JP2018149071A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain balance of a performance by an accessory.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a movable or rotatable performance accessory device; performance determination means for determining performances (a performance A, a performance B) following progress of a game; and performance execution means for driving the performance accessory device based on the determined performance, for deriving a temperature state value for indicating temperature of the performance accessory device based on the drive, and for limiting the drive of the performance accessory device when the temperature state value reaches a predetermined individual drive upper-limit value. A plurality of individual drive upper-limit values are provided in response to performance priority, and the performance execution means uses the individual drive upper-limit value corresponding to determined performance priority so as to limit the drive of the performance accessory device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to give a game profit to a player.

  Generally, in a gaming machine (pachinko machine), a game ball is launched toward the game area in the game board by a player's handle operation, and the game ball that has flowed down the game area enters the starting port. A lottery related to the symbol is executed. Then, the special symbol display variably displays the special symbol, and the special symbol determined by the lottery is stopped and displayed, so that the player is notified of the lottery result. At this time, if a special symbol indicating that a big hit is displayed on the special symbol display is stopped and displayed, a big game that is advantageous to the player compared to a normal game is started. In this big game, the attacker device opens and closes a predetermined number of times, allowing game balls to enter the big prize opening, so that the player can receive a lot of prize balls.

  In such a gaming machine, in order to give the player an expectation that the variation display on the special symbol display is a big hit, the effect of driving the accessory provided in the gaming machine in accordance with the variation display May be performed. However, if the accessory is driven in complete synchronization with the fluctuation display, the driving frequency of the accessory increases depending on the frequency of the fluctuation display, and the temperature of the motor or solenoid that is the driving source rises too much. May be damaged. Therefore, a technique for limiting the drive signal output to the drive source based on the time value of the drive signal input period to the drive source and the time value of the monitoring period is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-139366 A

  However, if the driving is uniformly limited according to the temperature rise of the driving source as in the above-described technology, the subsequent driving is limited by the action of the actor with low expectation of being a big hit, and the player It will fall into the situation where it is not possible to perform an action of an actor with high expectation of being a big hit. If it does so, the balance of the production | presentation by an accessory will worsen, and it will have the result of having a distrustful feeling as the player does not know which operation of an accessory should expect a big hit.

  Further, if the driving is uniformly restricted in accordance with the temperature rise of the driving source, the accessory stops at the restricted position, which may cause the movement of another accessory or an obstacle to the display range of the display unit. However, if an accessory is subject to drive restrictions, it means that the drive source has already reached the upper limit temperature and further driving of the accessory is not allowed. Cannot return to position.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of maintaining a balance of effects by an accessory.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a stage effect device that can move or rotate,
An effect determining means for determining an effect as the game progresses, and driving the effect agent device based on the determined effect, and a temperature state value indicating the temperature of the effect agent device based on the drive And an effect execution means for restricting the driving of the effect agent device when the temperature state value reaches a predetermined individual drive threshold, and a plurality of the individual drive thresholds corresponding to the priority of the effect. The effect execution means limits the drive of the effect agent device using an individual drive threshold corresponding to the determined priority of the effect.

  As the priority of the production, the production with higher expectation to which the game profit is given may have a margin before reaching the individual drive threshold than the production with lower expectation to which the game profit is given.

  The effect execution means, when the temperature state value reaches an arbitrary individual drive threshold and restricts the driving of the effect agent device, an individual drive threshold that has a margin before reaching the arbitrary individual drive threshold It is also possible to return to the stage effect device by switching to.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another gaming machine of the present invention is based on a stage-acting device that can be moved or rotated, stage-determining means that determines stage as the game progresses, and the staged stage. While driving the effect agent device, a temperature state value indicating the temperature of the effect agent device is derived based on the drive, and when the temperature state value reaches a predetermined individual drive threshold, And a plurality of the individual drive thresholds provided, and the effect execution means is configured so that the temperature state value reaches an arbitrary individual drive threshold value, and When the drive is limited, the stage effect device is returned by switching from the arbitrary individual drive threshold value to an individual drive threshold value that has a margin before reaching the individual drive threshold value.

  The effect execution means determines whether or not the effect agent device is driven at a predetermined time interval, and brings a predetermined drive counter value closer to the individual drive threshold by a first predetermined value according to the determination result. Alternatively, the temperature state value may be derived by moving away from the individual driving threshold by a second predetermined value.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the balance of effects by the accessory.

It is a perspective view of the gaming machine showing a state where the door is opened. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the control aspect of a production | presentation display part, a production | presentation actor device, a production | presentation illumination device, and a music output device in a sub control board. It is a flowchart which shows the control aspect in a sub control board. It is a figure for demonstrating the drive restriction | limiting of a production | presentation actor apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the drive restriction | limiting of a production | presentation actor apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating transition of the drive counter value of a production | presentation actor apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between a priority and an individual drive upper limit. It is a figure for demonstrating transition of the drive counter value of a production | presentation actor apparatus. It is an external view for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is an external view in the state which opened the front door for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, first, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described, and then specific processing on each board will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment, showing a state in which the door is opened. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which an enclosed space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed, The middle frame 104 includes a front frame 106 that is attached to be freely opened and closed by a hinge mechanism.

  As with the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has an enclosed space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and the game board 108 is held in the enclosed space. The front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially in parallel with a predetermined distance from the front side of the gaming machine 100. The game board 108 can be visually recognized through the transmission plate 110.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 that projects to the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided below the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so that the player can perform a rotation operation. When the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a launch operation, the operation handle 112 has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112 and is not illustrated. A game ball is launched by the launch mechanism. The game ball thus fired is raised between the rails 114 a and 114 b provided on the game board 108 and guided to the game area 116.

  The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 and is an area where the game ball can flow down or roll. The game board 108 is provided with a large number of nails and windmills, and a game ball guided to the game area 116 collides with the nails and windmills, and flows down and rolls in an irregular direction.

  The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b that differ in the degree of entry of the game ball according to the firing strength of the launch mechanism. The first game area 116 a is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116 b is the game area 116 viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. Located on the right side. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, the game balls launched by the launch mechanism with a launch intensity less than the predetermined intensity enter the first game area 116a and launch with a launch intensity greater than the predetermined intensity. The played game ball enters the second game area 116b.

  In addition, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning port 118, a first starting port 120, and a second starting port 122 through which a game ball can enter, and the general winning port 118, the first starting port 120, the first starting port 120, and the like. 2. When a game ball enters the start port 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more, and the number of prize balls to be paid out at each of the general prize opening 118, the first start opening 120, and the second start opening 122 may be different. The same number of prize balls may be set. At this time, it is also possible to set the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out at the first start port 120 smaller than the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out at the second start port 122. is there.

  Note that a first start region is provided in the first start port 120, and a second start region is provided in the second start port 122. When a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and the game ball enters the first start region or the second start region, one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is selected. A lottery for determining one special symbol is performed. Each special symbol is associated with various game profits such as whether or not a big game that is advantageous to the player can be executed and what kind of gaming state the subsequent gaming state will be. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, the player acquires a predetermined prize ball and at the same time acquires an opportunity for acquiring a right to receive various game benefits. It becomes.

  The second starting port 122 is provided with a movable piece 122b that can be opened and closed, and the ease of entry of the game ball into the second starting port 122 changes depending on the state of the movable piece 122b. It has become. Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second start port 122. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the entrance area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a normal symbol lottery is performed, and if the winning is won by this lottery, the movable piece 122b is in an open state for a predetermined time. Controlled. As described above, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second start port 122, so that the game ball can easily enter the second start port 122. Note that, here, when the second start port 122 is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second start port 122, but the second start port 122 is in the closed state. Even in some cases, it may be configured such that game balls can enter at a certain frequency.

