JP2019141310A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent an inference of the result of a loop lottery in a game machine performing loop lotteries.SOLUTION: A game machine comprises: a first transmission processing unit for transmitting an advance-notice command for a start of a presentation related to loop lottery processing before an execution of the loop lottery processing; and a second transmission processing unit for transmitting second information of the presentation corresponding to the result of an addition by a loop lottery after the loop lottery processing is terminated. Presentations related to the loop lottery processing can be started at a constant timing set in advance without depending on the timing of the termination of the loop lottery processing. Since the start timing of the presentations for the loop lotteries does not change according to the results of the lotteries, it is possible to prevent an inference of the result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, and more particularly, to a command transmission timing for an effect related to a loop lottery.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  Various devices such as a liquid crystal display device, a display lamp for display (electric decoration), and a sound generator (sound device, speaker) are provided in the gaming machine as devices that play a role of enhancing the interest of the player. In addition, there may be provided a movable accessory (movable body) that includes a movable part and produces an effect by the movement of the movable part. In the following description, not only the liquid crystal display device, the electrical decoration, and the sound generation device itself but also their control devices may be referred to as “effect devices”.

Patent No. 5585899 Provided is a game stand that can prevent a decrease in the interest of a game while using a loop lottery process. The control means of the gaming table is configured to be able to execute a loop lottery process for continuously executing the predetermined lottery process until a predetermined lottery result is derived by the predetermined lottery process. In addition, a delay process that executes the loop lottery process based on the satisfaction of a predetermined execution condition and delays the timing at which the next process to be executed next after the predetermined execution condition is satisfied Execute.

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the timing at which the next process is executed is delayed by the delay process. Thus, a predetermined effect unrelated to the loop lottery is performed for a longer time than the time required for the loop lottery, and after this effect is finished, an effect indicating the result of the loop lottery is performed. As a result, the start timing of the production showing the result of the loop lottery becomes constant, so that it is possible to prevent the player from guessing the result of the loop lottery based on the fluctuation of the start timing of the production (so-called extra ballot of the addition result) Yes.

  However, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent advance ballet of the addition result, after performing an effect unrelated to the loop lottery until a time obtained by adding a delay time to the loop lottery time, at a certain timing Since the lottery result is notified, the player can show a redundant performance regardless of the fact until the player knows the lottery result, which may impair his interest. Further, Patent Document 1 is not different from the prior art in that it simply waits for the end of the loop lottery. Patent Document 1 does not perform any processing before the execution of the loop lottery.

  The present invention provides a gaming machine that can perform the lottery process in which the time required for the end of the process is indefinite while solving the above-mentioned problems, and can make the process start timing related to the lottery result constant. For the purpose.

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a predetermined process corresponding to a result of a predetermined process (for example, a loop lottery process, hereinafter referred to as “specific process”).
The specific process has an indefinite time required to complete the process,
A first transmission processing unit that transmits first information (addition start, notice command) related to the start of the predetermined process before the execution of the specific process;
After completion of the specific process, second information (addition information, addition result, information for specifying a specific mode of the process) related to execution of the predetermined process corresponding to the result of the specific process is transmitted. Two transmission processing units;
A processing unit that executes the predetermined process based on the first information and the second information;
The processing unit does not depend on the timing of the end of the specific process (although the time required to end the process of the specific process is indefinite), and does not depend on the timing of the end of the specific process. The predetermined processing based on the above is started.

  After the transmission of the first information and before the transmission of the second information, a predetermined signal (IF2 test command) to be transmitted within a predetermined time from the start of execution of the specific process is transmitted A third transmission processing unit may be provided.

  The certain timing is a trigger for starting the specific process (depressing a start switch) or a predetermined time after the trigger (the number of loops in the loop lottery). The time required for the end of the specific process is indefinite because it includes a loop process and the number of repetitions is influenced by the lottery result (in short, the number of loops is selected by the lottery result).

This invention relates to a predetermined lottery process and a gaming machine that performs a predetermined effect corresponding to the result of the lottery process,
An information separation unit that divides the information related to the lottery processing into first information to be sent immediately and second information to be sent after the first information (may be delayed);
Before the completion of the lottery process, a first transmission processing unit for transmitting first information (addition start, notice command) related to the start of the production related to the lottery process;
2nd transmission which transmits the 2nd information (information for designating the specific aspect of an effect, an additional result, an addition result, and an effect) concerning execution of the production corresponding to a result of the lottery processing after the lottery processing is completed A processing unit;
A processing unit that executes the effect based on the first information and the second information;
Although the time required for the end of the lottery process is indefinite, the processing unit does not depend on the completion timing of the lottery process, and sets the first information at a predetermined fixed timing. The said production based on is started, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this invention, before the execution of the lottery process, the first transmission processing unit that transmits the first information related to the start of the process related to the lottery process, and after the lottery process, Since it has the 2nd transmission processing part which transmits the 2nd information concerning execution of the processing corresponding to a result, the start timing of the production concerning loop lottery can be made constant. The player is prevented from guessing the result of the loop lottery (the first ballet of the addition result), and the interest is not lost.

