JP2020116331A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent the game amusement from being reduced due to a problem voices such as various melodies and sound effects associated with a performance.SOLUTION: Provided is a game machine which includes sound source generation means, the sound source generation means comprising: sound source playback means capable of playing back sound sources of M channels; a virtual track area consisting of N(N>M) virtual tracks for specifying sound sources; and allocation means for allocating the information of the sound sources specified in the virtual track area to the channels of the sound source playback means; and which game machine generates a predetermined sound by the sound source generation means. The sound generating means divides the N virtual tracks into a use target area which is an allocation target area to the sound source playback means and a non-use target area other than the use target area, such that the sound source information is allocated to the use target area and the number of virtual tracks of the use target area is set to M or less. The sound source playback means, when the number of channels that can be played back is changed in the sound source playback means, changes the number of virtual tracks that form the use target area according to the changed number of channels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 34

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Among conventional game machines, there is known a game machine in which sounds such as various melodies and sound effects are generated according to the effect (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2017-131776, A

However, in the conventional gaming machine, for example, when a situation occurs in which a sound effect (sound) for another notification or attention is generated while sound such as a melody or sound effect for a specific effect is generated. In addition, there is a possibility that a part of the melody that constitutes the voice that has been generated so far is interrupted or that a part of the sound effect cannot be reproduced. Further, due to such a situation, the player's interest may be reduced.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to prevent a decrease in interest due to a defect in the generation of sounds such as various melody and sound effects related to production.

In a typical embodiment of the present invention, a sound source reproducing means capable of reproducing sound sources of M channels, a virtual track area including N virtual tracks, which are provided in a number larger than M and which designates a sound source, and the virtual In a gaming machine including a sound source generating means having an assigning means for allocating information of a sound source designated in a track area to a channel of the sound source reproducing means, wherein the sound generating means generates a predetermined sound, The N virtual tracks are classified into a use target area which is an allocation target area to the sound source reproducing means, and a non-use target area other than the use target area, and the sound source information is assigned to the use target area. The number of virtual tracks to be used as the use target area is set to be M or less, and the sound source generating unit is configured to change the number of channels capable of reproducing the sound source in the sound source reproducing unit after the change. The number of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area is changed according to the number of channels.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in interest in games.

It is the perspective view which looked at the game machine from the front side. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a game control system of the gaming machine. It is the block diagram which shows the constitution example of the production control system of the game machine. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the first half part of main processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the latter half part of main processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a timer interruption process. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of probability setting change / confirmation processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special figure game processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of starting opening switch monitoring processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special processing starting switch common processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure normal process. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special figure 1 fluctuation start processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of special figure 2 fluctuation start processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of big hit flag 1 setting processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of big hit flag 2 setting processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the big hit judging processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure information setting process. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of change pattern setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a 2-byte distribution process. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of distribution processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of change start information setting processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the universal figure game processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a normal figure normal process. It is the flowchart which shows the main processing of the production control control equipment. It is a flow chart which shows reception command check processing. It is a flow chart which shows received command analysis processing. It is a flow chart which shows single-shot system command processing. It is a flow chart which shows pre-reading symbol type command processing. It is a flow chart which shows pre-reading variable system command processing. It is the flowchart which shows the design command processing. It is a flow chart which shows variable system command processing. It is a flow chart which shows change production setting processing. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of hit type command processing. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the sound source LSI. It is a schematic diagram explaining a dynamic allocation operation. It is a figure explaining the basic signal flow of a multi-effector. It is a figure explaining the signal flow of a channel volume function and a pan pot function in a mixer part. It is a figure which shows an example of the register stored in a register bank. It is a figure explaining the loop process in sequence reproduction. It is a figure explaining the loop process in phrase reproduction. It is a block diagram showing a production control device according to a second embodiment and a board and the like connected to the production control device. It is a block diagram which roughly explains the structure and function of the sound circuit (sound source LSI) which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which roughly explains the modification of 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The front, rear, left, and right in the description of the gaming machine refer to the direction viewed by the player who is playing the game.

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

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

A game board 30 (see FIG. 2) is arranged on the front surface frame 12, and a glass frame 15 having a cover glass 14 for covering the front surface of the game board 30 is attached. The cover glass 14 functions as a game visual recognition area that allows the game area 32 (see FIG. 2) formed on the game board 30 to be visually recognized.

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

Various frame components are arranged on the edge of the glass frame 15 around the cover glass 14.

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

Upper speakers 19a are arranged at the upper right corner and the upper left corner of the glass frame 15, respectively. In addition to these upper speakers 19a, two lower speakers 19b are provided in the lower part of the gaming machine 10. The lower speaker 19b is arranged in the lower left corner of the glass frame 15 and the lower right corner of the front frame 12. The upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b emit a sound effect, an alarm sound, a notification sound, and the like.

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

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

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

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

When the player operates the effect operation device, it is possible to perform an effect in which the operation of the player is intervened in the special figure variation display game (game) displayed on the display device 41 (see FIG. 2). For example, it is possible to select an effect pattern (effect mode) or execute a notice effect that gives advance notice of the result of the variable display game (game) corresponding to the starting memory. Note that the variable display game includes a special figure variable display game, and when it is simply referred to as a variable display game, this specification refers to the special figure variable display game.

Further, the effect pattern may be changed not only during execution of the variable display game but also by the player operating the effect operation device during non-execution.

The gaming state when the variable display game is executed is composed of a plurality of gaming states. The normal gaming state (normal state) is a gaming state in which no special gaming state has occurred. Further, the special gaming state is, for example, a short-time state as a specific gaming state or a state in which a high probability of occurrence of a special result (for example, a big hit) in a variable display game (probability change state, probability change state), big hit state (special game state ).

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

Furthermore, without determining whether or not to generate a probability variation state by a big hit symbol random number, it is possible to always generate a probability variation state when a big hit occurs, or to provide a winning device or the like with a specific area to specify. The probability change state may be generated when the game ball passes through the area.

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

The decoration device 22 accommodates a lighting member such as an LED inside and is a device for performing a light emission effect or the like according to a game state, and is provided in a front portion of the upper plate unit. The lighting member arranged inside the decoration device 22 constitutes a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4 ).

Below the glass frame 15 including the above-mentioned upper plate unit and the like, in the lower part of the front frame 12, an operation handle 24 for controlling the operation of a ball launching device (not shown) and a game ball can be stored. The lower plate 23 is provided.

The operation handle 24 is arranged on the lower right side of the front frame 12 and below the lower speaker 19b on the right side. When the player turns the operation handle 24, the ball launching device launches the game ball supplied from the upper plate 21 to the game area 32 of the game board 30. The launch speed of the game ball launched from the ball launch device is set to increase as the amount of rotational operation of the operation handle 24 increases. That is, the ball launching device can change the launching force, which is the force (speed) of launching the game ball in the game area, in response to the operation of the operation handle 24 by the player, and the game can be performed in various launching modes with different launching forces. You can fire a ball. The launch mode includes left hitting (normal hitting) in which the game ball flows down on the left side of the game area 32 and right hitting in which the game ball falls down on the right side of the game area 32.

The lower plate 23 is arranged below the upper plate unit at a predetermined distance from the upper plate unit. The lower plate 23 has a ball removal hole 23a that vertically penetrates the bottom surface of the lower plate 23, and an opening/closing operation portion 23b for opening and closing the ball removal hole 23a. When the player operates the opening/closing operation portion 23b to open the ball removing hole 23a, the game balls stored in the lower plate 23 can be discharged to the outside through the ball removing hole 23a.

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

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

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

The display screen (display unit) of the display device 41 is provided with a plurality of variable display areas, and in each variable display area, identification information (special symbols) and a character that produces a variable display game are displayed. In addition, images (big hit display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) based on the progress of the game are displayed on the display screen.

Further, in the center case 40, an inflow port 40a to the warp passage 40e for guiding the game ball flowing down the game area 32 to the inside of the center case 40, and a stage where the game ball passing through the warp passage 40e can roll. Section 40b is provided. Since the stage portion 40b of the center case 40 is arranged above the starting winning opening 36 and the normal variation winning device 37, the game balls rolled on the stage portion 40b are moved to the starting winning opening 36 or the ordinary variation winning device 37. It's easy to win.

An upper effect unit 40c and a side effect unit 40d are provided on the upper and right sides of the center case 40, respectively. The upper effect unit 40c and the side effect unit 40d constitute a part of the board decoration device 46 (see FIG. 4) and the board effect device 44 (see FIG. 4).

In the game area 32 on the right side of the center case 40, a normal symbol starting gate (universal figure starting gate) 34 is provided. Inside the universal figure starting gate 34, a gate switch (SW) 34a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the universal figure starting gate 34 is provided. When the game ball hit in the game area 32 passes through the universal figure starting gate 34, the universal figure variation display game is executed.

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

In the game area 32 below the center case 40, there is provided a starting winning opening (first starting winning area) 36 for giving a start condition of the special figure variation display game, and a second starting winning opening (second An ordinary variable winning device 37 having a starting winning area) is provided. The normal variation winning device 37 includes a movable member (movable piece) 37b that is rotated in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted toward the front side to convert the gaming ball into a state in which the game ball easily flows. When the movable member 37b is in the closed state, the game ball cannot normally win the variable winning device 37. When the game ball wins the starting winning opening 36 or the normal variation winning device 37, the special figure variation display game is executed as an auxiliary game.

The movable member 37b is a so-called toro-type ordinary electric accessory, and is rotated via the universal electric solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3) when the result of the universal figure changing display game is a predetermined stop display mode. The game ball is opened to change to the open state (the winning easy state advantageous for the player) in which the game ball is easily flown into the normal variation winning device 37.

The movable member 37b is controlled by the game control device 100 described later. The game control device 100 increases the frequency of occurrence of the easy prize winning state by shortening the variation time of the universal figure variation display game or setting the hit probability of the universal figure variation display game to a higher probability than usual, or the normal game state. By increasing the generation time of the prize winning easy state than the prize winning easy state generated in, the time saving state (universal power support state) is generated as the specific game state. Even in the probability changing state (excluding the latent probability changing state), a time saving state (universal power support state) occurs redundantly.

In the game area 32 on the lower right side of the normal variation winning device 37, an attacker-type opening/closing door that opens the special winning opening by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side falls toward the front side by the special winning opening solenoid 39b (see FIG. 3) The special variation winning device 39 having 39c is provided. The special variation winning device 39 converts the state in which the special winning opening is closed (a closed state that is disadvantageous to the player) to an open state (a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player) according to the result of the special figure variation display game, and wins a big prize. By facilitating the inflow of the game ball into the mouth, a predetermined game value (prize ball) is given to the player. In addition, inside the special winning opening, a count switch 39a (special winning opening switch 39a, see FIG. 3) is arranged as a detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the special winning opening. Further, a light emitting member that illuminates the special winning opening is arranged in or near the special winning opening.

A specific area 86 (so-called V winning opening) is provided inside the second special variation winning device 39. When a game ball enters the specific area 86 (V winning opening), the probability change state (high probability state, specific game state) after the jackpot is determined. The specific area 86 may be opened for a long time so that the game ball can easily pass only in the case of the probability variation big hit. The game control device 100 can detect passage of a game ball to the specific area 86 (V winning) through a sensor (a specific area switch 72 described later) or the like. In addition to confirming that it is done, information (a specific area passing command etc.) indicating that there is a V winning is transmitted to the effect control device 300 described later. Then, the effect control device 300 can notify the V winning on the display device 41 or the like.

When a game ball wins the major winning opening of the general winning opening 35, the starting winning opening 36, the normal variation winning device 37, and the special variation winning device 39, the payout control device 200 (see FIG. 3) indicates the type of the winning opening. The prize balls of the number corresponding to are discharged from the dispensing device to the upper plate 21. Further, in the game area 32 below the normal variation winning device 37, an out port 30b for collecting game balls that have not won a prize is provided.

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

The collective display device 50 includes a first special figure fluctuation display section 51 (special figure 1 display, lamp D1) and a second special figure fluctuation for a variable display game composed of a 7-segment type display (LED lamp) and the like. A display unit 52 (special figure 2 display device, lamp D2), a variation display unit 53 (general figure display device, lamps D10, D18) for the universal figure variation display game, and the number of starting (held) memories stored in each variation display game A storage display unit for notification (special figure 1 hold indicator 54, special figure 2 hold indicator 55, general figure hold indicator 56) is provided. The special figure 1 hold indicator 54 is composed of lamps D11 and D12. The special figure 2 hold indicator 55 is composed of lamps D13 and D14. The universal figure hold indicator 56 is composed of lamps D15 and D16.

In addition, the collective display device 50, the first game state display unit 57 (first game state indicator, lamp) for notifying that it is right-handed (when right-handed) or left-handed (normal) D8), a second gaming state display unit 58 (second gaming state indicator, lamp D9) that lights up when a time-saving state occurs and notifies the occurrence of the time-saving state, and the probability state of jackpot when the gaming machine 10 is turned on is high probability. The third game state display section 59 (third game state display unit, probability state display section, lamp D17) for displaying that the state is in effect, the number of rounds at the time of a big hit (the number of times of opening and closing the special variation winning device 39) are displayed. A round display unit 60 (lamps D3 to D7) is provided.

In the special figure 1 display device 51 and the special figure 2 display device 52, the variable display game is executed by a variable display in which identification information (for example, a central segment) is repeatedly turned on and off (blinking). The special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52 are not limited to such a segment type display section, and may be composed of an assembly of a plurality of LEDs, or when performing variable display. In addition, all the LEDs provided as indicators are all turned on and off (all LEDs are simultaneously blinked), cyclically turned on (one of the LEDs is turned on and off in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals), or plural It may be performed by turning on/off (blinking) or circulating lighting by a predetermined number of the LEDs. Also on the public figure display device 53, the variable display game is executed by a variable display (blinking) in which the lamps D10 and D18 are repeatedly turned on and off. Further, the universal figure display 53 can also be appropriately configured similarly to the special figure 1 display 51 and the special figure 2 display 52.

Further, the lamp display device 80 provided on the upper part of the center case 40 includes a lamp display unit (LED) for performing variable display (blinking) that repeats lighting display and extinguishing display as a symbol (fourth special symbol), and each special symbol. It has a lamp display unit (LED) for notifying the number of starting (holding) memory of the variable display game. The lamp display device 80 is controlled by the effect control device 300 (described later). The lamp display unit (LED) for informing the number of starting (holding) memories of each special figure variation display game finishes displaying the number of holdings when a big hit occurs. (Including the case where is occurring), the number of holdings is displayed.

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

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

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

The state in which the general figure fluctuation display game cannot be started, for example, when the general figure fluctuation display game has already been played and the general figure fluctuation display game has not ended, or the result of the general figure fluctuation display game is a win When the game ball passes through the universal figure starting gate 34 when the variable winning device 37 is converted to the open state, if the universal figure starting memory number is less than the upper limit number, the memory number is added (+1).

In the universal figure starting memory, a random number value for hit determination for determining the hit/miss of the universal figure variation display game is stored. When the random number value for hit determination coincides with the determination value, the universal figure variation display is displayed. The game wins and a specific result mode (specific result) is derived.

The general figure fluctuation display game is executed by the general figure display 53 provided in the collective display device 50. The ordinary figure display 53 is composed of LEDs that indicate a hit when the normal identification information (universal figure) is in a lighted state, and indicates a deviation when the light is in a non-illuminated state. By blinking the LED, the ordinary identification information fluctuates. The result is displayed by turning on or off the LED after a predetermined variable display time has elapsed.

When the universal figure random number value extracted at the time of passing the universal figure starting gate 34 is a winning value, the ordinary symbol displayed on the universal figure display 53 is stopped in the hit state and is in the hit state. At this time, the movable member 37b is converted into an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) by driving the universal solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3), and the game ball to the normal variation winning device 37 is changed. Winnings are allowed.

The winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 36 and the winning of the normal variation winning device 37 are detected by the starting opening 1 switch 36a (see FIG. 3) and the starting opening 2 switch 37a (see FIG. 3). The game ball that has won the starting winning opening 36 is detected as the starting prize ball of the special display 1 variable display game, and is stored up to a predetermined upper limit, and the game ball that has won the normal variable winning device 37 is the special map 2 It is detected as a start winning ball of the variable display game and is stored within a predetermined upper limit.

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

The game control device 100 executes the special figure 1 variable display game on the special figure 1 display 51 based on the winning in the starting winning opening 36 or the first starting memory. Further, the game control device 100 executes the special figure 2 variable display game on the special figure 2 display device 52 based on the winning or the second starting memory to the normal variable prize device 37.

In the special figure 1 variable display game (first special figure variable display game) and the special figure 2 variable display game (second special figure variable display game), identification information ( It is performed by displaying the predetermined result mode in a stopped manner after the variable display of the special symbol and the special symbol). Further, the display device 41 executes a decorative special figure variable display game in which a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character patterns, etc.) are variably displayed corresponding to each special figure variable display game.

The decorative special figure variable display game in the display device 41, the decorative special symbol (identification information) composed of the above-mentioned numbers etc. is left (first special symbol), right (second special symbol), middle (third special symbol) ) Is started in a variable display (scroll display) in order, and the symbols that are changing after a predetermined time are sequentially stopped, and the result of the special figure variable display game is displayed. Further, on the display device 41, various effect displays such as the appearance of characters are performed in order to improve the interest. Furthermore, in the decorative special map variation display game, as another decorative special pattern (identification information), in the lamp display section (LED) of the lamp display device 80, the fourth special symbol is displayed by repeating the lighting display and the extinguishing display (blinking). (4th pattern) fluctuates. After a predetermined time from the start, the variable display of the lamp display unit is stopped by "lighting" in the case of off and "lighting out" in the case of big hit.

On the contrary, the variable display of the lamp display unit (LED) as the fourth special symbol (fourth symbol) can be stopped by "turning off" in the case of a big hit and "lighting" in the case of a big hit. .. Also, a configuration is possible in which a plurality of LEDs (fourth pattern LEDs) are provided as each lamp display unit, one of the plurality of LEDs is turned on in the case of a failure, and a plurality of all LEDs are turned on in the case of a big hit. It is possible.

When the winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 36 or the normal variation winning device 37 is made at a predetermined timing (when the big hit random number value at the time of winning detection is the big hit value), the special map 1 display 51 or In the display unit 52 of FIG. 2, a specific result mode (special result mode) is derived by the display symbol as a result of the special figure variation display game, and the jackpot state (special game state) is set. Correspondingly, the display mode of the display device 41 becomes a special result mode (for example, a state where numbers such as “7, 7, 7” are aligned).

At this time, in the special variation winning device 39, by energizing the special winning opening solenoid 39b (see FIG. 3), the special winning opening is converted from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). That is, the special winning opening provided in the special variation winning device 39 is wide open for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are won, and during this time, the player is given the privilege of being able to obtain many game balls. It

Note that the special figure 1 display device 51 and the special figure 2 display device 52 may be configured as separate display devices or the same display device, but the special figure variation display games are not executed at the same time. Is set as follows.

Regarding the decorative special figure variable display game on the display device 41, the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game may be executed on different display devices or different display areas, or the same display may be performed. It may be executed in the device or the display area. In this case, the decorative special figure variable display games corresponding to the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game are not executed at the same time. The special figure 2 variable display game is designed to be executed with priority over the special figure 1 variable display game, and there is a starting memory for the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game. When it becomes possible to execute the figure variable display game, the special figure 2 variable display game is executed.

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

In addition, although not particularly limited, the start opening 1 switch 36a in the start winning opening 36, the start opening 2 switch 37a in the normal variation winning device 37, the gate switch 34a, the winning opening switch 35a, the count switch 39a. Is a non-contact magnetic proximity sensor (hereinafter referred to as a proximity switch) that uses a phenomenon that a magnetic field changes when a metal approaches a coil for magnetic detection and that detects a game ball. .. Further, the glass frame open detection switch 63 provided on the glass frame 15 of the gaming machine 10 or the front frame open detection switch 64 (main frame open detection switch) provided on the front frame (game frame) 12 is Microswitches with specific contacts can be used.

[Game control device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a game control system of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 is provided with a game control device 100 (main board), and the game control device 100 is a main control device (main board) that controls a game in a centralized manner, and includes a game microcomputer (hereinafter, game microcomputer and CPU part 110 having an input port 111, an input part 120 having an input port, an output part 130 having an output port and a driver, and a data bus 140 connecting the CPU part 110, the input part 120 and the output part 130. And so on.

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

The power supply device 400 includes a normal power supply unit 410 having an ACDC converter that generates a DC voltage of 32V DC from an AC power supply of 24V and a DC-DC converter that generates a DC voltage of a lower level such as DC 12V and DC 5V from a voltage of 32V DC. , A backup power supply unit 420 for supplying a power supply voltage to the internal RAM of the game microcomputer 111 at the time of a power failure, and a power failure monitoring circuit, and a power failure monitoring signal or a reset signal notifying the game control device 100 of the occurrence and recovery of the power failure. And a control signal generation unit 430 that generates and outputs a control signal.

In the present embodiment, the power supply device 400 is configured separately from the game control device 100, but the backup power supply unit 420 and the control signal generation unit 430 are on separate boards or integrated with the game control device 100, that is, the main. It may be configured to be provided on the substrate. Since the game board 30 and the game control device 100 are subject to replacement when the model is changed, the backup power supply unit 420 and the control signal generation unit 430 are provided on a board different from the power supply apparatus 400 or the main board as in the embodiment. By providing it, the cost can be reduced by removing it from the replacement target.

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

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

In addition, the game control device 100 (main board) includes a setting key switch 93. The setting key switch 93 is turned on by a rotation operation of the operator or the like to change the probability setting value (setting value) according to the setting relating to the game condition (game). The RAM initialization switch 112 can also be used as a setting value changing switch that can change the probability setting value according to the operation of the operator. In the present embodiment, the probability setting value is a setting value for setting a winning probability such as a big hit probability or a small hit probability (only when there is a small hit), but other game conditions (production etc.) other than the probability. Can be changed according to the probability setting value. The setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 constitute setting changing means (setting changing device 42) capable of changing the setting (probability setting value) relating to the game condition. It should be noted that instead of the RAM initialization switch 112, another switch may also serve as the set value change switch, or a unique set value change switch may be provided exclusively.

Since the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are provided on the game control device 100 inside the gaming machine 10, the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are arranged at positions (operational positions) that cannot be operated unless the front frame 12 (main body frame) is opened. To be done. That is, a general player cannot access and operate the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112.

As will be described later, when the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned on (power failure recovery, power restoration), the gaming machine 10 sets the probability setting value according to the ON/OFF state of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112. It is possible to shift to various states such as a changeable setting variable state (setting change state, setting change mode) and a setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) in which the probability setting value can be confirmed.

In the present embodiment, the probability setting value is defined, for example, in six stages, and probability setting value 1 (setting 1), probability setting value 2 (setting 2), probability setting value 3 (setting 3), probability setting value 4 (setting) 4), probability setting value 5 (setting 5), and probability setting value 6 (setting 6). Generally, setting 1 is the most unfavorable setting for the player and setting 6 is the most unfavorable setting for the player. Settings 1 and 2 are low settings, settings 3 and 4 are intermediate settings (intermediate settings), and settings 5 and 6 are high settings.

In the probability setting changing process, every time the operator presses the RAM initialization switch 112, the work setting value (setting) in the work setting value area is set to 0 (setting 1, probability setting 1)→ Setting value 1 (Setting 2, probability setting value 2) → Setting value 2 (Setting 3, probability setting value 3) → Setting value 3 (Setting 4, probability setting value 4) → Setting value 4 (Setting 5, probability setting value 5) )→setting value 5 (setting 6, probability setting value 6)→setting value 0 (setting 1)→setting value 1 (setting 2)→... In this way, the RAM initialization switch 112 also functions as a set value change switch. For convenience of explanation, the work setting values 0 to 5 are provided corresponding to the probability setting values 1 to 6 in the setting changing state (setting changing mode), but the work setting value and the probability setting value are the same. They may be treated as the same in the numerical range (that is, 0 to 5 or 1 to 6) (the working setting value and the probability setting value are set to the same numerical value).

The probability setting value may be changed by rotating the setting key switch 93 to a predetermined position instead of operating the RAM initialization switch 112 (setting value changing switch). The probability setting value is not limited to 6 levels. The display probability setting value corresponding to the selected work setting values 0 to 5 is, for example, a 4-digit 7-segment type (8-segment type including the dot Dp) display device 152. Etc. are displayed.

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

The ROM 111b stores invariant information (programs, fixed data, judgment values of various random numbers, etc.) for game control in a nonvolatile manner. The RAM 111c is used as a work area of the CPU 111a and a storage area for various signals and random values at the time of game control, stores information about games (game information), and stores and stores the stored information even when a power failure occurs. It becomes a holding storage means capable of An electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used as the ROM 111b or the RAM 111c.

Further, the ROM 111b stores, for example, a variation pattern table for determining a variation pattern (variation mode) that defines the execution time of the special figure variation display game, the effect contents, the presence or absence of the reach state, and the like. The fluctuation pattern table is a table for the CPU 111a to refer to the fluctuation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 stored as start-up memory to determine the fluctuation pattern. Further, the variation pattern table includes a deviation variation pattern table selected when the result is a loss, a big hit variation pattern table selected when the result is a big hit, and the like. Further, in these pattern tables, there are tables for determining the latter half variation pattern which is the variation pattern after reaching the reach state (the latter half variation group table, the latter half variation pattern selection table, etc.) and the variation before the reach state. A table (first half variation group table, first half variation pattern selection table, etc.) for determining a first half variation pattern that is a pattern is included.

Here, the reach (reach state) has a display device whose display state can be changed, and the display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are predetermined. In the special result mode, in the gaming machine 10 in which the gaming state becomes a gaming state that is advantageous to the player (special gaming state), some of the plurality of display results have not yet been derived and displayed, and already derived. A display state in which the displayed display result satisfies the condition of the special result mode. In other words, the reach state is out of the display condition that is the special result mode even when the variable display control of the display device progresses to reach the stage before the display result is derived and displayed. It refers to a display mode that does not exist. Then, for example, the reach state includes a state in which the variable display is performed by the plurality of variable display areas while maintaining the state in which the special result mode is uniform (so-called full rotation reach). Further, the reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the display device progresses to reach the stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. The display state in the case where at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display areas satisfying the condition satisfies the special result mode.

Therefore, for example, the decorative special figure variation display game displayed on the display device corresponding to the special figure variation display game varies a plurality of pieces of identification information for a predetermined time in each of the left, middle and right variation display areas of the display device. After displaying, if the result mode is displayed by stopping the variable display in the order of left, right, and middle, in the left and right variable display areas, the condition that satisfies the special result mode (for example, The state in which the variable display is stopped by the same identification information) is the reach state. In addition, at the time when the variable display of all variable display areas is temporarily stopped, the condition that the special result mode is satisfied in any two variable display areas of left, middle, and right (for example, the same identification information May be set as the reach state, and the remaining one variable display area may be variably displayed from the reach state.

