JP2018000658A - Game board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game board featuring display.SOLUTION: A game board includes display means, display control means for controlling the display means, and operable operation means. The display means can display a first character, and a second character differing from the first character, based on the operation. The first character is displayed in a first display mode over a first period, and then is at least changeable to a second display mode that is more recognizable than the first display mode. The display control means can display the first character in the second display mode and then the second character, based on the operation in the middle of the first period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 34

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a spinning machine (slot machine), a ball game machine (pachinko machine), a sealed game machine, or a medalless slot machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with liquid crystals are widely known for the purpose of improving production effects.

  According to such a game machine, the display mode of a specific character may be changed on the liquid crystal. In addition, the production may be switched according to the operation accompanying the progress of the game, and as a result, the recognition degree of the specific character may decrease before and after the operation, which may lead to a decrease in the game entertainment.

JP 2011-125379 A

  As described above, the conventional game stand still has room for improvement in display.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine having a display characteristic.

  The present invention is a gaming machine comprising display means, display control means for controlling the display means, and operable operation means, wherein the display means displays a plurality of characters based on the operation. The plurality of characters include at least a first character and a second character different from the first character, and the first character is a first period. After the first display mode is displayed, the display control means can change at least to the second display mode that is easier to recognize than the first display mode. On the basis of the above operation, the game table is a means for enabling the second character to be displayed after the first character in the second display mode is displayed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game stand with the characteristic in a display can be provided.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is the front view which expanded and showed the symbol display window. The circuit block diagram of a control part is shown. It is the figure which expanded and showed the arrangement | sequence of the symbol given to each reel. (A) It is the figure which showed the winning combination, the name of a winning combination, the symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination, the payout of each winning combination, and remarks. (B) It is the figure which showed RT transition of the main control part. It is the figure which showed the winning combination (condition apparatus), the internal winning probability according to RT mode, and remarks. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of medal insertion / start operation reception processing. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a winning determination process. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an effect button reception process. (A) It is a flowchart of the main process which CPU of a 1st sub control part performs. (B) It is a flowchart of the command input process of a 1st sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 1st sub control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of production control processing. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of winning determination command reception. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of reception operation reception command reception. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of presentation button operation reception command reception. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of start operation reception command reception. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an information output process. (A) It is a flowchart of the main process which CPU of a 2nd sub control part performs. (B) It is a flowchart of the command reception interruption process of a 2nd sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 2nd sub control part. (D) It is a flowchart of the image control process of a 2nd sub control part. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an effect data setting process. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a character selection process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a timing chart of a part of character selection production. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image data used for a character selection effect. It is a timing chart of a part of character selection production. It is another flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of presentation button operation reception command reception. It is a timing chart of a part of character selection production. It is a timing chart of a part of character selection production. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between VRAM and the display area of a liquid crystal display device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between VRAM and the display area of a liquid crystal display device. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a character selection production.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the gaming machine (the spinning machine such as the slot machine 100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

<Overall configuration>
A slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored and rotated inside the slot machine 100. It is configured to be able to. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving device such as a stepping motor.

  In the present embodiment, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by affixing the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame member. When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are generally displayed three in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display device that displays a plurality of combinations of symbols in a variable manner. In addition to the reel, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be used as such a display device. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  A backlight (not shown) for illuminating the individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the symbol display window 113. As shown in the figure, the slot machine 100 includes a middle horizontal winning line L1 constituted by a middle stage of the left reel 110, a middle stage of the middle reel 111, and a middle stage of the right reel 112 (symbol display areas 2, 5, and 8), The upper horizontal winning line L2 configured by the upper stage of the left reel 110, the upper stage of the middle reel 111, the upper stage of the right reel 112 (symbol display areas 1, 4, 7), the lower stage of the left reel 110, the lower stage of the middle reel 111, The lower horizontal winning line L3 constituted by the lower stage of the right reel 112 (design display areas 3, 6 and 9), the upper stage of the left reel 110, the middle stage of the middle reel 111, and the lower stage of the right reel 112 (design display areas 1, 5). 9), a lower-right winning line L4, a lower stage of the left reel 110, a middle stage of the middle reel 111, and an upper stage of the right reel 112 (design display areas 3, 5, 7). It has five pay lines 114 formed right up winning line L5 by.

  Note that the number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five, and includes, for example, the lower stage of the left reel 110, the lower stage of the middle reel 111, and the lower stage of the right reel 112 (symbol display areas 3, 6, and 9). The lower horizontal winning line L3 may be excluded from the winning line.

  Here, the winning line refers to a line for determining whether a winning combination is established when the reel is stopped, and is also referred to as an effective line. In general, before starting the game, the prescribed line, the line set by setting the number of medals in the game are called the effective line, and the line where the reel is stopped and the combination is determined is called the winning line. However, the winning line and the effective line are synonymous.

  Returning to FIG. 1, for example, the notification lamp 123 indicates to the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, bonus) has been won internally in an internal lottery to be described later, or that a bonus game is in progress. It is a lamp to inform. The game medal insertable lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, a maximum of 3 cards are inserted, 2 when the bet button 131 is pressed, and 3 when the bet button 132 is pressed. It has become so. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as a MAX bet button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the bet buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141. is there. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The stored number display 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127 are 7-segment (SEG) displays.

  The start lever 135 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired medal number is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or when the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is referred to as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with the reels 110 to 112. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation, the first stop operation is referred to as a first stop operation, the next stop operation is referred to as a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. Note that a light emitter may be provided inside each stop button 137 to 139, and when the stop button 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter may be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The payment button 134 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.

  Below the stop button unit 136 is provided a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and pasting various types of certificate. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (effect image) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. And a display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 appears on the front side (player side) of the slot machine 100 when the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the liquid crystal display device 157. It has become. It should be noted that the display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, but may be any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

  In the present embodiment, an effect button 700 is provided above the front door 102, for example, above the stop button unit 136. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, there is a case where the display of the effect (image data) displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 is performed in response to the operation of the effect button 700 or the bet buttons 130 to 132.

<Control unit>
The circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into main effects according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.
<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. ROM 306 for storing position, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, and the like WDT (watchdog timer) 314 is mounted. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later.

  The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The main control unit 300 derives a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 every time it receives a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 315a (this circuit incorporates two random value generation circuits). And an activation signal output circuit 338 that outputs an activation signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 338, the CPU 304 Game control is started (main control section main processing described later is started).

  The random value generation circuit 316 generates a random value used in the basic circuit 302. Random value generation in the random value generation circuit 316 can be broadly divided into two types of methods: counter mode and random number mode. In the counter mode, a numerical value that is counted up (down) at a predetermined time interval is acquired, and the numerical value is derived as a random value. There are two more methods in the random number mode. The first method in the random number mode performs a calculation by a predetermined function (for example, a modulus function) using the seed of the random number value, and derives the calculation result as a random number value. In the second method, a numerical value is read from a random number table in which numerical values in the range of 0 to 65535 are randomly arranged, and the read numerical value is derived as a random value. The random value generation circuit 316 acquires irregular values using white noise superimposed on signals input from the various sensors 318 to the sensor circuit 320. The random number generation circuit 316 uses the acquired value as an initial value of a counter that counts up (down) in the counter mode, uses it as a seed for a random value, or determines a read start position of a random number table. Use.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 at every interruption time. Medal reception sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, checkout button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, optical type of the reel 110 Sensor, optical sensor of the reel 111, optical sensor of the reel 112, etc.) and the state of the effect button sensor 702 are monitored.

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random value generation circuit 316. Receiving this signal, the random value generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random value used for the lottery.

  Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the input operation when The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 180. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The optical sensor of the reel 110, the optical sensor of the reel 111, and the optical sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and light shielding pieces provided on the reel frame pass therethrough. Each time you do it, it goes to L level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 180. A driving circuit 326 for driving the motor, various lamps 336 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, and a stored number display. A driving circuit 328 for driving the device 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127).

  Further, an information output circuit 334 (external concentration terminal board 248) is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the slot machine 100 is output to the information input circuit 652 provided.

  The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit (not shown) to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 330 is a voltage of the power source. When the value is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals such as commands to the first sub control unit 400. However, the first sub-control unit 400 is configured not to transmit a signal such as a command to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives a control command transmitted from the main control unit 300 via an input interface and controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on the control command. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time and frequency. It is installed. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, a backlight lighting pattern, data for controlling various displays, and the like.

  The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency dividing data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sound source IC 418, and the sound source IC 418 is provided with speakers 272 and 277 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls sound output from the amplifiers and speakers 272 and 277 in accordance with a command from the CPU 404. The sound source IC 418 is connected to an S-ROM (sound ROM) in which audio data is stored. The audio data acquired from the ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162 lamp, etc.) are provided to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. It is connected.

  Further, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 424 for driving the motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 424 is provided with a shutter 163 via an output interface. The drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sensor circuit 426, and a shutter sensor 428 is connected to the sensor circuit 426 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 428 every interruption time.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. Second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of rendering device 160 including display control of liquid crystal display device 157. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 is, for example, a control unit that controls display of the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls various drive devices for presentation (for example, a control unit that controls motor driving of the shutter 163). For example, it may be configured by a plurality of control units.

  The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer for measuring time and frequency 512. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

  The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 518 are connected to the VDP 516 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads image data stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the liquid crystal display device 157.

<Reel arrangement>
A symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) is developed in a plane.

  In each reel 110 to 112, a plurality of types (9 types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the figure are arranged in a predetermined number of frames (21 frames of numbers 0 to 20 in this embodiment). Also, numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reels 110 to 112. For example, in the present embodiment, the number 9 frame on the left reel 110 has a seven symbol, the bell symbol number 0 on the middle reel 111, and the seven symbol on the right reel 112 number 2. Has been placed. Hereinafter, the Seven 1 symbol may be referred to as “Red 7 symbol” and the Seven 2 symbol may be referred to as “Blue 7 symbol”.

  Next, the types of winning combinations (condition devices) of the slot machine 100 and game state transitions (RT transitions) of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a winning combination (condition device), a name of the winning combination, a symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination, a payout of each winning combination (the number of medals to be paid out), and remarks. . Here, among the winning combinations in this embodiment, the special role is a role that shifts to special games, and the re-playing role (replay) is a role that enables re-playing without newly inserting medals, respectively. Although distinguished from a winning combination, it may be referred to as an “operating combination”. However, the “winning combination” in the present embodiment includes these operating combinations. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of RT transition of the control unit.

<Type of winning prize>
As shown in FIG. 5A, the winning combination of the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment includes special combination 1 and special combination 2 that are classified as special combinations, and re-playing combinations 1 to 3 that are classified as general combinations. And there are small roles 1-3. Needless to say, the type of winning combination is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily adopted.

<Types of winning roles / Special role 1, Special role 2>
“Special role 1” (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “BB (Big Bonus)”) is changed from the gaming state to the special gaming state (RT4) by winning (see FIG. 5B), and the big bonus game ( BB game) is a special role (operating role) to be started. In the present embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to BB is “seven one symbol-seven one symbol-seven one symbol”.

  For BB, the flag is carried over. That is, when BB is internally won, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) and the gaming state shifts to the special role internal winning state (RT3). Even if the BB is not won in the special role internal winning state (RT3), the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained until winning, and the special role internal winning state (RT3) is maintained after the next game, The combination of symbols corresponding to BB is in a state of winning BB.

  In the “special role 2” (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “RB (regular bonus)”), the game state is shifted to the special game state (RT5) by winning (see FIG. 5B), and the regular bonus game ( RB game) is a special role (operating role) to be started. In the present embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to RB is “BAR symbol-BAR symbol-BAR symbol”.

  For RB, the flag is carried over. That is, when the RB is won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) and the gaming state shifts to the special role internal winning state (RT3). Even if the RB is not won in the special role internal winning state (RT3), the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained until winning, and the special role internal winning state (RT3) is maintained after the next game, The combination of symbols corresponding to RB is ready to win RB.

<Type of winning prize / general role>
“Re-playing roles 1 to 3” are winning combinations (operating roles) that can play a game without inserting medals (game media) in the next game. In the following, the replaying roles 1 to 3 are referred to as “replaying roles”, the replaying role 1 is referred to as “special replay 1”, the replaying role 2 is referred to as “special replay 2”, and the replaying role 3 is referred to as “normal replay”. There is a case. In addition, the symbol combinations and payouts corresponding to the re-game players 1 to 3 are as shown in FIG.

  The game state transition (RT transition) in the main control unit 300 will be described later, but the “re-game player 1 (special replay 1)” and “re-game player 2 (special replay 2)” will describe the game state by winning. This is a role to shift to the replay high probability state (RT2).

