JP2018192116A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately display necessary information in a game machine.SOLUTION: The game machine including a plurality of light-emitting parts, and performance control means for controlling light emission states of the plurality of light-emitting parts, includes operable operation means and an operation light-emitting part provided at the operation means as a part of a plurality of light-emitting parts. The performance control means includes luminance adjustment means capable of executing luminance adjustment for adjusting luminance of at least part of the light-emitting parts other than the operation light-emitting part in response to an operation of the operation means. The luminance adjustment means does not execute the luminance adjustment of the operation light-emitting part, however, can execute the luminance adjustment of the at least part of the light-emitting parts other than the operation light-emitting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 40

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that controls light emission states of a plurality of light emitting units.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine that performs power saving control on a light emitting unit when waiting for a customer (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-161556 A

  However, in conventional gaming machines, the light emission state of all the light emitting units is uniformly changed in power saving control, etc., so the light emitting state of the light emitting unit for displaying necessary information also changes, so that the player etc. There was a problem that required information could not be transmitted.

  An object of the present invention is to transmit necessary information to a player or the like.

  In a typical embodiment of the present invention, in a gaming machine including a plurality of light emitting units and an effect control unit that controls a light emission state of the plurality of light emitting units, an operable operation unit, and the plurality of light emitting units An operation light-emitting unit provided in the operation unit as a part of the display unit, and the effect control unit, according to the operation of the operation unit, brightness of at least some of the light-emitting units other than the operation light-emitting unit Brightness adjusting means capable of performing brightness adjustment for adjusting the brightness, and the brightness adjusting means does not perform brightness adjustment on the operation light emitting unit, but the brightness adjustment of at least a part of the light emitting units other than the operation light emitting unit Can be executed.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, necessary information can be transmitted to a player or the like.

It is the perspective view which looked at the gaming machine from the front side. It is a front view of a game board. It is a figure which shows the structure of a lamp display apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the game control system of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the presentation control system of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the first half part of a main process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the latter half part of a main process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of special figure game processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a start port switch monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure start port switch common process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure 1 fluctuation start process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure 2 fluctuation | variation start process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a big hit flag 1 setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a big hit flag 2 setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a big hit determination process. (A) It is a table which shows the jackpot probability for every setting. (B) It is a table which shows the jackpot symbol distribution for every setting. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a usual game process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a usual figure normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of an effect control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a received command check process. It is a flowchart which shows a received command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows single-shot system command processing. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol type command process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation type command process. It is a flowchart which shows a fluctuation production setting process. It is a table which shows the production | presentation appearance rate for every setting. It is a flowchart which shows a power failure recovery setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an effect button input process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the setting information of each game machine (stand) provided in the game island is displayed. It is a flowchart which shows a hall | game player setting mode process. It is a flowchart which shows a customer waiting demo edit process. It is a time chart which shows the timing of a customer waiting demonstration. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection condition of an effect control apparatus (master IC side) and a board decoration apparatus (slave IC side). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the slave IC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the work register allocated to the output setting register with which the slave IC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is equipped. It is a figure explaining the structure of the presentation control data which the master IC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment transmits, and the transmission order of each data which comprise presentation control data. It is a flowchart which shows the power saving control process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the decoration control process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart which illustrates the mode of power-saving control concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the player LED brightness | luminance adjustment process (or hall LED brightness | luminance adjustment process) which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the player LED brightness adjustment process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the error / illegal setting process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the RAM initialization setting process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. In 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection condition of an effect control apparatus (master IC side), a board decoration apparatus, and a board effect apparatus (slave IC side). It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the presentation control apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the movable body control timer interruption process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the presentation control data which the master IC which concerns on 3rd Embodiment transmits, and the transmission order of each data which comprise presentation control data. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the slave IC which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the mode of a process in the slave IC which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that front, rear, left, and right in the description of the gaming machine refer to directions viewed from the player who is playing the game.

[Overall view of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gaming machine.

  The gaming machine 10 includes an opening / closing frame attached to a frame 11 fixed to the island facility so as to be freely opened and closed through a hinge. The open / close frame includes a front frame 12 (main body frame) and a glass frame 15.

  A game board 30 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the front frame 12, and a glass frame 15 having a cover glass 14 covering the front surface of the game board 30 is attached. The cover glass 14 functions as a game viewing area in which a game area 32 (see FIG. 2) formed on the game board 30 is visible.

  The front frame 12 and the glass frame 15 can be opened individually. For example, the game area 32 of the game board 30 can be accessed by opening only the glass frame 15. Further, by opening the front frame 12 in a state where the glass frame 15 is not opened, it is possible to access the game control device (main board) 100 (see FIG. 3) and the like disposed on the back side of the game board 30. Can do.

  Various frame constituent members are disposed on the edge portion of the glass frame 15 around the cover glass 14.

  In the upper center and the left side of the glass frame 15, decoration devices 18a and 18b capable of producing a light emission according to the gaming state are arranged. The decoration devices 18a and 18b house lighting members such as LEDs inside, and perform a light emission effect according to the gaming state. The illumination members disposed inside these decoration devices 18a and 18b constitute a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

  Upper speakers 19a are respectively disposed in the upper right corner portion and the upper left corner portion of the glass frame 15. Apart from these upper speakers 19a, two lower speakers 19b are provided at the lower part of the gaming machine 10. The lower speaker 19 b is disposed in the lower left corner portion of the glass frame 15 and the lower right corner portion of the front frame 12. The upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b emit sound effects, alarm sounds, notification sounds, and the like.

  On the right side of the glass frame 15, a projecting effect unit 13 that extends in the vertical direction of the gaming machine 10 and projects toward the front (player side) is disposed. The protrusion effect unit 13 is an effect device that performs a light emission effect or the like according to the progress of the game. The illumination member disposed inside the projecting effect unit 13 also constitutes a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

  An upper plate unit having an upper plate 21 capable of storing game balls is attached to the lower portion of the glass frame 15. The upper plate 21 is formed in a box shape whose upper surface is open. The game balls stored in the upper plate 21 are supplied to a ball launcher (not shown) one by one.

  The upper plate unit further includes an effect operation device that receives an input operation from the player, a ball lending operation device that receives an input operation from the player, and a decoration device 22 that performs a light emission effect or the like according to the game state. .

  The effect operation device is an operation device in which the touch panel 25b is incorporated in the effect button 25, and is provided in the upper center of the upper plate unit so that the player can easily operate.

  When the player operates the effect operation device, it is possible to perform an effect in which the player's operation is intervened in a special figure variation display game or the like displayed on the display device 41 (see FIG. 2). For example, it is possible to select an effect pattern (effect mode), or to execute a notice effect in advance for notifying the result of the variable display game corresponding to the start memory. It should be noted that the variable display game includes a special figure variable display game, and when the variable display game is simply used, in this specification, the special figure variable display game is indicated.

  Further, the effect pattern may be changed not only while the variable display game is being executed, but also when the player operates the effect operation device during non-execution.

  Note that the gaming state when the variable display game is executed includes a plurality of gaming states. The normal gaming state (normal state) is a gaming state in which no special gaming state has occurred. In addition, the special gaming state is, for example, a state where a specific game state is a short-time state or a state where a probability of a special result (for example, big hit) is high (probability change state, probability change state), big hit state (special game state) ).

  Here, the probability variation state (specific game state) is one that continues until the next big hit (loop type), one that continues until a predetermined number of variable display games are executed (number-of-times type, ST), and There are things that continue until a predetermined probability falling lottery is won (falling lottery type).

  In addition, whether or not to generate a probable change state is not determined by the big hit symbol random number, it is possible to always generate a probable change state when a big hit occurs, or provide a winning device equipped with a specific area, etc. The probability variation state may be generated when a game ball passes through the area.

  The ball lending operation device is an operation device that is operated when a player borrows a game ball, and is provided on the upper right side of the upper plate unit. The ball lending operation device includes a ball lending button 27, a return button 28, and a balance display unit 26. The ball lending button 27 is a button operated by the player when borrowing a game ball, and the return button 28 is used when discharging a prepaid card or the like from a card unit (not shown) arranged adjacent to the gaming machine 10. It is a button operated by the player. The balance display unit 26 is a display area in which a balance such as a prepaid card is displayed.

  The decoration device 22 houses an illumination member such as an LED and performs a light emission effect or the like according to the gaming state, and is provided at the front portion of the upper plate unit. The illumination member arranged inside the decoration device 22 constitutes a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

  An operation handle 24 for controlling the operation of a ball launcher (not shown) and a game ball can be stored below the glass frame 15 including the above-described upper plate unit and the like, and below the front frame 12. A lower plate 23 is provided.

  The operation handle 24 is disposed at the lower right portion of the front frame 12 and below the lower speaker 19b on the right side. When the player rotates the operation handle 24, the ball launcher launches the game ball supplied from the upper plate 21 to the game area 32 of the game board 30. The firing speed of the game ball launched from the ball launcher is set so as to increase as the amount of rotation of the operation handle 24 increases. In other words, the ball launching device can change the launching force (speed) at which the game ball is launched into the game area in accordance with the operation of the operation handle 24 by the player, and can play the game in various launching modes having different firing forces. Can fire a ball. The firing mode includes left-handed (normal hit) in which the game ball flows down on the left side of the game area 32 and right-handed in which the game ball flows down on the right side of the game area 32.

  The lower plate 23 is disposed below the upper plate unit at a predetermined interval with respect to the upper plate unit. The lower plate 23 includes a ball punching hole 23a that penetrates the bottom surface of the lower plate 23 in the vertical direction, and an opening / closing operation unit 23b for opening and closing the ball punching hole 23a. When the player operates the opening / closing operation portion 23b to open the ball hole 23a, the game ball stored in the lower plate 23 can be discharged to the outside through the ball hole 23a.

[Game board]
Next, the gaming board 30 of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A is a front view of the game board 30 provided in the gaming machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the game board 30 includes a plate-like game board main body 30a serving as a mounting base for various members. The game board main body 30a is made of wooden or synthetic resin, and a game area 32 surrounded by a guide rail 31 is provided on the front surface of the game board main body 30a. The gaming machine 10 is configured to play a game by firing a game ball from a ball launching device in a game area 32 surrounded by a guide rail 31. In the game area 32, windmills, obstacle nails, and the like are arranged as members for changing the flow direction of the game ball. The shot game ball flows down the game area 32 while changing the rolling direction by these members.

  At the approximate center of the game area 32, a center case (front structure) 40 that forms a window portion serving as a display area of the variable display game is attached. A display device 41 is arranged behind the window formed in the center case 40 as an effect display device (variable display device) that variably displays (variably displays) a plurality of identification information. The display device 41 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that display contents can be viewed from the front side of the game board 30 through the window portion of the center case 40. Note that the display device 41 is not limited to the one provided with a liquid crystal display, and may be provided with a display such as an EL or a CRT.

  The display screen (display unit) of the display device 41 is provided with a plurality of variable display areas, and identification information (special symbols) and characters that produce a variable display game are displayed in each variable display area. In addition, an image based on the progress of the game (a jackpot display, a fanfare display, an ending display, etc.) is displayed on the display screen.

  The center case 40 has an inflow port 40a to the warp passage 40e for guiding the game balls flowing down the game area 32 to the inside of the center case 40, and a stage on which the game balls that have passed through the warp passage 40e can roll. Part 40b. Since the stage portion 40b of the center case 40 is disposed above the start winning opening 36 and the normal variation winning device 37, the game balls that roll on the stage portion 40b enter the starting winning opening 36 or the normal variation winning device 37. It is easier to win.

  An upper effect unit 40c and a side effect unit 40d are provided on the upper and right sides of the center case 40, respectively. The top effect unit 40c and the side effect unit 40d constitute part of the board decoration device 46 (see FIG. 4) and the board effect device 44 (see FIG. 4). The upper effect unit 40c may include a light emitting agent 481 that notifies the determination of the big hit by emitting light. The luminous combination 481 has a big hit confirmation notification LED 481a that emits light only when the variable display game is a big hit. The jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a (and thus the light emitting object 481) does not emit light when the variable display game is out of play.

  In the game area 32 on the right side of the center case 40, a normal symbol start gate (ordinary start gate) 34 is provided. A gate switch (SW) 34a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the general diagram start gate 34 is provided inside the general diagram start gate 34. When the game ball that has been driven into the game area 32 passes through the usual figure start gate 34, the usual figure variation display game is executed.

  A general winning opening 35 is arranged in the lower left game area 32 of the center case 40, and a general winning opening 35 is also arranged in the lower right gaming area 32 of the center case 40. The winning of game balls in the general winning opening 35 is detected by winning opening switches (SW) 35 a to 35 n (see FIG. 3) provided in the general winning opening 35.

  The game area 32 below the center case 40 is provided with a start winning opening (first start winning area) 36 for giving a start condition of the special figure variation display game, and a second start winning opening (second A normal variation winning device 37 having a starting winning area) is provided. The normal variation winning device 37 includes a movable member (movable piece) 37b that is converted into a state in which a game ball easily flows by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted to the near side. When the movable member 37b is in the closed state, the game ball is prevented from winning the normal variation winning device 37. When the game ball wins the start winning opening 36 or the normal variable winning device 37, a special figure changing display game is executed as an auxiliary game.

  The movable member 37b is a so-called velo-type ordinary electric accessory, and is rotated via a general-purpose solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3) when the result of the normal-variation display game becomes a predetermined stop display mode. And the game ball changes to an open state in which the game ball tends to flow into the normal variation winning device 37 (a winning easy state advantageous to the player).

  The movable member 37b is controlled by a game control device 100 described later. The game control device 100 increases the frequency of occurrence of an easy-to-win state by shortening the variation time of the normal variation display game or setting the probability of hitting the general variation display game to be higher than usual. By making the generation time of the easy winning state longer than the easy winning state generated in the above, a short time state (general power support state) is generated as the above-mentioned specific gaming state. Even in the probability variation state (excluding the latent probability variation state), the time-short state (the ordinary power support state) occurs repeatedly.

  In the game area 32 on the lower right side of the normal variable prize winning device 37, an attacker type that opens the big prize opening by rotating the upper end side to the front side by the big prize opening solenoid (39b) (see FIG. 3). A special variable winning device 39 having an open / close door 39c is provided. The special variable winning device 39 converts the state where the special winning opening is closed (blocking state unfavorable for the player) from the closed state (special game state advantageous to the player) according to the result of the special figure changing display game, A predetermined game value (prize ball) is given to the player by facilitating the flow of the game ball into the mouth. Note that a count switch 39a (see FIG. 3) is provided in the special winning opening as a detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the special winning opening. In addition, a large winning opening LED 39d for illuminating the large winning opening is disposed in the vicinity of the large winning opening or in the vicinity of the large winning opening.

  When a game ball wins a large winning opening of the general winning opening 35, the start winning opening 36, the normal variable winning apparatus 37, and the special variable winning apparatus 39, the payout control apparatus 200 (see FIG. 3) selects the type of winning opening. The number of prize balls corresponding to the number is discharged from the payout device to the upper plate 21. In addition, the game area 32 below the normal variation winning device 37 is provided with an out port 30b for collecting game balls that have not won a winning port or the like.

  In addition, a special figure fluctuation display game (special figure 1 fluctuation display game, special figure 2 fluctuation display game) and a common figure fluctuation display game are executed outside the game area 32 and in the lower right corner of the game board main body 30a. A collective display device 50 is provided. The collective display device 50 includes display units 51 to 60 that display information such as the current gaming state.

  The collective display device 50 includes a first special figure fluctuation display unit 51 (special figure 1 indicator, lamp D1) and a second special figure fluctuation for a variable display game configured by a 7-segment type indicator (LED lamp) or the like. Display unit 52 (special figure 2 display, lamp D2), fluctuation display part 53 (general figure display, lamps D10 and D18) for the usual figure fluctuation display game, and the start (hold) memory number of each fluctuation display game And a storage display unit for notification (a special figure 1 hold display 54, a special figure 2 hold display 55, a general figure hold display 56). The special figure 1 hold indicator 54 is composed of lamps D11 and D12. The special figure 2 hold indicator 55 includes lamps D13 and D14. The general-purpose hold indicator 56 includes lamps D15 and D16.

  In addition, the collective display device 50 includes a first gaming state display unit 57 (first gaming state indicator, lamp) for notifying whether the player is right-handed (when right-handed) or left-handed (normally-timed). D8), the second gaming state display unit 58 (second gaming state indicator, lamp D9) that lights up when the time-short state occurs and notifies the occurrence of the time-short state, and the probability state of jackpot when the gaming machine 10 is turned on has a high probability 3rd game state display part 59 (3rd game state indicator, probability state display part, lamp D17) which displays that it is in the state, the number of rounds at the time of big hit (the number of times of opening and closing of special fluctuation winning device 39) is displayed A round display section 60 (lamps D3-D7) is provided.

  In the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52, the variable display game is executed by variable display in which identification information (for example, the central segment) is repeatedly turned on and off (flashing). Note that the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 are not limited to such a segment type display unit, and may be configured by an assembly of a plurality of LEDs, or when performing variable display. In addition, all LEDs provided as an indicator are all turned on and off (simultaneously blinking of all LEDs), cycled on (turns on and off from any one LED in a predetermined order every predetermined time), or a plurality of It may be performed by turning on / off (flashing) or circulating lighting with a predetermined number of LEDs. Also on the normal display 53, the variation display game is executed by variation display (flashing) in which the lamps D10 and D18 are repeatedly turned on and off. Further, the general-purpose display 53 can be appropriately configured in the same manner as the special-figure 1 display 51 and the special-figure 2 display 52.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration of a lamp display device 80 provided on the upper part of the center case 40. The lamp display device 80 includes lamp display units 1 and 2 (LEDs) that perform variable display (flashing) that repeats turning on and off as symbols (fourth special symbol described later), and starting each special diagram variable display game. (Pending) It has a lamp display unit 3-6 (LED) for notifying the number of memories. The lamp display device 80 is controlled by an effect control device 300 (described later).

  The lamp display units 1 and 2 blink at a predetermined blinking period (for example, 200 msec (milliseconds)) as a variation display of the special figure variation display game. While the variation display on the special figure 1 display 51, the special figure 2 display 52, and the general figure display 53 of the collective display device 50 is controlled by the game control device 100, the lamp display unit 1 of the lamp display device 80 is controlled. 2 is controlled by an effect control device 300 (described later). The lamp display unit 1 (special figure 1 fourth symbol LED) displays a fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) for the special figure 1 variable display game, and the lamp display unit 2 (special symbol 2 fourth symbol LED). ) Displays a fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) for the special-figure 2 variable display game.

  The lamp display units 3 and 4 (the special figure 1 hold LED 1 and the special figure 1 hold LED 2) display the special figure 1 hold number (the first start memory number) by a combination of the light-off state, the lighting state, and the blinking state. Similarly, the lamp display units 5 and 6 (special figure 2 hold LED1, special figure 2 hold LED2) display the special figure 2 hold number (second start memory number) by a combination of the off state, the lit state, and the blinking state. To do. The lamp display unit 3-6 terminates the display of the number of holds due to the occurrence of a big hit. However, in the case other than during the big win state (including the case where the reach described later is generated in the display device 41), Do.

  Next, the flow of the game in the gaming machine 10, the details of the general map variation display game and the special map variation display game will be described.

  In the gaming machine 10, a game is played by launching a game ball from a ball launcher (not shown) toward the game area 32. The launched game balls flow down the game area 32 while changing the rolling direction by obstacle nails, windmills, etc. arranged in various places in the game area 32, and the normal start gate 34, the general winning opening 35, the starting winning opening 36, wins the normal variation winning device 37 or the special variation winning device 39, or flows into the outlet 30 b provided at the bottom of the gaming area 32 and is discharged from the gaming area 32. Then, when a game ball wins the general winning opening 35, the starting winning opening 36, the normal variation winning device 37, or the special variable winning device 39, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning winning port is passed through the payout device. It is discharged to the upper plate 21.

  The normal start gate 34 is provided with a gate switch 34a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed the normal start gate 34. When the game ball passes through the normal start gate 34, it is detected by the gate switch 34a, and the normal variation display game is executed based on the determination result of the random number value for hit determination extracted at this time.

  A state in which the normal map variable display game cannot be started, for example, when the normal map variable display game has already been executed and the normal map variable display game has not ended, or the result of the normal map variable display game is normal When the variable winning device 37 has been converted to the open state, when the game ball passes the normal start gate 34, if the normal start memory number is less than the upper limit number, the stored number is added (+1).

  In the normal map start memory, a random number value for hit determination for determining the hit error of the normal map fluctuation display game is stored, and when this hit determination random number value coincides with the determination value, the normal map change display is performed. A specific result mode (specific result) is derived by winning the game.

  The universal map display game is executed by a universal map display 53 provided in the collective display device 50. The general-purpose indicator 53 is composed of LEDs indicating normal identification information (general-purpose) in the lit state and indicating a shift in the unlit state, and the normal identification information varies by blinking this LED. Display is performed, and after a predetermined fluctuation display time has elapsed, the result is displayed by turning on or off the LED.

  When the common figure random number value extracted when passing through the common figure start gate 34 is a winning value, the normal symbol displayed on the universal figure display unit 53 stops in a hit state and enters a hit state. At this time, when the general-purpose solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3) is driven, the movable member 37b is converted to an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds), and the game ball to the normal variation winning device 37 is converted. Winning is allowed.

  The winning of the game ball to the start winning opening 36 and the winning to the normal variation winning apparatus 37 are detected by the start opening 1 switch 36a (see FIG. 3) and the start opening 2 switch 37a (see FIG. 3). A game ball won at the start winning opening 36 is detected as a start winning ball of the special figure 1 variable display game and is stored as a predetermined upper limit number, and a game ball won at the normal variable prize winning device 37 is shown in FIG. It is detected as the start winning ball of the variable display game, and stored up to a predetermined upper limit.

  When detecting the start winning ball of the special figure variation display game, the big hit random number value, the big hit symbol random number value, each fluctuation pattern random number value and the like are extracted. These random numbers are stored in the special figure holding storage area (a part of the RAM) of the game control apparatus 100 as a special figure start winning memory for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of eight times). The number stored in the special figure start winning memory is displayed on the special figure 1 hold display 54 and the special figure 2 hold display 55 for notifying the start winning number of the collective display device 50 and also on the display screen of the display device 41. Is displayed.

  The game control device 100 executes the special figure 1 variable display game on the special figure 1 display 51 based on the winning at the start winning opening 36 or the first start memory. In addition, the game control device 100 executes the special figure 2 variable display game on the special figure 2 display 52 based on the winning to the normal variation winning apparatus 37 or the second start memory.

  The special figure 1 fluctuation display game (first special figure fluctuation display game) and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game (second special figure fluctuation display game) are identified in the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 (see FIG. This is performed by suspending and displaying a predetermined result form after variably displaying special symbols and special symbols). In addition, the display device 41 executes a decorative special figure fluctuation display game for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) corresponding to each special figure fluctuation display game.

  In the decoration special symbol variation display game on the display device 41, the decoration special symbol (identification information) composed of the numbers and the like described above is left (first special symbol), right (second special symbol), and middle (third special symbol). ) Is started in this order, scrolling display is started, symbols changing after a predetermined time are sequentially stopped, and the result of the special figure changing display game is displayed. In addition, the display device 41 displays various effects such as the appearance of characters in order to improve interest. Further, in the decoration special figure variation display game, as the other special decoration patterns (identification information), the lamp display units 1 and 2 of the lamp display device 80 repeat the turn-on display and the turn-off display (flashing) to display the fourth special symbol ( (4th pattern) fluctuates. The fluctuation display of the lamp display units 1 and 2 stops after a predetermined time from the start, with “lit” in the case of disconnection and “off” in the case of big hit.

  On the contrary, the variable display of the lamp display units 1 and 2 as the fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) can be configured to stop at “lights off” when it is off and “lights up” when it is a big hit. . In addition, a plurality of LEDs (fourth design LED) are provided as the lamp display units 1 and 2 so that one of the plurality of LEDs is turned on in the event of a loss, and all of the plurality of LEDs are turned on in the case of a big hit. A simple configuration is also possible.

  When a game ball is won at the start winning opening 36 or the normal variable prize winning device 37 at a predetermined timing (when the big hit random value at the time of winning detection is a big hit value), as a result of the special figure variation display game A specific result mode (special result mode) is derived from the display symbol, and a big hit state (special game state) is obtained. Corresponding to this, the display mode of the display device 41 becomes a special result mode (for example, a state in which numbers such as “7, 7, 7” are arranged).

  At this time, the special variable winning device 39 is converted from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) by energizing the large winning port solenoid (39b) (see FIG. 3). That is, the big prize opening provided in the special variable prize winning device 39 opens widely for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls wins, during which the player is given a privilege that he can acquire many game balls. The

  The special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 may be configured as separate displays or the same display, but each special figure variation display game is not executed simultaneously. Is set as follows.

  As for the decorative special figure fluctuation display game on the display device 41, the special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game may be executed in different display devices or in different display areas, or the same display. You may make it perform in an apparatus or a display area. In this case, the decorative special figure fluctuation display game corresponding to the special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game is prevented from being executed simultaneously. The special figure 2 variable display game is executed with priority over the special figure 1 variable display game, and there is a start memory of the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game. When the figure change display game is ready to be executed, the special figure 2 change display game is executed.

  In the following description, when the special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as a special figure fluctuation display game.

  Further, although not particularly limited, the starting port 1 switch 36a in the starting winning port 36, the starting port 2 switch 37a in the normal variation winning device 37, the gate switch 34a, the winning port switch 35a, the count switch (39a ) Is a non-contact type magnetic proximity sensor (hereinafter referred to as a proximity switch) that includes a magnetic detection coil and detects a game ball using a phenomenon in which a magnetic field changes when a metal approaches the coil. ing. Further, the glass frame open detection switch 63 provided on the glass frame 15 of the gaming machine 10 and the front frame open detection switch 64 (main body frame open detection switch) provided on the front frame (game frame) 12 etc. A microswitch having a typical contact can be used.

[Game control device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the game control system of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes a game control device 100 (main board). The game control device 100 is a main control device (main board) that controls the game in an integrated manner, and is a game microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a game microcomputer). A data bus 140 that connects between the CPU unit 110, the input unit 120, and the output unit 130; a CPU 110 having the input unit 111; an input unit 120 having an input port; an output unit 130 having an output port and a driver; Etc.

  The CPU unit 110 includes a game microcomputer (CPU) 111 called an amusement chip (IC) and an oscillator such as a crystal oscillator, and generates a clock for a CPU operation clock, a timer interrupt, and a reference for a random number generation circuit. And an oscillation circuit (crystal oscillator) 113. The game control device 100 and electronic components such as a solenoid and a motor driven by the game control device 100 are supplied with a predetermined level of DC voltage such as DC32V, DC12V, and DC5V generated by the power supply device 400 so as to be operable. Is done.

  The power supply apparatus 400 includes a normal power supply unit 410 including an ACDC converter that generates a DC32V DC voltage from a 24V AC power supply, a DC-DC converter that generates a lower level DC voltage such as DC12V and DC5V from a DC32V voltage, and the like. , A backup power supply unit 420 that supplies a power supply voltage to the RAM inside the game microcomputer 111 at the time of a power failure, and a power failure monitoring circuit, and a power failure monitoring signal and a reset signal that notify the game control device 100 of the occurrence and recovery of the power failure. And a control signal generation unit 430 that generates and outputs a control signal.