Then, the reach state includes a plurality of reach effects, and a normal reach (N reach) is set as a reach effect system (type) in which a special result mode (big hit mode) is different (expected degree is different). Special 1 reach (SP1 reach), special 2 reach (SP2 reach), special 3 reach (SP3 reach), and premier reach are set. It should be noted that the expectation level (expected value) of the jackpot in the reach production is set to increase in the order of no reach <normal reach <special 1 reach <special 2 reach <special 3 reach <premier reach. In addition, the reach state is included in at least the variable display mode when the special result mode is derived in the special figure variable display game (when it is a big hit). That is, it may be included in the variable display mode in the case where it is determined that the special result mode is not derived in the special figure variable display game (when it is out of sync). Therefore, the state in which the reach state has occurred is a state in which there is a high possibility of a big hit compared to the case where the reach state does not occur.

The expectation of the effect (notice) indicates the probability of a big hit when the effect is selected, and the selection rate of the effect when it is a big hit and the effect of the effect when it is not a big hit (when it is off). It can be calculated based on the selectivity or the like.

The CPU 111a executes the game control program in the ROM 111b to generate a control signal (command) for the payout control device 200 or the effect control device 300, or generate and output a drive signal for a solenoid or a display device to output the game machine. Control of the whole 10 is performed. Further, although not shown, the gaming microcomputer 111 is a big hit random number for determining the big hit random number of the special figure variation display game, a big hit symbol random number for determining the big hit symbol, and a small hit for determining the small hit symbol. Design random number (only if there is a small hit), fluctuation pattern random number in the special figure fluctuation display game (including execution time of the fluctuation display game in various reach and fluctuation display without reach) etc. A random number generation circuit for generation, and a timer interrupt signal of a predetermined cycle (for example, 4 msec (milliseconds)) to the CPU 111a based on an oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the oscillation circuit 113 and an update timing of the random number generation circuit are given. It has a clock generator that generates a clock.

Further, the CPU 111a acquires any one of the plurality of fluctuation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b in the processing related to the special figure fluctuation display game. Specifically, the CPU 111a causes the special figure change display game to have a game result (big hit or miss), the special figure change display game as the current game state, the probability state (normal probability state or high probability state), and the number of starting memories. Based on the above, any one of the fluctuation pattern tables is selected and acquired from the plurality of fluctuation pattern tables. Here, the CPU 111a forms a fluctuation distribution information acquisition unit that acquires any one of the plurality of fluctuation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b when executing the special figure fluctuation display game.

The payout control device 200 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input interface, an output interface, and the like, and drives the payout motor 91 of the payout unit according to the prize ball payout command (command or data) from the game control device 100 to win the prize ball. Control for paying out. Further, the payout control device 200 drives the payout motor 91 of the payout unit based on the ball rental request signal from the card unit 600 to perform control for paying out the ball.

The input unit 120 of the game control device 100 has an electric wave sensor 62 (a board electric wave sensor) for detecting the emission of an electric wave to the gaming machine, a gate switch 34a of the universal figure starting gate 34, a starting opening 1 in the first starting winning opening 36. Connected to the switch 36a, the start opening 2 switch 37a in the second starting winning opening 37 (ordinary variation winning device), the winning opening switch 35a of the general winning opening 35, and the large winning opening switch 39a of the special variation winning device 39. An interface chip (proximity I/F) 121 is provided which receives a negative logic signal such as a high level of 11V and a low level of 7V supplied from the switch and converts the signal into a positive logic signal of 0V-5V.

Further, the interface chip (proximity I/F) 121 is connected to the specific area switch 72, the remaining ball discharge port switch 73, and the out ball detection switch 74. The specific area switch 72 detects passage of a game ball (V winning) to the specific area 86 (V winning opening). The remaining ball discharge switch 73 detects a game ball that has passed through the remaining ball discharge port for discharging the game ball from the special variation winning device 39. The out ball detection switch 74 may detect only the game ball passing through the out opening 30b, or may detect all the game balls that have been shot in the game area and finished the game.

The output of the proximity I/F 121 is supplied to the second input port 123, the third input port 124, or the fourth input port 126 and read by the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140. Among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121, the detection signals of the gate switch 34a, the starting opening 1 switch 36a, the starting opening 2 switch 37a, the winning opening switch 35a, and the special winning opening switch 39a are input to the third input port 124. ..

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

Further, among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121, the detection signals of the specific area switch 72, the remaining ball discharge port switch 73, or the out ball detection switch 74 are input to the fourth input port 126.

Further, the second input port 123, the detection signal of the magnetic sensor switch 61 for fraud detection provided on the front frame 12 of the gaming machine 10, the glass frame open detection provided on the glass frame 15 of the gaming machine 10, etc. A signal from a front frame open detection switch 64 (main frame open detection switch) provided on the switch 63, the front frame 12 (main frame), etc., and a signal from a vibration sensor 65 that detects vibration of the gaming machine 10 are input. ..

Further, the second input port 123 takes in the setting key switch signal from the setting key switch 93 and supplies it to the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140.

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

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

The data held by the third input port 124 is read by the gaming microcomputer 111 decoding the address assigned to the third input port 124 to assert the enable signal CE2 (change to a valid level). be able to. The same applies to the second input port 123, the fourth input port 126, and the first input port 122 described later.

Further, to the input unit 120, a frame radio wave incorrect signal output from the payout control device 200, a payout busy signal, a status signal indicating a payout abnormality, a shoot ball out switch signal indicating a shortage of game balls before payout, and an overflow are shown. The first input port 122 which takes in the overflow switch signal, the touch switch signal based on the input of the touch switch provided on the operation handle 24, and the signal from the RAM initialization switch 112 and supplies the signal to the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140. Is provided. The overflow switch signal is a signal output when it is detected that the game balls are stored in the lower plate 23 in a predetermined amount or more (full). The frame radio wave incorrect signal is a signal output based on the detection of radio waves by the frame radio wave sensor provided on the front frame 12 (main body frame), and whether the payout busy signal is in a state in which the payout control device 200 can receive a command. This is a signal indicating whether or not.

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

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

In addition, the reset signal RST may be configured to be output to the test shot test device via the relay board 70. The reset signal RST is not supplied to the ports 122, 123, 124 of the input section 120. The data set to each port of the output unit 130 by the gaming microcomputer 111 immediately before the reset signal RST is input needs to be reset in order to prevent a malfunction of the system, but each of the input units 120 is input immediately before the reset signal RST is input. This is because the data read by the gaming microcomputer 111 from the port is discarded by resetting the gaming microcomputer 111.

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

Further, the output unit 130 is connected to the data bus 140, and transmits data for notifying special test symbol information of the variable display game to a test firing test device of an accredited organization (not shown) and a signal indicating a probability state of a big hit via the relay board 70. The output buffer 133 is configured to be mountable. The buffer 133 is a component that is not mounted on the game control device (main board) of the pachinko gaming machine as an actual machine (mass-produced product) installed in the game shop. A detection signal of a switch that does not need to be processed, such as a starting port switch output from the proximity I/F 121, is supplied to the test-shooting test device via the relay board 70 without passing through the buffer 133.

On the other hand, a detection signal such as the magnetic sensor switch 61 and the radio wave sensor 62 that cannot be supplied to the test-shooting test device as it is is once taken into the game microcomputer 111 and processed into another signal or information, for example, a game machine controls the game. As an error signal indicating that the test is not possible, the error signal is supplied from the data bus 140 to the test-inspection test apparatus via the buffer 133 and the relay board 70.

The relay board 70 is provided with a port for receiving the signal output from the buffer 133 and supplying it to the test-shooting test apparatus, a connector for relaying and transmitting the signal line of the detection signal of the switch that does not pass through the buffer, and the like. There is. The chip enable signal CE output from the gaming microcomputer 111 is also supplied to the port on the relay board 70, and the signal of the port selectively controlled by the signal CE is supplied to the test-shooting test apparatus.

In addition, the output unit 130 is connected to the data bus 140, a solenoid (universal solenoid) 37c for opening the normal variation winning device 37, a special winning opening solenoid 39b (large winning opening solenoid) for opening the special variation winning device 39, A second output port 134 is provided for outputting opening/closing data of the lever solenoid 86b that operates the lever to open the specific area 86.

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

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

Further, the output unit 130 receives the opening/closing data signal of the universal electric solenoid 37c or the special winning opening solenoid 39b output from the second output port 134 to generate and output a solenoid drive signal, which is a first driver (drive circuit). 138a, a second driver 138b that outputs an ON/OFF drive signal for a current supply side segment line of the collective display device 50 that is output from the third output port 135, and a collective display device 50 that is output from the fourth output port 136. A third driver 138c that outputs an ON/OFF drive signal for the digit line on the current drawing side, and a fourth driver 138d that outputs an external information signal supplied from the fifth output port 137 to an external device such as a management device to the external information terminal 71. Is provided.

The first driver 138a is supplied with 32V DC as a power supply voltage from the power supply device 400 in order to drive a solenoid that operates at 32V. Further, DC 12V is supplied to the second driver 138b that drives the segment lines of the collective display device 50. The third driver 138c for driving the digit line is for pulling out the digit line corresponding to the display data with a current, and therefore the power supply voltage may be either 12V or 5V.

The second driver 138b that outputs 12V causes a current to flow into the anode terminal of the LED through the segment line, and the third driver 138c that outputs the ground potential pulls out the current from the cathode terminal through the digit line, thereby providing a dynamic driving method. The power supply voltage flows to the LEDs selected in sequence and the LEDs are turned on. The fourth driver 138d, which outputs the external information signal to the external information terminal 71, is supplied with DC12V in order to give the external information signal a level of 12V. The buffer 133, the second output port 134, the first driver 138a, etc. may be provided not on the output section 130 of the game control device 100, that is, on the main board, but on the relay board 70 side.

Further, the output unit 130 is provided with a photocoupler 139 for transmitting information such as an identification code of each gaming machine and a program to the external inspection device 500. The photocoupler 139 is configured to be able to communicate with each other so that the gaming microcomputer 111 can send and receive data to and from the inspection device 500 by serial communication. Since the data transmission/reception is performed using the serial communication terminal of the gaming microcomputer 111 as in the case of a general-purpose microprocessor, ports such as the input ports 122, 123, and 124 are not provided.

Furthermore, the output unit 130 receives the serial data (control data, lighting pattern data, character code (character code), etc.) output from the second output port 134, and outputs the performance display device 152 (status display device). A driver 150 for driving is provided. In the present embodiment, the performance display device 152 includes a plurality (four) of 7-segment type (8-segment type including the dot Dp) indicators (LED lamps), and the driver 150 is an LED driver. It is not limited to.

The performance display device 152 is provided on the game control device 100 (main board), but may be provided at another place. For example, the performance display device 152 can display, as a performance display, a display probability setting value, an accessory ratio, a ball output rate, and the number of discharged balls.

Here, the number of discharged balls is the number of game balls discharged from the game area 32 (also referred to as the number of out balls), the number of game balls that have passed through the winning opening (the number of winnings) and the game that has passed through the out opening 30b. It is the sum of the number of spheres. The number of discharged balls can be acquired by counting the signal of the out-ball detecting switch 74 or the like. In the present embodiment, the winning openings are a general winning opening 35, a starting winning opening 36 (first starting winning opening, starting opening 1), an ordinary variable winning device 37 (second starting winning opening, starting opening 2), and The special variation winning device 39 (large winning hole) is included.

The payout rate is a ratio (ratio) of the total number of prize balls to the number of discharged balls (or the number of shot balls), and is calculated by (number of acquired balls/number of discharged balls)×100(%). That is, the payout rate is the number of balls acquired (the total number of prize balls) per 100 discharged balls.

For example, the winning character ratio is in the state of big hit among the total number of award balls (total number of award balls) obtained by winning the prize hole in a predetermined period (for example, from turning on the game machine 10 to the present). Is the ratio (%) of the number of prize balls (the number of balls acquired for each character) obtained by winning the special winning opening (=so-called continuous character ratio). The ratio of the prizes may be the ratio of the number of prize balls (during the big hit state and the small hit state) obtained by winning the big prize hole (=the big prize hole ratio), out of the total number of prize balls. Or, the ratio of the number of prize balls obtained by winning the large winning a prize and the ordinary variable winning a prize device 37 (the second starting winning a prize) (= a so-called ratio of commonly used characters (total character ratio) )).

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

The production control device 300 is for displaying images on the display device 41 in accordance with commands and data from the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 including an amusement chip (IC) and the main control microcomputer 311 as with the game microcomputer 111. A VDP (Video Display Processor) 312 as a graphic processor for performing the image processing, and a sound source LSI 314 for controlling the output of sound in order to reproduce various melodies and sound effects from the speaker 19.

In the main control microcomputer 311, a program ROM 321, which is a PROM (programmable read only memory) that stores programs executed by the CPU and various data, a RAM 322 that provides a work area, and the stored contents are retained even when power is not supplied during a power failure An FeRAM 323 that can be used, and an RTC (real time clock) 338 that serves as a time counting unit that generates information indicating the current date and time (year, month, day, day, time, etc.) are connected. A RAM for providing a work area is also provided inside the main control microcomputer 311.

A WDT (watchdog timer) circuit 324 is connected to the main control microcomputer 311. The main control microcomputer 311 analyzes the command from the game microcomputer 111, determines the effect content and instructs the VDP 312 on the content of the output video, instructs the sound source LSI 314 to give a reproduced sound, lights a decorative lamp, and drives the motor. And drive control of solenoids, management of production time, etc. are executed.

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

Although not particularly limited, data is transmitted and received between the main control microcomputer 311 and the VDP 312 in a parallel manner. By transmitting and receiving data in a parallel manner, it is possible to transmit commands and data in a shorter time than in the case of serial transmission.

From the VDP 312 to the main control microcomputer 311, a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC for synchronizing the image of the display device 41 and the lighting of the decorative lamp provided on the glass frame 15 or the game board 30, a synchronization signal for giving a data transmission timing. STS is input. It should be noted that the VDP 312 notifies the main control microcomputer 311 that it is in a waiting state for receiving the interrupt signals INT0 to INT and commands and data from the main control microcomputer 311 in order to notify the processing status such as the completion of drawing in the VRAM. A wait signal WAIT and the like are also input.

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

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

Further, the effect control device 300 is provided with an interface chip (command I/F) 331 that receives a command transmitted from the game control device 100. Through the command I/F331, the decoration special figure reservation number command, the decoration special figure command, the fluctuation command, the stop information command and the like transmitted from the game control apparatus 100 to the effect control apparatus 300, the effect control command signal (effect command) To receive as. Since the game microcomputer 111 of the game control device 100 operates at DC5V and the main control microcomputer 311 of the effect control device 300 operates at DC3.3V, the command I/F 331 has a signal level conversion function. There is.

In addition, in the effect control device 300, the board decoration LED control circuit 332 for driving and controlling the board decoration device 46 having the LED (light emitting diode) provided in the game board 30 (including the center case 40) and the glass frame 15 are provided. A frame decoration LED control circuit 333 that drives and controls a frame decoration device (for example, the frame decoration device 18 or the like) having an LED (light emitting diode) provided, and a board effect provided on the game board 30 (including the center case 40). A board effect movable body control circuit 334 is provided to drive and control the device 44 (for example, a movable accessory that enhances effect effects in cooperation with effect display on the display device 41). The board decoration device 46 may include the lamp display device 80 described above.

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

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

The normal power supply unit 410 of the power supply device 400 supplies a DC voltage of a desired level to the effect control device 300 having the above-described configuration and electronic components controlled by the same, and thus drives a motor and a solenoid. DC32V, a display device 41 including a liquid crystal panel, DC12V for driving a motor and an LED, DC5V serving as a power supply voltage of the command I/F 331, and a voltage of DC15V for driving a motor, an LED and a speaker. Is configured to.

Further, when an LSI that operates at a low voltage such as 3.3V or 1.2V is used as the main control microcomputer 311, DC- for generating DC3.3V or DC1.2V based on DC5V is used. A DC converter is provided in the performance control device 300. The DC-DC converter may be provided in the normal power supply unit 410.

The reset signal generated by the control signal generation unit 430 of the power supply device 400 is supplied to the main control microcomputer 311 and puts the device in the reset state. Further, in the form of being output from the main control microcomputer 311, the VDP 312 (VDPRESET signal), the sound source LSI 314, the amplifier circuit 337 (SNDRRESET signal) that drives the speaker, and the control circuits 332 to 334 (IORESET that drive and control the lamp and the motor). Signals) and put them in a reset state. In addition, the production control device 300 is connected to a cooling FAN 45 that cools each part of the gaming machine 10, and the cooling fan 45 is driven when the production control device 300 is powered on.

Next, game control performed in these control circuits will be described. The CPU 111a of the game microcomputer 111 of the game control device 100 extracts a random number value for hit determination of the general figure based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the gate switch 34a provided in the general figure starting gate 34 to extract the ROM111b. Is compared with the determination value stored in to determine whether or not the general figure variation display game has missed.

Then, on the public figure display device 53, after the identification symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined time, the public figure variability display game is displayed in which it is stopped. When the result of the universal figure variation display game is a hit, a special result mode is displayed on the universal figure indicator 53, the universal electric solenoid 37c is operated, and the movable member 37b of the regular variation winning device 37 is operated for a predetermined time (for example, , 0.3 seconds) The opening control is performed as described above. That is, the game control device 100 serves as conversion control execution means for performing conversion control of the conversion member (movable member 37b). In addition, when the result of the general figure fluctuation display game is out of alignment, control is performed to display the result mode of the outlay on the general figure display device 53.

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

Also, the starting memory is stored based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the starting opening 2 switch 37a provided in the normal variation winning device 37, and the random number value for jackpot determination of the special figure 2 variation display game is based on the starting memory. Is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b to determine whether or not the special figure 2 variable display game has missed.

Then, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 outputs to the effect control device 300 a control signal (effect control command) including the determination result of the special figure 1 variable display game or the special figure 2 variable display game. Then, after the identification symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined time on the special figure 1 display 51 or the special figure 2 display 52, the special figure variation display game that is stopped and displayed is displayed. That is, the game control device 100 controls the progress of the variable display game based on the winning of the game balls flowing down the game region 32 to the starting winning region (first starting winning port 36, normal variable winning device 37). To make.

Further, the effect control device 300 displays the decorative special figure variation display game corresponding to the special figure variation display game on the display device 41 based on the control signal from the game control apparatus 100. Further, the effect control device 300 performs processing such as setting of effect state, output of sounds from the speakers 19a and 19b, and control of light emission of various LEDs based on the control signal from the game control device 100. That is, the effect control device 300 constitutes an effect control means for controlling the effect related to the game (variable display game, etc.).

Then, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 displays the special result mode on the special figure 1 display 51 or the special figure 2 display 52 and generates the special game state when the result of the special figure variation display game is a hit. Let In the process of generating the special game state, the CPU 111a, for example, causes the special winning opening solenoid 39b to open the opening/closing door 39c of the special variation winning device 39 to perform control so that the game ball can flow into the special winning opening. ..

Either a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is won in the special winning opening, or a predetermined openable time (for example, 27 seconds or 0.05 seconds) elapses from the opening of the special winning opening. Opening the special winning opening until one of the conditions is achieved is defined as one round (R), and this is continued (repeated) for a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 times, 11 times or 2 times) (cycle game) I do. That is, the game control device 100 serves as a special winning opening opening/closing control unit that controls the opening and closing of the special winning opening when the stop result appearance becomes the special result appearance. Further, when the result of the special figure variation display game is off, control is performed to display the deviation result mode on the special figure 1 display device 51 or the special figure 2 display device 52.

In addition, the game control device 100 can generate a high probability state as a game state after the special game state ends, based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. The high probability state (probability change state) is a state in which the probability of a hit result in the special figure variation display game is higher than that in the normal probability state. In addition, even if the high probability state is reached based on the result mode of the special figure variable display game, the special figure 1 variable display game and the special figure 2 variable display game, Both are in high probability state.

Further, the game control device 100 can generate a time saving state (specific gaming state) as a gaming state after the special gaming state ends, based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. In the time saving state, control is performed so that the universal figure variation display game and the normal variation winning device 37 are set to the time saving operation state, and the normal variation winning device 37 per unit time is longer than that in the case where the normal variation winning device 37 is in the normal operation state. Since it is controlled so that the opening time of is substantially increased, it becomes the universal communication support state. It should be noted that even in the high probability state (normal probability variation state) excluding the latent probability variation state, the time-saving state is duplicated and the ordinary electric power support is executed.

For example, in the time saving state, it is possible to perform a time-shortening variation in which the execution time (general figure variation time) of the above-mentioned universal figure variation display game is changed to a second variation display time shorter than the normal first variation display time (for example, (10000 msec is 1000 msec). In the time saving state, the execution time of the special figure variation display game (special figure variation time) is shortened as compared with the normal time, and the time reduction variation of the special figure variation display game is also executed.

In addition, in the time saving state, it is possible to control the universal figure stop time for displaying the result of the universal figure variation display game to be the second stop time (eg, 704 msec) shorter than the first stop time (eg, 1604 msec). Is.

Further, in the time saving state, when the universal figure variation display game is a hit result and the regular variation winning device 37 is opened, the opening time (normal communication opening time) is the first opening time in the normal state (for example, 100 msec). It is possible to control so that the second opening time is longer than that (for example, 1352 msec).

In addition, in the time saving state, the number of times the normal variation winning device 37 is opened (the number of ordinary electric open times) is larger than the first number of times of opening (for example, two times) with respect to one hit result of the universal figure variation display game. It is possible to set the second opening number (for example, 4 times). Further, in the time-saving state, it is possible to make the probability of being a hit result of the universal figure fluctuation display game (general figure probability) higher and higher than the ordinary probability (low probability) in the normal operation state.

In the time saving state, the general variable winning device 37 is opened by changing any one or more of the universal figure variation time, the universal figure stop time, the number of universal communication open, the universal communication open time, and the universal figure probability. Try to extend the conversion time longer than usual. As a result, in the time saving state, winning in the normal variation winning device 37 is easier than in the normal gaming state, and the number of executions of the special figure variation display game per unit time can be increased more than in the normal gaming state. It is also possible to set a plurality of types of time saving states that are different from each other. Further, the movable member 37b may be set not to be opened in the normal operation state (universal figure probability is 0). Further, in the case of a win, either the first opening mode or the second opening mode may be selected. In this case, the selection probabilities of the first opening mode and the second opening mode may be different. The high-probability state and the short-time state can occur independently of each other, both of them can occur at the same time, or only one of them can occur.

[Transition state when power is turned on]
As described above, depending on the on/off state of the RAM initialization switch 112 and the setting key switch 93 when the power is turned on, the state shifts to four states (modes).

If the RAM initialization switch 112 and the setting key switch 93 are turned on when the power is turned on, the probability setting value (setting value) is changed to a variable setting state (setting changing state, setting changing mode) in which the probability setting value can be changed. (See A1027-A1036 in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B).

Next, when the setting key switch 93 is turned on but the RAM initialization switch 112 is turned off when the power is turned on, the state shifts to a setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) in which the probability setting value can be confirmed (Fig. 5B, A1031-A1036 and FIG. 6B).

If the setting key switch 93 is off but the RAM initialization switch 112 is on when the power is turned on, the RAM initialization state (RAM clear mode) is entered and the RAM initialization process (RAM clear) is performed. (Processing) is executed, and the RAM 111c is initialized (see A1042-1044 in FIG. 5B).

When the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are off when the power is turned on, the normal power recovery state (normal power recovery mode) is entered, and the power is simply restored.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 5A, when starting the main process, the game control device 100 first executes a process of prohibiting an interrupt (A1001). Further, a stack pointer setting process for setting the stack pointer which is the top address of the area for saving the value of the register or the like when the interrupt occurs (A1002).

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

Next, the game control device 100 outputs a firing prohibition signal and sets the firing permission signal to a prohibited state (A1005). The firing permission signal is set to a prohibited state when at least one of the game control device 100 and the payout control device 200 outputs a firing prohibition signal, and the firing of the game ball is prohibited. After that, the game control device 100 reads the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 (A1006). That is, the signals from the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are read.

Further, the game control device 100 sets a power supply delay timer (A1007). By setting a predetermined initial value in the power supply delay timer, a program of sub-control means (for example, payout control device 200 or effect control device 300) that performs various controls in accordance with instructions from the game control device 100 that is the main control means. A waiting time (for example, 3 seconds) for waiting for the normal startup is set. As a result, when the power is turned on, the command is sent to the slave control device before the game control device 100 starts up first and the slave control devices (for example, the payout control device 200 and the effect control device 300) start up, and the slave control device. Can avoid dropping a command. That is, the game control device 100 delays the activation of the main control means (game control device 100) and waits for the activation of the slave control devices (payout control device 200, effect control device 300, etc.) when the power is turned on. It forms a standby means for setting the standby time.

In addition, the power supply delay timer measures time using a storage area (RAM area or register, which is not the target of validity determination) that is not the target of validity determination (checksum calculation) of RAM. As a result, when calculating check data such as a checksum of the RAM area, it is not necessary to exclude a part of the RAM area for calculation, and it is possible to prevent the control at power-on from becoming complicated.

By reading the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 before the start of the standby time, the operations of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 can be reliably detected. That is, if the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are read after the waiting time has elapsed, the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are operated after the waiting time has elapsed, or the power is turned on. It is necessary to continue to operate the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 from the time until the waiting time elapses. However, by reading the state before the start of the waiting time, there is a situation in which the operation of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 performed at the time of turning on the power cannot be accepted without performing such a troublesome operation. It can be prevented.

When the power supply delay timer is set (A1007), the game control device 100 executes a process of measuring a standby time and a process of monitoring occurrence of a power failure during the standby time (A1008 to A1010).

When the power failure monitoring process is started, the game control device 100 first determines whether a power failure occurs by reading the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 400 via the port and the data bus. (A1008). When a power failure occurs (result of A1008 is “Y”), the game machine waits until the power is cut off.

When the power failure has not occurred (the result of A1008 is "N"), the game control device 100 updates the power-on delay timer by -1 (A1009), and determines whether the value of the timer is 0 or not. Yes (A1010). If the timer value is not 0 (result of A1010 is “N”), that is, if the waiting time has not ended, the process returns to step A1008.

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

On the other hand, when the value of the timer is 0 (the result of A1010 is “Y”), that is, when the waiting time is over, the game control device 100 can read and write RWM (read/write) such as RAM or EEPROM. Access to the memory is permitted (A1011), and off data is output to all output ports (set to a state where there is no output) (A1012).

Next, the game control device 100 sets a serial port (a port installed in advance in the game microcomputer 111, which is used for communication with the effect control device 300 and the payout control device 200 in this embodiment) (A1013). ).

