JP2020115949A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of stopping a reel in the order desired by a user, even when loss of synchronism occurs in the reel, in a game machine capable of performing continuous operation to a plurality of stop buttons.SOLUTION: In main control unit timer interruption processing, a main control unit of a slot machine can execute first processing related to stop of a reel corresponding to a stop button based on reception of operation of the stop button, and second processing related to loss of synchronism of the reel. When the second processing is executed in the main control unit timer interruption processing, the first processing is not executed in the interruption processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

Conventionally, for example, a slot machine is known as one of the gaming machines. This slot machine rotates the reels by inserting medals and operating the start lever, internally determines the winning combination by internal lottery, and when the reels are stopped by operating the stop button, on the symbol display window When a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed according to the internal determination, the winning combination is realized. Then, when a winning combination is achieved, a prescribed number of medals corresponding to the winning combination are paid out.

In such a gaming machine, after one stop operation, it is necessary for a predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) to elapse before another stop operation can be accepted (for example, Patent Document 1). That is, when the operation on the next stop button is performed within a predetermined time (for example, 200 ms), the operation on the next stop button cannot be accepted. As a result, there is a problem that a player who hurries up the stop operation causes an unnecessary operation.

In this respect, there is a game table that can accept the next stop operation without requiring a predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) after the one stop operation (for example, Patent Document 2). According to this gaming table, the three stop buttons arranged on a straight line can be operated by laterally sliding the player's finger or the like.

Japanese Patent No. 5864604 (paragraph [0137]) JP, 2010-227489, A (paragraph [0181]).

For example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 can detect a plurality of stop operations even when performing operations on a plurality of stop buttons at the same time, that is, after operating one stop button, operating the next stop button. It is possible to stop the reel corresponding to the next stop button even if is performed within a predetermined time.

However, in a reel driven by using a stepping motor, there is a possibility that step-out may occur during acceleration/deceleration of the reel. When a step-out occurs on a reel, a recovery process is performed to allow the reel to rotate normally, but the reel is stopped even if there is a stop operation by the player during the recovery process. If the reels corresponding to the operation are stopped, the player may not be able to stop the reels in a desired order (for example, left-middle-right order).

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a gaming table that enables continuous operation with respect to a plurality of stop buttons, even if a step-out occurs in the reels, the reels can be reeled in the order desired by the player. The object is to provide a game table that can be stopped.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming table according to the present invention, as one aspect thereof,
Plural kinds of symbols are given, and multiple reels that are driven to rotate,
A plurality of stop buttons operated to individually stop the rotation of the plurality of reels;
Control means for executing control to stop the reel based on acceptance of an operation by the stop button;
A gaming machine equipped with
The control means is a means capable of executing a main process executed according to the progress of one game, and an interrupt process executed by interrupting the main process at a predetermined time interval,
The control means is means for executing a first process relating to the stop of the reel in the interrupt process,
The control means is means for executing a second process relating to the step-out of the reel in the interrupt process,
The control means is means for not executing the first processing in the interrupt processing when the second processing is executed in the interrupt processing,
It is characterized by

According to the gaming table of the present invention, in a gaming table that enables continuous operation of a plurality of stop buttons, even if the reel goes out of step, the reels can be stopped in a sequence desired by the player.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 is a schematic front view of the symbol display window of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a controller of the slot machine related to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which expanded and showed the arrangement of the symbols given to each reel of the slot machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention on the surface, and (b) shows the slot concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the kind of winning combination of a machine, the name of a winning combination, the symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination, the payout of a winning combination, and remarks. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a stepping motor of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing data for reel control of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows a stop mode when a plurality of stop buttons are stopped at the same time in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows a stop mode when a plurality of stop buttons are stopped at the same time in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows a stop mode when a plurality of stop buttons are stopped at the same time in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows a stop mode when a plurality of stop buttons are stopped at the same time in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a timing chart of the stop button sensor when two stop buttons are operated in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing a state of stop control of each reel when a slide operation is performed on a stop button in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing a state of stop control of each reel when three stop buttons are simultaneously operated in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a timing chart showing a state of stop control of each reel when three stop buttons are simultaneously operated in a conventional slot machine. (A) is a timing chart showing the state of each stop button sensor and presence/absence of out-of-step monitoring processing of each reel when three stop buttons are simultaneously operated in the conventional slot machine, and (b) is a conventional slot machine 3 is a timing chart when the left reel out-of-step and the stop button operation occur at the same time when three stop buttons are operated at the same time. FIG. 15A is a timing chart showing the relationship between the left reel and the middle stop button of FIG. 15B, and FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining the reel stop mode of FIG. 16A. (A) is a timing chart showing the state of each stop button sensor and the presence/absence of step-out monitoring processing of each reel when three stop buttons are simultaneously operated in the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, (b) FIG. 9 is a timing chart in the case where three stop buttons are operated at the same time in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, when out-of-step occurrence of the left reel and stop button operation occur simultaneously. 17A is a timing chart showing the relationship between the left reel and the middle stop button of FIG. 17B, and FIG. 17B shows a case where three stop buttons are simultaneously operated in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the middle reel and the right stop button when a step out occurs in the middle reel. 9 is a flowchart showing the characteristics of reel stop control of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention along the flow of main controller timer interrupt processing. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of a main controller of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of reel rotation start processing of step S107 of FIG. 20. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of reel stop control processing of step S108 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing a flow of main controller timer interrupt processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of various game processes of step S1005 of FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of reel control state determination processing in step S1102 in FIG. It is a flow chart which shows in detail the flow of stop button acceptance processing of Step S1202 of Drawing 25. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the left stop button operation process of step S1302 of FIG. 26, the middle stop button operation process of step S1306, and the right stop button operation process of step S1310. The left reel out-of-step monitoring process of step S1203 of FIG. 25 and step S1303 of FIG. 26, the middle reel out-of-step monitoring process of step S1204 and step S1307 of FIG. 25, and the right reel out-of-step monitoring of step S1205 and step S1311 of FIG. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of processing in detail. 26 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of each reel control process in accordance with the reel control state of step 1208 of FIG. 25. 9 is a flowchart showing the characteristics of a modified example relating to reel stop control of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, along the flow of main controller timer interrupt processing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Overall structure>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started by inserting a medal, and the medal is paid out according to the result of the game.

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

In the present embodiment, each pattern is printed on a strip-shaped member at an appropriate number of intervals, and the strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular tubular frame member to form each reel 110-112. The symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are viewed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 by the player, and a total of 9 symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating each of the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols seen by the player changes. That is, each reel 110 to 112 functions as a display device that variably displays a combination of a plurality of types of symbols. As such a display device, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can be adopted in addition to the reel. Further, in the present embodiment, three reels are provided inside the center of the slot machine 100, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

On the back surface of each reel 110 to 112, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating each symbol displayed in the symbol display window 113 is arranged. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each design so that the individual designs can be uniformly illuminated. An optical sensor (index sensor; not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each reel 110 to 112 inside the slot machine 100, and the light projecting unit of this optical sensor is provided. A light blocking piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the light receiving section and the light receiving section. The position in the rotation direction of the symbol on the reel is determined based on the detection result of this sensor, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the pay line.

The pay line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates the pay line 114 that is activated. The activated winning line (also referred to as the activated line) is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as the game medium.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the nine display areas 1 to 9 of the symbol display window 113 and the pay line 114 adopted in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the upper horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L2) formed by the display areas 1, 4, 7 and the middle horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L1) formed by the display areas 2, 5, 8 are displayed. Four winning lines including a downward-sloping winning line (diagonal winning line L3) formed by the regions 1, 5, and 9 and an upward-sloping winning line (diagonal winning line L4) formed by the display regions 3, 5, and 7. Is set.

The notification lamp 123 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been internally won in an internal lottery described later, or that a bonus game is being played. The game medal insertion possible lamp 124 is a lamp for informing that the game medal can be inserted by the player. The re-play lamp 122 informs the player that the current game is re-playable (there is no need to insert medals) when a re-play, which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game, is won. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is a production lamp.

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

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

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

The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type push switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started to rotate by the operation of the start lever 135, and are provided in association with the reels 110 to 112, respectively. .. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is called a stop operation, the first stop operation is a first stop operation, the next stop operation is a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is a third stop operation. Further, the reel that is the target of the first stop operation is called the first stop reel, the reel that is the target of the second stop operation is the second stop reel, and the reel that is the target of the third stop operation is the third stop reel. Further, the order in which the stop buttons 137 to 139 for stopping all the rotating reels 110 to 112 are stopped is referred to as an operation order or a pressing order. The operation sequence for the stop operation with the left reel 110 as the first stop reel is referred to as "forward push operation sequence" or simply "forward push", and the operation sequence for the stop operation with the first stop reel as the right reel 112 is " It is called "reverse pressing operation sequence" or simply "reverse pressing". It should be noted that a light emitter may be provided inside each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter can be turned on to notify the player.

In the present embodiment, the stop button 137 is also referred to as a left stop button 137, is a switch for stopping the left reel 110, the stop button 138 is also referred to as a middle stop button 138, and is a switch for stopping the middle reel 111. The button 139 is also referred to as a right stop button 139, and is a switch for stopping the right reel 112.

The medal return button 133 is a button for pressing and removing the inserted medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The settlement button 134 is a button for settlement of the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals, and discharging from the medal payout outlet 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout port 155 is a payout port for paying out medals.

At the bottom of the stop button unit 136, a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and affixing various certificate stamps is provided. A medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided below the title panel 162.

The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of the speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right parts of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for enlivening the game. A rendering device 160 is provided above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the rendering device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 composed of two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) disposed behind the shutter 163. , A production image display device), and when the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened outward in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) is displayed on the front surface of the slot machine 100 (game). It is a structure that appears on the person side).

