during the second starting port effective period, which will be described later, and it is in a state where neither the normal symbol variation display nor the specified time stop display is performed. “Normal symbol change display” is a state (period) in which a normal symbol lottery is executed in accordance with the passage of the game ball through the gate 25 and the normal symbol change display is executed on the display 4. “Normal symbol stop display” is a state (period) in which the normal symbol that has been variably displayed on the display unit 4 is completely stopped and displayed for a specified time (0.5 seconds) in a display mode for notifying the normal symbol lottery result. It is. “During electric Chu open / close control” is a state (period) in which the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric tulip 27 open / close control (electric Chu open game) is being executed. “During the second start port effective period” is a period during which a game ball winning to the second start port 22 is exceptionally recognized for a predetermined period immediately after the opening / closing control of the electric tulip 27 ends. During the opening / closing control of the electric tulip 27 (that is, even when the electric tulip 27 is closed), the game ball winning at the second starting port 22 is recognized as being effective, and the opening / closing control of the electric tulip 27 is being performed. During the period excluding the second start port effective period, the game ball winning to the second start port 22 is not recognized as effective.

  As shown in (2) of FIG. 9, for example, the normal setting data “00K” is data for setting “waiting to pass through the gate”. Further, the normal setting data is stored in the ROM 102.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to (3) of FIG. The area 11B is a timer area for measuring the passage of time for each period of the above-described ordinary symbol game (such as “ordinary symbol variation display”), and measures one passage of time by writing one piece of time data. This is a timer area. The area 10B is an area for setting the type of time to be measured in the area 11B by writing any one of the universal drawing side setting data described with reference to (2) of FIG. In the area 12B, when the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display 4e (see FIG. 2), two display modes of the malvaz display (the display mode in which only the circle is lit and the display in which only the symbol is lit) This is a timer area for measuring the time lapse of 48 milliseconds when executing the control of switching the display every 48 milliseconds and alternately displaying them, and writing one time data and measuring one time lapse. This is a timer area.

  The CPU 101 sets the type of period to be measured by the area 11B by writing the normal setting data in the area 10B, and writes the time data to be measured in the area 11B, and every 4 milliseconds in the timer interrupt process of FIG. By subtracting the value of the time data of the area 11B by 1 by the normal game count process executed at the same time, the progress of each period of the normal symbol game is sequentially measured using one timer area (area 11B) in order. To do.

  Further, when the normal symbol variation display time is measured in the area 11B, the CPU 101 writes predetermined time data ("12") in the area 12B and executes it every 4 milliseconds in the timer interrupt processing of FIG. When the value of the time data of the area 12B is subtracted by 1 by the usual game count process, the predetermined time data ("12") is written again and the display mode of the normal symbol is switched. As a result, when the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display 4e, the two display modes of the malvaz display are switched every 48 milliseconds and alternately displayed.

  From the above, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the special figure game counting process already described can be realized in the common figure game counting process.

In the configuration in which the series of control times of the special symbol game described above is measured using one timer function, winning in the big winning opening 23 is effective immediately after the big winning opening effective period in the control of the big hit game. There may be a period of suspension of the extra prize opening that is not considered.
In addition, a control configuration capable of executing the special symbol variation display and special symbol stop display by the first special symbol lottery and the special symbol variation display and special symbol stop display by the second special symbol lottery in parallel, for example, The control time for special symbol variation display and special symbol stop display by one special symbol lottery and the control time for jackpot game by winning the first special symbol lottery are measured using one timer function, while the second The control time for the special symbol variation display and special symbol stop display by the special symbol lottery and the control time for the big hit game by the winning of the second special symbol lottery may be measured using one other timer function.
In addition, when measuring a series of control times of a special symbol game and a normal symbol game using one timer function, the elapsed time to be measured is measured by “addition” processing instead of “subtraction” processing. It is good. In this case, for example, whether or not the value of the timer (11A) on the special symbol game side has reached the time data value “125” indicating the measurement target time (for example, the special symbol stop display time 0.5 seconds) It becomes control which judges.
Further, as described above, in addition to storing the same time data value in the addition variation time portion table of FIG. 10 without storing them in duplicate, in the basic variation time portion table of FIG. However, the same time data value may not be stored redundantly, but only one may be stored, and the effect of suppressing the used memory area may be further enhanced.
Moreover, you may measure the execution time of the various effects performed by the effect control part 400 grade | etc., By the method demonstrated above.

  This is the end of the description of the control time counting process.

[Start-up switch processing]
FIG. 11 is an example of a detailed flowchart of the start port switch process in step S2 of FIG. Hereinafter, the start port switch process in step S2 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S201, the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 wins a game ball in the first start port 21 based on the presence or absence of an output signal from the first start port switch 111a, and the first start port switch 111a is turned on. It is determined whether or not. If the determination in step S201 is YES, the process proceeds to step S202. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S 202, the CPU 101 reads the upper limit value Umax 1 (“4” in the present embodiment) of the first special symbol lottery number from the ROM 102, and the first special symbol lottery number U 1 stored in the RAM 103 is the upper limit value. It is determined whether or not the value is less than Umax1. If the determination in step S202 is YES, the process proceeds to step S203, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S <b> 203, the CPU 101 updates the value of the holding number U <b> 1 stored in the RAM 103 to a value obtained by adding one. Further, the CPU 101 sets a winning command in the RAM 103 for notifying the effect control unit 400 that a game ball has won the first starting port 21. This winning command is transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process in step S10 of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the CPU 101 acquires a set of random numbers (big hit random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number) used for the first special symbol lottery and the like, and each set of the acquired random numbers (game information) Are stored in the RAM 103 in chronological order. Each time the value of the holding number U1 of the first special symbol lottery is subtracted by 1 in the process of step S406 of FIG. 12 described later, the random number set stored in the RAM 103 is one set in order from the earliest storage time. Deleted one by one. From this, for example, when the value of the number of holdings U1 of the first special symbol lottery is “3”, the last three random number sets acquired by the process of the last three steps S204 are stored in the RAM 103 in time series order. It will be stored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the CPU 101 performs a preliminary determination process. Specifically, the CPU 101 acquires a random number set such as a big hit random number obtained in the latest processing of step S204 and stored in the RAM 103 (that is, a random number set such as a big hit random number for the first special symbol lottery stored most recently. ) And whether or not the result of the first special symbol lottery using the jackpot random number is a jackpot based on whether or not the jackpot random number or the like matches a predetermined value or the like stored in the ROM 102, reach It is determined in advance whether or not to execute the production. That is, the determination necessary for executing the pre-reading notice effect and the hold change notice effect is determined in advance prior to the processing of steps S407 and S408 in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S <b> 206, the CPU 101 sets a first hold number increase command for notifying that the hold number of the first special symbol lottery has increased by 1 in the RAM 103. Here, the first pending number increase command includes information (hereinafter referred to as “preliminary determination information”) indicating the result of the preliminary determination performed in the process of step S205. In addition, the 1st reservation number increase command containing this prior determination information is output by the output process of step S10 of FIG. 8, and the lottery result with respect to the 1st special symbol lottery hold is the symbol in the 1st special symbol lottery. The main control unit 100 notifies the effect control unit 400 before the change starts. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 22 and the second start port switch 111b is turned on based on the presence / absence of an output signal from the second start port switch 111b. To do. If the determination in step S207 is YES, the process proceeds to step S208, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S3 (gate switch process) in FIG.

  In step S <b> 208, the CPU 101 reads the upper limit value Umax <b> 2 of the second special symbol lottery holding number from the ROM 102 (“4” in the present embodiment), and the second special symbol lottery holding number U <b> 2 stored in the RAM 103 is the upper limit. It is determined whether or not the value is less than Umax2. If the determination in step S208 is yes, the process proceeds to step S209. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S3 (gate switch process) in FIG.

  In step S209, the CPU 101 updates the value of the holding number U2 stored in the RAM 103 to a value obtained by adding 1. Further, the CPU 101 sets a winning command in the RAM 103 for notifying the effect control unit 400 that a game ball has won the second starting port 22. This winning command is transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process in step S10 of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, the CPU 101 acquires a set of random numbers (big hit random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number) used for the second special symbol lottery and the like, They are stored in the RAM 103 in order. Each time the value of the second special symbol lottery holding number U2 is decremented by 1 in the process of step S404 in FIG. 12 to be described later, the random number set stored in the RAM 103 is one set in order from the earliest stored time. Deleted one by one. For this reason, for example, when the value of the holding number U2 of the second special symbol lottery is “3”, the last three random number sets acquired by the processing of the last three steps S210 are stored in the RAM 103 in time series order. It will be stored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the CPU 101 performs a preliminary determination process. Specifically, the CPU 101 acquires a random number set such as a big hit random number acquired in the process of the latest step S210 and stored in the RAM 103 (that is, a random number set such as a big hit random number for the second special symbol lottery stored most recently. ) And whether or not the result of the second special symbol lottery using the jackpot random number is a jackpot based on whether or not the jackpot random number or the like matches a predetermined value or the like stored in the ROM 102, reach It is determined in advance whether or not to execute the production. That is, the determination necessary for executing the pre-reading notice effect and the hold change notice effect is determined in advance prior to the processing of steps S407 and S408 in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S <b> 212, the CPU 101 sets a second hold number increase command for notifying that the hold number of the second special symbol lottery has increased by 1 in the RAM 103. Here, the second pending number increase command includes information (preliminary determination information) indicating the result of the preliminary determination performed in the process of step S211. In addition, the 2nd reservation number increase command containing this prior determination information is output by the output process of step S10 of FIG. 8, and the lottery result with respect to the 2nd special symbol lottery hold becomes the symbol in the 2nd special symbol lottery. The main control unit 100 notifies the effect control unit 400 before the change starts. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3 (gate switch process) in FIG.