  In the present embodiment, the power supply device 400 is configured separately from the game control device 100, but the backup power supply unit 420 and the control signal generation unit 430 are integrated on a separate board or the game control device 100, that is, the main control device 100. You may comprise so that it may provide on a board | substrate. Since the game board 30 and the game control device 100 are to be replaced when the model is changed, the backup power supply unit 420 and the control signal generation unit 430 are provided on a board different from the power supply apparatus 400 or the main board as in the embodiment. By providing, it can remove from the object of replacement | exchange and can aim at cost reduction.

  The backup power supply unit 420 can be configured with one large-capacity capacitor such as an electrolytic capacitor. The backup power is supplied to the game microcomputer 111 (particularly, the built-in RAM) of the game control device 100, and the data stored in the RAM is held even during a power failure or after the power is shut off. The control signal generation unit 430 monitors the voltage of 32V generated by the normal power supply unit 410, for example, detects the occurrence of a power failure when the voltage drops below 17V, for example, changes the power failure monitoring signal, and resets the signal after a predetermined time. Is output. In addition, a reset signal is output after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the power is turned on or the power is restored.

  In addition, the game control device 100 is provided with an initialization switch 112. When the initialization switch 112 is operated, an initialization switch signal is generated, and based on this, a process for forcibly initializing information stored in the RAM 111c in the gaming microcomputer 111 and the RAM in the payout control device 200 is performed. Done. Although not particularly limited, the initialization switch signal is read when the power is turned on, and the power failure monitoring signal is repeatedly read in the main loop of the main program executed by the gaming microcomputer 111. The reset signal is a kind of forced interrupt signal and resets the entire control system.

  The gaming microcomputer 111 includes a CPU (central processing unit: microprocessor) 111a, a read-only ROM (read-only memory) 111b, and a RAM (random access memory) 111c that can be read and written as needed.

  The ROM 111b stores invariant information (programs, fixed data, various random number determination values, etc.) for game control in a nonvolatile manner, and the RAM 111c stores a work area for the CPU 111a and various signals and random number values during game control. Used as As the ROM 111b or the RAM 111c, an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

  In addition, the ROM 111b stores, for example, a variation pattern table for determining a variation pattern (variation mode) that defines the execution time of the special figure variation display game, the contents of the effects, the presence or absence of the reach state, and the like. The variation pattern table is a table for the CPU 111a to determine the variation pattern by referring to the variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 stored as the start memory. The variation pattern table includes a loss variation pattern table selected when the result is lost, a jackpot variation pattern table selected when the result is a big hit, and the like. Furthermore, these pattern tables include a table for determining the second half fluctuation pattern that is the fluctuation pattern after reaching the reach state (such as the second half fluctuation group table and the second half fluctuation pattern selection table), and the fluctuation before reaching the reach state. A table for determining a first-half variation pattern as a pattern (first-half variation group table, first-half variation pattern selection table, etc.) is included.

  Here, the reach (reach state) has a display device whose display state can be changed, the display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are predetermined. In the gaming machine 10 in which the gaming state becomes a gaming state advantageous to the player (special gaming state) when the special result mode is entered, the game is already derived at the stage where some of the plurality of display results are not yet derived and displayed. This means a display state in which the displayed display result satisfies the condition for the special result mode. In other words, the reach state is deviated from the display condition that is the special result mode even when the display device's variable display control progresses and reaches the stage before the display result is derived and displayed. There is no display mode. For example, a state where so-called full-rotation reach is performed in a variable display region while maintaining a state in which special result modes are aligned (so-called full rotation reach) is also included in the reach state. The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the display device has progressed to reach a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. The display state in the case where at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display areas satisfies the condition for the special result mode.

  Thus, for example, a decorative special figure fluctuation display game displayed on a display device corresponding to a special figure fluctuation display game fluctuates a plurality of identification information for a predetermined time in each of the left, middle, and right fluctuation display areas on the display device. After displaying, when the display of the result mode is stopped in the order of left, right, and middle, the condition that becomes the special result mode is satisfied in the left and right variable display areas (for example, The state in which the variable display is stopped with the same identification information) is the reach state. In addition, when the variable display in all the variable display areas is temporarily stopped, the condition that the special result mode is satisfied in any two of the left, middle, and right variable display areas (for example, the same identification information It is also possible to set the reach state (except for the special result mode) to the reach state and display the remaining one variable display area in a variable manner from the reach state.

  The reach state includes a plurality of reach productions, and there is a possibility that a special result mode is derived (differing expected value). As a system of reach production, normal reach (N reach), special 1 reach (SP1 reach). Special 2 reach (SP2 reach), Special 3 reach (SP3 reach), and Premier reach are set. The expected value increases in the order of no reach <normal reach <special 1 reach <special 2 reach <special 3 reach <premier reach. In addition, the reach state is included in a variable display mode at least when a special result mode is derived in a special figure variable display game (when a big hit is achieved). That is, it may be included in the variable display mode in the case where it is determined that the special result mode is not derived in the special figure variable display game (when it is out of date). Therefore, the state in which the reach state has occurred is a state that is likely to be a big hit compared to the case in which the reach state does not occur.

  The CPU 111a executes a game control program in the ROM 111b, generates control signals (commands) for the payout control device 200 and the effect control device 300, and generates and outputs drive signals for the solenoid and the display device, thereby playing the game machine. 10 overall control is performed. Although not shown, the gaming microcomputer 111 is a jackpot random number for determining the jackpot of the special figure variation display game, a jackpot symbol random number for determining the jackpot symbol, a variation pattern in the special figure variation display game (various patterns A random number generation circuit for generating a variation pattern random number for determining a variation display game in a variation display without reach or a variation display without reach, and an oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the oscillation circuit 113 Based on this, a clock generator is provided that generates a timer interrupt signal for a predetermined period (for example, 4 msec (milliseconds)) for the CPU 111a and a clock that gives the update timing of the random number generation circuit.

  Further, the CPU 111a obtains any one variation pattern table from among the plurality of variation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b in the process related to the special figure variation display game. Specifically, the CPU 111a determines the game result (big hit or miss) of the special figure fluctuation display game, the probability state (normal probability state or high probability state) of the special figure fluctuation display game as the current gaming state, and the starting memory number. Based on the above, one of the plurality of variation pattern tables is selected and acquired. Here, when executing the special figure fluctuation display game, the CPU 111a serves as fluctuation distribution information acquisition means for acquiring any one of the plurality of fluctuation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b.

  The payout control device 200 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input interface, an output interface, and the like, and drives a payout motor 91 of the payout unit in accordance with a prize ball payout command (command or data) from the game control device 100 to thereby win a prize ball. Control to pay out. Further, the payout control device 200 controls the payout unit 91 to drive the payout motor 91 of the payout unit based on the loan request signal from the card unit 600 to pay out the loaned money.

  The input unit 120 of the gaming microcomputer 111 includes a radio wave sensor 62 (panel radio wave sensor) that detects the emission of radio waves to the gaming machine, a gate switch 34a of the general start gate 34, and a start port 1 in the first start winning port 36. Connected to the switch 36a, the start port 2 switch 37a in the second start winning port 37, the winning port switch 35a, and the large winning port switch 39a of the special variable winning device 39, the high level supplied from these switches is 11V and the low level Is provided with an interface chip (proximity I / F) 121 that receives a negative logic signal such as 7V and converts it to a 0V-5V positive logic signal.

  The gaming machine 10 also has a setting change device 42 (setting change means) that can change settings related to game conditions, and the interface chip (proximity I / F) 121 is connected to the setting change device 42 and changes the setting. A signal from the device 42 is input. For example, the setting change device 42 may be a setting change device normally provided in a slot machine, and may be constituted by a key switch, a button switch, a 7 segment type display (LED lamp), and the like. The setting change device 42 is provided inside the gaming machine 10, and is provided, for example, at a position where it cannot be operated unless the front frame 12 is opened (a position where it cannot be accessed). That is, a general player cannot access and operate the setting change device 42. The setting change device 42 may be provided on the game control device 100 (on the main board).

  The setting change device 42 can change settings relating to game conditions such as the probability of jackpot and the probability variation rate. In the present embodiment, the settings relating to the gaming conditions include setting 1, setting 2, and setting 3, where setting 1 is the most unfavorable setting (low setting) for the player, and setting 2 is an intermediate setting (intermediate setting). Yes, setting 3 is the most advantageous setting (high setting) for the player.

  The output of the proximity I / F 121 is supplied to the second input port 123 or the third input port 124 and is read into the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140. Of the outputs of the proximity I / F 121, detection signals from the gate switch 34a, the start port 1 switch 36a, the start port 2 switch 37a, the winning port switch 35a, and the big winning port switch 39a are input to the third input port 124. .

  Of the outputs of the proximity I / F 121, the detection signal of the radio wave sensor 62 and the abnormality detection signal output when the abnormality of the sensor or the switch is detected are input to the second input port 123.

  Further, the second input port 123 has a detection signal from a fraud detection magnetic sensor switch 61 provided on the front frame 12 of the gaming machine 10, a frame radio wave fraud signal output from the payout control device 200, and a payout busy signal. Is entered. Note that a vibration sensor switch that detects vibration may be provided in the gaming machine so that the detection signal is input to the second input port 123. The frame radio wave illegal signal is a signal output based on the detection of radio waves by the frame radio wave sensor provided on the front frame 12 (main body frame). Is the payout busy signal in a state in which the payout control device 200 can accept a command? It is a signal indicating whether or not.

  Of the outputs of the proximity I / F 121, the output to the third input port 124 is also supplied from the game control device 100 to a test firing test device (not shown) via the relay board 70. Furthermore, the detection signals of the start port 1 switch 36 a and the start port 2 switch 37 a among the outputs of the proximity I / F 121 are configured to be input to the gaming microcomputer 111 in addition to the third input port 124.

  As described above, the proximity I / F 121 has a signal level conversion function. In order to enable such a level conversion function, the proximity I / F 121 is supplied with a voltage of 12 V from the power supply device 400 in addition to a voltage such as 5 V required for normal IC operation. It has become.

  The data held by the third input port 124 is read by asserting the enable signal CE2 (changing to an effective level) by decoding the address assigned to the third input port 124 by the gaming microcomputer 111. be able to. The same applies to the second input port 123 and the first input port 122 described later.

  In addition, the input unit 120 includes a signal from the glass frame open detection switch 63 provided on the glass frame 15 of the gaming machine 10 and the front frame open detection switch 64 provided on the front frame 12, and a status indicating a payout abnormality. A game is acquired via the data bus 140 by taking in a signal, a shot ball switch signal indicating a shortage of game balls before paying out, an overflow switch signal indicating overflow, and a touch switch signal based on an input of a touch switch provided on the operation handle 24. A first input port 122 for supplying to the microcomputer 111 is provided. The overflow switch signal is a signal that is output when it is detected that a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower plate 23 (full).

  Further, the input unit 120 is provided with a Schmitt buffer 125 for inputting a signal such as a power failure monitoring signal or a reset signal from the power supply device 400 to the gaming microcomputer 111 or the like. The Schmitt buffer 125 receives these input signals. It has a function to remove noise from. The power failure monitoring signal from the power supply device 400 and the initialization switch signal from the initialization switch 112 are once input to the first input port 122 and taken into the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140. That is, it is treated as a signal equivalent to the signal from the various switches described above. This is because the number of terminals receiving external signals provided in the gaming microcomputer 111 is limited.

  On the other hand, the reset signal RST from which noise has been removed by the Schmitt buffer 125 is directly input to a reset terminal provided in the gaming microcomputer 111 and also supplied to each port of the output unit 130. Further, the reset signal RST is directly output to the relay board 70 without going through the output unit 130, thereby turning off the test test signal held in the port (not shown) of the relay board 70 for output to the test board. It is configured as follows.

  Further, the reset signal RST may be configured to be output to the test firing test apparatus via the relay board 70. The reset signal RST is not supplied to the ports 122, 123, and 124 of the input unit 120. Data set to each port of the output unit 130 by the gaming microcomputer 111 immediately before the reset signal RST is input needs to be reset to prevent malfunction of the system, but each data of the input unit 120 is input immediately before the reset signal RST is input. This is because the data read by the gaming microcomputer 111 from the port is discarded when the gaming microcomputer 111 is reset.

  The output unit 130 is provided with a Schmitt buffer 132 disposed on a communication path from the gaming microcomputer 111 to the effect control apparatus 300 and a communication path from the gaming microcomputer 111 to the payout control apparatus 200. Data is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 300 and the payout control device 200 by serial communication. The one-way communication is such that no signal can be input to the game control device 100 from the side of the effect control device 300.

  In addition, the output unit 130 is connected to the data bus 140 via a relay board 70 for data indicating special symbol information of the variable display game to a test firing test apparatus of an accredited organization (not shown) and a signal indicating the probability status of jackpot. The output buffer 133 is configured to be mountable. The buffer 133 is a component that is not mounted on a game control device (main board) of a pachinko gaming machine as an actual machine (a mass-produced / sold product) installed in the game store. A detection signal output from the proximity I / F 121, such as a start port switch, that is not required to be processed is supplied to the test firing test apparatus via the relay board 70 without passing through the buffer 133.

  On the other hand, detection signals such as the magnetic sensor switch 61 and the radio wave sensor 62 that cannot be supplied to the test fire testing device as they are are once taken into the gaming microcomputer 111 and processed into other signals or information. An error signal indicating that the state is not possible is supplied from the data bus 140 to the trial test apparatus via the buffer 133 and the relay board 70.

  The relay board 70 is provided with a port that takes in the signal output from the buffer 133 and supplies the signal to the test firing test apparatus, a connector that relays and transmits the signal line of the detection signal of the switch that does not pass through the buffer, and the like. Yes. A chip enable signal CE output from the gaming microcomputer 111 is also supplied to the port on the relay board 70, and the signal of the port selected and controlled by the signal CE is supplied to the test firing test apparatus.

  In addition, the output unit 130 receives opening / closing data of a solenoid (general power solenoid) 37c that is connected to the data bus 140 and opens the normal variation winning device 37 and a solenoid (large winning port solenoid) 39b that opens the special variation winning device 39. A second output port 134 for output is provided.

  In addition, the output unit 130 includes a third output port 135 for outputting ON / OFF data of the segment line to which the anode terminal of the LED is connected according to the contents displayed on the collective display device 50, and the collective display device 50. A fourth output port 136 is provided for outputting on / off data of the digit line to which the cathode terminal of the LED is connected.

  Further, the output unit 130 is provided with a fifth output port 137 for outputting information related to the gaming machine 10 such as jackpot information to the external information terminal 71. The external information terminal 71 is provided with a photo relay, which can be connected to, for example, an external device (such as an information collection terminal or an amusement hall internal management device (hall computer)) installed in a game store. It can be supplied to the device. Further, a launch permission signal is also output from the fifth output port 137 to the payout control device 200 via the Schmitt buffer 132.

  Further, the output unit 130 receives a switching data signal of the power solenoid 37c and the big prize solenoid 39b output from the second output port 134, and generates and outputs a solenoid driving signal 138a. The second driver 138b for outputting the ON / OFF drive signal of the segment line on the current supply side of the collective display device 50 output from the third output port 135, and the current of the collective display device 50 output from the fourth output port 136 A third driver 138c that outputs an on / off drive signal for the lead-in digit line, and a fourth driver 138d that outputs an external information signal supplied from the fifth output port 137 to an external device such as a management device to the external information terminal 71 Is provided.

  The first driver 138a is supplied with DC32V from the power supply device 400 as a power supply voltage so that a solenoid operating at 32V can be driven. Also, DC12V is supplied to the second driver 138b that drives the segment lines of the collective display device 50. Since the third driver 138c for driving the digit line is for drawing out the digit line corresponding to the display data with a current, the power supply voltage may be either 12V or 5V.

  A dynamic drive method is achieved by flowing a current to the anode terminal of the LED through the segment line by the second driver 138b that outputs 12V, and drawing the current through the segment line from the cathode terminal by the third driver 138c that outputs the ground potential. The power supply voltage flows through the LEDs sequentially selected in step 1 so that the LEDs are lit. The fourth driver 138d that outputs the external information signal to the external information terminal 71 is supplied with DC12V in order to give the external information signal a level of 12V. Note that the buffer 133, the second output port 134, the first driver 138a, and the like may be provided on the output board 130 of the game control apparatus 100, that is, on the relay board 70 side instead of the main board.

  Further, the output unit 130 is provided with a photocoupler 139 for transmitting information such as an identification code and a program of each gaming machine to the external inspection device 250. The photocoupler 139 is configured to be capable of two-way communication so that the gaming microcomputer 111 can transmit and receive data to and from the inspection device 250 through serial communication. Since such data transmission / reception is performed using a serial communication terminal of the gaming microcomputer 111 as in the case of a general-purpose microprocessor, ports such as the input ports 122, 123, and 124 are not provided.

[Production control device]
Next, the configuration of the effect control device 300 (sub board) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an effect control system of the gaming machine 10.

  The effect control device 300 is for displaying video on the display device 41 in accordance with commands and data from the main control microcomputer 311 and the main control microcomputer 311, similarly to the game microcomputer 111. A VDP (Video Display Processor) 312 serving as a graphic processor for performing image processing, and a sound source LSI 314 for controlling output of sound in order to reproduce various melody and sound effects from the speaker 19.

  The main control microcomputer 311 holds a program ROM 321 composed of a PROM (programmable read only memory) storing a program executed by the CPU and various data, a RAM 322 providing a work area, and retains stored contents even when power is not supplied in the event of a power failure A possible FeRAM 323 is connected to an RTC (real time clock) 338 that serves as a clock means for generating information indicating the current date and time (year, month, day of the week, time, etc.). A RAM for providing a work area is also provided inside the main control microcomputer 311.

  A WDT (watchdog timer) circuit 324 is connected to the main control microcomputer 311. The main control microcomputer 311 analyzes the command from the game microcomputer 111, determines the contents of the presentation, instructs the VDP 312 about the contents of the output video, instructs the sound source LSI 314 to reproduce the sound, turns on the decoration lamp, motors And control of solenoid drive control and production time management.

  The VDP 312 is provided with a RAM 312a for providing a work area and a scaler 312b for enlarging and reducing images. The VDP 312 has an image ROM 325 in which character images and video data are stored, and an ultra-high-speed VRAM (video RAM) used to develop and process image data such as characters read from the image ROM 325. ) 326 is connected.

  Although not particularly limited, the main control microcomputer 311 and the VDP 312 are configured to transmit and receive data in a parallel manner. By transmitting and receiving data in parallel, commands and data can be transmitted in a shorter time than in the case of serial.

  From the VDP 312 to the main control microcomputer 311, a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC for synchronizing the video of the display device 41 and lighting of the decoration lamps provided on the glass frame 15 and the game board 30, and a synchronization signal for giving data transmission timing STS is input. The VDP 312 informs the main control microcomputer 311 that it is waiting to receive commands and data from the interrupt control signals INT0 to n and the main control microcomputer 311 in order to notify the processing status such as the end of drawing in the VRAM. A wait signal WAIT and the like are also input.

  The effect control device 300 is provided with a signal conversion circuit 313 that generates a video signal to be transmitted to the display device 41 by an LVDS (small amplitude signal transmission) method. Video data, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, and a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC are input from the VDP 312 to the signal conversion circuit 313, and the video generated by the VDP 312 is input to the display device 41 via the signal conversion circuit 313. Is displayed.

  A sound ROM 327 storing sound data is connected to the sound source LSI 314. The main control microcomputer 311 and the tone generator LSI 314 are connected via an address / data bus 340. An interrupt signal INT is input from the tone generator LSI 314 to the main control microcomputer 311. The effect control device 300 is provided with an amplifier circuit 337 including an audio power amplifier that drives an upper speaker 19 a provided on the glass frame 15 and a lower speaker 19 b provided on the front frame 12. The generated sound is output from the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b via the amplifier circuit 337.

  In addition, the effect control device 300 is provided with an interface chip (command I / F) 331 that receives a command transmitted from the game control device 100. An effect control command signal (effect command) includes a decoration special figure hold number command, a decoration special figure command, a change command, a stop information command, and the like transmitted from the game control apparatus 100 to the effect control apparatus 300 via the command I / F 331. As received. Since the game microcomputer 111 of the game control device 100 operates at DC 5V and the main control microcomputer 311 of the effect control device 300 operates at DC 3.3V, the command I / F 331 is provided with a signal level conversion function. Yes.

  The effect control device 300 includes a board decoration LED control circuit 332 for driving and controlling a board decoration device 46 having LEDs (light emitting diodes) provided on the game board 30 (including the center case 40), and a glass frame 15. Frame decoration LED control circuit 333 for driving and controlling a frame decoration device (for example, the frame decoration device 18 and the like) having LEDs (light emitting diodes) and board effects provided on the game board 30 (including the center case 40). There is provided a board effect movable body control circuit 334 that drives and controls the device 44 (for example, a movable accessory that enhances the effect of the effect in cooperation with the effect display on the display device 41). The panel decoration device 46 may include the lamp display device 80 described above.

  These control circuits 332 to 334 that drive and control lamps, motors, solenoids, and the like are connected to the main control microcomputer 311 via an address / data bus 340. A frame effect movable body control circuit for driving and controlling a frame effect device such as a motor provided on the glass frame 15 may be provided.

  Further, the effect control device 300 includes an effect button switch 25 a built in the effect button 25 provided on the glass frame 15, a touch panel 25 b provided on the surface of the effect button 25, and a motor in the board effect device 44. A function for detecting the on / off state of the production effect switch 47 (production motor switch) for detecting the initial position and the like, and a detection signal input to the main control microcomputer 311, or a volume adjustment switch provided in the production control device 300 A switch input circuit 336 that detects the state of 335 and inputs a detection signal to the main control microcomputer 311 is provided.

  The normal power supply unit 410 of the power supply device 400 drives a motor or a solenoid to supply a desired level of DC voltage to the effect control device 300 having the above-described configuration and electronic components controlled thereby. In addition to DC32V, display device 41 consisting of a liquid crystal panel, DC12V for driving motors and LEDs, and DC5V as the power supply voltage for command I / F 331, a voltage of DC15V for driving motors, LEDs, and speakers is generated. Is configured to do.

  Further, when an LSI operating at a low voltage such as 3.3 V or 1.2 V is used as the main control microcomputer 311, a DC − for generating DC 3.3 V or DC 1.2 V based on DC 5 V is used. A DC converter is provided in the effect control device 300. The DC-DC converter may be provided in the normal power supply unit 410.

  The reset signal generated by the control signal generation unit 430 of the power supply apparatus 400 is supplied to the main control microcomputer 311 to put the device into a reset state. In addition, VDP 312 (VDRESET signal), tone generator LSI 314, amplifier circuit 337 (SNDRESET signal) for driving speakers, and control circuits 332 to 334 (IORESET) for driving and controlling lamps, motors, and the like in a form output from the main control microcomputer 311. Signal) to reset them. In addition, a cooling FAN 45 that cools various parts of the gaming machine 10 is connected to the effect control device 300, and the cooling FAN 45 is driven in a state in which the power of the effect control device 300 is turned on.

  Next, game control performed in these control circuits will be described. The CPU 111a of the game microcomputer 111 of the game control device 100 extracts a random number value for hit determination of the normal figure based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the gate switch 34a provided to the normal figure start gate 34, and the ROM 111b. Is compared with the determination value stored in the table, and a hit / decision of the normal variation display game is determined.

  Then, the universal symbol display game is displayed on the universal symbol display device, after the identification symbol is varied and displayed for a predetermined time, and then stopped. When the result of the general-purpose variable display game is a win, a special result mode is displayed on the general-purpose display, and the general-purpose solenoid 37c is operated to move the movable member 37b of the normal variable winning device 37 for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) Control to open as described above. That is, the game control device 100 serves as conversion control execution means for performing conversion control of the conversion member (movable member 37b). In addition, when the result of the normal map change display game is out of control, control is performed to display the result form of the shift on the general map display.

  Further, a start winning (starting memory) is stored based on an input of a detection signal of a game ball from a starting port 1 switch 36a provided in the starting winning port 36, and the big hit determination of the special figure 1 variable display game is based on the start memory. The random number value is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b to determine whether or not the special figure 1 variable display game is missed.

  Further, the start memory is stored based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the start port 2 switch 37a provided in the normal variation winning device 37, and based on the start memory, the random value for determining the big hit of the special figure 2 variable display game Is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b to determine whether or not the special figure 2 variable display game is missed.

  Then, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 outputs a control signal (effect control command) including a determination result of the special figure 1 variable display game or the special figure 2 variable display game to the effect control device 300. Then, after the identification symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined time on the special figure 1 display 51 or the special figure 2 display 52, a special figure variation display game for stopping and displaying is displayed. In other words, the game control unit 100 controls the progress of the variable display game based on the winning of the game ball flowing down the game area 32 to the start winning area (the first start winning opening 36, the normal variable winning apparatus 37). Make.

  In addition, in the effect control device 300, based on the control signal from the game control device 100, the display device 41 displays a decoration special figure fluctuation display game corresponding to the special figure fluctuation display game. Furthermore, in the production control device 300, based on the control signal from the game control device 100, the production state setting, the sound output from the speakers 19a and 19b, the process of controlling the light emission of various LEDs, and the like are performed. That is, the production control device 300 serves as production control means for controlling production related to a game (such as a variable display game).

  Then, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 displays a special result state on the special figure 1 display 51 or the special figure 2 display 52 and generates a special gaming state when the result of the special figure variation display game is a win. Let In the process of generating the special game state, the CPU 111a performs control for allowing the game ball to flow into the special winning opening by, for example, opening the open / close door 39c of the special variable winning apparatus 39 by the special winning opening solenoid 39b. .

  Then, either a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins the grand prize opening or a predetermined openable time (for example, 27 seconds or 0.05 seconds) elapses from the opening of the big prize opening. Opening the grand prize opening until such a condition is achieved is defined as one round (R), and this is repeated (repeated) for a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 times, 11 times, or 2 times) (cycle game) I do. That is, the game control device 100 serves as a special winning opening / closing control means for performing control for opening / closing the special winning opening when the stop result mode becomes the special result mode. Further, when the result of the special figure variation display game is out of order, the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 are controlled to display the result form of the deviation.

  In addition, the game control device 100 can generate a high probability state as a gaming state after the special gaming state ends based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. The high probability state (probability variation state) is a state in which the probability of a hit result in the special figure variation display game is higher than the normal probability state. Moreover, even if it becomes a high probability state based on the result aspect of either the special figure 1 fluctuation display game or the special figure 2 fluctuation display game, the special figure 1 fluctuation display game and the special figure 2 fluctuation display game Both are in a high probability state.

  In addition, the game control device 100 can generate a short-time state (specific game state) as a game state after the special game state ends based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. In the short-time state, the normal fluctuation display game and the normal variation winning device 37 are controlled to be in the short-time operation state, and the normal variation winning device 37 per unit time is compared to the case where the normal variation winning device 37 is in the normal operation state. Since the opening time of the vehicle is controlled so as to be substantially increased, the power transmission is supported. Even in a high probability state (normal probability variation state) excluding the latent probability variation state, the ordinary power support is executed in a time-short state overlappingly.

  For example, in the short-time state, it is possible to perform time-reduced variation in which the execution time of the above-described usual map variation display game (ordinary diagram variation time) is set to a second variation display time shorter than the normal first variation display time (for example, 10,000 msec is 1000 msec). In the short time state, the execution time of the special figure change display game (special figure change time) is also shortened from the normal time, and the time reduction fluctuation of the special figure change display game is also executed.

  Further, in the short-time state, it is possible to control so that the normal map stop time for displaying the result of the normal map change display game is a second stop time (for example, 704 msec) shorter than the first stop time (for example, 1604 msec). It is.