  Furthermore, the game area 116 is provided with a large winning opening 128 through which a game ball can enter. The big winning opening 128 is provided with an open / close door 128b that can be opened and closed. Normally, the open / close door 128b closes the big winning opening 128 so that a game ball cannot enter the big winning opening 128. It has become. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big game is executed, the opening / closing door 128b is opened, and a game ball can be inserted into the big winning opening 128. Then, when a game ball enters the big prize opening 128, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

  At the bottom of the game area 116, game balls that have not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, the second starting opening 122, or the big winning opening 128 are played from the gaming area 116. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side of the panel 108.

  The gaming machine 100 is controlled by an effect display device 200 made up of a liquid crystal display device, an effect agent device 202 made up of a drive device, and various lighting modes and light emission colors as an effect device for making an effect while the game is in progress. There are provided an effect lighting device 204 composed of a lamp, a music output device 206 composed of a speaker, and an effect operation device 208 that accepts the player's operation.

  The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a including an image display unit that displays an image. The effect display unit 200a can be viewed from the front side of the gaming machine 100 at a substantially central portion of the game board 108. It is arranged. In the effect display unit 200a, the effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c are variably displayed as shown in the drawing, and the effect of lottery lottery is notified to the player by the stop display mode of these effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c. Will be executed.

  The stage effect device 202 is arranged in front of the stage display unit 200a and moves and rotates in an area that can be visually recognized by the player, thereby giving the player a big hit expectation. For example, the rotating character 202a as the effect character device 202 in FIG. 2 is interlocked with the rotation of a motor (pulse motor or geared motor) as a driving source during the fluctuation display of the effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c. And rotate around the front-rear axis. 2 is normally retracted to the back side of the game board 108, but during the variation display of the above-mentioned effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c, etc. It moves to the front of the effect display unit 200a.

  The effect lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and is provided in the effect actor device 202, the game board 108, and the like, and various lighting controls are performed according to the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Is done.

  The music output device 206 is provided at an upper position of the front frame 106 or a lowermost position of the outer frame 102, and various music is directed toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 according to an image displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Is output.

  The effect operation device 208 includes a button that accepts a player's pressing operation, and a rotation operation unit (for example, a jog dial) that accepts a player's rotation operation. It is provided at a position below the transmission plate 110. The effect operation device 208 is activated in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a. When the player's operation is received within the operation effective period, various effects are executed according to the operation. .

  Further, behind the effect operation device 208, there is an upper plate 132 to which a prize ball paid out from the gaming machine 100 and a game ball lent out from the game ball lending device are guided, and when the upper plate 132 is filled with game balls. The game ball is guided to the lower plate 134. In addition, a ball hole (not shown) for discharging game balls from the lower plate 134 is formed on the bottom surface of the lower plate 134. The ball release hole is normally closed by an opening / closing plate (not shown), but the opening / closing plate slides integrally with the ball removal knob 134a by sliding the ball removal knob 134a in the horizontal direction in the figure. In addition, it is possible to discharge the game ball from the ball hole to the lower side of the lower plate 134.

  Further, the game board 108 has a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, and a first special symbol hold at a position outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. A display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right-handed notification display 172 are provided. Each of these indicators 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations relating to the game.

(Internal structure of control means)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control means for controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads out a program stored in the main ROM 300b based on an input signal from each detection switch or timer, performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device or display, or outputs the result of the arithmetic processing. In response, a command is transmitted to another board. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

  The main control board 300 has a general winning port detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning port 118, and a first start port for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start port 120. The detection switch 120s, the second start port detection switch 122s that detects that a game ball has entered the second start port 122, the gate detection switch 124s that detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, and the big winning port 128 A big prize opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered is connected, and a detection signal is inputted to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

  Further, the main control board 300 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second start port 122, and a large winning opening solenoid 128c that operates the opening and closing door 128b that opens and closes the large winning opening 128. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port 122 and the special winning opening 128.

  Further, the main control board 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold indicator 164, a second special symbol hold indicator 166, a normal symbol indicator 168, and a normal symbol indicator 168. The symbol hold display 170 and the right-handed notification display 172 are connected, and the main control board 300 controls the display of each display.

  In addition, the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment is started by a special game that is started mainly by entering a game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and when the game ball passes through the gate 124. It is roughly divided into ordinary games. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for proceeding with special games and ordinary games, and data and tables necessary for various games.

  The main control board 300 is connected to a payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330.

  The payout control board 310 performs control for launching a game ball and control for paying out a prize ball. The payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout control board 310, and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is passed through the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312. This is output to the hall computer of the amusement store.

  The payout control board 310 is connected to a payout motor 314 for paying out a game ball stored in the storage unit as a prize ball to the player. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 so as to pay out a predetermined prize ball to the player. At this time, the number of game balls that have been paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316 s so that it can be determined whether or not the prize ball to be paid out has been paid out to the player.

  Further, a dish full tank detection switch 318 s for detecting a full tank state of the lower dish 134 is connected to the dispensing control board 310. This dish full tank detection switch 318 s is provided in a path for guiding game balls to be paid out as prize balls to the lower dish 134, and each time a game ball passes through the path, a game ball detection signal is sent to the payout control board 310. It is designed to be entered.

  When a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower plate 134 and become full, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower plate 134 toward the payout control board 310 from the plate full tank detection switch 318s. The game ball detection signal is continuously input. The payout control board 310 determines that the lower tray 134 is full when a game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, and transmits a full dish command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, if the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the dish full tank command is transmitted, it is determined that the full tank state has been released, and the dish full tank release command is transmitted to the main control board 300.

  Further, the payout control board 310 is provided with a launch control circuit 320 that performs launch control of the game ball. Connected to the payout control board 310 are a touch sensor 112s that is provided on the operation handle 112 and detects that the player has touched the operation handle 112, and an operation volume 112a that detects an operation angle of the operation handle 112. ing. When a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the launch control circuit 320 performs control to energize the launch solenoid 112c provided in the game ball launch device to launch the game ball.

  The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as playing or waiting. The sub control board 330 includes a sub CPU 330a, a sub ROM 330b, and a sub RAM 330c, and communicates with the main control board 300 in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub control board 330 from the viewpoint of preventing fraud. Connected as possible. The sub CPU 330a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 300, an input signal from a timer, and the like, performs arithmetic processing, and controls the execution of effects. At this time, the sub RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 330a.

  Specifically, the sub control board 330 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a. The sub ROM 330b stores a large number of image data such as symbols and backgrounds to be displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and the sub CPU 330a reads the image data from the sub ROM 330b to a VRAM (not shown) to display the effect display unit 200a. Control image display. In addition, the sub control board 330 performs drive control of the effect actor device 202, lighting control of the effect lighting device 204, and music output control for outputting music from the music output device 206.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining control modes of the effect display unit 200a, the effect actor device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the music output device 206 in the sub control board 330, and FIG. 5 is common to them. It is a flowchart which shows the control aspect to do. A sub CPU (CPU) 330a provided on the sub control board 330 functions as an effect determining means 332 and an effect executing means 334 in cooperation with a program stored in the sub ROM 330b and the sub RAM 330c. The effect determining means 332 decodes the command transmitted from the main control board 300, and determines an effect pattern (content indicating a series of effects) corresponding to the command. The effect execution means 334 transmits a command to each device such as the image IC 340a, the accessory controller 342, the illumination controller 344, and the music IC 346a based on the determined effect pattern to execute the effect. The effect determination means 332 and the effect execution means 334 are both processing corresponding to an interrupt (interrupt processing), and are executed at an interrupt timing associated with each device.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the effect determining means 332 waits for the arrival of a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 33.3 msec) (NO in S10), and when the predetermined interrupt cycle arrives (YES in S10), Image data based on the effect pattern (data corresponding to the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect execution means 334 transmits an image command that can specify image data to the image IC 340a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The image IC 340a is also called a VDP (Video Display Processor), reads image data specified by an image command from the image ROM 340b to an image RAM (VRAM) 340c, and sequentially outputs the image data to the effect display unit 200a. It should be noted that some image is always displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines the image data for each interrupt cycle. Note that the image RAM 340c has different layers, and each layer can hold different image data. Then, the image IC 340a superimposes the image data held in the plurality of layers, and the superimposed image data is output to the effect display unit 200a.