It is a perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state where the front door was closed. It is a perspective view of the slot machine showing a state where the front door is opened. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the advance barre of the addition result in a loop lottery process. It is a block diagram of the loop lottery process and command transmission process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the loop lottery process and command transmission process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the command transmission which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another explanatory view (timing chart) of command transmission concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing (block diagram) of a connection of a test apparatus and a slot machine. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the relationship between the command transmission of a transmission loop lottery process, and transmission of the command for IF2 test. It is another block diagram of the loop lottery process and the command transmission process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is another flowchart of the loop lottery process and command transmission process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the command transmission which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a block diagram of the presentation process and command transmission process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view in the state where the front door of the pachinko machine was opened. It is a figure (front view) which shows the mode of the board surface of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram of a pachinko machine.

<Structure of gaming machine>
FIG. 1 shows a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 shows a front view of the slot machine with the front door open. In the following description, the upward, downward, left, or right directions refer to directions viewed from the player facing the slot machine unless otherwise specified.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. The slot machine 100 includes a slot machine housing 120 and a front door that is attached to one side of the front surface of the slot machine housing 120 by a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. 130. The front door 130 includes an upper door 130U and a lower door 130L that can be opened and closed independently.

  A game display 131 is provided in the upper right corner of the front surface of the front door 130. The player can see three reels of the reel unit 203 through the game display unit 131.

  A medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the upper door 130U. On the left side of the medal insertion slot 132, a clogged medal is inserted into the slot machine. A reject button 133 is provided for forcibly discharging outside 100.

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the lower door 130L, and three stop buttons 140 are provided between the start switch 134 and the medal slot 132 corresponding to each of the three reels. Yes.

  A liquid crystal panel LCD1 is provided at the center of the upper door 130U, and a liquid crystal panel LCD2 is provided on almost the entire surface of the lower door 130L.

  A switch (cross key unit) SW as an operation unit is provided at the center of the upper surface of the lower door 130L, that is, above the stop button 140 and between the bet switch BET and the medal slot 132. The switch SW includes, for example, a cursor key (switch) for moving the cursor up / down / left / right, an operation confirmation button / cancel button, and the like.

  Illuminated DRU, DRL, DLU, and DLL are provided on the left and right ends of the slot machine 100, respectively. That is, an electric decoration DLU is provided at the left end of the upper door 130U, an electric decoration DRU is provided at the right end, an electric decoration DLL is provided at the left end of the lower door 130L, and an electric decoration DRL is provided at the right end. Each of the electrical decorations DRU, DRL, DLU, and DLL includes a light emitting device (LED).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine housing 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals in a payout opening provided at the lower front portion of the lower door 130 </ b> L. A hopper device 121 for paying out one by one is installed. A hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a large number of medals is provided at the top of the hopper device 121. Inside the slot machine housing 120, a reel unit 203 including three reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the upper door 130U is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three reels (first reel to third reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the lower surface of the lower door 130L at the lower portion of the medal slot 132 on the upper surface of the lower door 130L. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side of the medal selector 1 and communicates with the payout port at the lower part of the lower door 130L is provided. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port via the derivation path 136.

  The main board 10 is attached to the inside of the slot machine housing 120 and below the reel unit 203. The main board 10 is provided with a setting change switch SSW for performing an internal setting relating to a game (for example, which of a plurality of lottery tables is used). The sub-board 20 is attached to the lower center of the back surface of the upper door 130U.

  A low-pitched speaker SPL is provided in the upper left corner of the slot machine housing 120, and two speakers (sound devices) SP that cover a standard sound range are provided below the lower door 130L.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100.

  In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine includes a power supply unit (power supply unit 205 in FIG. 2) for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).

  The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 10 as main processing devices. Substrates including the main substrate 10 and the sub-substrate are accommodated inside the case so that they cannot be contacted from the outside, and are subjected to a sealing process so that traces remain when these substrates are removed. Specifically, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 are integrally attached by caulking, and are covered by an integral case that covers the entire main board 10 and the sub board 20.

  The main board 10 is used for performing an internal lottery in response to the player's operation, and for performing processing (game processing) such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10. The sub-board 20 includes means for generating random numbers used for production.

  Hereinafter, the main board and the sub board will be described in detail.

<Main board>
The main board 10 includes the bet switch BET, the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203, the setting change switch SSW, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected.

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are attached to the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal insertion port 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors (index sensors) 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (note that The stepping motors 155a to 155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  Based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time each of the rotating cylinders 40a to 40c makes one rotation, the rotating cylinder control means 1300 starts from the reference position (a frame specified by an index (not shown)) of the rotating cylinder 40. Is obtained (by counting the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor), the current rotation state of the drum 40 can be monitored. That is, the main substrate 10 can obtain the position of the rotating drum 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating drum 40.

  In the following description, reference numeral 40 is used to indicate any one or a plurality of spinning cylinders, and reference numerals 40a to 40c are used to separately indicate three spinning cylinders.

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates an unillustrated rotating disk of the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting unit (insertion accepting means) 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions. Then, a process of permitting the start operation of the first to third cylinders for the start switch 134 is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Further, the prescribed number of throws may be set according to the game state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. From the time when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop buttons 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when the medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts a numerical value so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generating means 1100, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and big bonus (BB :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  The lottery table selection process allows the contents of the lottery to be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning can be increased or decreased), and the setting work is performed by the store in the hall where the gaming machine is installed. . The switch used in this setting operation is a setting change switch SSW.

  A normal gaming machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles in advance. In the lottery of gaming machines, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing a setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as a setting change (hereinafter referred to as “setting change”).