It should be noted that the liquid crystal display device need not be a liquid crystal display device as long as it can display various effect images and various game information. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display. It may be a reel (drum) or a display device including a projector and a screen. In addition, the display screen has a rectangular shape, and the whole of the display screen is visible to the player. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. It is also possible to provide a decoration (not shown) on the periphery of the display screen so that a part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration so that the display screen looks odd. In this embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but it may be a curved surface.

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure is a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

The control unit of the slot machine 100 is roughly classified into a main effect according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter, simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.

<Main control unit>
First, the main controller 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used during internal lottery of winning combinations, and reel stop. A ROM 306 for storing a position and the like, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I/O 310 for controlling input/output of various devices, and a counter timer 312 for measuring time and the number of times. , WDT (Watchdog Timer) 314, are mounted. It is equipped with. Other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and the same applies to the first sub-control unit 400 and the second control unit 500, which will be described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312, and the counter timer 312 determines the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. Then, the interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at each interrupt time. The CPU 304 executes monitoring of each sensor or the like and transmission of drive pulses in response to this interrupt request. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the division data of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time of interruption is 256×47÷8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

The basic circuit 302 includes a random number generation circuit 316 used as a hardware random number counter that varies a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535, and a start signal output circuit 332 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 starts game control (starts a main control unit main process described later) when a start signal is input from the start signal output circuit 332.

Further, the main control unit 300 includes a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 inserts various sensors 318 (the bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, the bet button 132 sensor, and the medal insertion slot 141 at each interrupt time. A medal reception sensor for medals, a start lever 135 sensor, a stop button 137 sensor (also called a left stop button sensor), a stop button 138 sensor (also called a middle stop button sensor), a stop button 139 sensor (also called a right stop button sensor), The state of the settlement button 134 sensor, the medal payout sensor of medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, the index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, the index sensor of the reel 112, etc.) is monitored.

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

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

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

The index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, and the index sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions of the mounts of the reels 110 to 112, and L is set every time the light shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes. Become a level. When the CPU 304 detects this signal, it determines that the reel has made one revolution, and resets the reel rotation position information to zero.

The main controller 300 is provided in the drive circuit 322 that drives the stepping motors provided on the reels 110 to 112, the drive circuit 324 that drives the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 that selects the inserted medals, and the medal payout device 180. A drive circuit 326 for driving a motor, and various lamps 338 (winning line display lamp 120, notification lamp 123, game medal insertable lamp 124, re-game lamp 122, game medal insertion lamp 129, game start lamp 121, accumulated number indicator. 125, a game information display device 126, and a payout number display device 127) are provided with drive circuits 328, respectively.

An information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 inserts a slot into an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output. The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power supply that is being supplied to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 330 indicates that the voltage value of the power supply is a predetermined value (this embodiment). In the example, a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output to the basic circuit 302 when the voltage is less than 9 v).

Further, the main control unit 300 has an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400, and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. Information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can send a signal such as a command to the first sub control unit 400. A signal such as a command cannot be transmitted from the unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives the control command transmitted by the main control unit 300 via an input interface and controls the entire first sub control unit 400 based on the control command. There is. This basic circuit 402 has a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I/O 410 for controlling input/output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, and the like. doing. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output by the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 includes a ROM 406 in which a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, a backlight lighting pattern, data for controlling various display devices, and the like are stored. It is provided.

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

A sound source IC 418 is provided in the first sub-control unit 400, and speakers 272 and 277 are connected to the sound source IC 418 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls the sound output from the amplifier and the speakers 272 and 277 in response to a command from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) storing voice data is connected to the sound source IC 418, and the voice data acquired from this ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

A drive circuit 422 is also provided in the first sub-control unit 400, and various lamps 420 (an upper lamp, a lower lamp, a side lamp 144, a title panel 162 lamp, etc.) are provided to the drive circuit 422 via an input/output interface. Are connected. The first sub-control unit 400 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 424 that monitors the voltage value of the power supply that is being supplied to the first sub-control unit 400. The voltage monitoring circuit 424 has a predetermined voltage value of the power supply. When it is less than the value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output to the basic circuit 402.

The CPU 404 also transmits and receives signals to and from the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 controls the liquid crystal display device 157, the shutter 163, and the like. The second sub-control unit 500 may be configured by a plurality of control units, such as a control unit that controls the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls the shutter 163.

Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 receives a control command transmitted by the first sub-control unit 400 via an input interface, and includes a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on this control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I/O 510 for controlling input/output of various devices, and a counter for measuring time and the number of times. It is equipped with a timer 512. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output by the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. Further, the second sub control unit 500 is provided with a ROM 506 in which a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like are stored.

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

Further, the second sub control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 for driving the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 530 is connected with the shutter 163 via an output interface. The drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided on the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

A sensor circuit 532 is provided in the second sub control unit 500, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 for each interrupt time.

A VDP 534 (video display processor) is provided in the second sub control unit 500, and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 536 are connected to the VDP 534 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads the image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on the signal from the CPU 504, uses the work area of the VRAM 536 to generate a display image, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

<Design arrangement>
The symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, this figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of the symbols applied to each reel (the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112) is two-dimensionally developed and shown.

On each of the reels 110 to 112, a plurality of types (eight types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the drawing are arranged by a predetermined number of frames (21 frames numbered 0 to 20 in this embodiment). Further, the numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers showing the arrangement positions of the symbols on the reels 110 to 112. For example, in the present embodiment, the "replay" symbol is assigned to the frame number 1 on the left reel 110, the "bell" symbol is assigned to the frame number 0 on the middle reel 111, and the symbol "bell" is assigned to the number 2 frame on the right reel 112. The design of "watermelon" is arranged.

<Type of winning combination>
Next, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the types of winning combinations (including operating combinations), the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the operation or payout of each winning combination. Among the winning combinations in the present embodiment, the big bonus (BB1, BB2) and the regular bonus (RB) serve as a part for shifting to the bonus game, and the re-play (replay) is the re-play without newly inserting a medal. As a winning combination, the winning combination may be distinguished from each other and referred to as an “acting combination”, but in the present embodiment, the “winning combination” includes a big bonus, a regular bonus, and a replay. included. Further, the "winning" in the present embodiment includes a case where a symbol combination of a winning combination without a medal payout (without a medal payout) is displayed on the activated line. For example, a big bonus or a regular bonus. Includes bonuses and replay prizes.

The winning combination of the slot machine 100 includes a big bonus (BB1, BB2), a regular bonus (RB), a small combination (cherry, watermelon, bell), and a replay (replay). Needless to say, the type of winning combination is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily adopted.

The “big bonus (BB1, BB2)” (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “BB”) is a special role (operating role) in which a big bonus game (BB game) which is a special game is started by winning. .. Corresponding symbol combinations, BB1 is "BB1 symbol (also called white 7)-BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol", BB2 is "BB2 symbol (also referred to as blue 7)-BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol". Further, for BB1 and BB2, flags are carried over. That is, when the internal winning is won in BB1 and BB2, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300), but even if the BB1 and BB2 are not won in the game, the prize is won. The flag indicating the internal winning is maintained until it is done, and even after the next game, it is being internally won to BB1 and BB2, and the symbol combination corresponding to BB1 "White 7-White 7-White 7", the symbol corresponding to BB2 The combination "Blue 7-Blue 7-Blue 7" is in a state of winning together.

The "regular bonus (RB)" (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "RB") is a special combination (operating combination) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning. The corresponding symbol combination is “RB symbol (also referred to as bonus)-RB symbol-RB symbol”. As for RB, the flag is carried over as in the above-mentioned BB. However, in the big bonus game (BB game), the regular bonus game (RB game) is internally won, and the big bonus game is started without the condition that the symbol combination is displayed on the winning line. The regular bonus game may be started later, and when one regular bonus game is finished, the regular bonus game may be automatically started so that the next regular bonus game is immediately started.

"Small winning combination (cherry, watermelon, bell) (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "cherry", "watermelon", "bell") is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning, and the corresponding symbol The combination is "cherry symbol-ANY symbol-ANY symbol" for cherry, "watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol" for watermelon, and "bell symbol-bell symbol-bell symbol" for bell. Further, the corresponding payout numbers are as shown in the figure, with 4 cherries, 12 watermelons and 8 bells. In the case of "cherry symbol-ANY symbol-ANY symbol", the symbol on the left reel 110 may be "cherry" symbol, and the symbols on the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbols.

A "replay" is a winning combination (acting combination) that allows a player to play a game without inserting a medal (game medium) in the next game upon winning, and no medals are paid out. In addition, the corresponding symbol combination is that the replay is "replay symbol-replay symbol-replay symbol".

Here, the internal winning probability of the winning combination will be outlined.

As for the internal winning probability of each winning combination, the numerical data corresponding to the range of the lottery data associated with each winning combination is set to the numerical value data of the range of the random number acquired in the internal lottery described later (65536 in this embodiment). It is calculated by dividing by. The lottery data is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each numerical range is associated with each winning combination or loss. In the prize winning combination internal lottery processing, which will be described later, it is determined whether the random number value obtained as a result of executing the internal drawing is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to any of the combinations, and the internal winning combination is determined. Actually, this lottery data is provided with settings 1 to 6 with different winning probabilities of at least one winning combination, and the staff of the game shop or the like can arbitrarily select and set any of the setting values. ..

<Reel stop control>
Next, an outline of stop control of the reels 110 to 112 will be described. The reel stop control is performed by selecting one of a plurality of predetermined reel stop control data based on a predetermined condition (for example, a result of an internal lottery process of a winning combination described later) and stopping the selected reel. Based on control data.

In the present embodiment, so-called pull-in control (frame slip control) is performed. The pull-in control is to shift the stop positions of the reels 110 to 112 within a fixed number of frames (the number of symbols) (the pull-in range; here, a maximum of four frames) after the player operates each of the stop buttons 137 to 139. Control. The reel stop data is stored in the ROM 306 of the main controller 300. Each reel stop data is a permission control that allows a predetermined symbol combination of winning combinations to be displayed in line on the winning line, and a prohibition control that does not display any symbol combination of any winning combination in line on the winning line. , Is roughly divided into.