  In addition, in parallel with the control on the image IC 340a, the effect determining means 332, when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 2 msec) comes with the determination of the effect pattern (YES in S10), the role based on the effect pattern An object pattern (contents indicating a series of operations of the effect actor device 202 among effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect execution means 334 indicates at least one of the traveling direction (rotation direction), the travel amount (rotation amount), and the travel speed (rotation speed) at predetermined time intervals according to the accessory pattern. A command is transmitted (S12), and the processing from step S10 is repeated. The accessory controller 342 drives the effect accessory device 202 according to the command. Here, the rendering accessory device 202 is operating only when the accessory pattern is determined. In addition, since the production effect device 202 is a temporary production accompanied by a physical operation that increases the expectation of jackpot for the player, it is more useful than the image data, the lighting pattern, and music data described later. The frequency with which the object pattern is determined is low.

  In addition, in parallel with the control for the image IC 340a and the accessory controller 342, the effect determining unit 332 generates an effect when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 100 msec) has arrived with the determination of the effect pattern (YES in S10). An illumination pattern based on the pattern (contents indicating a series of lighting modes of the effect lighting device 204 among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect execution means 334 transmits a 1 (ON) or 0 (OFF) command to the illumination controller (LED controller) 344 at predetermined time intervals according to the illumination pattern (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. . The lighting controller 344 turns ON or OFF the FET that drives the effect lighting device 204 in accordance with the command. In this way, the lamp which is the effect lighting device 204 is controlled to be turned on. The effect lighting device 204 is constantly turned on or off. Therefore, the effect determining means 332 always determines the effect pattern for each interrupt cycle.

  In addition, in parallel with the control for the image IC 340a, the accessory controller 342, and the lighting controller 344, the effect determining unit 332 receives a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 50 msec) with the determination of the effect pattern (in S10) YES), music data based on the effect pattern (data corresponding to the music to be output to the music output device 206 among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect execution means 334 transmits a music command that can specify music data to the music IC 346a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The music IC 346a reads the music data specified by the music command from the music ROM 346b to the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the speaker which is the music output device 206. Note that some music is always output to the music output device 206. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines the music data for each interrupt cycle. The music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and each music buffer can hold different music data. Then, the music IC 346 a superimposes music data held in a plurality of music buffers, and the music data superimposed is output to the music output device 206.

  Here, a series of functional units such as a sub CPU 330a, a sub RAM 330c, an image IC 340a, an image ROM 340b, an image RAM 340c, an accessory controller 342, a lighting controller 344, a music IC 346a, a music ROM 346b, and the like are configured as an SoC (System-on-a-Chip). As a single integrated circuit. However, it can be arbitrarily set which functional unit is integrated in such SoC. In addition, the functional units such as the sub CPU 330a, the sub RAM 330c, the image IC 340a, the image ROM 340b, the image RAM 340c, the accessory controller 342, the lighting controller 344, the music IC 346a, and the music ROM 346b are integrated as different integrated circuits and are electrically connected. It may be.

  Furthermore, the sub-control board 330 has detection signals from a push detection switch 208s that detects that the effect operation device 208 has been pressed, and a rotation detection switch 209s that detects that the effect operation device 208 has been rotated. Is entered. When a detection signal is input from the push detection switch 208s or the rotation detection switch 209s, various effects such as an image displayed on the effect display unit 200a are executed.

  Note that a power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power supply via the power supply board.

(Driving control of stage effect device 202)
As described above, in the sub control board 330, the effect determining unit 332 determines an accessory pattern based on the effect pattern, and the effect executing unit 334 transmits a command to the accessory controller 342 according to the accessory pattern. . In accordance with the command, the accessory controller 342 drives the effect agent device 202, specifically, a motor or a solenoid that is a drive source of each effect agent device 202. As a result, the production effect device 202 is driven in synchronization with the production pattern.

  However, under the specification that the effect actor device 202 is driven in synchronization with the effect pattern at all times, for example, if an effect pattern that drives the effect agent device 202 is accidentally continued, a drive source (motor or The operation of the solenoid) continues, and with the excessive temperature rise of the stage effect device 202, the insulator is deteriorated, and the stage effect device 202 itself and nearby resin are damaged.

  Here, it may be possible to strictly limit the driving of the director device 202 based on the continuity of driving of the director device 202 and the actual measured value of the temperature. However, the processing load is increased by complicated calculation processing. Will increase. In addition, if the criteria for determining the state in which the stage effect device 202 is to be driven should be strictly calculated, the processing load further increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the driving of the effect accessory device 202 is comprehensively limited by simple processing.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams for explaining the drive limitation of the effect accessory device 202. Here, the temperature transition due to driving or stopping is examined for an arbitrary rendering agent device 202 (for example, the rotating accessory 202a) among the plurality of rendering agent devices 202. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the rendering agent device 202 is continuously driven from the time point t0, the temperature of the drive source (motor) rises and reaches the upper limit temperature at the time point t1. The upper limit temperature is a limit temperature based on the specifications of the driving source constituting the stage effect device 202, the heat resistance characteristics of the stage effect device 202 itself and the resin nearby, or has a predetermined margin in the limit temperature. The temperature is lower than the set limit temperature. When the upper limit temperature is reached, the drive is stopped due to drive restriction, here, excitation release. If it does so, it will return to the temperature of the production | presentation actor apparatus 202 in the time t0 in time t2 by heat exchange with external air. In other words, in the stage effect device 202, time t1 to time t0 is required until the upper limit temperature is reached by continuous driving, and time t2 to time t1 is required until the temperature is increased by the stop. become.

  Here, in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the time ratio between (time point t1−time point t0) and (time point t2−time point t1) is 1: 4. Then, it can be understood that in order to lower the temperature that has been raised by driving the stage effect device 202, the stage actor device 202 must be stopped for four times the drive time. In other words, the absolute value of the rate of temperature increase per unit time when the stage effect device 202 is driven is the absolute value of the rate of temperature decrease per unit time when the stage effect device 202 is stopped. 4 times.

  Under such conditions, the following calculation is performed in order to easily grasp the temperature rise mode of the director device 202. That is, it is determined whether or not the staging effect device 202 is driven or stopped at a predetermined time interval (for example, 16.67 msec as a sampling period), and the staging effect device 202 is driven. When “4” is added as the first predetermined value to the predetermined drive counter value and the stage effect device 202 is stopped, the process of subtracting “1” as the second predetermined value from the drive counter value is repeated. . Here, the drive counter is a counter that indicates the continuity of driving of the effect agent device 202, in other words, the temperature of the effect agent device 202. If the drive counter value (temperature state value) is large, the effect agent It will indicate that the temperature of the device 202 is rising. Therefore, when the stage effect device 202 is continuously driven, the drive counter value is updated as “0” → “4” → “8” → “12” every predetermined time interval, and the stage effect device 202 is updated. In the case of the continuous stop, the drive counter value is updated at every predetermined time interval as “12” → “11” → “10” → “9”.