  Conventionally, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the door of the gaming machine is opened, and a setting change key is set as a key switch of a setting change switch SSW provided on the main board 10. With the key inserted and the key switch turned on, the game machine is turned on so that the setting can be changed. Every time the setting change button (push button) of the setting change switch SSW is pressed, 7 segments The set value displayed on the display unit is incremented to cyclically change the values from 1 to 6, and the desired set value is operated by operating the start switch when the desired set value is displayed on the display unit. Is confirmed.

  In the random number determination process, on the basis of the start signal from the start switch 134, a random number value (lottery random number) is acquired for each game from random number generation means (not shown), and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random number value. To determine whether or not they have won the role.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

  A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, when a regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and when the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The spinning cylinder control means 1300 rotates the first to third cylinders by a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first cylinder -Depressing (stopping) the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the rotating cylinders in a state where the rotation speed of the third cylinder reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 rotations per minute). In addition to performing control to permit the operation), control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders driven to rotate by the stepping motor in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), Based on the signal, the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. The number of sliding symbols is a symbol that passes through the reference position between the operation of the stop button 140 and the rotation stop of the corresponding rotating cylinder when a specific symbol that can be visually recognized from the game display unit at the time of stopping the rotating drum is used as the reference position. The number of Since the turning cylinder control means 1300 stops each turning cylinder within 190 ms from the operation of each stop button 140, the number of sliding frames is in the range of 0 to 4 (however, 80 revolutions / minute, (In the condition of the number of symbols = 21). Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  As described above, the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 is based on the reference position signal (the frame detected by the reel index) of the spinning cylinder based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time the rotating cylinder makes one rotation. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor), the current rotation state of the rotating drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first to third drums are controlled to stop the rotating drum corresponding to the pressed stop button within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. Is set to That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. For example, when a predetermined turn is displayed when the spinning cylinder is stopped by operating the stop button 140, the winning probability of replay varies. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set.

  The error processing unit 1700 determines an error of the gaming machine based on the outputs of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), the medal sensors S1 and S2, and the medal detection unit 82, and notifies that when it determines that there is an error. To a predetermined state (for example, a state in which no operation is accepted).

  A door open / close detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor that detects that the front door 130 (the upper door 130U and the lower door 130L) is closed, and is an electrical switch such as a micro switch or a contact. When the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is closed, the switch is turned on (or turned off) by the action part of the switch contacting the back side of the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L). When the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is opened, the action part is separated and turned off (or turned on). The door opening / closing detection sensor may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter. The medal sensors S1 and S2 and the medal detection unit 82 have been described above.

Specifically, the error processing unit 1700 performs the following operation.
When an opening of the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is detected based on the output of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), error processing is performed.
-Based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2, the reverse flow of the medals (the detection order of the sensors S1 and S2 is reversed), the medal retention (the detection times of the sensors S1 and S2 are longer than a predetermined threshold) When error is detected, error processing is performed.
Based on the output of the medal detection unit 82, the medal clogging (the detection time of the medal detection unit 82 is longer than a predetermined threshold), hopper empty (the medal detection unit despite operating the hopper driving unit 80) When 82 detects no medal), error processing is performed.

  When the error processing unit 1700 determines that an error has occurred as described above, the error processing unit 1700 notifies the fact and sets the gaming machine to a predetermined state (error state). This state is canceled by a reset switch (not shown). The reset switch is provided on the panel of the power supply unit 205, for example.

  There are also errors that occur in the sub-board 20. Although this error does not result in an inoperable state, the liquid crystal display device or the like can notify that an error has occurred due to the processing of the sub-board 20 itself. The error occurs, for example, when an invalid command is received (including when the encrypted command cannot be correctly decrypted), and the error is canceled by the reset switch (from the main board 10 to the sub board 20). Reset command).

  The loop lottery means 1900 executes a loop lottery (specific processing) for determining either a win or a loss until the lottery result is lost. An upper limit number is set for the number of loop lottery executions, and when the loop lottery means 1900 reaches the upper limit number, the process related to the loop lottery is ended regardless of the lottery result (note that the upper limit number is There may be no).

  The loop lottery means 1900 performs a loop lottery for determining whether to win or lose with a predetermined trigger, for example, when the start switch 134 is pressed, and repeatedly executes the loop lottery until the result of the loop lottery is lost. In the loop lottery, for example, it is determined whether or not the loop lottery is won in the same manner as the internal lottery means 1200.

  The time required for the loop lottery depends on the number of loops, that is, the number of executions of the loop lottery, and the number of loops depends on the lottery result. Specifically, the number of loops is between 1 and the upper limit, but this varies every time and cannot be predicted. Therefore, the time required until the processing of the loop lottery means 1900 is indefinite, and the fluctuation is long enough to be recognized by the player (for example, about several seconds to several tens of seconds). In addition, since the lottery result changes according to the number of loops, when the player can recognize the time required for the loop lottery, the lottery result can be predicted based on the time.

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, and one stepping motor 155a to 155c is attached to each of the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c. The stepping motor 155 includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. It is. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases).

  The stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

• Single-phase excitation Always allow current to flow through only one phase of the winding. Positioning accuracy is good.

・ Two-phase excitation
Current flows in two phases. An output torque approximately twice that of single-phase excitation can be obtained. The positioning accuracy is good and the stationary torque is large when stopped, so that the stop position can be held reliably.