Examples of the permission control are, for example, when an internal winning of a winning combination or an internal winning of a special winning combination (flag carryover) occurs, and the timing at which each stop button 137 to 139 is operated by the player. Even if it is bad, the control is performed so that the symbol combination of the winning combination is displayed within the range of the number of frames. However, since it is only “permitted”, the symbol combination may not be complete depending on the timing of operating each of the stop buttons 137 to 139.

For example, in the case of internally winning a small winning combination (watermelon), the watermelon symbols are arranged in more than four frames, so if the timing of operating the stop buttons 137 to 139 is not suitable, the watermelon symbols will stop at the winning line. do not do.

However, depending on the arrangement of the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 and the number of drawn frames, 100% may be obtained. For example, since the arrangement interval of the re-play symbols corresponding to the re-play (replay) is a maximum of 4 frames, if the re-play is internally won, 100% of the prizes will be awarded regardless of the timing.

On the other hand, an example in which the prohibition control is performed is, for example, a case where the internal lottery result is lost and the internal winning of the BB or RB which is the special role is not being carried out (the flag is being carried over), and each stop button 137 by the player. Even if the timing of operating 139 is good, control is performed so that the symbol combination of the winning combination is not displayed together within the above-described number of frames.

<Stepping motor>
The reel stop control and rotation control described above are performed based on the control of the stepping motor. Therefore, a method of controlling the stepping motor will be described.

First, the outline of the stepping motor of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram showing an outline of a stepping motor.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the rotation shaft of the stepping motor. This stepping motor is a so-called PM type stepping motor, and is provided with a rotor R around which a plurality of magnets are arranged and a stator S in which four-system electromagnets having a so-called two-phase winding structure are sequentially arranged. (See the enlarged view of FIG. 5A). Although the PM type stepping motor is used in the present embodiment, another type of motor such as a so-called HB type stepping motor may be used.

The magnets arranged on the rotor R are arranged so that the N poles and the S poles are alternately arranged at equal intervals, and the total number thereof is 252. The four electromagnets of the electromagnet A phase, electromagnet B phase, electromagnet A-phase, and electromagnet B-phase arranged on the stator S are arranged at equal intervals so as to face the magnets arranged on the rotor R. Has been. The number of electromagnets in one system is 63, and 252 electromagnets are arranged in the entire stator S.

This stepping motor controls the four electromagnets arranged on the stator S to give a force to the magnets arranged around the rotor R to rotate the rotor R. FIG. 5B shows an example of control pulses used when controlling the electromagnets of the four systems. This pulse is an excitation type pulse called 1-2 phase excitation. In this method, the excitation pattern of the stator S is 8 patterns. In FIG. 5C, these eight excitation patterns are shown by signals to the electromagnets of four systems. This pattern is stored in the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300.

When the reels 110 to 112 are rotated in the forward direction, control is performed to sequentially switch the patterns shown in FIG. 5C from top to bottom, such as pattern 1, pattern 2, pattern 3,... .. After the pattern 8, control for switching to the pattern 1 is performed. Further, when the reels 110 to 112 are rotated in the reverse direction, conversely to the case of rotating the reels in the forward direction, the control shown in FIG. 5C is sequentially switched from bottom to top. After pattern 1, control to switch to pattern 8 is performed. Further, when stopping the reels 110 to 112, control for maintaining the excitation pattern may be performed. However, in this embodiment, in order to maintain the stopped state with a larger torque, the stopped state of the reels 110 to 112 is maintained by the so-called two-phase excitation.

The stepping motor according to the present embodiment can rotate the reels 110 to 112 once by switching the excitation pattern 504 times. That is, the positions of the reels 110 to 112 can be controlled in 0.71° (360°/504) steps. When moving one symbol, it is necessary to switch the excitation pattern 24 times (504 times/21 symbols) in either the forward direction or the reverse direction.

Hereinafter, the change of the excitation pattern when performing the normal rotation executed in each game will be described with reference to FIG. The figure is a table showing data for reel control.

In FIG. 6, the reels 110 to 112 in the stopped state (stop control state) are gradually accelerated by the operation of the start lever 135 and then converge to a constant speed (acceleration control state), and then the stop operation is performed at a constant speed. Details of data (reel control data) for performing a series of control until the rotating (constant speed control state) reels 110 to 112 are stopped (retraction control state, brake control state) are shown. There is. Note that, for example, the excitation pattern in the stopped state may not be constant due to the reason that the excitation pattern is adjusted so that the positions of the symbols applied to the reels 110 to 112 stop on the effective line of the display window 113. .. Therefore, in FIG. 6, among the excitation patterns shown in FIG. 5C, the excitation pattern that maintains the stopped state is used as a reference, and other excitation patterns are represented by the number of times the excitation pattern is switched in the forward direction. There is. In FIG. 6, this number is shown as an excitation pattern offset value. For example, when the reel is stopped in the state of the excitation pattern 2, the excitation pattern offset value of 0 indicates the excitation pattern 2, and the excitation pattern offset value of 1 indicates the excitation pattern 3. That is, the excitation pattern offset value of 7 indicates the excitation pattern 1.

First, data for maintaining the stopped state of the reels 110 to 112 is shown in the “stop control state” of the item “state”. According to this data, the stopped state of the reels 110 to 112 is maintained by maintaining one excitation pattern by the two-phase excitation method, and the use current of the stepping motor at that time is 20%. ..

Then, the start lever 135 is operated to perform control to start the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. Data for performing control for accelerating the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is shown in the "acceleration control state" of the item "state". According to this data, the control for accelerating the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is executed by sequentially switching the excitation patterns of the 1-2 phase excitation method and gradually shortening the switching interval. It is shown. It is shown that the current used by the stepping motor in this control is 100%.

Further, when the reels 110 to 112 are accelerated to some extent, control is performed to converge the rotation speed of the reels 110 to 112 to a constant speed. Data for controlling the rotation speeds of the reels 110 to 112 to converge to a constant speed are shown. According to this data, it is possible to execute control to converge the rotation speed of the reels 110 to 112 to a constant speed by sequentially switching the excitation patterns of the 1-2 phase excitation method at equal intervals according to the desired speed. It is shown. It is shown that the current used by the stepping motor in this control is 100%.

After the rotation speeds of the reels 110 to 112 have converged to a constant speed, the rotation speeds of the reels 110 to 112 are kept constant until the stop control described later is performed based on the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139. Data for maintaining the rotation speeds of the reels 110 to 112 at constant speeds are shown in the items "state" "constant speed control state" and "pull-in control state". According to this data, it is shown that the excitation pattern of the 1-2 phase excitation method is sequentially switched at equal intervals according to the desired speed. By this control, the rotation speeds of the reels 110 to 112 are kept constant. It should be noted that a large torque is not required because the rotation speed of the reel has already converged to a constant value in the "constant speed control state" and the "pull-in control state". Therefore, the current used by the stepping motor in this control is 60%. Although only eight excitation pattern offset values 0 to 7 are shown in the "constant speed control state" and the "pull-in control state", this rotation control is performed until the reels 110 to 112 are stopped. Is repeated.

When the stop buttons 137 to 139 are operated during execution of the steady rotation control, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. Data for stopping the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is shown in the "brake control state" of the item "state". According to this data, it is shown that the excitation pattern before the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is maintained by the two-phase excitation method. By this control, the reels 110 to 112 are stopped. It is shown that the current used by the stepping motor in this control is 100%.

<Simultaneous operation for multiple stop buttons>
Next, operation control (hereinafter, also referred to as simultaneous operation control) when a plurality of stop buttons are simultaneously operated will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. Here, the case of simultaneously operating a plurality of operation units is assumed to be a simultaneous operation not intended by the player, as well as a simultaneous operation intended by the player. For example, there is dust or the like in the gap on the side surface of the stop button, and therefore, after pressing the stop button, the next stop button is operated without the pressed stop button returning to the original state.

First, the simultaneous operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a stop mode when the stop buttons 137 and 138 are simultaneously stopped in a state where all reels 110 to 112 are rotating, that is, when the left reel 110 and the middle reel 111 are simultaneously stopped. FIG. 8 shows a case where the stop buttons 138 and 139 are simultaneously stopped in a state where all reels 110 to 112 are rotating, that is, the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are simultaneously stopped. It is a stop mode of. Further, FIG. 9 shows a case in which the stop buttons 138 and 139 are simultaneously stopped while the left reel 110 is stopped and the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are rotating, that is, with respect to the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112. FIG. 10 shows a stop mode when the stop operation is performed at the same time. FIG. 10 shows a case where all stop buttons 137, 138 and 139 are simultaneously stopped while the reels 110 to 112 are rotating, that is, the left reel 110, This is a stop mode when the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are simultaneously stopped.

