JP2018191916A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of controlling a game by appropriately using random numbers equally distributed in a high dimension without impairing conformity of a random number generation system.SOLUTION: The game machine: divides a random number generated by a random number generation program P3 into n pieces; in response to a request of a performance program P1, outputs the divided random numbers to the performance program P1; and causes the performance program P1 to control a performance of the game on the basis of the putout random numbers. When the divided random numbers are accumulated in a random number buffer 6021a and are input/output, the game machine determines the number of random numbers to be generated by the random number generation program P3 according to an idle capacity (E) of the random number buffer 6021a, and causes the performance program P1 to output all the random numbers divided into the plurality of pieces, without any exception.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  There are known gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines that give a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls and perform games for obtaining such gaming media. In this type of gaming machine, various lotteries using random numbers are performed in order to determine the progress of the game and the production. For example, conventionally, the count value of the reach random number setting area that is counted up in a predetermined cycle is read based on the detection of the game ball by the start SW, and is stored as a reach random number value in the reach random number value storage area of the RAM. A pachinko machine has been proposed that sets the content of a special symbol variation pattern in reach production based on the reach random value (Patent Document 1 below). In addition to the so-called hardware random number system that uses irregularities derived from hardware, software random number systems, for example, pseudo random numbers are generated by a random number generation algorithm such as the Mersenne Twister method, and slot machines used for lottery are known. (Patent Document 2 below).

JP 2005-329139 A Japanese Patent No. 5467559

  A software random number generation processing system such as the Mersenne Twister method described above can generate a high-quality pseudo-random number sequence having a long random number period and a uniform distribution of random numbers in a high dimension (623 dimensions). However, recent random number generation programs by software are often configured to generate random numbers having a bit width of about 64 to 32 bits, for example, but are necessary for game machines such as lottery and effect control. The random number to be may be a 16-bit wide random number with a smaller bit width, and it is necessary to convert the random number generated by the random number generation program into a random number that can be used by a control program for lottery or presentation. . In that case, for example, if a process of converting random numbers generated by the random number generation program by 32 bits into 16 bits one by one cannot use all the generated bit patterns, there is a possibility that the processing load increases.

  In view of the above, the problem of the present invention is that even in a gaming machine, even when the random number generated by the random number generation system is different from the control system that uses the random number, for example, the random number size required by the production control unit It is also possible to easily generate random numbers with a random number generation means, divide them into random numbers of a size required by a control system that uses random numbers, and output them for use.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an effect control means (P1) for controlling the effect of a game based on random numbers, a random number generation means (P3) for generating random numbers based on a predetermined algorithm, and the random number generation means Dividing means (S12 to S14) for dividing the generated random number into a plurality of random numbers, and the effect control means (P1) controls the effect of the game based on the random number divided by the dividing means. Adopted.

  According to the above configuration, even when the random number generated by the random number generation unit and the random number size required by the presentation control unit, such as the bit width, are different, the random number generation unit efficiently and easily generates the random number. For example, it can be divided into random numbers of a size required by the production control means and output to the production control means for use.

  Note that the means for solving the above-described problems and the reference numerals shown in parentheses in the column of the effect of the invention are merely for the convenience of showing the correspondence with the members of the following embodiments, and It is not intended to limit the configuration.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure in the state by which the door of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention was open | released. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the detailed structure of the sub-control part of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory address space of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the flow concerning the random number generation in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method of 32-bit extension of the counter value of a debug counter. It is a flowchart figure which shows the random number generation process at the time of power activation in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the random number storage process to the random number buffer in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram for explaining task scheduling in a task management program, and FIG. 10B is a time chart showing an execution state of the task scheduled in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the random number generation process at the time of the system stable in the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the production | generation number of 32-bit random numbers in the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a flowchart showing the main part of the random number acquisition driver in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, (b) and (c) are different alternatives for dealing with the exhaustion of the random number buffer used in the random number acquisition driver. It is a flowchart figure which shows a process, respectively. It is a flowchart which shows the random number generation process provided with the recovery process which copes with the random number generation abnormality in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the game machine which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure explaining the symbol arrangement | sequence of the reel in the game machine which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the game machine concerning the modification of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention. In addition, 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 illustrated. Is omitted.

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

  As with the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has an enclosed space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape. In the pachinko machine 100, the game board 108 is held in the surrounding space of the middle frame 104. The front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. In the pachinko machine 100, 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 while maintaining a predetermined distance. From the front side, the game board 108 can be visually recognized through the transmission plate 110.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation handle 112 protruding to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 is provided below the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so that it can be rotated by a player. When the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a firing operation, the launching mechanism (not shown) has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112. A game ball is fired. 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 at a distance between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 (see FIG. 1), and is an area where a 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 pachinko machine 100, and the second game area 116 b is the game area 116 viewed from the player facing the pachinko machine 100. Located on the right side. In the pachinko machine 100, since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, a game ball launched with a firing strength less than a predetermined intensity by the launch mechanism enters the first game area 116a and exceeds a predetermined strength. A game ball that has been launched with a launch intensity of 2 will enter the second game area 116b.

  Further, 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 second starting port 122 are provided. When a game ball enters the start port 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. In the pachinko machine 100, the number of winning balls may be any number as long as it is one or more, and the number of winning balls to be paid out at each of the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, and the second starting opening 122 is determined. It may be different or set to the same number of prize balls. In the pachinko machine 100, the number of prize balls to be paid out when the game ball enters the first start port 120 may be set smaller than the number of prize balls to be paid out by the game ball entering the second start port 122. Is possible.

  In the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, 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. In the pachinko machine 100, when a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and enters the first start region or the second start region as a predetermined trigger, the pachinko machine 100 is provided in advance. In addition, a lottery for determining any one special symbol from among the plurality of special symbols is performed. Each special symbol is associated with various benefits (game profits) such as whether or not a big game that is advantageous to the player can be executed, and what game state the subsequent game state is to be made. 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 to acquire a right to receive various privileges. Become.

  In addition, a movable piece 122b is provided at the second starting port 122 so as to be openable and closable, 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. Has been. 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, and when the movable piece 122b is open and opened in a state larger than the diameter of the game ball, A game ball can enter the second start port 122.

  In the pachinko machine 100, when the game ball passes through the entry area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a normal symbol lottery is performed, and if the winning is won by the lottery, the movable piece 122b is opened for a predetermined time. Be controlled. When the movable piece 122b is controlled to be in the open state, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray for guiding the game ball to the second start port 122, and the game ball to the second start port 122 It becomes easy to enter. The pachinko machine 100 is configured such that when the movable piece 122b 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 closed. Even when in a state, it may be configured such that a game ball can enter at a certain frequency.

  The game area 116 is provided with a large winning opening 128 through which a game ball can enter. An open / close door 128b is provided at the big prize opening 128 so as to be openable and closable. Normally, the open / close door 128b closes the big prize opening 128 so that a game ball cannot enter the big prize opening 128. ing. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 100, when the big game is executed, the open / close door 128b is opened, and the game ball can be inserted into the big winning opening 128. In the pachinko machine 100, 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 prize opening 118, the first start opening 120, the second start opening 122, and the big prize opening 128 are transferred from the game area 116 to the game board 108. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side.

  The pachinko machine 100 is controlled as an effect display device 201 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 200 that makes an effect during the progress of a game. 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 operations related to the player's effects are provided.

  The effect display device 201 includes an image display unit that displays an image at a position that is visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 100 in a substantially central portion of the game board 108. As shown in FIG. 2, in the effect display device 201, the effect symbols 210a to 210c are variably displayed on the image display unit, and the effect that the big lottery result is notified to the player by the stop display mode of the effect symbols 210a to 210c is provided. Will be executed.

  The stage effect device 202 is disposed in front of the stage display device 201 and is normally retracted to the back side of the game board 108. However, during the variation display of the stage symbols 210a to 210c, etc. It moves forward and gives the player a sense of expectation of jackpot.

  The effect lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and is provided on the effect agent device 202, the game board 108, and the like, and is lit variously according to an image displayed on the effect display device 201. Be controlled.

  The music output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 or at the lowermost position of the outer frame 102 (see FIG. 1), and on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 according to the image displayed on the effect display device 201. Output various music. Note that music includes all concepts related to sound, such as musical sounds, stuttering, voice, and onomatopoeia.

  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, and is at a substantially central position in the width direction of the pachinko machine 100. In addition, it is provided at a position below the transmission plate 110. The effect operation device 208 is activated according to an image displayed on the effect display device 201, and when an operation of the player is received within the operation effective period, various effects are executed according to the operation.

  Further, behind the effect operation device 208, an upper plate 132 to which a prize ball paid out from the pachinko machine 100 and a game ball lent out from the game ball lending device are guided is provided, and a lower plate 134 is provided below the upper plate 132. Is provided. In the pachinko machine 100, when the upper plate 132 is filled with game balls, the game balls are 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 by sliding the ball removal knob 134a in the left-right direction in the figure, the opening / closing plate slides integrally with the ball removal knob 134a. The game ball can be discharged from the ball release hole to the lower side of the lower plate 134.

  On the game board 108, a first special symbol display 160, a second display device 160, and the like are used as devices for displaying various situations relating to the game at positions outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. 2 a special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold 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.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment. The main control unit 300 controls the progress of the game, and 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, the control process related to the progress of the game is executed by transmitting the command generated by the main control unit 300 to another control unit. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

  The main control unit 300 includes a general winning port detection switch 118s that detects that a game ball has entered the general winning port 118, and a first start port that detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 120. A detection switch 120s, a second start port detection switch 122s that detects that a game ball has entered the second start port 122, a gate detection switch 124s that detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, and a grand prize A prize winning port detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered the mouth 128 is connected, and a detection signal output from each detection switch is input to the main control unit 300. .

  Further, the main control unit 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 unit 300 is configured to perform opening / closing control of the second start port 122 and the special prize opening 128.

  The main control unit 300 also 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, and a normal symbol display. A display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right-handed notification display 172 are connected, and the main control unit 300 executes display control of each display.

  In the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the game is started mainly by a special game started 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. The types of games are roughly divided into ordinary games. The main ROM 300b of the main control unit 300 stores various programs for proceeding with special games and normal games, data necessary for various games, and tables.

  Further, in addition to the main CPU 300a, the main ROM 300b, and the main RAM 300c, the main control unit 300 is also equipped with a random number generator 430a and a sampling circuit 430b. The random number generator 430a is a hardware for determining a big game. A wear random number (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) is generated. The random number generated by the random number generator 430a is input to the main CPU 300a through the sampling circuit 430b. When the first start port detection switch 120s or the second start port detection switch 122s detects the game ball, the main CPU 300a acquires a random number from the random number generator 430a through the sampling circuit 430b, and specially selects the special random number based on the acquired random number. A lottery related to the success or failure of the symbol is executed. When the gate detection switch 124s detects a game ball, the random number is acquired from the random number generator 430a through the sampling circuit 430b, and a lottery for determining whether or not the normal symbol is true is executed based on the acquired random number. Based on the results of these lotteries, the control of outputting a signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122c and operating the movable piece 122b, the control of outputting the signal to the big prize opening solenoid 128c and operating the open / close door 128b, etc. Control the progress.