[Special symbol processing]
FIG. 12 is an example of a detailed flowchart of the special symbol process in step S4 of FIG. Below, with reference to FIG. 12, the special symbol process in step S4 of FIG. 8 is demonstrated.

  First, in step S401, the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 determines that the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a big hit game (a big hit game) based on information stored in the RAM 103 (typically information based on a big hit game flag). State). That is, it is determined whether or not the big hit game (special game) that is executed when the special symbol lottery is won. If the determination in step S401 is YES, the process proceeds to step S5 (normal symbol process) in FIG. 8, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbol change display is being performed by the first special symbol display 4a or the second special symbol display 4b. Here, the special symbol variation display means that the special symbol has a predetermined variation time (variation time determined by a variation pattern selected by a variation pattern selection process in step S408 described later) after a variation display, This means that the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the symbol lottery is within the entire period during which a predetermined fixed time (for example, a predetermined 0.5 second) is stopped and displayed. Therefore, in other words, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbol is being changed or the determination symbol is being stopped. If the determination in step S402 is yes, the process proceeds to step S411. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the holding number U2 stored in the RAM 103 is 1 or more (that is, whether or not the second special symbol lottery is held). If the determination in step S403 is YES, the process proceeds to step S404. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S404, the CPU 101 reads the random number set of the second special symbol lottery stored in the RAM 103 and acquired and stored in step S210 of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S407.

  On the other hand, in step S405, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the holding number U1 stored in the RAM 103 is 1 or more (that is, whether or not the first special symbol lottery is held). If the determination in step S405 is YES, the process proceeds to step S406. If this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S415 assuming that there is no special symbol lottery to be executed.

  In step S406, the CPU 101 reads out the random number set of the first special symbol lottery stored in the RAM 103 and acquired in step S204 of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S407.

  The second special symbol lottery is executed in preference to the first special symbol lottery by the processing of steps S403 to S406 described above.

  In step S407, the CPU 101 executes a big hit determination process for determining whether the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or a loss. Specifically, when executing the process of step S407 following the process of step S404, the CPU 101 matches the jackpot random number read from the RAM 103 in the process of step S404 with the jackpot winning value stored in the ROM 102. Whether the result of the second special symbol lottery is a big hit or a loss is determined based on whether or not to do so. On the other hand, when executing the process of step S407 following the process of step S406, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the jackpot random number read from the RAM 103 in the process of step S406 matches the jackpot winning value stored in the ROM 102. Based on this, it is determined whether the result of the first special symbol lottery is a big hit or a loss. When the result of the special symbol lottery is determined to be lost, the CPU 101 sets a lost symbol indicating that the special symbol lottery has been lost in the RAM 103 as a special symbol stop symbol in the setting information. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, which of the predetermined values stored in the ROM 102 matches the symbol random number read from the RAM 103 together with the big hit random number used for this determination? Based on this, the type of jackpot of this time is determined. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second special symbol lottery has a larger jackpot winning ratio with a relatively large profit for the player than the first special symbol lottery. For example, in the second special symbol lottery, the winning ratio of the big hit that can acquire more game balls than the first special symbol lottery is higher. Then, the CPU 101 sets, in the RAM 103, information on the jackpot symbol representing the jackpot and the type of jackpot as information on the stop symbol of the special symbol in the setting information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S408.

[Variation pattern selection processing]
In step S408, the CPU 101 executes variation pattern selection processing. Specifically, in step S408, the CPU 101 uses the variation pattern determination tables HT1-1 and HT1-2 shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 in the non-short-time state (normal game state), and uses the short-time state (probability change game). In the state or short-time gaming state), the fluctuation pattern is determined (selected) for each special symbol lottery using the fluctuation pattern determination tables HT2-1 and HT2-2 shown in FIGS. Here, this variation pattern is a special symbol variation time which is a time from when the special symbol is variably displayed on the display 4 until it is stopped and displayed, and this special symbol variation time is synchronized with the execution time of the notification effect. It is the same time as the execution time of the notification effect. Hereinafter, the variation pattern determination tables HT1-1, HT1-2, HT2-1, and HT2-2 may be simply referred to as HT1-1, HT1-2, HT2-1, and HT2-2.

  First, a case where a variation pattern is selected using HT1-1 and HT1-2 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in a non-time-short state (normal game state) will be described. FIG. 13 is a table used for determining the variation pattern when the first special symbol lottery is executed in the process of step S407 in the non-time-saving state (normal game state). FIG. 14 is a table used for determining the variation pattern when the second special symbol lottery is executed in the process of step S407 in the non-time-saving state (normal game state).

[Non-time-short state / variation pattern selection process in the first special symbol lottery]
The determination of the variation pattern when the first special symbol lottery is executed in the process of step S407 in the non-short-time state (normal game state) will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In step S408, when the CPU 101 determines in the jackpot determination process of step S407 that the result of the first special symbol lottery is a jackpot, the CPU 101 determines a variation pattern (special symbol variation time) based on the variation pattern random number. Specifically, the CPU 101 determines that the variation pattern random number (any one of 0 to 299) read from the RAM 103 together with the big hit random number used in the big hit determination process in step S407 is the “big hit” of HT1-1. The variation pattern (special symbol variation time) is determined based on which of the random number values assigned to each variation pattern of the portion of (). For example, when the variation pattern random number read from the RAM 103 together with the big hit random number used in the big hit determination process in step S407 is “78”, the CPU 101 sets the fluctuation pattern “90.03” of the “big hit” portion of HT1-1. Since it is included in the random number values “75 to 124” assigned to “second”, “90.03 seconds” is determined as the variation pattern. Here, as indicated by HT1-1, the fluctuation pattern “15.01 seconds”, “40.01 seconds”, “40.02 seconds”, “40.03 seconds”, “90. “01 seconds”, “90.02 seconds”, “90.03 seconds”, “90.04 seconds”, and “90.05 seconds” indicate the types of effect patterns of the notification effect “per reach”, “third SP” "Per hit", "per second SP", "per first SP", "per fifth SPSP", "per fourth SPSP", "per third SPSP", "per second SPSP", and "per first SPSP". In addition, “per reach” is a type that hits big after reaching reach, “per first SP” to “per third SP” is a type that hits big after finally developing to SP reach, “per first SPSP” The “per 5th SPSP” is a type that hits big after finally developing to SPSP reach.

  Reach (reach effect) is specified in combination with other symbols that have already been stopped when a decorative symbol that is stopped last among a plurality of decorative symbols is stopped and displayed in a specific symbol. It is an effect that expects to win a big hit by matching the pattern pattern of, and typically, the decorative pattern on the right side and the left side are stopped at the same pattern (for example, 7), This is an effect that is variably displayed with the expectation that the decorative symbol stops at the same symbol (for example, 7) (that is, it becomes a doublet 777). The SP reach is generally referred to as super reach or special reach, and is an effect that further expects to win more than reach, for example, an effect of a moving image in which a hero character plays a mini game. In addition, SPSP reach is generally called super super reach or special special reach, and is an effect that further expects a big hit than SP reach production. For example, it is a production of a moving image in which a hero character fights against an enemy character. is there.

  In step S408, if the CPU 101 determines that the result of the first special symbol lottery is lost in the jackpot determination process in step S407, the number of first special symbol lottery (U1), the reach random number, and the fluctuation When the variation pattern (special symbol variation time) is determined based on the pattern random number, and it is determined that the second special symbol lottery is lost in the big hit determination process in step S407, the number of second special symbol lottery hold (U2), the reach random number And a variation pattern is determined based on the variation pattern random number.

  Specifically, the CPU 101 determines the reach random number (0) read from the RAM 103 together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S407 when the number of the first special symbol lottery is “1” or “2”. Or any one of 99 to 99) is included in the reach random number value range “0 to 69” of the retained number “1, 2” of the “losing” of HT1-1. 99 ”is determined.

  Then, when the read reach random number is included in the reach random number value range “0 to 69”, the CPU 101 reads the fluctuation pattern random number (0) read from the RAM 103 together with the big hit random number used in the big hit determination process in step S407. When any one of ˜299 is within the range of the fluctuation pattern random value range “0-299” (that is, regardless of the fluctuation pattern random number), “13.50 seconds” is determined as the fluctuation pattern. Here, as indicated by HT <b> 1-1, the variation pattern “13.50 seconds” corresponds to the effect pattern type “immediately lost” of the notification effect. “Immediately lost” is a type of production pattern that immediately loses without reaching reach.

  On the other hand, when the read reach random number is included in the reach random number value range “70 to 99”, the CPU 101 reads the variation pattern random number (0) read from the RAM 103 together with the big hit random number used in the big hit determination process in step S407. ˜299) is included in the variation pattern random value range assigned to each variation pattern in the above reach random value range “70 to 99” of HT1-1. Then, the variation pattern (special symbol variation time) is determined. For example, when the variation pattern random number read from the RAM 103 together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S407 is “260”, the CPU 101 determines the variation pattern random value assigned to the variation pattern “40.05 seconds”. Since it is included in the range “256 to 271”, “40.05 seconds” is determined as the variation pattern. Here, as indicated by HT1-1, the fluctuation patterns “15.02 seconds”, “40.04 seconds”, “40.05 seconds” of the above-described reach random number value range “70 to 99” of HT1-1. ”,“ 40.06 seconds ”,“ 90.06 seconds ”,“ 90.07 seconds ”,“ 90.08 seconds ”,“ 90.09 seconds ”, and“ 90.10 seconds ” Production pattern types “Leach Loss”, “3rd SP Loss”, “2nd SP Loss”, “1st SP Loss”, “5th SPSP Loss”, “4th SPSP Loss”, “3rd SPSP Loss”, “2nd SPSP Loss” and This corresponds to “first SPSP loss”. Further, “Leach Loss” is a type that loses after the reach is established, and “First SP Loss” to “3rd SP Loss” are types that finally lose after being developed into SP Reach, and “First SPSP Loss” to “ “Fifth SPSP Loss” is a type that loses after finally developing into SPSP reach.