・ One-two-phase excitation
A current is passed by alternately switching between one phase and two phases. Since the step angle can be halved in the case of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation, smooth rotation can be obtained.

  Note that “driving” a stepping motor includes rotating the motor by the above-described excitation and exciting each phase in order to stop at a desired position and hold the position.

  Regarding driving of the spinning cylinders 40a to 40c of the slot machine, for example, a four-phase stepping motor having a basic step angle of 1.43 degrees is used, and one-two-phase excitation is adopted as a pulse output method.

  10CG is a command transmitter that transmits a command to be sent to the sub-board 20. This command includes a command related to winning combination information, a command related to information on the number of inserted medals and the number of credits (stored number). Specifically, the command transmission unit 10CG is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the main board 10. The command transmission will be described later.

<Sub-board>
Connected to the sub-board 20 are liquid crystal panels LCD1 and LCD2, LEDs 202B, 202U and 202L, speakers (acoustic devices) SP, bass speakers SPL, solenoid SN, motors MU and ML, sensors SENU and SENL, and switch SW. The LEDs 202B, 202L, and 202U incorporate a latch that acquires and holds data and an LED that is an electrical decoration (the LED may be provided outside the substrate). These components are controlled by the sub-board 20, and are an output device that produces effects by video, light, sound, and movement of the movable body, or an input device or player for detecting the movement of the movable body. It is an input device which receives operation by.

  Although not shown, the model-specific block BB and the lower door block BL have a video controller (VDC) for controlling the liquid crystal panel LCD2, a speaker SP, and a sound for generating sound by driving the speaker SP. A controller (sound controller), a solenoid SN, and a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the motors MU and ML are incorporated.

  The components such as the liquid crystal panel described above, except for the bass speaker SPL, correspond to the model-specific block BB built in the slot machine housing 120 and the upper door block BU and the lower door 130L provided corresponding to the upper door 130U. The lower door block BL is provided in a distinguishable manner.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the model-specific block BB includes a solenoid SN, a speaker SP, and an LED 202B, and the upper door block BU includes a liquid crystal panel LCD1, an LED 202U, a motor MU, and a sensor SENU that detects the operation of the movable body. The lower door block BL includes a liquid crystal panel LCD2, a speaker SP, an LED 202L, a motor ML, a sensor SENL that detects the operation of the movable body by the motor ML, and a switch SW such as a cursor key. The entire liquid crystal panel LCD2 is configured to be slightly movable back and forth by the motor ML, and the player may be able to perform an operation of pushing the liquid crystal panel LCD2 in a state where the liquid crystal panel LCD2 is moved forward. In this case, the switch SW of the lower door block BL includes a switch for detecting depression of the liquid crystal panel LCD2.

<Command transmission from main board to sub board>
The sub-board 20 receives a command from the main board 10 and performs processing such as rendering according to the command. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The sub board 20 generates a command (display command, drawing command) for displaying a predetermined screen on the liquid crystal panels LCD1 and LCD2, for example, in accordance with a command from the main board 10. For example, when performing an effect by animation or the like, a large number of commands are continuously transmitted one after another.

  In FIG. 3, 20 CR is a command receiving unit that receives a command received from the main board 10. Specifically, the command receiving unit 20CR is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  The command receiving unit 20CR, for example, inputs a command received as serial data to a serial-parallel converter (shift register), and outputs it for every fixed data (for example, 8 bits). The output data is transferred to the CPU of the sub-board 20 as a command, and is interpreted and executed.

  As the above-mentioned command, there is a command for performing an effect suggesting the winning contents by the software on the sub-board 20 side. For example, as shown in the following AT, suggestions for obtaining a ball are displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device in order to provide convenience (assist) for the player's operation. The suggestion is not always issued, but in specific cases. Note that the present invention is not limited to a mode in which the sub board displays AT (notifies) based on a command from the main board. For example, the main board may display (notify) the AT by a display (notification means) under the control of the main board. The following description also applies to such a form.

  The gaming machine includes an effect display device including a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a display lamp, and the like. This effect display device is controlled by the sub-board 20, and notifies the player of a prize or the like, or plays a specific small role for a certain game during a certain game at a so-called assist time (AT) to the user with some action. It is for teaching. (Assist Time (AT): Even if a specific small role is won, the player will not be paid out unless the symbol combination corresponding to this small role is aligned on the winning judgment line. , After the big bonus is over (or at the time of winning) or at any other opportunity, the assist time will be drawn in order to align the symbol combination corresponding to a specific small role on the winning judgment line for a certain game (That tells the player about the stop operation with some action)

  As the above-mentioned command, there is one which performs an effect suggesting the result of the loop lottery means 1900. For example, this effect is to display on the liquid crystal panel LCD 1 an image or a moving image that suggests so-called addition by loop lottery. In the embodiment of the invention, the display of the image and the moving image is started according to a command (preliminary command) sent from the main board 10 before execution of the loop lottery, and a command (addition information) indicating the result of the loop lottery is started. In response, the above-mentioned image or moving image suggesting a specific result (addition result) of the loop lottery is displayed.

Next, the game processing in the main board 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
Generally, in a gaming machine, one game is started from the insertion of medals (insertion of credits) until the end of payout (or until the increase in the number of credits is completed). There is a rule that it is not possible to proceed to the next game until one game is finished.