  For example, in FIG. 7A, the effect execution means 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driven at the first sampling after a predetermined time interval has elapsed (indicated by a black filled triangle in the figure). Then, “4” is added to the drive counter value, and the drive counter value is updated to “4”. Subsequently, when it is determined at the second sampling that the production effect device 202 is stopped, the production execution unit 334 subtracts “1” from the drive counter value and updates the drive counter value to “3”. Similarly, when it is determined that the production effect device 202 is stopped at the third, fourth, and fifth sampling, the production execution unit 334 subtracts “1” from the drive counter value each time and finally drives. The counter value is updated to “0”. Thus, even if “4” is added to the drive counter value in 1 sampling, the drive counter value returns to “0” if “1” is subtracted by 1 in the subsequent 4 sampling.

  In FIG. 7A, although it is determined for each sampling, the number of times it is determined that the stage effect device 202 is driven, and the number of times that the stage effect device 202 is determined to be stopped. Becomes 1: 4, and the stage effect device 202 has been stopped for four times the driving time, and therefore has been lowered by the increase in temperature. Here, it can be seen that the drive counter value is “0” and that the temperature does not rise.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the effect execution means 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driven at the first sampling, adds “4” to the drive counter value, and sets the drive counter value. Is updated to “4”, and thereafter, at the second, third, and fourth sampling, it is determined that the rendering device 202 is stopped, and “1” is subtracted from the drive counter value each time, and the drive counter Even if the value is updated to “1”, if it is determined at the next fifth sampling that the stage effect device 202 is driven, the drive counter value does not become “0” and the drive counter value becomes “4”. ", And the drive counter value gradually increases.

  In FIG. 7 (b), the number of times it is determined that the stage effect device 202 is driven and the number of times that the stage effect device 202 is determined to be stopped are 1: 3. 202 has stopped only for three times the drive time, the temperature of the stage effect device 202 has not sufficiently decreased, and the drive counter value has gradually increased. Here, it can be seen that the increase in the drive counter value matches the increase in temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the effect execution means 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driven at the first sampling, adds “4” to the drive counter value, and sets the drive counter value. Is updated to “4”, and at the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh samplings, it is determined that the stage effect device 202 has stopped, and each time the drive counter value is set to “1”. Is subtracted from a predetermined lower limit value (reference value: “0”, for example). Specifically, the effect execution means 334 does not subtract “1” (second predetermined value) any more if the result of subtracting “1” from the drive counter value is less than the predetermined lower limit value. Therefore, at the fifth, sixth, and seventh samplings, it is determined that the production effect device 202 is stopped, but the drive counter value is not updated. This is because the temperature that has risen falls due to the stop of the director apparatus 202, but the temperature does not fall from the atmosphere of the outside air, and the temperature rise needs to be strictly determined, but the temperature falls This is because there is no problem even if it is not judged strictly. The lower limit is not limited to “0”, and an arbitrary integer can be set.

  As described above, a numerical value (“4”) to be added when it is determined that the stage effect device 202 is driven, and a numerical value (“1”) to be subtracted when it is determined that the direction bonus apparatus 202 is stopped. )) Is referred to herein as the drive ratio. The drive ratio is obtained as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the time (time t1−time t0) until the upper limit temperature is reached in the case where the rendering device 202 is continuously driven is derived. Next, the driving of the effect actor device 202 is stopped, and the time (time t2−time t1) from when the upper limit temperature is reached to when the effect agent device 202 is returned to the temperature before driving is derived. Then, a ratio of (time t2−time t1) to (time t1−time t0) is derived. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the ratio is “4”. In addition, when a numerical value after the decimal point is generated as a result of deriving the ratio, the numerical value after the decimal point is raised. This is because at least the value on the temperature rising side is increased from the temperature decreasing side, so that a margin is provided on the safety side. The ratio (here, “4”) derived in this way is used as a numerical value (first predetermined value) to be added when it is determined that the stage effect device 202 is driven, and the stage effect device 202 stops. The drive ratio (4: 1) is determined by setting the numerical value (second predetermined value) to be subtracted when it is determined to be “1” to “1”. Therefore, if the ratio between the time required to reach the upper limit temperature when driving continues and the time required to return to the temperature before stopping and driving is an integer n, the drive ratio is n: 1. .

  Then, when the effect execution means 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driving, the effect agent device 202 adds “n” located to the left of the drive ratio (n: 1) to the drive counter value. If the drive counter value reaches a predetermined drive upper limit value (drive threshold value), the process of subtracting “1” located to the right of the drive ratio from the drive counter value is repeated. In order to limit it, the production actor device 202 is stopped. Therefore, the production effect device 202 stops at the position when the drive counter value reaches the drive upper limit value. Here, the drive upper limit value is a time period (time from time t0 to time t1 in FIG. 6) required to reach the upper limit temperature by continuing to drive (successively drive) the effect actor device 202, and the above time. It is a value obtained by dividing by the interval and multiplying by “n” located to the left of the drive ratio. For example, when the time from the time point t1 to the time point t0 is 10 seconds, the time interval is 16.67 msec, and the drive ratio is 4: 1, 10 / 0.01667 × 4 = 2400. By setting in this way, if the stage effect device 202 is continuously driven and 4 is added to the drive counter value every 16.67 msec every time, the drive counter value becomes 2400 after 10 seconds. Therefore, it can be understood that the upper limit temperature is reached after 10 seconds and that drive limitation is required. In addition, when a numerical value below the decimal point is generated in the driving upper limit value by the above calculation, the numerical value is rounded off.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to comprehensively limit the driving of the rendering agent device 202 with a simple process.

  By the way, depending on the stage effect device 202, there is a case where the stop is not simply the excitation release but the stop is held by excitation (excitation holding). In that case, the temperature rise is higher than at least the excitation release, and further, the temperature rise may be higher than when the rendering device 202 is driven (during rotation or movement). Therefore, even when the stage effect device 202 is stopped, when the excitation is held, the update mode of the drive counter value is changed. More specifically, if the stop of the rendering agent device 202 is due to excitation release, “1” is subtracted from the drive counter value, and if the suspension of the rendering agent device 202 is due to excitation maintenance, the drive counter value is subtracted. A third predetermined value is added to. Here, the third predetermined value is a value obtained by converting the heat generated by excitation holding into a drive ratio. For example, in the case of excitation holding by one-phase excitation, it is set to “8” that is twice that during driving. If it is excitation holding by phase excitation, it is “10”, which is 2.5 times that during driving, and if it is excitation holding by two-phase excitation, it is “12” that is three times that in driving.

  Therefore, when the driving ratio (two-phase excitation) of the effect agent device 202 is 4: 1 and the excitation holding by the one-phase excitation is temporarily performed at the time of stop, the effect executing device 334 is driven by the effect agent device 202. If it is determined that the staging device 202 is stopped, “4” located to the left of the drive ratio is added to the drive counter value. 8 ”is added. If excitation is released,“ 1 ”is subtracted from the drive counter value. Then, when the drive counter value reaches the drive upper limit value, the effect accessory device 202 is stopped to limit the drive.

  In this way, although it is a simple process, it is determined whether the stop of the stage effect device 202 is excitation holding or excitation release, and the drive restriction that accurately reflects the temperature rise of the stage effect device 202 Is possible.