  Also, in the short time state, when the normal variation winning game 37 is released as a result of the normal variation display game being won, the first release time (for example, 100 msec) in which the release time (normal power release time) is the normal state. It is possible to control so that the second opening time is longer (for example, 1352 msec).

  Further, in the short-time state, the number of times of opening the normal variation winning device 37 (the number of times of normal power release) is greater than the number of times of opening the first time (for example, 2 times) with respect to the result of one hit of the normal-variation display game. It is possible to set the number of second releases (for example, 4 times). In the short time state, it is possible to set the probability of being a hit result of the normal-variable display game (normal probability) to a higher probability than the normal probability (low probability) in the normal operation state.

  In the short-time state, the normal variation winning device 37 is in an open state by changing any one or more of the normal time fluctuation time, the normal time stop time, the number of normal power releases, the normal power release time, and the normal figure probability. Make the conversion time longer than usual. Thereby, in the short time state, winning in the normal variation winning device 37 is easier than in the normal gaming state, and the number of executions of the special figure variation display game per unit time can be increased as compared with the normal gaming state. It is also possible to set a plurality of types of time-short states that are different from each other. In addition, the movable member 37b may be set not to be opened in the normal operation state (the normal probability is 0). Moreover, when it is a hit, either the first opening mode or the second opening mode may be selected. In this case, the selection probabilities of the first release mode and the second release mode may be different. Further, the high probability state and the short time state can be generated independently, and both can be generated simultaneously or only one can be generated.

[Control of game control device]
Hereinafter, control of the gaming machine that performs such a game will be described. First, the control executed by the game microcomputer (game microcomputer) 111 of the game control device 100 will be described. Control processing by the gaming microcomputer 111 mainly includes main processing shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 9 performed at a predetermined time period (for example, 4 msec).

[Main processing (game control device)]
First, the main process will be described. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing a procedure of main processing by the game control apparatus 100. The main process is started when the power is turned on. In the flowchart of the process executed by the game control apparatus 100, the step code (number) is represented as “A ***”.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when starting the main process, the game control apparatus 100 first executes a process for prohibiting interruption (A1001). Furthermore, a stack pointer setting process is executed for setting a stack pointer that is the start address of an area in which the value of a register or the like is saved when an interrupt occurs (A1002).

  Subsequently, register bank 0 is designated as the register bank to be used (A1003), and the upper address of the RAM top address is set in a predetermined register (A1004). For example, when the RAM address is in the range of 0000h to 01FFh, 00h is set as the upper address.

  Next, the game control device 100 outputs a firing prohibition signal and sets the firing permission signal to a prohibited state (A1005). The firing permission signal is set to a prohibited state when at least one of the game control device 100 and the payout control device 200 outputs a firing prohibition signal, and the launch of the game ball is prohibited. After that, the game control device 100 reads the state of the input port 1 (first input port 122) (A1006).

  Furthermore, the game control device 100 sets a power supply delay timer (A1007). By setting a predetermined initial value in the power supply delay timer, a program of slave control means (for example, payout control apparatus 200 or effect control apparatus 300) that performs various controls in accordance with instructions from game control apparatus 100 serving as main control means A waiting time (for example, 3 seconds) is set for waiting until the computer starts normally. As a result, when the power is turned on, the game control device 100 is first started up and the command is sent to the slave control device before the slave control device (for example, the payout control device 200 or the production control device 300) is started up. Can avoid missing commands. That is, the game control device 100 delays the start of the main control means (game control device 100) and waits for the start of the slave control devices (the payout control device 200, the effect control device 300, etc.) when the power is turned on. A standby means for setting the standby time is provided.

  The power supply delay timer is measured using a storage area (a RAM area or a register that is not subject to validity determination) that is not a target for RAM validity determination (checksum calculation). Thereby, when calculating check data such as the checksum of the RAM area, it is not necessary to exclude a part of the RAM area, so that it is possible to prevent the control at power-on from becoming complicated.

  Note that an initialization switch signal is input to the first input port 122, and the operation of the initialization switch 112 is reliably performed by reading the state of the first input port 122 before the start of the standby time. It can be detected. In other words, if the state of the initialization switch 112 is read after the standby time has elapsed, the initialization switch 112 is operated after waiting for the standby time to elapse, or the initialization switch 112 is operated from when the power is turned on until the standby time elapses. It is necessary to continue doing. However, by reading the status before the start of the standby time, it can be detected by operating immediately after turning on the power without performing such troublesome operations. Can be prevented from being accepted.

  When the power supply delay timer is set (A1007), the game control apparatus 100 performs the time measurement of the standby time and the process of monitoring the occurrence of a power failure during the standby time (A1008 to A1012).

  When the power failure monitoring process is started, the game control device 100 first sets the number of times (for example, twice) that the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 400 is read and checked via the port and the data bus (for example, two times). A1008), it is determined whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on (A1009).

  When the power failure monitoring signal is on (the result of A1009 is “Y”), the gaming control device 100 determines whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on for the number of checks set in the process of step A1008. Determine (A1010). If the power failure monitoring signal is not on for the number of checks (the result of A1010 is “N”), the process returns to the process of determining whether or not the power failure monitoring signal in step A1009 is on.

  In addition, when the game control device 100 determines that the power failure monitoring signal remains on for the number of checks (the result of A1010 is “Y”), that is, when it is determined that a power failure has occurred, the gaming machine Wait until the power is turned off. In this way, it is possible to prevent a power outage from being erroneously detected due to noise, etc. by determining that a power outage has occurred when the power outage monitoring signal is continuously received for a predetermined period of time, and appropriately deal with problems at power-on. can do.

  That is, the game control device 100 serves as a power failure monitoring means for monitoring the occurrence of a power failure during a predetermined standby time. As a result, it is possible to cope with a power failure that occurs during the period in which the activation of the game control device 100 that constitutes the main control means is delayed, and it is possible to appropriately deal with a problem at the time of power-on. Note that access to the RAM is not permitted until the end of the standby time, and the stored contents at the time of the previous power shut-off are retained, so backup processing is performed when a power failure occurs here There is no need. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs during the standby time, it is not necessary to back up the RAM, and the control burden can be reduced.

  On the other hand, when the power failure monitoring signal is not on (result of A1009 is “N”), that is, when a power failure has not occurred, the game control device 100 updates the power-on delay timer by −1 (A1011), It is determined whether or not the timer value is 0 (A1012). If the value of the timer is not 0 (the result of A1012 is “N”), that is, if the standby time has not ended, the process returns to the process of setting the number of checks of the power failure monitoring signal in step A1008.

  In addition, when the value of the timer is 0 (the result of A1012 is “Y”), that is, when the standby time has ended, the game control apparatus 100 reads out and writes RWM (read / write) such as RAM or EEPROM. (Memory) access is permitted (A1013), and off-data is output to all output ports (set to no output) (A1014).

  Next, the game control device 100 sets a serial port (a port pre-installed in the game microcomputer 111, which is used for communication with the effect control device 300 and the payout control device 200 in this embodiment) (A1015). ).

  Subsequently, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the setting change device 42 is on, that is, whether or not the setting change device 42 is in a state in which the setting can be changed (A1016). For example, when the key switch of the setting change device 42 is turned on due to a key being inserted or the like, it can be determined that the setting change device 42 is turned on.

  When the setting change device 42 is on (the result of A1016 is “Y”), the game control device 100 executes a setting change process for changing the setting (A1017). In the setting change process, every time the button switch of the setting change device 42 is pressed by the operator, the setting of the gaming machine 10 is changed and selected as setting 1 → setting 2 → setting 3 → setting 1. Instead of operating the button switch, the setting may be changed by rotating the key to a predetermined position. Then, the selected setting values 1 to 3 are displayed on the 7-segment display of the setting change device 42. When the key switch of the setting change device 42 is turned off, for example, when the key is removed, the setting (that is, the setting value) is confirmed and stored in the setting information storage area in the RWM (storage means), and the setting changing process is completed. To do. The 7-segment display of the setting change device 42 may be changed in direct association with the operation of the button switch via an electric circuit, or may be changed via the game microcomputer 111.

  When the setting change device 42 is not on (the result of A1016 is “N”), the game control device 100 determines whether or not the initialization switch 112 is turned on from the state of the first input port 122 that has been read first. (A1018). Here, it is determined whether or not to execute initialization for clearing the RAM area.

  When the initialization switch 112 is OFF (the result of A1018 is “N”), the game control apparatus 100 determines whether or not the value of the power outage inspection area 1 in the RWM is normal power outage inspection area check data. Determine (A1019). If it is normal (the result of A1019 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not the value of the power failure inspection area 2 in the RWM is normal power interruption inspection area check data (A1020).

  Furthermore, if the value of the power failure inspection area 2 is normal (the result of A1020 is “Y”), the game control apparatus 100 calculates a checksum for a predetermined area in the RWM (a legitimacy determination unit). Is executed (A1021), and it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum matches the checksum at the time of power-off (A1022). If the checksums match (the result of A1022 is “Y”), the process proceeds to step A1023 in FIG. 5B, and the process in the case of normal recovery from a power failure is executed.

  If the processing in steps A1021 and A1022 is performed separately in the setting information storage area and the game information storage area in the RWM, only the area where the mismatch is detected in the subsequent steps A1028-A1032. May be initialized (for the game information storage area) or set to the default setting (for the setting information storage area), even if a mismatch is detected in one area, The area may be initialized (for the game information storage area) and default settings (for the setting information storage area). For example, if an abnormality (checksum mismatch) in the setting information storage area is detected, it is determined that the incorrect setting information is saved in the setting information storage area in step A1031, and the default setting is set in the setting information storage area. Setting information (for example, setting 1) can be saved as an initial value. The game information storage area is an area for storing game information (for example, random number, customer waiting demonstration information, production mode setting, etc.) related to the game (variable display game).

  In addition, the game control device 100 checks the check data of the power failure inspection area when the setting change process is performed (result of A1016 is “Y”), when the initialization switch 112 is ON (result of A1018 is “Y”). 5B is determined to be not normal data (the result of A1019 is “N” or the result of A1020 is “N”), and the checksum is not normal (the result of A1022 is “N”), FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step A1028 to execute the initialization process. That is, the setting change device 42 and the initialization switch 112 constitute an initialization operation unit that can be operated from the outside, and the game control device 100 stores the data stored in the RAM based on the operation of the initialization operation unit. Provides an initialization means for initialization. In the case of changing the setting, since the initialization after the setting change process is performed before determining whether the initialization switch 112 is turned on, the initialization by the setting change and the switch 112 are turned on. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which initialization is not performed repeatedly.

  The game control apparatus 100 saves the initial value at the time of power failure recovery in the area to be initialized (A1023). The areas to be initialized are a power failure inspection area, a checksum area, and an area related to error fraud monitoring. The setting information storage area is excluded from the area to be initialized. The busy signal status area for storing the state of the payout busy signal, which is a signal indicating whether or not the payout control device 200 can accept the command, is also cleared, indicating that the state of the payout busy signal has not been determined. Undefined state. After that, the game control device 100 examines an area for storing the game state in the RWM and determines whether or not the game state is a high probability state (A1024).

  Here, when the gaming state is not the high probability state (the result of A1024 is “N”), the game control device 100 skips the processing of step A1025 and step A1026 and proceeds to the processing of step A1027. On the other hand, if the gaming state is a high probability state (the result of A1024 is “Y”), the ON information is saved in the high probability notification flag area (A1025), for example, a high probability notification LED provided in the collective display device 50, for example. The (error indicator) ON (lighting) data is saved in the segment area (A1026). And the command at the time of a power failure restoration corresponding to the process number prepared in order to rationally execute the special figure game process described later is transmitted to the effect control board (effect control device 300) (A1027), and step A1033 Execute the process.

  On the other hand, when the processing of step A1028 is executed after execution of steps A1018, A1019, A1020, and A1022, the game control device 100 sets the RAM access prohibited area to access permission (A1028). Further, all the RAM areas (including the busy signal status area) except for the setting information storage area are cleared to 0 (A1029), and the RAM access prohibition area is set to access prohibition (A1030). The process of step A1029 constitutes an initialization means for initializing (clearing) an area other than the setting information storage area in the storage means (RAM).

  And the game control apparatus 100 saves the initial value at the time of RAM initialization in the area | region which should be initialized (A1031). The area to be initialized here is, for example, a partial area of the game information storage area (an area related to customer waiting demo information, an area related to setting of the effect mode, etc.). Basically, the setting information storage area is not an area to be initialized, but if the checksum is not normal (result of A1022 is “N”), incorrect setting information is saved in the setting information storage area. Therefore, prescribed setting information (for example, setting 1 which is a default setting) may be saved in the setting information storage area as an initial value. As described above, the checksum may be calculated separately for the setting information storage area and the game information storage area in the RWM, and when either checksum of the setting information storage area or the game information storage area is not normal In this case, values and information may be saved only in an abnormal area, or values and information may be saved in both areas. Furthermore, the game control device 100 transmits a command at the time of RAM initialization to the effect control board (effect control device 300) (A1032), and executes the process of step A1033.

  Note that the power failure recovery command transmitted in step A1027 and the RAM initialization command transmitted in step A1032 include the model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine, and the suspension of special figures 1 and 2. A decoration special figure 1 holding number command indicating a number and a decoration special figure 2 holding number command, and a probability information command indicating a probability state are included. Furthermore, the command at the time of power failure restoration and the command at the time of RAM initialization include a setting information command indicating setting information (setting value and setting information) of the gaming machine 10 and a power supply restoration (turn-on). The recovery screen command shown is included. In addition, depending on the state when the power is turned off or when the power is turned on, if the customer is waiting when the power is turned off, a customer waiting demo command is included. Furthermore, an effect mode information command indicating the state of the effect mode depending on the model, and a time-saving count information command indicating the number of remaining games in the time-saving state are included. Since the initialization of the RAM is performed when the power is restored (turned on), the RAM initialization command includes a RAM indicating that the RAM has been initialized (cleared) in addition to the command at the time of power failure restoration. An initialization command is also included. The game control device 100 only needs to transmit the setting information command to the effect control device 300 only once when the power is restored (turned on), and the effect control device 300 subsequently performs effect control with reference to the setting information stored by itself. Do.

  The game control device 100 activates a CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) circuit that generates a timer interrupt signal and a random number update trigger signal (CTC) in the game microcomputer 111 (clock generator) (A1033). The CTC circuit is provided in a clock generator in the gaming microcomputer 111. The clock generator divides an oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the oscillation circuit 113 and a timer interrupt signal having a predetermined period (for example, 4 milliseconds) to the CPU 111a based on the divided signal. And a CTC circuit for generating a signal CTC for giving a trigger for updating the random number supplied to the random number generation circuit.

  After executing the CTC activation process of step A1033, the game control apparatus 100 activates and sets the random number generation circuit (A1034). Specifically, the CPU 111a performs setting of a code (specified value) for activating the random number generation circuit in a predetermined register (CTC update permission register) in the random number generation circuit. Also, a bit transposition pattern of a hard random number (here, a big hit random number) generated by the hardware of the random number generation circuit is set.

  Bit transposition pattern is a method of permutation when the extracted random bit arrangement (the arrangement before the upper bit transposition) is replaced in a predetermined order and stored as a different bit arrangement (the arrangement after the lower bit transposition). It is a pattern that defines

  In the present embodiment, by replacing the bits of the random numbers according to the bit transposition pattern, the regularity of the random numbers can be broken and the confidentiality of the random numbers can be improved. The bit transposition pattern may be a fixed single pattern or may be selected from a plurality of patterns prepared in advance. Further, the user may arbitrarily set it.

  After that, the game control device 100 extracts the value of a predetermined register (soft random number registers 1 to n) in the random number generation circuit at the time of power-on, and corresponding various initial value random numbers (random numbers that determine the big hit symbol (big hit symbol) RWM as the initial value (start value) of a random area, a big hit symbol random number 2), a random number that determines the hit of a normal figure (per random number), a random number that determines a hit symbol of a normal figure (per random symbol), etc. (A1035) and interrupt is permitted (A1036). The random number generation circuit in the CPU 111a used in the present embodiment is configured such that the initial value of the soft random number register changes every time the power is turned on, and this value is used as the initial value (start value) of various initial value random numbers. By doing so, it is possible to break the regularity of random numbers generated by software, making it difficult for a player to obtain illegal random numbers.

  Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes an initial value random number update process for updating the values of various initial value random numbers and breaking the regularity of the random numbers (A1037). Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the big hit random number, the big hit symbol random number, and the hit random number are configured to be generated using random numbers generated in a random number generation circuit. However, the big hit random number is a so-called “high-speed counter” that is updated based on a clock with a speed equal to or higher than the CPU operating clock. The big hit symbol random number and the hit random number have the same period as the timer interrupt processing that is the processing unit of the program. Is a “low-speed counter” that is updated based on the CTC output (CTC (CTC2) different from CTC (CTC0) for timer interrupt processing).

  In the big hit symbol random number and the hit symbol random number, a so-called “initial value changing method” is adopted in which each initial value random number (generated by software) is used to change the start value every time the random number goes around. Each random number may be updated by a counter by +1 or 1, or may be updated by a random method in which all values within a range appear without overlapping until one round is completed. That is, the big hit random number is a random number that is updated only by hardware, and the big hit symbol random number is a random number that is updated by hardware and software.

  After the initial value random number update process in step A1037, the game control device 100 sets the number of times of reading and checking the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 400 via the port and the data bus (A1038), and monitoring the power failure. It is determined whether or not the signal is on (A1039). If the power failure monitoring signal is not on (the result of A1039 is “N”), the process returns to the initial value random number update process of step A1037. That is, when no power failure has occurred, the initial value random number update processing and the power failure monitoring signal check (loop processing) are repeated. By permitting an interrupt before the initial value random number update process (A1037) (A1036), if a timer interrupt occurs during the initial value random number update process, the interrupt process is preferentially executed. It is possible to prevent the interruption process from being pressed by waiting in the value random number update process.

  Note that the initial value random number update process of step A1037 includes a method of performing the initial value random number update process in the timer interrupt process in addition to the main process. When such a method is adopted, both of the initial value random number update processes are performed. In order to avoid the execution of the update process, when the initial value random number update process is performed in the main process, it is necessary to disable the interrupt and then update and release the interrupt. On the other hand, if the initial value random number update process in the timer interrupt process is not performed as in the present embodiment and only in the main process, there is no problem even if the interrupt is canceled before the initial value random number update process. This has the advantage that the main process is simplified.

  When the power failure monitoring signal is on (the result of A1039 is “Y”), the game control device 100 determines whether or not the power failure monitoring signal is on for the number of checks set in the process of step A1038. Determine (A1040). If the power failure monitoring signal is not on for the number of checks (the result of A1040 is “N”), the process returns to step A1039 to determine whether the power failure monitoring signal is on.

  Further, the game control device 100 once interrupts when the power failure monitoring signal is on for the number of checks (the result of A1040 is “Y”), that is, when it is determined that a power failure has occurred. Is prohibited (A1041), and off data is output to all output ports (A1042).

  Thereafter, the game control device 100 saves the power failure inspection area check data 1 in the power failure inspection area 1 (A1043), and saves the power failure inspection area check data 2 in the power failure inspection area 2 (A1044). Further, a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum when the RWM is turned off is executed (A1045), and the calculated checksum is saved (A1046). Finally, a process for prohibiting access to the RWM is executed (A1047), and the system waits until the gaming machine is powered off.

  In this way, the check data is saved in the power failure inspection area and the checksum at the time of power shutoff is calculated to determine whether the information stored in the RWM before the power shut down is properly backed up. It can be judged at the time of re-input.

  From the above, the main control means (game control apparatus 100) for overall control of the game, and the slave control means (payout control apparatus 200, effect control apparatus 300, etc.) for performing various controls in accordance with instructions from the main control means. ), The main control means is a standby means (game control apparatus) for setting a predetermined standby time for delaying the start of the main control means and waiting for the start of the slave control device when the power is turned on. 100) and a power failure monitoring means (game control device 100) for monitoring the occurrence of a power failure during the predetermined waiting time.

  The power supply device 400 includes a power supply device 400 that supplies power to various devices. The power supply device 400 is configured to output a power failure monitoring signal when the occurrence of a power failure is detected, and the power failure monitoring means (game control device 100) When a power failure monitoring signal is continuously received over a predetermined period, it is determined that a power failure has occurred.

  Also, the main control means (game control device 100) is based on the RAM 111c capable of storing data, an initialization operation unit (initialization switch) operable from the outside, and the operation of the initialization operation unit. An initialization means (game control device 100) for initializing data stored in the RAM 111c, and the operation state of the initialization means is read before the start of the waiting time.

  In addition, the main control means (game control apparatus 100) permits access to the RAM 111c after the standby time has elapsed.

[Timer interrupt processing]
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing. The timer interrupt process is started when a periodic timer interrupt signal generated by the CTC circuit in the clock generator is input to the CPU 111a. When a timer interrupt occurs in the gaming microcomputer 111, timer interrupt processing is started.

  When the timer interrupt process is started, the game control device 100 first designates the register bank 1 as a register bank to be used (A1301), and sets the upper address of the RAM head address in a predetermined register (A1302). Switching from register bank 0 used in the main process to register bank 1 at the start of the timer interrupt process is equivalent to saving the register used in the main process. When timer interrupt processing is started, the interrupt is automatically disabled.

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 executes input processing for inputting from various sensors and switches, capturing signals, that is, reading the state of each input port (A1303). Further, based on the output data set in various processes, an output process for performing drive control of an actuator such as a solenoid (large winning opening solenoid 39b) is executed (A1304). If a firing prohibition signal is output in the processing of step A1005 in the main processing, a firing permission signal is output by performing this output processing, and the firing permission signal can be set to a permitted state. .

  Next, the game control device 100 executes payout command transmission processing for outputting the command set in the transmission buffer in various processing to the payout control device 200 (A1305), and further, random number update processing 1 (A1306), random number update Process 2 (A1307) is executed. After that, it is monitored whether there is a normal signal input from the start port 1 switch 36a, the start port 2 switch 37a, the gate switch 34a, the winning port switch 35a, and the big winning port switch 39a, and error monitoring (such as the front frame and the like). A prize opening switch / status monitoring process is executed (A1308).

  Further, a special figure game process for performing a process related to the special figure variable display game is executed (A1309), and then a general figure game process for performing a process related to the normal figure variable display game is executed (A1310).

  Next, the game control device 100 is provided in the gaming machine 10 and executes a segment LED editing process for driving a segment LED that displays special information variation game and various information related to the game to display desired contents. (A1311).

  Furthermore, the game control apparatus 100 executes a magnet fraud monitoring process that checks the detection signal from the magnetic sensor switch 61 to determine whether there is any abnormality (A1312). Furthermore, a radio wave fraud monitoring process (panel radio wave fraud monitoring process) for checking whether there is any abnormality by checking the detection signal from the radio wave sensor 62 of the game board is executed (A1313).

  After that, the game control device 100 executes an external information editing process for setting a signal to be output to various external devices in the output buffer (A1314). Thereafter, the timer interrupt process is terminated. Note that, when the timer interrupt process returns, the interrupt disabled state and the register bank specification are automatically restored, but depending on the CPU used, the interrupt is permitted after the external information editing process. Or a process of returning the register bank designation to the register bank 0 may be performed.

[Special Figure Game Processing]
Next, details of the special game process (A1309) in the timer interrupt process described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure game process. In the special figure game process, the input of the start port 1 switch 36a and the start port 2 switch 37a is monitored, the entire process related to the special figure variation display game is controlled, and the special figure display is set.

  First, the game control device 100 executes a start port switch monitoring process for monitoring a winning of the start port 1 switch 36a and the start port 2 switch 37a (A2601). In the start port switch monitoring process, when a game ball wins the normal variation winning device 37 that forms the start winning port 36 and the second starting winning port, various random numbers (such as big hit random numbers) are extracted, and special figure fluctuation display based on the winning is made. Prior to the start of the game, a game result preliminary determination is performed in which a game result based on a prize is determined in advance. The details of the start port switch monitoring process will be described later.

  Next, the game control device 100 executes a special winning opening switch monitoring process (A2602). In the big winning opening switch monitoring process, the detection of the game ball by the count switch 39a provided in the special variable winning device 39 is monitored. Details of the special winning opening switch monitoring process will be described later.

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 updates -1 (subtracts 1) (A2603) if the special figure game processing timer is not 0. The special game process timer is timed by the interrupt period (4 msec) of the timer interrupt process by updating -1. The minimum value of the special figure game processing timer is set to zero. Next, it is determined whether or not the special figure game processing timer is 0 (A2604). If the special figure game process timer is not 0 (the result of A2604 is “N”), the process proceeds to step A2619.

  If the special game process timer is 0 (the result of A2604 is “Y”), that is, if the time has expired or has already expired, the game control apparatus 100 corresponds to the special figure game process number. A special figure game sequence branch table to be referred to for branching to the process is set in the register (A2605). Further, the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the special figure game process number is acquired using the special figure game sequence branch table (A2606). Subsequently, a subroutine call is made with a special figure game process number, and a game branch process corresponding to the special figure game process number is executed (A2607).

  When the game process number is “0” in step A2607, the game control apparatus 100 monitors the start of fluctuation of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the fluctuation start of the special figure fluctuation display game, sets the effect, A special figure routine process for setting information necessary for performing the special figure changing process is executed (A2608). Details of the special figure routine processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the game process number is “1” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets a special figure stop display time, special information for performing special figure display processing, and the like. The process during the figure change is executed (A2609). For example, in the special symbol changing process, necessary information such as a symbol stop command indicating the stop of the special symbol and a stop display time corresponding to the stop symbol pattern is set, and the processing number “2” related to the special symbol display process is set. Set and save in the special figure game process number area.

  When the game processing number is “2” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets the fanfare command according to the type of jackpot or sets each jackpot if the game result of the special figure variation display game is a jackpot. A special chart display process is performed for setting the fanfare time according to the special winning opening opening pattern, setting information necessary for performing the fanfare / interval process (A2610). For example, in the special figure display process, if the result of the special figure change display game is a big hit, set necessary information such as the fanfare command and fanfare time, and set the process number “3” related to the fanfare / interval processing. Save in the special figure game process number area. If the result of the special figure variation display game is not a big hit, a process number “0” related to the special figure normal process is set and saved in the special figure game process number area.

  When the game process number is “3” in step A2607, the game control apparatus 100 sets the opening time of the big prize opening, updates the number of times of opening, and processes information necessary for performing the big prize opening opening process. Processing during fanfare / interval for setting and the like is executed (A2611). For example, in the fanfare / interval processing, necessary information such as the round command corresponding to the round of the round game to be executed and the opening time of the big prize opening is set, and the processing number “4” relating to the processing during the big prize opening is set. Set and save in the special figure game process number area.

  When the game process number is “4” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets an interval command if the big hit round is not the final round, while setting an ending command if the final round is, A process for opening a special winning opening is performed to set information necessary for performing the special winning opening remaining ball process (A2612). For example, in the special prize opening opening process, necessary information such as an interval command and an ending command is set, and a process number “5” relating to the special prize remaining ball process is set and saved in the special game process number area.

  When the game process number is “5” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets a time for discharging the remaining balls in the big winning opening if the big hit round is the final round, A big winning opening remaining ball process for setting information necessary for the big hit end process is executed (A2613). For example, in the process during opening of the big prize opening, if it is not the final round, the interval time is saved in the special game process timer area, the process number “3” related to the fanfare / interval process is set, and the special game process number area is set. Save. If it is the final round, the ending time is saved in the special figure game process timer area, the process number “6” relating to the big hit end process is set and saved in the special figure game process number area.