  First, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the start switch 134 is activated, and the processing of FIG. 4 is started.

  In step S1, the start switch 134 is turned on by operating the start switch 134. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  In step S2, a lottery process is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, the rotation of the first reel to the third reel starts. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first to third reels. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three reels has been performed. If it is determined that all three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three reels have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the symbol combinations corresponding to the lottery flag are aligned on the effective winning line while the lottery flag is established, that is, whether or not the winning is confirmed. If it is determined that the winning is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step S8, medals corresponding to the symbol combinations arranged on the winning determination line are paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step S8 is one game. When the standby process in step S8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

  The above-described gaming machine is separated into a plurality of blocks such as an upper door block BU and a lower door block BL, and can be independently incorporated or removed (separated housing). Manufacturing, shipment, and installation may be performed in a state where some blocks, for example, the lower door block BL are not incorporated.

  A description (addition effect) related to the loop lottery (specific processing) will be added.

  In the presentation of the addition, (1) information for starting the addition screen (notice command), (2) information for addition (information for displaying the addition result displayed after the third stop of the reel, etc.) ) Is required. The transmission timings (1) and (2) will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are the same except that the time required for the loop lottery is different (as described above, the time required for the loop lottery depends on the number of loops, that is, the number of executions of the loop lottery. The time required for the loop lottery is longer in FIG. 6B than in FIG.

  The loop lottery means 1900 starts the loop lottery process when the start switch 134 is pressed (time t1).

  In the case of FIG. 5A, the loop lottery ends at time t2, and the information of (1) and (2) is transmitted to the sub-board 20. In response to this, the sub-board 20 displays an additional screen. In the case of FIG. 5B, the loop lottery ends at time t <b> 2 ′, and the information (1) and (2) is transmitted to the sub-board 20. In response to this, the sub-board 20 displays an additional screen.

  Since the time required for the loop lottery is indefinite, t2 and t2 'are different. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the display start timing of the added screen is different between (a) and (b). Therefore, depending on the time required for the loop lottery, the first screen of the extra screen is displayed immediately after the start switch 134 is pressed, or the first screen of the extra screen is displayed after a while. There is a time lag at the start of the production related to the loop lottery. As described above, the difference between t2 and t2 'may be several seconds to several tens of seconds, and this difference can be recognized by the player. Since the time required for the loop lottery is related to the contents of the addition, the additional time is less when the time required for the loop lottery is short as shown in FIG. 5A, and the additional time is higher when the time is longer as shown in FIG. 5B. There is a problem that at the start of production, the number of extras is guessed to some extent by the player (so-called extra ballot of the extra results). Based on the above points, the following configurations and processes are employed in the embodiments of the invention.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a loop lottery process and a command transmission system of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. Each element in the figure is realized by hardware such as an IC or software executed by a CPU executing a program. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process.

  6 and 7 is started based on a predetermined opportunity, specifically, pressing of the start switch 134 (input to the first transmission processing unit 300 in FIG. 6, S100 in FIG. 7).

  Reference numeral 300 denotes a first transmission processing unit that transmits a notice command (first information, information for performing addition) CMD1 related to the start of a process related to the loop lottery process before the execution of the loop lottery process. The first transmission processing unit 300 transmits a notice command to the sub-board 20 based on a predetermined trigger for starting the loop lottery (S101 in FIG. 7).

  After sending the notice command, the loop lottery means 1900 starts loop lottery (input to the loop lottery means 1900 in FIG. 6, S102 in FIG. 7). The loop lottery means 1900 executes a loop lottery for determining either a win or a loss until the lottery result is lost. The loop lottery means 1900 includes a loop processing unit 1900b for managing the number of loops. Although not shown, the loop processing unit 1900b includes a counter. An upper limit number is set for the number of loop lottery executions. When the upper limit number is reached, the loop processing unit 1900b ends the process related to the loop lottery regardless of the lottery result. After the loop lottery, the second transmission processing unit 301 starts operation (input to the second transmission processing unit 301 in FIG. 6 and the processing in S103 in FIG. 7 starts).

  301, after completion of the loop lottery process, information related to the execution of the effect (process) corresponding to the result of the loop lottery process, specifically information for adding (second information, specific mode of the process) This is a second transmission processing unit that transmits CMD2. The second transmission processing unit 301 operates in response to the end of the loop lottery process by the loop lottery means 1900, and transmits information for addition to the sub-board 20 (S103 in FIG. 7).

  The sub-board (processing unit) 20 executes a predetermined effect based on the notice command (first information) CMD1 and the information (second information) CMD2 for adding. For example, the notice command (first information) CMD1 displays an image or a moving image (addition start image) related to the loop lottery on the liquid crystal panel LCD1. In accordance with the information for adding (second information) CMD2, an image or a moving image (addition result image) suggesting a specific result of the loop lottery is displayed.

  With the configuration in FIG. 6 or the processing in FIG. 7, the sub-board 20 is predetermined without depending on the end timing of the loop lottery process, even if the time required until the end of the loop lottery processing is indefinite. There is a case where the production suggesting the addition by the loop lottery is started at a certain timing. This point will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  In the presentation of the extra display, (1) information for starting the extra screen (notice command) CMD1, (2) information for extra (information for displaying the extra result to be displayed after the third stop of the reel) Etc.) Two pieces of information called CMD2 are required. In FIG. 8, (1) and (2) are sent to the sub-board 20 at different transmission timings. FIGS. 8A and 8B are the same except that the time required for the loop lottery differs.