  In addition, here, three states of driving, stop by excitation holding, and stop by excitation release are set as determination targets.For example, the transition time from the stop by excitation holding to the stop by excitation release is predetermined, If the temperature rise can be predicted even if the excitation hold is made during the stop, the drive ratio may be set in a state reflecting the temperature rise, and only the drive and stop may be determined. Specifically, the effect execution unit 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driven when the effect agent device 202 is stopped due to the excitation hold, while the drive counter value is determined to be driving, the first predetermined value “4”. ", As well as a predetermined correction value. That is, the calculation is performed by substituting the temperature rise of the excitation hold with the temperature rise of the drive. Here, the correction value is a value obtained by converting the heat generated by excitation holding into a drive ratio. For example, “1” is set for excitation holding by one-phase excitation, and “2” is set for excitation holding by 1-2 phase excitation. ", And" 3 "if excitation hold by two-phase excitation. Therefore, when a stop process is performed such as driving with 2-phase excitation, stopping with excitation holding with 1-phase excitation, and then releasing with excitation, the drive ratio is changed from 4: 1 to the correction value “ Change to 5: 1 etc. with 1 ”added. Then, when the effect execution means 334 determines that the effect agent device 202 is driven, it adds “5” located to the left of the drive ratio to the drive counter value, regardless of whether the excitation is held or released. If it is determined that the stage effect device 202 is stopped, “1” is subtracted from the drive counter value.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to comprehensively limit the driving of the production effect device 202 with a simple process while reflecting the stop due to the excitation holding.

  Here, from the relation of the calculation efficiency of the sub CPU 330a, the drive ratio, the drive upper limit value, the first predetermined value, the second predetermined value, the third predetermined value, and the correction value are all expressed as integers, but other than integers. It does not exclude real numbers. In order to increase the resolution, all values may be bit-shifted, and values of 0.5 and 0.25 may be calculated as integers.

(Restriction of driving of the director device 202)
In the above description, an example in which a drive upper limit value is provided and the drive of the stage effect device 202 is limited when the drive counter value reaches the drive upper limit value has been described. However, if the driving of the production actor device 202 is uniformly restricted, the following problems may occur.

  For example, even with the same production actor device 202, a plurality of operation modes (displacement modes) are prepared in accordance with the degree of expectation that it is a big hit. For example, in an effect where the expectation level that the lottery result is a big win is low, the operation of the effector device 202 is small, and in an effect where the expectation level that the lottery result is a big hit is high, The operation is set large. Thus, the higher the degree of expectation of being a big hit, the greater the displacement of the production effect device 202, and accordingly, the temperature rise of the production effect device 202 tends to increase.

  Originally, the production effect device 202 should be driven in a well-balanced manner according to the appearance modes of a plurality of productions having different degrees of expectation of being a big hit. However, in an actual game, an effect is randomly determined regardless of whether or not it is a big hit, so that the effect accompanying the driving of the stage effect device 202 is unintentionally continued even though it is not a big hit. There is a case. Here, after an effect with a low expectation of being a big hit (for example, an effect in which the effect agent device 202 vibrates small) continues, an effect with a high expectation of being a big hit (for example, the effect agent device 202). When performing the effect of moving to the front of the effect display device 200), the driving of the effect agent device 202 may be restricted. The reason for falling into such a situation is explained below.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the drive counter value of the effect accessory device 202. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the production B having a high expectation level of being a big hit is executed after the production A having a low expectation level of being a big hit has been performed three times. However, when the effect A is executed, the drive counter value is accumulated, and during the execution of the third effect A, the drive counter value reaches the drive upper limit value, and the effect agent device 202 is subject to drive restrictions. It will be. Therefore, the production accessory device 202 stops in the middle of the third production A. Even if the execution of the effect B is decided, the drive counter value immediately reaches the drive upper limit value as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, and all the effects B are shown as shown by the broken line in FIG. It is not executed and the driving is limited.

  In this way, as the result of the effect A having a low expectation of being a big hit being continued, the drive counter value has reached the drive upper limit value, and the effect accessory device 202 is temporarily disabled, Then, the result that it becomes impossible to perform the production B with a high expectation level of being a big hit is brought about. Then, even if the lottery result is a big hit, it is possible to appeal to the player that the degree of expectation of being a big hit is high by the production B with a high degree of expectation of being a big hit due to driving restrictions. It is not possible to improve the production effect. In addition, by performing an effect with a low priority (importance, necessity), it becomes impossible to perform an effect with a high priority, the balance of the effect deteriorates, and the player hits any action of the effect agent device 202. I don't know if I can expect it, and I may have distrust.

  Therefore, the priority is associated with each operation mode of the production actor device 202, and in the event of an emergency, the production B can be executed with high priority, thereby maintaining the balance of the production. This is because the drive upper limit value is made different according to the priority of the effect, the drive upper limit value of the effect A having a low priority is made small, and there is remaining power for driving the effect agent device 202. By increasing the drive upper limit value, this is realized by preferentially driving the stage effect device 202 using the remaining power.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the priority and the individual drive upper limit value. First, the operation mode in an arbitrary effect actor device 202 is divided into a plurality of groups (here, 3) according to the priority of the effect. Here, the priority is assigned based on the degree of expectation to which a game profit is given, for example, the degree of expectation of jackpot or the magnitude of the operation of the director device 202, and the higher the degree of expectation or action, the higher the priority. Set as follows. For example, an effect with a low priority is an effect that has a low expectation of being a big hit, or an effect that the operation of the effect agent device 202 is small, and an effect with an intermediate expectation has an expectation of being a big hit An intermediate or operation of the director device 202 is an intermediate director, and a high-priority director has a high expectation of being a big hit or a director who has a large operation of the director device 202. Become. In addition, although the example which divided | segmented the priority of an effect here into three groups was given and demonstrated, it cannot be overemphasized that it may subdivide into two or four or more.

  And the individual drive upper limit (individual drive threshold value) which is a value by which the drive of the production | presentation actor apparatus 202 is restrict | limited is set with respect to each priority of production. As the individual drive upper limit value, an arbitrary value less than the original drive upper limit value is set. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the individual drive upper limit value of the effect group with low priority is set to 40% of the drive upper limit value, and the individual drive upper limit value of the effect group with intermediate priority is set to 70% of the drive upper limit value. And the individual drive upper limit value of the high priority production group is set to 100% of the drive upper limit value (ie, individual drive upper limit value = drive upper limit value). Therefore, if the drive upper limit value is 2400 as described above, the individual drive upper limit value for the low-priority effect is 960, the individual drive upper limit value for the medium-priority effect is 1680, and the effect has a high priority. The individual drive upper limit value is 2400. In addition, when a numerical value after the decimal point is generated as a result of multiplying by the percentage, the numerical value is rounded off.

  Then, for each effect to be performed, the effect execution means 334 refers to the individual drive upper limit value corresponding to the priority of the effect, and when the value of the drive counter value reaches the referred individual drive upper limit value, the effect agent device The driving of 202 is limited.

  By setting such an individual drive upper limit value, the effect actor device 202 operates as follows. In other words, in the case of an effect with a low priority, when the appearance frequency increases, the drive counter value immediately reaches the individual drive upper limit value (drive upper limit value × 40%), and the drive is limited relatively early. However, in the first place, since the production has a low priority, the player is not very impressed with the presence or absence of the production, and even if the driving is restricted, the player does not feel uncomfortable.

  In the case of an effect with an intermediate priority, driving is limited when the drive counter value reaches the individual drive upper limit value (drive upper limit value × 70%). Since the individual drive upper limit value is higher than the effect with a low priority, it is allowed to drive the effect agent device 202 with a higher frequency than the effect with a low priority. Further, even if the driving is restricted due to the execution of the low priority effect with high frequency, the individual drive upper limit value (the driving upper limit value) corresponding to the intermediate priority when executing the intermediate effect. (Value × 70%) is allowed, so that it is possible to prioritize an effect with an intermediate priority.