  When the game process number is “6” in step A2607, the game control apparatus 100 executes a jackpot end process for setting information necessary for executing the special figure routine process (A2614). For example, in the jackpot end process, the probability state after the jackpot state end or the power transmission support state after the jackpot state end (based on the probability variation determination data corresponding to the stop symbol number (big hit symbol number) of the special figure variation display game ( The necessary information such as the time reduction state is set, a process number “0” relating to the special figure normal process is set, and the special figure game process number area is saved. The probability variation judgment data includes the probability state (high probability / low probability) after the jackpot state ends, and the number of continuous games in the power support state (short time state) after the jackpot state ends (time shortening variation count, power support count) ) Information is included.

  When the process based on the special figure game process number is completed, the game control apparatus 100 prepares a special figure 1 fluctuation control table for controlling the fluctuation of the special figure 1 display 51 (A2615), and then the special figure 1 display. The symbol variation control process according to 51 is executed (A2616). And after preparing the special figure 2 fluctuation | variation control table for controlling the fluctuation | variation of the special figure 2 indicator 52 (A2617), the symbol fluctuation | variation control process which concerns on the special figure 2 indicator 52 is performed (A2618).

[Starter switch monitoring process]
Next, the details of the start port switch monitoring process (A2601) in the special figure game process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the start port switch monitoring process.

  First, the game control device 100 prepares a winning monitoring table for the starting winning port 36 (starting port 1) (A2701), executes a hard random number acquisition process (A2702), and determines whether or not there is a winning at the starting winning port 36. Is determined (A2703). If there is no winning at the start winning opening 36 (the result of A2703 is “N”), the processing after step A2709 is executed. On the other hand, if there is a winning at the start winning opening 36 (the result of A2703 is "Y"), it is determined whether or not the special drawing time is short (in the normal power support state) (A2704).

  When it is determined that the game control device 100 is not in the special drawing time reduction (in the normal power support state) (the result of A2704 is “N”), the game control device 100 executes the processing after step A2707. On the other hand, if it is in the special drawing time (in the normal power support state) (the result of A2704 is “Y”), a right-handed instruction notification command is prepared as an effect command (A2705), and an effect command setting process is executed ( A2706). In the effect command setting process, the effect command is written in the serial transmission buffer, and the effect command is transmitted to the effect control device 300.

  That is, in the normal power support state (short-time state), a right-handed instruction notification command is prepared and an effect command setting process is executed regardless of the probability state (high probability state / low probability state) of the variable display game. . In the case of the present embodiment, a winning is not made unless the start winning opening 36 is left-handed, and a winning is not made unless the right-handed winning device 37 is right-handed. If the player does not hit right, the game ball does not pass through the normal start gate 34. Therefore, the right-handed is more advantageous than the left-handed in the power-powered support state (short-time state). However, when the start winning opening 36 is won during the power-powered support state (that is, in the power-powered support state) Left-handed), a right-handed instruction notification command is transmitted to the effect control device 300, and the effect control device 300 performs notification (warning) instructing to make a right-hand shot by the display device 41 or the like.

  Next, the game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on hold by the start winning port 36 (start port 1) (A2707), and then executes the special figure start port switch common process (A2708). Then, a winning monitoring table for the second starting winning opening (ordinary variable winning device 37) is prepared (A2709), a hard random number acquisition process is executed (A2710), and whether or not there is a winning at the second starting winning opening. Determine (A2711). If there is no winning at the second start winning opening (the result of A2711 is “N”), the start opening switch monitoring process is terminated.

  On the other hand, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the ordinary electric accessory (ordinary variable winning device 37) is in operation when there is a prize at the second start prize opening (the result of A2711 is “Y”). That is, it is determined whether or not the normal variation winning device 37 is in an open state in which a game ball can be won (A2712). If the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (the result of A2712 is “Y”), the process proceeds to step A2714.

  On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is not in operation (the result of A2712 is “N”), the game control apparatus 100 determines whether or not an ordinary electric power fraud has occurred (A2713). When the number of fraudulent winnings to the normal variation winning device 37 is equal to or larger than the number of fraud determinations (for example, 5), it is determined that the normal power fraud is occurring. The normal variation winning device 37 cannot win a game ball in the closed state, and can win a game ball only in the open state. Accordingly, when the game ball wins in the closed state, it is a case where some abnormality or fraud occurs, and when there is a game ball won in such a closed state, the number is counted as an illegal winning number. Then, when the number of illegal winnings counted in this way is equal to or larger than a predetermined fraud occurrence determination number (upper limit value), it is determined that fraud has occurred.

  The game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on hold by the second start winning opening (ordinary variable winning device 37) when the ordinary electric power fraud has not occurred (the result of A2713 is "N") (A2714) Then, the special figure start port switch common process is executed (A2715), and the start port switch monitoring process is terminated. In addition, when it is determined in A2713 that the power transmission fraud has occurred (the result of A2713 is “Y”), the start port switch monitoring process is also terminated. That is, the second start memory is not generated any more.

[Special figure start port switch common processing]
Next, details of the special-purpose start port switch common process (A2708, A2715) in the start port switch monitoring process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure start port switch common process. The special figure start port switch common process is a process performed in common for each input when there is an input from the start port 1 switch 36a or the start port 2 switch 37a.

  The game control device 100 first outputs the information regarding the number of winnings to the monitored start port switch among the start port 1 switch 36a and the start port 2 switch 37a to the management device outside the gaming machine 10. The starting port signal output count is loaded (A2901), the loaded value is updated by +1 (A2902), and it is determined whether the output count overflows (A2903). If the number of outputs does not overflow (the result of A2903 is “N”), the updated value is saved in the start signal output number area of the RWM (A2904), and the process proceeds to step A2905. On the other hand, if the number of outputs overflows (the result of A2903 is “Y”), the process proceeds to step A2905. In the present embodiment, values from “0” to “255” can be stored in the start port signal output frequency area. When the loaded value is “255”, the updated value becomes “0” by +1 update, and it is determined that the output count overflows.

  Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the number of special figure reservations (starting memory number) to be updated corresponding to the monitoring target starting port switch among the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a is less than the upper limit value. Is determined (A2905). If the number of special figure hold to be updated is not less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is “N”), the special figure start port switch common process is terminated. If the number of special figure reservations to be updated is less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is “Y”), the number of special figure reservations to be updated (the number of special figure reservations or the number of special figure 2 reservations) is updated by one. (A2906), and saves the target start opening winning flag (A2907).

  Next, the game control device 100 calculates the address of the random number storage area corresponding to the start port switch to be monitored and the number of reserved special figures (A2908), and stores the big hit random number prepared in step A2805 as the big hit random number of the RWM. Save in the area (A2909). Next, the jackpot symbol random number of the starter switch to be monitored is extracted, prepared (A2910), and saved in the jackpot symbol random number storage area of the RWM (A2911).

  Next, the game control device 100 saves the variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 in the corresponding variation pattern random number storage area of the RWM (A2912), and executes special figure hold information determination processing (A2913). In the special figure hold information determination process, the pre-read stop symbol command corresponding to the saved jackpot random number or the stop symbol information based on the jackpot symbol random number, or the first half variation number (pre-reach variation number) based on the saved variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 And the prefetch variation pattern command corresponding to the latter half variation number (the variation number after reach) is set as an effect command. Then, a decoration special figure hold number command corresponding to the start opening switch to be monitored and the special figure hold number is prepared as an effect command (A2914), and an effect command setting process (A2915) is executed to share the special figure start port switch. End the process.

  Here, the game control device 100 (RAM 111c) extracts a predetermined random number based on the inflow of game balls to the start winning area of the start winning opening 36 or the normal variation winning device 37, and becomes the right to execute the variable display game. A starting storage means for storing a predetermined number as an upper limit as starting storage is provided. In addition, the start storage means (game control device 100) uses, as a first start storage, various random number values extracted based on winning of game balls to the first start winning opening (start winning opening 36) up to a predetermined number. The random number value stored based on the winning of the game ball to the second start winning opening (ordinary variable winning device 37) is stored as the second start storage up to a predetermined number.

[Special figure routine processing]
Next, details of the special figure routine process (A2608) in the special figure game process will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure normal processing.

  The game control device 100 first determines whether or not the special figure 2 hold number (second start memory number) is 0 (A3201). When the special figure 2 hold number is 0 (the result of A3201 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not the special figure 1 hold number (first start memory number) is 0 (A3206). If the number of special figure 1 hold is 0 (the result of A3206 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not the customer waiting demonstration has been started (A3211), and if the customer waiting demonstration has not been started (A3211). If the result is “N”), a customer waiting demo flag is set in the customer waiting demo flag area (A3212).

  Subsequently, the game control apparatus 100 prepares a customer waiting demo command as an effect command (A3213), performs an effect command setting process (A3214), and proceeds to the process of step A3215. On the other hand, if the customer waiting demo has already started in step A3211 (result of A3211 is “Y”), “0” related to the special figure normal process is set as the process number (A3215), and the special figure game process number is set. The process number is saved in the area (A3216), and the variation symbol discrimination flag area is cleared (A3217). Then, the fraud monitoring period flag is saved in the special prize opening fraud monitoring period flag area (A3218), and the special figure routine processing is terminated.

  In addition, when the special figure 2 hold number is not 0 (the result of A3201 is “N”), the game control apparatus 100 executes a special figure 2 change start process (A3202), and the decoration special corresponding to the special figure 2 hold number is executed. A figure hold number command (decoration special figure 2 hold number command) is prepared as an effect command (A3203), and an effect command setting process is executed (A3204). Then, the special-fluctuation changing process transition setting process of special figure 2 is executed (A3205), and the special figure usual process is terminated.

  In addition, when the special figure 1 hold number is not 0 (the result of A3206 is “N”), the game control apparatus 100 executes a special figure 1 change start process (A3207), and the decoration special corresponding to the special figure 1 hold number is executed. A figure hold number command (decoration special figure 1 hold number command) is prepared as an effect command (A3208), and an effect command setting process is executed (A3209). Then, the special-figure changing process transition setting process shown in FIG.

  In this way, by checking the special figure 2 hold number before the special figure 1 hold number check, if the special figure 2 hold number is not 0, the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (A3202) is executed. The Rukoto. That is, the special figure 2 variable display game is executed in preference to the special figure 1 variable display game. That is, when the game control device 100 has the second start memory in the second start memory means (game control device 100), the variable display game based on the second start memory is displayed as the variable display based on the first start memory. Priority control means for executing with priority over the game.

[Special Figure 1 Change Start Processing]
Next, the details of the special figure 1 fluctuation start process (A3207) in the special figure ordinary process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure 1 fluctuation start process. The special figure 1 fluctuation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 1 fluctuation display game.

  The game control device 100 saves the special figure 1 variation flag indicating the type of special figure variation display game to be executed (here, special figure 1) in the variation symbol discrimination area (A3401). Subsequently, a big hit flag 1 setting process for setting shift information and big hit information to the big hit flag 1 for determining whether or not the special figure 1 variable display game is a big hit is executed (A3402). Details of the big hit flag 1 setting process will be described later.

  Next, the game control device 100 executes a special figure 1 stop symbol setting process relating to the setting of the special figure 1 stop symbol (symbol information) related to the special figure 1 variable display game (A3403). In the special figure 1 stop symbol setting process, the stop symbol number at the time of loss or big hit, and the loss stop symbol pattern or the big hit stop symbol pattern corresponding to this stop symbol number are saved. Then, a special decoration figure command corresponding to the stop symbol pattern is prepared as an effect command, and an effect command setting process is executed. Also, the number-of-rounds information (round upper limit value) corresponding to the stop symbol number and the probability variation determination data corresponding to the stop symbol number are acquired and saved.

  Further, the game control device 100 executes special figure information setting processing for setting special figure information which is a parameter for setting a variation pattern (A3404).

  Subsequently, the game control device 100 prepares a special figure 1 fluctuation pattern setting information table which is a table in which information for referring to various information related to the setting of the fluctuation pattern of the special figure 1 fluctuation display game is set (A3405). ).

  Thereafter, the game control device 100 executes a variation pattern setting process for setting a variation pattern (variation pattern number) which is a variation mode in the special figure 1 variation display game (A3406). Next, the game control device 100 executes a change start information setting process for setting change start information of the special figure 1 change display game (A3407), and ends the special figure 1 change start process. In the variation start information setting process, a variation time value corresponding to the variation pattern (variation pattern number) is acquired and saved in the special figure game processing timer area. Then, a variation command (MODE, ACTION) corresponding to the variation pattern number is prepared as an effect command, and an effect command setting process is performed.

[Special Figure 2 Variation Start Processing]
Next, the details of the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (A3202) in the special figure ordinary process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure 2 fluctuation start process. The special figure 2 fluctuation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 2 fluctuation display game, and the same process as the special figure 1 fluctuation start process shown in FIG. Is what you do.

  First, the game control device 100 saves a special figure 2 fluctuation flag indicating the type of special figure fluctuation display game to be executed (here, special figure 2) in the fluctuation symbol discrimination area (A3501). Subsequently, a big hit flag 2 setting process for setting deviation information and big hit information to the big hit flag 2 for determining whether or not the special figure 2 variable display game is a big hit is executed (A3502).

  Next, the game control device 100 executes a special figure 2 stop symbol setting process related to the setting of the special figure 2 stop symbol (symbol information) related to the special figure 2 variable display game (A3503). Further, special figure information setting processing for setting special figure information, which is a parameter for setting a variation pattern, is executed (A3504). Subsequently, a special figure 2 fluctuation pattern setting information table, which is a table in which information for referring to various information related to the setting of the fluctuation pattern of the special figure 2 fluctuation display game, is prepared (A3505).

  After that, the game control device 100 executes a variation pattern setting process for setting a variation pattern of the special figure 2 variation display game (A3506). Finally, the fluctuation start information setting process for setting the fluctuation start information of the special figure 2 fluctuation display game is executed (A3507), and the special figure 2 fluctuation start process is ended.

[Big hit flag 1 setting process]
Next, details of the big hit flag 1 setting process (A3402) in the special figure 1 fluctuation start process will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the big hit flag 1 setting process.

  First, the game control device 100 saves deviation information in the big hit flag 1 area (A3601). Next, a big hit random number is loaded from the RWM special figure 1 big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1), prepared (A3602), and the special figure one big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1) is cleared to zero. (A3603). Note that for the number of holdings 1 is an area for storing information (random numbers or the like) about the special figure starting storage whose digestion order is the earliest (here, the earliest in the special figure 1). Thereafter, a jackpot determination process for determining whether the prepared jackpot random number value matches the jackpot determination value or not is executed (A3604).

  When the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3604) is a big hit (the result of A3605 is “Y”), the game control device 100 overwrites the big hit information in the area of the big hit flag 1 in which the loss information is saved in step A3601. Save (A3606) and end the big hit flag 1 setting process. On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3605) is not a big hit (the result of A3605 is “N”), the big hit flag 1 setting process is terminated. Thus, in the present embodiment, the result of the special figure 1 variable display game is either “big hit” or “out of game”.

[Big hit flag 2 setting process]
Next, the details of the big hit flag 2 setting process (A3502) in the special figure 2 fluctuation start process will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the big hit flag 2 setting process. In this process, the same process as that in the big hit flag 1 setting process shown in FIG. 13 is performed for the second start-up memory.

  The game control device 100 first saves the shift information in the big hit flag 2 area (A3701). Next, a big hit random number is loaded from the RWM special figure 2 big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1), prepared (A3702), and the special figure 2 big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1) is cleared to zero. (A3703). Note that for the number of reservations 1 is an area for storing information (random number or the like) about the special figure starting storage whose digestion order is the earliest (here, the earliest in the special figure 2). Thereafter, a jackpot determination process for determining whether the prepared jackpot random number value matches the jackpot determination value or not is executed (A3704).

  When the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3704) is a big hit (the result of A3705 is “Y”), the game control apparatus 100 overwrites the big hit information in the area of the big hit flag 2 in which the loss information is saved in step A3701. Save (A3706) and end the big hit flag 2 setting process. On the other hand, if the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3704) is not a big hit (the result of A3705 is “N”), the big hit flag 2 setting process is terminated while the deviation information is saved in the big hit flag 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, the result of the special figure 2 variable display game is either “big hit” or “out of game”.

[Big hit judgment processing]
Next, details of the big hit determination process (A3605, A3704) in the big hit flag 1 setting process and the big hit flag 2 setting process will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the jackpot determination process. The jackpot determination process is a process common to the jackpot determination process in other processes executed during the timer interrupt process, and is also executed in step A3004 of the special figure hold information determination process.

  The game control device 100 first sets a lower limit determination value of the big hit determination value (A3801), and determines whether or not the target big hit random number is less than the lower limit determination value (A3802). The big hit means that the big hit random number matches the big hit determination value. The big hit judgment value is a plurality of consecutive values, and the big hit random number is greater than or equal to the lower limit judgment value that is the lower limit value of the big hit judgment value and less than or equal to the upper limit judgment value that is the upper limit value of the big hit judgment value It is determined that it is a big hit.

  When the value of the target jackpot random number is less than the lower limit determination value (the result of A3802 is “Y”), the game control device 100 sets a judgment result other than a jackpot (A3807) and ends the jackpot determination process. To do.

  In addition, when the value of the big hit random number is not less than the lower limit determination value (the result of A3802 is “N”), the game control apparatus 100 determines whether or not the big hit occurrence probability is in a high probability state (probability change state). (A3803). If the state is a high probability state (the result of A3803 is “Y”), an upper limit determination value with a high probability is set (A3804). On the other hand, when the state is not a high probability state (the result of A3803 is “N”), an upper limit determination value with a low probability is set (A3805).

  When the upper limit determination value of the jackpot random number value is set, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the target jackpot random number value is larger than the upper limit determination value (A3806). When the value of the big hit random number is larger than the upper limit judgment value (the result of A3806 is “Y”), the judgment result is set to a deviation (other than the big hit) (A3807). On the other hand, if the value of the big hit random number is not larger than the upper limit determination value (the result of A3806 is “N”), the big hit is set as the determination result (A3808). When the determination result is set, the big hit determination process is terminated.

[Big hit probability, big hit symbol distribution]
FIGS. 16A and 16B are tables exemplifying the jackpot probability and jackpot symbol distribution (breakdown breakdown) of the special figure variation display game controlled by the above-described special chart game processing for each setting.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the jackpot probability at the low probability and the jackpot probability at the high probability become higher as the set value becomes larger (high setting), and the jackpot is likely to occur, which is advantageous to the player. It becomes. Note that the jackpot probability is obtained by dividing the difference between the upper limit determination value and the lower limit determination value in FIG. 15 by the range of the jackpot random number value. The jackpot probability can be changed according to the setting information by changing the upper limit determination value and the lower limit determination value or the range of the jackpot random number value corresponding to the setting information (setting value). In another example, only one of the jackpot probability at the low probability and the jackpot probability at the high probability may be configured to increase as the set value increases.

  FIG. 16B illustrates, for each setting, a jackpot symbol table that defines the correspondence between jackpot symbol numbers 1 to 6 (stop symbol numbers) indicating the types of jackpots and the distribution rate. As shown in FIG. 16B, the distribution rate of the jackpot symbol number (type of jackpot) can be changed according to the setting information, and the probability variation entry rate becomes higher as the set value increases, which is advantageous to the player. The probability variation entry rate is the ratio of the probability variation jackpot symbol with a high probability that the probability state after the jackpot end occupies all symbols. In addition, the number of times of ordinary electric power support becomes larger as the set value is larger, which is advantageous for the player, especially with respect to the normal big hit (the probability state after the big hit is low). Note that the ST machine can be configured to increase the number of times the probability variation state continues as the set value increases.

  Further, in FIG. 16B, the number of rounds awarded per jackpot (total number of round games) does not change with respect to the set value, but there is a configuration in which the number of rounds increases as the set value increases. Is possible. In FIG. 16 (B), it is easier to give a larger number of rounds to the big win of the special figure 2 variable display game than the big hit of the special figure 1 variable display game. However, it is more advantageous to the player than the special figure 1 variable display game.

[Normal game processing]
Next, the details of the normal game process (A1310) in the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the normal game process. In the usual game process, the input of the gate switch 34a is monitored, the whole process related to the usual figure change display game is controlled, and the display of the usual figure is set.

  First, the game control device 100 executes a gate switch monitoring process for monitoring an input from the gate switch 34a (A7601).

  Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes a general power prize switch monitoring process for monitoring an input from the start port 2 switch 37a (A7602).

  Next, if the usual game process timer is not 0, the game control apparatus 100 updates -1 (subtracts 1) (A7603). Note that the minimum value of the normal game processing timer is set to zero. Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the value of the normal game process timer has become 0 (A7604).

  When the value of the usual game process timer is 0 (the result of A7604 is “Y”), that is, when the time has expired or has already expired, the game control apparatus 100 sets the ordinary game process number. A general game sequence branch table to be referred to branch to the corresponding process is set in the register (A7605).

  Furthermore, the game control apparatus 100 acquires the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the usual game process number based on the set ordinary game sequence branch table (A7606). Then, a subroutine call based on the usual game process number is performed to execute a game branching process corresponding to the usual game process number (A7607).

  When the game process number is “0” in step A7607, the game control apparatus 100 monitors the start of change of the normal map display game, sets the start of change of the base map display game, sets the effect, The usual figure usual process which performs the setting etc. of information required in order to perform the process during a usual figure change is performed (A7608). Details of the routine processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, when the game process number is “1” in step A7607, the game control apparatus 100 executes a process for changing the normal map for setting information necessary for performing the process for displaying the normal map ( A7609). For example, in the process of changing the normal map, in order to shift to the process of displaying the normal map, “2” is set as the game process number and saved in the normal game process number area, and the normal map display time is set to the normal game display time. Save in the processing timer area.

  In addition, when the game process number is “2” in step A7607, the game control apparatus 100 determines whether the current state of the time-variable display game is successful or not. The processing for displaying a normal map for setting the opening time, setting of information necessary for performing the processing for the normal map, etc. is executed (A7610). For example, in the process for displaying a normal map, when the result of the normal map change display game is a win, in order to shift to the process for the normal map, the game process number is set to “3” and the normal game process number area On the other hand, if the game is off, “0” is set as the game process number to save in the normal game process number area in order to shift to the normal process.

  In addition, when the game process number is “3” in step A7607, the game control apparatus 100 sets the information necessary to continue the process during the normal drawing or to perform the remaining electric ball process. The middle processing is executed per figure (A7611). For example, in the process during the normal game, after setting for opening the normal variation winning device 37 a predetermined number of times, “4” is set as the game process number in order to shift to the ordinary electric ball remaining ball process. Save in the normal game process number area.

  In addition, when the game process number is “4” in step A7607, the game control apparatus 100 executes the general electric ball remaining ball process for setting information necessary for performing the end process for the normal map (A7612). ). For example, in the baseball remaining ball processing, in order to shift to the baseball end processing, the game processing number is set to “5” and saved in the base game processing number area, and the base ending time is set to the base game. Save in the processing timer area.

  In addition, when the game process number is “5” in step A7607, the game control device 100 executes a normal figure end process for setting information necessary for performing the normal figure normal process (A7608). (A7613). For example, in the normal game end process, “0” is set as the game process number and saved in the normal game process number area in order to shift to the normal process.

  After that, the game control device 100 prepares a normal figure fluctuation control table for controlling fluctuations of the normal symbol by the normal figure indicator 53 (A7614). Thereafter, the symbol variation control process related to the control of the variation of the normal symbol by the ordinary symbol display 53 is executed (A7615), and the ordinary symbol game process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the value of the normal game process timer is not 0 (the result of A7604 is “N”), that is, when the time is not up, the game control apparatus 100 executes the processes after step A7614.

[Usually normal processing]
Next, the details of the usual figure routine process (A7608) in the usual figure game process will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the routine of the normal routine process.

  First, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the number of reserved drawings is 0 (A7901). When the number of pending maps is 0 (the result of A7901 is “Y”), the routine for transitioning to the usual chart processing 1 is executed (A7923), and the routine for the usual chart is terminated. In the normal figure normal process transfer setting process 1, in order to shift to the normal figure normal process, “0” is set as the game process number and saved in the normal figure game process number area.

  In addition, when the number of pending reservations is not 0 (the result of A7901 is “N”), the game control device 100 loads the winning random number from the random number storage area (for holding number 1) of the RWM, and the RWM The random symbol random number is loaded from the regular symbol random number storage area (for the number of holdings 1) (A7902). Then, the random number storage area (for holding number 1) per usual figure and the symbol random number storage area (for holding number 1) per usual figure are cleared to 0 (A7903). Furthermore, whether or not the probability of a hit result in the normal map display game is higher than normal (high probability state), that is, whether or not it is in a short time state (normal power support state) Is determined (A7904). The probability per ordinary figure during the high probability is 250/251, and the probability per ordinary figure during the low probability is 0/251.

  The game control apparatus 100 sets a low probability lower limit determination value (here, 251), which is a lower limit determination value during a normal map low probability, when the normal probability is not high (the result of A7904 is “N”) (A7905). If the normal probability is high (the result of A7904 is “Y”), the high probability lower limit determination value (here, 1), which is the lower limit determination value in the normal probability, is set (A7906). Transition to processing.

  The game control apparatus 100 determines whether or not the winning random number is equal to or greater than the upper limit determination value (251 in this case) (A7907). Note that the upper limit judgment value here is common between the high probability of ordinary figures and the low probability of ordinary figures. If the winning random number is greater than or equal to the upper limit determination value (the result of A7907 is “Y”), that is, if it is out of place, the process proceeds to step A7909. When the winning random number is less than the upper limit determination value (the result of A7907 is “N”), it is determined whether the winning random number is less than the lower limit determination value (A7908).

  When the winning random number is less than the lower limit determination value (the result of A7908 is “Y”), that is, in the case of a loss, the game control apparatus 100 saves the shift information in the hit flag area (A7909). Further, the stop symbol number is set as the normal symbol stop symbol number (A7910), the off symbol information is saved in the general symbol stop symbol information area (A7911), and the process proceeds to step A7915.

  When the winning random number is not less than the lower limit judgment value (result of A7908 is “N”), that is, in the case of winning, the game control device 100 saves hit information in the hit flag area (A7912), The corresponding hit stop symbol number is set (A7913), the hit stop symbol information corresponding to the hit stop symbol number is saved in the normal symbol stop symbol information area (A7914), and the process proceeds to step A7915. There may be several types of hit stop symbols.

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 saves the stop symbol number in the normal symbol stop symbol area (A7915), and saves the stop symbol number in the test signal output data area (A7916). Next, a general command corresponding to information related to the general variation display game (particularly, information on hit / miss of the general variation display game) is prepared as an effect command (A7917), and an effect command setting process is executed. (A7918). Then, the random number storage area per ordinary figure is shifted (A7919), the free area after the shift is cleared to 0 (A7920), and the number of reserved figures is updated by -1 (A7921).

  That is, with the execution of the usual figure change display game relating to the oldest number of reserved maps 1, the ranks of the numbers 2 to 4 of the reserved drawings that are on hold after the number 1 of reserved maps are incremented one by one. As a result of this processing, the value for the number of reserved maps in the random number storage area from 2 to 4 is shifted from the value for the number of reserved maps in the random number storage area to 1 for the number of reserved maps in the random number storage area. Will be. Then, the value for the usual figure reservation number 4 in the random number storage area per ordinary figure is cleared, and the usual figure reservation number is decremented by one.