  When the start switch 134 is pressed, the first transmission processing unit 300 transmits (1) a notice command CMD1. In response to this, the sub-board 20 starts to display the additional screen of the loop lottery. This screen is a start screen for loop lottery. Following the transmission of the advance notice command CMD1, the loop lottery means 1900 starts a loop lottery process. To be precise, the loop lottery process is delayed by an amount corresponding to (1) the transmission process of the notice command CMD1 (S101) with respect to the pressing t1 of the start switch 134.

  In the case of FIG. 8A, the loop lottery ends at time t2. Then, the second transmission processing unit 301 (2) transmits information CMD2 for addition to the sub-board 20. In response to this, the sub-board 20 displays an additional screen. This screen is a screen showing the result of the loop lottery. In the case of FIG. 8B, the loop lottery ends at time t2 ', and the information of (2) is transmitted to the sub-board 20. In response to this, the sub-board 20 displays an additional screen (result screen).

  Since the time required for the loop lottery is indefinite, t2 and t2 'are different and the transmission timing of (2) is different, but the transmission timing of (1) is the same. The start timing of the production related to the loop lottery can be made constant. Although the start timing of the extra screen is different in FIG. 5, it is constant in FIG. 8 (immediately after t1). In this way, in FIG. 8, the player is prevented from guessing the result of the loop lottery (the first result of the addition result), and the interest is not impaired.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, in a gaming machine that performs a lottery process in which the time required to complete the process is indefinite, the start timing of the process related to the lottery result is kept constant regardless of the variation in the process time. In addition, it is possible to maintain the player's interest without performing any production unrelated to the lottery process.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the notification command CMD1 is transmitted simultaneously with the pressing of the start switch 134, but the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this. The start timing of the production related to the loop lottery may be made constant, and can be delayed. In the example of FIG. 9, the advance notice command CMD1 is transmitted at time t1 "later than the time t1 when the start switch 134 is pressed. Alternatively, the transmission start is kept at t1 and the start of the effect on the sub-board 20 is delayed. The delay time (t1 ″ −t1) may be an interval (blank) that is short enough to maintain interest, but the loop processing unit 1900b may also be considered in consideration of the possibility that the loop lottery ends early. It is considered that there is no problem if it is about the time required for the loop processing or several times as long as that.

  By the way, a gaming machine such as a slot machine is obliged to perform a type test at a designated testing institution. In the type test, an interface board is provided between the gaming machine and the test apparatus as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the gaming machine. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, but some elements are not shown due to the space.

  Specifically, an interface board (first interface board) IF1 for inputting a signal from the main board 10 of the gaming machine to the test apparatus TD and for inputting a signal from the test apparatus TD to the main board 10 is provided. This allows the gaming machine to input the spinning drum of the gaming machine, that is, the index signal of each reel, the excitation pulse signal of the stepping motor that drives each reel, etc. A reel start switch signal that replaces the start lever operation that starts the machine, a stop switch signal that substitutes the stop button operation that stops the reel, etc. is output, and it is close to the actual game over a long period of time while minimizing the game operation by human beings as much as possible A test fire test can be performed.

  AT under Unit 5 equipped with the function of assist time (AT) to display on the liquid crystal display device the push order of the stop button that displays the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination determined by the internal lottery and the symbols to be aimed at Since the machine and ART machine gained popularity and the AT affected the appearance of the ball, the push order of the stop button, etc. under the AT operation determined on the sub side was taken into the test device, and the stop according to the push order The switch signal is output from the testing device to the gaming machine to perform the test. Therefore, an interface board (second interface board) IF2 for inputting a signal from the sub board 20 to the test apparatus TD is provided. The interface board IF2 is provided with a signal processing CPU that sends a push order signal in accordance with a predetermined sequence within a predetermined time from the reel start switch signal in accordance with the specifications of the test apparatus, and takes the push order signal into the test apparatus. Thus, a stop switch signal according to a forward signal is output to the main board 10 via the interface board IF1 to perform a play test that is most advantageous to the player.

  Recently, since the AT has a great influence on the appearance of the ball, it is determined whether the AT can be operated on the main board 10 instead of the sub-board 20, and AT instruction information such as the pushing order is determined, and the AT is used as the main board. Migration to the main AT managed by The main AT push order signal and the like are input from the sub-board 20 to the test apparatus TD via the interface board IF2.

  By the way, a test command (hereinafter referred to as “IF2 test command”) input to the test apparatus TD via the interface board IF2 is within a predetermined time (for example, within 2 seconds) after the start switch is pressed (reel start switch signal). It is stipulated that it must be sent.

  However, since the time required for the loop lottery depends on the number of loops, that is, the number of executions of the loop lottery, there is a possibility that signal transmission cannot be performed within a predetermined time when the number of loops increases. This will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 11, the display of the effect process is omitted.

  The loop lottery means 1900 starts the loop lottery process when the start switch 134 is pressed (time t1).

  In the case of FIG. 11A, the loop lottery ends at time t2, and the information of (1) and (2) is transmitted to the sub-board 20, and the IF2 test command is sent to the sub-board 20 (t3). If the loop lottery requires 2 seconds or more, the IF2 test command cannot be transmitted within a predetermined time.