Further, here, the driver 150 that drives the performance display device 152 (state display device) may be initialized. The game control device 100 writes a command including control data corresponding to the contents of the initial setting in the transmission buffer of the second output port 134 (serial communication circuit) and transmits it to the driver 150. For example, the game control device 100 sets the duty ratio in the initial setting. The duty ratio corresponds to the brightness of each LED (each segment) of the performance display device 152. The game control device 100 sets the number of used digits of the performance display device 152 in the initial setting. In this embodiment, the number of used digits is four.

Next, the game control device 100 activates a CTC (Counter/Timer Circuit) circuit that generates a timer interrupt signal and a random number update trigger signal (CTC) in the game microcomputer 111 (clock generator) (A1014). The CTC circuit is provided in the clock generator in the gaming microcomputer 111. The clock generator divides the oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the oscillation circuit 113 and a timer interrupt signal of a predetermined cycle (for example, 4 milliseconds) to the CPU 111a based on the divided signal. And a CTC circuit for generating a signal CTC that gives a trigger for updating the random number to be supplied to the random number generation circuit.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 sets a RAM abnormality flag indicating an abnormality in the RAM (here, the RAM 111c) (A1015). Here, the abnormality premise flag is temporarily set in a predetermined register.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the value of the power failure inspection area 1 in the RWM is normal power failure inspection area check data (A1016). If it is normal (result of A1016 is "Y"), it is determined whether the value of the power failure inspection area 2 in the RWM is normal power failure inspection area check data (A1017).

Furthermore, if the value of the power failure inspection area 2 is normal (the result of A1017 is “Y”), the game control device 100 calculates a checksum of a predetermined area (for example, a game control work area) in the RWM. A calculation process is executed (A1018), and it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum and the checksum at the time of power off match (A1019). If the checksums match (result of A1019 is "Y"), the RAM is normal and the RAM abnormality flag indicating abnormality of the RAM is cleared (A1020). Then, the process proceeds to step A1021.

In addition, when the game control device 100 determines that the check data in the power failure inspection area is not normal data (the result of A1016 is “N” or the result of A1017 is “N”), the checksums do not match. (The result of A1019 is “N”), the process proceeds to step A1021 without clearing the RAM abnormality flag.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are on (A1021). When both switches are on (result of A1021 is “Y”), the game control device 100 shifts to a setting variable state (setting change mode), and executes the process of changing probability setting in steps A1027-A1037. ..

When at least one of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (result of A1021 is "N"), the game control device 100 sets a RAM abnormality flag indicating an abnormality of the RAM (here, RAM111c). It is determined whether it has been done (A1022). When the RAM abnormality flag is not set (result of A1022 is “N”), it is determined whether the probability setting changing flag is set (A1023). When the probability setting changing flag is not set (result of A1023 is “N”), the process of confirming the probability setting of step A1031-A1037 (during setting confirmation state, setting confirmation mode), step A1041-1044 The RAM initialization processing (RAM clear processing) or the normal power-on processing (when the power is restored) in steps A1041, A1045, and A1046 is executed.

When the probability setting changing flag is set (the result of A1023 is “Y”), the game control device 100 informs that the game control device 100 (main board, main board) has an abnormality. An error notification command is transmitted to effect control device 300 (A1024). The effect control device 300 that has received the command for the main abnormality error notification notifies that there is an abnormality in the game control device 100.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 causes the driver 150 of the performance display device 152 to display the 7-segment display data when the game is stopped (data of the error display of “E1” in FIG. 9C) on the performance display device 152. To (A1025). Then, the ON data of the security signal for notifying the external device (the internal management device for the game hall (hall computer), the information collecting terminal, etc.) of the abnormality is output to the external information terminal 71 (A1026). Here, even when the information about the big hit remains in the RAM 111c, other signals such as the big hit signal to the external information terminal 71 are maintained in the off state. After that, the processing of steps A1025 and A1026 is repeated to wait, and the setting change operation (both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are turned on) is performed again to wait for the power to be turned on. While the process of steps A1025 and A1026 is repeated and waiting, the interrupt remains disabled (A1001), and the timer interrupt process capable of executing the special figure 1 and 2 game processing and the general figure game processing is executed. Since (FIG. 7) cannot be executed, a game (special figure variation display game, general figure variation display game) cannot be executed.

As described above, it is determined that there is an abnormality when the probability setting changing flag is set even though the setting changing operation (the ON operation of both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112) is not executed. , A1024-A1026 are executed. For example, if the power is turned off and restarted while the probability setting is being changed (before the setting change is completed), the probability setting changing flag may be set even though the setting changing operation has not been executed. is there.

On the other hand, when the RAM abnormality flag is set (the result of A1022 is “Y”), the game control device 100 notifies the game control device 100 (main board) of the abnormality by the main abnormality error notification. The command is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (A1024), and the 7-segment display data when the game is stopped (error display data of “E1” in FIG. 9C) is output to the driver 150 of the performance display device 152 (A1025). ), ON data of the security signal is output to the external information terminal 71 to notify the external device of the RAM abnormality (A1026). As in the case described above, other signals to the external information terminal 71 such as the big hit signal are maintained in the off state even when the information about the big hit remains in the RAM 111c. After that, the processes of steps A1025 and A1026 are repeated and the process stands by.

When both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are on (the result of A1021 is “Y”), the gaming control device 100 starts the process of changing the probability setting (during the setting variable state). First, it is determined whether or not the RAM abnormality flag is set (A1027). When the RAM abnormality flag is set (the result of A1027 is “Y”), it is unknown whether the probability setting value is correct, so the probability setting value stored in the probability setting value area of the RAM 111c is cleared. After setting the initial value (for example, the lowest setting value “1”) (A1028), the probability setting changing flag indicating that the probability setting is being changed is set (A1029). If the RAM abnormality flag is not set (result of A1027 is “N”), the probability setting changing flag is set without clearing the probability setting value (A1029). Next, the command in the process of changing the probability setting is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (effect control board) (A1030), and the process proceeds to step A1034. Note that the effect control device 300 that has received the command for changing the probability setting notifies the display device 41 or the like that the probability setting is being changed.

In the game control device 100, at least one of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (result of A1021 is “N”), and the RAM abnormality flag is not set (result of A1022 is “N”). ), and when the probability setting changing flag is not set (result of A1023 is "N"), it is determined whether the setting key switch 93 is on (A1031). When the setting key switch 93 is on (the result of A1031 is “Y”), the RAM initialization switch 112 is off, and the probability setting confirmation (during the setting confirmation state) processing is started. A probability setting confirmation flag indicating that the setting is being confirmed is set (A1032). Then, the command for which the probability setting is being confirmed is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (effect control board) (A1033), and the process proceeds to step A1034. Note that the effect control device 300 that has received the command for changing the probability setting notifies the display device 41 or the like that the probability setting is being confirmed.

After step A1030 or step A1033, the game control device 100 executes the processing of steps A1034 to A1040 as common processing during the probability setting change and the probability setting confirmation.

The game control device 100 first saves 128 ms (predetermined time) in the security signal control timer area in order to output the security signal during the probability setting change and the probability setting confirmation (A1034). Note that the count of the security signal control timer and the output of the security signal are executed in the probability setting change/confirmation process (FIG. 6B) described later, but when the probability setting change or the probability setting confirmation ends early, the remaining The counting of the security signal control timer and the output of the security signal are executed in the external information editing process (A1321). During the probability setting change and the probability setting confirmation, the security signal is output for at least 50 ms.

Next, the game control device 100 permits interruption (A1035). As a result, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 7) can be executed. Then, it is determined whether the setting key switch 93 is off (A1036). When the setting key switch 93 is on (result of A1036 is “N”), it is determined whether a power failure has occurred (A1037). If no power failure has occurred (result of A1037 is “N”), the process returns to step A1036. On the other hand, when a power failure has occurred (result of A1037 is "Y"), the process at the time of power failure of steps A1055-A1061 is executed.

As described above, as long as the setting key switch 93 is on and the power failure has not occurred, the probability setting value can be changed in the setting variable state (setting changing state, setting changing mode) or the probability setting value can be confirmed. The setting confirmation status (setting confirmation mode) continues.

On the other hand, when the setting key switch 93 is off (result of A1036 is “Y”), the game control device 100 prohibits interruption (A1038) and issues a notification end command to the effect control device 300 (effect control board). (A1039). The effect control device 300 that receives the notification end command ends the notification that the probability setting is being confirmed or the notification that the probability setting is being changed.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the probability setting changing flag is set, that is, whether or not the probability setting is being changed so far (A1040). If the probability setting changing flag is set (the result of A1040 is “Y”), that is, if the probability setting is being changed so far, the RAM initialization processing (to be described later) of steps A1042-A1044 is executed. To do. On the other hand, when the probability setting changing flag is not set (the result of A1040 is “N”), that is, when the probability setting is being confirmed so far, when the power is turned on after step A1045 (when the power is restored). Perform the normal processing of.

When the setting key switch 93 is off (result of A1031 is “N”), the game control device 100 determines whether or not the RAM initialization switch 112 is on (A1041). When the RAM initialization switch 112 is on (result of A1041 is “Y”), the RAM area other than the probability setting value area for storing the probability setting value is cleared to 0 in the RAM 111c (A1042). That is, the game information stored in the RAM 111c is cleared to 0, except for the probability setting value stored in the probability setting value area. Further, the above-mentioned probability setting changing flag is also cleared here. In addition to the probability setting value area, it is also possible to configure such that the stack area and unused area are not cleared, or the work area and stack area related to performance information and its display (performance display) are not cleared. .. The performance information is derived on the basis of the number of prize balls obtained by winning, and, for example, the winning rate, the base value (the winning rate in the normal gaming state), the role ratio, the number of discharged balls, etc. is there.

Next, the game control device 100 saves the initial value at the time of RAM initialization in the area to be initialized (A1043). Then, the command for RAM initialization is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (effect control board) (A1044), and the process proceeds to step A1047.

On the other hand, when the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (result of A1041 is “N”), the game control device 100 is a normal power source because both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are off. When the power is turned on (when the power is restored), the processing is started, and the power failure restoration processing is executed (A1045). For example, the initial value when power is restored (when power is restored) is saved in the area to be initialized. Further, the above-mentioned probability setting confirmation flag is also cleared here. Next, the command at the time of power failure recovery corresponding to the processing number prepared for rationally executing the special figure game processing described later is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (effect control board) (A1046), and step A1047. Process shifts to.

The command for RAM initialization sent in the process of step A1044 and the command for power failure restoration sent in the process of step A1046 include a model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine, and suspension of special figures 1 and 2. Number of decoration special figure 1 hold number command and decoration special figure 2 hold number command, probability state (high-probability state or low probability state) or probability information command indicating presence/absence of time saving state, special figure variation in predetermined production mode An effect number information command indicating the number of times the display game has been executed and a power failure recovery command indicating that the power has been turned on are included.

Further, in the command at the time of RAM initialization and the command at the time of power failure recovery, a setting value information command (probability setting value information) indicating setting value information (setting information) which is information of the probability setting value (setting value) of the gaming machine 10. Command) is included. The game control device 100 need only transmit the setting value information command to the effect control device 300 only once when the power is restored (turned on), and thereafter, the effect control device 300 refers to the setting value information stored by itself. You can control production.

The RAM initialization command also includes a RAM initialization command (RAM clear command). Upon receiving the command for RAM initialization, the production control device 300 displays a customer waiting demo on the display device 41 and notifies the user of RAM initialization (RAM clear) by the sound of the LED and the speaker of the panel decoration device 46, for example. Do it for a second. Further, the command at the time of power failure recovery includes a screen designation command for designating the display content of the screen of the display device 41. Note that the screen designation command is a customer waiting demo command during normal processing (when it is neither changing nor hitting) for both special figures 1 and 2, and is a restoration screen command otherwise.

After step A1044 or step A1046, the game control device 100 activates and sets the random number generation circuit (A1047). Specifically, the CPU 111a sets a code (specified value) for activating the random number generation circuit in a predetermined register (CTC update permission register) in the random number generation circuit. Also, a bit transposed pattern of a hard random number (here, a big hit random number) generated by the hardware of the random number generation circuit is set.

The bit transposition pattern is a method of exchanging the bit arrangement of the extracted random numbers (arrangement before bit transposition in the upper row) in a predetermined order and storing as a different bit arrangement (arrangement after bit transposition in the lower row). Is a pattern that determines.

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

After that, the game control device 100 extracts the value of a predetermined register (soft random number registers 1 to n) in the random number generation circuit when the power is turned on, and various corresponding initial value random numbers (the big hit symbol random number for determining the big hit symbol) Initial value (big hit design initial value random number), small hit design random number initial value to determine the small hit design random number (small hit design initial value random number) (only if there is a small hit) Saved in a predetermined area of the RWM as a start value of the initial value (random initial value random number), the initial value of the falling lottery random number used in the falling lottery (falling random number initial value random number), etc. (A1048), and interrupt is permitted (A1049). ). Since the random number generation circuit in the CPU 111a used in this embodiment is configured such that the initial value of the soft random number register changes every time the power is turned on, this value is used as the start value (initial value) of various initial value random numbers. By doing so, it is possible to break the regularity of the random numbers generated by the software and make it difficult for the player to obtain an illegal random number.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes an initial value random number updating process for updating the values of various initial value random numbers and breaking the regularity of the random numbers (A1050). Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the big hit random number, the big hit pattern random number, the hit random number, and the falling lottery random number are configured to be generated using the random numbers generated in the random number generation circuit. There is. However, the big hit random number is a so-called "high-speed counter" that is updated based on a clock having a speed equal to or higher than the operation clock of the CPU. This is a "low-speed counter" that is updated based on the CTC output (CTC (CTC2) different from CTC (CTC0) of the timer interrupt process) having the same cycle as the process.

In addition, in the case of big hit symbol random number, hit symbol random number, falling lottery random number, the so-called "initial value change method" is adopted in which the start value is changed every time the random number makes a round by using each initial value random number (generated by software). ing. Each of the random numbers may be updated by a counter method by +1 or 1, or may be a random update by which all values within the range appear in a scattered manner without duplication until one cycle. That is, the jackpot random number is a random number that is updated only by hardware, and the jackpot symbol random number, the hit random number, and the falling lottery random number are random numbers that are updated by hardware and software.

Next, the game control device 100 prohibits interruption (A1051) and executes a performance display editing process for editing the performance information and its display (performance display) (A1052). Here, performance information (such as a character ratio and a ball output rate) may be calculated. Further, when the RAM abnormality flag is set in the register, the work area and the stack area related to the performance information and its display (performance display) may be cleared (if not cleared in step A1042). After that, the interrupt is permitted (A1053). As a result, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 7) can be executed.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not a power failure has occurred (A1054). When no power failure has occurred (result of A1054 is “N”), the process returns to step A1050. As a result, the processing of steps A1050-A1054 is repeated until a power failure occurs.

When a power failure occurs (result of A1054 is “Y”), the game control device 100 starts the process at the time of power failure, temporarily interrupts (A1055), and outputs off data to all output ports ( 1056). After that, the power failure inspection area check data 1 is saved in the power failure inspection area 1 (A1057), and the power failure inspection area check data 2 is saved in the power failure inspection area 2 (A1058). Further, a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum when the power of the RWM is cut off is executed (A1059), and the calculated checksum is saved (A1060). Finally, the process of prohibiting access to the RWM is executed (A1061), and the process stands by until the power of the gaming machine is cut off.

In this way, by saving the check data in the power failure inspection area and calculating the checksum at the time of power shutdown, it is possible to check whether the information stored in the RWM before power shutdown is correctly backed up. It can be judged at the time of re-input.

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

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

Next, the game control device 100 executes input processing from various sensors and switches and capture of signals, that is, input processing for reading the state of each input port (A1303). Next, based on the probability setting changing flag and the probability setting confirming flag, it is determined whether the probability setting is being changed or the probability setting is being confirmed (A1304). When the probability setting is being changed or the probability setting is being confirmed (the result of A1304 is “Y”), the probability setting changing/confirming process for changing or confirming the probability setting value is executed (A1305).

When the probability setting is not being changed or the probability setting is not being confirmed (the result of A1304 is “N”), the game control device 100 uses an actuator such as a solenoid (for example, a special winning opening solenoid 39b) based on the output data set in various processes. An output process for performing drive control of the LED, drive control of the LED (light emission control), and the like is executed (A1306). When the firing prohibition signal is output in the processing of step A1005 in the main processing, the firing permission signal is output by performing this output processing, and the firing permission signal can be set to the permission state.

Next, the game control device 100 executes a payout command transmission process for outputting the command set in the transmission buffer to the payout control device 200 in various processes (A1307), and further, a random number update process 1 (A1308), a random number update. The process 2 (A1309) is executed. After that, monitoring whether or not there is a normal signal input from the starting opening 1 switch 36a, the starting opening 2 switch 37a, the winning opening switch 35a, and the special winning opening switch 39a, and the error monitoring (the front frame and the glass frame are opened) A winning opening switch/state monitoring process is performed (A1310).

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not abnormal discharge of game balls is occurring at the special winning opening (A1311). When the abnormal discharge occurrence flag is set by the abnormal discharge monitoring process (A1318) described later, it can be determined that the abnormal discharge is occurring. When abnormal discharge is occurring (result of A1311 is “Y”), the processes of step A1315 and thereafter are executed.

When the abnormal discharge is not occurring (the result of A1311 is “N”), the game control device 100 executes the special figure game process for performing the process related to the special figure variation display game (A1312). The details of the special figure game process will be described later.

Next, the game control device 100 executes a universal figure game process for performing a process related to the universal figure variation display game (A1313). A segment LED edit process for driving a segment LED provided in the gaming machine 10 for displaying a special figure variation game and various information regarding a game so as to display desired contents is executed (A1314).

Further, the game control device 100 executes a magnet fraud monitoring process of checking the detection signal from the magnetic sensor switch 61 to determine whether there is any abnormality (A1315). Further, a radio wave fraud monitoring process (board radio wave fraud monitoring process) for checking whether a detection signal from the radio wave sensor 62 of the game board is normal or not is executed (A1316).

After that, the game control device 100 executes a vibration fraud monitoring process for monitoring fraud caused by vibration based on the input from the vibration sensor 65 (A1317). Next, an abnormal discharge monitoring process for monitoring abnormal discharge from the special winning opening is executed (A1318). In the abnormal discharge monitoring processing, the abnormal discharge of the special variation winning device 39 is performed based on the input from the special winning opening switch 39a, the specific area switch 72 (V winning opening switch), and the remaining ball outlet switch 73 in the special variation winning device 39. Is monitored, and the abnormal discharge occurrence flag is set when abnormal discharge occurs. The game balls that have passed through the special winning opening switch 39a of the special variation winning device 39 are discharged through the specific area switch 72 (V winning opening switch) or the remaining ball discharging switch 73.

Next, the game control device 100 executes an external information editing process of setting a signal to be output to various external devices in an output buffer (A1319). Then, the performance display monitor control process for controlling the display of the performance display device 152 is executed (A1320). After that, the timer interrupt processing ends.

Note that when the timer interrupt process returns, restoration of the interrupt disabled state and restoration of the register bank specification is configured to be performed automatically. However, depending on the CPU used, interrupts are enabled after the external information editing process. It is also possible to perform the processing for returning or the processing for returning the designation of the register bank to the register bank 0.

[Probability setting change/confirmation process]
Next, details of the probability setting change/confirmation process (A1305) in the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a procedure of probability setting change/confirmation processing. In the probability setting change/confirmation process, the probability setting value can be changed or confirmed.

The game control device 100 first determines whether or not the probability setting value is within the normal range (A2401). The probability setting value here is stored in the probability setting value area of the RAM 111c.

When the probability setting value is within the normal range (result of A2401 is “Y”), the game control device 100 sets probability setting value display data corresponding to the probability setting value (A2402), and the performance display device 152. To the driver via the driver 150 (A2404). When the probability setting value is not within the normal range (result of A2401 is “N”), the extinction data is set as the probability setting value display data (A2403) and is output to the performance display device 152 via the driver 150 (A2404). ).

Here, the probability setting value display data is the display probability setting value data displayed on the performance display device 152, and is stored in the probability setting value display data area. In order to prevent confusion among people related to the hall, if the probability setting values are different but the same big hit probability (and small hit probability), the display probability setting value is associated with the big hit probability (and small hit probability). The same. That is, the same display probability setting value may mean the same big hit probability (and small hit probability).

Next, the game control device 100 updates -1 if the security signal control timer is not 0 (A2405). The security signal control timer is 128 ms (predetermined time) set in step A1034. Then, the ON data of the security signal for notifying the external device (game hall internal management device (hall computer) or the like) of the abnormality is output to the external information terminal 71 (A1026). Here, other signals to the external information terminal 71 such as the big hit signal are maintained in the off state.

After that, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the probability setting changing flag is set (A2407). If the probability setting changing flag is not set (result of A2407 is "N"), that is, if the probability setting is being confirmed, the probability setting changing/confirming process is terminated without doing anything.

The game control device 100 is the first timer interrupt process after the power is turned on when the probability setting changing flag is set (the result of A2407 is “Y”), that is, when the probability setting is being changed. It is determined whether or not (A2408). If it is the first timer interrupt process after the power is turned on (result of A2408 is “Y”), the probability setting change/confirmation process ends. This is to prevent the probability setting value from being unintentionally updated when the RAM initialization switch 112 is kept pressed.

When it is not the first timer interrupt process after the power is turned on (result of A2408 is "N"), the game control device 100 determines whether or not the RAM initialization switch 112 is input (A2409). If there is no input from the RAM initialization switch (result of A2409 is "N"), the probability setting change/confirmation processing ends.

When the RAM initialization switch 112 is input (the result of A2409 is “Y”), the game control device 100 sets the work setting value in the work setting value area (in the RAM 111c or the register) in the range of 0 to 5. +1 is updated, and the probability setting values 1 to 6 in the probability setting value area are updated by +1 corresponding to the work setting value (A2410). As a result, each time the RAM initialization switch 112 is operated, the probability setting value in the probability setting value area is updated by one. After that, the probability setting change/confirmation process ends. A value corresponding to the probability setting value read from the probability setting value area (1 from the probability setting value is stored in the work setting value area (in the RAM 111c or the register) for storing the work setting value when the setting change mode is entered. The subtracted value) may be stored.

In the above description, each time the RAM initialization switch 112 is operated, the probability set value in the probability set value area is directly updated in response to the update of the work set value. However, the work set value of the RAM 111c is updated. When the setting key switch 93 is turned off and the setting change work is completed (the result of A1036 is “Y”), the probability setting value (setting value for work) under setting change is stored in the area, and the setting for work is set. A value corresponding to the work setting value in the value area may be stored in the probability setting value area for the first time. By doing this, if a power failure occurs during the setting change (the result of A1037 is “Y”), the probability setting value used in the game control, the effect control, etc. (the probability setting value stored in the probability setting value area) (Value) can be prevented from being changed with an unintended value.

[Special game processing]
Next, details of the special figure game process (A1312) in the above-mentioned timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure game process. In the special figure game processing, the input of the starting opening 1 switch 36a and the starting opening 2 switch 37a is monitored, the entire processing relating to the special figure changing display game is controlled, and the display of the special drawing is set.

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

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

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

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

When the game process number is “0” in step A2607, the game control device 100 monitors the variation start of the special figure variation display game to set the variation start of the special figure variation display game, the effect setting, and the like. The special figure normal process for setting the information necessary for performing the special figure changing process is executed (A2608). The details of the special figure normal process will be described later with reference to FIG.

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

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

When the game process number is “3” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets information necessary for setting the opening time of the special winning opening, updating the number of times of opening, and performing the process during opening of the special winning opening. A fanfare/interval processing for setting is executed (A2611). For example, in the fanfare/interval processing, necessary information such as the round command corresponding to the round of the round to be executed and the opening time of the special winning opening is set, and the processing number "4" related to the processing for opening the special winning opening is set. Set it and save it in the special figure game processing number area.

When the game process number is “4” in step A2607, the game control device 100 sets an interval command if the jackpot round is not the final round, and sets an ending command if it is the final round, The process of opening the special winning opening is executed to set the information necessary for performing the special winning opening remaining ball processing (A2612). For example, in the processing for opening the special winning opening, necessary information such as an interval command and an ending command is set, and the processing number "5" related to the processing for remaining special winning opening balls is set and saved in the special figure game processing number area.

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

When the game process number is "6" in step A2607, the game control device 100 executes a jackpot end process for setting information necessary for executing the special figure normal process (A2614). For example, in the jackpot end process, based on the probability variation determination data corresponding to the stop symbol number (big hit symbol number) of the special figure variation display game, the probability state after the jackpot state ends or the Poden support state after the jackpot state ends ( Necessary information such as (time saving state) is set, and a process number "0" related to special figure normal processing is set and saved in the special figure game process number area. The probability fluctuation judgment data includes the number of continuous games (probability state (high probability/low probability) after the big hit state ends, and number of continuous games (time shortening change count, power support count) in the Hoden support state (time saving state) after the big hit state ends. ) Information is included.

When the process based on the special figure game process number is finished, the game control device 100 prepares a special figure 1 variation control table for controlling the variation of the special figure 1 display device 51 (A2615), and then the special figure 1 display device. The symbol variation control process relating to 51 is executed (A2616). Then, after preparing the special figure 2 fluctuation control table for controlling the fluctuation of the special figure 2 display 52 (A2617), the symbol fluctuation control process relating to the special figure 2 display 52 is executed (A2618).

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

The game control device 100 first prepares a winning prize monitoring table for the starting winning opening 36 (starting opening 1) (A2701), executes a hard random number acquisition process (A2702), and determines whether or not there is a winning in the starting winning opening 36. It is determined (A2703). When there is no winning in the starting winning opening 36 (the result of A2703 is "N"), the processes of step A2709 and thereafter are executed. On the other hand, if there is a winning in the starting winning opening 36 (result of A2703 is “Y”), it is determined whether or not it is during special time saving (during normal power support state) (A2704).

When the game control device 100 determines that it is not during special time saving (during normal communication support state) (result of A2704 is “N”), it executes the process from step A2707. On the other hand, when it is during special time saving (during normal power support state) (result of A2704 is “Y”), right-handing instruction notification command is prepared as a production command (A2705), and production command setting processing is executed ( A2706). In the effect command setting process, the effect command is written in the serial transmission buffer, and the effect command is transmitted to the effect control device 300.

That is, in the normal power support state (time saving state), regardless of the probability state (high-probability state/low-probability state) of the variable display game, the right-handing instruction notification command is prepared and the effect command setting process is executed. .. In the case of the present embodiment, it is easier for the left winning to enter the starting winning opening 36, and to the normal variable winning device 37, the right winning is not applied to the normal variation winning device 37. Also, the game ball does not pass through the universal figure starting gate 34 unless it is hit to the right. Therefore, in the normal power support state (time saving state), right-handed is more advantageous than left-handed, but if there is a winning at the start winning port 36 during the normal power support state (that is, in the normal power support state When left-handed), a right-handing instruction notification command is transmitted to the effect control device 300, and the effect control device 300 executes a notification (warning) for instructing right-handing by the display device 41 or the like.