  The main control unit 300 is connected to a payout / launch control unit 310 and a sub control unit 330. The pachinko machine 100 includes a main control unit 300, a dispensing / launch control unit 310, and a sub control unit 330 as independent control boards. The sub control unit 330 is connected to the sub control unit 330 from the main control unit 300. The main controller 300 is connected to the controller 330 in a manner that allows communication in only one direction. Note that a power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied from the commercial power supply to each board via the power supply board.

  The payout / launch control unit 310 performs control for launching a game ball and control for paying out a prize ball. As with the main control unit 300, the payout / launch control unit 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control unit 300 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout / launch control section 310, and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control section 300 is sent to the payout / launch control section 310 and the game information output terminal board. Through 312, the data is output to a hall computer or the like of a game store.

  Further, the payout / launch control unit 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 / launch control unit 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control unit 300 so as to pay out a predetermined prize ball to the player. At this time, the pachinko machine 100 is configured such that the number of game balls that have been paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is understood whether or not the prize ball to be paid out has been paid out to the player.

  In addition, a dish full tank detection switch 318 s that detects a full tank state of the lower dish 134 is connected to the dispensing / launch control unit 310. The dish full tank detection switch 318s 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 discharged / launched control unit 310. It is configured to output to.

  When the full tray state is reached, in which the predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower tray 134, the tray full tank detection switch 318s is paid out by the game balls remaining in the passage toward the lower tray 134. The game ball detection signal is continuously output to the launch control unit 310. When the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, the payout / launch control unit 310 determines that the lower plate 134 is full and transmits a full plate command to the main control unit 300. The payout / launch control unit 310 determines that the full tank state has been released when the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after transmitting the full dish command, and sends the full dish release command to the main control unit. To 300.

  In addition, the payout / launch control unit 310 is provided with a payout / launch control circuit 320 that controls the launch of the game ball. The payout / launch control unit 310 includes 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. It is connected. When a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the payout / launch control circuit 320 executes control to energize the launch solenoid 112c provided in the game ball launch device to launch the game ball. The

  The sub-control unit 330 mainly controls each effect such as playing or waiting, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an effect control chip 330a configured by a sub CPU 330a1 and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 330a2. And a sub-ROM 330b and a sub-RAM 330c. In addition, the sub-control unit 330 is connected to the effect device 200, and as the effect operation device 208, a press detection switch 2081s and a rotation detection switch 2082s for detecting the player's operation are connected. The press detection switch 2081s detects the player's press operation when the player presses the button of the effect operation device 208, and the rotation detection switch 2082s rotates the rotation operation unit of the effect operation device 208. When operated, the player's rotation operation is detected.

  The sub-ROM 330b includes a control ROM 654, an image / audio ROM 611, and the like shown in FIG. 4 in detail. The production program P1, random number seed generation program P2, random number generation program P3, task management program P4, random number acquisition driver P5, debug Various programs such as the information acquisition driver P6 and production data such as a plurality of production lottery tables for determining the contents of the production are stored. The sub CPU 330a1 functions as an effect control unit, a random number generation unit, a random number generation unit, and a task management unit by reading out the program stored in the sub ROM 330b and performing arithmetic processing. Further, the sub RAM 330c includes a CPU RAM 602, a built-in eDRAM 604, a backup SRAM 655, and the like shown in FIG. 4 in detail, and functions as a data work area when the sub CPU 330a1 performs arithmetic processing.

  The effect control means is a means that functions when the effect program P1 is read and executed by the sub CPU 330a1, and is an effect lottery process that determines an effect to be executed based on a random number, and a control that causes the effect display device 201 to display an image. Control related to effects such as a certain image display process, a drive control process for driving the effect actor device 202, a lighting control process for lighting the effect lighting device 204, and a music output control process for outputting music from the music output device 206 is executed. . The effect control means executes these effect processes based on an external signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 300, an input signal from the timer, or an input signal from the effect operating device 208. As a timer for generating the external signal, there is a watch dog timer or the like.

  The random number seed generation means is a means that functions when the random number seed generation program P2 is read and executed by the sub CPU 330a1, and is based on a software random number (pseudo random number) used in the effect lottery process. A random number seed (hereinafter also referred to as a seed value) is generated.

  The random number generation means functions when the random number generation program P3 is read and executed by the sub CPU 330a1 and executes random number generation processing for generating random numbers by calculation based on a predetermined random number generation algorithm. Unlike the main control unit 300 that performs lottery using hardware random numbers, the sub-control unit 330 uses software random numbers generated by computation based on a random number generation algorithm.

  The task management unit is a unit that functions when the task management program P4 is read and executed by the sub CPU 330a1, and sets the priority of the task related to the control processing executed by the sub CPU 330a1. Here, a task is a unit of processing that can be executed by the sub CPU 330a1, and is a processing unit obtained by subdividing processing (hereinafter also referred to as a process) when executing a program. The task management means updates the priority setting every predetermined time with a short interval (a cycle of 30 fps (33.33 ms) in the present embodiment), and the sub CPU 330a1 executes tasks that can be executed within the predetermined time. Process sequentially according to priority. By repeatedly executing the above processing, it seems to the player that a plurality of processes are being executed simultaneously.

<Detailed configuration of sub-control unit>
Next, the detailed configuration of the sub-control unit 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the production control chip 330 a includes a sub CPU 330 a 1 and a VDP 330 a 2 that constitute a control subject of the sub control unit 330, and is configured by an integrated hardware LSI so as to incorporate the CPU into the VDP. Yes.

  The sub CPU 330a1 has an I / O port array for performing input / output with the CPU core 601, the CPU RAM 602 that the CPU core 601 can access without waiting time, and the peripheral members (651 to 656) on the left side of the figure generally used in gaming machines. 603, a built-in eDRAM (Embedded DRAM) 604 mainly used as a cache memory, and a debug counter 605 that is a hardware counter used for debugging.

  The I / O port array 603 includes a main control unit I / O 651 (command receiving means) for mainly performing command input / output with the main control unit 300, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 652 used for timing control, for example, a sub-control DIP switch 653 arranged on the substrate of the control unit 330, control ROM 654 arranged on the sub control unit substrate used for storing firmware of the sub control unit 330, and backup of the state of the sub control unit 330 as necessary Are connected to a backup SRAM 655, a debug UART 656, and the like, which are used for signal input / output with these units. The DIP switch 653 is used for mode setting for debugging and verification operations.

  The VDP 330 a 2 includes an image control unit 640 including an LCD I / F 641 for performing input / output with the effect display device 201 and a VRAM 642. Note that the image control unit 640 may include image processing hardware that performs image rendering and the like. In addition, the VDP 330a2 of the present embodiment is a product specialized for a gaming machine, for example, and includes a sound control unit 620 including a sound I / F 621 for performing sound output to a speaker constituting the music output device 206, A movable object / sensor control unit 630 having an ASIB I / F 631 for taking in a detection signal from a motor, a solenoid of a movable object drive system such as the object device 202, and sensors. Further, the VDP 330a2 includes a CGROM I / F 650 for reading data from an image / sound ROM 611 (CGROM) storing a production sound, a background of the production image, and a material such as a character.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a storage area of the sub control unit 330, particularly a memory address space accessed / managed by the sub CPU 330a1. In FIG. 5, the high address of the memory is taken in the lower part of the figure and the low address is taken in the upper part of the figure. In the memory arrangement shown in FIG. 5, storage areas for memory mapped I / O are arranged in the low address area. That is, the area for the memory mapped I / O includes an area for the sub CPU 330a1 to access the control ROM 654, the backup SRAM 655, the external control signal I / O 606, the debug UARTI / O 656, and the like.

  In the configuration of FIG. 5, the area of the built-in eDRAM 604 is further arranged at the higher address, and the space of the VRAM 642 of the VDP 330 a 2 is mapped to the higher address of the built-in eDRAM 604. Further, in the space of the high-order address of the VRAM 642, an area of the CPU register I / O 607 capable of memory mapped I / O with respect to the register of the CPU core 601 is arranged. Further, the space of the CPURAM 602 is mapped to the space on the higher address side than the CPU register I / O 607.

  More specifically, a backup battery is connected to the backup SRAM 655 so that stored data can be held even when the power is turned off. For this reason, a backup area 6552 is provided in the address area of the backup SRAM 655 to back up the contents of a specific area of the sub RAM when the power is turned off. Further, in the address area of the backup SRAM 655, an auxiliary counter 6551 for storing a 32-bit counter value used as a variable for generating a random number seed described later is provided. The auxiliary counter 6551 is incremented by a fixed width increment value only once when generating a random number seed. An arbitrary prime number is used for this fixed width increment value.

  Also, in the address area of the CPURAM 602, a random number variable area 6021 for storing data relating to random numbers, and the state (hereinafter referred to as context) of registers and flags used by the sub CPU 330a1 when switching processes are stored. A kernel stack area 6022 is provided. In addition, the random number variable area 6021 stores a random number information storage area 6021b in which information related to random numbers such as a state vector, a random seed value, and the number of random numbers generated is stored. Is stored in the random number buffer 6021a.

  Note that the number of occurrences of the random number means not the number of times random numbers are stored in the random number buffer 6021a but the number of times random numbers are extracted from the random number buffer 6021a. The random number buffer 6021a is a first-in first-out buffer (FIFO (First-in First-out) buffer) that is read in the order in which random numbers are stored, and is stored even if a large number of random numbers are used instantaneously. Is provided with a predetermined capacity (512-stage buffer in this embodiment).

2. Flow of Random Number Control Processing in Sub Control Unit Next, the flow of processing related to random number control in the sub control unit 330 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 330 generates the software random number in advance before the lottery and stores it in the random number buffer 6021a. If this is executed by the main control unit 300, the lottery relating to the ball is executed in advance. End up. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the software random number is used in the sub-control unit 330 that executes the process related to the effect. In the following, description will be made focusing on random number processing related to the sub-control unit 330. First, the flow of acquisition of random numbers by the effect program P1 will be described.

  When there is a random number acquisition request from the effect program P1 to execute the effect lottery process, the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a is delivered to the effect program P1. Here, the random number data such as the random number buffer 6021a is stored in the CPURAM 602 as described above, and is located in the system layer used by the kernel in the memory address space. On the other hand, the rendering program P1 is an application that is software that runs on the OS, and accesses an area located in a user layer lower than the system layer in the memory address space. Here, if the production program P1 directly accesses the random number variable area 6021 located in the system layer, if the production program P1 has a defect or the like, the system layer data used by the kernel may be affected. There is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the rendering program P1 acquires a random number from the random number buffer 6021a, the random number is always transferred from the random number buffer 6021a located in the system layer via the random number acquisition driver P5. It has become.