  “Small 1 to 3” is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning, and corresponding symbol combinations and payouts are as shown in FIG. Note that “ANY” indicates that any symbol may be used. For example, in the case of the symbol combination “CHERRY-ANY-ANY” corresponding to the small role 1, the symbol of the left reel 110 may be a cherry symbol, and the middle reel 111 This means that the symbol of the right reel 112 can be any symbol. Further, hereinafter, the small role 1 may be referred to as “cherry”, the small role 2 as “watermelon”, and the small role 3 as “bell”.

<RT transition of main controller>
Next, game state transition (RT transition) of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an example of RT transition of the main control unit.

  As described above, the gaming state of the slot machine 100 includes the replay low probability state (RT1), the replay high probability state (RT2), the special role internal winning state (RT3), the special game state (RT4), and the special game state ( There are five types of RT5).

<Replay low probability state (RT1)>
The re-gaming low probability state (RT1) is an initial gaming state that first shifts after the slot machine 100 is powered on or reset, and is also referred to as a normal gaming state. The content of the replay low probability state (RT1) is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the internal lottery result of the winning combination is almost lost or the stop display result does not correspond to any combination of symbols. It is set so that the result of stop display of the lose is generally derived, and the total number of medals that can be acquired in the gaming state is a gaming state that is less than the total number of inserted medals. Therefore, it is a gaming state that is disadvantageous for the player as compared to a re-game high probability state, a BB gaming state, an RB gaming state, and the like, which will be described later. In this replay low probability state (RT1), when the symbol combination corresponding to the above-mentioned special replay 1 or special replay 2 is stopped and displayed on the winning line, the replay high probability state (RT2) is entered, and the special role When the internal winning of 1 or special role 2 is made, the state shifts to the special winning internal winning state (RT3).

<Replay high probability state (RT2)>
In the re-game high probability state (RT2), the internal winning probability of the re-game player 1 and the re-game player 2 is set to a higher probability than the re-game low probability state (RT 1), and consumption of medals used in the game is suppressed. A gaming state. Therefore, it is a gaming state that is advantageous for the player as compared with the above-mentioned low replay probability state.

  In the replay high probability state (RT2), the transition is made to the replay low probability state (RT1) at the end of the fifth game, and the special role 1 or special role 2 is elected to the special role internal winning state (RT3). .

<Special role internal winning state (RT3)>
The special role internal winning state (RT3) is when the special role 1 (BB) or special role 2 (RB) is internally won in the above-mentioned low replay probability state (RT1) or high replay probability state (RT2). The game state is a game state in which the symbol combination corresponding to BB or the symbol combination corresponding to RB can be stopped and displayed on the active line. In the special combination internal winning state (RT3), when the symbol combination corresponding to BB is stopped and displayed on the active line, the special game state (RT4) is entered, and the symbol combination corresponding to RB is stopped on the active line. When it is displayed, it shifts to a special game state (RT5).

<BB gaming state (RT4)>
The BB gaming state (RT4) is a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted, which is advantageous to the player compared to the above-mentioned low replay probability state and high replay probability state. Is a gaming state. Although the content of the BB gaming state (RT4) is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, it is possible to receive medals corresponding to the small roles 1 to 3 by winning an internal winning with high probability during the above-mentioned BB. When the medals are paid out in excess of a predetermined number (360 in the present embodiment), the transition to the replay low probability state (RT1) is made.

<RB gaming state (RT5)>
The RB gaming state (RT5) is a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted, which is advantageous for the player as compared to the above-mentioned replay low probability state and replay high probability state. Is a gaming state. The content of the RB gaming state (RT5) is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, it is possible to receive medals corresponding to the small roles 1 to 3 by internal winning with high probability during the above-mentioned RB, When the medals are paid out in excess of a predetermined number (120 in the present embodiment), the game shifts to the replay low probability state (RT1).

<Lottery for winning prize>
Next, the lottery value of the winning combination will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is a figure which showed the condition apparatus (combination), the internal winning probability according to RT mode, and remarks.

  The gaming state of the slot machine 100 includes a low replay probability state (RT1), a high replay probability state (RT2), a special role internal winning state (RT3), a special (BB) game state (RT4), and a special (RB) game. The internal winning probability of the winning combination is determined in advance for each gaming state in the state (RT5) (for each RT mode). Hereinafter, the gaming state may be referred to as RT1 to RT5.

  The internal winning probability of each winning combination is a value obtained by dividing the lottery value associated with the condition device or a combination thereof by the size of the numerical value range of the random value acquired during the internal lottery (65535 in this embodiment). Desired. For example, the internal winning probability of special combination 1 in RT1 is 5/65536, the internal winning probability of special combination 1 in RT2 is 5/65536, and the internal winning probability of replaying combination 1 in RT1 to RT3 is These are 360/65536, 500/65536, and 680/65536, respectively.

  These lottery values are associated in advance with any numerical value range in the numerical value range (0 to 65535 in the present embodiment), and as a result of executing the internal lottery, It is determined whether the lottery value corresponds to the winning combination, and the internal lottery combination is determined. In addition, as the lottery value, setting 1 to setting 6 in which the internal winning probabilities of at least one winning combination are different are prepared, and an attendant of the game shop can arbitrarily select and set any setting value.

  To illustrate the content shown in the figure, the special device name “special role 1” can be won internally only when the gaming state is RT1 and RT2, and ends with a payout of more than 360 medals, RT1 It is comprised so that it may transfer to the gaming state of. The special combination 2 (RB) can be won internally only when the gaming state is RT1 or RT2, and is configured to end with a medal payout of more than 120 and shift to the gaming state of RT1.

  Each of “re-game player 1”, “re-game player 2”, and “re-game player 3” can be internally won only when the game state is RT1 to RT3.

  “Re-playing combination 1 + special combination 1” is a combination of re-playing combination 1 and special combination 1 (overlapping combination). For example, by the first stop operation described above, the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, or the right reel 112 The winning combination is different depending on which one is stopped. As an example, if the left reel 110 or the middle reel 111 is stopped by the first stop operation, the player is awarded the re-playing combination 1 and if the right reel 112 is stopped by the first stop operation, the special combination 1 Is configured to win. Further, this “re-playing combination 1 + special combination 1” can be won internally only when the gaming state is RT1, RT2.

  “Re-playing combination 1 + special combination 2” is a combination of re-playing combination 1 and special combination 2 (overlapping combination). For example, any one of the left reel 110, the middle reel 111 or the right reel 112 is changed by the first stop operation. The winning combination varies depending on whether to stop. Further, this “re-playing combination 1 + special combination 2” can be won internally only when the gaming state is RT1, RT2.

  “Re-playing combination 2 + special combination 1” is a combination of re-playing combination 2 and special combination 1 (overlapping combination). For example, any one of the left reel 110, the middle reel 111 or the right reel 112 is changed by the first stop operation. The winning combination varies depending on whether to stop. Further, this “re-game combination 2 + special combination 1” can be won internally only when the game state is RT1 or RT2.

  “Re-playing combination 2 + special combination 2” is a combination of re-playing combination 2 and special combination 2 (overlapping combination). For example, any of the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, or the right reel 112 is changed by the first stop operation. The winning combination varies depending on whether to stop. Further, this “re-game combination 2 + special combination 2” can be won internally only when the game state is RT1 or RT2.

  “Small 1”, “Small 2” and “Small 3” can be internally won when the gaming state is RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4 and RT5, respectively.

  “Small part 1 + Special part 1” is a combination of a small part 1 and special part 1 (duplicate part), and “Small part 1 + Special part 1” can be won internally only when the gaming state is RT1, RT2. Has been.

  With this configuration, in the present embodiment, for example, in the gaming state RT1 (normal gaming state), “single winning of special role 1 or special role 2”, “replaying role 1, replaying role 2 and replaying role 3” , "Special winning 1 or special winning 2 is duplicated with re-playing bonus 1 or re-playing bonus 2", "Single winning of small win 1, small win 2 or small win 3" Alternatively, in the case of “special role 1 and small role 1 are duplicated,” special role 1 or special role 2 is won.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.

  As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal is input executes a main control unit main process according to a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306 after resetting by a reset interrupt.

  When the power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step S101. In this initial setting, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of interrupt prohibition, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, operation permission to the WDT 314, and initial setting Set the value. In step S103, medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of the medal. Note that when a re-win is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that it is not necessary for the player to insert medals. Further, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If there is an operation of the start lever 135, the process proceeds to step S105.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the special combination 1 is won, a character selection effect that selects any one of the effect patterns by three characters having different digestion patterns can be executed. In the character selection effect, the three characters can be switched (selected) by the effect button 700 (or the bet buttons 130 to 131). Then, during the execution of the character selection effect, in this step, whether or not a medal is inserted or whether or not the start lever 135 is operated is checked, and if a medal is inserted or if the start lever 135 is operated The effect pattern of the currently selected character is determined. Details of the medal insertion start operation acceptance process and the character selection effect will be described later.

  In step S105, the number of inserted medals is determined and an effective winning line is determined. In step S107, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired. In step S109, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read according to the current gaming state, and an internal lottery is performed using this and the random value acquired in step S107. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination (including an operating combination) is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned ON. Further, in step S109, a setting for transmitting an internal lottery command including information on the updated gaming state (RT1 to RT5) and information on the internal lottery result to the first sub-control unit 400 is performed.

  In step S111, reel stop control data is selected based on the internal lottery result. In step S113, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started. In step S115, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel stop control in which one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop button is selected in step S111. Stop based on data. When all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S117.

  In step S117, a winning determination process is performed. Here, when a symbol combination corresponding to some winning combination is displayed on the active line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. In step S117, a winning determination command including information on the updated gaming state (RT1 to RT5) and information on the result of winning determination (a winning combination displayed on the active line) is sent to the first sub-control unit 400. Configure settings for sending. For example, in order to notify the first sub-control unit 400 of the special role 1 winning in accordance with the winning of the special role 1, a “special role 1 winning determination command” is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400, In order to notify the first sub-control unit 400 of the winning, “another winning determination command” is also transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S119, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out according to the number of winning lines. In step S121, game state control processing is performed. In the gaming state control process, processing related to the transition of each gaming state of RT1 to RT5 described above is performed, and the gaming state is shifted when the start condition and end condition are satisfied. In step S121, a setting for transmitting a game state command including information on the updated game state (RT1 to RT5) to the first sub-control unit 400 is performed. Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S103 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.

<Main control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, the main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control unit timer interrupt is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The process is started at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S201, a timer interrupt start process is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed. In step S203, the WDT 314 is periodically changed to the initial value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) so that no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S205, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port status update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 318 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area.

  In step S207, processing according to the interrupt status is performed. Specifically, the interrupt status set in the main process of the main control unit is acquired, and a process corresponding to the interrupt status is performed based on signals from various sensors 318. For example, if the interrupt status is in the medal insertion process, the medal selector process and the operation of the effect button 700 are received, and the effect button reception process for setting the effect button operation reception command is performed (details will be described later). If the reel is rotating, a reel driving process for driving the stepping motors provided in the reel devices 110 to 112 is performed. In step S209, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step S211, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, basic command, start lever reception command, production command accompanying production lottery processing, rotation start command accompanying the start of rotation of reels 110 to 112, and operation of stop buttons 137 to 139. A stop button reception command accompanying the reel 110 to 112, a stop position information command accompanying the stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command and a payout end command accompanying the medal payout processing, a game state command, an effect button operation acceptance command, etc.), bit 0 -10 consist of command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type) It has been. In the first sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and it is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, the contents of effect control can be determined.

  In step S213, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to an information input circuit 652 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S215, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S205 are read, and the presence / absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality is monitored. (Not shown) Error processing is executed. Further, according to the current gaming state, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 338, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set. In step S213, reel control processing is performed. In this reel control process, control such as rotation and stop of the reels 110 to 112 is performed.

  In step S217, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply shutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S221. When the low voltage signal is off (power supply shutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S219.

  In step S219, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S201 is set in each original register. Then, the process returns to the main control unit main process. On the other hand, in step S221, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit.

  Next, details of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process (step S103) in the main process of the main control unit of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process (step S103) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S301, the interrupt status is set during medal insertion processing. This interrupt status is information used in timer interrupt processing (step S207 in FIG. 8) of the main control unit, and is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. After setting the interrupt status, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not a re-game player has been won. When this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S305, and when this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S305, the number of medals corresponding to the number of inserted games of the previous game (game that won the re-gamer) is electronically automatically inserted, and the process proceeds to step S307. In this case, medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 are not used. The automatic loading here corresponds to an example of a loading operation.

  In step S307, preparation for transmitting the input operation acceptance command is executed, and the process proceeds to step S309. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received this input operation acceptance command executes a predetermined effect (step S807 in FIG. 12).

  In step S309, it is determined whether or not a re-game player has been won. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S319, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, it is determined whether or not a medal insertion operation has been performed. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S313, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S323. This “insertion operation” includes not only electronic insertion of medals, but also operation of insertion of medals by a player (medal insertion by care).