  Next, the game control device 100 executes a normal-fluctuating process transition setting process (A7922), and ends the normal chart normal process. In the process of setting changes in the normal map, in order to shift to the process of changing the normal map, the game process number is set to “1” and saved in the normal game process number area, and the normal map change time is set to the normal level. Save in the game processing timer area.

[Control of production control device]
Below, the control (process) which the production | presentation control apparatus 300 performs with the program for production control is demonstrated.

[Main processing (production control device)]
First, details of the main process executed by the effect control device 300 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing (main program) executed by the effect control device 300. The main process is executed by the main control microcomputer 311 (production microcomputer) when the gaming machine 10 is powered on. In the flowchart of the process executed by the effect control device 300, the step code (number) is represented as “B ***”.

  When the execution of the main process is started, the effect control device 300 first prohibits interruption (B0001). Next, the CPU 311 and VDP 312 are initialized (B0002, B0003), and an interrupt is permitted (B0004). When the interrupt is permitted, a command reception interrupt process for receiving a command transmitted from the game control device 100 is enabled.

  Next, the production control device 300 permits generation of display data to be displayed on the display device 41 and the like (B0005), and sets a random number seed used for random number generation (B0006). Then, the initial value at power-on is saved in the area to be initialized (B0007).

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 clears WDT (watchdog timer) (B0008). The WDT is activated with the above-described CPU initial setting (B0002), and monitors whether the CPU 311 is operating normally. If the WDT is not cleared even after a certain period, the WDT times out and the CPU 311 is reset.

  Thereafter, the effect control device 300 executes an RTC read process for reading time information from an RTC (real time clock) 338 (B0009).

  The RTC read process may be configured to read time information from the RTC 338 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every two hours), and it is not necessary to read time information every time the process moves to step B0009. The RTC reading process may be executed only once when the presentation control device 300 is turned on (that is, when the gaming machine 10 is turned on) (by changing the position of the RTC reading process, for example, steps B0003 and B0004). May run between). The production control device 300 sets a time timer (clocking means) for measuring time in a timer area in the RAM, and reads the time information from the RTC 338 at a predetermined cycle or only once from the RTC 338 when the power is turned on. When the information is read, the time timer (clocking means) may be adjusted to match the time of the RTC 338. And the production | presentation control apparatus 300 may perform various processes using the timer for time. In this way, the number of times of reading the time from the RTC 338 can be reduced, and the load on the CPU 311 is reduced.

  Next, the effect control device 300 detects an operation signal of the effect button 25 (signal of the effect button switch 25a or the touch panel 25b) by the player, or changes the effect content (setting) according to the detected signal. The effect button input process is executed (B0010). Subsequently, hall / player setting mode processing for receiving operations such as changing the brightness and volume of the LED and liquid crystal by the person in charge at the game hall (game shop) or the player is executed (B0011). In the hall / player setting mode process, the player can customize the production according to the production points described later.

  Next, the effect control device 300 executes effect point control processing for adding or clearing effect points (B0012). In the production point control process, the production point is added by performing the production and operation to be added to the production point, and at the end of the game so that the production point can be carried over to the next game, etc. For example, information including information on performance points is displayed on the display device 41 as a QR code (registered trademark). For example, the effect control device 300 can display a QR code (registered trademark) on the display device 41 in the hall / player setting mode process.

  Next, the effect control device 300 executes a random number update process for updating a random number such as an effect random number (B0013), analyzes the received command received from the game control device 100, and executes a corresponding received command check process. (B0014). Details of the received command check process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, the production control device 300 executes a customer waiting demo editing process for editing and controlling the contents of the customer waiting demo displayed on the display device 41 (B0015), and determines the power saving state of the gaming machine 10 waiting for the customer. A power saving control process to be controlled is executed (B0016).

  Next, the effect control device 300 updates various data in accordance with the content displayed on the display device (display means) such as the display device 41, or sets the drawing displayed on the display device 41 in the display frame buffer. The effect display editing process is executed (B0017). The drawing data set at this time can update the image of the display device 41 without any problem as long as the VDP 312 can complete the drawing within a frame period of 1/30 seconds (about 33.3 msec). Then, drawing drawing preparation to the display frame buffer is completed and drawing command preparation end setting is executed (B0018).

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 determines whether it is a frame switching timing (B0019). If it is not the frame switching timing (the result of B0019 is “N”), the process of B0019 is repeated until the frame switching timing is reached, and if it is the frame switching timing (the result of B0019 is “Y”), the display to the display device 41 is performed. The screen drawing is instructed (B0020). Since the frame period of the present embodiment is 1/30 second, for example, when a periodic V blank (image update) every 1/60 seconds (1/2 of the frame period) is executed twice, the frame is switched. . The interval may be further increased without updating the image in 1/60 seconds.

  In addition, the production control device 300 executes a sound control process for controlling the sound output from the speaker 19 (B0021).

  In addition, the effect control device 300 executes a decoration control process for controlling a decoration device (board decoration device 46, frame decoration device 18) made of LEDs or the like (B0022). In the decoration control process, for example, light emission control of a decoration device such as an LED is executed.

  Furthermore, the effect control device 300 executes a movable body control process for controlling an effect device (board effect device 44) such as an electric accessory driven by a motor and a solenoid (B0023). In the movable body control process, for example, an accessory action effect for driving a motor is set.

  Then, the effect control device 300 returns to the process B0008 after completing the process B0023 described above. Thereafter, the processing from B0008 to B0023 is repeated.

[Received command check processing]
Next, the details of the received command check process (B0014) in the main process (FIG. 19) described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the received command check process executed by the effect control device 300.

  First, the effect control device 300 loads the value of the command reception counter in the command reception counter area of the RAM as the command reception number in order to check the number of commands received from the game control device 100 (B1101). Then, it is determined whether the number of received commands is not 0 (B1102). When the command reception number is 0, that is, when there is no command received from the game control apparatus 100 (result of B1102 is “N”), there is no command to be analyzed, and the received command check process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the command reception number is not 0, that is, if the command is received from the game control device 100 (the result of B1102 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 has a command reception counter in the command reception counter area. After subtracting the value by the number of received commands (B1103), the contents of the received command buffer in the RAM are copied to the command area for analysis (B1104). Here, since the received command buffer is a ring buffer, there is no problem even if the number of received commands is subtracted before the contents in the buffer are copied to the command area. Even if a new command is received during copying, the data is not overwritten.

  Then, the production control device 300 updates the command read index by +1 (adds 1 only) in the range of 0 to 31 (B1105). The reception command buffer is configured to store up to 32 received commands. The received commands are stored in the received command buffer in the order of command reading indexes 0 to 31. Here, the received commands are read in the index order and copied to the command area for analysis. Note that the storage area of the received command buffer corresponding to the read command read index is cleared at the timing when copying to the command area for analysis is completed.

  The effect control device 300 determines whether or not copying of the commands for the number of received commands loaded in the process of step B1101 is completed (B1106). If the copying is not completed (the result of B1106 is “N ]), The process from step B1104 to B1106 is repeated.

  When the effect control device 300 receives a command transmitted from the game control device 100, the contents of the received command are stored in the reception command buffer, and at the same time, the command reception counter value in the command reception counter area is added and updated. Although 32 commands can be stored in the reception command buffer, analysis of received commands is performed separately in a command area for analysis. When the contents of the received command are copied to the analysis command area, the received command buffer and the command reception counter value are cleared. In this way, it is possible to prepare for a large amount of command reception by always ensuring a free area without directly analyzing in the reception command buffer.

  Subsequently, when the copying is completed (the result of B1106 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 loads the received command contents in the analysis command area (B1107), and analyzes the received command to analyze the contents. The process is executed (B1108) The details of the received command analysis process will be described later with reference to Fig. 21. Also, the address of the command area for analysis is updated (B1109), and then the process of step B1101 It is determined whether or not the analysis of the command for the number of received commands loaded is completed (B1110). If the analysis is not completed (the result of B1110 is “N”), the processing from step B1107 to B1110 is performed. repeat. When the analysis is completed (the result of B1110 is “Y”), the received command check process is terminated.

[Received command analysis processing]
Next, details of the received command analysis process (B1108) in the received command check process (FIG. 20) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of received command analysis processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control apparatus 300 first separates the received command as the MODE part and the lower byte as the ACTION part (ACT part) (B1201). The command transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 300 is composed of a MODE section (MODE command) and an ACTION section (ACTION command), and is normally transmitted continuously from the MODE section indicating the type of command. The Therefore, the upper and lower orders of the received command are configured in the order of the MODE section and the ACTION section.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE portion is in the normal range (B1202). That is, it is determined whether or not it is a value that can be taken by the MODE portion indicating the type of command (a value assigned as a command specification indicating the type). If the MODE portion is in the normal range (the result of B1202 is “Y”), it is similarly determined whether or not the ACTION portion is in the normal range (B1203). That is, it is determined whether or not the value can be taken by the ACTION section indicating the contents of the command (specific production instruction or the like) (value assigned as the command specification indicating the contents). If the ACTION part is in the normal range (the result of B1203 is “Y”), it is further determined whether the ACTION part for the MODE part is a correct combination (B1204). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the ACTION section is a value that can be taken by the type of command specified by the MODE section. If the combination is correct (the result of B1204 is “Y”), command processing corresponding to the command system is executed in the processing after B1205.

  The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the value of the MODE portion is within the range of the variable command (B1205). Note that the variation command is a command for instructing a variation pattern of a decorative special symbol, for example, a variation command (A3407). If the MODE portion represents a variable command (the result of B1205 is “Y”), the variable command processing is executed (B1206), and the received command analysis processing is terminated.

  If the MODE portion does not represent a variable command (the result of B1205 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE portion is within the range of the big hit command (B1207). The jackpot command is a command for instructing an operation related to the effect during the jackpot (display of a fanfare screen, a round screen, etc.). For example, a fanfare command (A2610) for commanding a fanfare screen or a round screen is commanded. For example, a round command (A2611), an interval command (A2612) for instructing an interval screen, and an ending command (A2612) for instructing an ending screen. If the MODE portion represents a jackpot command (the result of B1207 is “Y”), the jackpot command processing is executed (B1208), and the received command analysis processing is terminated.

  When the MODE portion does not represent the big hit command (the result of B1207 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE portion is within the design command range (B1209). Note that the symbol-related commands include, for example, decorative special symbol commands (A3403 and A3503) corresponding to the stop symbol pattern. If the MODE section represents a symbol-based command (result of B1209 is “Y”), symbol-based command processing is executed (B1210), and the received command analysis processing is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent the symbol-based command (the result of B1209 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether the MODE unit is within the range of the single-shot command (B1211). If the MODE portion represents a single command (result of B1211 is “Y”), single command processing is executed (B1212), and the received command analysis processing is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent a single command (the result of B1211 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE unit is within the range of the pre-read symbol command (B1213). . Examples of the pre-read symbol system command include a pre-read stop symbol command (A2913). If the MODE portion represents a pre-read symbol system command (result of B1213 is “Y”), the pre-read symbol system command process is executed (B1214), and the received command analysis process is terminated.

  When the MODE portion does not represent the prefetched symbol system command (the result of B1213 is “N”), the effect control apparatus 300 next determines whether or not the MODE portion is within the range of the prefetched variation command (B1215). ). An example of the prefetch variation command is a prefetch variation pattern command (A2913). If the MODE portion represents a prefetch fluctuation command (the result of B1215 is “Y”), the prefetch fluctuation command processing is executed (B1216), and the received command analysis process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the MODE unit does not represent the prefetch fluctuation command (result of B1215 is “N”), the production control device 300 may have received an unexpected command (for example, a command used only during the test mode). Therefore, the received command analysis process is terminated. Further, when the MODE part is not in the normal range (result of B1202 is “N”), when the ACTION part is not in the normal range (result of B1203 is “N”), or when the ACTION part for the MODE part is not a correct combination ( When the result of B1204 is “N”), the received command analysis processing is terminated.

[Single command processing]
Next, the details of the single command processing (B1212) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 21) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 102 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the single command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the MODE unit represents a model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine (B1301). If the MODE part represents a model designation command (the result of B1301 is “Y”), a model setting process for setting the type of gaming machine (selected model information) is executed (B1302), and the single command processing is performed. finish.

  When the MODE unit does not represent the model designation command (the result of B1301 is “N”), the effect control device 300 then initializes the RAM indicating that the RAM has been initialized (cleared). It is determined whether or not a command is represented (B1303). If the MODE section indicates a RAM initialization command (the result of B1303 is “Y”), a RAM initialization setting process for notifying the RAM initialization is executed (B1304), and the one-shot command process is terminated. To do.

  When the MODE unit does not represent the RAM initialization command (result of B1303 is “N”), the effect control device 300 then displays the power failure recovery command indicating power failure recovery (power-on). It is determined whether or not (B1305). An example of the power failure recovery command is a recovery screen command. Since the initialization of the RAM is performed when the power is restored (turned on), the RAM initialization command includes a power failure restoration command in addition to the RAM initialization command. If the MODE unit represents a power failure recovery command (the result of B1305 is “Y”), the power failure recovery setting processing is executed (B1306), and the single-shot command processing is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent a power failure recovery command (result of B1305 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether the MODE unit represents a customer waiting demo command (B1307). . If the MODE section represents a customer waiting demo command (the result of B1307 is “Y”), a customer waiting demo setting process is executed (B1308), and the one-shot command processing is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent the customer waiting demonstration command (the result of B1307 is “N”), the effect control device 300 then displays the decoration special figure 1 hold number command (A3208 in FIG. 10). It is determined whether or not to represent (B1309). If the MODE portion represents a decoration special figure 1 reservation number command (the result of B1309 is “Y”), the special figure 1 reservation information setting process is executed (B1310), and the one-shot command processing ends.

  When the MODE section does not represent the decoration special figure 1 reservation number command (the result of B1309 is “N”), the effect control apparatus 300 then displays the decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (FIG. 10). A3203) is determined (B1311). If the MODE portion represents a decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (the result of B1311 is “Y”), a special figure 2 reservation information setting process is executed (B1312), and the one-shot command process is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent the decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (the result of B1311 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE unit represents the probability information command. (B1313). If the MODE part represents a probability information command (the result of B1313 is “Y”), the probability information setting process is executed (B1314), and the one-shot command process is terminated.

  If the MODE portion does not represent the probability information command (the result of B1313 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE portion represents an error / unauthorized command ( B1315). Examples of error / unauthorized commands include an error / unauthorized command, an error / unauthorized notification command, an error / unauthorized cancellation command, and an error / unauthorized notification end command. If the MODE part represents an error / unauthorized command (the result of B1315 is “Y”), an error / unauthorization setting process is executed to notify or cancel the error or the unauthorized (B1316). End single-shot command processing.

  When the MODE unit does not represent an error / unauthorized command (result of B1315 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether the MODE unit represents a command for effect mode switching. Determination is made (B1317). If the MODE portion represents a command for effect mode switching (the result of B1317 is “Y”), the effect mode switching setting processing is executed (B1318), and the single command processing is terminated.

  When the MODE unit does not represent a command for switching the effect mode (the result of B1317 is “N”), the effect control device 300 then displays the information indicating that the MODE unit indicates information related to the normal map display game. It is determined whether or not a figure command (A7917) is represented (B1319). If the MODE part represents a normal command (the result of B1319 is “Y”), a general map information setting process for setting information regarding the general map variable display game is executed (B1320), and the single command processing is performed. finish.

  When the MODE section does not represent the usual command (result of B1319 is “N”), the effect control apparatus 300 determines whether the MODE section represents the setting information command (A1027, A1032). (B1321). When the MODE section represents a setting information command (the result of B1321 is “Y”), the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 included in the setting information command is stored in the RAM (B1322), and the single-shot system Terminates command processing. Hereafter, the effect control device 300 can execute effect control using the stored setting information.

  When the MODE section does not represent the setting information command (the result of B1321 is “N”), the effect control apparatus 300 determines whether the MODE section represents the symbol stop command (B1323). . Note that the symbol stop command includes, for example, the symbol stop command shown in FIG. 1 and the symbol stop command shown in FIG. If the MODE portion represents a symbol stop command (the result of B1323 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the command of the MODE portion is a normal command ( B1324).

  When the command of the MODE section is a normal command (the result of B1324 is “Y”), the production control device 300 sets the corresponding special figure stop mode (B1325), and after all the symbols are stopped, the game The status flag is set to the normal status (B1326), and the single command processing is terminated. In the process of B1325, the stop state of the fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) after the special symbol variation display game is performed ("lit" in the case of loss) according to the symbol type (disappearance / big hit symbol) (Fig. 23). ”Or“ turn off ”in the case of a big hit). In the process of B1326, as an example, the game state flag is set to the normal state. However, depending on the timing at which this process is executed, the flag of “changed” or “big hit” is set as the game state flag.

  On the other hand, when the MODE section does not represent a symbol stop command (result of B1323 is “N”), or when the command of the MODE section is not normal (result of B1324 is “N”), the production control device 300 finishes the single command processing.

[Design command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 23, the details of the symbol system command process (B1210) in the received command analysis process (FIG. 21) will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the symbol system command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control device 300 sets a special figure type corresponding to the MODE portion of the received symbol-related command (decorative special figure 1 command or decorative special figure 2 command) (B1801). The special figure type is special figure 1 or special figure 2. Then, a symbol type corresponding to the combination of the MODE portion and the ACTION portion (ACT portion) of the symbol-related command is set and saved in a predetermined area such as a RAM (B1802). Here, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, since the symbol distribution ratio changes, a symbol type is set using a table for each MODE. In the present embodiment, the symbol type is an outlier symbol, the 4R probability variable big hit symbol (4R-A1, symbol 1), the 4R normal big hit symbol (4R-A2, symbol 2), or the 8R probability variable big hit symbol shown in FIG. (8R-A1, symbol 3), 8R normal jackpot symbol (8R-A2, symbol 4), 12R probability variable jackpot symbol (12R-A1, symbol 5), 12R normal jackpot symbol (12R-A2, symbol 6) .

[Variable command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the details of the variable command process (B1206) in the received command analysis process (FIG. 21) described above will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the variable command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control device 300 determines whether or not the special figure type (special figure 1 or special figure 2) of the received variable command (variable command) is unconfirmed (B1901). When the special figure type is unconfirmed (the result of B1901 is “Y”), the variable command processing is terminated. If the special figure type is not undetermined (the result of B1901 is “N”), the combination of the received variable command and symbol command is checked (B1902), and whether or not the variable command and symbol type are inconsistent. Is determined (B1903). Here, the term “inconsistency” means that there is a contradiction in performing an effect, for example, when a symbol system command of a big hit symbol is received while a variation command of a deviation is received. If the variation command and the symbol type are inconsistent (result of B1903 is “Y”), the variation command processing is terminated.

  When the variation command and the symbol type are not inconsistent (result of B1903 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines the variation pattern type from the variation command (variation command) (B1904), and the effect during the variation A variation effect setting process for setting a certain variation effect is executed (B1905). There are a plurality of effects for the same variable command. Subsequently, a special state change is set to the game state flag indicating the game state (P machine state) (B1906), and if the number of pre-read effects such as continuous effects is not 0, -1 is updated (B1907).

[Variation production setting processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 25, the details of the changing effect setting process (B1905) in the above-described changing command process (FIG. 24) will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the changing effect setting process executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the variation pattern type is a reachless variation (a variation that does not reach a reach state) (B2001). When the variation pattern type is unreachable variation (result of B2001 is “Y”), set the first half notice group address table corresponding to the number of production points, model code, special figure type, production mode, and setting information (B2002), the MODE part of the variable command (variable command) and the address of the first half notice allocation group table corresponding to the reserved number of the special figure type are acquired (B2003). In the case of fluctuation without reach, since the fluctuation time is shortened as the number of holds increases, the address of the table corresponding to the number of holds is acquired.

  When the variation pattern type is not a variation without reach (result of B2001 is “N”), that is, when the variation is a reach variation, the production control device 300 has the number of production points, model code, special figure type, production mode, The first half notice allocation group address table corresponding to the symbol type and setting information is set (B2004), and the MODE part of the variable command (fluctuation command) and the address of the first half notice distribution group table corresponding to the change pattern type are acquired. (B2005).

  The production control device 300 performs a lottery for a notice appearing during the first half fluctuation (before reach) after Steps B2003 and B2005 (B2006). Subsequently, a latter half notice group address table corresponding to the number of effect points, model code, special figure type, effect mode, symbol type, and setting information is set (B2007), and corresponds to the ACT part of the variable command. The address of the second half notice allocation group table is acquired (B2008), and the lottery for the notice appearing during the second half change (during reach) is performed (B2009). Thereafter, the contents of the fluctuation effect corresponding to the MODE part and ACT part of the fluctuation command (fluctuation command) are determined (B2010). Note that the fluctuation time and main reach contents can be found from the fluctuation commands.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines the content of the effect (notice effect) corresponding to the notice lottery result (B2011). Then, the stop symbol of the special display variation display game is determined according to the contents of the variation effect such as the reach effect or the notice effect (B2012). Here, the decoration stop symbol is specifically determined, for example, by determining a disjoint eye in the case of the off symbol.

  Next, the effect control device 300 performs display setting for the variable effect (B2013), and performs display setting for the notice effect (B2014). Subsequently, the display setting of the hold reduction corresponding to the special figure type is set, for example, the display in which the hold display corresponding to the decoration special figure that changes this time is set (B2015). Subsequently, a voice number that determines an effect mode (sound output mode) based on the sound of the speaker and a decoration number that determines an effect mode due to light emission of the decoration device are set (B2016). The decoration device (board decoration device 46, frame decoration device 18) has a plurality of decorative light emitting units (decorative LEDs, etc.) and emits light in a light emission mode (color of each LED, light emission timing, etc.) determined by a decoration number. .

  In the process of B2016, a decoration number is set so that when the special figure variation display game is a big hit, a decoration number is set for the big hit confirmation notification LED 481a for informing the big hit determination in the light emitting object 481. Set the decoration number so that it does not fire. Since the variation effect setting process is to set an effect during execution (during variation) of the special figure variation display game, the special display variation display game is performed by the lamp display units 1 and 2 (fourth design LED, predetermined notification unit). Before the result is displayed (notified) (that is, before the change is stopped), it is notified in advance by the big hit confirmation notification LED 481a that the big hit is made.

  In addition, it is also possible to set a voice number and a decoration number based on setting information (setting value) as well as production contents. In this way, the player can enjoy guessing the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 from the light emission mode of the decoration device, that is, the light emission mode of the decorative light emitting unit (LED).

  Next, the production control device 300 performs display setting of the decoration special figure fluctuation corresponding to the special figure type (B2017), and the fourth special symbol other than the first to third special symbols which fluctuate on the display device 41. The display setting of the 4th symbol fluctuation regarding (4th symbol, identification information) is done (B2018). The fourth symbol variation is displayed on the lamp display units 1 and 2 (LEDs) of the lamp display device 80 provided in addition to the display device 41.

  In addition, during the countdown notification performed before the start of the mode effect using the RTC 338, when the big hit variation effect is set and the big hit variation is started, the countdown notification is set to be stopped. The mode effect starts when the RTC 338 reaches a specific time. The countdown notification that notifies the start of the mode effect with a countdown display (or countdown sound) is irrelevant to the special figure fluctuation display game. The interest is improved.

[Direction appearance rate]
FIG. 26 is a table showing the appearance rate of effects set by the above-described variable effect setting process, particularly for the advance notice. The appearance rate may indicate, for example, what percentage of the effect appears for one or several fluctuation display games. In the variation effect setting process, the first half or second half notice allocation group table (group table address) is selected from the first half or second half notice distribution group address table depending on the setting information, and further from the first half or second half notice distribution group table. A notice distribution table (address of the notice distribution table) is obtained for each notice type (line notice, background change notice, movable accessory action, etc.), and the notices can be drawn in lots based on the notice assignment table. Therefore, the appearance rate of the predetermined notice (effect) can be set (changed) according to the setting information (setting value).

  In the example of FIG. 26, the higher the setting (the larger the setting value), the higher the appearance rate and the easier the appearance of the notice A and the notice F. The higher the setting of the notice C and the notice E, the smaller the appearance rate and the harder it appears. The appearance rates of the notice B and the notice E are the same regardless of the setting. For this reason, the player can guess the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 by paying attention to the ease of appearance of a predetermined notice (production) such as notices A, C, E, and F. In particular, since the notice F appears only at the setting 3 (high setting), when the notice F appears, it is determined that it is the setting 3 (high setting).

[Power failure recovery setting processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the details of the power failure recovery setting process (B1306) in the single-shot command process (FIG. 22) described above will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a power failure recovery setting process executed by the effect control device 300 when a power failure recovery command indicating that a power failure recovery (power-on) has been received is received.

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the received power failure recovery command is a normal command (B2201). When the command is not normal (the result of B2201 is “N”), the power failure recovery setting process is terminated. If the command is normal (the result of B2201 is “Y”), an initial value is set in the area of the RAM of the effect control device 300 to be initialized (B2202). And in order to alert | report that there existed recovery | restoration from a power failure, the light emission mode at the time of the power failure recovery of the LED provided in the decoration device (panel decoration device 46, frame decoration device 18) is set (B2203). As a light emission mode at the time of power failure recovery, for example, there is a mode of flashing a predetermined LED for a predetermined time.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the current time is within a predetermined period (B2204). The current time can be acquired from the RTC 338 (B0009), or can be acquired from a time timer set in the timer area in the RAM and set to the RTC 338. The predetermined period is a period outside the business hours of the amusement shop (amusement hall), in particular, a period before opening, for example, a period from 9:00 am to 9:30 am.

  When the current time is within the predetermined period (the result of B2204 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 performs display setting of the setting information so that the setting information is displayed on the display device 41 and the like, and power recovery or The display setting of the recovery screen of the display device 41 or the like is performed so as to notify that the power has been turned on (B2205). Thereafter, the power failure recovery setting process is terminated. After setting information is displayed for a predetermined time, the recovery screen may be displayed for a predetermined time. Conversely, after the recovery screen is displayed for a predetermined time, it is set for a predetermined time. Information may be displayed. Alternatively, the setting information may be set to be displayed for a predetermined time on the recovery screen that displays only for a predetermined time.

  When the current time is not within the predetermined period (result of B2204 is “N”), the effect control device 300 performs only the display setting of the recovery screen and does not perform the setting setting of the setting information (B2206). Thereafter, the power failure recovery setting process is terminated. In this way, the effect control device 300 displays the setting information (setting value) only when the gaming machine 10 is restored (powered on) within a predetermined period.

  Through the power failure recovery setting process described above, power is restored (power-on) at the power supply (island equipment power supply 440) of the island facility where the gaming machine 10 is installed without opening and closing the opening and closing frame (front frame 12, glass frame 15). ), The setting information can be easily displayed on the display device 41 or the like. In addition, since the setting information is displayed only within a predetermined period, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a third party other than a person who has the authority to know the setting information (such as a person in charge of an amusement shop) views the setting information. In particular, since the predetermined period is outside business hours, there is no opportunity for the player to check the setting information during business hours.

[Direction button input processing]
Next, the details of the effect button input process (B0010) in the main process (FIG. 19) described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a procedure of effect button input processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control device 300 determines whether or not the present time is the operation effective period (operation detectable period) of the effect button 25 (B2301). If it is not the operation valid period (the result of B2301 is “N”), the operation detection is set to be invalid (B2302), and the effect button input process is terminated.