  In the case of FIG. 11B, since the IF2 test command is transmitted to the sub-board 20 at time t1 before the loop lottery, the signal can be transmitted within the specified time without being affected by the processing time of the loop lottery. However, the problem described with reference to FIG. 5 occurs in FIG.

  Therefore, by adopting the configuration of FIG. 12 and the processing of FIG. 13, the player can prevent the estimation of the result of the loop lottery (the first result of the addition result) and can transmit the IF2 test command within the specified time.

  12 and FIG. 13 correspond to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, respectively, and the same reference numerals are given to the same corresponding parts, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numeral 302 denotes a third transmission processing unit that transmits the IF2 test command CMD3 after transmission of the advance notice command CMD1 and before execution of the loop lottery process. The third transmission processing unit 302 transmits the IF2 test command CMD3 to the sub-board 20 after the processing of the first transmission processing unit 300 (S101b in FIG. 13).

  According to FIGS. 11 and 13, the processing timing chart is as shown in FIG. 14, and the transmission of the IF2 test command can be performed at an appropriate timing as well as the prevention of the initial result.

  In the above description, information is separated in advance as in (1) and (2) above. Not limited to this, even if it is integrated information, when both information to be sent immediately and information to be sent later (information that may be sent after a delay) are mixed, they are separated, and the preferred timing respectively. You may make it transmit by. FIG. 15 shows a configuration for that purpose. In FIG. 15, the same components as those in FIG.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes an effect processing unit that generates information on effects related to the game. This information includes the information (1) and (2) described above (but mixed).

  Reference numeral 111 denotes an information separation unit that divides information generated by the effect processing unit 110 into first information that should be sent immediately and second information that should be sent after the first information (may be delayed). If there is information to be confirmed first in the processing of the effect processing unit 110, this can be used as the first information.

  In FIG. 15, the notice command CMD1 is shown as the first information, and the information CMD2 for adding up is shown as the second information (illustrated). The advance command CMD1 is transmitted by the first transmission processing unit 300, and the information CMD2 for addition is transmitted by the second transmission processing unit 301.

According to FIG. 15, a plurality of pieces of information can be transmitted at favorable timings.
Although the upper limit number is set for the number of loop lottery executions of the loop lottery means 1900, there may be no upper limit number. When there is no upper limit number of times, it may take a longer time until the end of the loop lottery process, but the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to such a case.

<Application to pachinko machines>
In the above description, a slot machine has been described as an example, but the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

  A pachinko machine (ball game machine) will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. The pachinko machine includes an outer frame 50, a main body member 51, and an opening frame door 52 as main members. The opening frame door 52 is provided with a transparent plate member made of glass or resin at the opening, and an electric decoration (not shown), a speaker 52b, a ball tray 53, and the like are attached around the opening.

  The game board 10 </ b> B is detachably attached to the main body member 51 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space portion of the main body member 51. The board surface 11 of the game board 10 </ b> B is a rectangular board surface provided with a guide rail 12 and a discharge port (out port) 13 that guides a game ball dropped in a substantially circular game area defined by the guide rail 12 to the outside. An out ball sensor 13S is provided inside the discharge port 13 (FIG. 17).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the board surface 11 includes a variable display device (center accessory) 30a having one or a plurality of variable display portions such as an effect display lamp and an LCD (liquid crystal display device), a through chucker 30b, an ordinary winning device ( (Not shown), a start chucker (starting winning device) 30d having a start winning opening, and attackers 30c, 30e having a large winning opening. Sphere passage detectors 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are provided inside 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e.

  The board surface 11 is provided with decorative devices of various designs for enhancing interest, together with a winning device 30, obstacles such as nails and windmills (not shown).

  FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Although not shown, the main control device (main substrate) 101 and the sub control device (sub substrate) 200 are configured around a CPU and include a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. Then, the CPU operates as described below by reading the program stored in the ROM.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a main control device that performs processing related to the game. The main control device 101 performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information. The main control device 101 receives (inputs) the signals from the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d that move (flow down) the game area and detect the winning balls that have passed through the winning devices 30b to 30d, respectively, and receive the winning balls of the winning devices 30b to 30d. A lottery / judgment is made according to the passage.

  1110 is a random number acquisition for acquiring a random number based on the fact that a game ball has passed through the start chucker (start winning prize opening) 30d (more precisely, detected by the sensor 20d provided therein). Part. The random number obtaining unit 1110 includes either or both of a hard random number generator 1120 including a counter and a soft random number generator 1130 operated by a program.

  Reference numeral 1210 denotes a symbol fluctuation control unit that causes the special symbol display device 119 to variably display symbols based on the random numbers acquired by the random number acquisition unit 1110.

  1310 is a special game control unit. The special game control unit 1310 stops and displays the symbols constituting the predetermined award mode on the special symbol display device 119 on condition that the random number acquired by the random number acquisition unit 1110 is a winning random number (big hit). Then, a special game advantageous to the player is performed.

  Reference numeral 1410 denotes a probability variation game control unit. The probability variation game control unit 1410 causes the random number acquisition unit 1110 to perform a probability variation game that increases the possibility of acquiring the winning random number after the special game by the special game control unit 1310. The variably displayed symbols are displayed in a stopped or jackpot pattern based on the random numbers acquired by the random number acquisition unit 1110 after a predetermined time.