  It should be noted that the operation of the bet buttons 130 to 132 when the re-game player is not won is the “insertion operation” in this step. The bet buttons 130 to 132 may be used not only as an electronic medal insertion but also as an operation means (effect bet button) related to the execution of the effect. For example, by operating the bet buttons 130 to 132, a character select effect described later is performed. It may be possible to make a decision.

  In step S313, the number of inserted medals is updated, and the process proceeds to step S315. Here, the inserted medal number is information representing the number of medals used in the game, and is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of inserted medals (the number of medals bet) is three.

  In step S315, the number of medals stored electronically is updated, and the process proceeds to step S317. When the number of inserted medals (number of medals bet) is 3, when an actual medal is inserted, the number of electronically stored medals is added up to an upper limit of 50. Further, when the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated when the number of inserted medals is less than 3, the electronically stored medals are used (subtracted) and the number of inserted medals (medal bet number) is added. .

  In step S317, preparation for transmitting the input operation acceptance command is performed, and the process proceeds to step S323. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received this input operation acceptance command executes a predetermined effect (step S807 in FIG. 12).

  In step S319, which proceeds when it is determined in step S309 that the re-game player has been won, it is determined whether or not the bet buttons 130 to 132 have been operated based on signals from sensors provided in the bet buttons. . If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S321; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S323.

  As described above, the operation of the bet buttons 130 to 132 when the player has not won the re-game player is the “insertion operation”. However, since the medal is not inserted in step S319, the bet button operation in this case is “ Although it is not included in the “throwing-in operation”, it has the same function as the operation for determining the character selection effect.

  In step S321, preparation for transmission of the input operation acceptance command is performed, and the process proceeds to step S323.

  In step S323, it is determined whether or not the start operation, that is, the start lever 135 has been operated. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S327, and if not, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S327, it is determined whether or not the number of inserted medals stored in the RAM 308 is a prescribed number. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S329; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S309. Since the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment is dedicated to betting three, the prescribed number is three. In addition, it is determined whether or not the game can be started by the processing here and the above step S323.

  In step S329, preparation for transmission of the start operation acceptance command is performed, and thereafter, the medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is terminated. Note that the first sub-control unit 400 that has received the start operation acceptance command executes a predetermined effect (step S815 in FIG. 12).

<Winning determination process>
Next, details of the winning determination process (step S117) in the main process of the main control unit in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing the flow of the winning determination process (step S117) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S401, it is determined whether or not all the reels (respective reels 110 to 112) are stopped. If stopped, the process proceeds to step S403, and if not, step S401 is repeatedly executed. .

  In step S403, the interrupt status is set to disable interrupts. This interrupt status is information used in timer interrupt processing (step S207 in FIG. 8) of the main control unit, and is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. After setting the interrupt status, information (stop symbol position information) indicating which symbol is displayed on the display window 113 by each of the stopped reels 110 to 112 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S405. The stop symbol position information is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

  In step S405, the winning symbol position information is used to determine which winning combination (winning determination). The winning combination information, which is information indicating the winning combination (including lost), is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and then the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, preparation for transmitting a winning determination command is executed. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received the winning determination command executes a predetermined effect (step S803 in FIG. 12). In this step, for example, the special control 1 winning determination command for causing the second sub-control unit 500 to execute processing for reading the first data is used as the winning determination command, and the main control unit 300 performs the first sub-control. Preparation for transmission to the control unit 400 is performed. In addition, as the winning determination command, the main control unit 300 prepares to transmit “other commands indicating winnings other than the special role 1” or “other commands indicating loss” to the first sub-control unit 400. .

  In this step, a predetermined value is set in the winning timer, and it is determined whether or not the value of the winning timer is zero. If the value of the winning timer is 0, the winning determination process is terminated. If not, it is determined again whether the value of the winning timer is 0. The value of the winning timer is counted down in the timer update process in the main controller timer interrupt process (step S209 in FIG. 8). That is, the end of the winning determination process (game progress) is delayed until the value set in the winning timer is counted down to zero.

<Direction button reception processing>
Next, details of the effect button reception process executed in the process (step S207) corresponding to the interrupt status of the main control unit timer interrupt process in FIG. 8 will be described using FIG. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect button receiving process.

  First, in the first step S451, it is determined whether or not a medal insertion process is in progress. In step S301 of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process shown in FIG. 9, it is determined that “medal insertion process is in progress” in step S451 only when the interrupt status is set to “medal insertion process in progress”. The process proceeds to step S453. Otherwise, this effect button acceptance process is terminated.

  In step S453, it is determined whether or not the effect button 700 has been operated. If it is determined that the effect button 700 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S455, and if not, this effect button reception process ends.

  In step S455, in order to transmit the effect button operation acceptance command to the first sub-control unit 400, preparation for transmission is performed, and this effect button acceptance process is terminated.

  In this example, when the effect button 700 is operated regardless of the timing of image switching in the first sub-control unit 400, an effect button operation acceptance command is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 that has received the effect button operation acceptance command controls the processing of the effect button operation acceptance command as appropriate (at a predetermined timing), and executes image switching.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
Next, processing of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the main process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  First, in step S501 in FIG. 9A, various initial settings are performed. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step S503, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

  In step S507, command processing that is processing corresponding to each command received from the main control unit 300 is executed.

  In step S509, an effect control process is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data from the ROM 406 and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated. Details of this effect control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S511, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step 509. For example, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S509, this command is output to the sound source IC 418. In step S513, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S509. For example, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step S509, this command is output to the drive circuit 422. In step S515, an information output process for performing setting to transmit a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result in step S509 is performed. For example, if the effect data read in step S509 includes a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S503.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S601 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is performed by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step S701, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S503 in the first sub-control unit main process (FIG. 5A), and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S303, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S703, transmission of a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step S515 of the first sub-control unit main process, an effect random number update process, and the like are performed.

<Production control processing>
Next, details of the effect control process (step S509) in the first sub control unit main process of FIG. 11A will be described using FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect control process (step S509) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S801, it is determined whether or not a winning determination command has been received (received). If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S803, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S803, a process for receiving a winning determination command is executed. The details of this process will be described later with reference to FIG. 13A. For example, a winning determination command related to winning a special combination 1 transmitted from the main control unit 300, a winning determination command related to other combinations, and a loss related When a winning determination command or the like is received, processing corresponding to each winning determination command is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether an input operation acceptance command has been accepted. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S807, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S807, a process for accepting an input operation acceptance command is executed. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S809, it is determined whether an effect button operation acceptance command has been accepted. The effect button operation acceptance command is a command transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 when the effect button 700 is operated. If it is determined that the operation of the effect button 700 has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S811, and if not, the process proceeds to step S813.

  In this embodiment, the effect button 700 is connected to the main control unit 300. However, the effect button 700 is directly connected to the first sub-control unit 400, and character selection and determination are performed in the same manner as in this embodiment. You may comprise so that it may have a function.

  Also, without providing the effect button 700, among the bet buttons 130 to 132, for example, a 1BET button (button for electronically inserting one medal) or a 2BET button (electronically inserting two medals) A function for selecting a character) and a MAXBET button (for example, a button for electronically inserting three medals) may be assigned to the function for character determination.

  Further, instead of the effect button 700, an operation means that can be operated by the player, such as a touch panel or a jog dial, may be a means having a character selection and determination function.

  In step S811, an effect button operation acceptance command reception process is executed. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S813.

  In step S813, it is determined whether a start operation acceptance command has been accepted. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S815. If this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S817.

  In step S815, processing for accepting a start operation acceptance command is executed. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S817.

  In step S817, a command other than a winning determination command, insertion operation reception command, effect button operation reception command, start operation reception command (for example, a game start command, an internal winning command, a stop position information command accompanying a stop process of the reels 110 to 112) , A game state update command, etc.) are received (other command reception processing). Thereafter, this effect control process is terminated.

<Processing at the time of receiving a winning judgment command>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13A, details of the winning determination command reception process (step S803) in the effect control process of FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing the flow of the winning determination command reception process (step S803) shown in FIG.

  First, in first step S901, it is determined whether or not the winning determination command is a special combination 1 winning command. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S903, and if not, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S903, “ON” is set to the character selection state flag provided in the RAM 408, and the process proceeds to step S905. The character selection state flag is a flag indicating whether or not the character selection effect (also referred to as a character selection effect) can be executed. When the character selection state flag is “ON”, the character selection effect flag is displayed. When the character selection state flag is “off”, the character selection effect cannot be executed. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the special combination 1 is won, the character selection state flag is turned “ON”, and in this state (that is, in the character selection effect after the special combination 1 is won), operation means (for example, the effect button 700 If the bet buttons 130 to 132) are operated, the character can be switched (selected) with the operation as a trigger.

  In step S905, preparation for transmitting a character selection start command to the second sub-control unit 500 is performed to execute the character selection effect, and the process proceeds to step S907.

  In step S907, effect data for character selection effect (for example, effect data including lamp data and sound (sound) data corresponding to the light emission pattern of the lamp) and a character bit are set, and the process proceeds to step S909. Here, the character bit is a bit (flag) corresponding to the selected character, and in this step S907 which proceeds when the special combination 1 winning command is received, the bit corresponding to the character (donor) is “1”, for example. (The flag is on), the bit corresponding to the character (爺) is set to “0” (flag is off), for example, and the bit corresponding to the character (princess) is set to “0” (flag is off), for example.

  The character bit is updated by the selection of the character, and when the character (爺) is selected, the bit corresponding to the character (爺) is, for example, “1” (flag is on), and corresponds to the character (princess). The bit is, for example, “0” (flag is off), and the bit corresponding to the character (donor) is, for example, “0” (flag is off). When the character (princess) is selected, the bit corresponding to the character (princess) is, for example, “1” (flag is on), and the bit corresponding to the character (キ ャ ラ ク タ) is, for example, “0” (flag is off). , The bit corresponding to the character (donor) is, for example, “0” (flag is off). When the character (donor) is selected, the bit corresponding to the character (donor) is, for example, “1” (flag is on), and the bit corresponding to the character (han) is, for example, “0” (flag is off). , The bit corresponding to the character (princess) is, for example, “0” (flag is off).

  In step S909, the period monitoring timer 1 is set, and this winning determination command reception process is terminated. The period monitoring timer 1 is a timer for determining a period (display holding period) in which the display of each character is held for a predetermined period in the character selection effect. In this embodiment, the period monitoring timer is used as a timer for determining the display holding period. 1 and a period monitoring timer 2. The period monitoring timer 1 monitors (counts) a period in which the display of the first (first round) character in the character selection effect is held for a predetermined period (first period, display period for a predetermined number of frames) from the start of the display. The period monitoring timer 2 is a timer that monitors a period for holding the display of the character after the second lap in the character selection effect for a predetermined period (first period, display period for a predetermined number of frames) from the start of the display. It is a timer that counts. In step S909, the period monitoring timer 1 has “1” (1 second) as a period (first period) for displaying 180 frames of characters (characters) from 1 frame to 180 frames as an example. Set. The period monitoring timer 1 is subtracted (cleared) in step S703 of the first sub control unit timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  In step S911, which proceeds when it is determined in step S901 that the winning determination command is not a special role 1 winning command, in order to execute another effect, preparation for transmission of an effect instruction command for instructing another effect, or other effects The other processing such as setting of the effect data (lamp data, sound (voice) data) is executed, and the process at the time of receiving the winning determination command is terminated.

<Processing at the time of accepting input operation acceptance command>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13B, the details of the process for accepting the input operation acceptance command (step S807) in the effect control process of FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing the flow of the input operation acceptance command reception process (step S807) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S1001, it is determined whether or not the character selection state flag provided in the RAM 408 is set to “ON”. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1005.

  In step S1005, the currently selected character (the effect pattern) is set (determined) as the effect pattern after winning the special role 1, and the process proceeds to step S1007. Here, the “currently selected character” is a character corresponding to the set character bit. Specifically, for example, “1” is set in the bit (character bit bit of character (donor)) corresponding to the character (donor) in step S907 of the winning determination command reception process (FIG. 13A). If it is, the “currently selected character” is the character (donor), and in this step S1005, the effect pattern by the character (donor) is set (determined) as the effect pattern after winning the special role 1.

  In step S1007, the character selection state flag is set to “OFF”, and the process proceeds to step S1009.

  In step S1009, preparation for transmission of a character selection end command for ending the character selection effect is performed, and the process proceeds to step S1011. In step S1011, effect data (for example, effect data including lamp data and sound (voice) data) for character determination effect is set, and the process for accepting the input operation acceptance command is terminated.

  Further, in step S1013, which proceeds when it is determined in step S1001 that the character selection state flag is not “ON”, other processing is executed, and the processing for accepting the input operation acceptance command is terminated.

<Processing at the time of production button operation reception command reception>
Next, details of the effect button operation acceptance command reception process (step S811) in the effect control process of FIG. 12 will be described using FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect button operation acceptance command reception processing (step S811) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S1101, it is determined whether or not the character selection state flag provided in the RAM 408 is set to “ON”. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1103, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1111.