  When it is the operation effective period (result of B2301 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the effect button 25 has been operated (B2303). In the present embodiment, the operation of the effect button 25 (operation means) is a push operation on the effect button switch 25a, but may be an operation on the touch panel 25b. If there is no operation of the effect button 25 (the result of B2303 is “N”), the effect button input process is terminated.

  When the production button 25 is operated (the result of B2303 is “Y”), the production control device 300 determines the operation type of the operation of the production button 25 (B2304). Then, it is determined whether or not the current time is within a predetermined period (B2305). The current time can be acquired from the RTC 338 (B0009), or can be acquired from a time timer set in the timer area in the RAM and set to the RTC 338. The predetermined period here is the same as the predetermined period in step B2204 described above, and is a displayable period during which setting information can be displayed by power recovery or power-on.

  When the current time is within a predetermined period (result of B2305 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not a power failure recovery command has been received (B2306). When the current time is not within the predetermined period (result of B2305 is “N”), or when a power failure recovery command is not received (result of B2306 is “N”), processing corresponding to the determined operation type (Normal processing) is executed (B2307), and operation detection is set to be invalid (B2312).

  When receiving the power failure recovery command (result of B2306 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the determined operation type is the first specific operation (B2308). When the determined operation type is not the first specific operation (the result of B2308 is “N”), the process proceeds to step B2310. When the determined operation type is the first specific operation (result of B2308 is “Y”), display of the setting information is started on the display device 41 or the like (B2309).

  Note that the processes in steps B2308 and B2309 are optional and may be deleted. In this case, immediately after the setting information display setting (B2205) is performed in the power failure recovery setting process, the display of the setting information is started on the display device 41 or the like. In the case where Steps B2308 and B2309 are provided, even if the setting information display setting (B2205) is performed in the power failure recovery setting process, the setting information display is waited until the first specific operation is performed. Therefore, even in a situation where power recovery (power on) can be easily performed by an unauthorized third party, the setting information is not displayed until the person who has the authority to know the setting information performs the first specific operation on the effect button 25, and the setting is not displayed. Information can be prevented from being disclosed to unauthorized third parties. It is assumed that only those who have the authority to know the setting information know what operation the first specific operation is.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the determined operation type is the second specific operation (B2310). When the determined operation type is not the second specific operation (the result of B2310 is “N”), the effect button input process is terminated. When the determined operation type is the second specific operation (the result of B2310 is “Y”), display end processing for ending the display of the setting information is executed (B2311). Thereafter, the detection of the operation is set to be invalid (B2312), and the effect button input process is terminated. As described above, since the display of the setting information is completed in response to the second specifying operation on the effect button 25, the person having the authority to know the setting information immediately after confirming the setting information performs the second specification on the effect button 25. It is possible to prevent the setting information from being viewed by a third party after the operation.

[Display setting information]
FIG. 29 shows that a plurality of n gaming machines 10, 10 ′, 10 ″ installed on the game island are at a time within a predetermined period from 9:00 am to 9:30 (here, 9:10 am) The power is turned on all at once (power is restored) and the setting information is displayed. In the plurality of gaming machines 10, 10 ′, 10 ″, the on / off switch of the island facility power source 440 that supplies power to the amusement island is turned on. By doing so, the island facility power source 440 is turned on simultaneously (power restoration). Note that the gaming machines 10 may be turned on (power restored) individually by turning on the power switch of each gaming machine 10, but a plurality of gaming islands may be turned on / off by turning on / off the island facility power supply 440. Since it is easier to power on the gaming machines 10 all at once (power restoration), it is usually performed.

  In FIG. 29, the setting information is displayed as “setting 3”, “setting 1”, and “setting 2” on the display devices 41 of the gaming machines 10, 10 ′, and 10 ”by turning on the power (power restoration). In FIG. 29, the setting information starts to be displayed when the power is turned on (power is restored). However, as described above, when the first specific operation is performed on the effect button 25 after the power is turned on (power is restored). Display may be started. The display of the setting information on the display device 41 ends and disappears when the second specific operation is performed on the effect button 25.

[Hall / player setting mode processing]
Next, the details of the hole / player setting mode process (B0011) in the main process (FIG. 19) described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a procedure of hall / player setting mode processing executed by the effect control device 300.

  The hall / player setting mode process activates the hall setting mode in which the person in charge of the hall (game shop) can make various settings of the gaming machine 10 or the player setting mode in which the player can make various settings of the gaming machine 10 Can be made.

  The production control device 300 first determines whether or not it is in the hall setting mode (B2401). When a hole setting mode flag to be described later is set, it can be determined that the hole setting mode is in progress. When the hall setting mode is in effect (the result of B2401 is “Y”), the processing of B2406 to B2417 is performed, and the production button 25 (production button switch 25a, touch panel 25b) by the person in charge of the hall (game shop) or the like Various settings and adjustments are made based on the operation.

  When the hall control mode 300 is not in effect (the result of B2401 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the player setting mode is in effect (B2402). When a player setting mode flag to be described later is set, it can be determined that the player setting mode is being set. When in the player setting mode (the result of B2402 is “Y”), the processing of B2421-B2426 is performed, and various settings and various adjustments are performed based on the operation of the effect button 25 by the player.

  When the player setting mode is not in effect (the result of B2402 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the hole setting mode start condition is satisfied (B2403). For example, it can be determined that the hall setting mode start condition is satisfied when the operation of the effect button 25 for entering the hall setting mode is detected as an operation signal in the effect button input process (B0010) while waiting for a customer. Note that “waiting for a customer” refers to a state in which a video for waiting for a customer (a customer waiting demo) is displayed on the display device 41, for example. When the hole setting mode start condition is not satisfied (the result of B2403 is “N”), the process of B2418 is executed.

  When the hall setting mode start condition is satisfied (the result of B2403 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 draws a screen for starting screen drawing (drawing of the hall setting screen) on the display device 41 in the hall setting mode. Start setting is performed (B2404). Then, a flag in the hole setting mode is set (B2405).

  Next, the effect control device 300 adjusts the sound volume of the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b based on the operation of the effect button 25 by the person in charge of the hall, etc., the frame decoration device 18 and the panel. Hall LED luminance adjustment processing (B2407) for adjusting the luminance (brightness) of the LED of the decoration device 46, liquid crystal luminance adjustment processing (B2408) for adjusting the luminance of the display unit (liquid crystal display, etc.) of the display device 41, power saving A power saving setting process (B2409) for setting is executed. Next, the production control device 300 executes a logo color setting process for setting an issuance color or the like of the logo accessory (B2410).

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 executes a setting process related to the setting information in order to set the display method of the setting information (B2411). Here, whether or not to display the setting information is set, and the predetermined period for displaying the setting information is set. Based on the operation of the effect button 25 (the effect button switch 25a and the touch panel 25b), it is possible to select whether or not to display the setting information from the menu display of the display device 41, and to set whether or not to display the setting information. By inputting a numerical value by operating the effect button 25, the predetermined period can be set to, for example, a period from 9:00 am to 9:30 before opening as described above. Thus, since the predetermined period during which the setting information can be confirmed can be arbitrarily set, it is possible to prevent the setting information from leaking to a third party who does not have the authority to know the setting information. Note that the processing in step B2411 constitutes first setting means for setting a predetermined period for displaying the setting information and second setting means for setting whether to display the setting information.

  Then, it is determined whether there has been a setting confirmation operation input (B2412). When the operation signal by the setting confirmation operation of the effect button 25 is detected by the effect button input process (B0010), it can be determined that the setting confirmation operation input has been made. When there is no setting confirmation operation input (the result of B2412 is “N”), the hall / player setting mode process is terminated.

  When there is a setting confirmation operation input (result of B2412 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the setting is confirmed with the factory default setting (B2413). If there is no operation of the effect button 25 other than the setting confirmation operation, it can be determined that the setting at the time of factory shipment has been confirmed. If the setting at the time of shipment from the factory is not confirmed (the result of B2413 is “N”), the process proceeds to B2415. When the factory default setting is confirmed (the result of B2413 is “Y”), the factory default setting process for performing various settings and various adjustments at the factory default setting is executed (B2414). The factory default setting is a default setting stored in a memory such as the ROM 321. Next, hole setting data (or hole adjustment data) such as sound volume and various luminances determined in B2406-B2410 and B2414 is written in a backup memory (for example, FeRAM 323) (B2415).

  Next, the effect control device 300 performs screen drawing end setting for ending screen drawing on the display device 41 in the hall setting mode (B2416). Then, the hall setting mode flag is cleared (B2417).

  When the hole setting mode start condition is not satisfied (the result of B2403 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the player setting mode start condition is satisfied (B2418). While waiting for a customer, it can be determined that the player setting mode start condition is satisfied, for example, when an operation of the effect button 25 for entering the player setting mode is detected as an operation signal in the effect button input process (B0010). When the player setting mode start condition is not satisfied (the result of B2418 is “N”), the hall / player setting mode process is terminated.

  When the player setting mode start condition is satisfied (the result of B2418 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 performs screen drawing start setting for starting screen drawing on the display device 41 in the player setting mode ( B2419). Then, a player setting mode flag is set (B2420).

  Next, the effect control device 300 adjusts the sound volume of the upper speaker 10a and the lower speaker 10b based on the operation of the effect button 25 by the player (B2421), the frame decoration device 18 and the board decoration. A player LED brightness adjustment process (B2422) for adjusting the brightness (brightness) of the LED of the device 46 is executed.

  Next, the effect control device 300 executes effect customization processing for customizing (individual setting) the effect based on the operation of the effect button 25 or the like by the player (B2423). Then, it is determined whether or not a setting confirmation operation input has been made (B2424). When there is no setting confirmation operation input (the result of B2424 is “N”), the hall / player setting mode process is terminated. When there is a setting confirmation operation input (the result of B2424 is “Y”), a screen drawing end setting for ending screen drawing on the display device 41 in the player setting mode is performed (B2425). Then, the player setting mode flag is cleared (B2426). Note that the player setting data (or player adjustment data) such as volume and brightness determined in B2421-B2422 may be erased and is not written to the backup memory.

[Customer waiting demo editing process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 31, the details of the customer waiting demo editing process (B0015) in the main process (FIG. 19) described above will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the customer waiting demo editing process executed by the effect control device 300.

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the customer waiting demonstration is already being executed on the display device 41 (B2601). If the customer waiting demo is not being executed (the result of B2601 is “N”), it is determined whether or not a customer waiting demo command has been received (B2602). If the customer waiting demo command has not been received (the result of B2602 is “N”), the customer waiting demo editing process is terminated. When the customer waiting demo command is received (result of B2602 is “Y”), the customer waiting demo command reception flag is cleared (B2603).

  Next, the production control device 300 executes a setting process (B2604-B2607) for starting a customer waiting demonstration on the display device 41. First, the customer waiting control table pointer designating the contents of the customer waiting control table is cleared to 0 (B2604), and a demo control timer (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer (here 0) is set (B2605). ). Then, the symbol display A is set in the demo status (B2606). In addition to the symbol display A that is executed for about 10 seconds from the start of the customer waiting demonstration, the demonstration status includes symbol display B, symbol display B that is executed for about 110 seconds after the end of the symbol display A, There is a movie display executed for about 30 seconds from the end of C, and a symbol display C executed for about 120 seconds after the end of movie display. In addition, the contents of the demo status may be set by further subdividing the decoration contents and BGM.

  Subsequently, the effect control apparatus 300 performs drawing setting of the symbol display screen corresponding to the selected model information related to the selected model that can be understood from the model specifying command or the like (B2607).

  On the other hand, when the customer waiting demonstration is already being executed (the result of B2101 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the current time is a predetermined time (B2608). In this embodiment, the predetermined time is the time at the end of the predetermined period (for example, 9:30 am), but may be any time as long as it is from the end of the predetermined period to the time before opening the store. If it is currently the predetermined time (the result of B2608 is “Y”), the process proceeds to step B2604, and even if the customer waiting demo is already being executed, the customer waiting demo is started again from the beginning (initial state). A setting process (B2604-B2607) for starting is executed. The initial state of the customer waiting demo is the state of the customer waiting control table pointer = 0 (ie, demo status = symbol display A). Thus, at a predetermined time such as the end time of a predetermined period, the customer waiting demonstration (customer waiting effect) can be started from the beginning on the display device 41, and the customer waiting demonstrations between gaming machines can be arranged.

  Next, the effect control device 300 updates the demo control timer by −1 (B2609), and determines whether or not the demo control timer is 0 (B2610). When the demo control timer is 0 (result of B2610 is “Y”), the customer waiting control table pointer is updated by +1 (B2611), and when the demo control timer is not 0 (result of B2610 is “N”), waiting for the customer End the demo editing process.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the customer waiting control table pointer is equal to or greater than the upper limit value (B2612). If the customer waiting control table pointer is greater than or equal to the upper limit (result of B2612 is “Y”), the pointer value of the return position is set in the customer waiting control table pointer (B2613), and the demo control corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer A timer is set (B2614). If the customer waiting control table pointer is less than the upper limit value (result of B2612 is “N”), the demo control timer corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer is set without performing the processing of step B2613 (B2614). The demo control timer is, for example, 110 seconds if the demo status corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer is symbol display B, 120 seconds if symbol display C, and 30 seconds if movie display.

  Thereafter, the production control device 300 sets a demo status corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer (B2615), sets a decoration number corresponding to the customer waiting control table pointer (B2616), and corresponds to the customer waiting control table pointer. A voice number is set (B2617). At the start of the customer waiting demonstration, the decoration number and the voice number are not set to continue the decoration state and the sound state during the execution of the special figure variation display game for a while. Thereafter, screen drawing setting (movie display or symbol display) corresponding to the selected model information indicating the type of gaming machine is performed (B2618), and the customer waiting demo editing process is terminated. In the above, step B2617 may be omitted and a voice number may not be set.

  In FIG. 31, when the movie display is to be stopped or started during the customer waiting demonstration, the demonstration section (for example, symbol display B, C, movie, etc.) is operated by operating the effect button 25 (detecting the operation). A process capable of skipping (omitting) display) may be added.

[Customer Waiting Demo Timing Chart]
FIG. 32 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a customer waiting demo performed on the display device 41 as a result of the customer waiting demo editing process (FIG. 31). In FIG. 32, a customer waiting demonstration is performed after power-on (power restoration) before opening a store. For convenience of explanation, the entire customer waiting demo is shown as consisting of three demo sections (customer waiting demos 1 to 3) having different contents, but any number of demo sections may be used. Although the customer waiting demo shows an example of starting after the recovery screen (recovery display), the recovery screen (recovery display) may be displayed over the customer waiting demo. Note that the recovery screen may include setting information display within a predetermined period (for example, 9:00 to 9:30).

  In FIG. 32, when the power is turned on, one of the plurality of n gaming machines 1 to n (gaming machine 2) provided on the gaming island is changed in setting by the setting changing process (A1017). In the gaming machine 2, due to the setting change, the recovery screen on the display device 41 and the start of the subsequent customer waiting demonstration will be delayed from the other gaming machines 1, 3 to n. Therefore, at the time of opening of the store, the content of the waiting-for-customer demonstration is shifted from the other gaming machines 1, 3 to n only by the gaming machine 2, and there is a problem that the player recognizes that the setting of the gaming machine 2 has been changed. However, in FIG. 32, the customer waiting demo that has been started once by the customer waiting demo editing process (FIG. 31) is started again from the beginning (initial state, first of the customer waiting demo 1) at a predetermined time before opening the store. (B2608) When the store opens, the contents of the waiting-for-customer demonstration are in a state where all the gaming machines 1 to n on the gaming island are aligned, and the player cannot recognize that the setting of the gaming machine 2 has been changed. Therefore, unfairness among players is eliminated.

  As described above, even when the demonstration section (for example, movie display) can be skipped by operating the production button 25 during the customer waiting demonstration, the contents of the customer waiting demonstration at the time of opening the store by skipping the demonstration section. However, there is a possibility that only a part of the gaming machines will shift. However, by the customer waiting demo editing process (FIG. 31), the customer waiting demo is started again from the beginning (initial state) at a predetermined time before the opening of the store (B2608). It will be in the state where all the gaming machines 1-n of amusement island were gathered.

(A gaming machine according to the first embodiment)
The above first embodiment includes the gaming machines shown in the following (1) to (13).
(1) Game control means (game control device 100) capable of executing a game, and effect control means (effect control device 300) capable of displaying effects related to the game on display means (display device 41). In gaming machines,
A setting changing means (setting changing device 42) capable of changing settings relating to the game conditions is provided,
The game control means can transmit the setting information to the effect control means,
The effect control means displays the setting information on the display means when the gaming machine is turned on for a predetermined period of time (FIG. 3, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5). 16, FIG. 27).

(2) Equipped with a real-time clock that measures the time,
The production control means includes
Equipped with time measuring means (time timer),
The gaming machine according to (1) (B0009 in FIGS. 4 and 19), wherein the time of the time measuring means is adjusted to the time of the real-time clock when the gaming machine is turned on.

(3) It has an operable operating means (production button 25),
The effect control means displays the setting information on the display means in response to a first specific operation on the operation means (the game machine according to (1) (FIGS. 1 and 28) .

  (4) The gaming machine according to (1) (A1032 in FIG. 5B), wherein the game control means transmits the setting information to the effect control means when the gaming machine is turned on. .

  (5) The gaming machine according to (1), wherein the effect control means sets an appearance ratio of a predetermined effect according to the setting information (FIGS. 25 and 26).

(6) The production control means includes:
The decorative light-emitting part that emits light in relation to the production can be controlled,
The gaming machine according to (1) (B2016 in FIG. 25), wherein a light emission mode of the decorative light emitting unit is set according to the setting information.

(7) It is provided with operable operating means,
The presentation control means terminates the display of the setting information on the display means in response to a second specific operation on the operation means (see FIG. 1, FIG. 1). 28).

(8) The production control means includes:
First setting means for setting the predetermined period for displaying the setting information;
The gaming machine according to (1), further comprising: a second setting unit configured to set whether or not to display the setting information.

(9) The production control means includes:
At the end of the predetermined period, the display unit starts a customer waiting effect (customer waiting demonstration) from the beginning (31) (31, 32).

(10) The game control means includes:
Storage means (RAM) having a setting information storage area capable of storing the setting information;
The gaming machine according to (1), comprising: initialization means (A1030) for initializing an area other than the setting information storage area in the storage means (FIG. 5B).

(11) The game control means includes:
A legitimacy judging means (A1021) for judging legitimacy of the information held in the storage means;
(10) The information on the prescribed setting is stored in the setting information storage area when the validity determination unit determines that the information held in the storage unit is not valid. Game machine (FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B).

(12) The storage means has a game information storage area for storing game information relating to a game,
The gaming machine according to (11), wherein the legitimacy judging means judges legitimacy of the setting information storage area and legitimacy of the gaming information storage area separately (FIG. 5A).

(13) The game control means includes:
Before determining whether or not to perform initialization by the initialization unit (before A1018), a process for performing setting change by the setting change unit (setting change process of A1017) is performed ( The gaming machine according to 10) (FIG. 5A).

(Effect of 1st Embodiment)
According to the gaming machine (1) above, the setting information can be easily displayed on the display means such as the display device 41 simply by turning on the power of the gaming machine 10 (power restoration). In addition, since the setting information is displayed only within a predetermined period, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a third party other than a person who has the authority to know the setting information (such as a person in charge of an amusement shop) views the setting information.

  According to the gaming machine of (2) above, it is only necessary to read the time from the real-time clock once when the power is turned on (when power is restored), and the number of times of reading the time from the real-time clock can be reduced. 300) is reduced.

  According to the gaming machine of (3) above, even in a situation where power-on (power restoration) can be easily performed by an unauthorized third party, the person who has the authority to know the setting information first specifies the operation means (the effect button 25). The setting information is not displayed until an operation is performed, and it is possible to prevent the setting information from being known to an unauthorized third party.

  According to the gaming machine of (4) above, the game control means (game control device 100) is simple because it only needs to transmit the setting information to the effect control means once when the gaming machine 10 is turned on. .

  According to the gaming machine of (5) above, the appearance ratio (appearance rate) of a predetermined effect (notice) changes according to the setting information. For this reason, the player can guess the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 by paying attention to the ease of appearance or difficulty of appearance of the predetermined effect, and the interest of the game is improved.

  According to the gaming machine of (6) above, the player can enjoy guessing the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 from the light emission mode of the decorative light emitting unit (LED), and the interest of the game is improved.

  According to the gaming machine of (7) above, the display of the setting information is terminated in response to the second specific operation on the operating means (the effect button 25), so that the person who has the authority to know the setting information confirms the setting information. Then, it is possible to prevent the setting information from being viewed by a third party after performing the second specific operation.

  According to the gaming machine of (8) above, since a predetermined period during which the setting information can be confirmed and whether or not the setting information is displayed can be arbitrarily set, the setting information is leaked to a third party who is not authorized to know the setting information. Can be prevented.

  According to the gaming machine of (9) above, the customer waiting effect (customer waiting demonstration) is started from the beginning (initial state, first of the customer waiting demo 1) at the end of the predetermined period, and the customer waiting effect when opening the store. Can be arranged among a large number of gaming machines, and the player cannot recognize the gaming machine whose settings have been changed. Therefore, unfairness among players is eliminated.

  According to the gaming machine of (10) above, since the setting information in the setting information storage area is not initialized, the setting information once stored can be maintained until the setting is changed.

  According to the above gaming machine (11), when the information held in the storage means (RAM) is not valid, the prescribed setting information is stored in the setting information storage area of the storage means (RAM). For this reason, it is possible to prevent a situation in which unintended setting information is stored due to some malfunction and damage to the game store is caused.

  According to the gaming machine of (12) above, the validity of the setting information storage area and the validity of the game information storage area can be determined separately. For this reason, only when the information held in the setting information storage area is not valid, a process for initializing the setting information storage area (a process for storing prescribed setting information) may be performed. This is convenient because the process for initializing the game information storage area only needs to be performed when the information held in the game is not valid.

  According to the gaming machine of (13) above, in order to determine whether to perform initialization by the initialization means after executing the setting change process, the initialization is performed when the initialization by the setting change process is performed. The initialization based on the result of the determination as to whether or not to execute can be omitted.

(Second Embodiment)

  The second embodiment relates to control of the light emission state of an LED (light emitting unit). Configurations other than those described below may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[Network configuration]
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a connection state (network configuration) between the effect control device 300 (master IC side) and the board decoration device 46 (slave IC side) in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 33, the effect control device 300 is shown in a simplified manner, but the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 edits the effect control data (effect control information), and the master via the address / data bus 340. It is sent to the board decoration LED control circuit 332 which is IC570.

The master IC 570 of the effect control device 300 and the plurality of slave ICs 450 and 460 of the panel decoration device 46 are connected via a network 451 (serial communication network) and perform serial communication. The serial communication system (standard) is not particularly limited, but, for example, an I ² C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) system can be used (refer to JP 2011-206170 A, JP 2012-90901 A, and the like). The panel decoration device 46 includes a first slave IC 450 and a plurality of n second slave ICs 1 to n (460-1,..., 460-n).

  The first slave IC 450 displays, as a plurality of light emitting units (first light emitting units), a special symbol variation display game and a fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) indicating the result of the special symbol variation display game. , 80b, hold LEDs 80c-80f for displaying the number of hold, and lighting button LED 25c (operation light emitting part) provided on the effect button 25, lighting data is output to control the light emission states (light emission modes) of the plurality of light emitting parts. . The first slave IC 450, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b, the hold LEDs 80c to 80f, and the effect button LED 25c constitute a first decoration device 46a.

  Note that the lamp display units 1 and 2 in FIG. 2B are respectively a fourth symbol LED 80a (special Fig. 1 fourth symbol LED) for the special Fig. 1 variable display game, and a fourth symbol LED 80b for the special Fig. 2 variable display game ( This corresponds to Special Figure 2 4th Design LED). The lamp display units 3 to 6 in FIG. 2B correspond to the hold LEDs 80c to 80f (special figure 1 hold LED1, special figure 1 hold LED2, special figure 2 hold LED1, special figure 2 hold LED2), respectively. A plurality of effect button LEDs 25c may be provided on the effect button 25.

  The second slave ICs 1 to n (460-1,..., 460-n) are connected to the decoration LED groups 1 to n (462-1,..., 462-n), respectively. The second slave ICs 1 to n (460-1,..., 460-n) are collectively referred to as the second slave IC 460, and the decorative LED groups 1 to n (462-1,. ) Are collectively referred to as a decorative LED group 462.

  The decoration LED group 462 includes a plurality of decoration LEDs (second light emitting units) for decoration (production). Each second slave IC 460 outputs lighting data to a plurality of decoration LEDs of the decoration LED group 462 connected, and controls the light emission state (light emission mode). The second slave ICs 1 to n (460-1, ..., 460-n) and the decoration LED groups 1 to n (462-1, ..., 462-n) constitute a second decoration device 46b. The second decoration device 46b including the second light emitting unit performs different decoration from the first decoration device 46a including the first light emitting unit.

  The detection button switch 25a built in the effect button 25 and the detection signal of the touch panel 25b provided on the surface of the effect button 25 are input to the effect control device 300 without going through the network 451. It may be input to the effect control device 300 via the slave IC and the network 451.

  In FIG. 33, the master IC 570 is the panel decoration LED control circuit 332 and the slave IC side is the panel decoration device 46. However, the master IC 570 is the frame decoration LED control circuit 333 and the slave IC side is the frame decoration device 18. Embodiments can be applied.

  Also, the board decoration LED control circuit 332 and the frame decoration LED control circuit 333 are integrated into one master IC 570, and the master IC 570 outputs lighting data to the board decoration device 46 and the slave IC of the frame decoration device 18 to produce the board decoration. You may control the light emission state of LED (light emission part) of the apparatus 46 and the frame decoration apparatus 18. FIG. That is, the slave IC of the frame decoration device 18 may be included in the second slave IC 460 of FIG. 33, and the plurality of decoration LEDs (second light emitting units) of the frame decoration device 18 may be included in the decoration LED group 462.

  As described above, the production control device 300 controls the light emission states (light emission modes) of a large number of LEDs of the decoration device (the panel decoration device 46 and the frame decoration device 18 and the like) via the same network 451. Wiring necessary for controlling the LED can be simplified. Note that the light emission state (light emission mode) includes a state in which the light is extinguished.

[Slave IC]
FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slave ICs 450 and 460 according to the second embodiment. Here, the I ² CI / O expander 615 is shown as an example of the slave ICs 450 and 460, but the slave ICs 450 and 460 are not limited to the I ² CI / O expander 615. The I ² CI / O expander 615 is a slave IC when the I ² C method is used as the serial communication method.

The I ² CI / O expander 615 (slave ICs 450 and 460) includes a transistor 630 connected to the connection line SDA, a filter 631 connected to the connection line SDA, a driver 632 connected to the connection line SDA, and a connection line SCL. Connected to a filter 633, a bus controller 634, an output setting register 635, an output controller 636, a driver 637 connected to each port 0-15 on the output side of the I ² CI / O expander 615, and each port 0-15 Transistors 638A to 638P, and a reset signal generation circuit 639. Further, a bus monitoring WDT (watchdog timer) 640 for determining whether or not the connection line SDA is occupied by another I ² CI / O expander 615 and the I ² CI / O expander 615 itself are connected. A self-occupied WDT 641 is provided for determining whether or not the line SDA is occupied.

The connection line SDA is a connection line for exchanging data signals between the master IC 570 of the effect control device 300 and the I ² CI / O expander 615 (slave ICs 450 and 460), and functions as a data line. The connection line SCL is a connection line for inputting and outputting a clock signal used for data communication through the connection line SDA, and functions as a timing signal line.