In the present embodiment, when a plurality of stop buttons are simultaneously operated, one stop button is operated, that is, the stop control is performed only for one reel, but the stop control is performed. The priority order of reels is predetermined. Specifically, the order in which (1) the left reel 110 has the highest priority, (2) the middle reel 111 has the next priority, and (3) the right reel 112 has the last priority (hereinafter, also referred to as the left-middle-right priority order). It says). This priority order reflects that the left-middle-right order, that is, the so-called “forward pressing” stop operation is most frequently performed in the slot machine, and in the present embodiment as well, the stop operation having a high advantage for the player. It matches the operation sequence. Note that the priority order may be another order, for example, the right and left middle order.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the stop buttons 137 and 138 are simultaneously stopped while all reels 110 to 112 are rotating and the left reel 110 and the middle reel 111 are simultaneously stopped, Since the left reel 110 has a higher priority than the middle reel 111 due to the above-described priority order, it is considered that a stop operation has been performed on the left reel 110, and the left reel 110 is stop-controlled. That is, in this case, the left reel 110 is stopped. At this time, the middle reel 111 is not stopped, but the middle reel 111 can be stopped by operating the stop button 138 again.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the stop buttons 138 and 139 are simultaneously stopped while all the reels 110 to 112 are rotating and the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are simultaneously stopped, Since the middle reel 111 has a higher priority than the right reel 112 according to the above-described priority order, it is considered that the stop operation for the middle reel 111 is performed, and the middle reel 111 is stop-controlled. That is, in this case, the middle reel 111 is stopped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, while the left reel 110 is stopped and the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are rotating, the stop buttons 138 and 139 are simultaneously operated to stop, and the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are simultaneously operated. When the stop operation is performed, the middle reel 111 has a higher priority than the right reel 112 due to the above-described priority order, so it is considered that the stop operation is performed on the middle reel 111, and the middle reel 111 is stopped. Controlled. That is, in this case, the middle reel 111 is stopped.

The number of stop buttons operated simultaneously is not limited to two, and may be three. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the stop buttons 137, 138 and 139 are simultaneously stopped while all reels are rotating and the left reel 110, the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 are simultaneously stopped. Since the left reel 110 has a higher priority than the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 according to the above-described priority order, it is considered that the stop operation has been performed on the left reel 110, and the left reel 110 is stop-controlled. That is, in this case, the left reel 110 is stopped.

Here, "simultaneous" in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the stop button sensor when the left reel 110 and the middle reel 111 are simultaneously stopped. The dotted line shown in FIG. 11 shows the execution timing of the main controller timer interrupt process (details will be described later) executed at each interrupt time (about 1.5 ms).

In the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the detection signal of each stop button sensor is updated in the input port state update process (S1003 of FIG. 23 described later) of the main controller timer interrupt process, but this once (1 interrupt) In the main controller timer interrupt processing, the simultaneous operation is performed when the detection signal of the stop button sensor is the ON signal. The ON signal of the detection signal of the stop button sensor means a signal when the stop button is pressed. That is, even if the timings of pressing the two buttons are slightly different, the detection signals corresponding to the two buttons are both pressed at the timing of the main controller timer interrupt process executed at each interrupt time. Is regarded as being pressed at the same time, and when one button is detected to be pressed at one detection timing, the other button is detected to be pressed simultaneously.

For example, in FIG. 11A, at one timing (timing A or B) of the main controller timer interrupt processing, both the detection signals of the left stop button sensor and the middle stop button sensor are ON signals, In this case, the left stop button 137 and the middle stop button 138 are simultaneously operated.

In addition, in FIG. 11B as well, at one timing (timing C) of the main controller timer interrupt processing, the detection signals of the left stop button sensor and the middle stop button sensor both show ON signals, so in this case Is the simultaneous operation of the left stop button 137 and the middle stop button 138.

On the other hand, in FIG. 11C, since the detection signals of the left stop button sensor and the middle stop button sensor do not show ON signals at any timing of the main control unit timer interrupt processing, in this case, stop The button 137 and the middle stop button 138 are not operated simultaneously.

<Reel stop control and reel out-of-step monitoring>
Next, the reel stop control and reel out-of-step monitoring of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 12, the player's finger or the like is laterally slid with respect to the stop buttons 137 to 139 provided on the stop button unit 136, and the left stop button 137, the middle stop button 138, and the right stop button 139 are continuously arranged in this order. 3 is a timing chart showing an outline of reel stop control when a stop operation is performed (hereinafter, this stop operation of laterally sliding is referred to as a “slide operation”, and a slide operation in this order is referred to as a “left-middle-right slide operation”). ..

In the present embodiment, when a slide operation is performed, after one stop operation, a predetermined minute time T1 (a time longer than about 1.5 ms, which is an execution interval of a main controller timer interrupt process described later, is It is possible to accept the next stop operation after a lapse of time that does not hinder the continuity of the operation (for example, 40 ms). That is, when the slide operation is performed, it is possible to continuously stop all the reels 110 to 112.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the player performs a left-middle-right slide operation, the slot machine 100 first performs a stop preparation process for the left reel 110 based on the operation on the left stop button 137 at time t1. After executing P1, the stop process P2 for the left reel 110 is executed.

Here, the stop preparation process means a process of setting various kinds of information related to the stop control for the reel of the stop operation (“process executed in main controller timer interrupt process” which will be described later). The process means a process of actually stopping the reel targeted for the stop operation based on the information set in the stop preparation process (“process executed in main control unit main process” described later).

Next, the slot machine 100 executes the stop preparation process P3 for the middle reel 111 based on the operation on the middle stop button 138 at time t2 when a predetermined minute time T1 or more has elapsed from the time t1 and then stops for the middle reel 111. The process P4 is executed.

Next, the slot machine 100 executes the stop preparation process P5 for the right reel 112 based on the operation on the right stop button 139 at time t3 after a lapse of a predetermined short time T1 or more from time t2, and then the right reel 112. The stop process P6 for is executed.

In the present embodiment, the minute time T1 that makes it impossible to accept the stop operation between the stop operations is provided, but this minute time T1 is not a time that hinders the slide operation. Further, since the next stop operation can be received while the reel control related to the stop operation is being performed and the reel control related to the next stop operation is possible, this also hinders the slide operation. Not not.

For example, in FIG. 12, the middle stop button 137 can be stopped while the stop process P2 for the left reel 110 is being executed, and when the middle stop button 137 is operated while the stop process P2 is being executed, The stop preparation process P3 and the stop process P4 for the middle reel 111 can be executed. Here, in the stop process P2, the stop preparation process P3, and the stop process P4, the length of time is determined depending on the number of drawn symbols. Further, the right stop button 139 can be stopped while the stop process P4 for the middle reel 111 is being executed. If the right stop button 139 is operated while the stop process P4 is being executed, the right reel button 112 is stopped. The stop preparation process P5 and the stop process P6 can be executed.

As a result, even a player who performs a stop operation in a hurry can stop the reels 110 to 112 in a desired order intended by the player.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an outline of stop control when the player's finger or the like simultaneously operates the stop buttons 137 to 139 provided on the stop button unit 136.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when the simultaneous operation is performed, a predetermined priority order is set for the stop operation, and therefore, one stop operation is accepted based on this priority order, and The reel stop control corresponding to the stop operation is executed. That is, even if simultaneous operations are performed, not all reels 110 to 112 are stopped, but one reel is stopped. The priority order in the simultaneous operation of the present embodiment is the left-middle-right priority order as described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the player performs simultaneous operations, the slot machine 100 first executes the stop preparation process P1 for the left reel 110, and then executes the stop process P2 for the left reel 110. That is, the stop control is performed on the left reel 110, but the stop control is not performed on the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112.

On the other hand, FIG. 14 is a time chart showing an outline of stop control of one method (hereinafter, referred to as conventional A method) in the case where simultaneous operations are performed in the related art. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, when the simultaneous operations are performed, all reels 110 to 112 are stopped.

FIG. 15A is a timing chart showing the state of each stop button sensor and the presence/absence of step-out monitoring processing of each reel when a simultaneous operation is performed by the conventional A method. According to FIG. 15A, when the simultaneous operations are performed at time t1, all the left stop button 137, the middle stop button 138, and the right stop button 139 are accepted to stop all reels 110 to 112. I have to.

FIG. 15B shows the state of each stop button sensor and each state when the stop operation is performed on the middle reel 111 while the left reel 110 is out of step at time t1 in the conventional A system. 7 is a timing chart showing whether or not there is a step-out monitoring process for a reel. According to FIG. 15B, the process at the time of step-out of the left reel 110 (specifically, the process related to the rotation return of the left reel 110) is executed, the middle stop button 138 is accepted, and the middle reel 111 is stopped. I am making it.

It should be noted that the dotted lines shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 show the execution timing of the main controller timer interrupt process executed at each interrupt time (about 1.5 ms).

FIG. 16A shows the content of FIG. 15B in more detail. In the same main controller timer interrupt process, step-out of the left reel 110 is detected and step-out of the left reel 110 is detected. 12 shows a timing chart when the reel control process for stopping the middle reel 111 based on the operation of the middle stop button 138 is executed while the time process is executed.

As described above, in the conventional method A, the middle reel 111 is stopped while the step-out of the left reel 110 is occurring.

FIG. 16B is a timing chart showing how the reels 110 to 112 are stopped in the case of FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16( b ), even if the player performs a stop operation of pressing forward, the left reel 110 is out of step, so the middle reel 111 first stops. The situation will occur. Although the left stop button 137 and the middle stop button 138 are operated in this order, the step-out of the left reel 110 is detected, and therefore the middle reel 111 is stopped without stopping the left reel 110. The left reel 110 is stopped by the left stop button 137 performed when the step-out is no longer performed (when the rotation of the left reel 110 becomes normal). Therefore, the middle reel 11 is stopped first, and then the left reel 110 is stopped. That is, in the conventional system A, when the step-out occurs in the reel, there is a problem that the reels 110 to 112 are stopped in an order not intended by the player.

On the other hand, FIG. 17A is a timing chart showing the state of each stop button sensor and the presence/absence of step-out monitoring processing of each reel when the simultaneous operation is performed in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, when simultaneous operations are performed at time t1, the stop button sensors of the left stop button 137, the middle stop button 138, and the right stop button 139 are turned on. However, the operation of only the left stop button 137 is accepted based on the above-described priority order, and only the left reel 110 is stopped.

FIG. 17B shows a case in which the stop operation is performed on the middle reel 111 while the step-out of the left reel 110 is occurring in the same main controller timer interrupt process of the present embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing the state of each stop button sensor and the presence or absence of step-out monitoring processing for each reel. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, while the process at the time of step-out of the left reel 110 is executed at time t1, the stop button sensor of the middle stop button 138 is turned on, but the middle stop button 138 is turned on. Is not accepted and the middle reel 111 is not stopped.