In step S1103, it is determined whether it is a display holding period. That is, it is determined whether or not both the period monitoring timer 1 and the period monitoring timer 2 are 0, and if both timers are 0, the process proceeds to step S1105. The command reception process ends. In the character selection effect, since the effect by the lamp or sound (BGM) is also switched, it is determined based on the period monitoring timer 1 and the period monitoring timer 2 whether or not it is the display holding period.

  In step S1105, the period monitoring timer 2 is set. The period monitoring timer 2 is a timer that counts the display holding period of the character after the second round (switching). As an example, 360 frames from 1 frame to 360 frames (for example, character (爺)) are displayed. “2” (2 seconds) is set as a display period (first period). The period monitoring timer 2 is subtracted in step S703 of the first sub control unit timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  In the next step S1107, preparation for transmission of the character switching command is performed, and the process proceeds to step S1109. In step S1109, the effect data for the character select effect (for example, effect data including lamp data, sound (BGM) data, etc.) and the character bit are updated, and the effect button operation acceptance command reception processing is terminated. The update of the character bit is performed in a state where, for example, “1” is set in the bit corresponding to the character (the character bit of the character) (that is, the character (the character) is being selected). When the operation of the button 700 is accepted, the bit corresponding to the character (爺) (character bit of the character (爺)) is updated to “1”, for example, and the character bit of the character (（) is updated to “0” (character ( (The character bit of the character (princess) is maintained at “0”), and the character (donor) is being selected.

  In step S1111 which proceeds when the character selection state flag is not on in step S1101, other processing is performed, and the effect button operation acceptance command acceptance processing is terminated.

<Processing when accepting start operation acceptance command>
Next, the details of the start operation reception command reception process (step S815) in the effect control process of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing the flow of the start operation reception command reception process (step S815) shown in FIG.

  First, in the first step S1201, it is determined whether or not the character selection state flag provided in the RAM 408 is set to ON. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1205. If this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1213.

  In step S1205, the currently selected character (displayed by the liquid crystal display device 157) is set (determined) as an effect pattern after winning the special role 1, and the process proceeds to step S1207. In step S1207, the character selection state flag is set to “OFF”, and the process advances to step S1209.

  In step S1209, preparation for transmission of a character selection end command for ending the character selection effect is performed, and the flow proceeds to step S1211. In step S1211, effect data for character determination effect (for example, effect data including lamp data, sound (BGM) data, etc.) is set, and the process for accepting the input operation acceptance command is terminated.

  In step S1213, which is performed when it is determined in step S1201 that the character selection state flag is not on, other processing is executed, and the input operation reception command reception processing is terminated.

<Information output processing>
Next, details of the information output process (step S515) in the first sub-control unit main process of FIG. 11A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11B is a flowchart showing the flow of the information output process (step S515) shown in FIG.

  First, in first step S1301, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1303. If this condition is not satisfied, the information output process is terminated.

  In step S1303, a command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500, and this information output process ends.

<Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>
Next, the processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the main process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. . FIG. 6C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500, and FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  First, the second sub-control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1401 of the second sub-control unit main process, various initial settings are performed. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed. In step S1403, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S1407, command processing is performed. In the command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 determines whether a command is received from the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. In step S1409, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S1407, processing corresponding to this command is performed. In this process, for example, when performing a new effect, the corresponding effect data is read from the ROM 506, effect data setting processing for setting the read effect data is performed, and when the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data is set. It includes performing data update processing. The effect data setting process will be described later.

  In step S1411, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1409. For example, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S1409, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S1413, image control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1409. For example, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S1409, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S1403.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the second sub control unit 500 detects a strobe signal output from the first sub control unit 400. In step S1501 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the first sub control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Next, the second sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is predetermined by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step S1601, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S1403 in the second sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Accordingly, in step S1403, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S1603, an effect random number update process is performed.

  Next, the image control process in step S1413 in the main process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4D is a flowchart showing the flow of the image control process.

  In step S1701, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 536. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 536), and the like in the attribute register of the VDP 534 based on the position information table, and then the image from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536. Set an instruction to start data transfer. The VDP 534 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 534 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step S1703, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal is input from the VDP 534. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1705. If not, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it. In step S1705, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536 in step S1701, the CPU 504 sets information on image data (coordinate axes and image sizes of the VRAM 536). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 534. The VDP 534 performs parameter setting in accordance with the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step S1707, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to start drawing an image. The VDP 534 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504.

  In step S1709, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 based on the end of image drawing is input. If a generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1711. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input. In step S1711, the scene display counter which is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

<Production data setting process>
Next, an example of the effect data setting process in the effect control process executed in step S1409 of the second sub control unit main process (FIG. 16A) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the effect data setting process.

  First, in step S1801, as a result of the command processing in step S1407 of the second sub-control unit main process (FIG. 16A), any command related to character selection (here, a character selection start command, a character switching command, and a character switching command). It is determined whether or not any of the selection end commands has been received. The character selection start command is a command that is prepared for transmission in step S905 of the winning determination command reception process shown in FIG. 13A, and the character switching command is the effect button operation reception command reception process shown in FIG. The command is prepared for transmission in step S1107, and the character selection end command is a command prepared for transmission in step S1209 of the start operation reception command reception process shown in FIG. As a result of the determination, if any command is received, the process proceeds to step S1803. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1805.

  In step S1803, a character selection process is executed. The character selection process will be described later.

  In step S1805, which proceeds when no command is received in the determination in step S1801, it is determined whether or not an effect instruction command for executing another effect is received, and if received, step S1807 is received. If not, the effect data setting process is terminated. In step S1807, effect data for executing another effect is set, and the effect data setting process ends.

<Character selection processing>
Next, an example of the character selection process executed in step S1803 in FIG. 17A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5B is a flowchart of the character selection process.

  First, in step S1901, it is determined whether or not a character switching command is received. If received, the process proceeds to step S1905, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1907. In step S1905, the next (character) effect data currently set (displayed) is set, and the character selection process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S1901 that a character switching command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1907. In step S1907, it is determined whether a character selection start command has been received. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S1911. Advances to step S1913. In step S1911, effect data for character selection effects is set, and the character selection process is terminated.

  In step S1913, which is performed when it is determined in step S1907 that a character selection start command has not been received, character determination effect effect data is set, and the character selection process is terminated.

  In addition to the image data (character image data and other image data), the effect data set in the second sub-control unit includes data for operating (opening / closing) an effect movable body (for example, a shutter). included.

<Example of Character Select Effect (Example 1)>
Next, the character selection effect executed by the slot machine 100 will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a plurality of (three in this case) production forms (production modes) with different game digestion patterns are prepared as the production forms after winning the special role 1, and characters representing the respective production forms (each Character corresponding to the production mode) is set. Specifically, it is an effect by three characters, a character (dono), a character (爺), and a character (princess). Selection and determination are possible. That is, the character selection effect of the present embodiment refers to an effect of selecting an effect form (effect mode, game digest pattern) corresponding to the character by selecting one character from a plurality of characters.

  Specifically, when the effect button 700 is operated by the player during the execution of the character select effect, the three characters are sequentially switched. In other words, the operation of the effect button 700 can be said to be an operation of selecting a character (hereinafter also referred to as “character selection operation”), and the player can use the operation of the effect button 700 after winning the special role 1 as a trigger. It is possible to select an effect produced by any one of the types of characters (an effect form corresponding to any character).

  Then, when there is an insertion operation by the player (a medal insertion by the player or an operation of pressing the bet buttons 130 to 132 during the replay), the selected character is determined. Alternatively, when the start lever 135 is operated in the non-pressed operation state of the bet buttons 130 to 132 during replay, the selected character is determined. That is, the operation of the start lever 135 in the state where the player inserts medals, presses the bet buttons 130 to 132 during replaying, or presses the bet buttons 130 to 132 during replaying determines the character. It can also be said to be an operation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “character determination operation”).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character selection effect in the present embodiment. When the character selection effect is executed after winning the special role 1, three characters (character (dono), character (爺), character (princess)) are displayed in the display area of the liquid crystal display device 157. One person is surrounded by a square frame. In addition, a “Please select” message is displayed directly below this frame.

  For example, in “Display 1” in the figure, a character (爺), a character (dono), and a character (princess) are displayed from the left, and a central character (dono) is surrounded by a square frame. In this case, the character (dono) surrounded by a square frame is displayed larger than the other characters (character (爺), character (princess)), indicating that the character (dono) is being selected. Yes. In “Display 2”, the character (princess), character (爺), and character (dono) are displayed from the left, and the central character (爺) is surrounded by a square frame, and other characters (character (dono), character ( It is displayed larger than the princess)), indicating that the character (爺) is being selected. In “Display 3”, a character (dono), a character (princess), and a character (か ら) are displayed from the left, and the central character (princess) is surrounded by a square frame, and other characters (character (爺), character ( It is displayed larger than 殿)), indicating that the character (princess) is being selected.

  When the effect button 700 is operated (pressed), the display is sequentially switched in the direction indicated by the arrow as “display 1” → “display 2” → “display 3” → “display 1”. That is, when the effect button 700 is operated while the character (donor) is selected in “display 1”, the display is switched to “display 2”, the character (爺) is being selected, and the character (爺) is selected in “display 2”. If the effect button 700 is operated during the time, the display is switched to “Display 3” and the character (princess) is being selected. If the effect button 700 is operated while the character (princess) is selected in “Display 3”, “Display 1” is selected. "" And the character (donor) is being selected.

  Then, in a state where any of the characters is being selected, the character determination operation (the operation for inserting a medal by the player, the pressing operation of the betting buttons 130 to 132 during replaying, or the non-operation of the betting buttons 130 to 132 during replaying) If there is an operation of the start lever 135 in the pressing operation state), the selected character is determined as a character representing the effect form after winning the special combination 1. For example, when a character determination operation is performed in the state of “display 1”, a character (a state corresponding to) is determined.

<Character selection effect / image data structure>
Next, an example of image data used in the character selection effect of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an example of the configuration of image data, and shows the correspondence between the name of the image data, the configuration content of the image data, the character name (character name), and the displayed characters.

  As shown in the figure, each image data is stored in advance in a ROM 506 (CGROM), and is composed of a plurality of scene data. In addition, a single character may be displayed or a plurality of characters may be displayed by a plurality of scene data constituting each image data. The scene data will be described later.

  Specifically, the image data 1A is, for example, data composed of scene data (1A-1), (1A-2), and (1A-3), and the scene data (1A-1) to (1A) -3), the data is configured such that a single character “Character 1” (here, character (dono)) is displayed. Although the scene data will be described later, the scene data (1A-1), (1A-2), and (1A-3) of the image data 1A are displayed in this order (from the top to the bottom). (The same applies hereinafter).

  The image data 2A is, for example, data composed of scene data (2A-1), (2A-2), (2A-3), and (2A-4), and scene data (2A-1) To display the character of “Character 1” (here, character (dono)), and from the scene data (2A-2) to (2A-4), the character of “Character 2” (here, character (爺)) Is configured to be displayed.

  Further, the image data 3A is, for example, data composed of scene data (3A-1), (3A-2), (3A-3), and (3A-4), and the scene data (3A-1) The character of “Character 2” (here, the character (爺)) is displayed, and the character of “Character 3” (here, the character (princess)) is displayed by the scene data (3A-2) to (3A-4). Is configured to be displayed.

  The image data 4A is, for example, data composed of scene data (4A-1), (4A-2), (4A-3), and (4A-4), and scene data (4A-1) To display the character of “Character 3” (here, the character (princess)), and from the scene data (4A-2) to (4A-4), the character of “Character 1” (here, the character (donor)). Is configured to be displayed.

  Thus, in this example, the image data 1A is configured to display only a single character (for example, a character (donor)). In addition, the image data 2A to the image data 4A are configured such that two different characters are displayed in a predetermined period (starting period) from the beginning of each image data and in a period thereafter.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the image data 1A to image data 4A (scene data (1A-1) to (4A-4)) are displayed in this order during the character selection effect after winning the special role 1. After the scene data (4A-4) of the image data 4A, image data 2A → image data 3A → image data 4A → image data 2A → image data 3A → image data 4A → image data 2A. Is displayed. That is, the image data 1A is image data that is displayed only at the start of the character selection effect after winning the special role 1 (character (dono) → character (爺) → character (princess) first lap). After the display of the second round of (Tono) (scene data (4A-2) to (4A-4) of the first (first round)) image data 4A, the image data 2A to the image data 4A are in this order. It is displayed repeatedly.

  When the effect button 700 is operated during the character selection effect (during the display of certain image data), the display is switched from the currently displayed image data to the next image data. For example, when the effect button 700 is operated while the scene data (1A-2) of the image data 1A is being displayed, the scene data (2A-1) of the image data 2A is switched to be displayed.