  In addition, when the number of the first special symbol lottery is “3”, the CPU 101 basically performs the variation pattern in the same manner as when the number of the first special symbol lottery is “1” or “2”. To decide. However, when the number of holdings of the first special symbol lottery is “3”, as shown in HT1-1, the CPU 101 has the number of holdings of the first special symbol lottery being “1” or “2”. On the other hand, the reach random value range “0-69” is replaced with “0-79”, the reach random value range “70-99” is replaced with “80-99”, and the fluctuation pattern “13.50 seconds” The variation pattern random value range “0 to 299” is rewritten to “210 to 299”, and the variation pattern random value range “0 to 209” corresponding to the production pattern type “immediately lost” is assigned. The variation pattern is determined according to the random value range to which “8.00 seconds” is added.

  In addition, when the number of holds for the first special symbol lottery is “4”, the CPU 101 basically performs the variation pattern similarly to the case where the number of holds for the first special symbol lottery is “1” or “2”. To decide. However, when the number of the first special symbol lottery is “4”, the CPU 101, as shown in HT1-1, when the number of the first special symbol lottery is “1” or “2”. On the other hand, the reach random value range “0-69” is replaced with “0-84”, the reach random value range “70-99” is replaced with “85-99”, and the fluctuation pattern “13.50 seconds”. The variation pattern random value range “00-299” is rewritten to “270-299”, and the variation pattern random value range “210-269” corresponding to the production pattern type “immediately lost” is assigned. 8.00 seconds ”and the random value range of the contents added with the variation pattern“ 3.00 seconds ”assigned the variation pattern random value range“ 0 to 209 ”corresponding to the production pattern type“ immediately lost ” Depending on the fluctuation pattern To determine the emissions.

  As described above with reference to the variation pattern determination table HT1-1 shown in FIG. 13, when the first special symbol lottery is lost in the non-time-saving state (normal game state), the number of first special symbol lottery holds The smaller the variation is, the easier it is to select the variation pattern with reach, and when the variation pattern without reach is selected, the smaller the number of the first special symbol lottery is, the easier the variation pattern is selected.

[Big hit reliability]
Here, the jackpot reliability (expectation for jackpot) will be described. An effect with a high jackpot reliability is an effect that is highly likely to be notified of a big hit when the effect is executed, and an effect with a low jackpot reliability is a notification of a big hit when the effect is executed. It is a production that is unlikely to be performed. Hereinafter, it demonstrates concretely using HT1-1 shown in FIG. As can be seen from the “big hit” portion of HT1-1, in the case of big hit, “per reach”, “per third SP”, “per second SP”, “per first SP”, “per fifth SPSP”, “ The variation pattern random value range increases in the order of “per fourth SPSP”, “per third SPSP”, “per second SPSP”, and “per first SPSP” (partially the same). On the other hand, as can be seen from the “losing” portion of HT1-1, in the case of losing, “reach losing”, “third SP losing”, “second SP losing”, “first SP losing”, “fifth SPSP losing”. , The variation pattern random value range becomes smaller in the order of “fourth SPSP loss”, “third SPSP loss”, “second SPSP loss”, “first SPSP loss” (partially the same). As can be seen from the above, the performance that is easy to execute in the case of a big hit and difficult to execute in the case of a loss is high in the reliability of the big hit, while the effect that is difficult to execute in the case of big hit and is easy to be executed in the case of a loss has a big hit reliability. Low. That is, “reach effect”, “third SP reach effect”, “second SP reach effect”, “first SP reach effect”, “fifth SPSP reach effect”, “fourth SPSP reach effect”, “third SPSP reach effect”, “ The jackpot reliability increases in the order of “second SPSP reach production” and “first SPSP reach production”.

[Non-time-short state / variation pattern selection process in the second special symbol lottery]
Hereinafter, the determination of the variation pattern when the second special symbol lottery is executed in the process of step S407 in the non-short-time state (normal game state) will be described with reference to FIG. In step S408, the CPU 101 determines a variation pattern by performing basically the same processing as the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. However, the CPU 101 performed processing for the first special symbol lottery using HT1-1 in the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. 13, whereas in the variation pattern determination processing illustrated in FIG. It is different in that processing is performed on the second special symbol lottery using HT1-2 shown in FIG. Here, HT1-2 shown in FIG. 14 differs from HT1-1 shown in FIG. 13 in that “the number of first special symbol lottery hold” is replaced with “the number of second special symbol lottery hold”. Only different. That is, while the variation pattern determination process described with reference to FIG. 13 considers the number of first special symbol lottery reservations, the variation pattern determination process considers the second special symbol lottery retention number. The It should be noted that in the non-time-saving state, since it is difficult for a game ball to win the second starting port 22, it is rare (rare) to execute the second special symbol lottery. For this reason, when the second special symbol lottery is executed in the non-time-short state, in order to suggest this rare feeling, the fluctuation pattern is longer than when the first special symbol lottery is executed in the non-time-short state. May be easily selected. Specifically, for example, in HT1-2, the reach random number value range that is determined to be reachable in each portion of the “losing” hold number “1, 2,” “3”, “4” is HT1. By setting it to be larger than the corresponding portion of −1, it is possible that the reach is more easily executed than HT1-1, and as a result, a long-time variation pattern may be easily selected.

[Time-short state / variation pattern selection process in the first special symbol lottery]
Hereinafter, the determination of the variation pattern when the first special symbol lottery is executed in the process of step S407 in the time-saving state (probability variation gaming state or time-saving gaming state) will be described using FIG. In step S408, the CPU 101 determines a variation pattern by performing basically the same processing as the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. However, the CPU 101 performs processing for the first special symbol lottery using HT1-1 in the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. 13, whereas in the variation pattern determination processing illustrated in FIG. It differs by the point which processes with respect to a 1st special symbol lottery using HT2-1 shown. Here, HT2-1 shown in FIG. 15 is related to the number of holdings of the first special symbol lottery when “no reach” is selected by “reach random number” in “losing” with respect to HT1-1 shown in FIG. The difference is that the variation pattern “13.50 seconds” (corresponding to immediate loss) is selected.

[Time-short state / variation pattern selection process in the second special symbol lottery]
The determination of the variation pattern when the second special symbol lottery is executed in step S407 in the time-saving state (probability variation gaming state or time-saving gaming state) will be described below with reference to FIG. In step S408, the CPU 101 determines a variation pattern by performing basically the same processing as the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. However, the CPU 101 performed processing for the first special symbol lottery using HT1-1 in the variation pattern determination processing described with reference to FIG. 13, whereas in the variation pattern determination processing illustrated in FIG. It is different in that processing is performed for the second special symbol lottery using HT2-2 shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, HT2-2 replaces HT1-1 shown in FIG. 13 with “the number of holdings for the first special symbol lottery” replaced with “the number of holdings for the second special symbol lottery”. ing. That is, while the variation pattern determination process described with reference to FIG. 13 considers the number of first special symbol lottery reservations, the variation pattern determination process considers the second special symbol lottery retention number. The Also, as shown in FIG. 16, in HT2-2, when no reach is selected by the reach random number in the case of the holding number “1, 2” of the second special symbol lottery in “losing”, the fluctuation pattern is uniformly changed. “13.50 seconds” is determined. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, in HT2-2, when no reach is selected by the reach random number in the case of the hold number “3, 4” of the second special symbol lottery in “losing”, the fluctuation pattern random value The variation pattern “2.00 seconds” is determined in the range “0 to 239”, the variation pattern “4.00 seconds” is determined in the variation pattern random value range “240 to 269”, and the variation pattern random value range “270 to 270”. In “299”, the fluctuation pattern “10.00 seconds” is determined.

  Here, as described in the processing in steps S403 to S406, in this embodiment, the second special symbol lottery hold is digested in preference to the first special symbol lottery hold. Further, in the short time state (probability game state or short time game state), as described in the processing in steps S5 and S7 of FIG. Frequently wins, the second special symbol lottery is executed frequently and continuously. Further, as described in the processing in step S407, the second special symbol lottery by winning the game ball to the second starting port 22 is more than the first special symbol lottery by winning the game ball to the first starting port 21. However, the player's profit is great. Therefore, in other words, if the first special symbol lottery is executed in the short time state, it can be said that it is disadvantageous for the player. In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to HT2-2 in FIG. 16, in the short-time state, when the number of second special symbol lottery holds is 3 and 4 and there is no reach, a short-time fluctuation pattern (2.00 seconds, 4.00 seconds) to make it easier to select, and the second special symbol lottery hold will be digested at high speed, while playing a game with a sense of speed, while the second special symbol lottery When the number of holds is 1 or 2 and there is no reach, a long-time fluctuation pattern (13.50 seconds) is always selected to control the first special symbol lottery that is relatively unfavorable to the player. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above with reference to HT2-1 of FIG. 15, even if the first special symbol lottery that is relatively disadvantageous to the player is executed in the short-time state, the first special In all cases where the number of symbols in the lottery is 1 to 4, a long-term variation pattern (13.50 seconds) must be selected if there is no reach, and a game ball wins the second starting port 22 and the player The second special symbol lottery, which is relatively advantageous, is controlled so as to earn time.