  The filter 631 is connected to the connection line SDA, removes noise of data input from the connection line SDA, and outputs the data from which noise has been removed to the bus controller 634. When the driver 632 outputs a response signal from the connection line SDA, the driver 632 applies a voltage at which the transistor 630 can operate to the transistor 630.

  When the driver 632 outputs data (response signal) from the connection line SDA, the driver 632 applies a voltage at which the transistor 630 can operate to the transistor 630.

  The transistor 630 uses a field effect transistor (FET) to suppress power consumption. The gate of the transistor 630 is connected to the driver 632, and the drain is connected to a connection line SDA to which a predetermined voltage is applied by the pull-up resistor R. And the source is grounded.

  When the driver 632 outputs data (response signal) from the connection line SDA, the driver 632 applies a voltage of a value that allows the transistor 630 to operate to the gate of the transistor 630 so that a current flows between the drain and the source. To do. The driver 632 outputs data from the connection line SDA by repeatedly changing the voltage of the connection line SDA from HIGH to LOW.

  The filter 633 is connected to the connection line SCL, removes noise of data input from the connection line SCL, and outputs the data from which noise has been removed to the bus controller 634.

In ^addition, the I 2 CI / O expander 615, is set a unique address by the address setting terminals A0~A3 provided in the ^I 2 CI / O expander 615 is input to the bus controller 634. Further, an address for resetting the I ² CI / O expander 615 is also set in advance.

The bus controller 634 determines whether or not the address of the data input from the connection line SDA matches the unique address set in the I ² CI / O expander 615. Capture as production control data.

In addition, the bus controller 634 determines whether or not the address of the data input from the connection line SDA matches the reset address set in the I ² CI / O expander 615. The data is fetched as initialization instruction data (initialization command RES), and the I ² CI / O expander 615 is initialized.

  In addition, the bus controller 634 changes the signal level of the connection line SCL from LOW to HIGH, and when the signal level of the connection line SCL changes from HIGH to LOW after fetching the eighth bit data. The response signal is output from the connection line SDA to the master IC 570. Furthermore, when it is confirmed that the signal level of the connection line SCL changes from LOW to HIGH, and the signal level of the connection line SCL changes from HIGH to LOW again, the connection line SDA is released. In other words, the response signal is output at the timing when the signal level of the connection line SCL changes from LOW to HIGH.

In the output setting register 635, the operation mode of the I ² CI / O expander 615 and the output state of the ports 0 to 15 are set. When the bus controller 634 fetches the initialization instruction data from the connection line SDA and the I ² CI / O expander 615 is initialized, the output setting register 635 causes a current to flow to all the ports 0 to 15. It is set to the initial state so that there is no.

  Based on the data set in the output setting register 635, the output controller 636 causes a current to flow to the effect devices (here, LEDs and light emitting units) connected to the ports 0 to 15 via the port driver 637 ( The output state of the effect device (here, the light emission state) is actually controlled by the output of lighting data). This output state is updated to the contents specified in the effect control data when the bus controller 634 fetches the effect control data from the connection line SDA.

That is, the output setting register 635 is set based on the effect control data received from the master IC 570, and when the stop condition is received, the output state of each port 0-15 is updated and reflected in the effect device. Therefore, unlike the shift register, it is not necessary to receive the LAT signal (latch signal), that is, the production control can be performed without the need for wiring for receiving the LAT signal. This is particularly effective when the port output state needs to be updated simultaneously by a plurality of I ² CI / O expanders 615 (slave ICs 450 and 460), and is controlled by different I ² CI / O expanders 615. Even if it is an apparatus, since it can control to perform production | presentation operation simultaneously, it becomes possible to heighten the production effect more.

Note that, when the stop condition is received, the output state of each port 0 to 15 is not updated and reflected in the effect device, but can be reflected in the effect device when the response signal is output. In the case where an effect device that is required to execute an effect operation at the same time is controlled by one I ² CI / O expander 615, it may be reflected in the effect device when a response signal is output. By doing so, it is not necessary for the master IC 570 to output the stop condition, and the effect control data can be continuously transmitted, so that the effect control can be performed at high speed.

  When a current flows through a port, the driver 637 applies a voltage at which the transistors 638A to 638P connected to the port through which the current flows can operate.

  The gates of the transistors 638A to 638P are connected to the driver 637, the drain is connected to a port terminal connected to a connection line to which a voltage for operating the effect device is applied, and the source is grounded.

  If the voltage applied to the gates of the transistors 638A to 638P is equal to or higher than a predetermined value for operating the transistor 638, the predetermined voltage applied to the gate from the driving power supply is grounded via the drain of the transistor 638. When the current flows to the output terminal, it is possible to control the output state of the effect device (here, LED) connected to the port terminal.

^Also, I 2 CI / O expander ^615, since it is possible to simultaneously control all effect device connected to the port terminal of the I 2 CI / O expander ^615, I 2 CI / O expander 615 It is possible to control one rendering device (here, LEDs) connected to one port terminal as one group.

Since the I ² CI / O expanders 615 are assigned different individual addresses, the rendering device (LED here) is divided into a plurality of groups. That is, each I ² CI / O expander 615 (each slave IC 450, 460) is configured as a group unit control unit capable of controlling the effect device in units of groups.

Therefore, the production control device 300 that controls each I ² CI / O expander 615 (each slave IC 450, 460) functions as a group control unit that controls the group unit control unit.

The reset signal generation circuit 639 is connected to a Vcc terminal connected to a connection line Vcc that supplies power to the I ² CI / O expander 615 and a RESET terminal that receives an external reset signal.

The reset signal generation circuit 639 generates a reset signal when the I ² CI / O expander 615 is turned on and the voltage rises to a predetermined value. The generated reset signal is sent to the bus controller 634, the output setting register 635, And initialization by inputting to the output controller 636.

Therefore, when the harness is removed, the connection line Vcc for supplying logic power is temporarily disconnected, and when the harness is reinserted, the power supply is restored, and the reset signal generation circuit 639 outputs a reset signal. Become. In other words, the I ² CI / O expander 615 can be initialized (reset) by removing and inserting the harness when repairing or inspecting the gaming machine (power-on reset). ). Note that a connection line Vcc for supplying power for logic, a drive power supply line for a rendering device (in this case for LED), a connection line SDA, a connection line SCL, and a ground line GND are called a harness.

  Note that, when a LOW level reset signal is input from the outside, the reset signal generation circuit 639 outputs a reset signal, so that the CPU 311 of the effect control device 300 may input a reset signal to the RESET terminal. .

The bus monitor WDT 640 is used to detect that another I ² CI / O expander 615 occupies the connection line SDA. The bus monitoring WDT 640 is connected to the reset signal generation circuit 639. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the connection line SDA is occupied, the bus monitoring WDT 640 operates its own reset signal generation circuit 639, and the I ² CI / O EX The panda 615 is initialized.

The self-occupied WDT 641 is used to detect the occupation of the connection line SDA by itself (I ² CI / O expander 615). When the self-occupied WDT 641 operates continuously for a predetermined time, the self-occupied WDT 641 generates a reset signal in the reset signal generation circuit 639 to initialize the I ² CI / O expander 615.

[Register configuration of slave IC]
FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining work registers assigned to the output setting register 635 included in the slave ICs 450 and 460 according to the second embodiment.

A work register (device register) and a control register (control register) are assigned to the output setting register 635 of the I ² CI / O expander 615 as the slave ICs 450 and 460.

Work ^register, and information for settings that are predefined for I 2 CI / O expander ^615, to effect device connected to the I 2 CI / O expander 615 (here LED) Information for specifying the output mode is stored.

  In addition, the control register stores information defining a procedure for writing data to the work register. The work register is configured to store a plurality of pieces of information in different storage areas, and a different register number is assigned to each storage area.

The register number “00h” and the register number “01h” correspond to a mode register for performing the initial setting of the I ² CI / O expander 615. The register name “MODE1” is assigned to the storage area of the register number “00h”. The register name “MODE2” is assigned to the storage area of the register number “01h”. When values are written in the storage areas (“MODE1” and “MODE2”) of the register numbers “00h” and “01h”, the I ² CI / O expander 615 is initialized based on the written values.

Note that bit 3 (OCH) of the “MODE2” register is a parameter that defines the timing at which the effect control data stored in the output setting register 635 of the I ² CI / O expander 615 is actually reflected in the effect device. . In this embodiment, “0” is set, and lighting data is output based on the effect control data stored in the output setting register 635 when the stop condition is received, and the output state of the effect device (here, the light emission) Is set to actually control the state). Note that the lighting data is set based on the effect control data stored in the output setting register 635 when the value of bit 3 (OCH) of the register of “MODE2” is set to “1” and the response signal (ACK) is output. A configuration is also possible that outputs and actually controls the output state of the rendering device.

The register numbers “02h” to “11h” (register names “PWM0” to “PWM15”) corresponding to the ports 0 to 15 are set with parameters of the rendering device (LED) to be controlled. When a value is written to any of the storage areas of register numbers “02h” to “11h”, the value is written out of the light emitting devices (16 LEDs) connected to the I ² CI / O expander 615. The brightness (brightness) of the LED corresponding to the register number is adjusted based on the written value. For example, when a value is written in the storage area of the register number “02h”, the luminance of the LED 0 connected to the port 0 is adjusted.

When the I ² CI / O expander 615 is the first slave IC 450, the LEDs 0 to 15 connected to the ports 0 to 15 are the fourth symbol LED 80a (special Fig. 1 fourth symbol LED), respectively. It corresponds to the 4th design LED 80b (the special design 2 4th design LED), the special design 1 hold LED1, the special drawing 1 hold LED2, the special drawing 2 hold LED1, the special drawing 2 hold LED2, and the production button LEDs 1-10. When the I ² CI / O expander 615 is the second slave IC 460, the LEDs 0 to 15 connected to the ports 0 to 15 correspond to decoration (production) decoration LEDs.

Register number “12h” (register name “GRPPWM”) and register number “13h”
(Register name “GRPFREQ”) is set with a parameter that specifies an operation pattern of the entire control target. When a value is written in the storage areas of the register numbers “12h” and “13h”, the blinking pattern of the entire LED (16 LEDs) is set based on the written value. Specifically, a duty cycle that is an on / off ratio of the entire LED is set in the register number “12h”, and a blinking cycle of the entire LED is set in the register number “13h”.

  In register numbers “14h” (register name “LEDOUT0”) to “17h” (register name “LEDOUT3”), the output state of the LED controlled by each port is set. Each register can set four LED output states.

  When a value is written in the storage area of the register number “14h”, the output states of the LEDs 0 to LED3 are set based on the written value. Similarly, the output state of LED4 to LED7 is stored in the storage area of register number “15h”, the output state of LED8 to LED11 is stored in the storage area of register number “16h”, and the LED12 to LED15 are stored in the storage area of register number “17h”. Output status is set.

  Sub-addresses are set in the register numbers “18h” to “1Ah” (register names “SUBADR1” to “SUBADR3”). When values are written in the storage areas of the register numbers “18h” to “1Ah”, the first subaddress to the third subaddress are set based on the written values.

  The register number “1Bh” (register name “ALLCALLADR”) is set with an all-call address for outputting a command to all slaves. The all call address is used, for example, when the initialization process is executed for all slaves when the power is turned on.

[Production control data of master IC]
FIG. 36 is a diagram for describing the configuration of effect control data (transmission data) transmitted by the master IC 570 according to the second embodiment and the transmission order of each data constituting the effect control data.

First, the master IC 570 transmits 8-bit data that can specify the individual address (slave address) of the I ² CI / O expander 615 (slave IC 450, 460) that is the target of transmitting the presentation control data.

Next, the master IC 570 transmits data set in the control register of the output setting register 635 of the I ² CI / O expander 615 (slave IC 450, 460). The control register data allows, for example, a setting to allow auto-increment and update all storage areas of the work register.

  Further, the master IC 570 transmits values to be written to the MODE2 register (a total of 8 bits), and thereafter transmits the set values in order to the remaining storage area registers whose register numbers are “02h” to “1Bh”. .

[Power-saving control processing]
Next, a power saving control process (power saving control means) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the power saving control process (B0016) executed by the effect control device 300 in the main process (FIG. 19).

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not a customer waiting demo command (customer waiting demo start information) has been received (B2801). The customer waiting demonstration command is set in the special figure normal processing (FIG. 10) and sent from the game control device 100 when both the special figure 1 hold number and the special figure 2 hold number are 0 (B1307). . When the customer waiting demo command is received (the result of B2801 is “Y”), the power saving timer is set, and the power saving flag indicating that the gaming machine 10 is saving power is turned on (B2802). Note that, when the waiting game demo command is received and the usual game is being executed, the power saving timer and the power saving flag may be set when the usual game is finished. If the customer waiting demo command has not been received (the result of B2801 is “N”), it is determined whether or not a variable command (for example, a variable command) has been received (B2803).

  When the effect control device 300 receives the variable command (the result of B2803 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 cancels the power saving state in order to start the decorative special figure variable display game (B2804). Here, the PWM0 register value to the PWM15 register value of the effect control data (FIG. 36) are changed so that the luminance of the power saving target LED (light emitting unit) is changed to a value before power saving (for example, the normal value “high”). Also, the BGM (music) from the speaker is turned on, and the power saving flag indicating that the gaming machine 10 is saving power is turned off. In addition, the power saving timer is cleared. Even when the usual command is received (the result of B1319 is “Y”), the power saving state is not canceled. Even if the common command is received, there is usually no effect related to the general variation display game, so there is no problem even if the power saving state is not canceled, and it is beneficial to maintain the power saving state. That is, the power saving state is prevented from being canceled unnecessarily.

  When the variation control command is not received (result of B2803 is “N”), the effect control device 300 checks the power saving timer (B2805). Next, it is determined whether or not the power saving timer is time t1 (that is, whether or not time t1 has elapsed since the reception of the customer waiting demo command) (B2806). When the power saving timer is time t1 (result of B2806 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not the luminance (brightness) of the power saving target LED is “high” (B2807). When the luminance of the power saving target LED is “high” (the result of B2807 is “Y”), the luminance of the power saving target LED is set to “medium” to reduce the light (B2808). The power saving control process is terminated. When the brightness of the power saving target LED is not “high” (the result of B2807 is “N”), the power saving control process is finished as it is. Note that the LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450, such as the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c, are not the power saving target LEDs. The decorative LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is included in the power saving target LED.

  The effect control device 300 acquires the brightness command value (for example, the PWM register value in FIG. 36) to the power saving target slave IC 460 from the register of the main control microcomputer 311, the RAM, etc., and the brightness of the LED is “high”. It can be determined whether it is “medium” or “low”. In the present embodiment, the brightness (brightness command value) of the LED is set to three values of high, medium, and low, and is set to “high” in a normal state other than the power saving state, but is not limited thereto.

  When the power saving timer is not time t1 (result of B2806 is “N”), the production control device 300 determines whether or not the power saving timer is time t2 (that is, time t2 has elapsed since the reception of the customer waiting demo command). (B2809). When the power saving timer is time t2 (result of B2809 is “Y”), the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b are set in the power saving state, BGM such as various melody is turned off (B2810), and the power saving control process is ended. The effect control device 300 controls the sound source LSI 314 to turn off the BGM reproduced from the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b (that is, the volume of the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b is set to zero). Here, the BGM is switched on and off, but for example, the volume level of the BGM may be controlled.

  When the power saving timer is not time t2 (result of B2809 is “N”), the production control device 300 determines whether or not the power saving timer is time t3 (that is, time t3 has elapsed since receiving the customer waiting demo command). (B2811). When the power saving timer is at time t3 (result of B2811 is “Y”), it is determined whether the luminance of the power saving target LED is “medium” (B2812). When the brightness of the power saving target LED is “medium” (the result of B2812 is “Y”), the brightness (brightness command value) of the power saving target LED is set to “low” to reduce or turn off the light. The power saving state is set (B2813), and the power saving control process is terminated. Here again, the LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450, such as the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c, are not the power saving target LEDs. The decorative LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is included in the power saving target LED. When the luminance of the power saving target LED is not “medium” (the result of B2812 is “N”), the power saving control process is finished as it is.

  When the power saving timer is not time t3 (result of B2811 is “N”), the production control device 300 determines whether or not the power saving timer is time t4 (that is, time t4 has elapsed since the reception of the customer waiting demo command). (B2814). When the power saving timer is time t4 (result of B2814 is “Y”), the power saving timer is reset (B2815), and the power saving control process is terminated. On the other hand, when the power saving timer is not time t4 (result of B2814 is “N”), the power saving control process is finished as it is.

  In the power saving control process of FIG. 37, after receiving the customer waiting demonstration command, the effect control device 300 changes the luminance (brightness) of the LED of the slave IC 460 to be saved from “high” to “medium”, “low”. ”In a stepwise manner to a power saving state, and correspondingly, the luminance (brightness) of the display unit 41a of the display device 41 is gradually changed from“ high ”to“ medium ”and“ low ”. It may be lowered to a power saving state.

  As described above, when the variable display game is not being executed, the production control device 300 receives the customer waiting demo command and dimmes or turns off the decoration LED (second light emission) connected to the second slave IC 460. Even if the light emitting state of the first part is changed to the power saving state, the light emitting state of the LED (first light emitting part) connected to the first slave IC 450 is not changed to the power saving state. For this reason, LED (1st light emission part) connected to the 1st slave IC450 can be removed from a power-saving object, and can convey required information. It should be noted that all LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be removed from the power saving target by not setting the effect control data to be transmitted to the first slave IC 450 as data for power saving.

  The fourth design LEDs 80a and 80b connected to the first slave IC 450 are not subjected to power saving, and the light emission at a predetermined luminance (normal luminance) is maintained, so that the variation of the fourth design is stopped even when other LEDs are in the power saving state. Can convey information. The information on the fourth symbol when the fluctuation is stopped is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the result of losing the previous special-figure variation display game (lighting of the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b). It should be noted that, based on the jackpot probability (FIG. 16), the special figure variation display game almost always results in a result that is out of the jackpot result.

  Further, the player or the like pays attention to the effect button 25 by causing the effect button LED 25c connected to the first slave IC 450 to always emit light with a predetermined luminance (normal luminance) and a predetermined color (for example, green) without being a power saving target. It will be. And control which cancels | emits a power saving state when operation of the production button 25 by a player etc. is also attained. As a matter of course, the collective display device 50 (the first special figure fluctuation display unit 51 and the second special figure fluctuation display unit 52 and the like) controlled by the game control device 100 is not a power saving target.

  Further, it is not necessary to connect the large winning opening LED 39d that illuminates the large winning opening to the first slave IC 450 so as to detect fraud or the like to the large winning opening. When the upper effect unit 40c includes a light-emitting combination 481 that notifies the determination of the big hit, the big hit determination notification LED 481a (first light emitting unit) of the light-emitting combination 481 is connected to the first slave IC 450 to determine the big hit. It is not necessary to make it power saving object for information.

[Decoration control processing]
Next, an example of the decoration control process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the decoration control process (B0022) executed by the effect control device 300 in the main process (FIG. 19).

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the power saving flag is on (B2901). When the power saving flag is not turned on (result of B2901 is “N”), that is, when the gaming machine 10 is not power saving, the presentation control data (FIG. 36) is transmitted to the first slave IC 450 and the second slave IC 460. ) Is edited and output through the master IC 570 (B2902). Note that the effect control data for the first slave IC 450 and the second slave IC 460 is periodically edited (updated) when the gaming machine 10 is not saving power by the main processing loop of FIG. Thereafter, the decoration control process ends.

  On the other hand, when the power saving flag is turned on (result of B2901 is “Y”), that is, when the gaming machine 10 is saving power, the production control device 300 produces the production only for the second slave IC 460. A process of editing the control data (FIG. 36) and outputting it via the master IC 570 is executed (B2903). Note that the effect control data for the second slave IC 460 is periodically edited (updated) by the loop of the main process in FIG. Here, the production control data for the first slave IC 450 is not output even if it is edited, or the production control data for the first slave IC 450 is stopped and not output. Thereby, useless processing is reduced and power consumption can be suppressed. Thereafter, the decoration control process ends.

  A configuration is also possible in which the production control data is transmitted to each slave IC at the start of power saving of the gaming machine 10 (B2802 and the like), and thereafter the production control data is not periodically transmitted to all slave ICs. Is possible. Further, during the power saving of the gaming machine 10 (particularly after t3 in FIG. 39), the presentation control data is periodically transmitted to the first slave IC 450 that is not the power saving target, and the second slave IC 460 that is the power saving target. On the other hand, the structure which does not transmit production control data regularly is also possible.

〔Time chart〕
FIG. 39 is a time chart illustrating the state of power saving control according to the second embodiment.

  When the special figure hold number (ie, special figure 1 hold number and special figure 2 hold number) is 0 (the result of A3201 and A3206 in FIG. 10 is “Y”), the customer waiting state (customer waiting demo state) is entered. The transition condition is satisfied, the customer waiting demo flag is turned on (A3212), and at time t0, the effect control device 300 receives a customer waiting demo command (A3213, B1307). Then, the special symbol fluctuation (special figure fluctuation display game) is finished, and the display of the customer waiting demonstration is started on the display device 41 (B1308, FIG. 31).

  At time t1 after the transition to the customer waiting state (customer waiting demo state) at time t0, the brightness of the decoration LED as a power saving target connected to the second slave IC 460 changes from “high” to “medium” (B2808). At time t2, the volume of the speaker is set to zero and BGM is turned off (B2810). At time t3, the brightness of the decoration LED to be saved changes from “medium” to “low” (B2813). On the other hand, regarding the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c that are not the power saving target connected to the first slave IC 450, the luminance does not change and is always maintained at a constant luminance (normal luminance “high”).

  At time t4, when the start switch is turned on by winning a game ball and a special symbol change (special figure change display game) starts, the power saving state is canceled and the brightness of the decoration LED to be saved is the value before power saving. (For example, the normal value “high”), and BGM from the speaker is turned on (B2804). Also at this time, the luminance does not change with respect to the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c that are not power saving targets, and is always maintained at a constant luminance (normal luminance “high”).

[LED brightness adjustment processing]
Next, a player LED brightness adjustment process and a hall LED brightness adjustment process (collectively referred to as an LED brightness adjustment process) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The LED brightness adjustment process constitutes LED brightness adjustment means. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a procedure of player LED brightness adjustment processing (B2422) or hall LED brightness adjustment processing (B2407) executed by the effect control device 300 in the hall / player setting mode processing (FIG. 30). . The procedures of the player LED brightness adjustment process (B2422) and the hall LED brightness adjustment process (B2407) may be the same.

  In the present embodiment, the hall setting mode start condition (B2403) and the player setting mode start condition (B2418) can be satisfied at least when the special figure variation display game is not being executed (waiting for customers, etc.), and the LED brightness Adjustment processing can be executed. Even when the special figure variation display game is being executed, if the hall setting mode start condition (B2403) and the player setting mode start condition (B2418) can be established by operating the effect button 25 or the like, the LED brightness Adjustment processing can be executed.

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the setting target item is brightness setting (B3101). On the screen (B2419, B2404) of the display device 41 in the player setting mode or the hall setting mode, various setting items (luminance, volume, etc.) are displayed as gauges as menu displays, and the touch panel 25b of the effect button 25 (operation means). The setting target item is selected from the various setting items by the operation of (see FIG. 41). If the setting target item is not the luminance setting (the result of B3101 is “N”), the LED luminance adjustment processing is terminated.

  When the setting target item is brightness setting (the result of B3101 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not there has been a selection operation for selecting a brightness value (B3102). If there is no luminance value selection operation (the result of B3102 is “N”), the process proceeds to step B3107. When there is an operation for selecting a luminance value (the result of B3102 is “Y”), display setting of a gauge corresponding to the luminance value of the LED is performed (B3103). The brightness value selecting operation is, for example, an operation of the effect button 25 (operation means) on the touch panel 25b.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not there has been a determination operation of the brightness value (B3104). If there is no determination operation of the brightness value (the result of B3104 is “N”), the process proceeds to step B3107. When there is an operation for confirming the brightness value (the result of B3104 is “Y”), except for the LEDs connected to the first slave IC 450 (the first light emitting units such as the fourth design LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c), the LEDs Is updated (B3105). The brightness value of the decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is updated. Corresponding to the luminance value, the PWM0 register value to the PWM15 register value of the effect control data (FIG. 36) are set. Note that the processing in step B3104 may be omitted, and if there is a brightness value selection operation (result of B3102 is “Y”), the brightness value of the LED is immediately updated without requiring a confirmation operation. May be. Note that the determination operation of the brightness value is, for example, an operation on the effect button switch 25a of the effect button 25 or the touch panel 25b.

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 transmits the effect control data to the slave ICs 450 and 460, and causes the LED to emit light with the updated luminance value (B3106). Note that the LEDs connected to the first slave IC 450 (fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c, etc.) emit light at a predetermined luminance (normal luminance) because the luminance value is not updated.

  Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not there has been an operation for changing the setting target item (B3107). When the setting target item is changed (the result of B3107 is “Y”), the display of the setting target item is changed (B3108), and the LED brightness adjustment processing is terminated. If there is no change operation for the setting target item (the result of B3107 is “N”), the LED brightness adjustment process is terminated as it is.

  As described above, the effect control device 300 connects the brightness adjustment for updating and adjusting the brightness according to the operation of the effect button 25 (operation means) to the second slave IC 460 at least when the variable display game is not being executed. The brightness adjustment is not performed on the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 while the decoration LED (second light emitting unit) is performed. For this reason, the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be excluded from the brightness adjustment target and transmit necessary information. It should be noted that all the LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be excluded from the brightness adjustment targets only by not updating the presentation control data transmitted to the first slave IC 450. In particular, the 4th design LEDs 80a and 80b connected to the first slave IC 450 are not subject to brightness adjustment, and the light emission at a predetermined brightness (normal brightness) is maintained, so that the brightness changes while other LEDs are adjusting the brightness. Even so, the information of the 4th pattern can be accurately conveyed. For example, the information on the 4th symbol is the result of the previous special figure change display game being missed (lighting of the 4th symbol LEDs 80a and 80b) as shown in FIG. 2B.

  Of course, the collective display device 50 (the first special figure fluctuation display unit 51 and the second special figure fluctuation display unit 52, etc.) controlled by the game control device 100 is not an object of brightness adjustment. In addition, the big prize opening LED 39d that illuminates the big prize opening and the big hit confirmation notification LED 481a (first light emitting part) of the light emitting object 481 of the upper stage production unit 40c may be connected to the first slave IC 450 so as not to be subject to brightness adjustment. . The jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a emits light indicating that it is a big hit before the result of the special figure fluctuation display game is displayed on the lamp display units 1 and 2 (fourth symbol LED) (that is, before the fluctuation is stopped). To inform. The jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a does not emit light when the special figure variation display game is off.

  When the brightness adjustment is performed on the decoration LED (second light emitting unit), the decoration LED is caused to emit light with the updated (adjusted) luminance, while the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 is produced. Light is emitted with a predetermined luminance (normal luminance) regardless of the operation of the button 25 (operation means). For this reason, LED (1st light emission part) connected to the 1st slave IC450 can convey required information, and can prevent causing misunderstanding of a player etc.

(Brightness adjustment screen)
FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (during adjustment screen) of the display device 41 during the player LED brightness adjustment processing according to the second embodiment. The display screen of the display device 41 during the hall LED brightness adjustment process is the same.