  In this example, when the effect button 700 is not operated during the display of the image data 1A, the image data 2A automatically starts displaying after 540 frames of the image data 1A, and the image data 2A is displayed. When the effect button 700 is not operated during the display, the image data 3A automatically starts displaying after the 720 frames of the image data 2A are displayed (hereinafter, the display is automatically started sequentially in the same manner). Explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image data 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A may be switched when the effect button 700 is operated. That is, when the effect button 700 is not operated during the display of the image data 1A, the display is continued until the effect button 700 is operated in the 540th frame of the image data 1A, and the effect button 700 is operated. In this case, the image data 2A may be configured to start displaying (the same applies to other image data). In this case, between the scene data of each image data (for example, (scene data (1A-1) to (1A-3) of the image data 1A) is automatically set to the next scene when the effect button 700 is not operated. Display of data is started (scene data (1A-1) to (1A-3) are sequentially switched and displayed automatically).

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a frame of image data according to the present embodiment. FIG. 20A is a diagram showing a character displayed in the first frame of the image data 1A shown in FIG. b) is an outline of the configuration content of the image data 1A, showing the image data 1A in units of frames, and (c) in FIG. It is a figure shown by a unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the image data 1A is composed of, for example, an image of 540 frames, and a single character (here, character (donor)) gradually begins from the first frame. This is image data whose display mode changes so that the display size becomes large. Note that the second to 179th frames (frames indicated by “...” In the figure) following the first frame are not shown, but during this period, the character (donor) gradually increases from the first frame. It is assumed that the display size of the character has increased to the display size of the character (dono) at the 180th frame. The same applies to the 182nd frame to the 359th frame following the 181st frame, and the 362th frame to the 539th frame following the 361th frame, and it is assumed that the display size of the character gradually changes during those periods. The same applies to the portion displaying other image data with “...”.

  The image data 1A is composed of scene data (1A-1), (1A-2), and (1A-3) as shown in FIG. The scene data (1A-1) is composed of images from the first frame to the 180th frame that change so that the display size of the character (donor) gradually increases. The scene data (1A-2) is 181. The scene data (1A-3) is composed of images from the 361th frame to the 540th frame. It is composed of an image that changes so that the display size of (dono) gradually increases. The display size (first display mode) of the character (dono) during the period from the first frame to the 360th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period, but the 361st frame. Is smaller than the display size (second display mode) of the character in the period from the first frame to the 540th frame.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, the image data 2A is composed of, for example, an image of 720 frames longer than the image data 1A, and the beginning (starting portion), that is, from the first frame to the 180th frame. In addition, image data is displayed in which one character (here, character (don)) is displayed and another character (here, character (爺)) is displayed from the 181st frame to the 720th frame. The first to 180th frames are image data that changes so that the display size of the character (donor) gradually increases, and the display size of the character (爺) gradually increases from the 181st frame to the 720th frame. It is an image that changes as follows. The display size (first display mode) of the character (爺) in the period from the 181st frame to the 540th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period, but the 541th frame The display size of the character (）) in the period from the first frame to the 720th frame (second display mode) is smaller.

  The image data 2A is composed of scene data (2A-1), (2A-2), (2A-3), and (2A-4) as shown in FIG. The scene data (2A-1) is composed of images that change so that the display size of the character (donor) gradually increases. The scene data (2A-1) from the first frame to the 180th frame is data corresponding to the scene data (1A-3) of the image data 1A. In this example, the scene data (1A-3) It is image data that displays the same. The scene data (2A-2) is composed of images from the 181st frame to the 360th frame, where the display size of the character (キ ャ ラ ク タ) gradually increases, and the scene data (2A-3) is 361. The scene (2A-4) is composed of images from the frame to the 540th frame so that the display size of the character (爺) gradually increases, and the scene data (2A-4) is the character (from the 541th frame to the 720th frame). It is composed of images that change so that the display size of (ii) gradually increases.

  Thus, the image data 2A has a larger number of frames than the image data 1A, and the second display mode of the image data 1A (from the 361th frame to the 540th frame) at the beginning (from the first frame to the 180th frame). The character (dono) corresponding to the character (dono) (in this case, the same display mode) is displayed, and then the character (第一) in the first display mode (181st frame to 540th frame) is displayed. This is image data configured to display the character (爺) in the display mode (from the 541th frame to the 720th frame).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration contents of the image data 3A and the image data 4A shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows the image data 3A in units of frames, and FIG. 4B shows the image data 4A in units of frames.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the image data 3A is composed of an image of 720 frames, and one character (in this case, a character) is displayed at the beginning (starting portion), that is, from the first frame to the 180th frame. (爺)) is displayed and image data in which another character (here, character (princess)) is displayed from the 181st frame to the 720th frame. The first to 180th frames are image data that changes so that the display size of the character (爺) gradually increases, and the display sizes of the characters (princess) from the 181st frame to the 720th frame gradually increase. It is an image that changes as follows. The display size (first display mode) of the character (princess) in the period from the 181st frame to the 540th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period, but the 541st frame. The display size of the character (princess) in the period from the first frame to the 720th frame (second display mode) is smaller.

  The image data 3A is composed of scene data (3A-1), (3A-2), (3A-3), and (3A-4) as shown in FIG. The scene data (3A-1) is composed of images that change from the first frame to the 180th frame so that the display size of the character (爺) gradually increases. The scene data (3A-1) is data corresponding to the scene data (2A-4) of the image data 2A. In this example, the scene data (3A-1) is image data that displays the same as the scene data (2A-4). The scene data (3A-2) is composed of images in which the display size of the character (princess) gradually increases from the 181st frame to the 360th frame, and the scene data (3A-3) is 361. The scene (3A-4) is composed of images from the 541th frame to the 540th frame, and the scene data (3A-4) includes characters from the 541th frame to the 720th frame. (Princess) is composed of images that change so that the display size gradually increases.

  As described above, the image data 3A has the same number of frames as the image data 2A, and the second display mode (the 541th frame to the 720th frame) of the image data 2A is displayed at the beginning (from the first frame to the 180th frame). The character (爺) corresponding to the character (爺) (in this case, the same display mode) is displayed, and then the character (princess) in the first display mode (from the 181st frame to the 540th frame) is displayed. This is image data configured to display a character (princess) in the display mode (from the 541th frame to the 720th frame).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the image data 4A is composed of an image of 720 frames, and one character (here, from the first frame to the 180th frame), that is, from the first frame to the 180th frame. , Character (princess)) is displayed, and from the 181st frame to the 720th frame, other characters (here, character (dono)) are displayed. The first to 180th frames are image data that changes so that the display size of the character (princess) gradually increases, and the display sizes of the characters (dono) gradually increase from the 181st frame to the 720th frame. It is an image that changes as follows. The display size (first display mode) of the character (dono) during the period from the 181st frame to the 540th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period, but the 541st frame. Is smaller than the display size (second display mode) of the character (donor) in the period from the first frame to the 720th frame.

  Further, the image data 4A is composed of scene data (4A-1), (4A-2), (4A-3), and (4A-4) as shown in FIG. The scene data (4A-1) is composed of images that change from the first frame to the 180th frame so that the display size of the character (princess) gradually increases. The scene data (4A-1) is data corresponding to the scene data (3A-4) of the image data 3A. In this example, the scene data (4A-1) is image data that displays the same as the scene data (3A-4). The scene data (4A-2) is composed of images from the 181st frame to the 360th frame, in which the display size of the character (donor) gradually increases, and the scene data (4A-3) is 361. The scene data (4A-4) is composed of images from the 541th frame to the 540th frame. The scene data (4A-4) includes characters from the 541th frame to the 720th frame. It is composed of an image that changes so that the display size of (dono) gradually increases.

  As described above, the image data 4A has the same number of frames as the image data 3A, and the second display mode (the 541th frame to the 720th frame) of the image data 3A is displayed at the beginning (from the first frame to the 180th frame). The character (princess) corresponding to the character (princess) (here, the same display mode) is displayed, and then the character (donor) of the first display mode (from the 181st frame to the 540th frame) is displayed. This is image data configured to display a character (dono) in the display mode (from the 541th frame to the 720th frame).

  As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, three characters are repeatedly displayed as follows: character (donor) → character (爺) → character (princess) → character (donor). The image data 1A is used to display the character (dono) at the start of the character selection effect (first lap), and the image data 4A and image data 2A are used to display the character (dono) after the second lap. (Image data 1A is used only for the first round).

  That is, after the image data 1A shown in FIG. 20 (b) is displayed in the first lap of the character selection effect after winning the special role 1, the figure (c) is displayed. Following the image data 2A shown, the image data 3A shown in FIG. 21A and the image data 4A shown in FIG. 21B (character (2) in the second lap) are displayed. The image data 2A shown in (c), the image data 3A shown in FIG. 21, and the image data 4A are repeatedly displayed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the character selection effect, the character being selected has a display mode (for example, display size) changed from the first display mode (for example, small size) to the second display mode (for example, large size). ) (FIGS. 20 and 21), the character can be switched (selected) by the operation of the effect button 700 (FIG. 18), and the effect button 700 is in the process of changing the character display mode. When the character is switched by operating, the character before switching is displayed in a display mode that is easy to visually recognize (for example, the second display mode displayed in a large size), and then the character after switching is displayed.

  More specifically, scene data corresponding to the character displayed in the immediately preceding image data (before switching) is displayed at the beginning (ie, the cue portion) of the image data displayed after switching. In this example, “scene data corresponding to the character displayed in the immediately preceding image data” is a character displayed in the immediately preceding image data so that the display mode is easy to see (for example, the display size is increased). ) Changed scene data. For example, the character displayed in the last scene data of the previous (before switching) image data is displayed at the beginning (starting part) of the image data displayed after switching. Like to do. Specifically, the scene data (2A-1) corresponding to the scene data (1A-3) of the image data 1A is displayed at the beginning of the image data 2A displayed next to the image data 1A in the first round. The scene data (3A-1) corresponding to the scene data (2A-4) of the image data 2A is displayed at the beginning of the data 3A, and the scene data (3A-4) of the image data 3 is displayed at the beginning of the image data 4A. The corresponding scene data (4A-1) is displayed. The second round is displayed from the image data 2A. At the beginning of the second round of image data 2A, scene data (2A-1) corresponding to the scene data (4A-4) of the image data 4A is displayed. It is configured to display.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to make the player pay attention (recognition) before and after the character switching, and it is possible to avoid a decline in the gaming interest.

  Further, scene data (2A-1) is displayed by displaying scene data corresponding to the last scene data of the immediately preceding image data (before switching) at the beginning (ie, the head portion) of the image data displayed after switching. ), (3A-1), and (4A-1) can be reduced in capacity compared with the case of storing them alone in the ROM 506. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the interest before and after switching. .

  In the character selection effect shown in FIG. 18, the image data of the last frame (540 frames) of the last scene data (1A-3) of the image data 1A is displayed on the display 1 of the first turn, and on the display 2, The image data of the last frame (720 frame) of the final scene data (2A-4) of the image data 2A is displayed. On the display 3, the final frame (720) of the final scene data (3A-4) of the image data 3A is displayed. (Frame) image data is displayed, and display 1 in the second round shows an example in which the image data of the last frame (720 frame) of the final scene data (4A-4) of image data 4A is displayed. ing.

  Next, the display holding period will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a display holding period in the image data 1A, and FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a display holding period in the image data 2A.

  Each of the image data (image data 1A to image data 4A) of the present embodiment maintains (maintains) the display of the displayed character for a predetermined period even when the effect button 700 is operated. Is provided.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the period monitoring timer 1 and the period monitoring timer 2 are provided as timers for determining the display holding period. The display holding period is the value of the period monitoring timer 1 set in step S909 of the winning determination command reception process shown in FIG. 13A (for example, 1 second), or when the effect button operation reception command shown in FIG. 14 is received. This is a period corresponding to the value (for example, 2 seconds) of the period monitoring timer 2 set in step S1105 of the process. The display holding period is also subtracted when the period monitoring timer 1 and the period monitoring timer 2 are subtracted in step S703 of the first sub-control unit timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 11C. To.

  In this display holding period, even if the first sub-control unit 400 determines that it has received an effect button operation acceptance command from the main control unit 300 in step S809 of the effect control process shown in FIG. The character switching is not executed based on the operation of the button 700, and the display of the displayed character is held (maintained) for a predetermined period. The display holding period of the image data 1A is shorter than the display holding period of the image data 2A (image data 3A and image data 4A).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, the image data 1 </ b> A continuously changes a single character (here, character (donor)) so that the player can easily recognize the display mode. This is image data for 540 frames as a whole (here, the display size is greatly changed). The display period of the image data 1A includes a period (first period) for displaying the first frame (one frame) to a frame before the last frame (here, 539 frames) and a last frame (here, the 540th frame). ) Is displayed (second period). As an example, there is an operation of the effect button 700 during a period of 180 frames from the display start (first frame) to the 180th frame (display period of scene data (1A-1), about 1 second). Is also set as a display holding period during which the display is not switched. After the display holding period has elapsed (in this example, after 181 frames (scene data (1A-2) and after)), when the effect button 700 is operated, the next image data (image data 2A) is switched.