  Similarly, when there is a request for debug information from an external computer or the like during debugging, information such as the random number seed and the number of random numbers generated is passed from the random number information storage area 6021b via the debug information acquisition driver P6. ing. That is, in the present embodiment, the random number control class on the system layer side is prohibited from being directly accessed from the user layer side such as the rendering program P1, and information related to random numbers such as the random number and debug information is provided. Is always acquired via the random number driver class of either the random number acquisition driver P5 or the debug information acquisition driver P6.

  Next, the flow of random number generation in the random number control class will be described. In the random number control class, when generating a random number, the random number seed generation program P2 generates a random number seed that is a basis for random number generation. Specifically, the random number seed generation program P2 calculates a random number seed (seed value) based on the 32-bit counter value (auxiliary counter value) of the auxiliary counter 6551 according to the following equation (1).

Seed value = (auxiliary counter value XOR checksum value) XOR
((Debug counter [bit7: 0] << 16)
+ (Debug counter [bit15: 8] << 24)) (1)

  That is, the random number seed generation program P2 obtains an exclusive OR (XOR) of the auxiliary counter value and the checksum value, and further obtains an exclusive OR (XOR) with the counter value of the debug counter 605 to obtain the random number seed. Is calculated. The checksum value is a 32-bit checksum value obtained from a specific area in the backup area 6552 by some checksum calculation.

  The counter value of the debug counter 605 is 16-bit data, while the target seed value and auxiliary counter value are 32-bit data. Therefore, the counter value of the debug counter 605 is expressed by the above equation (1). Used after processing to be expanded to 32 bits by a bit shift operation as shown in the second and third lines. FIG. 7 shows the processing of the counter value of the debug counter 605.

  In this processing, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, the lower 8 bits (0 to 7 bits) of the debug counter 605 are extracted, 16 bits are left-shifted, and 32 bits are extended (the above equation (1) 2 rows) 7), the upper 8 bits (8 to 15 bits) of the debug counter 605 are taken out, and the result of shifting left 24 bits and extending 32 bits (the above (1), 3rd line) is added, and FIG. The counter value of the lower debug counter 605 is used.

  Since the auxiliary counter 6551 is provided in the backup SRAM 655, the data is retained even when the power is turned off, and the value is not initialized even when all the RAMs are cleared. Therefore, the seed value is prevented from being fixed by clearing the RAM. Further, by processing and using the counter value of the debug counter 605 as described above, it is possible to prevent the seed value from becoming “0”, and by performing bit shift operation and extending 32 bits, in particular, lower order of the seed value. All bits from the bits to the upper bits can be agitated randomly, and in particular, the values on the higher 16 bits can be agitated randomly without leaking.

  When the random number seed is generated, the generated random number seed is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b and the value of the auxiliary counter 6551 is updated. Then, the random number generation program P3 calculates a software random number using the random number seed stored in the random number information storage area 6021b, and executes a random number generation process for storing the generated random number in the random number buffer 6021a.

  In this embodiment, random numbers are generated by using the Mersenne twister method in the present embodiment. The Mersenne Twister method is a pseudo-random number generation method using an M-sequence random number generation algorithm. The M-sequence random number generation algorithm is an algorithm for generating a random number by a higher-order recurrence formula, and is characterized by performing an exclusive OR operation in the formula. Further, in the Mersenne Twister method, the random number generation program P3 has a predetermined number (623 in this embodiment) of state vectors (initial values) held internally to generate the next value of the random number sequence. This state vector is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b described above.

3. Next, the random number generation timing will be described. In the Mersenne Twister method, it is possible to generate a random number sequence having a very long random number period (2 ¹⁹⁹³⁷ -1) and evenly distributed in a high dimension (623 dimensions), and the generated random number has an arbitrary bit length (8/16/32). / 64 bit) random number data. However, on the other hand, it is necessary to update the state vector data at the time of initialization and at the time of obtaining the 624n-th random number (n is a natural number), which has a demerit that the processing load temporarily increases. That is, in the Mersenne Twister method, the state vector is updated by being divided at a predetermined cycle shorter than the random number cycle. As a result, the processing load temporarily increases.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent the load peak of the random number generation processing from coming in a state where the load of the sub CPU 330a1 is high, the random number is generated before use as described above, The random number is stored in the random number buffer 6021a, and the random number is generated and stored when the gaming machine is turned on and when the load of the sub CPU 330a1 is low (hereinafter also referred to as system stability). The random number generation process when the power is turned on and when the system is stable will be described in detail below.

<Random number generation processing at power-on>
First, random number generation processing at power-on will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, first, initialization processing is executed for the kernel stack area 6022 and random number variable area 6021 of the CPURAM 602 (S1 in FIG. 8). In this initialization process, since the random number variable area 6021 is initialized, data such as the state vector and random number seed stored in the random number information storage area 6021b and the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a are initialized. The

  After the initialization process is executed, the random number seed generation program P2 is executed to generate a random number seed, and the generated random number seed is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b (S2). When a new random number seed is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b, the random number generation program P3 is executed, and random number generation is executed based on the new random number seed (S3).

  When executing random number generation by the Mersenne Twister method described above, since the state vector data is initialized when the power is turned on, the random number seed generation program P2 (FIG. 6) updates the state vector data. It is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b. Next, the random number generation program P3 determines the number of random values to be generated, and generates a desired number of random values based on the new random number seed and state vector.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a 32-bit random number value is generated by the Mersenne Twister method. On the other hand, the random number value is stored as 16-bit data in the random number buffer 6021a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the 32-bit long random value generated by the Mersenne Twister method is stored in the random number buffer 6021a as a higher random number of 16 bits and a lower 16-bit value as separate random numbers. .

  As described above, the random number buffer 6021a is composed of a 512-stage FIFO structure ring buffer, and when power is turned on, random numbers are stored in all of the 512-stage random number buffers 6021a. Accordingly, the random number generation program P3 generates 512/2 = 256 32-bit random numbers by the Mersenne Twister method, and generates the generated 256 32-bit random numbers in the order of the generated random numbers. The lower 16 bits are stored in the random number buffer 6021a (S4).

  When random numbers are stored in all of the 512-stage random number buffers 6021a (Yes in S5), the random number generation process is terminated, and when there is an empty space in the random number buffer 6021a (No in S5), the empty space disappears. Generate random numbers up to. As described above, in this embodiment, random numbers are generated until the random number buffer 6021a becomes empty when the power is turned on, so that random numbers can be generated to the maximum extent before the game starts. The load of random number generation can be reduced.

<Random number generation processing when the system is stable>
Next, random number generation processing when the system is stable will be described with reference to FIGS. After the system is started, the task management program P4 sets priorities for the tasks of the process that can be executed at predetermined time intervals (30 fps (33.33 ms) in this embodiment), and the sub CPU 330a1 Each task is sequentially processed according to the priority set by P4.

  Hereinafter, the task processing by the sub CPU 330a1 will be described in detail by taking as an example the case of executing the processes A to C for executing the rendering process and the process D for executing the random number generation process. Process A is composed of tasks A1 and A2, process B is composed of task B1, process C is composed of task C1, and process D is composed of task D1. As shown in FIG. 10A, the task management program P4 according to the present embodiment sets priorities for tasks that can be executed among the generated tasks (processes), and sets the priorities thus set. Set task order according to degree. For example, in the first cycle T1, the order of tasks to be executed is set as A1-> B1-> C1-> D1.

  When the priority is set in this way, the sub CPU 330a1 sequentially processes each task according to the priority set by the task management program P4 in the first cycle T1. However, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the first cycle T1, the amount of tasks that can be executed for a single cycle is large. Therefore, when the task C1 is executed, the first cycle T1 ends. End up. As described above, when a task with a low priority cannot be processed in the cycle, the task that has not been processed (task D1 in the first cycle T1) is carried over, and the task management program P4 Performs the prioritization again at the start of the next cycle (second cycle T2).

  Since the processes B and C are completed in the first cycle T1 and the task A1 is executed, the task A2 of the process A can be executed in the second cycle T2. Therefore, the task management program P4 sets priorities for the task A2 and the unexecuted task D1, and sets the order of tasks to be executed in the second cycle T2 from A2 to D1. In the second cycle T2, the sub CPU 330a1 sequentially processes the tasks A2 and D1 according to the set priority. In the second cycle T2, only the task A2 has a higher priority than the task D1 that is the random number generation process. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, after the task A2 is executed, The task D1 can also be executed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the task D1 is activated, the random number generation program P3 is called, and the random number generation program P3 first checks whether or not the state vector needs to be updated (FIG. 11). 11 S10). That is, it is determined whether or not the current random number generation process corresponds to the 624n-th random number generation from the previous update of the state vector. In the case of the 624n-th random number generation (Yes in S10), the random number information is stored in the random number information storage area 6021b. The value of the current state vector is updated (S15). Further, when it is not necessary to update the state vector (No in S10), it is determined whether or not the random number buffer 6021a is full (ie, the random number buffer 6021a is full) (S11). Here, when there is no free space that can store a 16-bit random number (Yes in S11), the task D1 that executes the random number generation program P3 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is a free capacity that can store a 16-bit random number (No in S11), the random number generation program P3 determines the number of generated random numbers (S12). The process of determining the number of generated random numbers (N) in S12 of FIG. 11 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  When the number of random numbers generated by the random number generation algorithm is determined (S12), the random number generation program P3 generates the determined number of 32-bit random numbers by the Mersenne Twister method (S13) and breaks the order of generation. Without being stored in the random number buffer 6021a from the upper 16 bits (S14). In FIG. 11, for simplification, it is described that the update of the state vector is confirmed only at the position of step S10. However, in actual processing, when a plurality of random numbers are generated in step S13, It is assumed that it is checked whether or not the state vector needs to be updated every time one random number is generated.

  As described above, the task management program P4 incorporates the task related to the random number generation process (for example, the task D1) into the waiting queue (queue) of the executable task for each cycle, and the task related to the random number generation process performs the rendering process. The priority is set so that the priority is lower than the tasks related to (for example, tasks A1, A2, B1, C1). More specifically, the task management program P4 is set so that the priority of the task related to the random number generation process is the lowest. Therefore, in a state where the load of the sub CPU 330a1 is heavy due to processing of other tasks as in the cycle T1 of FIG. 10B (when the load is high), the task relating to the random number generation processing is not executed, and the rendering is performed at least within a predetermined cycle. The task related to the random number generation process is executed at a low load (that is, when the system is stable) when all the tasks related to the process are executed.

  As described above, the gaming machine (100) according to the present embodiment includes a lottery unit (P1) that executes a lottery process based on a random number, a storage unit (6021a) that stores a plurality of random numbers, and a random number generator. A random number is generated by calculation based on an algorithm, and a random number generation process for storing the generated random number in the storage unit (6021a) is executed, and the random number acquired by the lottery unit (P1) is stored in advance in the storage unit (6021a). Random number generation means (P3) stored in the storage means (6021), and the random numbers stored in the storage means (6021a) are obtained according to the order stored in the storage means (6021a).