As a result, in the present embodiment, when a step-out occurs in the reel, the situation in which the reels 110 to 112 are stopped in an order not intended by the player does not occur, as shown in FIG. ..

FIG. 18A shows the content of FIG. 17B in more detail. In the same main controller timer interrupt process, step-out of the left reel 110 is detected at the time t1, and the left reel 110 is shown in FIG. 6 shows a time chart in which the middle reel 111 is not stopped even if the middle stop button 138 is operated while the step-out process is executed.

In FIG. 18B, in the same interrupt process, step out of the middle reel 111 is detected at time t1, and the process for step out of the middle reel 111 is executed, while operation of the right stop button 139 is performed. Even if there is, a time chart when the right reel 112 is not stopped is shown. In this case, since the operation of the right stop button 139 is not accepted while the step-out of the middle reel 111 is occurring, the right reel 112 is not stopped. In other words, even in this case, even if the player performs a stop operation of the left-middle-right forward push, the situation in which the reels 110 to 112 are stopped in an order not intended by the player does not occur.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the characteristics of the reel stop control of the present embodiment described above along the flow of the main controller timer interrupt process. The main control unit timer interrupt process is a process executed by the main control unit 300 at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 1.5 ms) (details will be described later).

In the reel stop control process of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, first, the process S10 for the left reel 110 is executed, then the process S10 for the left reel 110 is executed, and then the process S20 for the middle reel 111 is executed. Then, after executing the process S20 for the middle reel 111, the process S30 for the right reel 112 is executed. This is an execution order based on the above-described left-middle-right priority order.

The process S10 relating to the left reel 110 is a left stop button acceptance process relating to the acceptance of the operation of the left stop button 137. (1) When the operation of the left stop button 137 is accepted during the period in which the acceptance of the left stop button 137 is valid, , The left reel stop preparation processing S11 for setting various information necessary for the stop control of the left reel 110 is executed, and (2) the operation of the left stop button 137 is not accepted during the period in which the reception of the left stop button 137 is valid. In this case, the left reel out-of-step monitoring process S12 for monitoring the step-out of the left reel 110 is executed. That is, in the process S10 relating to the left reel 110, neither the left reel stop preparation process S11 nor the left reel step out monitoring process S12 is executed, but either one of them is executed.

Similarly, the process S20 for the middle reel 111 is a middle stop button acceptance process for acceptance of the operation of the middle stop button 138, and (1) accepts an operation for the middle stop button 138 while the acceptance of the middle stop button 138 is valid. In this case, the middle reel stop preparation process S21 for setting various information necessary for the stop control of the middle reel 111 is executed, and (2) the operation of the middle stop button 138 during the period when the reception of the middle stop button 138 is valid. If is not received, the middle reel step-out monitoring process S22 for monitoring the step-out of the middle reel 111 is executed. That is, in the processing S20 for the middle reel 111, neither the middle reel stop preparation processing S21 nor the left reel step out monitoring processing S22 is executed, and either one of them is executed.

Similarly, the process S30 regarding the right reel 112 is a right stop button acceptance process regarding acceptance of the operation of the right stop button 139, and (1) accepts an operation on the right stop button 139 while the acceptance of the right stop button 139 is valid. In this case, the right reel stop preparation process S31 for setting various information necessary for the stop control of the right reel 112 is executed, and (2) the operation of the right stop button 139 is performed during the period when the reception of the right stop button 139 is valid. If no is received, the right reel out-of-step monitoring process S32 for monitoring the out-of-step of the right reel 112 is executed. That is, in the processing S30 relating to the right reel 112, neither the right reel stop preparation processing S31 nor the right reel out-of-step monitoring processing S32 is executed, and either one of them is executed.

Further, in the one interrupt process of the main controller timer interrupt process, if the left reel out-of-step monitoring process S12 of the process S10 regarding the left reel is executed and the out-of-step occurs in the left reel 110, In order to eliminate the step-out on the reel 110, the rotation return processing is executed, but in the processing S20 relating to the middle reel thereafter, the middle reel stop preparation processing S21 is not executed, but the middle reel step-out monitoring processing S22. To execute. In the processing S30 relating to the right reel, the right reel stop preparation processing S31 is not executed, but the right reel step out monitoring processing S32 is executed.

Similarly, in the one interrupt process of the main control unit timer interrupt process, the process S20 relating to the middle reel, the middle reel out-of-step monitoring process S22 is executed, and when the out-of-step occurs in the middle reel 111, In order to eliminate the step-out of the middle reel 111, the rotation return processing is executed, but in the subsequent processing S30 relating to the right reel, the right reel stop preparation processing S31 is not executed, and the right reel step-out monitoring is performed. The process S32 is executed.

These are measures for solving the problem that the reels 110 to 112 are stopped in an order that the player does not intend when the reels 110 to 112 are out of step. That is, even in such a case, the reels 110 to 112 can be stopped in the order intended by the player (the forward push on the left middle right).

Of course, the out-of-step monitoring processing S12, S22, S32 on each reel 110-112 is not executed for the reels 110-112 that have been stopped.

Based on the features of the present embodiment described above, the operation of the slot machine 100 will be described below.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, the main processing of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that this figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main processing of the main control unit 300.

When the slot machine 100 is powered on, first, in step S101, various initialization processes are performed. In this initial setting, the stack initial value is set to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, the setting of interrupt prohibition, the initial setting of the I/O 310, the initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, the operation permission and the initial setting to the WDT 314. Set values etc.

In step S102, medal insertion/start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is determined by the sensor circuit 320 whether or not there is an electronic medal insertion operation by the bet buttons 130 to 132 or a direct medal insertion operation from the medal insertion opening 141, and when there is an insertion operation. Turns on the pay line display lamp 120 according to the number of inserted medals. Also, preparation is made to transmit a medal insertion command indicating that a medal has been inserted to the first sub control unit 400. It should be noted that when a replay combination is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that the player does not need to insert medals.

Further, whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated is checked based on the detection of the sensor circuit 320, and when it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined, and the first sub-control unit 400 On the other hand, preparations are made to send a start lever acceptance command indicating that the start lever 135 has been operated.

In step S103, an effective pay line is determined.

In step S104, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired.

In step S105, an internal lottery process for a winning combination is performed. In the internal winning lottery process, the internal winning lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read according to the current gaming state, and the internal lottery is performed using this and the random number value obtained in step S104. As a result of the internal lottery, when any of the winning combinations (including the operating combination) is internally won, the condition device (flag) of the internally winning combination is activated (the flag of the winning combination is turned on). In addition, in this step S105, preparations are made to transmit an internal winning command indicating the result of the internal winning combination of the winning combination to the first sub-control unit 400. For example, in the case of internally winning the watermelon, preparation is made to transmit an internal winning command indicating that the watermelon has been internally won to the first sub-control unit 400, and the result of the winning combination internal lottery is lost (the winning combination of the winning combination). In the case of (non-win), preparations are made to send an internal win command indicating a loss to the first sub-control unit 400.

At step S106, reel stop data is selected based on the result of the internal winning combination lottery at step S105. The reel stop data of the winning combination in which the order of the stop operation is questioned, the operation condition is also set, and when the reel stop data corresponding to these is selected, the operation condition is also set.

In step S107, a reel rotation start process (described later in detail) for starting the rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is executed based on the start operation.

In step S108, reel stop control processing (details described later) is performed. In the reel stop control process, the reels 110 to 112 are stop-controlled based on the information of the reel stop preparation process in the reel state control determination process of the main controller timer interrupt process, which will be described later, to determine whether all reels have stopped. judge. If all reels have stopped, the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, winning determination processing is performed. In the winning determination process, the winning determination of the symbols stopped by pressing the stop buttons 137 to 139 is performed, and when a symbol combination corresponding to any winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, the winning combination is performed. It is determined that the prize has been won. For example, if "watermelon design-watermelon design-watermelon design" is complete on the activated winning line, it is determined that the watermelon is a winning prize. Further, in this step S109, preparations are made to transmit a display determination command indicating the result of the winning determination to the first sub-control unit 400.

In step S110, medal payout processing is performed. In the medal payout process, if any winning combination with a payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. Further, in step S110, preparations are made to transmit a medal payout command indicating the number of paid-out medals to the first sub-control unit 400.

In step S111, game state control processing is performed. In this game state control processing, control for shifting the game state is performed, and for example, in the case of a BB prize, preparations are made so that the BB game can be started from the next time. In addition, in this step S111, preparations are made for transmitting a game state command indicating the game state to the first sub control unit 400.

The above completes one game. Thereafter, the game proceeds by returning to step S102 and repeating the above-mentioned processing. The various commands prepared in the above steps are transmitted in the command setting transmission process (step S1007 in FIG. 23) of the main control unit timer interrupt process described later.

<Reel rotation start processing>
Next, the reel rotation start processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel rotation start processing of step S107 of FIG.

In step S201, it is determined whether or not the value of the game interval timer is 0. The game interval timer is a timer stored in a specific storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and the time required for one game is set to a predetermined time (for example, the minimum game time of 4.1 seconds) or more. This timer is set for the purpose of limiting the number of game media acquired or lost per unit time and limiting the gambling performance of the game. The game interval timer is set to a predetermined timer value (for example, a timer value corresponding to 4.1 seconds) in step S203 described later, and decremented every time the timer interrupt process (described later) of the main control unit 300 is executed. To be done. If the value of the game interval timer is 0, the time required for one game has elapsed, so the process proceeds to step S202. If not, step S201 is repeated.

In step S202, a predetermined timer value (for example, a timer value corresponding to 4.1 seconds) is set in the game interval timer.

In step S203, the interrupt control state is set to the "reel control state". The interrupt control state is information referred to in the main control unit timer interrupt process described later. When the interrupt control state is the "reel control state", the main control unit timer interrupt process performs a process related to reel control. Is executed.