  In this example, the period from the first (1 frame) to the frame before the last frame (here, 539 frames) is the “first period”, but the “first period” is the last period. Any period may be used as long as it is a period before the frame (540 frames), the first period and the display holding period may be the same period, or a period having a different length may be used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, the image data 2A displays two characters (here, character (dono) and character (爺)) continuously, and displays one character (here, character (爺)). The display mode is gradually changed so that the player can easily recognize the display mode (here, the display size is greatly changed). The display period of the image data 2A includes a period (first period) for displaying the first frame (one frame) to a frame before the last frame (here, 719 frames) and a last frame (here, the 720th frame). As an example, a period of 360 frames from the display start (first frame) to the 360th frame (scene data (2A-1), (2A- 2) is set as a display holding period in which the display is not switched even if the effect button 700 is operated, after the display holding period has elapsed (in this example, after 361 frames (scene). Data (2A-3 and subsequent) is switched to the next image data (image data 3A) when the effect button 700 is operated.

  In this example, in the image data 2A, in order to make it easier to recognize the character switching with the size of the display size, the display holding period is longer than the image data 1A (scene data (2A-1), (2A -2) display period (approximately 2 seconds)), but also in the image data 2A, the display retention period is the same period as the image data 1A (display period (approximately 1 second) of only the scene data (2A-1)). ).

  The period from the first (1 frame) to the frame before the last frame (here, 719 frames) is the “first period”, but the “first period” is the last frame (720 frames). As long as the period is earlier than the first period, the first period and the display holding period may be the same period, or a period having a different length.

  Although illustration and description of the image data 3A and the image data 4A are omitted, the display holding period is the same as that of the image data 2A shown in FIG.

<Character selection production / timing chart>
FIG. 24 is an example of a partial timing chart of the character selection effect. This figure shows a timing chart when the operation button 700 is operated a plurality of times during the character selection effect.

  The winning determination process (FIG. 10A) starts upon detection of the third stop operation (3 stops) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 (timing t0), and when the winning determination process ends, the value of the winning timer is set. (Timing t1). When the value of the winning timer becomes 0 (timing t2), the character selection effect starts to be executed, and the scene data (1A-1) of the image data 1A starts to be displayed (timing t2). The display period (timing t2 to timing t3) of 180 frames of the scene data (1A-1) is a display holding period (about 1 second) of the image data 1A. Therefore, the effect button 700 is displayed at the timing t2 ′ during this period. Even when the operation is performed, the image data 1A is not switched, the display for 180 frames is held, and then the scene data (1A-2) starts displaying (timing t3). The scene data (1A-2) is also image data for 180 frames, but since the display holding period has elapsed, the effect button 700 is operated at timing t4 during the display period of the scene data (1A-2). At that timing, the scene data (1A-2) is finished (interrupted in the middle, the rest is not displayed (cancelled)), and the subsequent scene data (1A-3) is not displayed (cancelled). Display of the next image data 2A (scene data (2A-1)) starts. The scene data (2A-1) indicated by hatching is an image of a character (donor) having a large display mode, which is the same as the final scene data (1A-3) of the image data 1A.

  In the image data 2A, the display period (timing t4 to timing t6) for 360 frames of the scene data (2A-1) and (2A-2) is the display holding period (about 2 seconds). Even when the effect button 700 is operated at t4 ′ or t5 ′, the image data 2A is not switched and the display for 360 frames is held, and then the scene data (2A-3) starts displaying ( Timing t6). In this example, at the timing t7 when the display of 180 frames of the scene data (2A-3) is completed, the subsequent scene data (2A-4) starts to be displayed. When the input operation is performed at timing t8, the selection of the character (character (爺) in this example) displayed at that time is determined.

  Although illustration is omitted, in this embodiment (embodiment 1), the “character determination operation” enables the acceptance of the operation even during the display holding period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and during the display holding period, the “character determination operation” may be invalidated in the same manner as the reception of the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700). According to such a configuration, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the state before and after the character switching.

<Modification of Image Data 2A>
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a modification of the image data 2A shown in FIG. The image data 2A in this case is composed of scene data (2A'-1), (2A'-2), (2A'-3), and (2A'-4). The scene data (2A′-1) is image data for 180 frames, but the display size of the character (donor) does not change, so that it is continuously displayed at the display size of the last frame (540th frame) of the image data 1A. It is configured. As described above, the first scene data of the image data 2A may be configured such that the previous character is displayed in the maximum size (the display size does not change). For scene data (2A′-2), (2A′-3), and (2A′-4), scene data (2A-2) and (2A-3) of image data 2A shown in FIG. ) And (2A-4), and the description is omitted. In this case, the image data 3A and the image data 4A have the same configuration as the image data 2A shown in FIG.

<Other examples of image data>
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in said Example, it is good also as a structure which has the image data for replacement of the last scene data of each image data.

  That is, instead of the image data 2A, image data for replacement of the image data 1A (hereinafter referred to as “replacement image data 1”) and image data 2B may be displayed. The replacement image data 1 is composed of, for example, an image of 180 frames of scene data (2B-0), and a single character (here, character (dono)) gradually increases in display size from the first frame. The image data changes as follows. The replacement image data 1 is image data that displays the same content as the scene data (1A-3) of the image data 1A (image data that displays the same content as the scene data (2A-1) of FIG. 20C). ) And is stored in advance in the ROM 506 (CGROM) in the same manner as the image data 1A.

  The image data 2B is composed of 540 frame images of scene data (2B-1) to (2B-3), and a single character (here, character (爺)) is gradually added from the first frame. This is image data that changes so as to increase the display size (image data that displays the same content as the scene data (2A-2) to (2A-4) in FIG. 20C).

  In this case, instead of the image data 3A, image data for replacement of the image data 2A (hereinafter referred to as “replacement image data 2”) and image data 3B are displayed, and the image data 3A is displayed instead of the image data 4A. Image data for replacement (hereinafter referred to as “replacement image data 3”) and image data 1A are displayed.

  The replacement image data 2 is composed of one scene data composed of 180-frame images so that the display size of a single character (here, character (爺)) gradually increases from the first frame. Changing image data (image data that displays the same content as the scene data (2A-4) of the image data 2A in FIG. 20C), and the image data 3B is, for example, three scene data consisting of 540-frame images A single character (here, the character (princess)) changes from the first frame so that its display size gradually increases (scene data (3A-) in FIG. 21A). 2) to (3A-4) image data displaying the same content).

  The replacement image data 3 is composed of one scene data composed of 180-frame images, and the display size of a single character (here, the character (princess)) gradually increases from the first frame. Image data that changes in this manner (image data that displays the same content as the scene data (3A-4) of the image data 3A in FIG. 21A), and the image data 1A is the same image data as in FIG. It is.

  In this modification, when the effect button 700 is operated while the image data 1 is being displayed, the replacement image data 1 is displayed instead of the image data 1A (the display of the image data 1A is stopped), and then the image data 1A is displayed. 2B is displayed. If the effect button 700 is operated during the display of the image data 2B, the image data 3B is displayed after the replacement image data 2 is displayed instead of the image data 2B (the display of the image data 2B is stopped). To do. When the effect button 700 is operated during the display of the image data 3B, the replacement image data 3 is displayed instead of the image data 3B (the display of the image data 3B is stopped), and then the image data 1A is displayed again. indicate.

  According to such a configuration, the image data 1A, the image data 2B, and the image data 3B can all be image data of the same display period composed of 540 frames. In the control, it is only necessary to grasp only the period from the display start (first frame) to the 360th frame as the first period. That is, complicated control is not required as control of character switching display, and control efficiency related to display can be improved.

<Another Example of Character Select Effect (Example 2)>
Next, another embodiment of the character selection effect will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the image data. Similarly to FIG. 19, the correspondence between the name of the image data, the configuration content of the image data, the character name (character name), and the displayed character Showing the relationship.

  Specifically, the image data 1A ′ is, for example, data composed of scene data (1A′-1), (1A′-2), and (1A′-3). Since this is the same as the image data 1A shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the image data 2B is composed of scene data (2B-1), (2B-2), and (2B-3) as an example, and the scene data (2B-1) to (2B-3) is a single unit. The character “Character 2” (here, character (表示)) is displayed. The scene data (2B-1), (2B-2), and (2B-3) of the image data 2B are displayed in this order (in order from the top to the bottom in the figure) (the same applies hereinafter).

  Moreover, the image data 3B is composed of scene data (3B-1), (3B-2), and (3B-3) as an example, and the scene data (3B-1) to (3B-3) is a single unit. The character “Character 3” (here, the character (princess)) is displayed.

  Thus, in this example, each of the image data 1A ′, the image data 2B, and the image data 3B is configured to display only a single character. The image data 1A ′ to image data 3B (scene data (1A′-1) to (3B-3) are displayed in this order during the character selection effect after the special role 1 is won. Image data 1A ′ → image data 2B → image data 3B → image data 1A ′ → image data 2B → image data 3B → image data 1A ′ → image data 2B... The same image data is repeatedly displayed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the configuration contents of the image data 2B and the image data 3B of the present embodiment. FIG. 27 (a) shows the image data 2BA in units of frames, and FIG. 27 (b) shows the image data. It is a figure which shows 3B per frame. The image data 1A ′ is the same as the image data 1A shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the image data 2B is composed of, for example, an image of 540 frames, and a single character (here, character (爺)) is gradually displayed from its first frame. This is image data whose display mode changes so that becomes larger.

  The image data 2B is composed of scene data (2B-1), (2B-2), and (2B-3). The scene data (2B-1) is composed of images that change from the first frame to the 180th frame so that the display size of the character (爺) gradually increases, and the scene data (2B-2) is 181. The scene data (2B-3) is composed of images from the 361th frame to the 540th frame. It is composed of images that change so that the display size of (i) gradually increases. The display size (first display mode) of the character (爺) in the period from the first frame to the 360th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period. To the display size of the character (の) in the period from the first frame to the 540th frame (second display mode).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the image data 3B is composed of, for example, an image of 540 frames, and a single character (here, a character (princess)) is displayed gradually from the first frame. This is image data whose display mode changes so as to increase in size.

  The image data 3B is composed of scene data (3B-1), (3B-2), and (3B-3). The scene data (3B-1) is composed of images that change so that the display size of the character (princess) gradually increases from the first frame to the 180th frame. The scene (3B-3) is composed of images from the 361th frame to the 540th frame. (Princess) is composed of images that change so that the display size gradually increases. The display size (first display mode) of the character (princess) in the period from the first frame to the 360th frame changes so that the display size gradually increases during the period. The display size of the character (princess) in the period from the first frame to the 540th frame (second display mode) is smaller.

  As described above, each of the image data 2B and 3B is configured by the same number of frames as that of the image data 1A ′, and is configured so that the display size of each single character gradually changes.

  FIG. 28 is an example of a partial timing chart of the character selection effect of the present embodiment. The image data in this embodiment (embodiment 2) is not provided with the display holding period as in the embodiment 1, and each image is determined depending on whether or not it is the “character switching effective period” shown in FIG. Data display retention period is secured. In this example, the period from timing t3 to timing t5 and the period from timing t6 to timing t7 are periods in which the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is invalid, and the other periods are character switching operations ( This is a “character switching valid period” in which the operation of the effect button 700 is valid.

  The winning determination process (FIG. 10) starts upon detection of the third stop operation (3 stops) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 (timing t0), and when the winning determination process ends, the value of the winning timer is set (timing t1). ). When the value of the winning timer becomes 0 (timing t2), the character selection effect starts to be executed, and the scene data (1A′-1) of the image data 1A ′ starts to be displayed (timing t2). The presentation button 700 is operated at timing t3 during the display period of, for example, 180 frames of the scene data (1A′-1), and the first sub-control section 400 receives the presentation button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control section 300. Then, the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is set to be invalid (character switching valid period is turned off). At this timing, the display of the scene data (1A′-1) is finished (the display is interrupted halfway and the remaining image data is not displayed), and the next scene data (1A′-2) is started from the timing t3. Starts to display. However, this scene data (1A'-2) is obtained by shortening the display for 180 frames from the normal display period (for example, 1 second indicated by a broken line) (for example, shortening to 0.5 second), that is, The display for 180 frames is displayed by fast-forwarding, and the display ends at timing t4. Then, the scene data (1A′-3) is displayed from the timing t4.

  The scene data (1A′-3) indicated by hatching is image data in which the character (donor) is displayed larger than before. In the present embodiment, when the effect button 700 is operated during the character switching valid period (timing t3), all the scene data (1A'-3) (for 180 frames) is completely displayed after the operation. Is set to a period during which the character switching operation is invalid. At this time, display of the remaining images of the scene data displayed when the effect button 700 is operated is stopped (interrupted), and thereafter, display of scene data up to the final scene data (1A′-3) is displayed. Are fast-forwarded to display the final scene data (1A′-3).