  That is, the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a random number buffer 6021a, and generates and stores random numbers in advance by the random number generation program P3 before the effect program P1 uses the random numbers. In other words, the random number buffer 6021a is arranged, and the random number generation processing is executed asynchronously with the acquisition of random numbers or the actual random number use timing. With such a configuration, for example, a large amount of random numbers are instantaneously consumed to determine various states such as the transition of the internal state, the production time, and the strength of the effect, and the sub CPU 330a1 performs various calculations related to the production. Random number generation can be performed while avoiding the occurrence of an effect that occurs when a user operation enters a high load state or when the effect is switched, and the processing load related to random number generation can be distributed. In particular, high-performance random number generation algorithms such as the Mersenne Twister method have a relatively high processing load and require a certain processing capacity to generate random values. It is possible to prevent the control of other devices from being hindered by the load due to the random number generation process, and to prevent the occurrence of deficiencies in production (frame dropping, sound cuts).

  Further, a random number buffer 6021a as a storage unit is configured as a FIFO buffer, and software random numbers are stored in the random number buffer 6021a. Since software random numbers do not affect the randomness of random values, and the random numbers that are generated are used according to the order in which the random numbers are generated, the validity of the random numbers that are compensated as an algorithm is guaranteed. be able to.

  The lottery means is an effect control means (P1) for executing an effect lottery process for determining an effect to be executed based on a random number and causing the effect device (200) to execute the determined effect. The generation means (P3) stores the random number generated by executing the random number generation processing in the storage means (6021a) in a state where the processing load by the control executed by the effect control means is not more than a predetermined load. doing.

  That is, the random number generation program P3 is executed by the sub CPU 330a1 when, for example, a game ball is not entered in the start opening 120, 122 or the big prize opening 128, or when a demonstration screen is displayed when no game is executed by the player. The random number can be generated in a low processing load state. For this reason, when the sub CPU 330a1 is in a high load state, such as when switching the effects described above, it is possible to avoid allocating the processing capability of the sub CPU 330a1 for generating random numbers.

  Further, the pachinko machine 100 sets the priority of the task related to the execution of the control process, and the priority of the task related to the random number generation process by the random number generation means (P3) is determined in the effect lottery process. The task management means (P4) set lower than the task related to the control process related to the effect is provided.

  That is, the task management program P4 executes the task related to the random number generation process even if the task related to the effect is executed by setting the task related to the effect related to the control process lower than the task related to the random number generation process. The random number can be generated when the processing load is low, that is, when the system is stable.

  The random number generation means (P3) executes the random number generation process when the power is turned on. That is, by executing random number generation processing when power is turned on and storing random numbers in the random number buffer 6021a, random numbers can be stored in the random number buffer 6021a in a state where the game has not started, and random number generation after the game starts Can reduce the load.

4). Details of Random Number Generation or Acquisition Processing Various configurations that can be employed in the details of the processing of the random number generation system according to the present embodiment, particularly the random number generation system, will be described in detail below. In the following, it is assumed that random number generation is performed by the Mersenne Twister method.

<Random number generation and storage in random number buffer>
In the present embodiment, as described above, the random number generation program P3 called in the random number generation process (the task D1) generates a 32-bit random number in the random number generation. On the other hand, the random number value required for the effect control by the effect program P1 as the effect control means arranged in the user layer (FIG. 6) is a 16-bit random number.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a dividing unit that divides a random number generated by the following random number generating unit (random number generating program P3) into a plurality of random numbers is used. That is, the random number buffer 6021a having, for example, 512 stages of 16-bit storage stages corresponding to the 16-bit random numbers that can be output to the effect program P1 is arranged (FIG. 6). This random number buffer 6021a functions as a FIFO buffer for performing random number output to the rendering program P1 and random number generation in consideration of the distribution of the processing load for random number generation. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, one 32-bit random number generated by the random number generation program P3 is divided into upper 16 bits and lower 16 bits and stored in two storage stages of the random number buffer 6021a.

  In the configuration as described above, if the random number generation and storage in the random number buffer (FIFO) of FIG. 11 are performed and the random number buffer 6021a has only one stage of storage area of 16 bits, the random number generation program When P3 is called to generate a 32-bit random number, one 16-bit random number can be stored in the random number buffer 6021a, but the remaining 16-bit random numbers cannot be stored. In particular, in order to guarantee an even distribution of random numbers, such as the Mersenne Twister method, when a method of storing state vectors in the random number information storage area 6021b in advance is used for random number generation, it cannot be stored in the random number buffer 6021a. Discarding the remaining 16-bit random number will disturb the random number sequence and is not appropriate.

  Therefore, in the following, the detailed configuration of S12 of FIG. 11, that is, the sub CPU 330a1 (FIGS. 3 and 4) generates the random number generation program P3, and can be divided and stored in the current free capacity of the random number buffer 6021a. An example of detailed processing for determining the number of generated bit random numbers (N) is shown in detail.

  In the process of FIG. 12, first, the number E of empty stages in the random number buffer 6021a is obtained (S21). This empty stage number E is the number of unused storage stages for storing 16-bit random numbers, that is, a value corresponding to the empty capacity of the random number buffer 6021a. For example, the empty stage number E is obtained by the following processing. Can be requested.

  For example, the sub CPU 330a1 as the control unit manages the random number buffer 6021a as a 512-stage FIFO buffer as described above. In general, for such input / output control of the FIFO buffer, a read pointer R that holds a read address in the buffer and a write pointer W that holds a write address are used. The pointers R and W for designating the storage area (storage stage) of the FIFO buffer random number buffer 6021a for storing the 16-bit data are implemented as pointers for designating the address of the 16-bit wide storage area. When the pointers R and W are incremented (or decremented) by 1, the actual address value is incremented (decreased) by an offset value corresponding to one 16-bit storage area. Such a pointer is generally handled in a processing system such as C language. However, in other different processing systems, the pointer (address counter) for controlling reading / writing of the FIFO buffer is described above. A different calculation convention may be used.

  Usually, the FIFO buffer is used as a so-called ring buffer. After the sub CPU 330a1 reads or writes the end address of the random number buffer 6021a as the FIFO buffer according to the values of the pointers R and W, Reset to point to the beginning. Therefore, when there are 512 stages of random number buffer 6021a and the number of empty stages E for storing a new 16-bit random number to be generated is obtained, the number of empty stages E is obtained by an operation such as the following equation (2). Can do.

  E = (512-W) + (R-1) (2)

  Here, R and W in the above equation (2) are a pseudo representation of the slot (stage) position of the random number buffer 6021a indicated by the pointers R and W. The term corresponds to the number of empty stages remaining after the write pointer W, and the second term on the right side corresponds to the number of empty stages left after reading.

  Subsequently, in the processing procedure of FIG. 12, the number N of 32-bit random numbers to be generated by the random number generation program P3 is obtained by the following equation (3) using the empty stage number E obtained as described above (S22).

  N = INT ((E + n) / n) −1 (3)

  Here, in the above equation (3), INT represents an integer conversion (rounding down) operation. Further, n represents the number of divisions for dividing the (32-bit) random number generated by the random number generation program P3 into the (16-bit) random number buffer 6021a. In this embodiment, n = 2. is there. In the calculation of the above equation (3), the number of empty stages E is increased in advance by the number n of divisions for truncation, and then divided by the number n of divisions, and after the decimal point is rounded down, one 32-bit random number is obtained. The corresponding 1 is subtracted. For example, when the number of divisions n = 2 and the number of empty stages E (free space) of the 16-bit random number buffer 6021a is E = 33 and when E = 32, according to the above equation (3), in either case The number N of 32-bit random numbers generated is N = 16. Note that the calculation method for obtaining the number of random numbers to be generated by the random number generation program P3 for use by dividing into random numbers having a small bit width is not limited to the above equation (3), and can be arbitrarily changed by those skilled in the art. I do not care.

  Further, in consideration of the fact that the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing of FIG. 11 is executed with a low priority when the system of low load is stable, a desired number of 32-bit random numbers are generated by one call, It is conceivable to limit the maximum value of the number N of 32-bit random numbers generated so that the process of dividing and storing in the 16-bit random number buffer 6021a can be completed. For example, the number of generated 32-bit random numbers N obtained by the above equation (3) in step S12 is limited so as not to exceed a predetermined maximum value M. In this way, when the number N of 32-bit random numbers generated is limited to M, for example, the value of M can be set to about 16, 32, 48... (M = 16 in the description of FIG. 11 above). .

  As described above, the 32-bit random number generated by the random number generation program P3 is divided into 16-bit random numbers required by the rendering program P1 and stored in the random number buffer 6021a by the processing procedure shown in FIG. Can be output via By using such random number dividing means, it is possible to efficiently and easily divide and output random numbers of the size required by the effect program P1 without discarding the random number bit pattern, and make the effect program P1 use it. Can do.

  Moreover, according to the random number dividing means as described above, the number N of 32-bit random numbers that can be stored in the current free space of the random number buffer 6021a can be obtained. Therefore, the 32-bit random number shown in FIG. If the process for determining the generated number N is applied to S12 of FIG. 11, a 32-bit random number of the generated number N that can be stored in the free space of the random number buffer 6021a having a 16-bit width is supplied to the random number generation program P3 in S13 of FIG. Can be generated.

  Therefore, according to the process of determining the number N of 32-bit random numbers generated shown in FIG. 12, only a simple pointer calculation or integer calculation is performed, and the dividing unit divides the free capacity according to the free capacity of the random number buffer 6021a. The number N of 32-bit random numbers generated can be determined so that a plurality of divided random numbers can be stored, and the 16-bit random numbers obtained by dividing the generated 32-bit random numbers can be stored without discarding a part thereof. In addition, it is possible to output to an effect control means that requires random numbers efficiently, for example, an effect program P1 in the order of generation. For this reason, according to the method for determining the number N of generated 32-bit random numbers in FIG. 12, the appearance probability distribution of random numbers guaranteed by a random number generating method such as the Mersenne Twister method is not impaired.

  In the above description, the number of 32-bit random numbers that can be stored in the free space of the random number buffer 6021a is generated by the random number generation program P3 by the calculation of the above equation (3), and thus the 32-bit random numbers are divided. The configuration is shown in which the obtained 16-bit random number is output to the production program P1 efficiently in accordance with the request of the production program P1 in the order of generation. However, for example, the 32-bit random number is generated by the random number generation program P3 without performing the calculation of the above equation (3), and all the 16-bit random numbers obtained by dividing the 32-bit random number are stored in the current random number buffer 6021a. A configuration in which a spare buffer for storing a 16-bit random number that could not be stored in the random number buffer 6021a when a state that cannot be stored in the free space occurs may be employed.

  This spare buffer is composed of an appropriate number of 16-bit storage stages, and a spare buffer flag indicating whether or not a 16-bit random number is stored in the spare buffer is provided. In order to manage the number of random numbers stored in the spare buffer and the read / write position, it is conceivable to prepare pointers for indicating the read position and write position similar to the pointers R and W, respectively. When such a spare buffer is used, for example, the random number generation program P3 monitors whether or not there is a vacancy in the random number buffer 6021a, and if the vacancy is large enough to store the random number stored in the spare buffer (the above formula ( 2), the random number is appropriately copied from the spare buffer to the random number buffer 6021a, and the spare buffer is cleared. In this way, 16-bit random numbers obtained by dividing 32-bit random numbers can be sequentially output from the random number buffer 6021a in the order of generation. Alternatively, in order to manage the output order of the random numbers stored in the random number buffer 6021a and the spare buffer in the original order, a list of pointers that sequentially store the random number storage addresses of the respective buffers may be used. By using such a list of pointers, 16-bit random numbers obtained by dividing 32-bit random numbers can be sequentially output from the random number buffer 6021a or from the spare buffer in the order of generation.