  Information on the variation pattern determined in step S408 as described above (that is, it can be said that the execution time of the notification effect: the information about the type of the effect pattern of the notification effect) is set in the RAM 103 as setting information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, the CPU 101 generates a notification effect start command including the setting information set by the jackpot determination process in step S407 and the setting information set by the variation pattern selection process in step S408, and sets the notification effect start command in the RAM 103. Here, the notification effect start command is a command for instructing the effect control unit 400 to start the notification effect by the image display unit 6, the speaker 35, and the like. In addition, the setting information included in the notification effect start command includes information indicating which of the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery has been executed, and information on the jackpot symbol indicating the type of jackpot. Further, the CPU 101 sets a gaming state notification command indicating the current gaming state (for example, a probable variation gaming state) in the RAM 103. The notification effect start command and the gaming state notification command described above are transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process in step S10 of FIG. Further, when executing the process of step S409 following the process of step S404, the CPU 101 deletes the random number set of the second special symbol lottery read by the process of step S404 from the RAM 103 and stores it in the RAM 103. Update the hold count U2 to a value obtained by subtracting 1. Further, when executing the process of step S409 following the process of step S406, the CPU 101 deletes the random number set of the first special symbol lottery read by the process of step S406 from the RAM 103 and stores it in the RAM 103. Update the hold number U1 to a value obtained by subtracting 1. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S410, the CPU 101 changes the special symbol by the first special symbol display 4a or the second special symbol display 4b based on the setting information included in the notification effect start command set in the process of step S409. Start displaying. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbol variation time indicated by the variation pattern set in the variation pattern selection processing in step S408 has elapsed since the start of the special symbol variation display in step S410. If the determination in step S411 is YES, the process proceeds to step S412. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S5 (normal symbol processing) in FIG.

  In step S <b> 412, the CPU 101 sets a notification effect stop command (design confirmation command) instructing the end of the notification effect by the image display unit 6 or the like in the RAM 103. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S413. Note that the notification effect stop command set in step S412 is transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process in step S10 of FIG.

  In step S413, the CPU 101 ends the special symbol variation display by the first special symbol display 4a or the second special symbol display 4b started in the process of step S410. When the special symbol variation display is terminated by the processing of step S413, the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol lottery is stopped and displayed for a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.5 seconds). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S414.

  In step S414, the CPU 101 executes a stop process. Specifically, when the CPU 101 determines that the big hit is determined in step S407, the information stored in the RAM 103 (typically information based on a flag) is in the big hit game (the big hit game state). And an opening command for instructing the start of the big hit game effect is set in the RAM 103. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process of step S10 in FIG. 8 when a predetermined time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the stop display of the special symbol was started in the process of step S413. The jackpot game production is started.

  In step S415, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a customer waiting command and a gaming state notification command indicating the current gaming state have already been transmitted in step S416 (described later). Here, the customer waiting command is the time when the specified fixed time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the processing in step S414 was started (in other words, the special symbol variation display was terminated in the processing in step S413). This is a command that is sent when no special game is played (no special game has started) and there is no special symbol lottery pending at 0.5 seconds from This is a command for notifying that the notification effect for notifying the lottery result of the symbol lottery has not been executed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a customer waiting state). If the determination in step S415 is YES, the process proceeds to step S5 (normal symbol process) in FIG. 8, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S416.

  In step S <b> 416, the CPU 101 sets a customer waiting command and a gaming state notification command in the RAM 103. The customer waiting command and the gaming state notification command are transmitted to the effect control unit 400 by the output process of step S10 in FIG. 8, and based on the customer waiting command, a predetermined stop display screen is displayed as a customer waiting effect (for example, a decorative symbol). Stop display effect) is started. Here, the stop display screen is the same as the specified fixed time (0.5 seconds) after the fact that all the decorative symbols that have been variably displayed are completely stopped and the result of the special symbol lottery has been notified is lost. It is a stop screen displayed when there is no next notification effect to be executed at the time of display (that is, when there is no hold), and is a screen indicating that the notification effect is not executed ( (Refer to (2) of FIG. 27 described later). If a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses without the player's intention to play after the display of the stop display screen on the image display unit 6 is started, the content (such as animation or Display of a video (demonstration video) related to a story or the like on the image display unit 6 is started. In addition, the process which concerns on the customer waiting effect performed in this embodiment is later mentioned with reference to FIGS. Thereafter, the processing moves to step S5 (normal symbol processing) in FIG.

  Above, description of the process of the main control part 100 demonstrated using FIGS. 5-16 is complete | finished.

[Timer interrupt processing by production control unit or image sound control unit]
17, 18, and 20 to 25 are flowcharts illustrating an example of timer interruption processing performed by the effect control unit 400 or the image sound control unit 500. The timer interrupt process performed in the effect control unit 400 or the image sound control unit 500 will be described below with reference to FIGS. The production control unit 400 performs a series of processes shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 20 to 22 for a certain period of time (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. ) Repeat every time. Also, the image sound control unit 500 executes a series of processes shown in FIGS. 23 to 25 based on an instruction from the image sound control unit 400, for example. Note that the process performed by the effect control unit 400 is executed based on a program stored in the ROM 402, and the process performed by the image sound control unit 500 is executed based on a program stored in the ROM 502.

  In step S20 of FIG. 17, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 updates an effect (hereinafter referred to as an RTC effect) that can be executed by the image sound control unit 500 or the like according to the date and time (time) measured by the RTC 404. RTC effect update processing is executed. The RTC effect update process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S21, the CPU 401 receives various commands output by the output process of step S10 in FIG. 8 from the main control unit 100, sets the production content according to the received command, and sets the production content set. A command reception process for setting various commands in the RAM 403 to instruct the image sound control unit 500 or the like to execute the effect is executed. The command reception process will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, in step S22, the CPU 401 executes an output process for outputting various commands set in the RAM 403 to the image sound control unit 500 and the like in the processes of steps S20 and S21. By this process, various effects determined to be executed in the processes of step S20 and step S21 are executed by the image display unit 6, the speaker 35, the panel lamp 8, and the like by the execution control of the image sound control unit 500 and the like. .

  Each time the timer interrupt process is executed, the CPU 401 performs a random number update process for updating various effect random numbers used for determining the effect. In this random number update process, a loop counter is typically used as in the random number update process in step S1 of FIG. 8, and the count value (updated random number value) is set to the maximum value (for example, 99). After reaching, it returns to 0 again (that is, it circulates). Also, in this random number update process, each effect random number counter updates the initial value (the value that is the starting point of circulation) at random once it circulates. As a result, the counter value (count value) can be prevented from synchronizing between these effect random numbers.

[RTC effect update processing]
FIG. 18 is an example of a detailed flowchart of the RTC effect update process in step S20 of FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 18, the RTC effect update process in step S20 of FIG. 17 will be described. In the present embodiment, two types of effects, an animation effect and a story introduction effect, are updated as RTC effects that are updated according to the date and time (time) measured by the RTC 404. Here, the animation production is introduced into the hall at a predetermined set time (Sunday 7:00 shown in FIG. 19 (2) described later) and updated (additional update) for 19 weeks after the start of operation. This is an effect in which a story about the content that is the subject of the gaming machine 1 is used as a reach effect (SP reach effect or SPSP reach effect) or the like. The story introduction effect is an effect that is introduced into the hall and updated (replaced and updated) for 20 weeks after the start of operation at the predetermined time set forth above, and is performed in synchronization with changes in special symbols. This is an effect that introduces the story of the above-mentioned animation effect, which is executed in the notification effect (variation effect).

  First, in step S201 of FIG. 18, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 determines whether it is the update timing of the RTC effect (that is, the time indicated by the RTC 404 is the set time). If the determination in step S201 is YES, the process proceeds to step S202. If this determination is NO, the RTC effect update process ends, and the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG.

  In step S202, the CPU 401 performs phase update processing. Thereafter, the RTC effect update process ends, and the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG. Here, the phase update process will be described with reference to FIG.

[Phase update process]
First, with reference to FIG. 19 (1), the number of animation effects and story introduction effects in this embodiment will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, two effects, an animation effect and a story introduction effect, are updated as the RTC effect. In addition, a plurality of effects are prepared as animation effects, a plurality of effects corresponding to a plurality of animation effects are prepared as story introduction effects, and specifically, 20 animation effects are prepared, The story introduction effects are prepared so as to correspond to the 20 animation effects in a one-to-one relationship (that is, 20), and all these animation effects and story introduction effects are stored in the ROM 502. In the following, alphabets and numbers are connected with hyphens to indicate whether the alphabet is an animation production or a story introduction production. It shall be shown. For example, “A-5” indicates “fifth animation effect”, and “S-5” indicates “fifth story introduction effect”. In this embodiment, the “SX” story introduction effect (the Xth story introduction effect) is an effect that introduces the story of the “AX” animation effect (the Xth animation effect). Yes.

  As described above, the ROM 502 stores all animation effects and story introduction effects, but the animation effects that can actually be used as game effects (that is, executable) are updated timing (that is, set). The story introduction effects that are added and updated one by one at the time of arrival (details will be described later) and can be actually used as game effects are one by one at the update timing (details will be described later, but the last update timing) All of them will be replaced. Specifically, in this embodiment, in order to specify an executable animation effect and story introduction effect, a phase represented by a number is defined for each effect. In the present embodiment, phase 1, which is the initial state, can execute the first effect of the animation effect and the story introduction effect, and the phases are added and updated one by one at the update timing (details will be described later). However, the animation production phase will be updated up to the 19th update timing, and the story introduction production phase will be added up to the 20th update timing. It will follow. This will be specifically described below.