  That is, in this example, when the effect button 700 is operated at the timing t3, the character switching operation is invalidated and the displayed scene data (1A′-1) is interrupted, and thereafter, the scene data (1A ′) is interrupted. 3) The scene data (1A′-2) until the start is displayed in fast-forward. Then, all the image data of the scene data (1A′-3) is displayed at a normal speed, and the character switching valid period is set again at the timing t5 when the display is completed.

  Then, when all the image data of the scene data (1A′-3) is displayed at timing t5 and the character switching effective period starts again, the character is switched based on the operation of the effect button 700 at timing t3, and the next image is displayed. Data 2B (scene data (2B-1)) starts displaying. In this example, even when the effect button 700 is operated at the timing t3 ′, this operation is invalid because it is the invalid period of the character switching operation.

  When the effect button 700 is not operated during the display of the scene data (2B-1), when all the image data for 180 frames are displayed, the subsequent scene data (2B-2) starts to be displayed at the timing t6. Then, when the effect button 700 is operated at timing t7 and the first sub-control unit 400 receives the effect button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control unit 300, the invalid period of the character switching operation is set again. Then, the display of the scene data (2B-2) is finished (the display is interrupted halfway and the remaining image data is not displayed), and the next scene data (2B-3) starts displaying from the timing t7.

  The scene data (2B-3) indicated by hatching is image data in which the character (爺) is displayed larger than before, and all image data of the scene data (2B-3) is displayed at a normal speed. The When the display of all the image data of the scene data (2B-3) is completed at timing t8, the character switching valid period is set again, and the character is switched based on the operation of the effect button 700 at timing t7. Display of image data 3B (scene data (3B-1)) starts.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the display holding period is not set in the image data and the effect button 700 is operated during the character switching effective period, the character switching operation is invalidated at that timing, If there is scene data up to the final scene data (the scene data of the character in the second display mode (large display size)) of the subsequent image data, the scene data being displayed is interrupted. Fast-forward to display the final scene data of each image data. When all the final scene data is displayed at a normal speed, the character switching valid period is set again.

  In this way, after the character currently selected at the time of the switching operation is displayed in a large size with a sufficient period of time (displayed in the second display mode that is easily visible to the player), the character can be switched. it can.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect button operation acceptance command reception processing (step S811) in the present embodiment (embodiment 2). The effect button operation acceptance command reception process is a process executed in the effect control process of FIG. 12, and the flowchart of FIG. 12 corresponds to the effect button operation reception command reception process shown in FIG. ing.

  First, in the first step S2001, it is determined whether or not the character select state flag provided in the RAM 408 is set to “ON”. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S2003, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S2009.

  In step S2003, it is determined whether or not it is a character switching valid period. If it is a character switching valid period, the process proceeds to step S2005, and if not (in the invalid period), this effect button operation acceptance command is received. The process ends.

  Here, the determination of the character switching effective period is performed based on feedback from the second sub-control unit 500, for example. Specifically, for example, when the drawing of the final scene data of each image is completed in the second sub-control unit 500, the second sub-control unit 500 transmits a drawing completion command to the first sub-control unit. Then, the first sub-control unit 400 that has received the drawing completion command sets a “valid period flag” that sets (turns on) the character switching valid period. In step S2003, it is determined whether or not it is a character switching effective period by determining this "effective period flag".

  In step S2005, the effect data of the character select effect (for example, effect data including lamp data, sound (BGM) data, etc.) and the character bit are updated, and this effect button operation acceptance command reception processing is terminated. For example, when the character bit of the character (爺) is set to, for example, “1” (that is, when the character (爺) is being selected), the character bit is updated. The character bit of the princess is updated to, for example, “1”, and the character bit of the character (爺) is updated to “0” (the character bit of the character (donor) is maintained at “0”). Then, the character (princess) is being selected.

  In step S2001, when the character selection state flag is not on, in step S2009, other processing is performed, and the effect button operation acceptance command acceptance processing is terminated.

  FIG. 30 is another example (modification) of a part of the timing chart of the character selection effect of the second embodiment. Also in this case, the image data is not provided with the display holding period as in the first embodiment, and the display holding period of each image data depends on whether or not it is the “character switching effective period” shown in FIG. Is secured. In this example, the period from timing t3 to timing t4 and the period from timing t6 to timing t7 are periods in which the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is invalid, and the other periods are character switching operations ( This is a “character switching valid period” in which the operation of the effect button 700 is valid.

  The winning determination process (FIG. 10) starts upon detection of the third stop operation (3 stops) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 (timing t0), and when the winning determination process ends, the value of the winning timer is set (timing t1). ). When the value of the winning timer becomes 0 (timing t2), the character selection effect starts to be executed, and the scene data (1A′-1) of the image data 1A ′ starts to be displayed (timing t2). The presentation button 700 is operated at timing t3 during the display period of, for example, 180 frames of the scene data (1A′-1), and the first sub-control section 400 receives the presentation button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control section 300. Then, the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is set to be invalid (character switching valid period is turned off). At this timing, the display of the scene data (1A'-1) is terminated (the display is interrupted halfway and the remaining image data is not displayed), and the display of the next scene data (1A'-2) is cancelled. Thus, the display of the final scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ starts (timing t3).

  The scene data (1A′-3) indicated by hatching is image data in which the character (donor) is displayed larger than before. In this embodiment, when the effect button 700 is operated during the character switching effective period (timing t3), all the final scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ (180 frames) after the operation is performed. Minutes) until the display is completed is set to a period during which the character switching operation is invalid, the display of the remaining image of the scene data displayed when the effect button 700 is operated, and thereafter the final The display of the scene data up to the scene data (1A′-3) is stopped (cancelled), and the final scene data (1A′-3) is displayed.

  That is, in this example, when the effect button 700 is operated at the timing t3, the character switching operation is invalidated and the displayed scene data (1A′-1) is interrupted, and thereafter, the scene data (1A ′) is interrupted. -3) The display of the scene data (1A′-2) until the start is canceled (cancelled). Then, all image data of the scene data (1A′-3) is displayed at a normal speed from timing t3, and the character switching valid period is set again at timing t4 when the display is completed.

  Then, when all the image data of the scene data (1A′-3) is displayed at the timing t4 and the character switching effective period starts again, the character is switched based on the operation of the effect button 700 at the timing t3, and the next image is displayed. Data 2B (scene data (2B-1)) starts displaying.

  When the effect button 700 is not operated during the display of the scene data (2B-1), all the image data for 180 frames are displayed, and the subsequent scene data (2B-2) starts to be displayed at the timing t5. Then, when the effect button 700 is operated at timing t6 and the first sub-control unit 400 receives the effect button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control unit 300, the invalid period of the character switching operation is set again. Then, the display of the scene data (2B-2) is finished (the display is interrupted halfway and the remaining image data is not displayed), and the next scene data, that is, the final scene data of the image data 2 (from the timing t6) 2B-3) starts displaying.

  The scene data (2B-3) indicated by hatching is image data in which the character (爺) is displayed larger than before, and all image data of the scene data (2B-3) is displayed at a normal speed. The When the display of all the image data of the scene data (2B-3) is completed at timing t7, the character switching valid period is set again, and the character is switched based on the operation of the effect button 700 at timing t6. Display of image data 3B (scene data (3B-1)) starts.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the display holding period is not set in the image data and the effect button 700 is operated during the character switching effective period, the character switching operation is invalidated at that timing, The scene data in the middle of display is interrupted, and if there is scene data up to the final scene data (scene data of the character in the second display mode (large display size)) among the subsequent image data, display that data Is canceled (stopped), and the final scene data of each image data is displayed. When all the final scene data is displayed at a normal speed, the character switching valid period is set again.

  In this way, after the character currently selected at the time of the switching operation is displayed in a large size with a sufficient period of time (displayed in the second display mode that is easily visible to the player), the character can be switched. it can.

  As in this example, if there is other scene data (for example, scene data (1A′-2)) after the operation of the effect button 700 and before the final scene data, it is canceled (non- The processing at the time of receiving the presentation button operation reception command configured to be displayed) is the same as that in the flowchart shown in FIG. 29, but the determination of the character switching effective period in step S2003 is performed by, for example, each image in the first sub-control unit 400. This is performed by monitoring a period during which all the final scene data of the data is displayed (for example, a period of 180 frames (for example, 1 second)).

  FIG. 31 is another example (another modification) of a part of the timing chart of the character selection effect of the second embodiment. Also in this case, the image data is not provided with the display holding period as in the first embodiment, and the display holding period of each image data depends on whether or not it is the “character switching effective period” shown in FIG. Is secured. In this example, only the period from the timing t4 ′ to the timing t5 and the period after the timing t7 ′ are “character switching effective periods” in which the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is valid, and the other periods are the characters. This is a period in which the switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is invalid.

  The winning determination process (FIG. 10) starts upon detection of the third stop operation (3 stops) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 (timing t0), and when the winning determination process ends, the value of the winning timer is set (timing t1). ). When the value of the winning timer becomes 0 (timing t2), the character selection effect starts to be executed, and the scene data (1A′-1) of the image data 1A ′ starts to be displayed (timing t2). The presentation button 700 is operated at timing t3 during the display period of, for example, 180 frames of the scene data (1A′-1), and the first sub-control section 400 receives the presentation button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control section 300. Even in this case, in this example, since the character switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) is invalid (while the character switching effective period is off), the scene data (1A′-1 ) Continues the display. When the display of all the scene data (1A′-1) (for example, 180 frames) is completed, the display of the next scene data (1A′-2) starts at timing t3. Similarly, when the display of all the scene data (1A′-2) (for example, 180 frames) is completed, the display of the final scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ starts at timing t4.

  In this embodiment, the final scene data (1A′-3) is displayed in the period from timing t4 to timing t5, but at least a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) from timing t4 to timing t4 ′. The display is made longer (the display time is longer or the number of frames is more than 180 frames, for example). The period from timing t4 to timing t4 is a period during which the operation of the effect button 700 is invalid (character switching valid period is off), but at timing t4 ′, the character switching valid period starts (character switching). Validity period is on).

  Then, when the effect button 700 is operated at timing t5 during the character switching effective period and the effect button operation acceptance command transmitted by the main control unit 300 is received by the first sub-control unit 400, the character switching operation (effect button) is again performed. 700 operation) becomes invalid (the character switching valid period is turned off), and the displayed scene data (1A′-3) ends (interrupts display), and the effect button 700 at timing t5 is displayed. Based on the operation, the character is switched, and the next image data 2B (scene data (2B-1)) starts displaying (timing t5).

  The scene data (1A′-3) is image data in which the character (donor) is displayed larger than before. In this embodiment, in the image data 1A ′, a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) has elapsed from the start of display of the final scene data (scene data (1A′-3)) from the first scene data (1A′-1). Until the timing (from timing t2 to timing t4 ′) is set as a period during which the operation of the effect button 700 becomes invalid (character switching valid period is off), and the final scene data (scene data (1A′-3)) The character switching effective period is after the timing when a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the start of display (after timing t4 ′). In this way, the character is not switched during a predetermined period (period from timing t4 to timing t4 ′) from the start of display of the final scene data (1A′-3), and the final scene data (1A′− It can be secured as a period for holding the display of 3) (“display holding period” in the first embodiment).

  Similarly, for the image data 2B, the display of the scene data (2B-1) starts from the timing t5, and when the display of all of the scene data (2B-1) (for example, 180 frames) is completed, the next is the timing t6. Display of the scene data (2B-2) is started. Similarly, when the display of all the scene data (2B-2) (for example, 180 frames) is completed, the display of the final scene data (2B-3) of the image data 2B starts at timing t7.

  The character switching effective period starts at a timing t7 ′ when a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) has elapsed from the start of display of the final scene data (scene data (2B-3)) of the image data 2B. During a predetermined period from the start of display of the final scene data (2B-3) (period from timing t7 to timing t7 ′), the character is not switched and the period (2B-3) of the display of the final scene data (2B-3) is retained. This can be guaranteed as “display holding period” in the first embodiment.

  In the period during which the operation of the effect button 700 is invalid (a period other than the character switching valid period), the switching operation (operation of the effect button 700) may not be detected, or the switching operation (effect button) is not performed. 700 operation) may be detected, but the operation may be set to invalid.

  Although not shown, the “character determination operation” of the present embodiment (including the second embodiment and the modified example) is a period from the start of character switching reception until the next or part of the next character is displayed. (For example, in the case of the timing chart of FIG. 28, the period from timing t3 to t6, in the case of the timing chart of FIG. 30, the period of timing t3 to t5, and in the case of the timing chart of FIG. 31, the timing t5 to t5. In the period of t7 '), the acceptance of the operation is invalidated. This makes it easier for the player to recognize the state before and after the character switching.

<Relationship between VRAM and Display Area of Liquid Crystal Display>
FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between display areas of the VRAM 518 and the liquid crystal display device 157.

  A ROM (CGROM) 506 and a VRAM 518 are connected to the VDP 516 of the second sub control unit 500 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the display area of the liquid crystal display device 157.