  In the case of an effect with high priority, driving is not limited until the drive counter value reaches the individual drive upper limit value (drive upper limit value × 100%). Since the individual drive upper limit value has a lower priority and a higher priority than the intermediate effect, it is allowed to drive the effect agent device 202 with a higher frequency than those. In addition, even if the driving is restricted due to the low-priority production or the intermediate production being executed at a high frequency, the individual corresponding to the high-priority production is executed. Since the driving upper limit value (driving upper limit value × 100%) is allowed, it is possible to preferentially execute an effect with high priority, and to appeal to the player. Hereinafter, the transition of the drive counter value of the stage effect device 202 when such drive restriction is employed will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the drive counter value of the effect accessory device 202. In FIG. 10, as in FIG. 8, after the production A (low-priority production) having a low expectation of being a big hit continues three times, the production B (high priority) having a high expectation of being a big hit It is assumed that (production) is executed. Here, the drive counter value is added by executing the effect A, and the drive counter value reaches the individual drive upper limit value (drive upper limit value × 40%) in the middle of executing the second effect A. The production effect device 202 is stopped due to the drive restriction. Similarly, even during the execution of the third effect A, the drive counter value reaches the individual drive upper limit value (drive upper limit value × 40%), and the effect agent device 202 receives the drive limit. Will stop. However, when execution of the effect B is subsequently determined, the individual drive upper limit value that is associated with the effect B and is equal to the drive upper limit value is referred to, and is not limited by the individual drive upper limit value of the effect A. The value does not reach the individual drive upper limit value, and the effect B is appropriately executed as shown by the solid line in FIG.

  With such a drive restriction configuration, the drive upper limit value of the effect with low priority is reduced to leave the remaining power for driving the effect agent device 202, and the drive upper limit value of the effect with higher priority is increased to increase the remaining power. It is possible to preferentially drive the effect accessory device 202 by using it.

(Return from the drive restriction of the director device 202)
By the way, when the stage effect device 202 is subjected to drive restriction, the stage effect device 202 stops at that position. Then, in the front of the effect display device 200, for example, the moving character 202b as the effect agent device 202 stops, which may cause an unfavorable state such as hindering visual recognition of the effect display device 200. . However, the fact that the stage effect device 202 is subject to drive restriction means that the stage effect device 202 has reached the upper limit temperature and no further drive is allowed. Cannot be returned to the retracted position.

  Therefore, the return from the drive restriction is set at the highest priority in the above effect, and the return operation can be performed even when the drive restriction occurs. Specifically, the effect execution means 334 has an individual drive upper limit that is greater than the arbitrary individual drive upper limit value even if the drive counter value reaches the arbitrary individual drive upper limit value and restricts the driving of the effect agent device 202. The effect actor device 202 is returned to the value. Therefore, at least an arbitrary individual drive upper limit value is not the maximum individual drive upper limit value. For example, the individual drive upper limit value of the effect with low priority is set to 40% of the drive upper limit value, the individual drive upper limit value of the effect with intermediate priority is set to 60% of the drive upper limit value, and the individual drive of the effect with high priority is set. The upper limit value is 80% of the drive upper limit value, and the individual drive upper limit value for returning from the drive limit is 100% of the drive upper limit value. By doing in this way, regardless of the priority, even if the driving is restricted in the middle of the production with a high priority, the effect agent device 202 can change its position by switching to a high individual drive upper limit value. For example, it is possible to return to the retracted position.

  Here, on the assumption that different individual drive upper limit values are used depending on the priority of the production, the individual drive upper limit values for returning from the drive restriction are further different from those individual drive upper limit values. As described above, the drive limitation is performed without using different individual drive upper limit values depending on the priority of the production, that is, using a fixed individual drive upper limit value (for example, 70% of the drive upper limit value). When returning from, the individual drive upper limit value can be set to 100% of the drive upper limit value.

  Further, here, an example has been described in which the individual drive upper limit value for restoration is set to 100% of the drive upper limit value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the drive restriction, the drive counter value is subtracted to obtain the drive counter value. When the value drops to a predetermined value (for example, a value corresponding to 20% of the drive upper limit value) (when the temperature has cooled by a predetermined temperature), the effect accessory device 202 may be automatically returned.

  In addition, here, an example is described in which the individual drive upper limit value is set according to the priority of the performance itself regardless of whether or not the lottery result has been a big win. In the case of a big hit, the individual drive upper limit value may be set in correspondence with the gaming state or game profit, such as setting the individual drive upper limit value to 100% of the drive upper limit value.

  Here, the first predetermined value is added as a temperature state value indicating the temperature of the director effect device 202 according to the determination result of whether or not the director effect device 202 is driven based on the drive ratio. Although the drive counter value such as whether the second predetermined value is subtracted or not has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to such a case. A direct or indirect value of the driving continuity of the accessory device 202 or a temperature of the director device 202 or a predicted value thereof may be employed.

  Also, here, the drive upper limit value is given as the drive threshold, the individual drive upper limit value is given as the individual drive threshold, the lower limit value is given as the reference value, and the value of the drive counter value is increased by adding the first predetermined value. When the driving upper limit value or the individual driving upper limit value is reached, the driving of the production effect device 202 is restricted, and the value of the driving counter value is reduced by subtracting the second predetermined value to be less than the lower limit value. An example of no further subtraction was given. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the direction of addition / subtraction can be set to be positive / negative. For example, when the stage effect device 202 is driven with the reference value set to 2400, the drive threshold value or the individual drive threshold value set to 0, “4” is subtracted from the drive counter value as the first predetermined value, When 202 is stopped, “1” is added as a second predetermined value to the drive counter value, and when the drive threshold value 0 is reached, the driving of the effect accessory device 202 is limited to a reference value of 2400 or more. If it becomes, 2400 is maintained. Needless to say, the drive threshold, the individual drive threshold, and the reference value can be arbitrarily set. In any case, when the drive counter value is brought closer to the drive threshold value by the first predetermined value or away from the drive threshold value by the second predetermined value, and the drive counter value reaches the drive threshold value, the driving of the effect agent device 202 is restricted. However, when the predetermined reference value is reached as a result of being moved away from the drive threshold by the second predetermined value, it is sufficient to keep the drive counter value away from the reference value. Also, here, when there is a margin (remaining) before reaching the individual drive threshold, for example, the individual drive upper limit value is expressed as high, but as described above, when the direction of addition / subtraction is reversed It can be expressed that the value is low.

  In addition, here, the stop of the directing device 202 has been described as the drive restriction of the directing device 202, but the rotational speed and the moving speed are limited so as to suppress the temperature rise within a predetermined range. Various restrictions can be applied.

  Here, the motor has been described as the drive source of the production actor device 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various devices such as a solenoid whose temperature rises by driving (energization) can be applied. As described above, even when the solenoid is used as the drive source, it is determined whether or not the director device 202 is driven or stopped at a predetermined time interval (for example, 16.67 msec which is a sampling cycle). For example, when the stage effect device 202 is driven, “4” is added as the first predetermined value to the predetermined drive counter value, and when the stage effect device 202 is stopped, the value is calculated from the drive counter value. 2. Repeat the process of subtracting “1” as a predetermined value. Then, for each effect to be performed, the effect execution means 334 refers to the individual drive upper limit value corresponding to the priority of the effect, and when the value of the drive counter value reaches the referred individual drive upper limit value, the effect agent device The driving of 202 is limited.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a gaming machine, a symbol determining means for determining one of a plurality of types of symbols including a jackpot symbol, and a symbol display when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed since the symbol was determined A symbol display means for displaying a symbol on the part, a big role game executing means for executing a big game consisting of a plurality of round games when a jackpot symbol is displayed on the symbol display part, and a round game in the big game During a specific round game set in advance, when a game ball that has entered the big prize opening enters a specific area, a game profit granting means for giving a predetermined game profit, and an effect execution means for executing an effect during the big game However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and based on the operation of the start switch, one of a plurality of types of winning combinations is determined by a winning combination lottery. In accordance with the selection lottery means and the start switch operation, the rotation control of a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged therein is controlled, and the winning combination is determined according to the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating rotation reel Also in a slot machine comprising reel control means for controlling each of the rotating reels corresponding to the operated stop switch based on the lottery result of the lottery means, and effect control means for executing one of a plurality of kinds of effects. Applicable. Hereinafter, the slot machine 600 will be described in detail.