  By performing the control as described above, a 16-bit random number obtained by dividing a 32-bit random number is generated without impairing the random number appearance probability guaranteed by a random number generation method such as the Mersenne Twister method. It can be output sequentially and efficiently in response to a request from the production program P1. In the above description, the demand side of the random number that calls the random number acquisition driver P5 has been described as the effect program P1, but the control system on the demand side of the random number is not limited to the effect program P1, and software or sub-control unit 330 It may be an arbitrary part constituted by hardware.

<Countermeasures against random buffer exhaustion>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the FIFO-structured random number buffer 6021a is prepared, and the random number generation program P3 (random number generation means) is executed asynchronously with the acquisition of the random number of the rendering program P1 when the system is stable at low load. Then, random number generation is performed, and random number generation and random number buffer storage processing (FIG. 11) for storing the generated random number in the random number buffer 6021a are executed.

  Further, the sub CPU 330a1 serving as the control means reads out from the random number buffer 6021a in the order of generation of random numbers in response to a request from the effect program P1 (effect control means), and outputs it to the effect program P1 (effect control means) in a so-called buffer mode. At that time, the 32-bit random number generated by the random number generation program P3 is divided into 16-bit random numbers, and the divided 16-bit random numbers are stored in the random number buffer 6021a without being discarded, and are also rendered via the random number buffer 6021a. It outputs to program P1 (production control means).

  On the other hand, the rendering program P1 requests one 16-bit random number by calling the random number acquisition driver P5 (FIG. 6). At this time, the system-side random number control class (FIG. 6) extracts one 16-bit random number from the random number buffer 6021a and outputs it to the effect program P1. The 16-bit random number is output by a method in which a random number value is returned as a return value from the random number acquisition driver P5 to the calling side production program P1, or the production program P1 designates the random number acquisition driver P5. Any method of storing in an output buffer of an address (or a predetermined address secured globally) may be used.

  The random number buffer 6021a has a size of about 512 stages capable of storing 512 16-bit random numbers as described above, and is previously unused by the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing of FIG. 11 prior to the request of the rendering program P1. The operation is performed so that the 16-bit random number is stored in the random number buffer 6021a. For this purpose, for example, a method of tuning the priority given to the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing of FIG. 11 can be used by performing an operation experiment in advance and responding with a margin to the request of the rendering program P1.

  However, even if the above tuning is performed carefully, depending on the gaming state, the production program P1 continuously requests 16-bit random numbers, and a large amount of 16 prior to the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing of FIG. The possibility that the random number buffer 6021a is depleted, that is, the possibility that the 16-bit random number to be output to the random number buffer 6021a remains empty (empty) cannot be denied. Considering this point, there may be a measure to keep the number (size) of the random number buffer 6021a for storing the 16-bit random number larger than the above-mentioned 512 stages, but any game or the corresponding performance state is considered. Thus, it is not easy to determine the number of stages of the random buffer 6021a that is sufficient (considered). In addition, when considering extremely rare games or effects, it is possible to secure a random buffer 6021a that is rarely used and is too large.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the random number acquisition driver P5 is configured as shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B or FIG. The demand / supply relationship of random numbers is adjusted with the control system to be acquired. For example, even when the random number buffer 6021a is depleted, an alternative process (substitute process 1 or 2 below) can be executed, and the random number buffer 6021a of about 16 bits × 512 stages is arranged in the rendering program P1. 16-bit random numbers can be output. In the processes of FIGS. 13A to 13C, the random number generation method is the Mersenne Twister method.

  In FIG. 13, as an alternative process performed when the random number to be output to the effect control means does not remain in the random number buffer, the effect program P1 (effect control) is used regardless of the buffer mode via the FIFO-structured random number buffer 6021a. A direct mode for generating a random number to be output is directly executed. For example, the following two modes are conceivable as the direct mode for generating random numbers without passing through the random number buffer 6021a, which is executed instead of the buffer mode.

  One of the direct modes does not depend on the buffer mode, that is, without passing through the random number buffer 6021a, calls the random number generation program P3 which is the original random number generation means, generates random numbers, and generates the generated random numbers. This is output to the production program P1 (production control means) (alternative processing 1 in FIG. 13B). In this case, when the random number generation program P3 is called, one 32-bit random number is generated. However, since the random number to be output in response to the request from the effect program P1 is a 16-bit random number, the random number generation program P3 A part of the 16-bit random number obtained by dividing the generated 32-bit random number into a plurality of parts, that is, one of the 16-bit random numbers is output to the effect program P1, while the random number not output to the effect program P1 is a random number. The pointers R and W that are stored in the buffer 6021a and control the FIFO access are appropriately updated. According to such processing, it is possible to output all of the 16-bit random numbers obtained by dividing into a plurality of parts without discarding or erasing them. Therefore, as in the Mersenne Twister method, the state vector can be used. The consistency of the random number generation system in which the appearance probability of the pseudo random number generated in advance is determined is not impaired.

  In the other direct mode, random numbers are generated by another means different from the random number generation program P3 which is the original random number generation means, and the generated random numbers are directly output to the effect control means (see FIG. 13 (c) is an alternative process 2).

  FIG. 13 (a) shows the overall flow of the processing procedure in which the random number acquisition driver P5 outputs random numbers from the random number buffer 6021a mainly in the above buffer mode in response to the class call of the effect program P1. First, it is determined whether or not the 16-bit random number to be output from the random number buffer 6021a is in an exhausted (empty) state (S31).

  This depletion determination of the random number buffer 6021a can be performed by, for example, the pointer calculation for the read and write pointers R and W for FIFO access. For example, the exhaustion state (remaining amount 0) of the random number buffer 6021a can be detected as a state in which the address value of the read pointer R has caught up with the address value indicating the next write address in the random number buffer 6021a. it can.

  If the random number buffer 6021a is not depleted (the remaining amount is 0), the process proceeds from S31 to S32, one 16-bit random number is read from the random number buffer 6021a (S32), and then the value of the read pointer R is updated. Then, the read 16-bit random number is output to the effect program P1 (S34).

  On the other hand, if the random number buffer 6021a is depleted (remaining amount is 0), there is no 16-bit random number that can be read from the random number buffer 6021a, so an alternative process of generating a 16-bit random number that can be output in the output step (S34). (S35) is executed.

  FIGS. 13B and 13C show different configuration examples of alternative processing (S35) for generating and outputting a 16-bit random number in the direct mode. First, the alternative process 1 in FIG. 13B is to generate and output at least one 16-bit random number by calling the random number generation program P3 in an emergency evacuation manner without going through the FIFO random number buffer 6021a. .

  In the alternative process 1 of FIG. 13B, first, the random number generation and random number buffer storage process of FIG. 11 that is operating as a low priority task (or process or thread) is temporarily stopped (S51). In order to temporarily stop the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing, it is possible to use an inter-task communication means (or inter-process communication means, inter-thread communication means, etc.) such as a signal prepared in the system. it can.

  Subsequently, the random number generation program P3 is called to generate N 32-bit random numbers (S52). The number N of 32-bit random numbers generated is about 1 (or several). The N 32-bit random numbers are divided into n (n = 2 in the present embodiment) to obtain a random number of a size required by the effect program P1, and N * n (16 in the present embodiment). A random number of bits is generated (S53).

  Then, the first one of the generated and divided N * n random numbers is output to the effect program P1 (S54), and the remaining (N * n-1) random numbers are stored in the random number buffer 6021a (S55). Accordingly, the values of the read and write pointers R and W for controlling the FIFO input / output of the random number buffer 6021a are updated (S56). Furthermore, the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing (FIG. 11) that has been suspended in S51 is resumed (S57). This task (or process, thread) restart process is also executed by the task (or process, thread) communication means such as the above-mentioned signal (signal).

  As described above, when the exhaustion state of the random number buffer 6021a is detected, the alternative process 1 implemented as the direct mode not via the random number buffer 6021a is executed. Random number buffer 6021a (FIFO) is not evacuated directly, but emergency evacuation directly calls random number generation program P3 to generate a 32-bit random number, divides it into 16-bit random numbers, and outputs one 16-bit random number from the beginning. be able to. This process can usually be executed at high speed in the random number acquisition driver P5 that is operated with a relatively high priority in order to respond quickly to the request of the effect program P1. In addition, in this case, the unused 16-bit random number obtained by dividing the 32-bit random number is stored in the random number buffer 6021a (FIFO). Therefore, as in the Mersenne Twister method, Even when a random number generation method that cannot discard some of the generated random number sequences in consideration of the consistency is used, the consistency of the random number system is not impaired.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13C shows a configuration example of another alternative process 2 that generates and outputs a 16-bit random number in the direct mode. The alternative processing 2 in FIG. 13C may slightly impair the consistency of the random number system, but it is 16 bits by other random number generation means in an emergency evacuation without calling the original random number generation program P3. One random number is generated (S61).

  One 16-bit random number generated by other random number generation means in S61 of FIG. 13C is output to the effect program P1 in S62 of FIG. It should be noted that, for generation of 16-bit random numbers by other random number generation means different from the original random number generation program P3 (S61), count values of appropriate hardware timers and counters, for example, the debug counter 605 and the auxiliary counter 6551 are used. Then, a method of generating a 16-bit random number that can be output in response to the request of the effect program P1 can be considered.

  In addition, in the alternative processing 2 in FIG. 13C, other random number generation means (different from the original random number generation program P3) used when changing the random number acquisition method include the debug counter 605 and the auxiliary counter described above. In addition to the method using 6551, a 16-bit random number is obtained by appropriately bit-shifting the measured value of RTC 652 (system timer), or the output of a random number generation chip by hardware (not shown) separately arranged on a sub board is used. Or the like.

  The alternative process 2 in FIG. 13C does not call the original random number generation program P3, so it is executed by the random number acquisition driver P5 (system level random number control class) or the user level effect program P1. Such a configuration may be adopted. In that case, when the random number acquisition driver P5 detects the exhaustion of the random number buffer 6021a at the top of FIG. 13A, it returns a return value (error code) indicating an error that has been appropriately determined to the user level effect program P1. Implement the process to end with an error. Then, on the effect program P1 side, when the return value (error code) is detected, the program may be operated to generate random numbers by other means shown in S61 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the alternative process 2 in FIG. 13C, when the random number buffer 6021a is exhausted (the remaining number of 16-bit random numbers is 0), the 16-bit random numbers required by the rendering program P1 are generated. can do. Since the alternative process 2 in FIG. 13C generates a 16-bit random number in an emergency evacuation mode without calling the original random number generation program P3, the consistency of the random number system may be impaired. However, there is a possibility of generating an alternative 16-bit random number to be output to the performance program P1 at a higher speed, at the expense of slightly compromising the consistency of the random number system.