  First, an example of phase update for each effect will be described with reference to (2) of FIG. In the present embodiment, the phase of each effect is updated at the timing when the set time arrives. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19 (2), the animation production phase starts with the game machine 1 installed in the hall and starts operation. It is updated by 1 at 0:00, and the story introduction effect phase is updated by 1 at 7:00 on the 20th Sunday from the first Sunday that comes after the operation. For example, it is assumed that the gaming machine 1 is installed in a hall on Monday and starts operation, and the animation production phase and the story introduction production phase are 1 at this time. At this time, at 7:00 on the first Sunday after the operation, the animation production phase and the story introduction production phase are updated from 1 to 2. Similarly, when it is 7:00 on the second Sunday after operation, the animation production phase and the story introduction production phase are updated from 2 to 3, and when it is 7:00 on the third Sunday after operation, the animation production is performed. When the first phase and the story introduction stage are updated from 3 to 4, and at 7:00 on the 19th Sunday after the operation, the animation stage and the story introduction stage are updated to 20, and the 20th stage after the start. At 7:00 on Sunday, the animation production phase is not updated (although it remains in phase 20), but the story introduction production phase is updated from 20 to 21. Then, the CPU 401 stores the phase of each effect updated in this manner in the RAM 403, and based on the phase, it is specified which of the plurality of animation effects and story introduction effects can be executed. Note that when the hall operation is terminated and the supply of power to the gaming machine 1 is interrupted, the stored information in the RAM 403 is lost, but when the hall business is started the next day, the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is lost. When the supply is started, the animation effect and story introduction effect phases are reset in the RAM 403 based on the time indicated by the RTC 404 when the power supply is resumed. In addition, the current phase information may be stored in the memory in the RTC 404 so that the current phase information is not lost even when the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off.

  Next, with reference to (3) to (5) of FIG. 19, the update of the animation effect and the story introduction effect that can be executed based on the phase update will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, the update which adds the animation production which can be performed by phase update is performed as an update of animation production, and the story introduction production which can be performed by phase update is replaced as the update of story introduction production. Replacement update is performed.

  First, with reference to (3) of FIG. 19, the addition update of animation production is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, when the animation effect is additionally updated, the additionally updated animation effect is set as an effect that can be newly executed in addition to the effects that can be executed so far. For example, when the animation production phase is updated to 6, the animation production of “A-6” becomes the latest animation production that can be executed. When all the animation effects of “A-6” are set as executable effects, and the animation effect phase is updated to 7, the animation effect of “A-7” is added as a newly executable effect. It is set (see the shaded area in (3) of FIG. 19). Then, after 7:00 on the 19th Sunday after the operation (after the animation production phase has been updated to 20 (final phase)), the animation production will not be additionally updated, It will be set as an executable performance. Although not shown, after 7:00 on the 20th Sunday after the operation, one animation effect selected by the player from all the animation effects as an animation effect that can be executed during the execution of the notification effect. Can be set. Specifically, when in the customer waiting state, the player performs a predetermined operation on the effect button 37 and the effect key 38 to select one animation effect from all the animation effects and notify the user. It can be set as an animation production that can be executed during the production.

  Next, replacement update of the story introduction effect will be described with reference to (4) and (5) of FIG. In this embodiment, when the story introduction effect is replaced and updated from 1st Sunday to 19th Sunday after operation (when the phase of the story introduction effect is updated to 2 to 20), this update Only the newly introduced story introduction effect that can be executed is set as an executable effect, and when it is replaced and updated at 7:00 on the 20th Sunday after the operation (the phase of the story introduction effect is 21 (final phase) When updated, all of the effects that have been executed so far are set as unexecutable effects (all story introduction effects are not set as executable effects). For example, when the phase of the story introduction effect is updated to 6, the story introduction effect of “S-6” is set as an executable effect, and when the phase of the story introduction effect is updated to 7, “S-7” "Is introduced as an executable effect (see the shaded area in (4) of FIG. 19). Further, when the phase of the story introduction effect is updated to 21 which is the final phase, all of the story introduction effects are set as effects that cannot be executed (see the hatched portion in (5) of FIG. 19). In other words, after the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall and started to operate, it is set so that a different story introduction effect can be executed every week until 7:00 of the 20th Sunday. After 7:00, the story introduction effect is set to be unexecutable.

  As described above, the CPU 401 performs the phase update process to update the animation effect and story introduction effect phases in the RAM 403, and the executable animation effect and story introduction effect are specified based on the phases. In addition, as described above, a story introduction effect that introduces a story of an animation production that has been newly set to be executable as an animation production by performing phase update processing is performed for a week after the animation production is set to be executable. It can be executable only for a period of time. For example, at 7:00, the sixth time after the operation, the animation production and story introduction production phases are both updated to 6, and the animation production “A-6” is set as a new executable production. “S-6” introducing the story of the animation production “S-6” is set as an executable production, so only the period of one week after the “A-6” animation production is set to be executable It becomes possible to execute the story introduction effect of “S-6”.

[Command reception processing]
20 and 21 are examples of detailed flowcharts of the command reception process in step S21 of FIG. Hereinafter, the command reception process in step S21 in FIG. 17 will be described with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG.

  First, in step S301 in FIG. 20, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 issues a hold increase command (first hold number increase command or second hold number increase command; see steps S206 and S212 in FIG. 11) from the main control unit 100. It is determined whether or not it has been received. If the determination in step S301 is yes, the process proceeds to step S302. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S302, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 in response to the hold increase command received in the process of step S301, and displays an additional display process of the hold image indicating the special symbol lottery hold on the image display unit 6. Then, the hold image display process for changing the hold image to the prefetch display mode is performed. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. In addition, when the CPU 401 receives the first hold number increase command, the RAM 403 causes the RAM 403 to store one piece of data (hold data) indicating the hold of the first special symbol lottery in time series, while the second hold number When the increase command is received, the RAM 403 stores one piece of data (holding data) indicating the holding of the second special symbol lottery in time series order. At that time, the CPU 401 extracts pre-determination information included in the hold increase command, includes it in the above-described hold data, and stores it in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the CPU 401 performs a prefetch notice effect setting process. Specifically, the CPU 401 stores the special symbol lottery hold number (the number of hold data) stored in the RAM 403 more than 2 including the hold added in step S302, and stores it in the RAM 403 most recently. Whether or not to execute the pre-reading notice effect is determined by lottery or the like based on the prior determination information (that is, included in the latest pending data). For example, the CPU 401 determines that the prior determination information indicates “big hit”, “losing” and “reach effect” (reach effect), or “losing” and “reach effect”. In each of the cases indicating “None” (no reach reach), a prefetch random number is acquired, and when the prefetch random number matches a predetermined prefetch winning value, it is determined to perform the prefetch notice effect. It should be noted that different numbers may be set for the pre-reading winning values depending on whether the pre-determination information is “big hit”, “losing with reach”, or “losing without reach”. Specifically, by setting the number of prefetch winning values in the case of “big hit” larger than the number of prefetching winning values in the case of “losing with reach”, a prefetching notice effect is easily performed in the case of “big hit”. It may be a thing. If it is determined to execute the pre-reading notice effect, the CPU 401 performs a pre-reading notice to be executed by lottery or the like from a number of pre-reading notice effect patterns that satisfy the conditions of the prior determination information (such as the condition of whether or not a big hit). Set the contents of the production. That is, as the pre-reading notice effect, what kind of notice effect is performed in each notification effect is set. Note that the pre-reading notice effect is a notice effect that suggests the possibility of a big hit over a plurality of notification effects, for example. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the notification effect start command and the gaming state notification command set in step S409 of FIG. 12 have been received. If the determination in step S304 is YES, the process proceeds to step S305, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S305, the CPU 401 determines whether a notification effect start command is received in the process of step S304 in the customer waiting state. Specifically, for example, the determination is based on information based on a flag or whether or not a customer waiting effect is being executed. In the present embodiment, as the customer waiting effect, an effect of displaying a predetermined stop display screen on the image display unit 6 and a video (demonstration video) related to the content (animation, story, etc.) used as the theme of the gaming machine 1 ) Is displayed on the image display unit 6. If the determination in step S305 is YES, the process proceeds to step S306. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S307.

  In step S306, in response to the notification effect start command received in the process of step S304 in the customer waiting state, the CPU 401 sets the effect content of the notification effect in the image display unit 6 and the like, and executes the notification effect of the set content. A special notification effect setting process for instructing and starting the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed. Here, the notification effect (variation effect) is an effect that is executed in the image display unit 6 or the like according to the variation display of the special symbol and suggests the result of the special symbol lottery. For example, the decorative symbol is variably displayed. This is an effect in which the result of the special symbol lottery is notified when the decorative symbol that is variably displayed is stopped and displayed. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Here, with reference to FIG. 22, the special notification effect setting process will be described.

[Special notification effect setting process]
FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the notification effect setting process in step S306 of FIG.

  First, in step S3061 in FIG. 22, the CPU 401 of the effect control unit 400 analyzes the notification effect start command received in step S304 in FIG. 20, and acquires setting information included in the notification effect start command. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3062.