(Mechanical structure of slot machine 600)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 11 and 12, the slot machine 600 can be opened and closed by a housing 602 that is a substantially rectangular box and a connecting member that is rotatable with respect to the front opening of the housing 602. A front upper door 604 that is attached to the front door 604, a front lower door 606 that is located below the front upper door 604 and that can be opened and closed with respect to the front opening of the housing 602, as well as the front upper door 604. It is located in the lower part of the door 606, and is provided with the saucer part 608 for storing the medal paid out from the medal discharge port 608a.

  An operation unit installation base 622 is formed in the upper part of the front lower door 606. The operation unit installation base 622 is provided with a medal insertion unit 624, a bet switch 626, a start switch 628, a stop switch 630, an effect switch 632, and the like. ing.

  The medal insertion unit 624 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 622 accepts insertion of a medal as a game medium through the medal insertion port 624a, and receives a medal at a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back surface of the front lower door 606. Send. The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted or a non-standard medal to the medal outlet 608a, and a medal within the standard that is inserted within the insertion period. And a inserted medal detection unit 624b for detecting the passage of. Here, the medal guided to the medal discharge port 608a is discharged to the tray portion 608. When a player inserts more medals than the prescribed number of medals required to start one game, a predetermined number of medals exceeding the prescribed number (for example, 50) ) Is electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credit) in the slot machine 600. The one game will be described in detail later.

  Here, the specified number of inputs is set to “3” or “2”. In addition, when the number of medals required to execute one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified insertion numbers, the maximum of the plurality of specified insertion numbers is called the maximum specified insertion number, and the minimum number Is called the minimum specified number of inputs. If the specified number of inputs is selectable between 1 and 3, the maximum specified number of inputs is “3” and the minimum specified number of inputs is “1”.

  The bet switch 626 is a push-type button switch that inserts (bets) a predetermined number of medals out of credited medals. When the bet switch 626 is pressed in a state where medals equal to or more than the prescribed insertion number are credited, one game can be started, and the credited medals are reduced by the prescribed insertion number.

  The start switch 628 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 622 is configured by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a start operation of one game by the player. The start switch 628 can also be configured by a button switch that can detect a pressing operation.

  A colorless and transparent symbol display window 636 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at a substantially lower center of the front upper door 604. A reel corresponding to the symbol display window 636 in the housing 602 is provided at the position corresponding to the reel. A unit 634 is provided. As shown in the reel symbol arrangement of FIG. 13, the reel unit 634 has three rotating reels (left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, right reel) each having a plurality of symbols arranged in each of the regions equally divided into 21. The reels 634c) are rotatably provided independently, and the player can visually recognize the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c through the symbol display window 636. The reel unit 634 starts to rotate the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c in response to the operation of the start switch 628.

  A stop switch 630 located at the center of the operation unit installation base 622 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c and capable of detecting a player's pressing operation. A player's stop operation to stop each of the reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c is detected. Note that the three button switches related to the stop switch 630 are particularly referred to as stop button switches, and are referred to as a stop button switch 630a, a stop button switch 630b, and a stop button switch 630c in order from the left according to their positions.

  The effect switch 632 includes a push-type button switch and a jog dial switch that is rotatably arranged around the button switch, and detects a player's pressing operation and rotating operation. The effect switch 632 is mainly used during the effect, and the effect mode can be changed by the player's operation.

  A liquid crystal display unit 638 that displays various images associated with effects is provided at the upper center of the front upper door 604. In addition, an effect lamp 642 made up of, for example, a high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) is provided on the upper and left and right sides of the front upper door 604. In addition, between the symbol display window 636 and the operation unit installation base 622, an effect agent device 660 including a driving device is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, speakers that perform auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 638 on the back surface of the front upper door 604 and the inner surface left and right positions on the back surface of the front lower door 606. 640 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 634 in the housing 602, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 764 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 608a is provided. The medal payout device 764 includes a medal storage unit 764a for storing medals, a payout control unit 764b for discharging medals stored in the medal storage unit 764a from the medal discharge port 608a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 608a. And a payout medal detection unit 764c. Specifically, the payout control unit 764b is rotatably supported on the main body exterior of the payout control unit 764b, and has a plurality of medal insertion holes in the circumferential direction in which medals dropped from the medal storage unit 764a are inserted one by one from above. And a disk motor (not shown) for rotating the disk. The medals inserted in the medal insertion holes are rotated one by one through the pushing mechanism. The medals are continuously discharged one by one by discharging them to the outside and sequentially inserting the next medals into the medallion insertion holes vacated by the discharge.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, among the symbols provided on the left reel 634 a, the middle reel 634 b, and the right reel 634 c, a symbol display window is provided inside each rotary reel 634 a, 634 b, 634 c. Reel backlight 644 that irradiates the upper, middle and lower symbols of each rotary reel 634a, 634b and 634c independently from the back surface corresponding to 636 (which may be the target of an effective line which is a payout target line) (See FIG. 14). In addition, a reel upper light 646 that directly irradiates the front of all of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c is also provided on the upper rear surface of the symbol display window 636.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the operation unit installation base 622, a main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit are provided on a substantially horizontal plane of the step unit 622 a provided between the symbol display window 636 and the stop switch 630. 654 is provided. Further, a sub-credit display unit 656 and a sub-payout display unit 658 are provided between the symbol display window 636 and the operation unit installation base 622. The main credit display unit 652 and the sub-credit display unit 656 display the number of credits, and the main pay-out display unit 654 and the sub-payout display unit 658 display the number of medals paid out. Note that the sub-credit display unit 656 and the sub-payout display unit 658 can also display various numerical values associated with effects.

  A power switch 648 is provided at an arbitrary position in the housing 602. The power switch 648 includes a switch that can detect a pressing operation, such as a rocker switch, and is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 600 to switch between two states of a power-off state and a power-on state. Used.

  In the present embodiment, in the one game, the medal insertion through the medal insertion unit 624, the insertion of a credited medal through the operation of the bet switch 626, or the replay combination is displayed on the active line. After one of the automatic insertion of medals is performed based on the game, a plurality of rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c are controlled to rotate in accordance with the player's operation of the start switch 628, and a winning combination lottery is executed. The rotary reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c are controlled to stop according to the lottery result of the role lottery and the plurality of stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c operated by the player. And won a winning role that can receive medals. If, say a game until payout of the medals is executed. Further, when the winning combination that can receive a medal is not won or when the winning combination is not won, one game is ended when all of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, and 634c are stopped. However, the start of one game may be read as an operation of the start switch 628 by the player, instead of inserting the medal or winning the replay role. In addition, the number of such one game repeated is the number of games.

(Electrical configuration of slot machine 600)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 600. As shown in FIG. 14, the slot machine 600 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, the main control board 700 and the sub control board 702 that share the functions of the control board will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, a particularly important process such as a lottery for winning a role to be used for a game or winning a prize is executed on the main control board 700, and other processes related to effects, for example, are performed on the sub control board 702 Running in. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, electrical signals are transmitted between the main control board 700 and the sub control board 702 from the main control board 700 to the sub control board 702 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Limited to direction only. However, if there is no such limitation, two-way electrical communication is technically possible.

(Main control board 700)
The main control board 700 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 700a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 700b that stores programs, a main RAM 700c that functions as a work area, and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire slot machine 600. To do. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 700c, and even when the power is turned off, the data is not erased unless the setting is changed and the initialization process of the main RAM 700c is executed. Retained.