Next, the game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on hold by the start winning opening 36 (starting opening 1) (A2707), and then executes special figure starting opening switch common processing (A2708). Then, a winning monitor table for the second starting winning opening (normal variation winning apparatus 37) is prepared (A2709), a hard random number acquisition process is executed (A2710), and it is determined whether or not there is a winning at the second starting winning opening. The determination is made (A2711). When there is no winning in the second starting winning opening (the result of A2711 is “N”), the starting opening switch monitoring processing is ended.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, if there is a winning in the second starting winning opening (the result of A2711 is "Y"), whether or not the ordinary electric auditors (ordinary variation winning device 37) is operating. That is, it is determined whether or not the normal variation winning device 37 is activated and the gaming ball is in an open state in which a winning can be made (A2712). When the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (result of A2712 is “Y”), the process proceeds to step A2714.

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

In the case where the illegal attempt to generate a regular telephone is not occurring (the result of A2713 is “N”), the game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on hold by the second start winning a prize mouth (normal variation winning device 37) (A2714). The special figure starting port switch common process is executed (A2715), and the starting port switch monitoring process is ended. In addition, when it is determined in A2713 that the unauthorized use of general electric power is occurring (the result of A2713 is "Y"), the starting port switch monitoring process is ended. That is, the second starting memory is not generated any more.

[Common processing for special drawing start switch]
Next, details of the special figure starting port switch common process (A2708, A2715) in the starting port switch monitoring process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure starting port switch common processing. The special figure starting port switch common process is a process commonly performed for each input when the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a are input.

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

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the number of special figure reservations to be updated (starting memory number) corresponding to the starting port switch to be monitored among the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a is less than the upper limit value. It is determined (A2905). When the number of reserved special-drawing figures to be updated is not less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is “N”), the special-drawing starting port switch common processing ends. When the number of reserved special maps to be updated is less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is “Y”), the number of reserved special maps to be updated (the number of reserved special maps 1 or the number of reserved special maps 2) is updated by +1. Then (A2906), the target starting opening winning flag is saved (A2907).

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

Next, the game control device 100 saves the fluctuation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 in the fluctuation pattern random number storage area of the corresponding RWM (A2912), and executes the special figure reservation information determination process (A2913). In the special figure hold information determination process, the prefetch stop design command corresponding to the stop design information based on the saved big hit random number and big hit design random number, and the first half fluctuation number (the number of fluctuation before reach) based on the saved fluctuation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 Also, the look-ahead variation pattern command corresponding to the latter half variation number (number of variation after reach) is set as an effect command. Then, the starter switch to be monitored and the decorative special figure reservation number command corresponding to the special figure reservation number are prepared as a performance command (A2914), and the performance command setting process (A2915) is executed to make the special figure starting mouth switch common. The process ends.

Here, the game control device 100 (RAM 111c) extracts a predetermined random number based on the inflow of the game balls into the starting winning area and the starting winning area of the normal variation winning device 37, and becomes the execution right of the variation display game. As a starting memory, a starting memory means for storing a predetermined number at the upper limit is formed. Further, the starting storage means (game control device 100) uses various random number values extracted based on the winning of the game ball into the first starting winning opening (starting winning opening 36) as a first starting memory with a predetermined number as an upper limit. Various random number values that are stored and extracted based on the winning of the game ball into the second starting winning opening (ordinary variation winning device 37) are stored as a second starting memory with a predetermined number as an upper limit.

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

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

Subsequently, the game control device 100 prepares a customer waiting demo command as an effect command (A3213), performs an effect command setting process (A3214), and proceeds to the process of step A3215. On the other hand, in step A3211, if the customer waiting demo has been started (result of A3211 is "Y"), "0" relating to special figure normal processing is set as the processing number (A3215), and the special figure game processing number is set. The processing number is saved in the area (A3216), and the variable symbol determination flag area is cleared (A3217). Then, the flag during the fraud monitoring period is saved in the special winning opening fraud monitoring period flag area (A3218), and the special figure normal process is ended.

If the special figure 2 hold number is not 0 (the result of A3201 is “N”), the game control device 100 executes the special figure 2 variation start process (A3202), and the decoration feature corresponding to the special figure 2 hold number. A figure reservation number command (decorative special figure 2 reservation number command) is prepared as an effect command (A3203), and effect command setting processing is executed (A3204). Then, the special figure changing process transition setting process of special figure 2 is executed (A3205), and the special figure normal process is ended.

If the special figure 1 hold number is not 0 (A3206 result is “N”), the game control device 100 executes the special figure 1 variation start process (A3207) to display the special figure 1 hold number. A figure reservation number command (decorative special figure 1 reservation number command) is prepared as an effect command (A3208), and effect command setting processing is executed (A3209). Then, the special figure changing process transition setting processing of special figure 1 is executed (A3210), and the special figure normal processing is ended.

In this way, by checking the special figure 2 pending number before checking the special figure 1 pending number, the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (A3202) is executed when the special figure 2 pending number is not 0. The Rukoto. That is, the special figure 2 variable display game is executed with priority over the special figure 1 variable display game. In other words, when the game control device 100 has the second start memory in the second start storage means (game control device 100), the variable display game based on the second start memory is displayed as the variable display game based on the first start memory. It forms a priority control means that is executed with priority over the game.

[Special map 1 fluctuation start processing]
Next, details of the special figure 1 variation start process (A3207) in the special figure normal process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure 1 variation start process. The special figure 1 variation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 1 variation display game.

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

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

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

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

After that, the game control device 100 executes a variation pattern setting process for setting a variation pattern (variation pattern number) which is a variation mode in the special figure 1 variation display game (A3406). Next, the game control device 100 executes variation start information setting processing for setting variation start information of the special figure 1 variation display game (A3407), and ends the special figure 1 variation start processing. In the fluctuation start information setting processing, the fluctuation time value corresponding to the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation pattern number) is acquired and saved in the special figure game processing timer area. Then, a variation command (MODE, ACTION) corresponding to the variation pattern number is prepared as an effect command, and effect command setting processing is performed. Further, in the fluctuation start information setting process, the special figure reservation number associated with the special figure classification (special figure 1 or special figure 2) of the special figure variation display game to be started is updated by -1 (decrement by 1).

[Special map 2 fluctuation start processing]
Next, details of the special figure 2 variation start process (A3202) in the special figure normal process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure 2 variation start process. The special figure 2 variation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 2 variation display game, and is the same process as the process of the special figure 1 variation start process shown in FIG. It is something to do.

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

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

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

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

The game control device 100 first saves the deviation information in the big hit flag 1 area (A3601). Next, a jackpot random number is loaded from the special figure 1 big hit random number storage area (for 1 hold number) and prepared (A3602), and the special figure 1 big hit random number storage area (for 1 hold number) is cleared to 0. (A3603). The reserved number 1 is an area for storing information (random numbers, etc.) about the special figure starting memory having the earliest digestion order (here, the earliest in special figure 1). After that, a jackpot determination process of determining whether or not it is a jackpot is executed according to whether or not the prepared jackpot random number value matches the jackpot determination value (A3604).

When the determination result of the jackpot determination process (A3604) is a jackpot (the result of A3605 is “Y”), the game control device 100 overwrites the jackpot information in the jackpot flag 1 area in which the deviation information is saved in step A3601. It saves (A3606), and ends the jackpot flag 1 setting process. On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3605) is not a big hit (the result of A3605 is “N”), the big hit flag 1 setting process ends. As described above, in the present embodiment, the result of the special-figure 1 variable display game is one of “big hit” and “outlier”.

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

The game control device 100 first saves the deviation information in the big hit flag 2 area (A3701). Next, a big hit random number is loaded from the special figure 2 big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1) and prepared (A3702), and the special figure 2 big hit random number storage area (for holding number 1) is cleared to 0. (A3703). The reserved number 1 is an area for storing information (random numbers, etc.) about the special figure starting storage in which the digestion order is the earliest (here, the earliest in the special figure 2). After that, a jackpot determination process of determining whether or not it is a jackpot is executed depending on whether or not the prepared jackpot random number value matches the jackpot determination value (A3704).

When the determination result of the jackpot determining process (A3704) is a jackpot (the result of A3705 is “Y”), the game control device 100 overwrites the jackpot information in the jackpot flag 2 area where the deviation information is saved in step A3701. It saves (A3706), and ends the jackpot flag 2 setting process. On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3704) is not a big hit (the result of A3705 is "N"), the big hit flag 2 setting process is terminated while the deviation information is saved in the big hit flag 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, the result of the special figure 2 variable display game is any one of "big hit" and "off".

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

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

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

Further, when the value of the big hit random number is not less than the lower limit judgment value (the result of A3802 is “N”), the game control device 100 judges whether or not the big hit occurrence probability is in a high probability state (probability change state). (A3803). If it is in the high probability state (result of A3803 is “Y”), the upper limit determination value in the high probability is set (A3804). On the other hand, if it is not in the high probability state (result of A3803 is “N”), the upper limit determination value in the low probability is set (A3805).

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

[Special map information setting process]
Next, details of the special figure information setting processing (A3404, A3504) in the special figure 1 fluctuation start processing and the special figure 2 fluctuation start processing will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the special figure information setting process. In the present embodiment, the probability state (low probability/high probability, presence/absence of time saving) does not directly affect the distribution of fluctuations, and the effect mode managed by the game control device 100 affects the distribution of fluctuations. As the effect mode, one effect mode among a plurality of effect modes is set according to the probability state, the presence/absence of a time saving state, the progress of the special figure variation display game, and the like.

The game control device 100 first sets the first-half variation group selection pointer table (A4201), and acquires the first-half variation group selection pointer corresponding to the effect mode information (A4202). Next, the first half variable group selection offset table is set (A4203), and the offset data corresponding to the target special figure reservation number (special figure 1 reservation number or special figure 2 reservation number) and the stop symbol pattern is acquired (A4204). ..

Next, the game control device 100 adds the first half variation group selection pointer and the offset data (A4205), and saves the value obtained by the addition in the variation distribution information 1 area (A4206). As a result, in the variable distribution information 1 area, the variable distribution information 1 generated based on the type of the stop symbol, the number of holdings, and the effect mode is saved. This variation distribution information 1 is a table pointer for allocating the first half variation (variation mode before the start of reach), and is used later for selecting a variation group. However, depending on the specifications of the model, the fluctuation time is shortened when there are a large number of holdings only in the case of the deviation, so in cases other than the deviation, as a result, the holding number does not affect the distribution of the first half fluctuations. It should be noted that the fluctuation group includes a plurality of fluctuation patterns.When determining the fluctuation pattern, first, the fluctuation group is selected, and then one fluctuation pattern is selected from the fluctuation groups. ing.

Next, the game control device 100 sets the latter half variation group selection pointer table (A4207) and acquires the latter half variation group selection pointer corresponding to the effect mode information (A4208). Next, the latter half variation group selection offset table is set (A4209), and the offset data corresponding to the target special figure reservation number and the stop symbol pattern is acquired (A4210).

Next, the game control device 100 adds the latter half variation group selection pointer and the offset data (A4211), saves the obtained value in the variation allocation information 2 area (A4212), and sets the special figure information. The process ends. Thereby, the variable distribution information 2 is saved in the variable distribution information 2 area, which is generated based on the type of the stop symbol, the number of holdings, and the effect mode. This variation distribution information 2 is a table pointer for allocating the latter half variation (reach type (including reach)) and is used later for selecting a variation group. However, since the reach occurrence rate changes according to the number of pending calls only in the case of failure (reach occurrence rate decreases when the number of pending calls is large), as a result, the number of pending calls will be distributed in the latter half of the changes in cases other than failure. Does not affect

[Variation pattern setting process]
Next, details of the variation pattern setting processing (A3406, A3506) in the special figure 1 variation start processing and the special figure 2 variation start processing will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the fluctuation pattern setting process.

The variation patterns are a first half variation pattern that is a variation mode from the start of the special figure variation display game to the reach state, and a second half variation pattern that is a variation mode from the reach state to the end of the special figure variation display game. The first half variation pattern is set first, and then the first half variation pattern is set.

The game control device 100 first sets the variable group selection address table (A4301), acquires the address of the latter half variable group table corresponding to the variable distribution information 2 and prepares (A4302), and the target variation pattern random number. The variable pattern random number 1 is loaded from one storage area (for one reserved number) and prepared (A4303). In the present embodiment, the structure of the second-half variation group table is different for the hit type and the non-win type. Specifically, the hit type has a 1-byte size, and the loss type has a 2-byte size. Since the hit occurrence rate is lower than the hit occurrence rate, and even 1 byte is sufficient, the hit size is 1 byte in size from the viewpoint of saving the data capacity. Therefore, at the time of winning, only the lower value of the fluctuation pattern random number 1 of 2 bytes is used. Further, the occurrence rate of deviating is higher than the occurrence rate of hitting, and in order to make more diverse effects appear, the size for deviating is 2 bytes.

Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the result of the special figure variation display game is off (A4304), and if it is off (the result of A4304 is “Y”), the 2-byte allocation process (A4305) is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step A4307. If it is not out of alignment (result of A4304 is “N”), distribution processing (A4306) is performed, and the process proceeds to step A4307.

Next, the game control device 100 acquires the address of the latter half fluctuation selection table (second half fluctuation pattern selection table) obtained as a result of the distribution, prepares it (A4307), and stores the target fluctuation pattern random number 2 storage area (holding). The variation pattern random number 2 is loaded from the formula 1) and prepared (A4308). Then, the allocation processing is executed (A4309), the latter half variation number obtained as a result of the distribution is acquired, and the latter half variation number area is saved (A4310). By this processing, the latter half variation pattern is set.

Next, the game control device 100 sets the first half fluctuation group table (A4311), and calculates the table selection pointer based on the fluctuation distribution information 1 and the second half fluctuation number (A4312). Then, the address of the first-half fluctuation selection table (first-half fluctuation pattern selection table) corresponding to the calculated pointer is acquired and prepared (A4313), and the fluctuation pattern random number is stored from the target fluctuation pattern random number 3 storage area (for the number of reserved 1). 3 is loaded and prepared (A4314). After that, the distribution process (A4315) is performed, the first half variation number obtained as a result of the distribution is acquired, and the first half variation number area is saved (A4316), and the variation pattern setting process is ended. By this processing, the first half variation pattern is set, and the variation pattern of the special figure variation display game is set. That is, the game control device 100 serves as a variation pattern setting unit that sets a variation pattern, which is a mode of executing the game, from a plurality of variations.

[2-byte sorting process]
Next, details of the 2-byte allocation processing (A4305) in the fluctuation pattern setting processing will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of 2-byte allocation processing. The 2-byte sorting process is a process for selecting the second half variation selection table of the special figure variation display game from the second half variation group table based on the variation pattern random number 1.

The game control device 100 first checks whether the leading data of the selection table (the latter half variation group table prepared in A4302) is a code without distribution (that is, “0”) (A4401). Here, the latter half fluctuation group table stores a predetermined distribution value in association with at least one latter half fluctuation selection table, but defines only the latter half fluctuation selection table in which the latter half fluctuation pattern is “no reach”. In the variable group table (for example, a part of the variable group table when the result is out of order), it is not necessary to sort, so the sorting value “0”, that is, the code without sorting is defined at the beginning. ..

Then, when the top data of the selection table (second half variation group table) is a code without distribution (result of A4402 is “Y”), the game control device 100 updates the address of the data corresponding to the distribution result. Then (A4407), the 2-byte allocation process is terminated. On the other hand, when the leading data of the selection table (latter half fluctuation group table) is not the code without distribution (the result of A4402 is "N"), the first distribution specified in the selection table (latter half fluctuation group table) is set. A value is acquired (A4403).

Subsequently, the distribution value acquired in step A4403 is subtracted from the random value prepared in step A4303 (value of fluctuation pattern random number 1) to calculate a new random value (A4404), and the calculated new random value is calculated. Is smaller than "0" (A4405). If the new random number value is not smaller than "0" (result of A4405 is "N"), after updating to the address of the next distribution value (A4406), the process proceeds to step A4403, Perform the following processing. That is, the distribution value defined next in the selection table (second-half variation group table) is acquired (A4403), and thereafter, the distribution value is subtracted from the random number value determined in the previous step A4405 to create a new random value. A numerical value is calculated (A4404), and it is determined whether the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4405).

The above-described processing is executed until it is determined in step A4405 that the new random number value is smaller than "0" (the result of A4405 is "Y"). As a result, any one of the latter half fluctuation selection tables is selected from at least one latter half fluctuation selection table defined in the selection table (second half fluctuation group table). If it is determined in step A4405 that the new random number value is smaller than "0" (result of A4405 is "Y"), the address of the data corresponding to the sorted result is updated (A4407) and 2 bytes. The sorting process ends.

[Distribution processing]
Next, details of the distribution processing (A4306, A4309, A4315) in the fluctuation pattern setting processing will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distribution process. In the distribution process, the second half variation pattern of the special figure variation display game is selected from the second half variation selection table (second half variation pattern group) based on the variation pattern random number 2 or the first half variation selection table (based on the variation pattern random number 3 ( This is a process for selecting the first half variation pattern of the special figure variation display game from the first half variation pattern group).

First, the game control device 100 first data of the target selection table (the latter half variation group table prepared in A4302, the latter half variation selection table prepared in step A4307, or the first half variation selection table prepared in step A4313). It is checked whether is a code without distribution (that is, "0") (A4501). Here, the second half variation group table, the second half variation selection table, and the first half variation selection table are associated with at least one of the second half variation selection table, the second half variation pattern (second half variation number), and the first half variation pattern (first half variation number), and are predetermined. However, in the case of a selection table that does not require allocation, the allocation value “0”, that is, the code without allocation, is specified at the beginning.

Then, the gaming control device 100, when the head data of the target selection table (the latter half variation group table, the latter half variation selection table, or the first half variation selection table) is a code without distribution (the result of A4502 is “Y”), The address of the data corresponding to the distribution result is updated (A4507), and the distribution process ends. On the other hand, when the leading data of the target selection table (the latter half variation group table, the latter half variation selection table, or the first half variation selection table) is not the code without distribution (the result of A4502 is “N”), the target selection table (second half variation) The first distribution value defined in the group table, the second half variation selection table, or the first half variation selection table is acquired (A4503).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 subtracts the distribution value acquired in step A4503 from the random number values (the values of the fluctuation pattern random number 1, the fluctuation pattern random number 2, and the fluctuation pattern random number 3) prepared in steps A4303, A4308, and A4314. Then, a new random number value is calculated (A4504), and it is determined whether the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4505). If the new random number value is not smaller than "0" (result of A4505 is "N"), after updating to the address of the next distribution value (A4506), the process proceeds to step A4503, and Perform the following processing.

That is, the distribution value defined next in the target selection table (the latter half variation group table, the latter half variation selection table, or the first half variation selection table) is acquired (A4503), and thereafter, the disturbance determined in the previous step A4505 is acquired. A new random number value is calculated by subtracting the distribution value from the numerical value (A4504), and it is determined whether the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4505). The above processing is executed until it is determined in step A4505 that the new random number value is smaller than "0" (the result of A4505 is "Y"). As a result, at least one of the second half variation selection table, the second half variation pattern (second half variation number), and the first half variation pattern (first half variation pattern) defined in the target selection table (second half variation group table, second half variation selection table, or first half variation selection table). Any one of the second half variation selection table, the second half variation pattern (second half variation number), and the first half variation pattern (first half variation number) is selected from the variation numbers).

When the game control device 100 determines in step A4505 that the new random number value is smaller than “0” (result of A4505 is “Y”), it is updated to the address of the data corresponding to the sorted result. (A4507), and the distribution process ends.

[Variation start information setting process]
Next, details of the fluctuation start information setting processing (A3407, A3507) in the special figure 1 fluctuation start processing and the special figure 2 fluctuation start processing will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the fluctuation start information setting process.

The game control device 100 first clears the random number storage areas of the target fluctuation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 (A4601). Next, the first half fluctuation time value table is set (A4602), and the first half fluctuation time value corresponding to the first half fluctuation number is acquired (A4603). Further, the latter half fluctuation time value table is set (A4604), and the latter half fluctuation time value corresponding to the latter half fluctuation number is acquired (A4605).

Then, the game control device 100 adds the first half fluctuation time value and the second half fluctuation time value (A4606), and saves the added value in the special figure game processing timer area (A4607). After that, a variation command (MODE) corresponding to the first half variation number is prepared (A4608), and a variation command (ACTION) corresponding to the second half variation number is prepared as an effect command (A4609), and an effect command setting process is performed (A4610). ). Next, the special symbol reservation number corresponding to the variable symbol determination flag is updated by -1 (A4611), and the address of the random number storage area corresponding to the variable symbol determination flag is set (A4612). Next, the random number storage area is shifted (A4613), the empty area after the shift is cleared (A4614), and the fluctuation start information setting process is ended.

By the above processing, the information regarding the start of the special figure variation display game is set. That is, the game control device 100 serves as a determination unit that determines various random number values stored in the start storage unit (game control device 100). Further, the game control device 100 constitutes a variation pattern determination means capable of determining the variation pattern of the identification information to be executed in the variable display game, based on the determination information stored in the starting memory.

Then, the information regarding the start of the special figure variation display game is later transmitted to the effect control device 300, and the effect control device 300 responds to the determined variation pattern based on the reception of the information regarding the start of the special figure variation display game. Set the detailed effect contents in the decoration display variable display game. The information about the start of the special figure variation display game includes a decoration special figure hold number command including information on the number of starting memories (holding number), a decoration special figure command including information about a stop pattern, and variation of the special figure variation display game. A variation command including information about a pattern and a stop information command including information about extending stop time are given, and the commands are transmitted to the effect control device 300 in this order. In particular, by transmitting the decorative special drawing command before the variable command, the processing in the effect control device 300 can be efficiently advanced.

[Public game processing]
Next, details of the universal figure game process (A1310) in the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the universal figure game process. In the general figure game process, the input of the gate switch 34a is monitored, the entire process relating to the general figure variation display game is controlled, the display of the general figure is set, and the like.

The game control device 100 first executes a gate switch monitoring process for monitoring the input from the gate switch 34a (A7601).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes the ordinary electric prize winning switch monitoring process of monitoring the input from the starting opening 2 switch 37a (A7602).

Next, the gaming control device 100, if the universal figure game processing timer is not 0, updates -1 (subtracts 1) (A7603). The minimum value of the universal figure game processing timer is set to 0. Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the value of the universal figure game processing timer has become 0 (A7604).

When the value of the universal figure game processing timer is 0 (the result of A7604 is “Y”), that is, when the time has expired or has already expired, the game control device 100 displays the universal figure game processing number. The universal figure game sequence branch table to be referred to for branching to the corresponding process is set in the register (A7605).

Further, the game control device 100 obtains the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the universal figure game process number based on the set universal figure game sequence branch table (A7606). Then, a subroutine call by the universal figure game process number is performed to execute a game branch process corresponding to the universal figure game process number (A7607).

When the game process number is “0” in step A7607, the game control device 100 monitors the start of fluctuation of the general figure fluctuation display game, and sets the start of fluctuation and effect setting of the general figure fluctuation display game, The ordinary figure normal process for setting information necessary for performing the ordinary figure change process is executed (A7608). Details of the normal/normal processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, when the game process number is “1” in step A7607, the game control device 100 executes the general figure changing process for setting the information necessary for performing the general figure displaying process ( A7609). For example, in the process of changing the figure, in order to shift to the process of displaying figure, the game processing number is set to "2" and saved in the figure game processing number area. Save to processing timer area.

Further, when the game process number is “2” in step A7607, if the result of the universal figure variation display game is a hit, the game control device 100 determines whether or not it is in the time saving state. The general figure display processing is executed to set the opening time and the information necessary for performing the general figure hit processing (A7610). For example, in the processing for displaying a figure, when the result of the figure changing display game is a hit, in order to shift to the processing for hitting a figure, "3" is set as the game processing number and the figure game processing number area is set. On the other hand, in the case of the loss, the game processing number is set to "0" and the game processing number is saved in the general/universal game processing number area in order to shift to the normal/universal figure normal processing.

If the game process number is “3” in step A7607, the game control device 100 sets the information necessary for continuing the process of hitting the universal figure or performing the normal ball remaining ball process. The middle process is executed (A7611). For example, in the normal figure hitting process, after setting the normal variation winning device 37 for a predetermined number of times, the game process number is set to "4" in order to shift to the normal ball remaining ball process. Save to the universal figure game processing number area.

If the game process number is "4" in step A7607, the game control device 100 executes a normal electric ball remaining ball process that sets information necessary to perform the end-of-universal figure process (A7612). ). For example, in the normal ball remaining ball process, in order to shift to the normal process per end process, "5" is set as the game process number and saved in the general figure game process number area. Save to processing timer area.

Further, when the game process number is "5" in step A7607, the game control device 100 executes the universal figure per end process for setting the information necessary for performing the ordinary figure normal process (A7608). (A7613). For example, in the universal figure ending process, in order to shift to the regular figure normal process, "0" is set as the game process number and saved in the universal figure game process number area.

After that, the game control device 100 prepares a universal figure variation control table for controlling the variation of the ordinary symbols by the universal figure display 53 (A7614). After that, the symbol variation control process relating to the control of the variation of the ordinary symbol by the universal symbol display 53 is executed (A7615), and the universal symbol game process is ended.

On the other hand, when the value of the universal figure game processing timer is not 0 (result of A7604 is “N”), that is, when the time is not up, the game control device 100 executes the processing of step A7614 and subsequent steps.

[Usually processing]
Next, details of the ordinary figure ordinary process (A7608) in the ordinary figure game process will be described. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the ordinary figure ordinary processing.

The game control device 100 first determines whether or not the universal figure reservation number is 0 (A7901). When the number of reserved universal figures is 0 (result of A7901 is “Y”), the routine setting transition processing 1 of regular figures is executed (A7923), and the regular processing of regular figures ends. In the ordinary figure normal process shift setting process 1, in order to shift to the ordinary figure normal process, "0" is set as the game process number and saved in the ordinary figure game process number area.

In addition, when the general-use figure hold number is not 0 (the result of A7901 is “N”), the game control device 100 loads the hit random number from the RWM random number storage area (for hold number 1) of the RWM, and the RWM The random number per symbol is loaded from the per symbol random number storage area (for the number of reservations 1) (A7902). Then, the random number storage area per universal figure (for holding number 1) and the random number storage area per universal figure (for holding number 1) are cleared to 0 (A7903). Furthermore, whether or not the probability that a hit result in the universal figure fluctuation display game is higher than normal is in high probability of regular figure (during high-probability state), that is, whether it is in a time-saving state (state of universal communication support). It is determined (A7904). Note that the probability of hitting a universal figure in the high probability is 250/251, and the probability of hitting a universal figure in the low probability is 0/251.