  More specifically, the image data transferred to the VRAM 518 is expanded (decompressed) for each frame. Here, as an example, frames 178 to 180 constituting the scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ are shown.

In the VRAM 536, a frame of image data to be displayed is decompressed (decompressed) and then drawn in the frame buffer FB. That is, the CPU 504 forms the display image in the display area (display area A or display area B) of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536. A coordinate axis, image size, VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 534. The VDP 534 draws an image in the frame buffer FB in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504 and stores it in a display area that is not designated as a drawing area among the display areas A and B of the VRAM 536. Then, one frame image stored in the display area is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157. In this example, the frame 178 constituting the scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ is expanded and then drawn in the frame buffer FB, and the frame 179 constituting the scene data (1A′-3). And the frame 180 is expanded and ready for drawing.
ing

  FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram of another example showing the relationship between the display areas of the VRAM 518 and the liquid crystal display device 157.

  In the above-described embodiment (for example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 30), when the effect button 700 is operated, the currently displayed image data (scene data) is displayed in the middle. Although described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the effect button 700 is operated, the image data of the next character (after switching) may be displayed in parallel with the image data being displayed. .

  FIG. 33 shows the relationship between the VRAM 536 and the display area of the liquid crystal display area 157 when the character image data before and after switching is displayed in parallel by operating the effect button 700.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the image data 1A ′ is being displayed and is the same as FIG. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram when the effect button 700 is operated during the display of the image data 1A ′, the character switching display is performed, and the image data 2B is displayed.

  In this example, when the effect button 700 is operated while the image data 1A ′ for displaying the character (donor) is being displayed (FIG. 5A), the character is displayed in the frame buffer FB as shown in FIG. The image data of the frame 180 of the final scene data (1A′-3) of the image data 1A ′ of (M) is drawn after being decompressed, and in parallel with this, the image data of the next (after switching) character (爺) The image data of frame 1 of 2B (scene data (2B-1)) is drawn after being decompressed.

  In this case, in the VRAM 536, the frame buffer FB is divided into two, and the image data of the frame 180 of the image data 1A ′ (scene data (1A′-3)) and the frame 1 of the image data 2B (scene data (2B-1)). Image drawing is performed.

  That is, the image data of the frame 180 of the scene data (1A′-3) and the frame 1 of the scene data (2B-1) is transferred to the VRAM 518, decompressed (decompressed) for each frame, and drawn in the frame buffer FB. Is done. In addition, among the scene data (2B-1) of the image data 2B to be displayed next, the image data of the frames 2 and 3 is expanded.

  The VDP 534 performs image drawing in the frame buffer FB divided into two equal parts in accordance with instructions from the CPU 504. In this example, the frame 180 of the scene data (1A′-1) and the image data of the frame 1 of the scene data (2B-1) are drawn. The drawn data is stored in a display area not designated as the drawing area among the display area A and display area B of the VRAM 536, and one frame image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157. In this case, the display area of the liquid crystal display area 157 is also divided into a display area X and a display area Y. In the example shown in the figure, the frame 180 of the scene data (1A′-1) is displayed in the display area X and the scene data is displayed in the display area Y. The image data of frame 1 of the scene data (2B-1) is displayed.

  As described above, when the effect button 700 is operated (switching operation), the character image data before the switching operation (scene data (1A′-3) in this example) is displayed in the display area X of the liquid crystal display device 157. In the display area Y, the image data after the switching operation (scene data (2B-1) in this example) may be displayed.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to make it easier for the player to grasp the contents before and after the switching operation, and it is possible to suppress the fascination of the game as it progresses.

<Outline of character selection production>
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an outline of the present embodiment. The embodiment described above includes the following configurations. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a display example of a character selection effect, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a conventional configuration, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a configuration of the present embodiment. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the character selection effect in the present embodiment, a plurality of characters are sequentially displayed by operation of the effect button 700, and each character is displayed as time passes ( The display mode changes until the next character is switched (for example, the display mode changes so that the display size gradually increases).

  For example, when the effect button 700 is operated at the timing shown in FIG. 5A (for example, when the character (donor) is being displayed), conventionally, as shown in FIG. Immediately after the operation, the next character (character (爺)) was switched to and displayed.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the effect button 700 is operated at the timing shown in FIG. (A) (for example, the timing when the character (donor) is displayed), as shown in FIG. Immediately after the operation of the button 700, the character that has been displayed so far (in this case, the character (donor)) is displayed in a display mode that is easily visible to the player (for example, a display mode with a larger display size), and after switching The display of the character (character (爺)) is started.

  Note that the “display mode that is easily visible to the player” is not limited to a display mode that increases the display size, but a display mode that makes it easy for the player to view by changing the brightness and saturation (color) of the display, A display mode that makes it easier for the player to visually recognize by adding an effect image, a display mode that makes the background image easier to see for the player, a display mode that makes it easier for the player to visually recognize by adding an image, and a character The display mode (for example, the front side is easier to visually recognize than the back side) may be possible by changing the direction (front and back) of the player.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to make it easier for the player to grasp the contents before and after the switching operation (the recognition degree of the character can be increased), and it is possible to suppress the fascination of the game as it progresses.

As described above, the gaming machine (for example, the slot machine 100) according to the present embodiment includes the display unit (for example, the liquid crystal display device 157) and the display control unit (for example, the second sub-control) that controls the display unit. Unit 500), operation means capable of operation (for example, production button 700),
The display means is a means capable of displaying a plurality of characters based on the operation, and the plurality of characters include a first character (for example, a character). And at least a second character (for example, a character (爺)) different from the first character, and the first character has a first period (for example, one frame to 539 shown in FIG. 22). The first display mode (for example, the character size is small (display mode of a predetermined display size (for example, a display size smaller than the display size of the 540th frame shown in FIG. 22)) over the period until the frame). After that, the second display mode (for example, (display size larger than a predetermined display size (for example, 540 shown in FIG. 22) is easier to recognize than the first display mode. The display mode of the display size of the frame is at least changeable, and the display control means is configured to change the first character of the second display mode based on the operation in the middle of the first period. This is a gaming table characterized in that the second character can be displayed after the symbol is displayed.

  According to such a configuration, in an effect capable of switching and displaying a plurality of characters that change from the first display mode to the second display mode (for example, a character selection effect), the character display mode is being changed. When a switching operation (for example, the operation of the production button 700) is performed, the character after switching can be displayed in a display mode (second display mode) that can be easily recognized, and the character after switching can be displayed. In some cases, the player can easily recognize the character (for example, the recognition degree of a specific character can be increased), and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest of the game.

  Further, the present embodiment may include one or more of the following configurations.

  For example, the character selection effect may be an effect that enables switching of image data of a plurality of (for example, three) characters having different digest patterns of BB games.

  Also, after displaying an image based on the second image data in the image data of the character, triggered by an operation (switching operation) during the period in which the first image data is displayed among the image data of the one character The image data of other characters may be displayed.

  Further, when the switching operation is performed, the image data of the succeeding character that is switched from the image data of the one character is stored, and the image data of the second display mode of the one character (at the beginning of the image data of the subsequent character ( (Second image data) may be included.

  Also, corresponding to the three characters, each character has replacement image data (similar to or related to the second image data) displayed in the second display mode, and triggered by the switching operation, The replacement image data corresponding to the character (image based on the second image data) is displayed, and after the replacement image data is displayed, the image based on the first image data corresponding to the character after switching is displayed. There may be.

  Also, corresponding to the three characters, each character has replacement image data (similar to or related to the second image data) displayed in the second display mode, and triggered by the switching operation, The replacement image data corresponding to the character (image based on the second image data) is displayed, and the replacement image data and the image based on the first image data corresponding to the character after switching are displayed in parallel. May be.

  The first display mode is a display mode in which the size of the first character is a predetermined size (for example, a size smaller than the display size of the 540th frame shown in FIG. 22), and the second display mode. May be a display mode in which the size of the first character is larger than the predetermined size (for example, the display size of the 540th frame shown in FIG. 22).

  The first display mode is a display mode in which the color of the first character has a predetermined brightness, and the second display mode is a mode in which the color of the first character is higher than the predetermined brightness. It may be a bright display mode.

  In addition, the display control means may display the first character in the second display mode for a predetermined time (for example, a display holding period or a character, regardless of the presence or absence of the operation during the display). It may be a means for maintaining the switching operation until an invalid period elapses.

  According to such a configuration, the character before and after the switching can be easily recognized by the player (for example, the recognition degree of the specific character can be increased), and as a result, it is possible to suppress the interest reduction of the game. is there.

  In addition, a storage unit (for example, ROM 406) storing a plurality of types of image data is provided, and one of the plurality of types of image data is a first type of image data (for example, image data 1A shown in FIG. 22). Yes, one of the plurality of types of image data is second type image data (for example, image data 2A shown in FIG. 23), and the first type of image data is stored in the first period ( For example, first image data for displaying the image of the first character in the first display mode over a period from 1 frame to 539 frames shown in FIG. Image data up to 539 frames) and the second period after the first period (for example, the period of the 540th frame shown in FIG. 22). Second image data for displaying the image of the Kuta (for example, image data of the 540th frame shown in FIG. 22), and the second type of image data is the third image data from the start. Third image data (for example, shown in FIG. 23) for displaying the image of the first character in the second display mode over a period of (for example, a period from 1 frame to 180 frames shown in FIG. 23). Image data from 1 frame to 180 frames) and an image of the second character over a fourth period (for example, a period from 181 frames to 720 frames shown in FIG. 23) after the third period. Fourth image data for display (for example, image data from 181 frames to 720 frames shown in FIG. 23), and the display control The stage displays the first character in the second display mode by switching the first image data to the third image data based on the operation in the middle of the first period. The second character may be displayed after the first time.

  According to such a configuration, since the image data of the second display mode of the first character is included at the beginning of the image data of the second character displayed after the switching, the image data for replacement is held In some cases, the capacity of the ROM (CGROM) can be reduced. In addition, since the player can effectively recognize a specific character before and after the switching operation, it may be possible to suppress the decline of the gaming interest. In addition, the above-described embodiment (modification) can be implemented by appropriately combining one or more embodiments (modification), and the same effect can be obtained.

  As described above, the present embodiment has been described by taking the character selection effect in the slot machine 100 as an example. That is, when a plurality of performance forms are prepared as a performance form (effect mode) during a big hit or a short-time game, and characters corresponding to the respective effect modes are set, the effects are selected by selecting each character. Even a character selection effect for selecting a mode can be implemented in the same manner, and the same effect can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, an example of a slot machine using medals (coins) as a game medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a game ball (for example, a pachinko ball) is used as a game medium. The present invention can also be applied to the slot machine described above. Furthermore, even if the present invention is applied to an arrangement ball game machine, a ball ball game machine, a smart ball, and a casino machine, the same effect can be obtained.

  In addition, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to things.

  The game machine of the present invention can be used particularly in the field of game machines represented by a spinning machine (slot machine).

100 Slot machine 130-132 Bet button 135 Start lever 137-139 Stop button 294 Power switch 300 Main control unit 330, 430 Power monitoring circuit 350 Power management unit 352 External power source 400 First sub control unit 500 Second sub control unit 700 Production button

Claims (5)

Display means;
Display control means for controlling the display means;
Operation means capable of operation;
A game machine equipped with
The display means includes
A means capable of displaying a plurality of characters based on the operation;
The plurality of characters include
The first character,
And at least a second character different from the first character,
The first character is
After being displayed in the first display mode over the first period, it is at least changeable to the second display mode that is easier to recognize than the first display mode,
The display control means includes
Based on the operation in the middle of the first period, the second character can be displayed after the first character of the second display mode is displayed.
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1,
The first display mode is a display mode in which the size of the first character is a predetermined size,
The second display mode is a display mode in which the size of the first character is larger than the predetermined size.
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1 or 2,
The first display mode is a display mode in which the color of the first character has a predetermined brightness,
The second display mode is a display mode in which the color of the first character is brighter than the predetermined brightness.
A game stand characterized by that. It is a game stand as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The display control means is means for maintaining the display of the first character in the second display mode until a predetermined time elapses regardless of the presence or absence of the operation during the display.
A game stand characterized by that. It is a game stand as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4, Comprising:
Comprising storage means for storing a plurality of types of image data;
One of the plurality of types of image data is a first type of image data,
One of the plurality of types of image data is a second type of image data,
The first type of image data is:
First image data for displaying an image of the first character of the first display mode over the first period;
Second image data for displaying an image of the first character in the second display mode over a second period after the first period, and image data comprising:
The second type of image data is
Third image data for displaying an image of the first character of the second display mode over a third period from the start;
Fourth image data for displaying an image of the second character over a fourth period after the third period, and image data comprising:
The display control means includes
Based on the operation in the middle of the first period, by switching the first image data to the third image data, the first character of the second display mode is displayed and then the first character is displayed. It is a means that made it possible to display the second character,
A game stand characterized by that.