  The main control board 700 functions by the main CPU 700a cooperating with the main RAM 700c based on a program stored in the main ROM 700b. The initialization means 800, the betting means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, and the reel control means. 806, a determination unit 808, a payout control unit 810, a state transition unit 812, a command determination unit 814, a command transmission unit 816, and the like.

  The initialization unit 800 executes an initialization process in the main control board 700. The betting means 802 bets medals for use in games. Here, the bet is based on the case where a medal credited through the operation of the bet switch 626 is inserted, the case where a medal is inserted through the medal insertion unit 624, and the fact that the replay combination is displayed on the active line. Including any of the cases of automatically feeding The winning combination lottery means 804 determines one of a plurality of types of winning combinations, including a small combination, a replay combination, and a bonus combination, based on the operation of the bet of the medal and the start switch 628, and the lost combination by lottery. To do.

  The reel control means 806 controls the rotation of the plurality of rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c in accordance with the operation of the start switch 628, and a plurality of stop button switches 630a respectively corresponding to the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c. , 630b, 630c, the stop reel switches 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c are controlled to stop. In addition, the reel control means 806 activates the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game according to the operation of the start switch 628 and then displays the lottery result of the winning combination lottery by the player. The time until the operation is validated (invalidated by the completion of the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game) is extended from the specified time, and the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c are rotated in various manners during that time. A reel effect (freeze effect) may be performed. In reel production, any switch that should be originally enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, processing that should be originally executed is suspended for a predetermined time, or a signal of any switch that should be originally transmitted / received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized by not having.

  The determination unit 808 determines whether or not a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. Here, displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery on the active line may be simply referred to as winning. The payout control means 810 pays out medals in the number corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line (winned). . The state transition means 812 transitions the gaming state based on winning of a bonus combination or winning.

  The command determining means 814 sequentially determines commands relating to the game in accordance with the operations of the betting means 802, winning combination lottery means 804, reel control means 806, determination means 808, payout control means 810, state transition means 812, and the like. The command transmission unit 816 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination unit 814 to the sub control board 702.

  The main control board 700 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection unit 624b, the bet switch 626, the start switch 628, and the stop switch 630, and based on the received detection signals, the bet means 802 and the winning combination lottery means. A reel control unit 806 and a determination unit 808 execute the various processes described above. A main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit 654 are connected to the main control board 700, and the payout control unit 810 displays the number of medals credits and the number of payouts on both the display units 652 and 654. Control.

  Further, a reel drive control unit 758 is connected to the main control board 700. The reel drive control unit 758 drives the stepping motor 762 based on the rotation start signal of each of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c transmitted from the reel control means 806 according to the operation signal of the start switch 628, and stops. The stepping motor 762 is driven based on the stop signal of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c and the detection signal of the rotational position detection circuit 760, which are transmitted from the reel control means 806 according to the operation signal of the switch 630. To stop.

  In addition, a medal payout device 764 is connected to the main control board 700. A detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 764c is input to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 counts the number of medals to be paid out according to the detection signal, from the payout control unit 764b. Control the discharge of medals.

  The main control board 700 is provided with a random number generator 700d. The random number generator 700d sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined total number (for example, 65536) (0 to 65535), and generates (acquires) a random number by extracting the count value at a predetermined time point. The random number generated by the random number generator 700d of the main control board 700 (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination lottery random number) is used for the game profit given to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 804 to execute the winning combination lottery. It is done.

(Sub-control board 702)
Similarly to the main control board 700, the sub control board 702 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 702a that is a central processing unit, a sub ROM 702b that stores programs, a sub RAM 702c that functions as a work area, and the like. Based on the command from the main control board 700, the effect is controlled. Similarly to the main RAM 700c, a backup power source (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 702c, and data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. The sub-control board 702 is also provided with a random number generator 702d like the main control board 700, and random numbers generated by the random number generator 702d (hereinafter referred to as production lottery random numbers) mainly have the aspect of production. Used to determine.

  Further, the sub control board 702 functions as a result of the sub CPU 702a cooperating with the sub RAM 702c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 702b, such as an initialization determining unit 830, a command receiving unit 832, an effect control unit 834, and the like. It has a functional part.

  The initialization determining unit 830 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 702. The command receiving unit 832 receives a command from another control board such as the main control board 700 and performs processing on the command. The effect control means 834 receives the detection signal from the effect switch 632 and determines the effect of the game performed in each device of the liquid crystal display unit 638, the speaker 640, and the effect lamp 642 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 834 includes image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 638, an effect lamp 642, a reel backlight 644, a reel upper light 646, a sub credit display unit 656, a sub payout display unit 658, and the like. In addition to determining the illumination data for presentation through the illumination device, the audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 640 is determined. Then, the effect control means 834 executes the determined game effect.

  The effects include an effect executed by the main control board 700 such as the reel effect described above and an effect executed by the sub-control board 702. The effects executed by the sub-control board 702 are the liquid crystal display unit 638, the speaker 640, the effect lamp 642, the reel backlight 644, the reel upper light 646, the sub credit display unit 656, and the sub payout display unit as the game progresses. Visual and auditory expression means provided through 658 and the like, which can give a story to the game and can suggest the result of the winning lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting winning of a bonus game can be performed over a plurality of games, and the player's expectation can be enhanced. In addition, even if you have not won any of the winning roles, you can make the player have a high expectation of high dividends through the production as if the player is also winning, so that the player will not get bored. It becomes possible.

  In the slot machine 600, the effect control means 834 functions as the effect execution means 334 described above, and the effect actor device 660 functions as the effect agent device 202 described above.

202, 660 Stage effect device 330, 702 Sub control board 330a, 702a Sub CPU (CPU)
330b, 702b Sub ROM
330c, 702c Sub RAM
334 Production execution means (production control means)

Claims (5)

A directing device that can move or rotate;
Production determination means for determining production as the game progresses,
Based on the determined effect, the effect agent device is driven, a temperature state value indicating a temperature of the effect agent device is derived based on the drive, and the temperature state value is set to a predetermined individual drive threshold value. Production execution means for restricting the driving of the production effect device upon arrival,
With
A plurality of the individual drive thresholds are provided corresponding to the priority of the production,
The effect execution means is a gaming machine that restricts driving of the effect agent device using an individual drive threshold value corresponding to the determined priority of the effect.   The priority of the effect is that the effect with a higher expectation to which the game profit is given has a margin before reaching the individual drive threshold than the effect with a lower expectation to which the game profit is given. The gaming machine described.   The effect execution means, when the temperature state value reaches an arbitrary individual drive threshold and restricts the driving of the effect agent device, an individual drive threshold that has a margin before reaching the arbitrary individual drive threshold The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the stage effect device is returned to the game machine. A directing device that can move or rotate;
Production determination means for determining production as the game progresses,
Based on the determined effect, the effect agent device is driven, a temperature state value indicating a temperature of the effect agent device is derived based on the drive, and the temperature state value is set to a predetermined individual drive threshold value. Production execution means for restricting the driving of the production effect device upon arrival,
With
A plurality of the individual drive thresholds are provided,
The effect execution means, when the temperature state value reaches an arbitrary individual drive threshold and restricts the driving of the effect agent device, an individual drive threshold that has a margin before reaching the arbitrary individual drive threshold A gaming machine that switches to the above and restores the stage effect device.   The effect execution means determines whether or not the effect agent device is driven at a predetermined time interval, and brings a predetermined drive counter value closer to the individual drive threshold by a first predetermined value according to the determination result. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature state value is derived by moving away from the individual driving threshold by a second predetermined value.

Images