  13A to 13C are provided with a buffer mode for inputting / outputting random numbers via the random number buffer 6021a and a direct mode not passing through the random number buffer 6021a. In other words, it is a configuration that switches between the buffer mode and the direct mode according to the situation related to the demand and supply of random numbers.With such a configuration, the demand for random numbers between the random number generation system and the processing system that uses random numbers The supply relationship can be adjusted well.

  13A to 13C show a configuration in which the buffer mode is used in the normal state and the direct mode is used in the alternative processing 1 or 2, the relationship may be reversed. Further, the adjustment of supply and demand of random numbers is not necessarily performed on the condition of detecting the depletion state of the buffer.

  For example, here, in a normal state, it is considered that random numbers are generated by the random number generation program P3 in the direct mode. In this configuration, there may be a timing when the demand for random numbers of the production program P1 cannot be satisfied. For example, if the random number generation program P3, such as the Mersenne Twister method, in which the processing becomes heavy by updating the state vector every 624n times of random number generation is used in the random number generation program P3, for example, the random number generation program P3 in the direct mode when the load is high When called, it may take a long time to get the generated random number. Therefore, when a random number is generated by the random number generation program P3 in the direct mode, the system load, for example, the sub CPU 330a1 acquires a value such as a load average, and if the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, It is conceivable to switch the input / output to the buffer mode. In this case, the random number buffer 6021a operates as a low priority task, for example, random number generation means different from the random number generation program P3, for example, random number processing for generating and storing random numbers from the values of hardware counters or timers. . If the system load is too high in accordance with load average or the like, the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a is output without calling the random number generation program P3 in the direct mode. As described above, there is a possibility that the direct mode is used in the normal state and the buffer mode is used in the alternative processing 1 or 2 to appropriately adjust the demand and supply of random numbers.

<Countermeasures for abnormal random number generation>
In this embodiment, the Mersenne Twister method is used as a random number generation method. For example, when the hardware and software of a random number generation system are operating normally, a pseudo-random number sequence with a very long period is generated. The production program P1 can use this. However, if there is an abnormality in the hardware and software of the random number generation system, there is a possibility that a random number generation abnormality will occur.

  For example, when a state in which the random number information storage area 6021b of the CPURAM 602 storing the state vector in the Mersenne Twister method is damaged occurs, for example, the same bit pattern (0 or , A random number of bit patterns corresponding to other specific values) may be generated continuously. For example, when the random number information storage area 6021b of the CPU RAM 602 is damaged in hardware due to a physical disturbance, or the random number control data in the random number information storage area 6021b, for example, the state vector in the Mersenne Twister method is rewritten due to a runaway system program. If this happens, there is a possibility that the random number generation abnormality as described above may occur.

  FIG. 14 shows a flow of the processing procedure corresponding to the random number generation and random number buffer storage processing of FIG. 11 that implements the recovery processing in the case where the above-described random number generation abnormality occurs, in particular, corresponding to S13 and S14 of FIG. ing.

  The recovery process (S46) shown in FIG. 14 includes a procedure for changing the method for acquiring a random number when a random number generation abnormality is detected. One of the procedures for changing the random number acquisition method is to generate random numbers by means other than the random number generation program P3 (random number generation means), for example. Instead, it is output to the effect control means ((A) below). Another procedure for changing the random number acquisition method is, for example, initialization or update of the random number generation program P3 (random number generation means) ((B) below). Specifically, in the initialization or update processing of random number control data stored in the random number information storage area 6021b of the random number generation program P3 (random number generation means), for example, in the Mersenne Twister method, the random number information storage area The state vector stored as random number control data 6021b can be updated.

  In addition, as described above, the random number generation abnormality is generated by, for example, the random number generation program P3 (random number generation means), or is further divided into a random number buffer and stored with a plurality of specific identical values. In addition, a technique for detecting that the generation abnormality has occurred can be used.

  In the random number generation and storage processing of FIG. 14 (corresponding to S13 and S14 of FIG. 11), first, it is determined whether or not the generated number N of 32-bit random numbers acquired in S12 of FIG. 11 has been generated and stored (S41). . If N 32-bit random numbers have already been generated and stored, the random number generation and storage processing (S13 and S14 in FIG. 11) is terminated.

  On the other hand, if generation and storage of the generated number N of 32-bit random numbers acquired in S12 of FIG. 11 are not completed, the random number generation program P3 is called to generate one 32-bit random number (S42), n Divided into 16-bit random numbers (n = 2 in this embodiment) and stored in the random number buffer 6021a (S43).

  Subsequently, the 16-bit random number sequence stored in the random number buffer 6021a is checked to determine whether or not random number generation abnormality has occurred (S44). For example, in this determination (S44), whether or not several of the last stored 16-bit random number sequences, for example, about 4 to 10 are all (continuously) the same value (0 or other specific numerical value). This is done by checking whether or not. If no such random number generation abnormality has occurred, the value of the write pointer W is updated (S45), and the control is returned to S41. It should be noted that the number of 16-bit random numbers for checking whether or not the same value is continuously detected in order to detect random number generation abnormality does not necessarily have to be in the range of 4 to 10 described above. For example, if it is possible to determine the number of random numbers to be inspected for the same value in order to detect random number generation abnormality by an appropriate calculation method, the number of random numbers may be adopted. . However, in general, if the number of 16-bit random numbers for checking whether or not they are the same value continuously is about 1 to 3, the possibility of frequent false detections increases, and there are too many such as 10 or more. In some cases, it may be possible to detect only generation abnormalities that occur very rarely.

  On the other hand, if the random number generation abnormality has occurred in step S44, the recovery process (S46) is executed, and then the process proceeds to S45.

  As one method (A) of the recovery process (S46), for example, several (for example, about 4, 6, 8) in which generation abnormality has occurred by other means different from the original random number generation program P3. It is conceivable that a random number replacing at least one of several (16) random numbers is generated by other means. In the random number generation (A) by other means, the values of the debug counter 605 and the auxiliary counter 6551, the time value of the RTC 652 (system timer), etc. are appropriately set as described in the alternative process 2 of FIG. A technique of obtaining a 16-bit random number by bit-shifting, or a technique of using an output of a random number generation chip by hardware (not shown) separately arranged on a sub board can be used.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which a 16-bit random number in which generation abnormality has occurred is replaced with a random number generated by other means different from the original random number generation program P3. In the example of FIG. 9, at least one of four consecutive 16-bit random numbers “0” generated by the random number generation program P3, for example, the value at the 511th stage of the random number buffer 6021a is obtained from other means. The acquired random number (for example, a counter value of the debug counter 605 or a value obtained by processing it) is rewritten. Thus, when the generated random number has a periodicity shorter than the period of the random number sequence generated by the random number generation algorithm, the random number is generated by a random number generated by another random number generation means different from the original random number generation program P3. By substituting at least a part of the random number generation system, even if there is a problem with the hardware or software of the random number generation system, the randomness of the random numbers used sequentially by the production program P1 should be as much as possible Can do. The counter value replaced as the random number value is not limited to the counter value of the debug counter 605 but may be a counter value of the RTC 652, or any value as long as it is a value generated by means other than the random number generation program P3. It may be.

  Note that the value that replaces the random number in which the generation abnormality has occurred is any value generated by means other than the random number generation program P3, for example, any value that does not hinder use as a random number. Also good.

  Further, as another method (B) of the recovery process (S46), the state vector update process (for example, S15 in FIG. 11) is forcibly started to initialize the random number information storage area 6021b of the CPURAM 602. Or the method of performing an update process can be taken.

  As described above, when a 16-bit random number generation abnormality is detected through continuous output of the same bit pattern (0 or another specific bit pattern), and such a 16-bit random number generation abnormality has occurred In other words, the consistency of the random number system can be restored as appropriate by performing a recovery process. This recovery process changes the random number acquisition method. For example, as described in S46 above, (A) generation of alternative random numbers by other means, (B) control data of the random number generation system, for example, random numbers This can be realized by initializing or updating random number control data (state vector) stored in the information storage area 6021b.

  Note that, in the recovery process, when the above-described method (A) of generating alternative random numbers by other means is used, the user level effect program P1 is used, as in the case of the alternative process described in FIG. It can also be configured to execute. In that case, it is determined whether or not a sequence of the same bit pattern (0 or other specific bit pattern) appears in the most recent (for example, about 4, 6, 8) 16-bit random number sequences. The recovery process (above S46) by the alternative random number generation using the other means according to the determination result (S44 described above) is executed by the effect program P1. Further, in the example of FIG. 9, among the four consecutive “0” s determined to be generation abnormal, “0” corresponding to the third is rewritten with a random number obtained from another means. It is arbitrary which random number is rewritten among consecutive random numbers having the same value. Moreover, the structure which rewrites all the random numbers of the same value determined as generation | occurrence | production abnormality with the random number obtained from the appropriate means may be sufficient.

5). In the above-described embodiment, the Mersenne Twister method is adopted as a random number generation algorithm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a random number is generated by another random number generation algorithm such as the Xorshift method. Also good. In addition, the random number buffer for storing the random number is configured by the FIFO buffer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the application side such as the rendering program P1 using the random number may consume the generated random numbers according to the generation order. This program may be configured.

  Further, the counter value of the auxiliary counter 6551 is used for generating the random number seed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the generation speed of the random number seed is reduced as compared with the case where the counter value of the auxiliary counter 6551 is used, but the RTC 652 Alternatively, the random number seed may be generated using the counter value of the debug counter 605. Further, the counter value of the auxiliary counter 6551 may be used as it is as a random number seed.

  In the present embodiment, the auxiliary counter 6551 in the backup SRAM 655 is configured to hold the value when the power is cut off (when the power is turned off). For example, the auxiliary counter 6551 holds the value of the auxiliary counter when the power is cut off. The auxiliary counter may not be initialized when the power is turned on, and the value may be indefinite when the power is turned on. Thus, by making the value of the auxiliary counter used for generating the random number seed when the power is turned on indefinite, it is possible to prevent the value of the random seed when the power is turned on from being a constant value. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the random number generation algorithm generates a random number having a bit length longer than the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a, and divides the random number generated by the random number generation algorithm into a plurality of random numbers. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bit length of the random number generated by the random number generation algorithm and the bit length of the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a are set to be the same. Instead, the data may be stored in the random number buffer 6021a as it is. Conversely, the bit length of the random number generated by the random number generation algorithm is made shorter than the bit length of the random number stored in the random number buffer 6021a, and the generated random numbers are combined into one random number buffer 6021a. You may make it store in. That is, in order to ensure the validity of the random number, the random number generated by the random number generation algorithm can be stored in the random number buffer 6021a as long as the original random number sequence is used without breaking the order. You may do it. Further, the number of random number buffers is not necessarily one as in the above-described embodiment. For example, when the first random number buffer overflows, a second random number buffer that stores the overflowing random number may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sub CPU 330a1 shifts to the execution of the next task when the task is completed, and the task is switched when triggered by the task state change. The task management program P4 sets the time for each task to be executed in a predetermined cycle according to the priority, and the sub CPU 330a1 sets the next time when the time set according to the task elapses. You may comprise so that a task may be performed. Further, not limited to the setting of task priority, for example, the load of the sub CPU 330a1 may monitor a predetermined load, and the random number generation process may be executed when the load of the sub CPU 330a1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined load. good. At this time, the random number generation process may be executed by an interrupt process, or may be set so as to be executed in the cycle process by increasing its priority.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the production program P1 has been described as an example of the lottery unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any random number lottery can be performed in the random number buffer 6021a as the storage unit. The stored random number may be used for any means (program), and the present invention may be applied not only to the sub-control unit 330 but also to the main control unit 300. Further, the sub CPU 330a1 and the VDP 330a2 do not necessarily have to be mounted on an integrated hardware LSI, and may be configured by separate LSIs.