When the universal figure high probability is not in progress (the result of A7904 is "N"), the game control device 100 sets a low probability lower limit determination value (here, 251) which is the lower limit determination value in the universal figure low probability (A7905). , If the figure high probability is in progress (the result of A7904 is “Y”), the high probability lower limit determination value (here, 1) that is the lower limit determination value in the figure high probability is set (A7906), and step A7907 is executed. Move to processing.

The game control device 100 determines whether or not the hit random number is equal to or greater than the upper limit determination value (251 in this case) (A7907). It should be noted that the upper limit determination value here is common between the high probability of universal figure and the low probability of regular figure. If the hit random number is greater than or equal to the upper limit determination value (result of A7907 is “Y”), that is, if there is no match, the process proceeds to step A7909. When the hit random number is less than the upper limit judgment value (result of A7907 is "N"), it is determined whether the hit random number is less than the lower limit judgment value (A7908).

When the hit random number is less than the lower limit determination value (result of A7908 is “Y”), that is, when the hit random number is not found, the hit information is saved in the hit flag area (A7909). Further, the deviation stop symbol number is set as the universal figure stop symbol number (A7910), and the deviation symbol information is saved in the general symbol stop symbol information area (A7911), and the process proceeds to step A7915.

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

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

That is, with the execution of the universal figure fluctuation display game relating to the oldest universal figure reservation number 1, the number of the universal figure reservation numbers 2 to 4 that are on hold after the universal figure reservation number 1 is advanced one by one. By this process, the values for the number of reserved figures of 2 in the random number storage area per figure to the number of retained figures of 4 in the random number storage area per figure are moved from the number of reserved figures of 1 in the random number storage area for 3 figures Will be done. Then, the value for the number of reserved universal figures of 4 in the random number storage area per universal figure is cleared, and the number of reserved universal figures is decremented by one.

Next, the game control device 100 executes processing transition setting processing during normal figure fluctuation (A7922), and ends the normal figure normal processing. In the universal figure changing process transition setting process, in order to shift to the ordinary figure changing process, "1" is set as the game process number and saved in the universal figure game process number area. Save to the game processing timer area.

[Control of production control device]
The control (process) executed by the effect control device 300 according to the effect control program will be described below.

[Main processing (production control device)]
First, the details of the main process executed by the effect control device 300 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the main process (main program) executed by the effect control device 300. The main processing is executed by the main control microcomputer 311 (production microcomputer) when the game machine 10 is powered on. In addition, in the flowchart of the process executed by the performance control device 300, the code (number) of the step is represented as “B***”.

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

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

Then, production control device 300 clears WDT (watchdog timer) (B0008). The WDT is started by the above-mentioned CPU initial setting (B0002) and monitors whether the CPU 311 is operating normally. If the WDT is not cleared even after the lapse of a certain period, the WDT times out and the CPU 311 is reset.

After that, the production control device 300 executes an RTC reading process of reading time information from the RTC (real time clock) 338 (B0009).

In the RTC reading process, the time information may be read from the RTC 338 at a predetermined cycle (eg, every two hours), and it is not necessary to read the time information each time the process moves to step B0009. The RTC reading process may be executed only once when the effect control device 300 is powered on (that is, the game machine 10 is powered on) (for example, by changing the position of the RTC reading process, steps B0003 and B0004). May be run between). The production control device 300 sets a time timer (time measuring means) for measuring the time in the timer area in the RAM, and reads the time information from the RTC 338 only once when the time information is read from the RTC 338 at a predetermined cycle or when the power is turned on. When reading the information, the time timer (time measuring means) may be adjusted to match the time of the RTC 338. And production control device 300 may use a timer for time to execute various processes. By doing so, the number of times of processing for reading the time from the RTC 338 can be reduced, and the load on the CPU 311 is reduced.

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

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

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

Next, the production control device 300 executes the customer waiting demo editing process of editing and controlling the contents of the customer waiting demo displayed on the display device 41 (B0015), and saves the power of the gaming machine 10 waiting. A power saving control process for controlling is executed (B0016).

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

Next, the production control device 300 determines whether or not it is the frame switching timing (B0019). If it is not the frame switching timing (result of B0019 is “N”), the process of B0019 is repeated until the frame switching timing is reached. If it is frame switching timing (result of B0019 is “Y”), the display device 41 is displayed. The screen drawing is instructed (B0020). Since the frame cycle of the present embodiment is 1/30 seconds, for example, when the periodic V blank (image update) is executed twice every 1/60 seconds (1/2 of the frame cycle), the frame switching is performed. .. The image may not be updated in 1/60 seconds, and the interval may be further increased.

The effect control device 300 also executes a sound control process for controlling the sound output from the speaker 19 (B0021).

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

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

And production control device 300 will return to the processing of B0008, after finishing the processing of B0023 mentioned above. After that, the processing from B0008 to B0023 is repeated.

[Reception command check processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the details of the received command check processing (B0014) in the above-mentioned main processing (FIG. 23) will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the received command check processing executed by the production control device 300.

The production control device 300 first loads the value of the command reception counter in the command reception counter area of the RAM as the command reception number in order to check the number of commands received from the game control device 100 (B1101). Then, it is determined whether the command reception number is not 0 (B1102). If the number of received commands is 0, that is, if there is no command received from the game control device 100 (result of B1102 is “N”), there is no command to analyze, and the received command check process ends.

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

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

Rendering control device 300 determines whether or not the copying of the command for the number of received commands loaded in the process of step B1101 is completed (B1106), and when the copying is not completed (the result of B1106 is “N )), the processes of steps B1104 to B1106 are repeated.

When the effect control device 300 receives the command transmitted from the game control device 100, the content of the received command is stored in the received command buffer, and at the same time, the command reception counter value in the command reception counter area is added and updated. Although 32 commands can be stored in the received command buffer, the received command is separately analyzed in the command area for analysis. Then, when the content of the received command is copied to the analysis command area, the reception command buffer and the command reception counter value are cleared. As described above, by always allocating a free area in the received command buffer without directly analyzing it, it is possible to prepare for a large number of commands to be received.

Next, when the copying is completed (result of B1106 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 loads the command content received in the command area for analysis (B1107) and analyzes the content. The processing is executed (B1108). The details of the received command analysis processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 25. Also, the address of the command area for analysis is updated (B1109). After that, it is determined whether or not the analysis of the commands corresponding to the number of received commands loaded in the process of step B1101 is completed (B1110), and if the analysis is not completed (result of B1110 is “N”), step The processing from B1107 to B1110 is repeated. When the analysis is completed (the result of B1110 is “Y”), the received command check processing is ended.

[Reception command analysis processing]
Next, the details of the received command analysis process (B1108) in the received command check process (FIG. 24) described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the received command analysis processing executed by the production control device 300.

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

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

The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the value of the MODE part is within the range of the variable system command (B1205). The variation system command is a command for instructing a variation pattern or the like of a decorative special symbol, and there is, for example, a variation command (A3407). If the MODE part indicates a variable command (the result of B1205 is “Y”), the variable command process is executed (B1206), and the received command analysis process ends.

When the MODE part does not represent a variable system command (result of B1205 is “N”), production control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the big hit system command (B1207). The big hit system command is a command for instructing an operation (display of a fanfare screen or a round screen, etc.) related to an effect during a big hit, and for example, a fanfare command (A2610) for instructing a fanfare screen or a round screen is issued. Round command (A2611), an interval command (A2612) for instructing an interval screen, and an ending command (A2612) for instructing an ending screen. If the MODE part indicates a big hit system command (the result of B1207 is "Y"), the big hit system command process is executed (B1208), and the received command analysis process ends.

When the MODE part does not represent the big hit type command (the result of B1207 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the symbol type command (B1209). Note that the symbol-based commands include, for example, a decorative special figure command (A3403, A3503) corresponding to a stop symbol pattern. Then, when the MODE part indicates a symbol-based command (the result of B1209 is "Y"), symbol-based command processing is executed (B1210), and the received command analysis processing is ended.

When the MODE part does not represent the symbol type command (result of B1209 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the one-shot type command (B1211). If the MODE part indicates a single-shot system command (result of B1211 is “Y”), single-shot system command process is executed (B1212), and the received command analysis process is terminated.

Production control device 300, if the MODE part does not represent a one-shot system command (the result of B1211 is “N”), then the MODE part determines whether or not it is within the range of the prefetch symbol system command (B1213). .. The read-ahead symbol system command includes, for example, a read-ahead stop symbol command (A2913). Then, when the MODE part represents the prefetching symbol type command (the result of B1213 is "Y"), the prefetching symbol type command process is executed (B1214), and the received command analysis process is ended.

Production control device 300, if the MODE part does not represent the look-ahead symbol system command (the result of B1213 is "N"), then the MODE part determines whether it is in the range of the look-ahead variable system command (B1215). ). The look-ahead variation system command includes, for example, a look-ahead variation pattern command (A2913). Then, when the MODE part represents the prefetching variable system command (result of B1215 is “Y”), the prefetching variable system command process is executed (B1216), and the received command analysis process is ended.

On the other hand, if the MODE part does not represent the look-ahead variation system command (the result of B1215 is “N”), the effect control device 300 may have received an unexpected command (for example, a command used only in the test mode). Therefore, the received command analysis processing ends. Also, when the MODE part is not in the normal range (the result of B1202 is “N”), the ACTION part is not in the normal range (the result of B1203 is “N”), or when the ACTION part for the MODE part is not a correct combination ( When the result of B1204 is "N"), the received command analysis processing ends.

[Single command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 26, the details of the one-shot system command processing (B1212) in the above-described received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the procedure of single-shot system command processing executed by effect control device 300.

The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the MODE section represents a model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine (B1301). When the MODE part indicates a model designation command (result of B1301 is “Y”), model setting processing for setting the type of gaming machine is executed (B1302), and the single-shot command processing is terminated.

When the MODE part does not represent the model designation command (result of B1301 is “N”), production control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part represents a RAM initialization command (B1303). ). When the MODE part indicates a RAM initialization command (result of B1303 is “Y”), RAM initialization setting processing for notifying RAM initialization is executed (B1304), and single-shot system command processing is executed. finish.

When the MODE section does not represent the RAM initialization command (result of B1303 is “N”), production control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE section represents a power failure recovery command (B1305). ). If the MODE part indicates a power failure recovery command (result of B1305 is "Y"), power failure recovery setting processing is executed (B1306), and the single-shot system command processing ends.

When the MODE part does not represent the power failure recovery command (the result of B1305 is “N”), the production control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part represents a customer waiting demo command (B1307). .. Then, when the MODE part indicates the customer waiting demo command (the result of B1307 is "Y"), the customer waiting demo setting processing is executed (B1308), and the single shot system command processing is ended.

When the MODE part does not represent the customer waiting demo command (the result of B1307 is “N”), the effect control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part represents the decoration special figure 1 hold number command. (B1309). If the MODE part indicates the decoration special figure 1 reservation number command (result of B1309 is "Y"), the special figure 1 reservation information setting process is executed (B1310), and the single-shot system command process is ended.

If the MODE part does not represent the decoration special figure 1 hold number command (the result of B1309 is “N”), then the production control device 300 determines whether the MODE part represents the decoration special figure 2 hold number command. It is determined (B1311). When the MODE part indicates the decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (the result of B1311 is "Y"), the special figure 2 reservation information setting process is executed (B1312), and the single command system command process is ended.

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

If the MODE part does not represent the probability information command (result of B1313 is “N”), production control device 300 then determines whether or not the MODE part represents an error/illegal command ( B1315). Examples of error/illegal commands include a fraud generation command, a fraud release command, a state off command, a state on command, a magnet fraud notification command (magnetic error command), and a panel radio irregularity notification command (panel radio error command). is there. As the fraudulent occurrence command, there is a command indicating the occurrence of fraudulent winning based on the signals of the starting opening 1 switch 36a, the starting opening 2 switch 37a, the winning opening switch 35a, and the special winning opening switch 39a. The unauthorized release command is a command indicating unauthorized release. In the winning opening switch/state monitoring process (A1310), the occurrence of an illegal prize and the cancellation of the illegality are monitored, and the illegality occurrence command and the irregularity cancellation command can be transmitted. As a state-on command, a signal is generated from the glass frame opening detection switch 63 (glass frame opening error) and a signal is generated from the front frame opening detection switch 64 (body frame opening detection switch) (body frame opening error, front frame opening error). There is a command indicating a release error). The status off command indicates that no error has occurred. A state on command and a state off command may be transmitted in the winning opening switch/state monitoring process (A1310). When there is a detection (illegal magnet) from the magnetic sensor switch 61, a magnet fraud notification command is transmitted in the magnet fraud monitoring process (A1315). When there is a detection (radio wave fraud) from the radio wave sensor 62, a board radio wave fraud notification command is transmitted in the radio wave fraud monitoring process (A1316).

If the MODE part indicates an error/illegal command (result of B1315 is “Y”), an error/illegal setting process for reporting or canceling the error or fraud is executed (B1316), Terminates single-shot command processing. In the error/illegal setting process, it is set to generate a notification sound of error or fraud.

When the MODE section does not represent an error/illegal command (the result of B1315 is “N”), the MODE control section 300 then causes the MODE section to execute a command for effect mode switching (special figure displaying process). Etc.) is determined (B1317). When the MODE part indicates a command for effect mode switching (result of B1317 is “Y”), effect mode switching setting processing is executed (B1318), and the single shot system command processing ends.

If the MODE part does not represent the command for mode switching (result of B1317 is "N"), the production control device 300 next indicates whether the MODE part represents an out ball number command indicating the out ball number. It is determined whether or not (B1319). If the MODE part indicates the out-ball number command (result of B1319 is “Y”), the out-ball number receiving process is executed (B1320), and the single shot system command process is ended.

If the MODE part does not represent the out-ball number command (the result of B1319 is “N”), the production control device 300 next determines whether or not the MODE part represents a count command (special winning hole count command). It is determined (B1321). Then, when the MODE part indicates the command for counting the special winning opening switch (the result of B1321 is “Y”), the count information setting process is executed (B1322), and the single shot system command process is ended.

If the MODE part does not represent the count command (result of B1321 is “N”), production control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part represents a set value information command (probability set value information command). (B1323). The set value information command is included in the command at the time of power failure recovery in step A1046 of FIG. 6B and the command at the time of RAM initialization transmitted in the process of step A1044. When the MODE part indicates the set value information command (result of B1323 is “Y”), the set value receiving process is executed (B1324), and the single-shot system command process is ended. In the set value reception process, the set value (probability set value) is stored in a storage unit such as a RAM and necessary processing is executed.

When the MODE section does not represent the setting value information command (result of B1323 is “N”), production control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE section represents a setting change type command (B1325). As the setting change type command, for example, there is a command (A1030) during changing the probability setting. Then, when the MODE part indicates a setting change type command (result of B1325 is “Y”), the setting change type information setting process is executed (B1326), and the one-shot type command process is ended. In the setting change type information setting process, the contents of the setting change type command are stored and the process corresponding to the command is executed. For example, when the command for changing the probability setting is received, in the setting change system information setting process, a setting change display for notifying the player that the setting is being changed is displayed on the display device 41.

If the MODE part does not represent a setting change type command (result of B1325 is “N”), production control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part represents a setting confirmation type command (B1327). .. As a command for setting confirmation, for example, there is a command (A1033) during confirmation of probability setting. Then, when the MODE part indicates a command of the setting confirmation system (the result of B1327 is “Y”), the setting confirmation system information setting process is executed (B1328), and the single-shot system command process is ended. In the setting confirmation system information setting process, the contents of the setting confirmation system command are stored and the process corresponding to the command is executed. For example, when the command for confirming the probability setting is received, the setting confirmation system information setting process displays a setting confirmation display for notifying the player that the setting is being confirmed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the MODE part represents a symbol stop command (B1329). In addition, the command of the symbol stop includes, for example, a symbol stop command of the special figure 1 (decorative special figure 1 stop command) and a symbol stop command of the special figure 2 (decorative special figure 2 stop command). Then, when the MODE part represents the command of the symbol stop (the result of B1329 is “Y”), the production control device 300 next determines whether or not the command of the MODE part is a normal command ( B1330).

When the command of the MODE part is a normal command (the result of B1330 is “Y”), the effect control device 300 sets the stop mode of the corresponding special drawing (B1331), and after all the symbols stop the game. The status flag is set to the normal status (B1332), and the single-shot system command processing ends. In the process of B1332, as an example, the game state flag is set to the normal state, but the game state flag is a flag of “in change”, “in big hit”, “in small hit” depending on the timing of execution of this process. Is set.

On the other hand, when the MODE part does not represent the command to stop the symbol (result of B1329 is “N”), or when the command of the MODE part is not normal (result of B1330 is “N”), the effect control device 300 terminates the single-shot command processing.

In addition, the effect control device 300 may execute processing for commands not shown in FIG. For example, the effect control device 300 receives the start winning command from the game control device 100, which indicates that the starting winning opening 36 and/or the normal variation winning device 37 has won, and the speaker responds to the starting winning command. It may be set to generate a start winning sound that informs the player that there is a start winning.

[Read-ahead command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the details of the prefetching symbol type command process (B1214) in the above-described received command analysis process (FIG. 25) will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the prefetch symbol type command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the latest pending information is information of special figure 1 hold (special figure 1 starting memory), for example, the latest received special special figure hold number command is the decoration special figure 1 hold number. It is determined whether the command is a command (B1601). If the latest hold information is the special figure 1 hold information (the result of B1601 is “Y”), the prefetch symbol system command (prefetch stop symbol command) is placed in the special figure 1 prefetch symbol command area corresponding to the special figure 1 hold number. It is saved (B1602).

If the latest hold information is not the information on the special figure 1 hold (the result of B1601 is “N”), the effect control device 300 receives the latest decoration special figure hold number command as the decoration special figure 2 hold number command. In this case, the prefetch symbol system command (prefetch stop symbol command) is saved in the special figure 2 prefetch symbol command area corresponding to the special figure 2 reservation number (B1603).

Rendering control device 300, after steps B1602 and B1603, sets a readahead variable system command reception wait flag indicating that it is waiting to receive a readahead variable system command (B1604). This is because the pre-reading symbol system command and the pre-reading variable system command are set, so that the pre-reading variable system command is transmitted from the game control device 100 following the pre-reading symbol system command. After that, the prefetching symbol type command processing is ended.

[Prefetch variable system command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 28, the details of the prefetching variable system command process (B1216) in the above-described received command analysis process (FIG. 25) will be described. FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the look-ahead variable system command processing executed by the production control device 300.

The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the prefetch variation system command (prefetch variation pattern command) is waiting to be received (B1701). When the read-ahead variable system command reception wait flag (B1604) is set, it can be determined that the read-ahead variable system command is waiting to be received. If the prefetch variable system command is not waiting (the result of B1701 is “N”), the prefetch variable system command processing is ended. If the prefetch variable system command is waiting to be received (result of B1701 is “Y”), the prefetch variable system command reception wait flag is cleared (B1702).

Next, the production control device 300 (sub-board) sets the look-ahead variation MODE conversion table corresponding to the number of holdings of the design (special figure 1 or special figure 2) of the latest pending information (B1703), and the pre-reading variation system command An intra-sub-readahead variation command MODE part is acquired corresponding to the MODE part (B1704). Next, the look-ahead variation ACT conversion table is set (B1705), and the sub-prefetch variation command ACT section corresponding to the ACTION section (ACT section) of the look-ahead variation system command is acquired (B1706).

Next, the production control device 300 determines whether or not both of the converted MODE part and ACT part (that is, the intra-sub prefetch change command MODE part and ACT part) are other than 0 (B1707). If the command is normal (valid), it is converted to a value other than 0. If both the converted MODE part and ACT part are other than 0 (the result of B1707 is "Y"), the converted command composed of the converted MODE part and ACT part corresponds to the latest hold information and the hold number. It is saved in the pre-reading variable command area (special figure 1 pre-reading variable command area or special figure 2 pre-reading variable command area) (B1708). Then, the prefetch command consistency check process is executed (B1709), and it is determined whether or not the combination of the converted MODE part and ACT part is normal (B1710).

Note that the time of the first half fluctuation corresponding to the MODE part changes depending on the number of holds when the hold is started when the variable display game is started. When the hold starts the variable display game, if there is no other hold, the first half change becomes longer, and if a new hold occurs and the number of hold is large, the first half change becomes shorter. Therefore, even if the time value of the first-half variation is changed, the MODE part of the received prefetching variation type command is converted into the sub-internal prefetching variation command MODE section so that the internal command of the effect control device 300 can be treated the same.

Further, since the type of reach does not relate to the number of holdings, the latter half fluctuation corresponding to the in-sub prefetch change command ACT unit does not depend on the number of holdings. However, since there are different types of reach in the same system, if the production control device 300 is used as it is without converting the ACT part (value of the latter half variation) of the look-ahead variation system command, the number becomes large and the check becomes difficult. .. For example, in normal reach, there are types such as normal reach-1 stop deviation and normal reach+1 stop deviation. Therefore, by converting the ACT units showing the reach of the same system into the same sub-prefetch variable command ACT units, the number is reduced and the load of the check process such as the prefetch command consistency check process is reduced.

Next, the production control device 300 determines that at least one of the converted MODE part and ACT part (that is, the sub prefetch change command MODE part and ACT part) is 0 (the result of B1707 is “N”), or If the combination of the MODE part and the ACT part after conversion is not normal (the result of B1710 is “N”), it is determined that the command after conversion is abnormal, and the prefetch variable system command processing is ended.

When the combination of the converted MODE part and ACT part is normal (result of B1710 is “Y”), the production control device 300 loads the prefetch target hold information (latest hold information) from the preread variable command area. (B1711), the prefetch lottery process regarding the latest pending prefetch effect is executed (B1712). Examples of the prefetching effect include a continuous notice effect (including a chance eye prefetching effect), a prefetch zone effect, and a pending change notice. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the latest read-ahead look-ahead effect (holding change notice etc.) occurs (B1713). When the latest hold prefetching effect occurs (the result of B1713 is "Y"), the point information corresponding to the selected prefetching effect is set (B1714).

Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the generated look-ahead effect (holding change notice, etc.) is an effect that starts immediately (B1715). When the prefetching effect that occurs is an effect that starts immediately (the result of B1715 is “Y”), the display corresponding to the selected prefetching effect is set (B1716). When the prefetching effect that occurs is not an effect that starts immediately (the result of B1715 is “N”), the display corresponding to the prefetching effect at the time of the hold shift (when the hold display is moved, when the number of hold is decreased) is set and saved (B1717). ). Then, the prefetching variable system command processing is ended.

On the other hand, the effect control device 300, when the latest pending lookahead effect does not occur (B1713 result is "N"), or when the generated lookahead effect is not an immediate start effect (B1715 result is "N"). As it is. The prefetching variable system command processing ends.

[Design command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 29, the details of the symbol-based command processing (B1210) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a procedure of symbol-based command processing executed by the production control device 300.

The production control device 300 sets the special figure type corresponding to the MODE part of the received symbol system command (decorative special figure 1 command or decorative special figure 2 command) (B1801). The special map type is special map 1 or special map 2. Then, the symbol type corresponding to the combination of the MODE part and the ACTION part (ACT part) of the symbol system command is set and saved in a predetermined area such as a RAM (B1802). Here, in the special figure 1 and the special figure 2, since the distribution ratio of the symbols changes, the symbol type is set using the table for each MODE. In the present embodiment, the symbol type is a deviating symbol, a 4R probability variation big hit symbol (4R-A1, symbol 1), a 4R normal jackpot symbol (4R-A2, symbol 2), an 8R probability variation jackpot symbol (8R-A1, Design 3), 8R normal big hit design (8R-A2, design 4), 12R probability variation big hit design (12R-A1, design 5), 12R normal big hit design (12R-A2, design 6) it corresponds.

[Variable command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 30, details of the variable command processing (B1206) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the procedure of variable system command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

The production control device 300 determines whether or not the special figure type (special figure 1 or special figure 2) of the received variation system command (variation command) is undetermined (B1901). When the special figure type is undetermined (the result of B1901 is “Y”), the variable system command processing ends. If the special figure type is not undetermined (the result of B1901 is "N"), the combination of the received variable system command and the symbol system command is checked (B1902), and whether the variable system command and the symbol type are inconsistent or not. Is determined (B1903). Here, the inconsistency is a contradiction in performing the production, such as when a symbol system command of a big hit symbol is received although an outlying variable system command is received. When the variable type command and the symbol type are not consistent (the result of B1903 is “Y”), the variable type command processing is ended.

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

[Variation effect setting process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 31, the details of the variable effect setting process (B1905) in the above-described variable system command process (FIG. 30) will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the variable effect setting process executed by the effect control device 300.

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

When the variation pattern type is not the reachless variation (the result of B2001 is “N”), that is, when the reachable variation, the effect control device 300, the number of effect points, the model code, the special figure type, the effect mode, The first half notice distribution group address table corresponding to the symbol type and the setting information (setting value) is set (B2004), and the MODE part of the variable system command (variation command) and the first half notice distribution group table corresponding to the variation pattern type are set. The address is acquired (B2005).

After the steps B2003 and B2005, the effect control device 300 performs the lottery of the notice that appears during the first half fluctuation (before the reach) (B2006). Next, the second half notice distribution group address table corresponding to the number of production points, model code, special drawing type, production mode, symbol type, and setting information (setting value) is set (B2007), and ACT of variable system command is set. The address of the latter half notice distribution group table corresponding to the division is obtained (B2008), and the notice lottery that appears during the second half change (during reach) is performed (B2009). After that, the contents of the variation effect corresponding to the MODE part and the ACT part of the variation system command (variation command) are determined (B2010). It should be noted that the variation time command and main reach contents can be known from the variation system command.

Next, the effect control device 300 determines the content of the effect (advance effect) corresponding to the result of the advance notice lottery (B2011). After that, the stop design of the decorative special figure variable display game is determined according to the contents of the variation effect such as the reach effect and the notice effect (B2012). Here, the decorative stop design is specifically determined, such as determining the separation in the case of the outlying design.

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

The voice number and the decoration number can be set based on the setting information (setting value) as well as the effect contents. In this way, the player can enjoy inferring the setting information (setting value) of the gaming machine 10 from the light emitting mode of the decoration device, that is, the light emitting mode of the decorative light emitting unit (LED).

Next, the effect control device 300 performs display setting of the decoration special figure variation corresponding to the special figure type (B2017), and the fourth special symbol other than the above-mentioned first to third special symbols that varies on the display device 41. The display setting of the fourth symbol variation regarding (4th symbol, identification information) is performed (B2018). The fourth symbol variation may be displayed on the lamp display units 1 and 2 (LED) of the above-described lamp display device 80 provided in addition to the display device 41, or may be executed on the display screen of the display device 41. Good.

[Winning command processing]
Next, the details of the hit command processing (B1208) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the hit command processing executed by the effect control device 300.