In step S204, the rule control state is set to the acceleration control state (see FIG. 6). The reel control state is information regarding the control state of the reels, which is independently stored for each reel 110 to 112 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. Information of any one of "state", "acceleration control state", "constant speed control state", "pull-in control state", and "brake control state" is stored.

In step S205, a predetermined timer value (time until the reel reaches a certain rotation speed) is set in the stop button invalidation timer 1. The stop button disable timer is a timer stored in a specific storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and is a timer set for the purpose of ensuring a predetermined time from when the reel reaches a certain rotation speed after the reel is stopped. is there. The stop operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 becomes effective after the predetermined time has elapsed (when the reel control state becomes the constant speed control state). The value of the stop button disable timer is decremented every time the timer interrupt process (described later) of the main control unit 300 is executed.

In step S206, processing related to the start of rotation of other reels is performed. For example, it prepares to transmit a reel rotation start command indicating that the reel has started rotating to the first sub-control unit 400.

<Reel stop control processing>
Next, the reel stop control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel stop control process of step S108 of FIG.

In step S301, it is determined whether or not the value of the stop button invalidation timer 1 is 0. When the value of the stop button invalidation timer 1 is 0, the stop operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, so the process proceeds to step S302. When the value of the stop button invalidation timer 1 is not 0, step S301 is repeated.

In step S302, the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is validated.

In step S303, it is determined whether or not the stop buttons 137 to 139 have been operated. If the stop buttons 137 to 139 are operated, the process proceeds to step S304, and if not, step S303 is repeated.

In step S304, the stop button invalidation timer 2 is set with a timer value corresponding to a predetermined minute time T1 (for example, 40 ms). The stop button invalidation timer 2 is a timer stored in a specific storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and is a timer set for the purpose of ensuring a minute time T1 between stop operations. After the stop operation for one stop button, the stop operation for the next stop button becomes effective after the predetermined minute time T has elapsed. The value of the stop button invalidation timer 2 is decremented every time the timer interrupt process (described later) of the main control unit 300 is executed.

In step S305, since any one of the stop buttons has been operated, preparation is made to transmit a stop button acceptance command to the first sub-control unit 400 based on the operated stop button. In the stop button acceptance command, information that can identify the reel to be stopped (information that can identify the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112), a symbol position when the stop button is pressed (for example, symbol display) The symbol number of the middle position of the window 113), and information that can identify the stop symbol position (for example, the number of sliding frames from when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops) are included.

In step S306, it is determined whether or not all reels 110 to 112 have stopped. If all reels 110 to 112 have stopped, the reel stop control process ends, and if not, the process proceeds to step S307.

In step S307, the next stop data, that is, the reel stop data for the reels for which the stop operation is not performed, is set.

In step S308, the stop button acceptance valid state is updated. That is, the stop button that has been stopped is disabled, and the stop button that has not been stopped is enabled.

In step S309, it is determined whether or not the value of the stop button invalidation timer 2 is 0. When the value of the stop button invalidation timer 2 is 0, the stop operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139, which has not been stopped yet, becomes valid, so the process proceeds to step S310. If the value of the stop button invalidation timer 2 is not 0, step S309 is repeated.

In step S310, the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 that have not been stopped is validated. After the processing of step S310 ends, the process proceeds to step S303.

In the present embodiment, an invalid period is provided in which the stop operation is invalid for a predetermined minute time T1 (for example, 40 ms) between the operation of one stop button and the operation of the next stop button. .. However, such an invalid period may not be provided in order not to further hinder the continuous stopping operation of the player.

<Main controller timer interrupt processing>
Next, the timer interrupt process of the main controller 300 will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that this figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main controller timer interrupt process.

The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 1.5 ms), and the main control unit timer is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The interrupt process is started at a predetermined cycle.

In step S1001, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, the value of each register of the CPU 304 is temporarily saved in the stack area.

In step S1002, the count value of the WDT 314 exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) so that the WDT interrupt does not occur (the processing abnormality is not detected). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every 2 ms, which is the period of the main controller timer interrupt.

In step S1003, an input port state update process is performed. In this input port state update processing, sensors of various sensors 318 (for example, left stop button sensor, middle stop button sensor, right stop button sensor, start lever sensor, bet button sensor, etc.) are input via the input port of the I/O 310. The detection signal of the circuit 320 is input to monitor the presence/absence of the detection signal, and stored in the signal state storage area provided in the RAM 308 for each sensor 318.

In step S1004, the interrupt control state is acquired based on the signals from the various sensors 318.

In step S1005, various game processes (details will be described later) are performed according to the acquired interrupt control state.

In step S1006, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit. For example, the game interval timer and the stop button invalid timers 1 and 2 described above are updated.

In step S1007, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub control unit 400. The output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, and bit 15 is strobe information (when ON, indicates that data is set), bit 11 -14 are command types (for example, basic commands, start lever acceptance commands, effect commands associated with effect lottery processing, reel rotation start commands associated with the start of rotation of the reels 110 to 112, and acceptance of operations of the stop buttons 137 to 139. Stop button acceptance command, payout number command and payout end command associated with medal payout processing, game state command indicating game state, etc.), and bits 0 to 10 are composed of command data (predetermined information corresponding to command type). ..

In the first sub-control unit 400, the command type included in the received output schedule information makes it possible to determine the effect control according to the change in the game control in the main control unit 300, and is included in the output schedule information. It becomes possible to determine the contents of effect control based on the information of the command data.
In step S1008, external output signal setting processing is performed. In this external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

In step S1009, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S1003 are read to monitor the presence or absence of errors relating to a medal insertion abnormality, a medal payout abnormality, and the like, and when an error is detected, Execute error handling. Further, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which a solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 338, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set according to the current game state.

In step S1010, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S1012, and when the low voltage signal is off (power cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S1011.

In step S1011, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end processing, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S1001 is set in each original register. After that, the process returns to the main processing of the main control unit shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S1012, a specific variable or a stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as recovery data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of the input/output port ( (Details will be described later), and thereafter, the process returns to the main processing of the main controller shown in FIG.

<Various game processing>
Next, various game processes will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of various game processes of step S1005 of FIG.

In step S1101, it is determined whether the interrupt control state is the reel stop control state. It is determined whether the interrupt control state is the reel stop control state. If the interrupt control state is the reel stop control state, the process proceeds to step S1102, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1103.

In step S1102, reel control state determination processing (details will be described later) is performed.

In step S1103, other various game processes are executed. For example, in the medal insertion state, the process related to the medal insertion is executed, and in the medal payout state, the process related to the medal payout is executed.

<Reel control state determination processing>
Next, various game processes will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel control state determination processing of step S1102 of FIG.

In step S1201, it is determined whether the operation reception of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. If the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, the process proceeds to step S1202, a stop button acceptance process (details described later) is performed, and then the processes of steps S1206 to S1208 are performed for each reel 110 to 112. To do. On the other hand, if the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is not valid, the process proceeds to steps S1203 to S1205, and the left reel step out monitoring processing (details described later), the middle reel step out monitoring processing (details described later) and the right reel. A step-out monitoring process (details will be described later) is performed, and then the processes of steps S1206 to S1208 are performed for each reel 110 to 112.

The operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid only for a predetermined time set by the stop button invalidation timer in the reel rotation start processing (see FIG. 21) (time until the reel reaches a certain rotation speed). Is after the lapse of time, and after the reel control state becomes the constant speed control state. Further, when the stop operation is performed on one of the stop buttons 137 to 139, it is after a predetermined minute time T1 has elapsed after the stop operation.

In step S1206, it is determined whether the excitation switching flag is set. The excitation switching flag is flag information indicating whether or not to update the currently set excitation pattern offset value. When the excitation switching flag is set in the present embodiment, the currently set excitation pattern is set. The offset value is updated, that is, the excitation pattern is switched. If the excitation switching flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1207, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1208.

In step S1207, the excitation pattern offset value is updated. As a result, the excitation pattern is switched according to the updated excitation pattern offset value. For example, in the reel control data shown in FIG. 6, when the reel control state is the “acceleration control state” and the excitation pattern offset value “0” in the first row is currently set, the second row The excitation pattern offset value is updated to "1". Similarly, in the reel control data shown in FIG. 6, when the reel control state is the “constant speed control state” and the excitation pattern offset value “2” of the third row is currently set, 4 It is updated to "3" which is the excitation pattern offset value of the line.

In step S1208, each reel control process (details will be described later) according to the reel control state is performed.

<Stop button acceptance processing>
Next, the stop button reception process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the stop button reception process of step S1202 of FIG.

In step S1301, it is determined whether the operation flag of the left stop button 137 is ON. Here, the operation flag of the stop button is a flag indicating whether or not the stop operation is performed on the stop button, and the stop operation is performed on the stop button in the main controller timer interrupt process before the last time. Is set to ON if it is determined to have been performed, and OFF otherwise (including the case where it is determined that the stop operation has been performed to the stop button in the main control unit timer interrupt process this time). To be done. If the operation flag of the left stop button 137 is not ON, that is, OFF, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if the operation flag of the left stop button 137 is ON, the process proceeds to step S1304.

In step S1302, a left stop button operation process (details described later) is executed, then proceeds to step S1303, and left reel out-of-step monitoring process (details described later) is executed. After the left reel out-of-step monitoring process of step S1303 is executed, the process proceeds to step S1304.

In step S1304, it is determined whether the operation flag of the middle stop button 138 is ON. If the operation flag of the middle stop button 138 is not ON, that is, OFF, the process proceeds to step S1305, and if the operation flag of the middle stop button 138 is ON, the process proceeds to step S1308.