  In step S3062, the CPU 401 determines an effect pattern to be executed in the current notification effect based on the setting information acquired in step S3061. Specifically, the CPU 401 performs a notification effect effect pattern to be executed by lottery or the like from a lot of notification effect effect patterns that satisfy the conditions of the setting information (whether or not a big hit, a notification effect time condition, etc.). To decide. For example, when the variation pattern (special symbol variation time) included in the acquired setting information is 90.05 seconds (the variation pattern identification number is 6), the CPU 401 uses the first SPSP reach among a plurality of SPSP reach effects. The production is executed up to the production, and the production pattern for notifying that the special symbol lottery is won is selected. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3063.

  In step S3063, based on the setting information acquired in step S3061, the CPU 401 indicates that the variation pattern information included in the setting information indicates the variation pattern identification number 19 (the effect pattern type is immediately lost, .50 seconds). If the determination in step S3063 is YES, the process moves to step S3064. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S3066.

  In step S3064, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the story introduction effect is set to be executable. Specifically, the CPU 401 determines whether the story introduction effect phase stored in the ROM 403 is 1-20. If the determination in step S3064 is YES, the process moves to step S3065. If this determination is NO, the process sets to step S3066.

  In step S3065, the CPU 401 determines to execute the story introduction effect. Specifically, the CPU 401 specifies an executable story introduction effect based on the story introduction effect phase stored in the RAM 403 and determines to execute it. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3066.

  In step S <b> 3066, the CPU 401 determines the detailed configuration content (configuration effect) of the effect based on the effect pattern determined in step S <b> 3062. Specifically, the CPU 401 determines an effect (type of reach effect or immediate lose effect) to be finally executed based on the effect pattern determined in step S3062, and at that time, the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed. The type of design (so-called appearance) is determined based on production random numbers, etc., and what kind of composition production is executed as a scenario until the final production is executed. Determine based on. The composition effect is a variety of effects that are executed before or during an effect determined based on the effect pattern, for example, during which the character speaks. Examples include an effect, a pseudo-continuous effect in which the decorative symbol is displayed again, a reach formation effect in which the decorative symbol is in a reach state, a cut-in effect in which the reliability is notified in advance during the reach effect, and the like. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3067.

  In step S <b> 3067, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 or the like to execute a notification effect of the effect content determined in step S <b> 3062 to step S <b> 3066. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is made by setting a change start command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the special notification effect setting process ends, and the process proceeds to step S308 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 20, in step S307, the CPU 401 sets the effect content of the notification effect by the image display unit 6 or the like in accordance with the notification effect start command received in the process of step S304, and notifies the set content. A normal notification effect setting process is performed for instructing the image sound control unit 500 or the like to start the effect. Specifically, the CPU 401 performs, as the normal notification effect setting process, a process in which steps S3063 to S3065 are omitted from the special notification effect setting process described above with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the notification effect stop command set in the process of step S412 in FIG. 12 has been received. If the determination in step S308 is YES, the process proceeds to step S309, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S310 in FIG.

  In step S309, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 or the like to end the notification effect started to be executed in the process of step S306 or step S307, and finally stops all the decorative symbols that have been variably displayed. (Determined stop display) and informs the result of the special symbol lottery. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310 in FIG.

  In step S310 in FIG. 21, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the opening command set in the stopping process in step S414 in FIG. 12 has been received. If the determination in step S310 is yes, the process proceeds to step S311. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S311, the CPU 401 issues an opening effect instruction. Specifically, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 or the like to start the opening effect of the big hit game effect. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S312, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the round start notification command set in step S6 of FIG. 8 has been received. If the determination in step S312 is YES, the process proceeds to step S313, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S313, the CPU 401 issues a round effect start instruction. Specifically, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 to start a round effect process of a big hit game effect. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S314, the CPU 401 determines whether or not a winning command output by the output process in step S10 of FIG. 8 has been received. If the determination in step S314 is YES, the process moves to step S315. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S316.

  In step S315, the CPU 401 issues a winning process instruction. Specifically, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 to start a winning process. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S316.

  In step S316, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the round end notification command set in the process of step S6 in FIG. 8 has been received. If the determination in step S316 is YES, the process proceeds to step S317, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S318.

  In step S317, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 or the like to end the round effect of the big hit game effect. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S318.

  In step S318, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the ending command set in the process of step S6 of FIG. 8 has been received. If the determination in step S318 is YES, the process moves to step S319. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S320.

  In step S319, the CPU 401 issues an ending effect instruction. Specifically, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 to start the ending effect of the big hit game effect. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the customer waiting command and the gaming state notification command set in the process of step S416 in FIG. 12 have been received. If the determination in step S320 is YES, the process proceeds to step S321. If the determination is NO, the command reception process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S22 in FIG.

  In step S321, the CPU 401 instructs the image sound control unit 500 and the like based on the customer waiting command and the gaming state notification command received in step S320 to start the customer waiting process. Note that an instruction to the image sound control unit 500 or the like is performed by setting a command in the RAM 403. Then, the command reception process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S22 in FIG. Note that the customer waiting process is a process that is started when a so-called customer waiting state is entered, and the CPU 501 of the image sound control unit 500 that is instructed to start the customer waiting process issues, for example, a notification effect start instruction. This customer waiting process is executed until it is received, and the customer waiting process is terminated by receiving a notification production start instruction. However, if the CPU 501 is notified of information indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 25 or information indicating that the game ball has been won at the normal winning opening, the CPU 501 continues without waiting for the customer. . Hereinafter, the customer waiting process executed by the image sound control unit 500 that has received an instruction from the effect control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

[Waiting for customers]
In step S701 in FIG. 23, the CPU 501 of the image sound control unit 500 determines whether or not an instruction to start the customer waiting process has been received from the effect control unit 400. If the determination in step S701 is YES, the process proceeds to step S702. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S <b> 702, the CPU 501 starts displaying a stop display screen on the image display unit 6. Typically, the stop display screen is a screen on which a decorative symbol is completely stopped and displayed at the end of the notification effect, and is stopped and displayed, but indicates that the notification effect is not executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this typical example. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S <b> 703, the CPU 501 determines whether or not a stop display screen is being displayed on the image display unit 6. If the determination in step S703 is yes, the process proceeds to step S704. If this determination is no, the process proceeds to step S720 of FIG.

  In step S704, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the player has a game intention. Specifically, the CPU 501 notifies the player whether or not the handle 31 is touched by the player who is notified through the launch control unit 200, the payout control unit 300, the main control unit 100, and the effect control unit 400. If the handle 31 indicates that the handle 31 is touched, it is determined that there is a gaming intention, and if the notification indicates that the handle 31 is not touched by the player, it is determined that there is no gaming intention. If the determination in step S704 is yes, the process moves to step S710. If the determination is no, the process moves to step S705.

  In step S <b> 705, the CPU 501 uses the counter function capable of measuring time used for the control to display an image on the image display unit 6, and whether or not the elapsed time X from the display of the stop display screen is being measured. Determine whether. If the determination in step S705 is YES, the process proceeds to step S707, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S706.

  In step S <b> 706, the CPU 501 starts counting elapsed time X using a counter function capable of measuring time used for control for displaying an image on the image display unit 6. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S710.

  In step S707, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the elapsed time X is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (30 seconds in the present embodiment). That is, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the display of the stop display screen is continued for 30 seconds or more without waiting for a game in the customer waiting state. If the determination in step S707 is yes, the process proceeds to step S708. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S710.

  In step S708, the CPU 501 resets the count of the elapsed time X to 0 seconds, and stops the count operation of the elapsed time X. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S709, the CPU 501 pauses the demo video, which is a video related to the content (animation, story, etc.) that is the subject of the gaming machine 1, at the top frame, and sets the display transmittance of the demo video to 100%. Then, the stop display of the demo moving image on the image display unit 6 is started. In addition, stop display of the demo moving image on the image display unit 6 is started, and a transition for continuously changing the display transmittance of the demo moving image from 100% to 0% is started. Although the details will be described with reference to FIG. 26, since the CPU 501 stops displaying the demo video on a layer higher than the layer on which the stop display screen is displayed, the demo video is superimposed on the stop display screen and stopped. Will be displayed. In addition, the demonstration video that is superimposed on the stop display screen and paused at the first frame is stopped and displayed, and the display transmittance of the demonstration video is continuously changed from 100% to 0%. The display gradually transitions from the display of the stop display screen to the stop display of the demo video (first frame). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S720 in FIG.

  In step S710, the CPU 501 continuously displays the stop display screen being displayed on the image display unit 6 as it is. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S720 in FIG.

  In step S720 of FIG. 24, the CPU 501 determines whether or not a demo moving image is displayed (stop display or playback display described later) on the image display unit 6. If the determination in step S720 is yes, the process proceeds to step S721. If the determination is no, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeated again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process. Run.

  In step S721, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the player has a game intention, as in the process of step S704. If the determination in step S721 is YES, the process proceeds to step S726, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S722.

  In step S722, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the demonstration video displayed on the image display unit 6 is reproduced and displayed. Specifically, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the display of the demo video on the image display unit 6 is a stop display in a state where the top frame of the demo video is paused. If the determination in step S722 is yes, the process moves to step S725. If the determination is no, the process moves to step S723.

  In step S723, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the display transmittance of the demonstration video displayed on the image display unit 6 is 0%. If the determination in step S723 is yes, the process moves to step S724. If the determination is no, the demo video that has stopped displaying the demo video on the image display unit 6 with the first frame of the demo video paused. 23 is determined to be in a state of continuously changing the display transmittance of 100% to 100%, the transition is continuously executed, the customer waiting process is terminated, and again according to the timing of the next timer interrupt process, FIG. And the process shown in FIG. 24 is repeatedly performed.