The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the MODE part of the received hit system command represents a fanfare (B2101). If the MODE part of the hit system command indicates a fanfare (the result of B2101 is "Y"), that is, if the hit command is a big hit fanfare command (or a small hit fanfare command if there is a small hit), a fanfare effect is set. The fanfare effect setting process for executing is executed (B2102). It should be noted that the fanfare command includes information on the maximum number of rounds for this big hit. Then, the fan state is set to the game state flag showing the current game state (P machine state) of the game machine 10 (B2103), and the hit system command processing is ended. The upper limit number of rounds can also be obtained from the symbol type determined from the symbol system command (decorative special command corresponding to the stop symbol pattern).

If the MODE part of the received hit command does not represent fanfare (the result of B2101 is “N”), production control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part of the hit command represents a round ( B2104). When the MODE part indicates a round (the result of B2104 is “Y”), that is, when the hit system command is a round command (or a small hit opening command if there is a small hit), the effect control device 300 makes the round effect. The setting process is executed, the game state flag indicating the current game state (P machine state) of the game machine 10 is set to "round" (B2105, B2106), and the hit system command process is ended.

When the MODE part of the received hit command does not represent a round (the result of B2104 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part of the hit command indicates an interval ( B2107). When the MODE part indicates an interval (the result of B2107 is “Y”), that is, when the hit system command is an interval command, the effect control device 300 executes the interval effect setting process, and the current game of the gaming machine 10 is executed. The interval state is set to the game state flag indicating the state (P machine state) (B2108, B2109), and the hit command processing is ended. (Note that there is no interval command when there is a small hit and the big winning opening is opened only once in the small hit, that is, when the small hit is one round.)

When the MODE part of the received hit system command does not indicate the interval (the result of B2107 is “N”), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part of the hit system command indicates the ending ( B2110). When the MODE part indicates the ending (the result of B2110 is “Y”), that is, when the hit system command is the ending command (or the small hit end screen command if there is a small hit), the effect control device 300 determines the ending effect. The ending effect setting process for setting is executed, the ending state is set in the game state flag indicating the current game state (P machine state) of the gaming machine 10 (B2111, B2112), and the hit system command processing is ended. ..

If the MODE part of the received hit system command does not indicate the ending (the result of B2110 is “N”), the effect control device 300 ends the hit system command process without executing any process. To do.

[Structure of sound source LSI]
Next, the configuration of the sound source LSI 314 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the tone generator LSI 314. The sound source LSI 314 stores information (phrase data, sound source data, voice data) of sound sources such as various melody (songs) and sound effects (error notification sound, start winning award sound) related to the performance in the decoder unit 721 (sound source). A sound source generating means for generating a sound by assigning it to a channel of the reproducing means). The sound source reproducing means may include a mixer unit 731 (described later), an amplifier circuit 337, and a speaker 19 in addition to the decoder unit 721.

The tone generator LSI 314 follows a CPU I/F 701 (CPU interface) as an interface with the main control microcomputer 311, a command storage unit 702 (command register) in which control commands are written, and various commands stored in the command storage unit 702. A sound processing control module 703 (sound control module) for collectively controlling the processing operation for producing sound data. Further, the sound source LSI 314 includes a main generator 704 that performs a process of generating an audio signal from audio data, a multi-effector 705 that processes a process of an audio signal generated by the main generator 704, and a sound processed by the multi-effector 705. And an audio signal I/F 706 for supplying a signal to the amplifier circuit 337. The audio processing control module 703, the main generator 704, and the multi-effector 705 are connected to the audio ROM 327 via a memory I/F 707 (memory interface).

The sound source LSI 314 is connected to the audio ROM 327 as shown in FIG. In the voice ROM 327, information about voice sources such as various melody (songs) and sound effects according to the rendering mode (sound output mode) of the gaming machine 10 may be voice data (hereinafter referred to as “phrase data”). ) Is stored.

The main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300 sets a phrase number (that is, a voice number) of voice data (phrase data) used in various effects of one special figure variation display game according to each effect. It is possible (B2016 of the variation effect setting process). In addition, the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 starts the phrase number and start as a start setting for starting the reproduction of the phrase of the phrase number (that is, a voice number, a plurality of) corresponding to the various effects at the execution timing of the various effects. Necessary information such as a command is written in the register of the command storage unit 702 (sound control processing of B0021). The start command is, for example, a command indicating a virtual track number x (a command to a register QTRK described later), a command to set reproduction (a value of a register QPLAY_x described later=1), and the like. The virtual track number x may be selected in ascending order of the number of available virtual tracks (unused virtual tracks). Further, both the tone generator LSI 314 and the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 can appropriately set the virtual track number x (command to the register QTRK).

The sound source LSI 314 can configure a plurality of "virtual tracks", and a plurality of channels of a sound source reproducing means such as a decoder unit 721 and a mixer unit 731 for reproducing phrase data relating to the performance on the "virtual tracks". One of the channels (for example, the channel of the decoder unit 721 and the input channel of the mixer unit 731) is assigned and the process of reproducing the phrase data is performed.

The “virtual track” is virtually constructed by a register (memory) such as a command storage unit 702 that stores various commands for executing reproduction of phrase data of the audio ROM 327, and a reproduction mode of phrase data. It is composed of a control command and the like for designating. The control command is composed of a command that determines the phrase number of the phrase to be reproduced. In the present embodiment, the sound source LSI 314 can construct a maximum of 128 virtual tracks.

The details of each component of the tone generator LSI 314 will be described below.

[CPU I/F (CPU interface)]
The CPU I/F 701 sends and receives various control commands and status information between the main control microcomputer 311 and the sound source LSI 314. The CPU I/F 701 is configured to support a plurality of read/write methods. As the read/write system, for example, either a parallel interface or an asynchronous serial interface can be used.

[Command storage section (command register)]
The command storage unit 702 includes a register group used in the audio processing control module 703, the main generator 704, the multi-effector 705, and the like. The register includes a control register for transmitting and receiving control commands via the audio processing control module 703, and a register for storing status information and flags from the audio processing control module 703, the main generator 704, and the multi-effector 705. The control command stored in the control register can be written not only from inside the sound source LSI 314 (especially the voice processing control module 703) but also from the main control microcomputer 311 as necessary.

A plurality of banks are set in the address space of the command storage unit 702. In this embodiment, seven banks (register banks 0 to 6) are set.

In the CPU I/F 701, when the parallel interface is selected, the plurality of register banks are the register banks to which the registers related to the processing for reproducing the phrase data are assigned (for example, the register banks 0 to 5). , A register bank (for example, register bank 6) relating to control of interrupt processing different from the phrase data reproduction processing. The information to the control register of the register bank 6 is not stored in the FIFO (queue) and can be directly read/written by the audio processing control module 703.

Further, when the serial interface is selected, the information to all the control registers at the time of data reading is sent from the main control microcomputer 311 and then temporarily stored in the FIFO by the audio processing control module 703. Similarly, at the time of data reading, the audio processing control module 703 temporarily stores the data in the FIFO and then transfers it to the main control microcomputer 311.

An example of the register stored in the command storage unit 702 will be described later.

[Voice processing control module (sound control module)]
The voice processing control module 703 includes a collective control unit 711 (collective controller) and an operation control unit 712 (sequencer unit) as functional blocks, and controls reproduction according to a plurality of set phrase reproduction orders. Although the collective control unit 711 and the operation control unit 712 are composed of arithmetic processing circuits and the like, they do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one with the physical configuration and are composed of the same arithmetic processing circuits and the like in duplicate. Good.

The collective control unit 711 sequentially reads the collective control code (DBC) registered in the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327. The DBC is a command that collectively sets a plurality of registers in the command storage unit 702 and controls the operation control unit 712. The DBC data is registered in an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 in association with the DBC code.

The collective control unit 711 reads the DBC from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 and stores it in the command storage unit 702.

In this embodiment, a maximum of 8192 DBCs can be registered in the voice ROM 327. The collective control unit 711 can read up to four different arbitrary DBCs at a time from these 8192 DBCs, and can simultaneously execute the commands set in the four DBCs.

The operation control unit 712 is a sequencer, and realizes an automatic performance function that performs sound generation processing based on a command set in the command storage unit 702. A plurality of operation control units 712 are provided, read the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code from the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327, and write the designated sequence data at the address of the register designated by the sequence code. In this embodiment, a 16-channel sequencer (operation control unit 712) can be provided.

The sequence code includes designation of sound generation for starting/stopping playback of phrase data and designation of timing for register setting. Reproduction of the designated phrase data is executed based on the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code.

In this embodiment, a maximum of 8192 sequence codes can be registered in the voice ROM 327. The collective control unit 711 can set the reproduction order of eight different arbitrary sequences at the maximum from these 8192 sequence codes. Sequence means phrase reproduction corresponding to one sequence code.

The operation control unit 712, based on the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code received from the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707, performs phrase reproduction processing, audio volume adjustment and pan processing, effect processing, pause processing. / It is possible to control a sound reproduction process such as a resume, an infinite loop, a frequency setting loop. Therefore, the sequence data includes the phrase number of the phrase to be reproduced, the virtual track number (virtual track number), the volume (volume) data, and the like.

[Main generator]
The main generator 704 can be used for a music reproduction, a sound effect, etc. in the generated audio signal, and a decoder unit 721 that generates an audio signal from the information (phrase data, audio source data, audio data) of the audio source for which reproduction is designated. A tone generation unit 722 (tone generator unit) that generates a periodic waveform is provided as a functional block. The main generator 704 generates an audio signal from the phrase data. The decoder unit 721 and the tone generation unit 722 are composed of an arithmetic processing circuit and the like, but they do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one with the physical configuration, and may be redundantly composed of the same arithmetic processing circuit and the like. Good.

The main generator 704, according to the setting contents of the control register of the command storage unit 702, starts playback, stops playback, pauses, plays halfway from the pause position, repeats playback (loop playback), plays fade-out, phrase data of the phrase data. Switching processing, monaural reproduction, stereo reproduction, continuous reproduction, and error handling processing can be executed.

The decoder unit 721 decodes encoded phrase data (for example, compressed phrase data), and has a predetermined number (up to 32) of channels corresponding to the phrase data to be decoded. The decoder unit 721 has a maximum of 32 channels and is capable of simultaneously reproducing phrase data of 32 channels. In the dynamic allocation described below, the channel to be used (for example, 6 channels) can be appropriately set from the 32 channels.

The tone generator 722 generates a periodic signal in which a waveform “type” such as a sine wave, a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave, and a rectangular wave, a waveform “amplitude”, and a “frequency” are determined in accordance with a command from the main control microcomputer 311. To generate.

The tone generation unit 722 can generate a plurality of tones (monotone) based on the generated periodic signal. The tone generation unit 722 is capable of performing mix processing, effect processing, and the like for audio reproduction of 16 channels at the maximum. As a result, the sound source LSI 314 can simultaneously perform reproduction of a plurality of sound sources (tone generation).

In the fixed allocation described below, the virtual track and the channels (maximum 16) of the tone generation unit 722 are not allocated to the tone generation unit 722, and the tone generation unit 722 does not use the tone (only in the dynamic allocation described below). Can be generated.

When reproduction is selected by the control parameter from the main control microcomputer 311, the tone generator 722 selects one of the 32 mixing channels to be subjected to mixing processing and effect processing, as in the case of phrase data. Treated as a minute. In addition, playback start, playback pause, and playback resume are set.

Further, the tone generation section 722 has a normal operation of reproducing a sound control code supplied from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 and an operation when there is no external ROM. In normal operation, 16 tones can be generated by a sound control code (SCC) downloaded from an external ROM such as a voice ROM 327 in which phrase data is stored.

In the present embodiment, the tone generation unit 722 is used only in a special case such as at the time of booting (when the sound source LSI 314 is started, when the power of the effect control device 300 is turned on), and is basically treated as an unused unit. ..

The main generator 704 further sets the information of the sound source to be reproduced (phrase data, sound source data, audio data) in each of the plurality of virtual tracks, and the virtual track in which the information of the sound source to be reproduced is set is a sound source reproducing means (decoder). A dynamic allocation unit 723 that dynamically allocates a virtual track to a channel of a sound source reproducing unit (decoder unit 721, etc.). Below, the channel of the decoder 721 (sound source reproducing means) is referred to as a reproduction channel. Further, the function of dynamic allocation may be referred to as a ZAQ function. The dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 may be provided in the voice processing control module 703 instead of the main generator 704. The dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 form an allocation unit 725.

The dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 are composed of arithmetic processing circuits and the like, but they do not necessarily have to have a one-to-one correspondence with the physical configuration, and are composed of the same arithmetic processing circuits and the like in duplicate. May be. The allocation unit 725 may have both the dynamic allocation function and the fixed allocation function without distinguishing between the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724.

Note that the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 are alternatively enabled, and when one is enabled, the other is disabled and does not function. Information on which of the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 is to be validated is stored in a memory (storage unit) such as the voice ROM 327. The main generator 704 (which may be the voice processing control module 703) reads information as to which of the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 is to be activated, and then the main generator 704 of the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724. Enable one. The main control microcomputer 311 may instruct the sound source LSI 314 with a control command which of the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 is to be enabled depending on the situation.

-Dynamic allocation unit The operation of the dynamic allocation unit 723 will be described below. The dynamic allocation unit 723 uses a predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks from 128 (N) virtual tracks. The dynamic allocation unit 723 dynamically allocates and uses virtual tracks to a predetermined number (M) of reproduction channels from the maximum 32 reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721. The dynamic allocation unit 723 extracts reproduction channels that do not contribute to phrase reproduction from the reproduction channels assigned by the decoder unit 721. Of the playback channels that are assigned and can be used, those that do not contribute to phrase playback are called “unused playback channels”. The number of virtual tracks (N) is larger than the number of reproduction channels (M≦32) of the decoder unit 721.

Further, the dynamic allocation unit 723 refers to a register (for example, ZAQSET_TRK_x described later) that specifies a range (use target area) of virtual track numbers of virtual tracks to be used from 128 virtual tracks (virtual track area). , A predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks are used as target areas. The dynamic allocation unit 723 refers to a register (for example, ZAQSET_DECCH_x described later) that specifies a predetermined number (M) of reproduction channels from the maximum 32 reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721 and refers to a predetermined number (M). ) Playback channel. In the present embodiment, for simplification, the dynamic allocation unit 723 uses 6 reproduction channels by allocating virtual tracks (M=6). This is associated with six output channels (EL0, ER0, EL1, ER1, ZUB0, ZUB1 described later) from the mixer unit 731, but the dynamic allocation unit 723 uses six reproduction channels. Other than the above (for example, less than 6 or the maximum number of 32 may be used).

As an example, the dynamic allocation unit 723 can operate in the following five modes #1 to #5.

(Dynamic allocation mode #1)
When the start command (start setting information) for starting the reproduction of the phrase data (voice data) is written in the command storage unit 702, the dynamic allocation unit 723 causes the main generator 704 to determine if there is an unused reproduction channel. , Assign a virtual track for playback to an unused playback channel. Further, if there is no unused reproduction channel, the dynamic allocation unit 723 forcibly stops the reproduction of the phrase data being reproduced, releases the reproduction channel, and sets a virtual track to be reproduced in the released reproduction channel. assign.

As an example of allocation processing when there is no unused playback channel, if a virtual track with a number greater than the virtual track number for which the phrase data playback start command is set is being played back, the virtual data with this higher number is used. The playback of the phrase data set for the track is forcibly stopped, the playback channel assigned to this virtual track is released, and the virtual track for which a new playback start command has been set is released and becomes unused. Assign to playback channel. As a result, the reproduction of the phrase data set in the virtual track for which the reproduction start is newly designated is started. The virtual track forcibly stopping the reproduction of the phrase data does not have to be a virtual track having a number larger than the number of the virtual track for which a new reproduction start command is set.

When there is no unused reproduction channel, the dynamic allocation unit 723 may not reproduce the phrase data set in the virtual track for which the reproduction start command is designated as a reproduction channel allocation error. Similarly, when there is no unused reproduction channel and there is no virtual track that can be forcibly stopped, the phrase data set in the virtual track for which the reproduction start command is designated may not be reproduced. As a result, the phrase data being reproduced is not forcibly stopped, and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

(Dynamic allocation mode #2)
Subsequently, the dynamic allocation mode #2 in the dynamic allocation unit 723 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram for explaining the allocation operation in the dynamic allocation unit 723. The dynamic allocation unit 723 classifies L virtual tracks out of 128 (N) virtual tracks as use target areas that are allocation target areas to the channels of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproducing unit). Further, virtual tracks other than the use target area (128-L) are classified as the non-use area. Then, the dynamic allocation unit 723 sets the information of the sound source of the sound (phrase data, sound source data, sound data) in the virtual track of the use target area. The number of virtual tracks (L) forming the use target area is set to be equal to or less than the number of channels (M, for example, 6) of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproducing means) (L≦M).

As a result, the number of channels (M) of the decoder section 721 (sound source reproducing means) does not become insufficient for L virtual tracks of the use target area, and the reproduction of phrase data is not forcibly stopped. .. The dynamic allocation mode #2 is a channel of the decoder section 721 (sound source reproducing means) under a predetermined condition, for example, when the phrase data (voice data) is used for generating an error or an illegal notification sound. Can be used to prevent the shortage of the number (M).

In the gaming machine 10, when an error/illegitimate is detected, as an error/illegal command, for example, a fraud command, a fraud cancellation command, a state off command, a state on command, a magnet fraud notification command (magnetic By issuing an error command), a board radio wave irregularity notification command (board radio wave error command), and the like, and executing an error/illegal setting process (B1316), an error or illegal notification sound is generated.

For example, the dynamic assigning unit 723 does not use all of the maximum 128 virtual tracks, but sets the number of available playback channels (M, for example, 6 channels) of the decoder unit 721 (sound source playback unit). Corresponding continuous virtual tracks (six) are set as use target areas (example of FIG. 34A). The dynamic allocation unit 723 may set discontinuous virtual tracks in the virtual track area as the usage target area (example of FIG. 34B).

The dynamic allocation unit 723 sets the number of virtual tracks (L) forming the use target area to at most the same number as the number of reproduction channels (M) of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproduction unit). Also, the playback channel is set to be released after the playback of the phrase data that is already being played (called the first-arrival phrase) is completed. In this case, when a playback start command for new phrase data (called a second-arrival phrase) is set in the virtual track, the playback channels that have been played back are released in order, and playback channels that have been played back are released. The last-arrival phrase is assigned. Therefore, in the dynamic allocation mode #2, the phrase data is not forcibly stopped during the reproduction.

(Dynamic allocation mode #3)
When the number of reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721 is changed, the dynamic allocation unit 723 changes the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area according to the changed number of reproduction channels. .. In this mode, for example, when the number of reproduction channels contributing to the reproduction is smaller than the setting due to a failure of the speaker 19 or the like, the number of virtual track areas of the use target area is also reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first-arrival phrase being reproduced is forcibly stopped and the second-arrival phrase is started to be reproduced because the number of virtual track regions in the target region exceeds the number of reproduction channels. ..

(Dynamic allocation mode #4)
The dynamic allocation unit 723 sets the number of reproduction channels capable of reproducing the sound source according to the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area set in the virtual track area. In this mode, virtual tracks are assigned to reproduction channels (M) that are less than the number of reproduction channels (32) that can be used by the decoder unit 721, and are used for performance when audio is currently generated. The number of playback channels (M) to which the virtual track is assigned is increased, for example, when the type of sound source used for a melody or a sound effect (that is, the number of phrase data) suddenly increases. As a result, when the number of virtual tracks forming the target area of the virtual track area exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use, the first-arrival phrase being played is forcibly stopped and the second-arrival phrase is played. It is possible to prevent the situation from being started.

(Dynamic allocation mode #5)
The dynamic allocation unit 723 changes the sound source information (phrase data, sound source data, sound data) in accordance with the number (L) of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area. In this mode, for example, when audio is currently generated by using the reproduction channels (M) less than the number of reproduction channels (32) that can be reproduced by the decoder unit 721, information about the sound source (phrase The number of data, sound source data, and audio data) is limited to match the number (L) of virtual tracks forming the use target area of the virtual track area. The dynamic allocation unit 723 or the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300 limits the number of pieces of sound source information (the number of phrase numbers). As a result, when the number of virtual tracks exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use, the first-arriving phrase being played is forcibly stopped by the last-arriving phrase, and the second-arriving phrase is started to play. It can be prevented.

-Fixed allocation unit The fixed allocation unit 724 uses only a predetermined number of virtual tracks out of a maximum of 128 virtual tracks, and fixes the reproduction channel allocation of the decoder unit 721 to the predetermined number of virtual tracks (fixed allocation). mode). In the present embodiment, for simplification, the fixed allocation unit 724 allocates and uses virtual tracks for six playback channels, and therefore the number of allocable virtual tracks when operating in the fixed allocation mode is set to six. Has been done. That is, in the present embodiment, the fixed allocation unit 724 allocates six reproduction channels to the six virtual tracks on a one-to-one basis.

Whether to use the dynamic allocation mode or the fixed allocation mode described above may be set by the main control microcomputer 311 of the effect control device 300 in the hall/player setting mode (B0011). Further, the above-described dynamic allocation modes #3, #4, and #5 are executed by a control command from the main control microcomputer 311, and even if the virtual track number of the use target area is set by the main control microcomputer 311. Good.

[Multi-effector]
The multi-effector 705 performs mixing processing and effect processing on the audio signal from the main generator 704, and outputs the processed audio signal to the audio signal I/F 706. As shown in FIG. 33, the multi-effector 705 includes a mixer unit 731 that mixes an audio signal from the main generator 704 and a digital audio input signal, and an effector unit 732 that performs various effect processes.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a basic signal flow of the multi-effector 705. Each function of the multi-effector 705 is realized by each configuration shown in FIG. The multi-effector 705 includes an input selector 751, mixers 752, 754, 756 and 758, an insertion Gx block (IGX) 753, a send/return Gx block (SRGX) 755, and a master Gx block (MGX) 757. .. The mixer unit 731 is composed of a plurality of mixers 752, 754, 756, 758. The effector section 732 is composed of IGX753, SRGX755, and MGX757.

The IGX 753 applies effect processing to the audio signal of a single phrase. The SRGX 755 performs effect processing on a signal mixed on the Gx bus that is a bus for effect processing. The MGX 757 has a 3-band equalizer 361, an acoustic total linear equalizer 362, and a compressor 363. The acoustic total linear equalizer 362 has a function of correcting the acoustic characteristics of the sound system of the gaming machine 10, and can correct the amplitude and phase of the audio signal. Further, the acoustic total linear equalizer 362 can reduce the distortion of the phase and bring the amplitude characteristic close to a flat value in accordance with the phase characteristic and the amplitude characteristic of the housing of the gaming machine 10.

With the configuration shown in FIG. 35, the multi-effector 705 has a channel mix function in the mixer section 731 and the effector section 732 for mixing the audio signals reproduced in the reproduction channels, and sets a reproduction volume for each phrase data set in the virtual track. The channel volume function, the function to adjust the volume balance (called panpot) in the horizontal and vertical directions during phrase data playback, the function to adjust the level to the Gx bus for effect processing, and the audio from all playback channels It is possible to execute the total volume adjustment function after mixing.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow of the channel volume function and the pan pot function in the mixer unit 731 (particularly, the mixers 752 and 754). The mixer unit 731 inputs a maximum of 32 channels from the audio signals of the decoder unit 721, the tone generation unit 722, and the audio input, mixes them into 6 channels, and outputs the audio signals of EL0, ER0, EL1, ER1, ZUB0, and ZUB1. It can be output as a signal. EL0, ER0, EL1 and ER1 are signals that assume the sound image localization of the upper, lower, left and right sides by four speakers, and ZUB0 and ZUB1 are two monaural signals. For example, the audio output signals of EL0, ER0, EL1, and ER1 are respectively processed in the subsequent stages (mixers 756, 758, MGX757, etc.), and then left upper speaker 19a, right upper speaker 19a, and left lower speaker. 19b, the lower right speaker 19b outputs the sound. Further, for example, ZUB0 and ZUB1 will be output as sound from the left and right upper speakers 19a or the left and right lower speakers 19b after being subjected to the subsequent processing. A dedicated speaker may be provided for ZUB0 and ZUB1.

The signal input to the mixer unit 731 is distributed to 6 signals by various channel volume (primary volume, secondary volume, ZUB0 volume, ZUB1 volume) and pan pots (left and right pans, up and down pans) up, down, left and right, It is mixed as a 6-channel audio signal of EL0, ER0, EL1, ER1, ZUB0, ZUB1.

In the panpot function, a four-channel mode assuming sound image localization by four speakers and a three-channel mode assuming sound image localization by three speakers are set. The mixer unit 731 can be connected to the effector unit 732, and input/output signals are exchanged between the mixer unit 731 and the effector unit 732. When the Gx bus is used as the effect processing bus, the signal input to the mixer unit 731 is divided into four signals according to the send level sent to the Gx bus, and the signals of four channels of the Gx buses 0 to 3 are obtained. To be mixed.

[Voice signal I/F (digital audio interface)]
The audio signal I/F 706 is connected to the amplifier circuit 337 and outputs the audio signal from the multi-effector 705 to the amplifier circuit 337 as a digital audio signal. The audio signal I/F 706 inputs a digital audio signal via an audio device such as a codec (not shown). In this embodiment, 24-bit/maximum 6-channel digital audio signals can be input/output.

[Memory I/F (memory interface)]
The memory I/F 707 is capable of accessing phrase data, sequence data, DBC, as well as an external memory that stores data necessary for sound source sound control in the sound source LSI 314. The external memory includes an external ROM such as a voice ROM 327.

[Description of Registers Set in Each Configuration of Sound Source LSI]
Next, an example of the register of the command storage unit 702 for operating the tone generator LSI 314 will be described. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of registers stored in one register bank of the command storage unit 702. The register value (control command or the like) can be set by the tone generator LSI 314 itself or by the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300.

In the register bank shown in FIG. 37, W indicates writable, and R indicates readable. In addition, a black circle in the SeqW column indicates a register writable by the operation control unit 712. Similarly, a ● in the IndW column indicates a register in which the write value is independent by the write path. In the TG column, a black circle represents a register that can be accessed for writing in the tone generation unit 722 at the time of booting (when the tone generator LSI 314 is activated and when the effect control device 300 is powered on). Registers without  in the TG indicate that they can be read at boot but cannot be written to change their values. The RB column indicates the register bank number.

QN_xy represents the phrase number register. In QN_xy, x represents a virtual track number (virtual track number), and y represents a sequential number which is a reproduction order when phrases are continuously reproduced. The phrase data of the number designated in this register is selected from a maximum of 8192 phrases registered in the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 and reproduced in the virtual track of the number x according to the sequential number y.

QL_xy represents a phrase loop register. The number of times the phrase data designated by this register is looped (the number of times the reproduction is repeated) is set.

BP0_x represents a panpot register that sets the volume balance in the left-right direction when the phrase data is reproduced.