In step S1305, it is determined whether the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. Here, it is again determined whether or not the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, in the left stop button operation processing of step S1302 and the stop button 137 to 139 of the left reel step out monitoring processing of S1303. This is because the operation reception may become invalid. If the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, the process advances to step S1306 to execute a middle stop button operation process (details will be described later), and then advances to step S1307 to detect a middle reel out-of-step monitoring process (details). Will be described later). On the other hand, if the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is invalid, the process advances to step S1307 to execute a middle reel step out monitoring process (described in detail later). After executing the middle reel step out monitoring process in step S1307, the process proceeds to step S1308.

In step S1308, it is determined whether the operation flag of the right stop button 139 is ON. If the operation flag of the right stop button 139 is not ON, that is, OFF, the process proceeds to step S1309, and if the operation flag of the right stop button 139 is ON, the stop button reception process ends.

In step S1309, it is determined whether the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. Here, it is again determined whether or not the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, the left stop button operation process of step S1302, the left reel step out monitoring process of step S1303, and the middle stop of step S1306. This is because the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 may become invalid in the button operation processing and the middle reel step out monitoring processing of step S1307. When the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, the process proceeds to step S1310, the right stop button operation process (details described later) is executed, and then the process proceeds to step S1311, the right reel out-of-step monitoring process (detailed). Will be described later). On the other hand, if the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is invalid, the process advances to step S1311, and the right reel out-of-step monitoring process (described later in detail) is executed.

<Left/middle/right stop button operation processing>
Next, the left/middle/right stop button operation processing will be described with reference to FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the left stop button operation process of step S1302, the middle stop button operation process of step S1306, and the right stop button operation process of step S1310 of FIG. The left stop button operation process, the middle stop button operation process, and the right stop button operation process have the same processing contents except that the target reels are different.

In step S1401, it is determined whether or not the stop button to be processed has been operated in the main controller timer interrupt process. The stop button to be processed is, for example, the left stop button 137 in the left stop button operation processing, the middle stop button 138 in the middle stop button operation processing, and the right stop button 139 in the right stop button operation processing. Is. When the stop button to be processed is operated in the main controller timer interrupt process, the process proceeds to the left/middle/right reel stop preparation process of steps 1402 to S1408, and otherwise, the left/middle/right reel stop preparation process is performed. Ends the middle/right stop button operation processing. That is, the left/middle/right stop button operation processing of the left/middle/right reel stop preparation processing is executed when the stop button to be processed in the main controller timer interrupt processing is operated. Is.

In step S1402, the operation flag of the stop button to be processed is set to ON. For example, in the left stop button operation processing, the operation flag of the left stop button 137 is set to ON. Further, in the present embodiment, since only one stop operation is accepted in the simultaneous operation, the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 in the timer interrupt process is invalidated thereafter.

In step S1403, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired for the reel to be stopped, and the symbol position at which the stop operation is performed is detected.

In step S1404, the pull-in frame number (sliding frame number) is acquired based on the selected reel stop control data and the stop-operated symbol position.

In step S1405, the value of the pull-in counter is set based on the acquired number of pull-in frames. The pull-in counter is a timer for ensuring the holding time in which the reel control state is in the pull-in control state, and a numerical value corresponding to the pull-in control state holding time (the number of interrupts) is set. Specifically, a value obtained by adding the number of remaining interrupts to a product value obtained by multiplying the number of frames to be drawn by 24 is set in the drawing counter.

In step S1406, the reel control state is set to the pull-in control state.

In step S1407, the stoppable reel information is updated. For example, when the first stop operation is performed on the left reel 110 from the state in which all the reels 110 to 112 can be stopped, the left reel 110 cannot be stopped, and the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 can be stopped. Updated to reel.

<Left/middle/right reel out-of-step monitoring process>
Next, the left/center/right reel out-of-step monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG. 28 is a left reel step out monitoring process of step S1203 of FIG. 25 and step S1307 of FIG. 26, a middle reel step out monitoring process of step S1204 and step S1311 of FIG. 25, and a right side of step S1205 and step S1311 of FIG. It is a flow chart which shows the flow of reel out-of-step monitoring processing in detail. The left reel out-of-step monitoring process, the middle reel out-of-step monitoring process, and the right reel out-of-step monitoring process have the same contents except that the target reels are different.

Here, in the reel out-of-step monitoring process of steps S1203, S1204, and S1205 of FIG. 25, out-of-step occurs in one of the reels 110 to 112, and the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 becomes invalid. In the reel step-out monitoring processing executed in the case where the stop button 137 to 139 is activated, the reel step-out monitoring processing in steps S1303, S1307 and S1311 of FIG. It is the reel out-of-step monitoring process that is executed when the operation is not performed.

The occurrence of out-of-step is monitored for a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) after the establishment of a predetermined trigger (for example, the start of rotation of the reel at a constant speed), and the index sensor detects the light-shielding piece during this predetermined period. Whether or not it is monitored in the timer interrupt process. When the index sensor does not detect the light-shielding piece and a predetermined time elapses, processing for returning the rotation of the reel (re-acceleration processing for the reel) is executed. Note that the step-out may be detected by another method of monitoring whether or not the index sensor detects the light-shielding piece in the timer interrupt process.

In step S1501, it is determined whether the operation flags of the stop buttons 137 to 139 to be processed are ON. For example, in the left reel step-out monitoring process, it is determined whether the operation flag of the left stop button 137 is ON, and in the middle reel step-out monitoring process, whether the operation flag of the middle stop button 138 is ON. In the right reel out-of-step monitoring process, it is determined whether the operation flag of the right stop button 139 is ON. When the operation flag of the processing target stop button is not ON, that is, OFF, the substantial processing relating to the step-out in steps S1502 to S1505 is executed on the processing target reel, and the processing target stop is executed. When the operation flag of the button is ON, the left/middle/right reel out-of-step monitoring process is ended without executing the actual process relating to the step-out on the reel to be processed. Here, the reels to be processed are, for example, the left reel 110 in the left reel step-out monitoring process, the middle reel 111 in the middle reel step-out monitoring process, and the right reel 112 in the right reel step-out monitoring process. ..

As shown in FIG. 26, the left reel step out monitoring process (step S1303), the middle reel step out monitoring process (step S1307), and the right reel step out monitoring process (step S1311) are processing target stop buttons. This is the process executed when the operation flag is OFF in steps 137 to 139 (step S1301: NO, step S1304: NO, step S1308: NO). Again, in step S1501, the target stop button 137 to 139 is selected. Whether or not the operation flag is ON is determined in the left stop button operation process (step S1302), the middle stop button operation process (step S1306), and the right stop button operation process (step S1310) in FIG. This is because the operation flags of the stop buttons 137 to 139 that are turned on may be turned on. As a result, when an operation is accepted for the stop buttons 137 to 139 to be operated in each stop button operation process in the main control unit timer interrupt process, the reels 110 to 112 to be operated are substantially released. The key monitoring process (steps S1502 to S1505) is not executed.

In step S1502, step-out monitoring of the reels 110 to 112 to be processed is performed.

In step S1503, it is determined whether or not out-of-step has occurred in the out-of-step monitoring of the reels 110 to 112 to be processed in step S1502. If the out-of-step monitoring of the reels 110 to 112 to be processed is out of step, the process proceeds to step S1504, and if not, the left/middle/right reel out-of-step monitoring process ends.

In step S1504, since the step-out has occurred in the step-out monitoring of the reels 110 to 112 to be processed, the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is invalidated.

In step S1505, execution of reel rotation return processing is started for the reels 110 to 112 to be processed. The reel rotation return process is a process of setting information regarding an acceleration pattern for accelerating the reels 110 to 112 to be processed. As a result, when the reels 110 to 112 to be processed are accelerated and the step-out of the reels 110 to 112 to be processed is resolved (step S1604 of each reel control process according to the reel control state of FIG. 29 described later). (Constant speed control process of No.), the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is enabled.

<Reel control processing according to reel control status>
Next, each reel control process according to the reel control state will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 298 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of each reel control process according to the reel control state of step S1208 of FIG.

In step S1601, it is determined whether or not the reel control state is the "acceleration control state". If the reel control state is the "acceleration control state", the process proceeds to step S1602, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1603.

In step S1602, an acceleration control process for controlling the acceleration of the reels 110 to 112 is executed. In the acceleration control process, the information regarding the acceleration control is set/updated based on the current in the acceleration control state, the excitation pattern offset value, and the holding time in the table shown in FIG. Information for accelerating the reels 110 to 112 is set based on the excitation pattern offset value.

In step S1603, it is determined whether the reel control state is the "constant speed control state". If the reel control state is the "constant speed control state", the process proceeds to step S1604, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1605.

In step S1604, a constant speed control process for controlling the reel at a constant speed is performed. In the constant speed control process, the information related to the constant speed control is set/updated based on the current in the constant speed control state of the table shown in FIG. 6, the excitation pattern offset value and the holding time, and the detection by the index sensor. If the reels 110 to 112 are out of step, information for accelerating the reels 110 to 112 in which the out of step is generated is set and updated. As a result, when the out-of-step of the reels 110 to 112 is resolved, the operation acceptance of the stop buttons 137 to 139, which was disabled during the out-of-step, is validated.
In step S1605, it is determined whether the reel control state is the "pull-in control state". If the reel control state is the "pull-in control state", the process proceeds to step S1606, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1607.

In step S1606, pull-in control processing for pulling-in the reel is controlled. In the pull-in control process, the information regarding the pull-in control is set/updated based on the current in the pull-in control state, the excitation pattern offset value and the holding time, and the value of the pull-in counter in the table shown in FIG.

In step S1607, since the reel control state is the "brake control state", brake control processing is performed. In the brake control process, the information about the brake control is set/updated based on the current, the excitation pattern offset value and the holding time in the brake control state of the table shown in FIG.

<Other modifications>
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the characteristics of the modified example of the reel stop control of the present embodiment along the flow of the main controller timer interrupt process. As shown in FIG. 30, the execution order of the process S10 regarding the left reel 110, the process S20 regarding the middle reel 111, and the process S30 regarding the right reel 112 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, but before performing the process S10 regarding the left reel 110. In addition, the left reel step-out monitoring process S12, the middle reel step-out monitoring process S22, and the right reel step-out monitoring process S32 may be executed according to the priority order of left, middle, and right.