  1510 is extracted based on the fact that a game ball passes through a start chucker (start prize-winning device) 30d when the game ball passes through the start chucker (start winning device) 30d while the special symbol display device 119 displays the symbols in a variable manner. This is a hold processing unit that stores the random number that has been stored, and that can perform the variable display of the symbol based on the stored random number after the variable display of the symbol has been completed.

  Reference numeral 1610 denotes a prefetch processing unit. The prefetch processing unit 1610 determines whether or not each reserved ball is a big hit. A random number, which is the stored content of the reserved ball, is provisionally determined (prefetched) at the timing of starting winning random number extraction, and the result is sent to the sub-control device 200.

  110a is a payout for paying out a predetermined number of game balls as game profits according to the game ball winnings of the winning devices 30c to 30e and the normal winning device (not shown) and / or according to the lottery / judgment result thereby It is a control device.

  110b is a payout control board for controlling the payout control device 110a.

  141 is a state display device provided on the board surface of the gaming machine so that it can be visually recognized by the player. The status display device 141 includes a round number display unit 150 that displays the number of rounds and a reservation number display unit 160 that displays the number of reservations. The number-of-holds display unit 160 is arranged on the game board and displays a held ball during the symbol variation display.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a special symbol display device that is a display device (for example, a 7-segment display) provided in the state display device 141.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a normal symbol display device that is a display device (for example, a 7-segment display) provided in the state display device 141.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a sub-control device that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing including effects such as driving of a movable body, blinking of light, generation of sound, and the like by obtaining processing information generated by the main control device 101. .

  An effect symbol control unit 2100 controls the image display device 210 to display an image related to an effect, an image related to a game state, a current game state, an error display, a hold display, and the like. Note that during the fluctuation of the special symbol display device 119, the fluctuation is stopped from the fluctuation display in synchronization with the special symbol display device 119.

  Reference numeral 2200 denotes an accessory driving unit that controls the movable body 220 provided in the game board 10B.

  Reference numeral 2300 denotes a lamp control unit for controlling lighting of the lamp / lighting 230 provided on the game board 10B, the variable display device 30a, or the gaming machine housing.

  Reference numeral 2400 denotes a sound control unit (acoustic control unit) that controls the sound generator 240.

  Reference numeral 2500 denotes a prefetch effect processing unit that performs an effect related to prefetching based on the determination result from the prefetch processing unit 1610. For example, the display corresponding to the holding ball corresponding to the hit of the image display device 210 (e.g., the light emission color of the holding ball display) is different from the other, which suggests that the holding ball is highly likely to win. Or notify that it is a win.

  Reference numeral 2600 denotes a specific effect processing unit that performs processing related to a specific effect that is an effect unrelated to the game state of the main control device 101 based on the output (time signal) of the real-time clock 2700. For example, at every hour or at a predetermined time, a predetermined music piece is played independently of the gaming state, and the video image is displayed on the image display device 210.

  Reference numeral 2700 denotes a real-time clock that outputs a time signal.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD).

  220 is a movable body. The movable body 220 moves back and forth between, for example, a normal state and a different state. The movable body is, for example, a flat plate shape, a cylindrical shape, a disk shape, a gear shape having irregularities, or the like. Although not shown, a power unit for driving the movable body 220 is provided.

  The image display device 210 and the movable body 220 are provided in a variable display device (center accessory) 30a.

  Reference numeral 230 denotes a lamp / lighting including a light emitting element.

  240 is a sound generator. The sound generator 240 includes a speaker 52b and a sound processor (not shown) that generates a drive signal for the speaker 52b based on a signal from the sound controller (acoustic controller) 2400 of the sub-controller 200.

  The command transmission method according to the embodiment of the invention can be applied to command transmission from the main control apparatus 101 to the sub control apparatus 200. With regard to a part of the processing according to a predetermined opportunity (for example, winning ball passing of the winning devices 30b to 30d) (this partial processing is “specific processing”), the processing is completed in the same manner as the loop lottery processing described above. When the time required is indefinite, the first information related to the start of the predetermined process is transmitted before the execution of the specific process, and after the end of the specific process, the predetermined process corresponding to the result of the process is executed. The 2nd information which concerns can be transmitted, and predetermined processes, such as production, can also be performed based on these 1st information and 2nd information.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

20 Sub-board (processing section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Effect processing part 111 Information separation part 300 1st transmission process part 301 2nd transmission process part 302 3rd transmission process part 1900 Loop lottery means 1900b Loop process part CMD1 Notice command (1st information)
CMD2 Additional information (second information)
CMD3 IF2 test command (a predetermined signal to be transmitted within a predetermined time)

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine that performs a predetermined process in response to a result of a predetermined process (hereinafter referred to as “specific process”),
The specific process has an indefinite time required to complete the process,
A first transmission processing unit for transmitting first information related to the start of the predetermined process before the execution of the specific process;
A second transmission processing unit for transmitting second information related to the execution of the predetermined process corresponding to a result of the specific process after the specific process ends;
A processing unit that executes the predetermined process based on the first information and the second information;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the processing unit starts the predetermined process based on the first information at a predetermined constant timing without depending on the end timing of the specific process.   A third transmission processing unit for transmitting a predetermined signal to be transmitted within a predetermined time from the start of the execution of the specific process after the transmission of the first information and before the transmission of the second information; The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

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