  In the present 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 unit when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed since the symbol was determined A symbol display means for displaying a symbol on the screen, a big bonus 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 section, and a round game in the big game in advance. During a specific round game that is set, when a game ball that has entered the special winning opening enters a specific area, a game profit granting means for giving a predetermined game profit, and an effect executing means for executing an effect during the big game However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a big ball game is made when a game ball enters a predetermined area during a small hit game. Even pachinko machine as possible can be started second type game present invention is applicable. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine that can execute a third type game, or a pachinko machine that can be executed by combining any of the first to third type games. Further, for example, a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a start switch for detecting a start operation by the player, and a plurality of reels provided for stopping each reel. It has a stop switch that detects a stop operation, a main control unit that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit that has an effect control means that controls the effect based on the command. Based on the internal lottery means for performing the internal lottery to be determined and on the basis of the result of the internal lottery determined by the detection of the stop operation by the stop switch and the internal lottery means based on the detection of the start operation by the start switch A reel control means for performing reel stop control for stopping the rotating reel, and a predetermined input for each combination with a plurality of reels stopped. Based on the symbol combination indicating the form is displayed on the pay line, a winning determination means that the winning combination is won, even slot machine having the present invention can be applied. Hereinafter, the slot machine 1 will be described in detail.

<Mechanical structure of slot machine>
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is a so-called revolving game machine, and is a type of game machine that performs games using medals as game media.

  In the slot machine 1, a reel unit including a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 as a plurality of reels is housed in a box-shaped casing including a storage box BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. A hopper unit 920 (see FIG. 17) as a medal payout device is housed in the lower part of the reel unit in the housing. Further, a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, and the like are mounted in the casing of the slot machine 1 and a control board for controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has an outer peripheral surface divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region is referred to as “frame”) at regular intervals. One of a plurality of types of symbols shown in FIG. 16 is arranged.

  FIG. 16 is a view showing symbols arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 16, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, a red 7 symbol “red 7”, a white 7 symbol “white 7”, a blue 7 symbol “blue 7”, and a BAR symbol “BAR”. The replay symbol “RP”, the bell symbol “BL”, the cherry symbol “CH”, the watermelon symbol A “WMA”, the watermelon symbol B “WMB”, and the blank symbol “BLK” are arranged. Further, 20 frames of symbols are arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and any one of stop numbers 0 to 19 is assigned.

  The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (not shown) serving as a reel driving means, and are each driven to rotate around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the width or the like, it is possible to stop in units of frames (a predetermined rotation angle unit, a predetermined rotation amount unit). That is, in the slot machine 1, the stepping motor rotates the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 according to the drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when the supply of the drive pulse from the control board is cut off, the stepping motor As the rotation stops, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop.

  The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed individually. The front upper door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows observation of the rotation state and the stop state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are continuously arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The three symbols (the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol) can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window DW.

  Further, in the slot machine 1, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display window DW, and an effective line L1 is set by a combination of display positions of the reels. Yes. In the slot machine 1, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number, is two (second prescribed insertion number) or three (first prescribed insertion number) depending on the gaming state. When a medal corresponding to the specified insertion number set in each gaming state is inserted, the effective line L1 configured by the middle stages of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated.

  The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the active line L1 in the display window DW, and when the symbol combination on the effective line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined role, As a winning combination, a medal is paid out from the hopper unit 920.

  The front upper door UD is provided with a game information display unit DS including the main control display device 500. The game information display unit DS includes an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, and the like. The number of medals credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in a bonus state. A variety of game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, information indicating how to press the stop buttons B1 to B3 related to the payout of medals, and the like are displayed. In the main control display device 500, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a winning command which is a control signal generated based on winning information which is information of a winning combination in the current game A notification display that is a display corresponding to is displayed. Further, the main control display device 500 is a dot of a 7-segment display, and is lit when the advantageous period is started by the advantageous period control means 710 described later, and the advantageous period is not started, that is, not advantageous. There is provided an advantageous period notifying unit 500A for notifying whether or not the advantageous period is started by turning off the light when the period is started.

  The front upper door UD is provided with an effect display device 930 for performing effects. The effect display device 930 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various videos and images for assisting the game or exciting the game. Further, in the slot machine 1, a plurality of speakers (not shown) for performing effects are provided for the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. From the speaker, various sounds for assisting the game or exciting the game are output.

  Various operation means are provided on the front lower door DD. As the operation means, a single bet button BT for inserting one medal and a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of medals as input operation means for performing an operation of inserting a credited (stored) medal. The first lever R1 to the third reel R3 are rotated and driven by a start lever SL as a game start operation means for causing the player to execute a start operation that triggers the start of the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for causing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers the stop of each of the reels R1 to R3, and an adjustment button BS for adjusting the credited medals. An effect operating device JG that receives operations related to the player's effects is also provided.

  The effect operation device JG includes a ring-shaped rotation operation unit JGD that can rotate left and right, and a button JGB that is provided at the rotation center of the rotation operation unit JGD and can be pressed. The rotation operation unit JGD can receive the player's rotation operation by detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount (angle) and outputting the detected information. The button JGB receives a player's pressing operation by outputting a signal to the sub-control unit 20 (see FIG. 17) when the button JGB is pressed. The effect operation device JG is activated in accordance with an image displayed on the effect display device 930, and when an operation of the player is received within the operation effective period, various effects are executed according to the operation.

  In the slot machine 1, when the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot MI or when the medal is credited more than the predetermined insertion number, the single bet operation or pressing the single bet button BT as many times as the predetermined insertion number or By performing a max bet operation by depressing the max bet button MB, a predetermined number of medals are set to the inserted state and set to a ready state in which the rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. Is done. And when a player performs start operation with respect to the start lever SL, while rotating the 1st reel R1-3rd reel R3 by the drive of a stepping motor in a control board, the internal lottery using a random number is performed, On the condition that the rotation speeds of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are increased to a predetermined speed and become a steady rotation, the pressing operation of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is permitted, that is, the stop button B1 to the stop button B3. The stop operation by is activated.

  Thereafter, when the player presses down the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 (hereinafter referred to as “pressing timing”) at an arbitrary timing, the stop signal output built in each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is output. A stop switch 840 as a means performs an ON operation to change the reel stop signal output to the control board from the OFF state to the ON state.

  In addition, when the player releases the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 that are in a pressed state at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform the OFF operation, and the reels output to the control board The stop signal is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. Then, the control board responds to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from the OFF state to the ON state of the reel stop signal whose signal state changes according to the press timing and release timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped at the stop position.

  Further, a medal payout opening MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the lower part of the front lower door DD, and the number of medals according to the game result is paid out from the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. ing. Further, when the settlement button BS is pressed in a state where the credited medals are stored in the gaming machine, it corresponds to the number of credits (number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 920 when the settlement button BS is pressed. A settlement process for paying out the number of medals is executed, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout exit MO to the medal tray MP.

<Electric configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is controlled by a main control unit 10 and a sub control unit 20 which are independent control boards. The main control unit 10 receives input signals from the input means of the medal insertion switch 810, the bet switch 820, the start switch 830, the stop switch 840, the setting change switch 850, and the reset switch 860 as a plurality of main operation detecting means. Various calculations for executing the game are performed, and operations of the output means such as the reel unit 910, the hopper unit 920, and the game information display unit DS are controlled based on the calculation results. In the slot machine 1, the main control unit 10 and the sub control unit 20 are configured to enable only short direction communication from the main control unit 10 to the sub control unit 20. Although various signals can be transmitted, the communication connection is established so that various signals cannot be transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 to the main control unit 10.

  The main control unit 10 controls the progress of the game, and includes a main CPU 11, a main ROM 12, and a main RAM 13. The main CPU 11 reads out a program stored in the main ROM 12 based on an input signal from each input means and performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device and display, or according to the result of the arithmetic processing. A control process related to the progress of the game is executed by transmitting a first command that is a command generated by the main control unit 10 to another control unit. The main RAM 13 functions as a data work area when the main CPU 11 performs arithmetic processing.

  Based on the program stored in the main ROM 12, the main CPU 11 cooperates with the main RAM 13 to set change means 701, insertion acceptance means 702, random number generation means 703, internal lottery means 704, reel control means 705, winning determination means. 706, payout control means 707, replay processing means 708, gaming state transition control means 709, advantageous period control means 710, and instruction function state control means 711.

  The setting changing unit 701 performs control to change the setting value stored in the main RAM 13. In the slot machine 1, the setting change is executed by inputting a setting signal that is a signal output from the setting change switch 850 provided in the power supply device housed in the storage box BX. In the slot machine 1, the winning probabilities of some winning areas among the winning areas that can be won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 704 are changed according to the setting value determined by the setting changing means 701.

  The insertion accepting means 702 performs a process of validating the game start operation for the start lever SL based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions in the insertion acceptance period for accepting medal insertion. Specifically, when a medal is inserted into the medal slot MI, the medal insertion switch 810 is activated, and the insertion accepting means 702 puts the inserted medal into the insertion state up to the specified number of insertions. Set. In addition, when the bet operation in which the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB is pressed while the medal is credited is executed, the insertion accepting unit 702 operates in accordance with the operation of the bet switch 820. The credited medal is set to the inserted state with the limit of.

  In the slot machine 1, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL activated based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions is accepted as a game starting operation by the player, and the first reel R1 to the first reel R1. It is an opportunity to start the rotation of the three reels R3, and an internal lottery means 704 described later is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery.

  A random number generation means 703 which is a main random number generation means is a means for generating random numbers for lottery. The random number can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). “Random number” is not only a value that occurs randomly in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, it can function substantially as a random number because the acquisition timing is irregular. A value is also included.

  The internal lottery means 704 performs an internal lottery for determining whether or not a winning combination is made based on a start signal output when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 830 detects the start operation. This is a means for performing lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like.

  In the lottery table selection process, which internal lottery table is used to select the internal lottery table among the plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the main ROM 12 is selected based on the current gaming state. In each internal lottery table, each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535) is associated with various combinations such as replays, small roles, bonuses, and loses (unauthorized). .