BP1_x represents a panpot register for setting the volume balance in the vertical direction when reproducing phrase data.

BV1_x represents a volume register for setting a primary volume when reproducing phrase data.

BV2_x represents a volume register for setting a secondary volume when reproducing phrase data.

BV3_x and BV4_x represent registers for setting a sub volume when reproducing phrase data.

EARGAIN_x represents an ear gain register for setting the gain of the ear component when the virtual surround function is used.

GXBUS0V_x, GXBUS1V_x, GXBUS2V_x, GXBUS3V_x, EARGAIN_x, and SW3DPAN_x represent registers for setting the process in the multi-effector 705.

LOOQ_x represents a register for setting a playback operation of continuously playing back the phrase specified by QN_xy by the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x by loop playing the number of times LOOQ_x.

PVUP_x is a register for volume setting and pan setting. When it is 1, the setting of each register related to volume setting and pan setting is validated. When PVUP_x=1 is set, QL_xy, BP0_x, BP1_x, BV1_x, BV2_x, BV3_x, BV4_x, GXBUS0V_x, GXBUS1V_x, GXBUS3V_x, GXBUS3V_x, GXBUS3V_x, GXBUS3V_x, SWGO3Q_Q, GWBUS3V_x, EARBUSINQ, and EARBUSINVQ. Captured (set) in the virtual track of x.

A virtual track number (number x) is designated in QTRK. When registering a stereo phrase, data is designated to the nth track of the QTRK and the (n+1)th virtual track of the QTRK. Therefore, QTRK=127 cannot be specified in the case of phrase data to be reproduced in stereo.

QPLAY_x represents a register for setting that the phrase specified by QN_xy is continuously reproduced by the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x in the virtual track of the virtual track number x. When 1 is written in the QPLAY_x register, the phrase specified by QN_xy is continuously reproduced by the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x in the virtual track of the number x specified by QTRK.

QPLAY_PRI represents a register for setting prioritization of reproduction of either the first-arrival phrase that is already being reproduced or the last-arrival phrase that has been instructed this time. When the virtual track with the virtual track number x is being played when the phrase playback start command is issued by the QPLAY_x register, and when 1 is specified in QPLAY_PRI, for example, the last-arriving phrase is played with priority. be able to.

PNRCL reflects the setting of the virtual track indicated by QTRK in the register. In the case of 1, the values of QNUM_x, QPLAY_PRI, and QPLAY_x are ignored.

QNUM_x represents a register for designating the number of phrases to be continuously reproduced. For example, when the value of QNUM_x is 1, the phrases specified by QN_x0 and QN_x1 are continuously reproduced. For example, when the value of QNUM_x is 7, the eight phrases specified by QN_x0...QN_x7 are continuously reproduced.

TVx represents a register for setting the total volume of output audio.

3CH represents a register for setting the switching of the pan mode. When 3CH=1, the L1/R1 panpot (volume balance) is fixed in the middle, and when 3CH=0, the L1/R1 panpot reflects the contents of the BP0_x register.

ECLR represents a register for setting the ear gain setting to an initial value. When ECLR=1, the EARGAIN setting of all virtual tracks is set to the initial value.

BCLR represents a register for setting the bus setting to an initial value. When BCLR=1, the Gx bus settings of all virtual tracks are set to initial values.

SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRTM_x, and SRSC_x represent registers for setting control of sequence reproduction. Here, x is a sequence system number (sequencer number, 0 to 15) that is a sequencer channel number, and y is a sequential number.

SRCN_xy represents a register that sets a sequence code. One code selected from the maximum 8192 codes registered in the external ROM is set.

SRCL_xy represents a register for setting the number of loops for repeating each sequence (each sequence code).

SRLT_x represents a register that sets the number of loops of the entire sequence.

TRG_x represents a register for setting the validity/invalidity of the off-trigger of the sequence x, and 1 is set valid and 0 is set invalid. Off-triggering is a process of stopping the progress of steps in a sequence until a specific virtual track is stopped.

SROT_x represents a register that sets an off-trigger channel of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). For example, SROT_x may store the virtual track number of the particular virtual track mentioned above that corresponds to an off trigger.

SRTM_x represents a register for setting the timer value of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). When the timer value SRTM_x=0, the sequence step (sequence code step) is advanced.

SRSC_x represents a register that sets a stop channel of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). SRSC_x is used for stopping and restarting playback for each sequencer channel at the same timing for virtual tracks. The value of the SRSC_x register is used to specify the virtual track of interest. A bit in the SRSC_x register corresponds to each virtual track. Virtual tracks whose bit is 0 are not targeted. One virtual track is the target of the stop channel function. When the sequencer is stopped or paused, the playback of each virtual track designated by SRSC_x=1 is stopped or paused. When the sequencer is restarted, the virtual tracks specified by SRSC_x=1 are restarted.

SRRCL represents a register for setting the current value of the register to reflect the internal setting of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer) having the number x indicated by SRCH.

SRCH represents a register for designating in which system (sequencer channel) the sequence is executed in the operation control unit 712 having 16 systems (16 channels). The SRCH specifies a sequence system number x (sequencer number, 0 to 15) which is a sequencer channel number.

SRS_x represents a register for setting playback start, pause, end, and playback restart of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). 0 is the end, 1 is the reproduction start, 2 is the pause, and 3 is the reproduction restart.

SRNUM_x is a register for setting a value n, and setting for continuous sequence reproduction from SRCN_x0 to SRCN_n only in the range (y=0 to n) designated by SRNUM_x.

ZAQSET_TRK_x represents a register for setting the range of virtual track numbers used in dynamic allocation. In the dynamic allocation mode #2 (described above), this range of virtual track numbers may be used as a use target area including a predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks, but if the use target area is set separately, This range of virtual track numbers may be set from the target area.

ZAQSET_DECCH_x represents a register for setting the number of decoder channels (channel number (M) of the decoder unit 721) used in dynamic allocation. For example, the number of decoder channels M is 6.

ZAQSETCH represents a ZAQ set number x for executing dynamic allocation, that is, a register for setting a ZAQ set setting channel. ZAQSET_TRK_x and ZAQSET_DECCH_x when ZAQSETCH is written are taken in as values of ZAQ set x indicated by ZAQSETCH.

As the ZAQ set 0, allocation of virtual tracks and channels (decoder channels: 32 at maximum) may be set for the decoder unit 721. For example, in the present embodiment, virtual tracks 0 to 127 and reproduction channels 0 to 5 are allocated to the ZAQ set 0 in the dynamic allocation mode #1. In the dynamic allocation mode #2, virtual tracks 0 to 4 and reproduction channels 0 to 5 are allocated to the ZAQ set 0, for example. In the dynamic allocation, the virtual tracks may be divided into up to 16 groups and controlled (ZAQ sets 0 to 15 can be used).

The ZAQ set can also be used to set the virtual track and channel (tone channel: maximum 16, audio input: maximum 6) allocation for the tone generator 722 and audio input. For example, as the ZAQ set 1, allocation of virtual tracks and tone channels (up to 16) may be set for the tone generation unit 722. As described above, since the audio signal input of the mixer unit 731 has a maximum of 32 channels (FIG. 36), the tone generator 722 and the audio input can use a channel that is not used as a decoder channel among these 32 channels. , 128 virtual tracks not used for phrase playback can be used.

On the other hand, in the fixed allocation, as an example, virtual tracks 0 to 5 and reproduction channels 0 to 5 are allocated to the ZAQ set 0. As another example, virtual tracks 0 to 31 and reproduction channels 0 to 31 are assigned to ZAQ set 0. For this reason, with fixed allocation, it is not possible to allocate playback channels to the tone generator 722 (virtual tracks 106 to 121) and audio input (virtual tracks 122 to 127).

DBCN_x represents a register for setting a collective control code (DBC) to be executed.

SAT_x represents a register for setting a timer function for putting the DBC in a waiting state.

SA_STS_x represents a register for setting the execution status of a maximum of four DBCs to be executed, 0 indicates stop or temporary stop, and 1 indicates that execution is in progress.

RB is a register for setting a register bank number.

"DEVEN" represents a device enable, and is a register for setting whether or not a command is valid for the tone generator LSI 314.

The ID is the ID of the sound source LSI 314, and is used by the main control microcomputer 311 to read the ID of the sound source LSI 314.

[Operation of sound source LSI]
The sound source LSI 314 has the configuration shown in FIG. 33, and when a command such as a control command is set in the command storage unit 702 described above, voice generation processing by a phrase reproduction function, a sequential phrase reproduction function, a sequence reproduction function, etc. is executed. It is possible. Further, it is possible to perform sound generation processing by a tone generation function, a mixer function, an effector function, etc. on the sound signal generated by these sound generation processing.

The sequence reproduction function and phrase reproduction function will be described below. The phrase reproduction function includes a sequential phrase reproduction function.

Sequence Playback Function The sound source LSI 314 can perform automatic performance by controlling the phrase playback function, volume/pan, effect function, etc., according to the sequence data registered in the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327, by the operation control unit 712. .. Further, the tone generator LSI 314 can also perform chain reproduction of a plurality of sequences (sequence chain function). The sequence reproduction can simultaneously execute up to 16 systems (16 channels).

In the sequence reproduction function, the operation control unit 712 reads the sequence code from the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327 and writes the command in the sequence data (data string) of the sequence code into the address of the command storage unit 702 specified by the sequence code. .. The content of the sequence code is composed of designation of pronunciation such as start/stop of reproduction of phrase data, and designation of timing of register setting thereof. By performing the register setting according to this sequence code, the phrase data can be automatically played.

The sequence reproduction is executed by the setting in SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, SRCH=x, SRNUM_x, SRS_x=1, etc. among the registers shown in FIG. Further, with respect to the sequencer (operation control unit 712) having the sequence system number x, the stop of the sequence reproduction is executed by the setting in SRCH=x and SRS_x=0.

Regarding the sequencer (operation control unit 712) of the sequence system number x, the sequence reproduction control is performed by setting SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRTM_x, SRSC_x when 1 is written in SRS_x in the register shown in FIG. 37. Is executed by being loaded into the operation control unit 712 as a set value of the sequencer channel indicated by SRCH=x. The main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 may set the sequence system number x as the voice number instead of the phrase number (B2016 of the variation effect setting process). Further, the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 uses a sequence system number, a sequence start command, etc. as a start setting for starting the reproduction of the sequence(s) corresponding to the various effects at the execution timing of the various effects. The necessary information is written in the register (SRCH, SRS_x, etc.) of the command storage unit 702 (B0021).

For example, when 1 is written in the SRS_x register, the sequence playback is in progress, and the values specified by SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRTM_x, and SRSC_x are set for the sequencer channel specified by SRCH. Then, the reproduction is started from the first sequence code. When 0 (stop) or 2 (pause) is written in the SRS_x register, the sequence reproduction is stopped.

Further, in the sequence reproduction, the phrase data designated by a predetermined sequence code can be loop-reproduced.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating loop processing in sequence reproduction. In the loop processing, when the reproduction of the sequence corresponding to one sequence code reaches the end of each sequence data, the value of SRCL_xy is read as the loop number of each sequence, and the loop reproduction is performed for the designated number of times. After looping the last sequence by the value of SRCL_xy (SRCL_xn), the loop processing is performed by using the value of the SRLT_x register as the loop count of the entire sequence.

In FIG. 38, the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code specified in SRCN_x0 is loop-reproduced by the value specified in SRCL_x0, and when the loop reproduction is completed, the sequence corresponding to the sequence code specified in SRCL_x1 is subsequently executed. It is shown that the reproduction order of performing the loop reproduction of the data by the value specified in SRCL_x1 is specified. The sequence data of each sequence code is sequentially reproduced within the range designated by SRNUM_x+1, and the total number of loops can be designated by SRLT_x.

In this way, the tone generator LSI 314 can automatically play sequence data composed of predetermined phrase data under the sequence reproduction control.

-Phrase playback function The sound source LSI 314 selects a phrase corresponding to a phrase number from a maximum of 8192 phrase data registered in an external ROM such as the audio ROM 327 by the main generator 704, sets it as a virtual track, and sets it as a playback channel. Automatic performance can be performed by sorting. Further, the sound source LSI 314 can automatically execute reproduction ON/OFF control such as reproduction start/stop and pause/resume, and an infinite loop or a loop for designating the number of times.

The phrase reproduction is executed by the setting in QN_xy, QL_xy, LOOQ_x, QNUM_x, QPLAY_x, etc. among the registers shown in FIG.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating loop processing in phrase reproduction. When 1 is written in QPLAY_x in the register shown in FIG. 37, the main generator 704 sets the phrase designated by QN_xy to the phrase designated by QNUM_x in one virtual track designated by QTRK (virtual track number x). You can specify to play continuously for a few minutes (sequential phrase playback function). Further, each phrase can be designated to be loop-played the number of times designated in QL_xy. Furthermore, the total number of loops can be specified by LOOQ_x.

Further, the main generator 704 fades out when the phrase reproduction is paused/stopped in order to prevent noise due to a sudden change in the audio output level when the reproduced sound of the phrase data is interrupted during phrase reproduction. It can be stopped later. In the case of a stereo phrase, fade-out is executed for each of the decoder channels of both the L-side channel and the R-side channel.

Further, the main generator 704 refers to the information in the register QPLAY_PRI to prioritize the reproduction of either the first-arrival phrase that is already being replayed or the later-arrival phrase that has been instructed to be replayed this time when the phrase data is switched. You can

When giving priority to the first-arrival phrase, the main generator 704 outputs the first-arrival phrase for which the command was issued if all virtual tracks that have been set are stopped when the phrase data playback start command is issued. Start playback. On the other hand, if any virtual track is being reproduced, the second-arrival phrase is reproduced after waiting until the first-arrival phrase reaches the end.

In this way, the sound source LSI 314 can automatically play predetermined phrase data according to phrase reproduction control.

When giving priority to the last-arriving phrase, the main generator 704 starts playing the instructed last-arriving phrase regardless of whether the virtual track is being played when a command to start playback of phrase data is issued. .. In this case, since the processing for starting the reproduction of the last-arrival phrase is executed when the last decoding of the first-arrival phrase is completed, the processing for replaying the latter-arrival phrase is performed before the final frame of the first-arrival phrase is generated by voice. Has been started. In this case, before the end of the sound generation of the last frame of the first-arrival phrase, the decoding of the first frame of the second-arrival phrase may be completed, and the sound may be generated. In such a case, the first frame of the second-arrival phrase may be speech-produced before the sound generation of the last frame of the first-arrival phrase is completed.

The sound source LSI 314 uses the sequence reproduction function and the phrase reproduction function described above to perform the following direct sound generation processing by the decoder unit 721, sound generation processing by the decoder unit 721 by the operation control unit 712, sound generation processing by the decoder unit 721 by DBC, and DBC by the DBC. The tone generation unit 722 can perform sound generation processing.

(Direct pronunciation processing by the decoder section)
In the direct pronunciation process by the decoder unit 721, the following steps 1 to 5 are executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets the phrase number corresponding to the phrase data in the external ROM and the reproduction start setting (writing of the start command) in the register related to the virtual track of the command storage unit 702.
2. Then, the allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts an unused reproduction channel from the reproduction channel and allocates the phrase data of the virtual track to be reproduced to the unused reproduction channel. Control pronunciation. It should be noted that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
3. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads the phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707.
4. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data or the like), and sends the PCM data obtained by the decoding to the multi-effector 705.
5. The multi-effector 705 performs processing for adjusting the volume to a required level, acoustic effect processing, and the like, and sounds through the audio signal I/F 706, the amplifier circuit 337, and the audio system such as the speaker 19.

(Sound generation processing of the decoder section by the operation control section)
In the sound generation processing of the decoder section by the operation control section 712 (sequencer section), the following steps 1 to 6 are executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets a sequence system number x (sequence number) to be executed and a start setting for starting sequence reproduction in a register related to sequencer reproduction in the command storage unit 702.
2. Next, the operation control unit 712 of the audio processing control module 703 sequentially reads out the sequence code corresponding to the set sequence system number x from the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327 according to a predetermined format, and outputs the sequence data of the sequence code (data string). ) Is written in a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702.
3. Then, the allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts an unused reproduction channel from the reproduction channel, and sets the phrase number and the reproduction start setting included in the sequence data as a virtual track. , And assign a virtual track to an unused playback channel to control pronunciation. It should be noted that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
4. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads the phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707.
5. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data or the like), and sends the PCM data obtained by the decoding to the multi-effector 705.
6. The multi-effector 705 performs processing for adjusting the volume to a required level, acoustic effect processing, and the like, and sounds through the audio signal I/F 706, the amplifier circuit 337, and the audio system such as the speaker 19. Then, thereafter, steps 2 to 5 are repeated.

(Decoder section sound generation processing by DBC)
In the sound generation processing of the decoder unit 721 using the collective control code (DBC), the following steps 1 to 6 are executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets the DBC number in the register in the command storage unit 702 related to the DBC and sets to start the collective control reproduction based on the DBC.
2. The collective control unit 711 of the voice processing control module 703 sequentially reads the data string corresponding to the set DBC number according to a predetermined format, and writes the command in the data string to a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702. Write.
3. Then, the allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts an unused reproduction channel from the reproduction channel, and sets the phrase number included in the data string and the reproduction start setting as a virtual track. , And assign a virtual track to an unused playback channel to control sound generation. It should be noted that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
4. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads the phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707.
5. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data or the like), and sends the PCM data obtained by the decoding to the multi-effector 705.
6. The multi-effector 705 performs processing for adjusting the volume to a required level, acoustic effect processing, and the like, and sounds through the audio signal I/F 706, the amplifier circuit 337, and the audio system such as the speaker 19.

(Sound generation process of tone generator by DBC)
In the tone generation processing by the tone generation unit 722, the following steps 1 to 3 are executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets the DBC number in the register in the command storage unit 702 related to the DBC and sets to start the collective control reproduction based on the DBC.
2. The collective control unit 711 of the voice processing control module 703 sequentially reads the data string corresponding to the set DBC number according to a predetermined format, and writes the command in the data string to a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702. Write.
3. Subsequently, the tone generation unit 722 allocates a tone channel based on the ZAQ set (may be allocated by the allocation unit 725), a voice waveform, a frequency, based on a command set in a predetermined register in the command storage unit 702. Settings such as volume and start/stop settings are executed, and waveforms are generated and sounded according to sounding settings for virtual tracks.

[Other forms of sound source LSI]
The sound source LSI 314 is, instead of the board decoration LED control circuit 332 and the frame decoration LED control circuit 333 described above, an LED driver that drives an LED included in the board decoration device 46 or the frame decoration device 18, and a peripheral that outputs the LED driver. And an interface. The peripheral interface is connected to the LED driver connected to the outside. By controlling the lighting of the LED driver connected to the port by the LED sequence, a variety of effects can be achieved as in the case of the sound generation processing described above.

[Operation/Effect of First Embodiment]
In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, a predetermined sound is generated by the sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 314). The sound source generation means is a virtual sound source reproduction means capable of reproducing sound sources of M channels (for example, a decoder section 721, a mixer section 731, etc.) and a virtual track made up of N virtual tracks that are provided in a number larger than M and specify sound sources. It has a track area and allocation means (for example, allocation section 725) for allocating the information of the sound source specified in the virtual track area to the channels of the sound source reproduction means (for example, decoder section 721, mixer section 731, etc.). The sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 314) classifies the N virtual tracks into a use target area which is an allocation target area to the sound source reproducing means and a non-use target area other than the use target area. The sound source generation means allocates the information of the sound source to the use target area and sets the number (L) of virtual tracks to be the use target area to be M or less.

According to such a gaming machine 10, the number (M) of channels of the sound source reproducing means (for example, the decoder unit 721 and the mixer unit 731) does not become insufficient for the L virtual tracks of the use target area. Playback of phrase data will not be forcibly stopped due to lack.

The sound source generating means (sound source LSI 314) can form a plurality of "virtual tracks", and any one of a plurality of channels of the sound source reproducing means for reproducing phrase data related to the performance on the "virtual track". Since the channels can be assigned, it is possible to efficiently perform the process of reproducing the phrase data.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the predetermined sound generated by the sound source generation means (for example, the sound source LSI 314) includes a specific notification sound that is not related to the effect related to the game.

In the gaming machine 10, when an error/illegal is detected, an error/illegal setting process (B1316) is executed to generate a specific alarm sound of the error or the illegality.

For example, when an alarm sound for informing an error/injustice is suddenly generated, if there is no unused reproduction channel in the channel (reproduction channel) of the sound source reproduction means (for example, the decoder unit 721, the mixer unit 731, etc.) The reproduction of the phrase data on the reproduction channel is forcibly stopped, and the reproduction channel released by the stop is used to generate an error to be reproduced or a false alarm sound.

Therefore, if the phrase data that is forcibly stopped is, for example, a main melody or sound effect for performance, the melody or sound effect that the player is consciously listening to is suddenly interrupted, You will hear an error or a false alarm sound, which will make you feel uncomfortable and reduce your interest. Also, it is difficult to recognize whether it is a notification sound.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the use target area (and the non-use target area) is set in the virtual track area. The number of virtual tracks forming the usage target area is set to at most the same number as the number of reproduction channels, and the reproduction channels are set to be released after the reproduction of the phrase data is completed.

Therefore, the reproduction channel being reproduced is not forcibly stopped, and an error or an illegal notification sound is generated together with the sound such as the melody or the sound effect for the purpose of effect. As a result, the player can listen to the notification sound without feeling any discomfort by superimposing it on the melody or the sound effect.

In addition, for example, one of the M playback channels is set to be always released, and a virtual track in which an error or a false alarm sound is set is assigned to this always-released playback channel. You may do it. By doing this, the first-arrival phrase that is playing the main melody for effect and the sound effect for notifying the game state will not be interrupted by the latter-arrival phrase such as an error or an incorrect notification sound. It is generated together with the main melody for and a sound effect to inform the player of the game state. As a result, the player can listen to the notification sound over the melody and the sound effect without feeling any discomfort, and further, it becomes easier for the player to pay attention to the notification sound.

Further, in the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generation means (for example, the sound source LSI 314), depending on the changed number of channels, when the number of channels capable of reproducing the sound source in the sound source reproduction means is changed. The number of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area may be changed.

As a result, for example, when one of the speakers (upper speaker 19a, lower speaker 19b) cannot generate sound due to some reason such as a failure, and the number of reproducible reproduction channels is reduced, the virtual track of the use target area is reduced. By reducing the number, it is possible to prevent any of the first-arriving phrases being reproduced from being forcibly terminated due to the reproduction of the last-arriving phrase.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generation means may set the number of channels capable of sound source reproduction by the sound source reproduction means according to the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area.

As a result, for example, by adding the playback channels that do not always contribute to the generation of sound and increasing the number of playback channels, the number of virtual tracks that constitute the use target area of the virtual track area becomes When the number of channels exceeds the number of channels, the number of channels of the sound source reproducing means can be increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent any of the first-arriving phrases being reproduced from being forcibly terminated due to the reproduction of the last-arriving phrase.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generation means may change the information of the sound source in accordance with the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area.

As a result, the number of pieces of sound source information (phrase data) to be reproduced can be changed so as to match the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area of the virtual track area. For example, by deleting the phrase data corresponding to the bass sound from the melody related to the effect, the number of virtual tracks to which this phrase data is assigned is saved. As a result, it is possible to prevent any of the first-arriving phrases being played back from being forcibly terminated due to the playback of the last-arriving phrase when the number of virtual tracks exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 314) instructs the sound source reproducing means to start reproduction when there is no unused channel to which the information of the sound source specified in the virtual track area is allocated. The sound source specified in the selected virtual track may not be played back.

As a result, if there is no unused playback channel or if there is no unused playback channel and there is no virtual track that can be forcibly stopped, the information (phrase data) of the sound source currently being played is forcibly terminated. This can be prevented and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 42. The configuration other than that described below may be the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and redundant description will be appropriately omitted.

[Production control device of the second embodiment]
FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing the effect control device 300, which constitutes the gaming machine 10 of the second embodiment, the board connected to the effect control device 300, and the like. As shown in FIG. 40, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a power supply device 400, a game control device 100 (game control means, not shown here), and an effect control device 300 (effect control means). A board relay board 915, a frame relay board 916, a cooling fan 45, an LVDS board 918, a ROM board 920, etc. are connected to the 300 via a harness and a connector (CN).

The production control device 300 is connected to the power supply device 400, and receives a DC power supply (32V, 15V, 12V, 5V), a power failure monitoring signal (5V), and a reset signal (5V). Further, an analysis port 955 or the like can be connected to the effect control device 300.

The effect control device 300 is provided with a voltage generation unit 800 (voltage generation means). The voltage generation unit 800 generates output voltages of 1.05V, 1.5V, 3.3V from the DC power supply (5V) from the power supply device 400.

The board relay board 915 is connected to the board motor driver 44a (a part of the board production device 44), the board motor sensor 47a (a production accessory switch 47), and a board decoration LED driver 46a (a part of the board decoration device 46). It is a relay board for transmitting and receiving signals. In addition, the board relay board 915 is supplied with DC power (32V, 15V, 12V, 5V) from the power supply device 400 via the effect control device 300.

The frame relay board 916 includes a frame motor driver 44b (a part of the frame effect device), an effect button switch 25a, a frame motor sensor 47b, a first frame speaker (upper speaker 19a), a second frame speaker (lower speaker 19b), and a frame. It is a relay board for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the decorative LED driver (a part of the frame decoration device 18). Further, the frame relay board 916 is supplied with DC power (12V, 5V) from the power supply device 400 via the effect control device 300.

The cooling FAN 45 operates by being supplied with DC power (12 V) from the power supply device 400 via the effect control device 300.

The LVDS board 918 is a relay board that relays the effect control device 300 and the display device 41. DC power (32V, 12V, 5V) is supplied to the LVDS board 918 from the power supply device 400 via the effect control device 300. Further, the LVDS substrate 918 is supplied with a DC power supply (3.3 V) from the voltage generation unit 800, and outputs the DC power supply to the display device 41.

A power supply generation circuit 919 can be provided on the LVDS board 918. The power supply generation circuit 919 converts the DC power supply (32V) supplied from the power supply device 400 into a DC power supply (12V) and outputs it to the display device 41 (LED backlight 917). Thereby, the power generation circuit 919 can be designed according to the standard of the display device 41 to be connected, and even when the display device 41 is replaced, it is necessary to modify the production control device 300 by only replacing the LVDS board 918. Therefore, the display device 41 can be easily replaced by that amount.

The ROM substrate 920 includes an image ROM 325, and outputs the image information stored in the image ROM 325 to the VDP 312 (video display processor). DC power (3.3 V) is supplied from the voltage generator 800 to the ROM substrate 920.

The effect control device 300 is provided with a first VDP-RAM 923 (storage unit) and a second VDP-RAM 924 (storage unit). The first VDP-RAM 923 and the second VDP-RAM 924 are storage media that temporarily store the image information (moving image, still image) decoded by the VDP 312, and are supplied with DC power (1.5 V) from the voltage generation unit 800. It works.