  In step S724, the CPU 501 starts reproduction display for reproducing and displaying the demonstration moving image being stopped and displayed on the image display unit 6. Thereby, in the customer waiting state, the display of the image display unit 6 (the display visually recognized by the player) has started transition from the stop display screen to the demo video (first frame), so that the playback display of the demo video starts. Will be. Then, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  In step S725, the CPU 501 continuously reproduces and displays the demo video being reproduced and displayed on the image display unit 6. Then, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  In step S <b> 726, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the display transmittance of the demo moving image being displayed on the image display unit 6 is 0%. If the determination in step S726 is YES, the process proceeds to step S730, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S727.

  In step S <b> 727, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the display transmittance of the demo moving image being displayed on the image display unit 6 is 100%. If the determination in step S727 is YES, the process proceeds to step S731, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S728.

  In step S728, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the transition of the demonstration moving image being displayed on the image display unit 6 is changing continuously to 100%. If the determination in step S728 is YES, the process proceeds to step S729, and if this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S730.

  In step S729, the CPU 501 continuously executes a transition for continuously changing the display transmittance of the demonstration moving image being displayed on the image display unit 6 to 100%. Then, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  In step S730, the CPU 501 starts a transition for continuously changing the display transmittance of the demo moving image being displayed on the image display unit 6 to 100%. Then, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  If it is determined that the player has an intention to play the game while the demo video is displayed (stop display and playback display) on the image display unit 6 by the processes in steps S726 to S730, the image display unit 6 Is gradually transitioned from the display of the demo video to the display of the stop display screen.

  In step S <b> 731, the CPU 501 ends display of the demo video on the image display unit 6. Then, the customer waiting process is terminated, and the processes shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  As described above, in the customer waiting process described above, the stop display screen is continuously displayed on the image display unit 6 for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 30 seconds) in a state where the player does not have a game intention in the customer waiting state. The display of the image display unit 6 gradually changes from the display of the stop display screen to the stop display of the demo video (the demo video paused in the first frame), and the transition to the stop display of the demo video is completed. Then, the player visually recognizes the demo video so that it can be reproduced and displayed. Further, when it is determined that the player has a game intention while the demo video is displayed on the image display unit 6, the display of the image display unit 6 is changed from the display of the demo video to the display of the stop display screen. It will be visually recognized by the player so as to be gradually changed. That is, in the customer waiting state, a customer waiting effect according to whether or not the player has a gaming intention is performed.

  Although not shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, a predetermined time (for example, a playback time of 90 seconds) elapses without the player's intention to play since the start of the demonstration video playback display. In this case, the display of the demo video is ended (the display of the image display unit 6 is set as the display of the stop display screen), and the processes shown in FIGS.

[Direction execution process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 25, an effect execution process executed by the CPU 501 of the image sound control unit 500 based on a notification effect execution instruction from the effect control unit 400 will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an effect execution process performed by the image sound control unit 500.

  In step S801 in FIG. 25, the CPU 501 of the image sound control unit 500 determines whether a command for instructing execution of the notification effect is received from the effect control unit 400 (see step S3067 in FIG. 22). If the determination in step S801 is YES, the process moves to step S802. If the determination is NO, the process moves to step S803.

  In step S802, the CPU 501 sets an effect schedule such as the execution timing and execution time of the effect to be executed after the start of the notification effect, based on the effect content set in accordance with the notification instruction execution instruction received in step S801. The notification effect is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the execution timing of the story introduction effect scheduled in step S802 has come. If the determination in step S803 is yes, the process proceeds to step S804. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S804, the CPU 501 executes a story introduction effect. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, the CPU 501 determines whether or not a change stop command for instructing the end of the notification effect is received from the effect control unit 400 (see step S309 in FIG. 20). If the determination in step S805 is YES, the process proceeds to step S806. If this determination is NO, the effect execution process ends, and the process illustrated in FIG. 25 is repeatedly executed again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  In step S806, the CPU 501 ends the notification effect, ends the effect execution process, and repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 25 again at the timing of the next timer interrupt process.

  Although illustration is omitted, if the schedule created in step S802 in FIG. 25 includes execution of an effect other than the story introduction effect (eg, animation effect, cut-in notice effect, etc.), the CPU 501. Executes each effect when the execution timing of each effect scheduled in step S802 arrives.

[Outline of layer structure of displayed image]
Next, the layer structure of the display image will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layer structure of a display image. As a layer structure of the display image, there are four layers. In FIG. 26, it is assumed that the player sees the display image in the direction shown in FIG. 26. The first layer 60a is the foremost layer as viewed from the player, the second layer 60b is the second layer, and the third is the third layer. This layer is the third layer 60c, and the innermost layer is the fourth layer 60d. Therefore, when the image drawn on the first layer 60a overlaps with the image drawn on any of the second layer 60b to the fourth layer 60d, the player draws the image drawn on the first layer 60a. When the display transmittance of an image that is visually recognized in a state of being overlaid on another image and rendered on the first layer 60a is 0%, the image rendered on the second layer 60b to the fourth layer 60d is not visually recognized. In addition, when the image drawn on the second layer 60b and the image drawn on the third layer 60c or the fourth layer 60d overlap, the image drawn on the second layer 60b is another image for the player. When the display transmittance of an image drawn on the second layer 60b is set to 0%, the image drawn on the third layer 60c or the fourth layer 60d is not visible. Also, when the image drawn on the third layer 60c and the image drawn on the fourth layer 60d overlap, the player has drawn the image drawn on the third layer 60c on the fourth layer 60d. If the display transmittance of the image that is visually recognized while overlaid on the image and drawn on the third layer 60c is 0%, the image drawn on the fourth layer 60d is not visible. In the present embodiment, on the first layer 60a, a reserved image (not shown) and a small design (see (3) of FIG. 28) obtained by reducing the entire decorative design are displayed. Also, the second layer 60b includes images and demo videos ((4) to (6) in FIG. 27) used in notification effects such as story introduction effects (see (3) in FIG. 28) and animation effects (not shown). )) Is displayed. Further, on the third layer 60c, a stop display screen (see FIG. 27) used for producing a decorative symbol stop display in the decorative symbol or waiting state is displayed. In addition, a background image serving as a background for the notification effect is displayed on the fourth layer 60d. As a result, a demo video can be displayed over the stop display screen used in the customer waiting state, and the demo video can be displayed from the stop display screen to the player by changing the display transmittance of the demo video. It is possible to make the player visually recognize that the video is gradually switched to the screen or to allow the player to visually recognize the video to be switched gradually from the display of the demo video to the display of the stop display screen.

[Characteristic operation according to this embodiment]
Next, an outline of the characteristic effects according to the present embodiment executed by the control described above using the flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. FIG.

[Standby production]
First, the customer waiting effect executed in the customer waiting state will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in (1) of FIG. 27, after the decorative symbols DI1 to DI3 that have been variably displayed are all completely stopped and the result of the special symbol lottery is informed that the result has been lost, a predetermined fixed time (0. (5 seconds) The display is stopped as it is, and the fluctuation is finished.

  Next, when a customer waiting command is received, as shown in (2) of FIG. 27, a stop display screen indicating that the notification effect is not being executed is displayed on the image display unit 6 as a customer waiting effect.

  Next, when it is determined that the player has a game intention or when a predetermined time (30 seconds in the present embodiment) has not elapsed in a state where there is no game intention, as shown in (3) of FIG. In addition, the stop display screen is continuously displayed on the image display unit 6 as a customer waiting effect.

  Next, when a predetermined time elapses with no intention to play while the stop display screen is displayed, as shown in (4) of FIG. 27, the demo paused at the first frame of the demo video as a customer waiting effect. A moving image is superimposed on the stop display screen and is stopped and displayed on the image display unit 6, and a transition for continuously changing the display transmittance of the demo moving image from 100% to 0% is executed.

  Next, as shown in (5) of FIG. 27, when the display transmittance of the demonstration video becomes 0%, the demonstration video is reproduced and displayed on the image display unit 6 as a customer waiting effect.

  Next, when it is determined that there is an intention to play, as shown in (6) of FIG. 27, as the customer waiting effect, a transition is executed in which the display transmittance of the demo video is continuously changed from 0% to 100%. Is done.

  Next, as shown in (7) of FIG. 27, the display transmittance of the demo video becomes 100%, and the stop display screen is displayed as a customer waiting effect. Note that the demo video is not displayed after the display transmittance of the demo video reaches 100%.

[Story introduction production]
Next, with reference to FIG. 28, the story introduction effect executed in the notification effect executed based on the reception of the notification effect start command in the customer waiting state will be described.

  As shown in (1) of FIG. 28, as the customer waiting effect, a stop display screen indicating that the notification effect is not executed is displayed on the image display unit 6 (that is, the customer waiting state).

  Next, when a change start command is received, as shown in (2) of FIG. 28, the decorative symbols DI1 to DI3 are displayed in a variable manner, and the change is started.

  Next, when the fluctuation pattern of the started fluctuation is 13.50 seconds (the effect pattern type is immediately lost), as shown in (3) of FIG. 28, the decorative symbols DI1 to DI3 are displayed as small symbols. While being reduced and displayed in the lower right corner of the unit 6, a story introduction effect is executed in the image display unit 6.