In this modification as well, even if the reels 110 to 112 are out of step, the reels can be stopped in the order intended by the player (for example, forward pushing of left middle right).

Further, in the present embodiment, when the occurrence of step-out on a predetermined reel is detected in the reel step-out monitoring process, the operation for the stop button is not accepted and the stop preparation process for the other reels is not performed. However, in such a case, the operation of the stop button may be accepted, but the stop preparation process for other reels may not be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the main controller timer interrupt process, the stop button operation process is executed first, and then the reel step-out process is executed (see FIG. 26). Then, the reel stop preparation process is executed in the stop button operation process (see FIG. 27). However, the execution order of the reel stop preparation process is not limited to this. When the occurrence of step-out is not detected in the reel step-out processing, the reel stop preparation processing may be executed thereafter.

<Summary of Embodiments>
As described above, according to the gaming table (eg, slot machine 100 etc.) of the embodiment of the present invention,
A plurality of reels (eg, reels 110 to 112) that are provided with a plurality of types of symbols and are driven to rotate
A plurality of stop buttons (for example, stop buttons 137 to 139) operated to individually stop the rotation of the plurality of reels;
Control means (for example, a main control unit 300, reel stop control processing S108, reel control state determination processing, etc.) that executes control to stop the reel based on acceptance of an operation by the stop button;
A gaming machine equipped with
The control means interrupts and executes main processing (for example, main control section main processing) executed as one game progresses and interrupts the main processing at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1.5 ms). An interrupt process (for example, a main controller timer interrupt process),
The control means is means for executing a first process relating to the stop of the reel in the interrupt process (for example, a process when a stop operation is performed in the reel stop preparation process).
The control means is means for executing a second process (a process at the time of reel-out in the reel-out-of-step monitoring process) relating to the step-out of the reel in the interrupt process,
The control unit is a unit that does not execute the first process in the interrupt process when the second process is executed in the interrupt process,
This is the basic configuration.

According to this basic configuration, even if a step-out of the reel occurs, the process related to the stop of the reel is not executed, so that the reel can be stopped in the order desired by the player.

In the above basic configuration,
The control means is means for executing a third process of determining whether or not the stop button is accepted in the interrupt process (for example, a process of determining whether or not a stop operation is performed in the reel stop preparation process),
In the interrupt process, the control unit determines a fourth process for determining whether or not the reel is out of step (for example, in the reel out of step monitoring process, it is determined whether or not the reel is out of step. Processing),
The control means is means for executing the first processing relating to the stop of the reel corresponding to the stop button when the stop button is received in the third processing,
In the fourth processing, the control means is means for executing the second processing of rotating and returning the reel when the step-out of the reel occurs.
The plurality of reels are reels provided with a priority order,
The plurality of reels includes a first reel (for example, the left reel 110) and a second reel (for example, a middle reel 111) having a lower priority than the first reel, and the control unit includes: In the interrupt processing, after executing the fourth processing on the first reel, is a means for performing the third processing on the second reel,
The control unit is a unit that does not execute the third process for the second reel when the second process is performed based on the fourth process for the first reel,
This is the first preferred configuration.

According to this first preferred configuration, the presence or absence of acceptance of the stop operation is determined from the reels with the highest priority, and the presence or absence of step-out is determined, so that the reels can be stopped based on the priority. ..

In the above basic configuration,
The control means is means for executing a third process of determining whether or not the stop button is accepted in the interrupt process (for example, a process of determining whether or not a stop operation is performed in the reel stop preparation process),
In the interrupt process, the control unit determines a fourth process for determining whether or not the reel is out of step (for example, in the reel out of step monitoring process, it is determined whether or not the reel is out of step. Processing),
The control means is means for executing the first processing relating to the stop of the reel corresponding to the stop button when the stop button is received in the third processing,
In the fourth processing, the control means is means for executing the second processing of rotating and returning the reel when the step-out of the reel occurs.
The plurality of reels are reels provided with a priority order,
The plurality of reels includes a first reel (for example, the left reel 110) and a second reel (for example, a middle reel 111) having a lower priority than the first reel, and the control unit includes: In the interrupt processing, after executing the fourth processing on the first reel, is a means for performing the third processing on the second reel,
When the control means executes the second processing based on the fourth processing for the first reel, the first processing based on the third processing for the second reel. Is a means of not executing
This is the second preferable configuration.

According to the second preferred configuration, the presence or absence of acceptance of the stop operation is determined from the reels with higher priorities, and the presence or absence of step-out is determined, so that the reels can be stopped based on the priorities. ..

In the first preferred configuration or the second preferred configuration,
The plurality of reels includes a left reel (for example, left reel 110), a middle reel (for example, middle reel 111), and a right reel (for example, right reel 112),
The plurality of stop buttons include a left stop button (for example, a left stop button 137) that is operated to stop the rotation of the left reel, and a middle stop button (that is operated to stop the rotation of the middle reel). For example, a middle stop button 138) and a right stop button (for example, right stop button 139) operated to stop the rotation of the right reel,
The priority is the order of the left reel, the middle reel, the right reel,
In the one interrupt processing, the control means first executes the third processing and then the fourth processing for the left reel, and then the third processing for the middle reel. Means for executing the processing of, and then the fourth processing, and finally performing the third processing and then the fourth processing for the right reel,
This is the third preferred configuration.

According to the third preferred configuration, the presence or absence of acceptance of the stop operation is determined in the order of the left reel, the middle reel, and the right reel, and the presence or absence of step-out is determined. The reel can be stopped.

In the above-described first preferred configuration, second preferred configuration, or third preferred configuration,
The first process is a stop preparation process for setting information required for a stop control process (hereinafter referred to as “fifth process”) for stopping the rotation of the reel (for example, reel stop control process S108),
The control means receives the stop button corresponding to the first reel in the third processing of the interrupt processing, and executes the first processing on the first reel. , After the first process is executed, the fifth process is started for the first reel in the main process, and the third process is executed for the second reel in the interrupt process. Is a means of performing processing,
This is the fourth preferred configuration.

According to the fourth preferable configuration, the reel stop control based on the slide operation by the player can be smoothly executed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Modifications and changes can be made, and those involving such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most suitable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what has been done.

100 slot machines 110, 111, 112 reel 113 symbol display window 114 winning lines 130, 131, 132 medal insertion button 135 start levers 137, 138, 139 stop button 300 main control unit 400 first sub control unit 500 second sub control unit 157 Liquid crystal display device 272, 277 Speaker

Claims (5)

Plural kinds of symbols are given, and multiple reels that are driven to rotate,
A plurality of stop buttons operated to individually stop the rotation of the plurality of reels;
Control means for executing control to stop the reel based on acceptance of an operation by the stop button;
A gaming machine equipped with
The control means is a means capable of executing a main process executed according to the progress of one game, and an interrupt process executed by interrupting the main process at a predetermined time interval,
The control means is means for executing a first process relating to the stop of the reel in the interrupt process,
The control means is means for executing a second process relating to the step-out of the reel in the interrupt process,
The control means is means for not executing the first processing in the interrupt processing when the second processing is executed in the interrupt processing,
A game table characterized by that. The game machine according to claim 1,
The control means is means for executing a third process of determining whether or not the stop button is accepted in the interrupt process,
In the interrupt process, the control unit is a unit that executes a fourth process of determining whether or not a step out of the reel has occurred,
The control means is means for executing the first processing relating to the stop of the reel corresponding to the stop button when the stop button is received in the third processing,
In the fourth processing, the control means is means for executing the second processing of rotating and returning the reel when the step-out of the reel occurs.
The plurality of reels are reels provided with a priority order,
The plurality of reels includes a first reel and a second reel having a lower priority than the first reel, and the control unit controls the first reel with respect to the first reel in the interrupt process. After performing the fourth process, is a means for performing the third process to the second reel,
The control unit is a unit that does not execute the third process for the second reel when the second process is performed based on the fourth process for the first reel,
A game table characterized by that. The game machine according to claim 1,
The control means is means for executing a third process of determining whether or not the stop button is accepted in the interrupt process,
In the interrupt process, the control unit is a unit that executes a fourth process of determining whether or not a step out of the reel has occurred,
The control means is means for executing the first processing relating to the stop of the reel corresponding to the stop button when the stop button is received in the third processing,
In the fourth processing, the control means is means for executing the second processing of rotating and returning the reel when the step-out of the reel occurs.
The plurality of reels are reels provided with a priority order,
The plurality of reels includes a first reel and a second reel having a lower priority than the first reel, and the control unit controls the first reel with respect to the first reel in the interrupt process. After performing the fourth process, is a means for performing the third process to the second reel,
When the control means executes the second processing based on the fourth processing for the first reel, the first processing based on the third processing for the second reel. Is a means of not executing
A game table characterized by that. The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3,
The plurality of reels includes a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel,
The plurality of stop buttons include a left stop button operated to stop rotation of the left reel, a middle stop button operated to stop rotation of the middle reel, and a rotation of the right reel. A right stop button that is operated to stop,
The priority is the order of the left reel, the middle reel, the right reel,
In the one interrupt processing, the control means first executes the third processing and then the fourth processing for the left reel, and then the third processing for the middle reel. Means for executing the processing of, and then the fourth processing, and finally performing the third processing and then the fourth processing for the right reel,
A game table characterized by that. The gaming table according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The first process is a stop preparation process for setting information required for a stop control process for stopping rotation of the reel (hereinafter referred to as “fifth process”),
The control means receives the stop button corresponding to the first reel in the third processing of the interrupt processing, and executes the first processing on the first reel. , After the first process is executed, the fifth process is started for the first reel in the main process, and the third process is executed for the second reel in the interrupt process. Is a means of performing processing,
A game table characterized by that.