  On the display screen during the LED brightness adjustment process, two types of gauges 711 and 713 for setting the volume and LED brightness are displayed. The two types of gauges 711 and 713 may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the decorative special symbol in the variable display area 610. Further, on the display screen, a navigation character 670 for explaining volume setting and LED luminance setting may be displayed together with two types of gauges 711 and 713. Furthermore, on the display screen, a variable display area 616 in which three decorative reduced symbols (special symbols smaller than the decorative special symbol) are variably displayed, and a hold display unit 631 (start memory display) in which a hold display (start memory display) is displayed. Part), the reserved digestion area 640 simulating the frame of the globe, the special figure 1 hold number display part 650 for displaying the special figure 1 hold number in numbers, and the special figure 2 hold number display part for displaying the hold number in numbers 660 and the like are provided.

  The operator performs a swipe operation by moving the finger in the vertical direction (movement of the touched part) on the touch panel 25b of the effect button 25, and selects a setting target item that is a target item to be set. By this swipe operation, the setting target item displayed in a specific display mode such as a highlight display (see the black frame of the gauge 713 in FIG. 41) is changed to brightness setting / volume setting (B3107 in FIG. 40). Then, brightness and volume values are selected by a swipe operation based on the movement of the finger in the left-right direction (movement of the touched part) (B3102 in FIG. 40). Note that the displayed volume and brightness values may be determined by touching the center of the touch panel 25b (B3104 in FIG. 40).

  In this way, the volume setting and brightness setting gauges are displayed and can be updated (adjusted) to the operator's preferred volume and brightness values. However, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b, the effect button LED 25c (operation light emitting unit), and the like continue to emit light at a predetermined luminance (normal luminance) because the luminance value is not updated (adjusted).

[Error / Illegal setting processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 42, an error / incorrect setting process according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an error / incorrect setting process (B1316) executed by the effect control device 300 in the single-shot command process (FIG. 22).

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the received error / unauthorized command is a normal command (B3301). If the command is not normal (the result of B3301 is “N”), the error / illegal setting process is terminated. When the command is normal (result of B3301 is “Y”), the error / invalid command is an error / invalidity command indicating the occurrence of an error or fraud, or an error / invalidity commanding an error or fraud notification. It is determined whether it is a notification command (B3302).

  When the error / unauthorized command is an error / unauthorized command or an error / unauthorized notification command (result of B3302 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 changes the LED emission state for notifying the error / unauthorized. Setting is made (B3303). For example, the LED is set in a blinking state as the light emission state (light emission mode) here. The decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is set to change the light emission state, but the LEDs connected to the first slave IC 450 (fourth design LED 80a, 80b, effect button LED 25c, etc. The light emission state of one light emitting unit is not changed, and a predetermined light emission state (normal light emission state) is maintained regardless of reception of an error / illegal command.

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 executes display setting of an error / unauthorization notification screen for error / unauthorization notification on the display device 41 (B3304), and ends the error / unauthorization setting process.

  On the other hand, when the error / unauthorized command is not an error / unauthorized command or an error / unauthorized notification command (result of B3302 is “N”), the production control device 300 determines that the error / unauthorized command is error / unauthorized. It is determined whether it is an error / unauthorization release command indicating release or an error / unauthorization notification end command for commanding termination of error / unauthorization notification (B3305). If the error / unauthorized command is not an error / unauthorized cancellation command or an error / unauthorized notification end command (result of B3305 is “N”), the error / unauthorized setting process is terminated.

  When the error / unauthorized command is an error / unauthorized release command or an error / unauthorized notification end command (result of B3305 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 emits an LED to terminate the error / unauthorized notification. A state is set (B3306). For example, as the light emission state (light emission mode) here, the LED is set to the light emission state (normal light emission state) before performing the error / illegal notification. The decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is set to change the light emission state, but the LEDs connected to the first slave IC 450 (fourth design LED 80a, 80b, effect button LED 25c, etc. The light emission state of one light emitting unit is not changed, and a predetermined light emission state (normal light emission state) is maintained regardless of reception of an error / illegal command.

  Subsequently, the production control device 300 performs display end setting of the error / unauthorization notification screen to end the error / unauthorization notification on the display device 41 (B3307), and ends the error / unauthorization setting process.

  As described above, the effect control device 300 notifies the error / unauthorization notification of the light emission state of the decoration LED (second light-emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 when an error / injustice occurs in which the variable display game is not executed. Therefore, even if it is changed, the light emission state of the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 is not changed. For this reason, the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be removed from the error / unauthorized notification target and transmit necessary information. It should be noted that all the LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be excluded from the error / unauthorized notification target without changing the effect control data transmitted to the first slave IC 450.

  In particular, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b connected to the first slave IC 450 are not subject to error / injustice notification, and other LEDs are maintained by maintaining a predetermined light emission state (including a normal light emission state and a state of zero brightness). However, it is possible to accurately convey the information of the 4th pattern even during the error / injustice notification. Here, the information on the 4th symbol means that if an error or fraud occurs while the special figure variation display game is stopped, the result of the previous special figure variation display game being missed as shown in FIG. LED 80a, 80b is turned on) or jackpot result (4th symbol LED 80a, 80b is turned off), but if an error or fraud occurs during the execution of the special figure variation display game, the error or fraud It is an aspect of 4 symbols (lit or extinguished).

[RAM initialization setting process]
Next, a RAM initialization setting process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the RAM initialization setting process (B1304) executed by the effect control device 300 in the single-shot command process (FIG. 22).

  The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the received RAM initialization command is a normal command (B3501). If the command is not normal (the result of B3501 is “N”), the RAM initialization setting process is terminated. When the command is normal (the result of B3501 is “Y”), the LED light emission state is set for the RAM initialization notification for notifying that the RAM has been initialized (B3502). For example, the LED is set in a blinking state as the light emission state (light emission mode) here. The decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is set to change the light emission state, but the LEDs connected to the first slave IC 450 (fourth design LED 80a, 80b, effect button LED 25c, etc. The light emission state of one light emitting unit is not changed, and a predetermined light emission state (normal light emission state) is maintained regardless of reception of the RAM initialization command.

  Subsequently, the effect control device 300 executes display setting of the error initialization notification screen for notification of RAM initialization on the display device 41 (B3304), and ends the error / illegal setting processing.

  As described above, the effect control device 300 notifies the RAM initialization of the lighting state of the decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 at the time of RAM initialization when the variable display game is not executed. Even if it is changed, the light emission state of the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 is not changed. For this reason, the LED (first light emitting unit) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be excluded from the RAM initialization notification target and transmit necessary information. Note that all the LEDs (first light emitting units) connected to the first slave IC 450 can be excluded from the RAM initialization notification target without changing the effect control data transmitted to the first slave IC 450.

  In particular, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b connected to the first slave IC 450 are not targeted for RAM initialization notification, and other LEDs are maintained by maintaining a predetermined light emission state (including a normal light emission state and a state of zero brightness). However, information on the 4th symbol can be transmitted even during the RAM initialization notification. Here, the information of the 4th symbol is, for example, the aspect (lit or extinguished) of the 4th symbol at the time of power recovery (power-on).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, even when the light emission state of the second light emitting unit such as the decoration LED is changed when the variable display game is not being executed, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b, the effect button LED 25c, The light emission state of the first light emitting unit such as the big hit confirmation notification LED 481a is not changed. Note that the case where the variable display game is not being executed includes power saving of the gaming machine 10, brightness adjustment, RAM initialization, error occurrence, and the like.

  In the second embodiment, the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b, the effect button LED 25c, the jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a and the like are connected to a slave IC (slave IC 450) different from the decoration LED. A configuration in which the LEDs 80a, 80b, the production button LED 25c, and the jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a are connected to the same slave IC (slave IC 460) as the decoration LED is also possible. Also in this modified example, by maintaining the PWM register value (luminance value) of the effect control data without changing the 4th symbol LED 80a, 80b, the effect button LED 25c, the big hit confirmation notification LED 481a, etc., the 4th symbol LED 80a. 80b, effect button LED 25c, jackpot confirmation notification LED 481a, and the like can be excluded from power saving targets, brightness adjustment targets, error / incorrect notification targets, and RAM initialization notification targets.

(A gaming machine according to the second embodiment)
The above second embodiment includes the gaming machines shown in the following (14) to (20).
(14) A first light emitting unit (fourth design LEDs 80a and 80b) capable of notifying the result of the variable display game for displaying the identification information in a variable manner, and a second light emitting unit provided for decoration different from the first light emitting unit ( In a gaming machine comprising: a decoration LED), and an effect control means (effect control device 300) for controlling the light emission state of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit,
The production control means includes
The light emission state of the second light emitting unit can be changed when the variable display game is not being executed,
A gaming machine (FIG. 33, FIG. 37, FIG. 40, FIG. 42, FIG. 43) characterized by not changing the light emission state of the first light emission unit even when the light emission state of the second light emission unit is changed.

(15) The production control means includes:
When the variable display game is not being executed, the second light emitting unit is controlled to be in a power saving state by dimming or extinguishing, while the first light emitting unit is not controlled to be in a power saving state (14). The gaming machine described in (FIGS. 37 and 38).

(16) Equipped with operable operation means (production button 25),
The production control unit performs luminance adjustment for adjusting the luminance according to the operation of the operation unit, at least when the variable display game is not being executed, on the second light emitting unit, The gaming machine according to (14) is characterized in that no brightness adjustment is performed on the game machine (FIGS. 1, 40, and 41).

(17) It is provided with operable operating means,
The production control unit causes the second light emitting unit to emit light with the adjusted luminance when performing luminance adjustment for adjusting the luminance according to the operation of the operation unit with respect to the second light emitting unit. The gaming machine according to (14) (FIGS. 1, 40, and 41), wherein the first light emitting unit emits light with a predetermined luminance regardless of the operation of the operation means.

(18) In a gaming machine comprising a plurality of light emitting units, and an effect control means for controlling the light emission state of the plurality of light emitting units,
Operable operating means (production button 25);
As a part of the plurality of light emitting units, an operation light emitting unit (effect button LED 25c) provided in the operation means,
The production control means includes
In accordance with the operation of the operation means, provided with a brightness adjustment means (LED brightness adjustment processing) capable of performing brightness adjustment for adjusting the brightness of at least some of the light emitting units other than the operation light emitting unit
The brightness adjusting unit does not perform brightness adjustment on the operation light emitting unit, but can perform brightness adjustment of at least some light emitting units (for example, decorative LEDs) other than the operation light emitting unit. A gaming machine (FIG. 40).

(19) The effect control means may be a power saving control means (power saving control) that can be controlled to a power saving state by dimming or extinguishing a part of the plurality of light emitting units when the variable display game is not being executed. Processing),
The power saving control means periodically transmits a command related to a light emitting state in a state other than the power saving state to light emitting units (fourth design LEDs 80a, 80b, effect button LED 25c, etc.) that are not controlled by the power saving state. The gaming machine according to (18), wherein the command is not transmitted in the power saving state (FIG. 38).

(20) The first light emitting unit (big hit confirmation notification LED 481a) that can notify the result of the variable display game in advance before the result of the variable display game is notified by a predetermined notification unit (fourth symbol LED or the like). ), A second light emitting part (decorative LED) provided for decoration different from the first light emitting part, and an effect control means for controlling the light emitting state of the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part. In gaming machines,
The production control means includes
The light emission state of the second light emitting unit can be changed when the variable display game is not being executed,
A gaming machine, wherein the light emitting state of the first light emitting unit is not changed even when the light emitting state of the second light emitting unit is changed.

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
According to the gaming machine of (14) above, when the variable display game is not being executed, the result of the variable display game can be notified even if the light emission state of the decorative second light emitting unit different from the first light emitting unit is changed. Since the light emission state of the first light emitting unit is not changed, it is possible to accurately notify the result of the variable display game. Note that when the variable display game is not being executed, it includes power saving control, brightness adjustment, RAM initialization, error occurrence, and the like. Furthermore, when the light emitting states of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit are controlled via the same network, wiring necessary for controlling the light emitting unit can be simplified.

  According to the gaming machine of (15) above, the second light emitting unit is controlled to be in the power saving state by dimming or extinguishing, while the first light emitting unit is not controlled to be in the power saving state. Thus, information regarding the variable display game can be accurately displayed.

  According to the gaming machine of (16) above, the luminance adjustment for adjusting the luminance in accordance with the operation of the operating means is performed on the second light emitting unit, while the luminance adjustment is not performed on the first light emitting unit. Even when the machine is adjusting the brightness, the first light emitting unit can accurately display information regarding the variable display game.

  According to the gaming machine of the above (17), when the luminance adjustment for adjusting the luminance according to the operation of the operation means is performed on the second light emitting unit, the second light emitting unit is caused to emit light with the adjusted luminance, Since the first light emitting unit emits light with a predetermined luminance regardless of the operation of the operation means, information regarding the variable display game can be accurately displayed by the first light emitting unit even while the gaming machine is adjusting the luminance.

  According to the above gaming machine (18), since the brightness adjusting means does not perform brightness adjustment on the operation light emitting part, the operation light emitting part (effect button LED 25c) provided in the operating means (effect button 25) is always set to a predetermined high level. Light can be emitted with luminance, and information can be transmitted to prompt the player or the like to operate the operation means (the effect button 25). Furthermore, when controlling the light emission state of a some light emission part via the same network, wiring required in order to control a some light emission part can be simplified.

  According to the gaming machine of (19) above, since a command related to the light emission state is not transmitted in the power saving state to the light emitting units (fourth design LEDs 80a and 80b and the effect button LED 25c) that are not controlled by the power saving state, it is useless. Save power by omitting transmission.

  According to the gaming machine of (20) above, when the variable display game is not being executed, the result of the variable display game is notified in advance even if the light emission state of the decorative second light emitting unit different from the first light emitting unit is changed. Since the possible light emission state of the first light emitting unit is not changed, the result of the variable display game can be continuously notified accurately. Furthermore, when the light emitting states of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit are controlled via the same network, wiring necessary for controlling the light emitting unit can be simplified.

(Third embodiment)

  The third embodiment relates to editing (updating) and transmission of effect control data. Configurations other than those described below may be the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

[Network configuration]
FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a connection state (network configuration) between the effect control device 300 (master IC side) and the board decoration device 46 or the board effect device 44 (slave IC side) in the third embodiment. Except for the configuration described below, the configuration is the same as FIG. 33 of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 44, only the second slave IC 1 and the second slave IC 2 are shown as the second slave IC 460 for simplicity.

  In FIG. 44, unlike FIG. 33 of the second embodiment, a board effect device 44 is added. The master IC 570 of the effect control device 300 and the plurality of third slave ICs 1 and 2 (464-1, 464-2) of the board effect device 44 are connected by a network 451 (serial communication network) and perform serial communication. The master IC 570 of the effect control device 300 corresponds to a combination of the board decoration LED control circuit 332 and the board effect movable body control circuit 334.

  The board production device 44 includes a plurality of motors 1 and 2 (465) as a driving unit (driving means) for driving a plurality of third slave ICs 1 and 2 (464-1 and 464-2) and a movable body (movable accessory). -1, 465-2) and a plurality of position detection sensors 1, 2 (466-1, 466-2) for detecting rotational positions of the plurality of motors 1, 2. The position detection sensors 1 and 2 are included in the effect actor switch 47. The plurality of third slave ICs 1 and 2 (464-1, 464-2) are collectively referred to as a third slave IC 464.

  The third slave IC 1 (464-1) supplies current to the motor 1 (465-1) based on the effect control data from the effect control device 300 for control. A signal from the position detection sensor 1 (466-1) that detects the rotational position of the motor 1 is input from the third slave IC 1 to the effect control device 300 via the network 451. The third slave IC 2 (465-2) controls the motor 2 (465-2) by supplying current based on the effect control data from the effect control device 300. A signal from the position detection sensor 2 (466-2) that detects the rotational position of the motor 2 is input from the third slave IC 2 to the effect control device 300 via the network 451. That is, unlike FIG. 4, signals from the position detection sensors 1 and 2 are input to the effect control device 300 via the network 451 without passing through the switch input circuit 336.

  The third slave IC 464 has the configuration shown in FIG. 34 in the same manner as the slave ICs 450 and 460, but the currents of the respective phases of the motors 1 and 2 are supplied from the ports 0 to 15. There may be a plurality of motors 1, and the third slave IC 1 (464-1) may control the plurality of motors 1. There may be a plurality of motors 2, and the third slave IC 2 (464-2) may control the plurality of motors 2. The configuration of the work register assigned to the output setting register 635 of the third slave IC 464 is different from that shown in FIG. 35, for example, register numbers “02h” to “11h” (register name “PWM0” corresponding to the outputs of the ports 0 to 15). To “PWM15”), the current value of each phase and the parameter indicating the on / off of the current are set, and the registers of register numbers “12h” to “17h” may be omitted.

  Each slave IC 450, 460, 464 is connected to the network 451 via the harness 471 and its connector 455. When the connector 455 of the harness 471 is removed, the connection line Vcc for supplying power for logic is temporarily disconnected, and when the connector 455 of the harness 471 is reinserted, the power supply is restored, and the reset signal generating circuit of FIG. 639 outputs a reset signal. That is, when repairing or inspecting the gaming machine, the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 can be initialized (reset) by inserting and removing the harness 471 (power-on reset).

[Main processing (production control device)]
Next, a main process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing (main program) executed by the effect control device 300. The main process is executed by the main control microcomputer 311 (production microcomputer) when the gaming machine 10 is powered on. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same process as the main process of FIG. 19, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The effect control device 300 initializes the CPU 311 and the VDP 312 when the power is turned on (when the power is restored) (B0002, B0003), and initializes the master IC 570 and the slave ICs 450, 460, 464 (B3701). The effect control device 300 transmits initialization instruction data (initialization command RES) for initializing the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 to the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464.

  In addition to the decoration control process (B0022), the effect control apparatus 300 executes a fourth symbol LED control process for controlling the light emission state of the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b between steps B0018 and B0019 (B3702). ). In the fourth symbol LED control process, the effect control data (FIG. 36) transmitted to the first slave IC 450 is updated. In the fourth symbol LED control process, only the PWM0 register value and the PWM1 register value corresponding to the luminance of the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b in the effect control data (FIG. 36) may be updated and transmitted to the slave IC 450. The PWM0 register value to the PWM15 register value corresponding to the brightness of all LEDs controlled by the first slave IC 450 may be updated and transmitted to the slave IC 450.

  The control data (PWM0 register value and PWM1 register value) for the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b is updated by updating the production control data at the first update cycle (for example, 4 msec) by the loop processing of steps B0008 to B0023 of the main processing. Is done. On the other hand, the control data for the decoration LED (second light emitting unit) connected to the second slave IC 460 is updated in the decoration control process (B0022) in the decoration control process (B0022) at the second update period (frame switching period, image display period). Updated by. The first update cycle is different from the second update cycle, and the first update cycle is shorter than the second update cycle. Therefore, it is possible to control the light emission state of the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b displaying the result of the variable display game at a higher speed than the decoration LED displaying the simple decoration. The decorative LED changes the duty ratio between 0% and 100% to achieve an intermediate color, but the duty ratios of the fourth pattern LEDs 80a and 80b are fixed to 100%.

  In the third embodiment, a configuration in which the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b and the decoration LED are connected to the same slave IC is possible. However, even in this case, the control data of the fourth symbol LEDs 80a and 80b in the effect control data is also possible. Is made shorter than the update period of the control data of the decoration LED. Moreover, even if the update cycle of all the decoration LEDs is the same, the update timing of some decoration LEDs may be shifted from the update timing of other decoration LEDs to perform time-sharing processing. The color will be clearer if you align them.

[Moving object control timer interrupt processing]
FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the movable body control timer interrupt process executed by the effect control device 300 in the third embodiment. The movable body control timer interrupt process (FIG. 46) is executed for each control basic period (interrupt period) as one of the timer interrupt processes for the main process (FIG. 45) of the effect control device 300. In this embodiment, the basic control cycle (interrupt cycle) is 1 msec.

  The production control device 300 first sets the interruption to the prohibited state (B3901). Next, the effect control data regarding the motor 1 is updated based on the effect set in the movable body control process (B0023 in FIG. 45) (B3902). Further, the effect control data related to the motor 2 is updated based on the effect set in the movable body control process (B0023 in FIG. 45) (B3903).

  Next, the effect control device 300 outputs effect control data related to the motor 1 and the motor 2 to the port (B3904). Thereafter, the interrupt is permitted (B3905), and the movable body control timer interrupt process is terminated.

  Thus, the update period (third update period) of the presentation control data for the drive unit (motor 1 and motor 2) has a control basic period (interrupt period) of 1 msec, which is longer than the first update period and the second update period. Shorter. Accordingly, the drive unit (motor 1 and motor 2) can be controlled at a higher speed than the LED (light emitting unit).

[Production control data of master IC]
FIG. 47 illustrates the configuration of effect control data (transmission data) transmitted from the master IC 570 according to the third embodiment to the first slave IC 450 or the second slave IC 460, and the transmission order of each data constituting the effect control data. FIG. In FIG. 47, a start command (start information) is added to the head from the effect control data (FIG. 36) transmitted by the master IC 570 according to the second embodiment to the first slave IC 450 or the second slave IC 460. The effect control data transmitted from the master IC 570 to the third slave IC 464 also has a start command (start information) at the head. Note that the portion other than the start command (start information) in the production control data is referred to as a data command.

[Slave processing]
FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining details of processing executed by the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464. This process is executed when the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 are powered on.

  First, the slave IC executes its own initialization when power is turned on (when power is restored) (B4101). Next, it is determined whether or not initialization instruction data (initialization command RES) from the effect control device 300 (master IC 570) has been received (B4102). When the initialization instruction data is received (result of B4102 is “Y”), the slave IC executes its own initialization (B4103). When the initialization instruction data has not been received (the result of B4102 is “N”), the process proceeds to step B4104.

  Next, the slave IC determines whether or not the start command (FIG. 47) in the effect control data has been received (B4104). When the start command (start information) is received (the result of B4104 is “Y”), the slave address transmitted after the start command in the effect control data matches the unique address set in the slave IC. It is determined whether or not (B4105). When the slave address matches the unique address (the result of B4105 is “Y”), the data command after the slave address is fetched and reflected in the effect control data (B4106), and the process returns to step B4102. Thereby, when a start command is received, effect control data can be taken in and reflected in the light emission state (luminance) of the LED and the driving mode (current value) of the motors 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, when a start command (start information) has not been received (result of B4104 is “N”), or when the slave address does not match a unique address (result of B4105 is “N”), the reception buffer Is cleared and the data command is rejected (effect control data is rejected) (B4107), and the process returns to step B4102.

〔Time chart〕
FIG. 49 is a time chart showing a state of processing in the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 49A shows the state of processing when the gaming machine 10 is turned on (when power is restored). FIG. 49B shows a state of processing at the time of power-on reset by inserting / removing the harness 471.

  In FIG. 49A, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on (powered on), the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 execute an initialization operation to initialize itself (B4101). Thereafter, when initialization instruction data (initialization command RES) is received from the effect control device 300 (B3701), the initialization operation for initializing itself is executed again. When the start command is received after initialization, the subsequent data command is fetched and reflected in the light emission state (luminance) of the LED and the driving mode (current value) of the motors 1 and 2 (B4106). When the gaming machine 10 is turned on (powered on), the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 are surely initialized by the initialization instruction data (initialization command RES).

  In FIG. 49 (B), when the harness 471 is inserted and removed, the power supply is interrupted and then returned (power off and then on), and the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 execute an initialization operation to initialize itself. (B4101). When the start command is received after the initialization, the slave ICs 450, 460, and 464 take in the subsequent data commands and reflect them in the light emission state (luminance) of the LED and the driving mode (current value) of the motors 1 and 2. However, after initialization, if the received command is not a start command, the slave ICs 450, 460 and 464 clear the reception buffer and reject the data command (B4107). Therefore, the effect control data that cannot be normally received immediately after the initialization operation (power-on reset) and is indeterminate, that is, the effect control data received from the middle because the start command is not in time like the dotted line is rejected. Therefore, the malfunction of the slave ICs 450, 460, 464 can be prevented.

(A gaming machine according to the third embodiment)
The above third embodiment includes the gaming machines shown in the following (21) and (22).
(21) In a gaming machine comprising a plurality of effect devices (such as LEDs) for performing a game effect, and effect control means (effect control device 300) for controlling the plurality of effect devices,
Dividing the plurality of effect devices (LEDs, etc.) into a plurality of groups, and providing slaves for controlling the effect devices belonging to the divided groups for each group,
The production control means functions as a master that executes serial communication with the slave, and can transmit initialization instruction data and production control data to the slave.
The slave executes its initialization when power supply is started or when initialization instruction data is received,
A game characterized in that after the initialization is performed, the effect control data is fetched and the output mode of the effect device is updated only when the effect control data includes predetermined start information (start command) at the head. Machine (FIGS. 44, 45, 47, 48, 49).

(22) A variable display game for displaying the identification information in a variable manner, a first light emitting unit (fourth design LEDs 80a and 80b) capable of displaying the results of the variable display game, and a decoration different from the first light emitting unit. Production control means for controlling the second light emitting unit (decorative LED), the driving unit (motor) for driving the movable body, and the first light emitting unit, the second light emitting unit, and the driving unit via the same network. In a gaming machine comprising
The production control means includes
Update the control data output to the drive unit at an update cycle (third update cycle) shorter than the update cycle of the control data output to the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit,
The control data output to the first light emitting unit is updated at an update cycle (first update cycle) different from an update cycle (second update cycle) of control data output to the second light emitting unit. A gaming machine (FIGS. 44, 45, and 46).

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the gaming machine (21), after the initialization is performed, the effect control data is taken in and the output mode of the effect device is updated only when the effect control data includes predetermined start information at the head. Accordingly, even if the presentation control data to the slave immediately after the initialization operation cannot be normally received and it becomes uncertain, it can be appropriately dealt with.

  According to the gaming machine of (22) above, the effect control means can control the drive unit (motor 1 and motor 2) that need to be controlled at a higher speed than the light emitting unit (LED). Moreover, the control data output to the 1st light emission part (4th design LED 80a, 80b) which can display the information regarding a variable display game, and the 2nd light emission part (decoration LED) provided for decorations different from a 1st light emission part. Can be updated at an update cycle suitable for each of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. Furthermore, since the plurality of light emitting units and the driving unit are controlled via the same network, wiring necessary for controlling the plurality of light emitting units and the driving unit can be simplified.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea, and it is obvious that these are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. It is. For example, it is possible to combine a plurality of embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

10 gaming machine 12 front frame (game frame)
25 Production button 25c Production button LED
30 Game board 32 Game area 36 First start prize opening (first start prize area)
37 Ordinary variable winning device (second starting winning area)
39 Special variation prize winning device 40 Center case 41 Display device 42 Setting change device 44 Board directing device 46 Board decoration device 50 Collective display device (LED)
80 Lamp display device 80a, 80b 4th pattern LED
100 Game control device (main board)
200 Dispensing control device 300 Production control device (sub-board)
338 RTC (Real Time Clock)
400 Power supply 450 First slave IC
460 Second slave IC
464 Third Slave IC
471 harness

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine comprising a plurality of light emitting units, and an effect control means for controlling the light emission state of the plurality of light emitting units,
Operable operating means;
An operation light emitting unit provided in the operation means as a part of the plurality of light emitting units,
The production control means includes
In accordance with the operation of the operation means, comprising: a brightness adjustment means capable of performing brightness adjustment for adjusting the brightness of at least some of the light emitting units other than the operation light emitting unit;
The said brightness adjustment means does not perform brightness adjustment with respect to the said operation light emission part, but can perform the brightness adjustment of at least one light emission part other than the said operation light emission part, The game machine characterized by the above-mentioned.