  In the random number determination process, based on the start signal output from the start switch 830, a random number (lottery random number) generated by the random number generation means 703 for each game is acquired, and the acquired random number is selected in the lottery table selection process. Compared with the lottery table, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won based on the comparison result.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to the established state (second flag state). , ON state). In the slot machine 1, when two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the established state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in the main RAM 13.

  The reel control means 705 is provided with a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 by a stepping motor based on the output of a start signal from a start switch 830 that is activated by a player performing a start operation on the start lever SL. The rotation drive of is started. Further, the reel control means 705 provides a stop button B1 corresponding to each reel when the rotation state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is a rotation state in which the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 rotate at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm). Control for enabling the stop operation detected by the stop switch 840 when the stop button B3 is pressed is executed. The reel control means 705 stops supply of drive pulses (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 910 when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 840 based on detection of the stop operation. Then, control is performed to stop each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. At this time, the reel control means 705 performs control to stop the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, in a manner according to the lottery flag setting state, that is, the result of the internal lottery. That is, the reel control means 705 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 each time each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed. Thus, control is performed to stop the reel at the determined stop position.

  In the slot machine 1, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is pressed. It is like that. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the reel is stopped from the time when the stop button is pressed depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel. Up to 4 frames can be rotated up to this point. The reel control means 705 displays a symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button that has been pressed among the stop buttons B1 to B3. The symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is valid when the position is within the range of 0 frame to 4 frames with respect to the display position on the active line L1 at the time when the operation is pressed. Control is performed to stop the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button on which the pressing operation has been performed so that the reel is displayed at the display position on the line L1.

  The reel control means 705 receives the start signal output when the start switch 830 detects the start operation, and starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start one game. A standby time (about 4.1 seconds) generally called a wait (or wait time) is set. Then, when the reel control means 705 receives a start signal from the start switch 830 within a period from the setting of the standby time until the standby time elapses, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 after the standby time has elapsed. Is configured to start rotation. With this configuration, the reel control means 705 can start a game after a minimum game time (about 4.1 seconds) has elapsed as a certain time from the start of one game to the start of the next game. .

  The winning determination means 706 indicates that the symbol combination displayed on the active line L1 at the time when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped (the stop mode of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3) is previously determined. A winning determination process is performed for determining whether or not the predetermined winning combination is in the form of winning. In the slot machine 1, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 706 in the winning determination process. As each process executed based on the winning combination determination result, for example, when a small combination wins, a process for determining the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 707 is performed, and when a replay wins. In the next game, the replay processing unit 708 performs processing without consuming medals, and when a bonus is won, processing for operating the winning bonus in the gaming state transition control unit 709 is performed.

  The payout control means 707 performs payout control for paying out medals corresponding to the number of payouts to a hopper unit 920 as a payout device based on the result of the winning determination process by the winning determination means 706. The hopper unit 920 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 925 that operates every time a single medal is paid out. The payout control means 707 is configured to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 920 based on an input signal from the payout medal detection switch 925. In the case where medal credits are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit 920, the number of credits stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the main RAM 13 (credited medals). The credit addition process of adding the number of payouts to the number of payouts is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  The replay processing means 708 determines that the symbol combination indicating the winning of any one of the replays is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 by the winning determination means 706, and when the replay wins, the next game A replay process (re-game process) is performed to set a ready state in which a game can be executed without requiring medal insertion. That is, in the slot machine 1, when a replay is won, automatic insertion processing is performed in which medals for the specified number of insertions are automatically inserted without using the medals (including credit medals) held by the player. In a state where the same effective line L1 as the game is set, the next start operation for the start lever SL is awaited.

  When the lottery flag is set to the established state by the game state transition between a plurality of game states with different replay winning modes and the internal lottery by the internal lottery unit 704, the gaming state transition control unit 709 When winning a bonus that is maintained until the prize is won, the game state transitions from the current gaming state to the bonus establishment state, and the gaming state corresponding to the activated bonus is activated. The game state transition control to the bonus state is performed.

  The advantageous period control means 710 includes an advantageous period (advantageous period) in which a game capable of executing the winning assist control for assisting the winning of the specific combination is executed, and a period in which a game in which the winning auxiliary control is not executed is executed. Control related to transition between a certain non-advantage period (non-advantage period) is executed. Advantageous period control means 710 is a control related to the transition between the advantageous period and the non-advantaged period, when the bonus is not established and the bonus is not activated in the game within the non-advantageous period. When a winning area with no setting difference is won, an advantageous period lottery that is a lottery for deciding whether to end the non-advantage period and start the advantageous period is executed.

  The advantageous period control means 710 performs the advantageous period when a condition for ending the advantageous period set in advance is satisfied, or when a predetermined number of games (for example, 1500 games) are executed after the advantageous period is started. Is finished and a non-advantage period is started from the next game, and an end process, which is a process for initializing all parameters related to the instruction function used during the advantageous period, is executed. Further, the advantageous period control unit 710 turns on the advantageous period notification unit 500A when the advantageous period starts, and turns off the advantageous period notification unit 500A when the non-advantage period starts.

  The instruction function state control unit 711 indicates an instruction function state among a plurality of instruction function states including an AT state in which a winning assist control can be executed when the advantageous period is started by the advantageous period control unit 710. The control related to the instruction function including the control related to the shift (assist time control) is performed. In response to the winning area won by the internal lottery means 704 as control for increasing the probability that the specific combination will win when the instruction function state is a state where the winning assist control can be executed. Different winning commands are created, and the created winning command is transmitted to the main control display device 500 to notify which winning area the winning area won in the internal lottery is, and to the player the stop button B1 The notification display, which is a function (instructing function) for instructing the operation method of the stop button B3, is configured to be able to execute winning assistance control, which is control executed on the main control display device 500.

  The sub control unit 20 controls the presentation based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 10, and includes a sub CPU 21, a sub ROM 22, and a sub RAM 23. The sub CPU 21 reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 22 based on an external signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 10 or an input signal from a timer, performs arithmetic processing, and produces an effect display device 930 or an acoustic signal. Control related to the effect of causing the effect device 900 including the device 940 to execute the effect is executed. The sub RAM 23 functions as a data work area when the sub CPU 21 performs arithmetic processing.

  The sub ROM 22 determines various programs such as the production program P11, the random number seed generation program P21, the random number generation program P31, the task management program P41, the random number acquisition driver P51, the debug information acquisition driver P61, and the contents of the production. Data such as a plurality of effect lottery tables are stored, and the sub CPU 21 reads the program stored in the sub ROM 22 and performs arithmetic processing to thereby perform effect control means, random number seed generation means, random number generation means, task Functions as a management means. Further, the sub RAM 23 is provided with a random number buffer 6021a1 in which random numbers used when the effect program P11 executes the effect lottery process are stored.

  The effect control means functions when the effect program P11 is read and executed by the sub CPU 21, and executes control related to effects such as effect lottery processing for determining the effect to be executed based on random numbers. The effect control means executes these processes based on an external signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 10, an input signal from the timer, or a player input to the effect operating device 800.

  The random number seed generation means is a means that functions when the random number seed generation program P21 is read and executed by the sub CPU 21, and is based on a software random number (pseudo random number) used in the effect lottery process. A random number seed (hereinafter also referred to as a seed value) is generated.

  The random number generation means functions when the random number generation program P31 is read and executed by the sub CPU 21, and executes random number generation processing for generating random numbers by calculation based on a predetermined random number generation algorithm. As described above, the random number generation program P31 executes the random number generation process when the slot machine 1 is powered on and when the system is stable.

  The task management unit is a unit that functions when the task management program P41 is read and executed by the sub CPU 21, and sets the priority of the task related to the control process executed by the sub CPU 21. The task management means updates the priority setting every predetermined time with a short interval (a cycle of 30 fps (33.33 ms) in the present embodiment), and the sub CPU 21 executes tasks that can be executed within the predetermined time. Process sequentially according to priority. By repeatedly executing the above processing, it seems that a plurality of processes are simultaneously executed for the player.

  Similarly to the pachinko machine 100 described above, the slot machine 1 is also provided with a random number buffer 6021a1, and the random number generation program P31 generates and stores random numbers in advance before the effect program P11 uses random numbers. The timing is shifted to a timing other than when random numbers are used. Thereby, for example, after the start switch 830 detects the start operation, the period from when each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, or when the demo screen is displayed when the game is not executed by the player. Random numbers can be generated in a low processing load state in which the input of an external signal to the CPU 21 is a predetermined amount or less, and the processing load related to random number generation can be distributed. For this reason, when the sub CPU 21 is in a high load state such as at the time of switching the effects described above, it is possible to avoid allocating the processing capacity of the sub CPU 21 for generating random numbers.

  Also in the slot machine 1, as in the pachinko machine 100 described above, for example, the 32-bit random number generated by the random number generation program P31 is divided into 16-bit random numbers via the random buffer 6021a1 having a 16-bit configuration. When used for P11, the random number generation process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the determination process of the number of generated 32-bit random numbers (N) can be performed, and the same effect as described above can be expected. Also, in the slot machine 1, as with the pachinko machine 100 described above, when the random number buffer 6021a1 is arranged, an alternative process (FIGS. 13B and 13C) for dealing with the exhaustion of the random number buffer 6021a1 is provided. The configuration of the random number acquisition driver, in particular, a buffer mode for inputting / outputting random numbers via the random number buffer 6021a and a direct mode not passing through the random number buffer 6021a are provided. Accordingly, a configuration (FIGS. 13A to 13C) for switching between the buffer mode and the direct mode can be implemented, and the same effect as described above can be expected. Furthermore, it is possible to implement the configuration (FIG. 14) of the random number generation program P31 provided with a recovery process that detects a random number generation abnormality and performs a recovery process in response to the occurrence of a random number generation abnormality, and expects the same effect as described above. it can.

  The invention described in the above-described embodiment may be combined in any way, and the contents of the random number generation processing described in the embodiment of the pachinko machine 100 are naturally applied to the slot machine 1 as well. can do. In the above-described embodiment, the so-called ART machine that combines the RT state and the AT state in which the replay probability fluctuates has been described. However, for the replay, the AT machine that does not perform the winning assist effect or the AT is not mounted. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a normal machine that increases the number of balls around a bonus.

100: gaming machine (pachinko machine), 6021a: storage means (random number buffer), P1: lottery means (production program: production control means), P3: random number generation means (random number generation program), P4: task management means (task management) Program), P5: Random number acquisition driver

Claims (3)

Production control means for controlling the production of the game based on random numbers;
Random number generating means for generating a random number based on a predetermined algorithm;
Dividing means for dividing the random number generated by the random number generating means into a plurality of random numbers;
With
The game machine characterized in that the effect control means controls the game effect based on the random numbers divided by the dividing means.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the random number divided into a plurality by the dividing means is output to the effect control means without remaining.   A random number buffer for storing the random numbers divided by the dividing means, and the random number generating means for storing the random numbers divided by the dividing means in the free capacity according to the free capacity of the random number buffer; 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of random numbers to be generated is determined.

Images