VDP312 (general-purpose port 942) included in effect control device 300 transmits/receives a signal to/from the outside using a 3.3V signal. However, the built-in host CPU (CPU 311, image processing means, VDP core, arithmetic processing means) configuring the VDP 312 operates at 1.05 V, and is stored in the first VDP-RAM 923 (storage means) and the second VDP-RAM 924 (storage means). The connected DRAM I/F 940 operates at 1.5V. Therefore, the VDP 312 operates by being supplied with the DC power supply (1.05V, 1.5V, 3.3V) from the voltage generation unit 800.

As the input side of the VDP 312, in the effect control device 300, the level conversion circuit 921 that performs the level conversion (5.0 V→3.3 V) of the signal of the power supply device 400 (power failure monitoring signal, reset signal), the game control device 100 ( A level conversion circuit 922 that performs level conversion (5.0V→3.3V) of the signal of the production command), a level conversion circuit 926 that performs level conversion (5.0V→3.3V) of the signal from the board surface motor sensor 47a, A level conversion circuit 929 is provided for performing level conversion (5.0 V→3.3 V) of signals from the effect button switch 25a and the frame motor sensor 47b.

Further, as an output side of the VDP 312, the effect control device 300 performs level conversion (3.3V→5.0V) of level conversion of a signal transmitted to the board relay board 915 (board motor driver 44a, board motor sensor 47a). The circuit 925, the frame relay board 916 (frame motor driver 44b, effect button switch 25a, frame motor sensor 47b) level conversion circuit 928 for performing the level conversion (3.3V → 5.0V) of the signal to be transmitted, the LVDS board 918. A level conversion circuit 934 is provided that performs level conversion (3.3 V→5.0 V) of the signal transmitted to the display device 41 (LED backlight 917) via the display device 41.

Furthermore, for bidirectional communication of the VDP 312, the effect control device 300 includes a level shift circuit that performs level shift (3.3 V ⇔ 5.0 V) of a signal bidirectionally transmitted by the board decoration LED driver 46a and the I2C communication method. 927, a frame decoration LED driver (decoration device 18a), and a level shift circuit 932 for performing level shift (3.3V↔5.0V) of a signal transmitted bidirectionally by the I2C communication method.

Direct-current power supply (15 V) from the power supply device 400 is supplied to the effect control device 300, and an amplifier circuit 337 (first amplifier circuit 930, second amplifier circuit 931) that amplifies sound source data (voice data) output from the VDP 312. ) Is provided. The first amplifier circuit 930 outputs the amplified sound source data to the first frame speaker (upper speaker 19a), and the second amplifier circuit 931 outputs the amplified sound source data to the second frame speaker (lower speaker 19b). To do.

The effect control device 300 is provided with a protection circuit 933 that stabilizes the LVDS signal output from the VDP 312, and the protection circuit 933 outputs the LVDS signal (3.3 V) to the display device 41 via the LVDS board 918. ..

The effect control device 300 includes a watchdog timer circuit 324 that monitors the operation of the VDP 312, a PROM 321 that stores programs executed by the VDP 312 and various data, a FeRAM 323 that can retain the stored contents even when power is not supplied at the time of power failure, A volume control switch 335 and the like are provided. The LVDS board 918 is provided with a real-time clock circuit 338 connected to the high voltage (5V) side of the level shift circuit 932.

The VDP 312 analyzes the effect command transmitted from the game control device 100, a CPU 311 (built-in host CPU), a RAM 322 (built-in CPU work memory) that provides a work area for the CPU 311, and a CPU I/ that transmits/receives data in the CPU 311 and the VDP 312. Initialize the HOSTCPUI/F938 and VDP312 that output various commands (display list, motor command, lamp command, sound command) obtained by analyzing the production command by the CPU311 while transmitting the data in the F937 and PROM321 to the CPU311. It has a system control register 939.

The VDP 312 transmits/receives image information (moving image, still image) to/from the general-purpose port 942 that transmits/receives signals to/from the outside, the CG bus I/F 941 that reads image information from the image ROM 325, the first VDP-RAM 923, and the second VDP-RAM 924. It has a DRAM I/F 940.

The VDP 312 has a controller 943 that outputs motor control data based on a motor command and outputs LED control data based on a lamp command. The controller 943 generates motor control data based on the motor command, and outputs the motor control data to the board surface motor driver 44a, the board surface motor sensor 47a, the frame motor driver 44b, and the frame motor sensor 47b in a mutually distinguishable form.

Further, the controller 943 decodes the lamp command based on the lamp decoder 944 to generate LED control data, and identifies the LED control data to the board decoration LED driver 46a and the frame decoration LED driver 18a (a part of the frame decoration device 18). Output in a form that you can.

The VDP 312 has an audio ROM 327 that stores sound source data (audio data). The sound circuit 961 (corresponding to the sound decoder and the sound source LSI 314) selects, reads and decodes the sound source data of the audio ROM 327 based on the sound command transmitted from the CPU 311 via the HOSTCPUI/F938, and the sound quality by the volume control switch 335. Output (play) under adjustment. The sound command includes the phrase number. Then, the sound source data output by the sound circuit 961 is output to the first frame speaker (two upper speakers 19a) and the second frame speaker (two lower speakers 19b) through the post effector 945 and the amplifier circuit 337. The internal configuration of the sound circuit 961 of the second embodiment may be different from that of the sound source LSI 314 of the first embodiment. If the sound source data is not encoded data (compressed data or the like) (linear PCM or the like), the sound circuit 961 can output the sound source data without decoding.

The VDP 312 includes an image processing circuit that performs image processing based on the display list. The image processing circuit reads the image information from the image ROM 325 or the VRAM 326 (storage means) based on the display list, and decodes the read image information into the VRAM 326 (or the first VDP-RAM 923 or the second VDP-RAM 924). A graphics decoder 947, a drawing circuit 948 for drawing image information in a frame buffer on the VRAM 326 (or second VDP-RAM 924), a geometry engine 949 for setting coordinates of the image information, and a VRAM 326 (or first VDP- An index table circuit 950 that allocates a storage area in the RAM 923 and the second VDP-RAM 924, and a display circuit 951 that displays and outputs the frame buffer data and the like stored in the VRAM 326 (or the first VDP-RAM 923 and the second VDP-RAM 924). , Display B, display C), a signal conversion circuit 313 that outputs frame buffer data and the like to the display device 41 by the LVDS method or the like via the output selection circuit 952, and data transfer for transmitting and receiving data in other image processing circuits. And a circuit 953, which exchange data with each other through a bus 954.

The VDP 312 has an address bus 935 and a data bus 936. The address bus 935 includes a HOSTCPUI/F938, a system control register 939, a DRAM I/F940, a CG bus I/F941, a general-purpose port 942, a controller 943, a voice ROM 327, a graphics decoder 947, a data transfer circuit 953, a preloader circuit 946, and a display circuit. Addresses are transmitted and received between the port 951 and the drawing circuit 948. The data bus 936 is provided between the HOSTCPUI/F938, the DRAM I/F940, the VRAM 326, the CG bus I/F941, the controller 943, the audio ROM 327, the graphics decoder 947, the data transfer circuit 953, the preloader circuit 946, the display circuit 951, and the drawing circuit 948. Is sending and receiving data.

In the present embodiment, the first VDP-RAM 923 and the second VDP-RAM 924 have a common address bus 959a and data bus 959b connected to the DRAM I/F 940. The first VDP-RAM 923 can access the upper 8 bits of the image information (16 bits) via the data bus 959b, and the second VDP-RAM 924 can access the lower 8 bits of the image information via the data bus 959b. It is composed.

Here, in the image information (16 bits), moving image (upper 8 bits) data and still image (lower 8 bits) data are associated with one address. Therefore, the moving image data is stored in the first VDP-RAM 923, and the still image data is stored in the second VDP-RAM 924.

Thus, when the display circuit 951 specifies one address for reading, the moving image data stored in the first VDP-RAM 923 and the still image data stored in the second VDP-RAM 924 can be read at the same time. Therefore, the transfer speed of the image information (moving image data, still image data) to the display device 41 can be improved.

[Functional block diagram of sound circuit]
FIG. 41 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and function of the sound circuit 961 (sound source LSI 314).

The sound circuit 961 sets an initial setting unit 963 that performs initial setting of the sound circuit 961, a reproducing unit 964 that reproduces sound source data of the audio ROM 327, a phrase number confirmation area 966 that stores the number of phrases, and a phrase number (store). The phrase number setting area 967 is provided. The reproduction unit 964 includes a controller (audio processing control module), a decoder (main generator), a multi-effector, and the like. The phrase number confirmation area 966 and the phrase number setting area 967 are included in the register unit 970 (command register) including various registers, and correspond to the phrase number register and the phrase number register, respectively. The phrase number confirmation area 966 and the phrase number setting area 967 may be provided outside the sound circuit 961 as, for example, a register in the CPU 311 or a system control register 939.

The initial setting unit 963 (initial setting circuit unit) generates a sound when a reset signal is input to the VDP 312 or when a reset command is written to the register unit 970 in the initial setting of the VDP 312 by the CPU 311 (B0003 in FIG. 23). The circuit 961 is initialized (reset) and initialized. The initial setting unit 963 reads the header information of the audio ROM 327 into the register unit 970 as the initial setting. The header information includes the number of phrases corresponding to the number of sound source data recorded in the voice ROM 327. In particular, the initial setting unit 963 stores (stores) the number of phrases in the phrase number confirmation area 966 (phrase number register) of the register unit 970. In this way, the initial setting unit 963 functions as phrase number setting means.

The CPU 311 sets the phrase number in the phrase number setting area 967 included in the register unit 970 after setting the number of phrases by the initial setting unit 963 (phrase number setting means) (B0021 in FIG. 23). The phrase number corresponds to the voice number (B2016) set in the variable effect setting process (FIG. 31). The CPU 311 sets a phrase number (voice number) corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when the predetermined effect (reach effect in the present embodiment) is executed (B2016). The phrase number may be set in the phrase number setting area 967 by the reproducing unit 964 when the reproducing unit 964 executes the automatic performance after setting the number of phrases by the initial setting unit 963. In this way, the CPU 311 or the reproduction unit 964 constitutes a phrase number setting means.

The phrase number setting area 967 (phrase number register) uses 16 bits, and the value stored as the phrase number is "0000h" to "FFFFh" in hexadecimal (decimal 0 to 65535). On the other hand, in the phrase number confirmation area 966 (phrase number register), the value of "0000h" is stored at the time of initialization (reset), but the number of phrases cannot be 0. A value other than "0000h" is set by. Therefore, the maximum number of phrases stored in the phrase number confirmation area 966 is "10000h" in hexadecimal (65536 in decimal). Therefore, preferably, the phrase number confirmation area 966 uses 17 bits, which is larger than the phrase number setting area 967, and the capacity (bit number, bit size) of the phrase number confirmation area 966 is the capacity of the phrase number setting area 967. Will be larger than. For the number of phrases less than the maximum value, 0 is stored in the most significant bit of the 17 bits instead of an indefinite value, so that the number of phrases does not become an erroneous value due to noise or the like.

After the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area 967, the reproducing unit 964 (reproducing circuit unit) reads and reproduces the sound source data (voice data) corresponding to the phrase number according to the reproduction instruction. The reproduction unit 964 reproduces the sound source data and outputs it to the amplifier circuit 337 and the speakers (the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b). The reproducing unit 964 constitutes a reproducing means. For example, the reproduction instruction is executed by the CPU 311 (B0021 in FIG. 23) or the reproduction unit 964 writing a reproduction command in the register unit 970 after setting the phrase number in the phrase number setting area 967. When the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area 967, the reproducing unit 964 may start the reproduction without a reproduction instruction.

The voice ROM 327 is recorded (stored) in a format in which a phrase number of a predetermined effect (reach effect in the present embodiment) and sound source data are associated with each other. For example, the header number of the sound source data may include the phrase number of the sound source data. Further, the order recorded in the voice ROM 327 (the order in which the address of the sound source data is larger or smaller) may be used as the phrase number.

Further, in the present embodiment, the phrase number and the music title of the sound source data may be stored in advance in the memory such as the PROM 321 in association with each other. As a result, the CPU 311 can display the music title corresponding to the selected phrase number on the display device 41.

In the present embodiment, the number of phrases corresponds to the number of sound source data recorded in the voice ROM 327, and if all the sound source data is music, the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 (the number of accommodated songs). It should be noted that the sound source data may be sound effects or speech of dialogue instead of music.

The number of phrases in the phrase number confirmation area 966 can be used in various situations. For example, the CPU 311 can display the number of phrases as the number of songs recorded in the audio ROM 327 on the display device 41, and can notify the player. Alternatively, it is preferable for control that the reproducing unit 964 previously knows the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 by the number of phrases in the phrase number confirmation area 966 when automatically executing the sound source data of the voice ROM 327 in order. .. In addition, for example, the CPU 311 determines the number of unreproduced or unselected sound source data (phrases), the number of reproduced or selected sound source data and the number of phrases (here, the recording of the audio ROM 327, at the time of executing the predetermined effect). It can be displayed on the display device 41 by grasping the number of songs).

In the present embodiment, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963 (the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327) is greater than the number of types of predetermined executable effects. Here, the predetermined effect is a reach effect. For example, there are five types of reach effects (systems), and as in the first embodiment, normal reach (N reach), special 1 reach (SP1 reach), special 2 reach (SP2 reach), special 3 reach (SP3 reach). ), Premier reach is fine. The number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the number of songs stored in the voice ROM 327 is 10, and, for example, 10 phrase numbers 0 to 9 (phrases 0 to 9) are used for reach production. Corresponds to possible reach songs AJ (reach sounds AJ).

As an example, the CPU 311 selects one of 0 and 1 for N reach, one of 2 and 3 for SP1 reach, and one of 4 and 5 for SP2 reach as the phrase number (voice number). One of 6 and 7 for SP3 reach and one of 8 and 9 for premier reach may be selected and set by lottery (B2016). The reproducing unit 964 reads out and reproduces the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number. In this way, since the number of phrases is greater than the number of types of predetermined effects that can be executed, the range of phrase selection for the types of predetermined effects is expanded. Then, it becomes possible to perform various effects by sound in association with (according to) the predetermined effect, and the enjoyment of the game can be improved. In this example, one phrase can be selected from a group of different phrases (reach music) for each type of reach production as the predetermined production.

In addition, as an example, the CPU 311 sets the phrase number (voice number) to 0 to 5 for N reach, 1 to 6 for SP1 reach, and 2 to 7 for SP2 reach. Any one of 3 to 8 for SP3 reach and any of 4 to 9 for premier reach may be selected and set by lottery (B2016). The reproducing unit 964 reads out and reproduces the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number. Even in this case, the range of selection of phrases is widened with respect to the type of the predetermined effect (reach effect), and various kinds of predetermined effects are possible, so that the interest of the game can be improved.

The range of phrase numbers that can be selected by lottery for each type of reach effect may be determined based on the setting value information (probability setting value). By doing so, the probability setting value can be estimated from the selected phrase (reach music), and the enjoyment of the game can be improved. Further, in the hall/player setting mode process (B0011), the range of phrase numbers (voice numbers) that can be selected by lottery for each type of reach production by the operation of the production button 25 by the player or an attendant at the game hall. Alternatively, a range of phrase numbers that can be used in the entire reach production may be set.

It should be noted that it is possible to configure the predetermined effect as a big hit round effect, but in this configuration, for example, the CPU 311 sets one of 0 and 1 to the 4R certainty variation big hit as the phrase number (voice number) in the 4R normal. One of 2 and 3 for big hits, one of 4 and 5 for 8R certainty jackpots, one of 6 and 7 for 8R regular jackpots, one of 8 and 9 for 12R certainty jackpots, One of 10 and 11 may be selected and set by a lottery for the 12R normal jackpot (B2016). There are six types of round effect types for big hits, which correspond to 4R probability variation big hits, 4R regular variation big hits, 8R probability variation big hits, 8R regular variation big hits, 12R probability variation big hits, and 12R regular variation big hits. On the other hand, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 is 12, and, for example, 12 phrase numbers 0 to 11 (phrases 0 to 11) are each a big hit round. It corresponds to the big hit songs A to L (big hit sounds A to L) that can be used in the production. The number of phrases (12 here) is greater than the number of types (6 here) of predetermined executable effects (round effect of big hit). The reproducing unit 964 reads the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number and reproduces it as a music piece to be used in the big hit round.

Further, it is possible to configure the predetermined effect as a serif sound generation effect for generating a speech reading sound that reads out a line. In this configuration, for example, the CPU 311 uses the first line as a phrase number (voice number). In contrast, one of 0 and 1, one of 2 and 3 for the second serif, one of 4 and 5 for the third serif, and one of 6 and 7 for the fourth serif. , And 5 may be selected and set by lottery for the fifth line (B2016). There are five types of dialogue sound production effects corresponding to the first dialogue, the second dialogue, the third dialogue, the fourth dialogue, and the fifth dialogue. On the other hand, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the reading sound of the dialogue recorded in the voice ROM 327 is 10, and, for example, 10 phrase numbers 0 to 9 (phrases 0 to 9) are respectively generated. , Corresponding to the speech reading sounds A to L that can be used in the dialogue sound generation effect. The number of phrases (10 here) is larger than the number of types (5 here) of predetermined executable effects (serif sound generation effects). The reproducing unit 964 reads the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number and reproduces it as a speech reading sound. In this way, each of the first to fifth lines will be read out by one of the two line-up reading sounds, but the two line-up reading sounds are generated by the two characters displayed on the display device 41. (For example, an enemy character and an ally character) may be dealt with. Further, the speech to be read out may be displayed as a character image on the display device 41.

The serif sound generation effect and the reach effect are examples of predetermined effects that can suggest the degree of expectation of a big hit.

<Modification>
As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 42, the sound source data (phrase) may be data of each part of one music piece, and the reproducing unit 964 may reproduce a plurality of sound source data when reproducing one music piece. May be mixed and played at the same time. For example, each part is a musical instrument part (accompaniment part) such as a piano sound part, a guitar sound part, a bass sound part, a drum sound part, and a singing part. The singing part may be further divided into parts for each singer to sing, and in the case of chorus, it may be further divided into a soprano part, an alto part, a tenor part, and a bass part. The reproduction unit 964 can change the volume (sound volume) for each sound source data (part).

In this case, the CPU 311 uses 0 for N reach, all 0 to 2 for SP1 reach, all 0 to 4 for SP2 reach, and SP3 reach as phrase numbers (voice numbers). All 0 to 6 and all 0 to 9 for the premier reach (B2016). Then, the reproducing unit 964 outputs the sound source data of Part A of phrase number 0 for N reach, the sound source data of Parts A to C of phrase numbers 0 to 2 for SP1 reach, and the phrase number for SP2 reach. 0-4 part A-E sound source data, phrase number 0-6 part A-G sound source data for SP3 reach, phrase number 0-9 part A-J sound source for premier reach Plays and outputs all data at the same time. Here, part A is set as a basic part (song part, etc.) reproduced in all reach effects. The PROM 321 may store the effect type (N reach, SP1 reach, SP2 reach, SP3 reach, premier reach) and the phrase number (voice number) used in the effect type in association with each other, and the CPU 311 may store the effect type. One or more phrase numbers may be set according to

In such a modified example, the higher the expectation of a big hit in a predetermined effect (reach effect), the more the number of sound source data (parts) to be reproduced, the richer the timbre, and the more interesting the game is. In addition, as described above, the expectation of the jackpot in the reach effect increases in the order of N reach<SP1 reach<SP2 reach<SP3 reach<Premier reach.

In addition, as described above, the special figure variation display game (first variation display game) that is N reach and the special figure variation display game (second variation display game) that is SP reach are Also, the number of sound source data (parts of music) reproduced in association with the second variable display game, which has a high degree of expectation, is larger than the number of sound source data reproduced in association with the first variable display game. Therefore, a variable display game with a high degree of expectation can be made flashy, and the interest of the game is improved.

The CPU 311 uses 0 and 1 for N reach, 2 and 3 for SP1 reach, 4 and 5 for SP2 reach, and 6 for SP3 reach as phrase numbers (voice numbers). 7 may be set to 8 and 9 for the premier reach (B2016), and the reproducing unit 964 may simultaneously reproduce and output the two sound source data corresponding to the phrase number. In this way, the tone color can be changed for each type of predetermined effect (reach effect), and the enjoyment of the game is improved.

Further, the sound source data may include sound effects other than music. The sound effect or the like here may include a speech sound read out. In this modified example, the sound effects and the like are used at the same time as the music, and the synergy of the music and the sound effects and the like can enhance the entertainment and enhance the enjoyment of the game. It does not necessarily have to be used at the same time as the music. Even when the same reach effect is generated in the special figure changing display game, the number of sound effects and the like generated in the special figure changing display game may be different between the case of the big hit and the case of the big hit. That is, the greater the number of sound effects and the like that are reproduced together with the music, the higher the expectation of a big hit in the special figure variation display game. Conversely speaking, the higher the degree of expectation that the special figure variation display game will be a big hit, the greater the number of sound effects and the like that are reproduced with the music.

For example, the sound effect is used as a sound effect at the time of development from N reach to SP reach (at the time of increasing a chance) or as a definite sound (single sound is also possible) as a definite effect of a big hit. The confirmation sound as the jackpot confirmation effect may be generated as an operation effect by operating the effect button 25 (operation unit or operation means). The operation effect in this case may be a special operation effect (back operation effect) that does not accompany an operation promotion display that prompts the player to operate the effect button 25 on the display device 41.

In addition, the sound effect may be generated for each single effect together with the music in a continuous effect in which related effects (single effects) are continuous, such as step-up effects and pseudo continuous effects. Here, the step-up effect is an effect in which single effects (sub-effects) set in a plurality of stages are sequentially executed from a lower stage (step) to a predetermined stage (step). The pseudo continuous effect is an effect in which a pseudo change (single effect) for changing and temporarily stopping the identification information is performed a predetermined number of times in one change display game.

<Other modifications>
The phrase number confirmation area 966 may be provided for each predetermined effect such as reach effect, big hit effect, and serif sound generation effect, and the number of sound source data used for each effect type may be stored as the number of phrases. In this case, the voice ROM 327 is recorded (stored) in a format in which the phrase number of each predetermined effect and the sound source data are associated with each other.

Further, instead of the voice ROM 327, the sound source data (phrase) may be stored in another ROM such as the image ROM 325.

[Operation/Effect of Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the gaming machine 10 reads the number of phrases from the sound source storage unit (for example, the voice ROM 327) that stores the number of phrases and the sound source data corresponding to the phrase number, and confirms the phrase number. A phrase number setting means (for example, the initial setting unit 963 of the sound circuit 961) to be set in the area, and a phrase number setting means (for example, CPU 311) that sets the phrase number in the phrase number setting area after the phrase number is set by the phrase number setting means. And a reproducing unit (for example, a sound circuit 961) that reads out and reproduces sound source data corresponding to the phrase number in response to a reproduction instruction after the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area. The phrase number setting means (for example, CPU 311) sets the phrase number corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when the predetermined effect (for example, reach effect) is executed. The number of phrases set by the phrase number setting means is larger than the number of types of predetermined effects that can be executed.

According to the gaming machine 10 as described above, the range of selection of phrase numbers corresponding to the predetermined effect is widened, and a variety of effects can be achieved by sounds executed in connection with (according to) the predetermined effect. Therefore, the interest of the game can be improved.

In the second embodiment, the capacity (bit number, bit size) of the phrase number confirmation area is larger than the capacity (bit number, bit size) of the phrase number setting area. Therefore, the number of phrases can be preferably set in the phrase number confirmation area.

In the second embodiment, it is possible to execute a variable display game (for example, a special figure variable display game) in which the identification information is variably displayed based on the satisfaction of the start condition (for example, the winning in the starting winning opening 36 or the normal variable winning device 37). In a gaming machine that can generate a special game state in which a player can be provided with a game value when the result of the variable display game is a special result (for example, a big hit), a sound source storage unit (for example, a sound source storage unit that stores a plurality of sound source data) The audio ROM 327) and reproducing means (for example, a sound circuit 961) for reading and reproducing the sound source data. The variable display game includes a first variable display game (for example, a special figure variable display game with N reach) and a second variable display game different from the first variable display game (for example, a special figure variable display game with SP reach). ,including. The number of sound source data (for example, a part of a music piece) reproduced by the reproducing means in association with the second variable display game is larger than the number of sound source data reproduced in relation to the first variable display game.

Therefore, for example, in the second variable display game having a higher expectation of a special result (for example, a big hit) than in the first variable display game, the variable display game can be excited and the enjoyment of the game is improved. In addition, regarding the effect of the sound, the effect is different in different variable display games, so that the player does not get tired and the enjoyment of the game can be improved.

The sound source data is data of each part of one music piece. Therefore, the higher the degree of expectation of a special result (for example, a big hit) of the variable display game, the richer the timbre of the variable display game, and the more exciting the variable display game can be.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea thereof, and it is clear that they are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Is. For example, it is possible to combine a plurality of embodiments. Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to other types of gaming machines (slot machines, etc.). The scope of the present invention is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalency of the claims.

10 Gaming Machine 25 Production Button 30 Gaming Board 32 Gaming Area 36 First Start Winning Port (First Start Winning Area)
37 Ordinary variation prize winning device (second starting prize area)
39 special variation winning device 40 center case 41 display device 50 collective display device (LED)
100 game control device (main board)
200 payout control device 300 production control device (sub-board)
327 voice ROM
701 CPU I/F (CPU interface)
702 Command storage unit (command register)
703 Audio processing control module (sound control module)
704 Main generator 705 Multi-effector 706 Audio signal I/F (digital audio interface)
707 memory I/F (memory interface)
711 Collective control unit (collective controller)
712 Operation control unit (sequencer unit)
721 Decoder section 722 Tone generation section (tone generator section)
731 Mixer section 732 Effector section 751 Input selector 752 Mixer 961 Sound circuit 964 Playback section 966 Phrase number confirmation area 967 Phrase number setting area

Claims (1)

Sound source reproducing means capable of reproducing sound sources of M channels,
A virtual track area composed of N virtual tracks, which are provided in a number larger than M and specify a sound source;
Allocation means for allocating the information of the sound source designated in the virtual track area to the channel of the sound source reproducing means,
A sound source generating means having
In a gaming machine for generating a predetermined sound by the sound source generating means,
The sound source generating means,
The N virtual tracks are classified into a use target area that is an allocation target area to the sound source reproducing unit and a non-use target area other than the use target area,
While assigning the information of the sound source to the use target area,
The number of virtual tracks to be used as the target area is set to be M or less,
The sound source generating means,
When the number of channels that can be played back by the sound source in the sound source playing unit is changed, the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area is changed according to the changed number of channels. Characteristic gaming machine.