  Next, as shown in (4) of FIG. 28, when the story introduction effect is finished, the decorative symbols DI1 to DI3 are returned to the display mode before being reduced and displayed as small symbols, and the decorative symbols DI1 to DI3 are lost (for example, , “243”) to display the actual stop and end the change.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when it is determined that there is a player's game intention in the customer waiting state, the player performs an effect of displaying a stop display screen as the customer waiting effect, and the player in the customer waiting state If it is determined that there is no game intention for a predetermined time, the demonstration video is gradually displayed as a customer waiting effect, and the player is displayed when the demonstration video is displayed as a customer waiting effect in the customer waiting state. When it is determined that there is a game intention, it is possible to perform an effect of gradually changing from the display of the demo video to the display of the stop display screen as a customer waiting effect. Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the customer waiting state, by executing different customer waiting effects based on whether or not there is a game intention, it is possible to execute a novel customer waiting effect that attracts the player's interest.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the story introduction effect that is not executed during the execution of the notification effect started when not in the customer waiting state during the execution of the notification effect started when in the customer waiting state. Can be executed. As a result, the content of the production (animation production) executed in the game of the gaming machine 1 can be introduced to the player who has started the game of the gaming machine 1, so that the player's interest in the gaming machine 1 Can be attracted effectively.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, when the stop display screen is displayed for a predetermined time (30 seconds) with no intention to play as a customer waiting effect, the stop display of the demo video is paused at the first frame of the demo video. The display transmittance of the demo video is changed so as to continuously change from 100% to 0%, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the stop display screen has been displayed for a predetermined time (30 seconds) without any intention to play, the playback display of the demo video is started and the display transmittance of the demo video is continuously increased from 100% to 0%. It is good also as what makes it change so that it may change automatically.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an effect of waiting for a customer, an effect is performed in which the display of the image display unit 6 is displayed as a stop display screen or a demonstration video is displayed depending on whether or not there is a game intention. However, it is not limited to this. For example, whether or not the handle 31 is touched by the player is notified to the lamp control unit 600 via the launch control unit 200, the payout control unit 300, the main control unit 100, and the effect control unit 400, Depending on whether or not the handle 31 is touched by the player in the state (whether or not there is an intention to play), the lamp control unit 600 provides a frame lamp or a panel lamp, or if the handle 31 is provided with a lamp. An effect of gradually changing the brightness of a lamp or the like may be performed. By doing in this way, various novel effects can be executed according to the presence or absence of the game intention in the customer waiting state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the touch sensor 131 is provided on the handle 31, and the presence / absence of the player's intention to play is determined according to whether the handle 31 is touched by the player. It is not a thing. For example, a lever 32 is provided with a rotation sensor to detect whether or not the player has performed a rotation operation of the lever 32 and to determine whether or not the player has a game intention based on the presence or absence of the rotation operation of the lever 32. Alternatively, a sensor is provided at the end of the upper side of the game area 20 of the rail member that forms a passage where the launched game ball rises along the main surface of the game board 2 and goes to the upper position of the game area 20, It may be detected by the sensor whether or not a game ball has been launched into the game area 20, and the presence or absence of the game intention of the player may be determined according to whether or not the game ball has been launched into the game area.

  In the above-described embodiment, 131 touch sensors are connected to the launch control unit 200, and the touch sensor is connected to the image sound control unit 500 via the launch control unit 200, the payout control unit 300, the main control unit 100, and the effect control unit 400. Information is transmitted based on the signal from 131, but is not limited thereto. For example, the touch sensor 131 may be connected to the effect control unit 400 or the image sound control unit 500.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the animation production is performed by the game machine 1 being installed in the hall, the operation being started, and the phase being updated from 7:00 on the first Sunday to 7:00 on the 19th Sunday after the operation. However, it is assumed that an additional update is performed in which an executable animation production is added, but this is not a limitation. For example, for example, the animation effect may be replaced by an update that replaces an executable animation effect by updating the phase. In this case, if the animation production phase is updated at 7:00 on the 20th Sunday after the operation (the phase can be updated from 20 to 21), and the animation production phase is updated to 21. All of the animation effects that can be executed so far are set as executable animation effects, and the player performs a predetermined operation on the effect buttons 37 and the effect keys 38 when in the customer waiting state. Thus, one animation effect may be selected from all the animation effects, and may be set as an animation effect that is executed during the execution of the notification effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, the story introduction effect can be executed during the execution of one notification effect started in the customer waiting state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the story introduction effect is started during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state, and the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery is not suspended during the execution of the notification effect. When the customer wait state is entered after the completion, the story introduction effect may be continuously executed even in the customer wait state. In this case, if the image sound control unit 500 receives a customer waiting process instruction from the effect control unit 400 and the story introduction effect is being executed, it is prohibited to start displaying the stop display screen. Good. The story introduction effect is started during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state, and the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery is suspended during the execution of the notification effect, When the identification number of the variation pattern of the variation based on the generated suspension is 19 to 24 (when the type of the corresponding production pattern is immediately lost), the story introduction production may be continuously executed. Even in this way, it is possible to execute a more novel effect that attracts the player's interest.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the notification effect started in the customer waiting state and the variation pattern identification field number is 19 (when the type of the effect pattern is immediately lost), the notification effect While it is assumed that a story introduction effect can be executed during execution, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the notification effect started in the customer waiting state and the variation pattern identification number is 17 (even when the effect pattern type is reach lose), the story introduction effect is being executed during the execution of the notification effect. May be executable. In this case, the image sound control unit 500 rewrites the effect pattern type that does not execute the reach effect in the notification effect (that is, the effect pattern type is immediately lost) and does not execute the reach effect so that the story is introduced. What is necessary is just to perform a production.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the phase of the story introduction effect is updated to 21 (final phase), all of the story introduction effects are set as inexecutable effects. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, when the phase of the story introduction production is updated to the final phase, all the productions that could be executed so far are set as executable productions and executed during the execution of the notification production started in the customer waiting state. The story introduction effect to be performed may be determined by lottery or the like from all of the story introduction effects.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the story introduction effect is performed as an effect that is not executed during the execution of the notification effect started when not in the customer waiting state during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state. Although it is possible to execute, it is not limited to this. For example, the content that is the subject of the gaming machine 1 as an effect that is not executed during the execution of the notification effect started when not in the customer waiting state during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer wait state It may be possible to execute a content introduction effect that introduces (animation, story, etc.) and an effect that introduces one or more effects with relatively high jackpot reliability in the notification effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, the story introduction effect can be executed during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state regardless of the gaming state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the gaming state is a non-short-time state (normal gaming state, latent gaming state), the story introduction effect can be executed during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state, and the gaming state is the short-time state ( In the case of the probability variation game state and the short time game state), the story introduction effect may not be executed during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state.

  In the embodiment described above, the story introduction effect is executed during the execution of the notification effect started in the customer waiting state regardless of whether the notification effect is based on the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery. This is possible but not limited to this. For example, the story introduction effect can be executed during the execution of the notification effect based on the first special symbol lottery started in the customer waiting state, and the notification effect based on the second special symbol lottery started in the customer waiting state is executed. Some of the story introduction effects may not be executed.

  In the embodiment described above, the story introduction effect can be executed during execution of the notification effect as long as the notification effect is started in the customer waiting state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the story introduction effect may be executed during the execution of the notification effect that is started after the customer waiting state has been continued for a predetermined time without a game intention.

  Moreover, although the features of the present embodiment and the features of the modified examples have been described above, it goes without saying that these features may be appropriately combined.

  Further, the shape, number, installation position, and the like of each component provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to other shapes, numbers, and installation positions. It goes without saying that the present invention can be realized without departing from the above. Further, it goes without saying that the numerical values and the like used in the above-described processing are merely examples, and the present invention can be realized even with other numerical values.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail using embodiment, the above-mentioned description is only the illustration of this invention in all the points, and does not intend to limit the range. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the terms used in the present specification are used in the meaning normally used in the art unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all technical and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine 2 ... Game board 4 ... Display 5 ... Frame member 6 ... Image display part 7 ... Movable accessory 8 ... Board lamp 20 ... Game area 21 ... 1st start opening 22 ... 2nd start opening 23 ... Grand prize Mouth 24 ... Normal winning port 25 ... Gate 26 ... Discharge port 27 ... Electric tulip 31 ... Handle 32 ... Lever 33 ... Stop button 34 ... Eject button 35 ... Speaker 36 ... Frame lamp 37 ... Production button 38 ... Production key 39 ... Dish 43 ... Lock part 100 ... Main control part 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 ... CPU
102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 ... ROM
103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603 ... RAM
111a ... 1st start port switch 111b ... 2nd start port switch 112 ... Electric tulip opening / closing part 113 ... Gate switch 114 ... Grand prize opening switch 115 ... Grand prize opening / closing part 116 ... Normal prize opening switch 200 ... Launch control part 211 ... Launching device 300 ... payout control unit 311 ... payout drive unit 400 ... production control unit 404 ... RTC
500 ... Image sound control unit 600 ... Lamp control unit

Claims (1)

Special game determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game when the start condition is satisfied;
Based on the determination result by the special game determination means, the symbol display control means for controlling the change display for stopping the determination symbol indicating the determination result after changing the symbol in the symbol display means;
Production control means for controlling production;
Game intention determination means for determining presence or absence of game intention,
The production control means includes
Customer waiting determination means for determining whether or not the variable display by the symbol display control means is in an uncontrolled customer waiting state because the starting condition is not satisfied when the special game is not performed. ,
When it is determined by the customer waiting determination means that the waiting state is the customer waiting state, when the gaming intention determination means determines that there is a gaming intention, a customer waiting effect is executed in a first effect mode,
In the state where it is determined that the customer waiting state is determined by the customer waiting determination unit, when the gaming intention determination unit determines that there is no gaming intention, the customer waiting effect is executed in a second effect mode. ,
In the customer waiting state, when the customer waiting effect is executed in the second effect mode, and the game intention determination means determines that there is a game intention, the customer waiting effect is changed to the second effect mode. A gaming machine that is changed from the first production mode to the first production mode.