JP2021069522A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To control the game display using a small-sized or small-scale display unit with simple and inexpensive hardware and software configurations.SOLUTION: A game machine comprises: a main control unit which performs a game control; a display device 700 which performs a game display related to the game; and a sub control unit 20 which controls a game performance. The display device 700 comprises: a display unit 702 which performs the game display; and a display control unit 701 which performs the display control. The sub control unit 20 transmits a group of drawing commands for causing the display unit 702 to perform the game display to the display control unit 701 through a communication interface 703. The display control unit 701 causes the display unit 702 to perform the performance display by analyzing and executing the drawing command for each frame of an image displayed on the display unit 702 on the basis of the drawing command received through the communication interface 703.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a display device for displaying a game.

Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotating drum type gaming machine, slot machine) having a plurality of reels in which symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine imparts a certain gaming value to a gaming medium such as a medal or a pachinko ball, and performs a game for acquiring such a gaming medium. Further, in this type of gaming machine, an internal lottery is performed and the rotation of a plurality of reels is started triggered by a player's rotation start operation, and an mode according to the result of the internal lottery is triggered by a player's stop operation. Controls to stop multiple reels. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

Some game machines of this type have an effect device including an image display means such as a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as LCD), an audio output means such as a speaker, and a light emitting means. The control of the effect device as described above is performed by a sub control unit arranged separately from the main control unit that performs internal lottery, reel control, payout control, and the like. In a game machine having this kind of production device, by displaying a video or a still image according to a specific production theme or outputting a specific music or sound effect, triggered by winning a specific winning combination or the like. , Perform a production that enhances the interest of the player.

The sub-control unit that performs the effect control controls the image display of the LCD, the sound output of the speaker, or a light emitting means such as an LED, that is, a movable object called a so-called accessory. When a relatively large LCD is placed on or around the reel, the sub-control unit is a custom LSI that integrates a control unit called VDP (Video Display Processor) in addition to the CPU as a control means. May be used. In addition to the above image display, this VDP is used for effect control of audio output, light emitting means, moving objects, and the like.

In the effect display control using VDP (for example, Patent Document 1 below), the CPU of the sub-control unit generates display control data called a display list (DL) or the like on the DRAM, and the CPU delivers this to the VDP. In general, this type of display list contains a set of drawing commands that are listed in the order in which they are drawn, and the display list includes what image (drawing material), or even which, at which position on the LCD display frame. In addition to the command for specifying whether to draw at such a timing, it includes information for specifying the source address and the like on the CGROM of the image to be drawn. The VDP includes a software module called a DL analyzer or the like that interprets a display list written in a high-level language format, including drawing commands, timing information, CGROM address information, and the like as described above.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-131903

The display control using the display list by VDP as described above is useful for a large display having a large number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions, or a game machine in which a plurality of such displays are arranged to perform a flashy effect display. Is. However, there are cases where a game machine is planned in which basic game information such as credit display, advantageous period display, and batting order display is displayed by a 7-segment LED or a single LED, and the above-mentioned large display is not arranged. .. In such a model, a large-scale LCD panel for game production is not arranged at all, but a configuration in which a small LCD is arranged in the vicinity of the player operation panel or the like can be considered. In recent years, even a gaming machine having such a configuration may require a display for displaying some kind of image. For example, such a small LCD is used for displaying a QR code (registered trademark) required for a user service in which a mobile phone / smartphone is linked, displaying a menu required for such a service, displaying a slump graph, and the like.

It is possible that VDP cannot be used for display control of a small LCD as described above, but an expensive custom LSI that integrates a CPU and VDP is used for the sub-control unit, and the hardware of the sub-control unit and The software configuration tends to be complicated. When the sub-control unit is configured for each model depending on the presence or absence of a small LCD, it becomes necessary to customize the hardware and software configuration of the large-scale sub-control unit for each model, and it takes a long time for development. The problem arises that it requires.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to control a game display using a small or small display with a simple and inexpensive hardware and software configuration in view of the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
In a game machine including a main control unit that controls a game, a display device that displays a game related to a game, and a sub-control unit that controls a game effect based on the game control of the main control unit.
The display device includes a display device and a display control unit that controls the display of the display device.
The sub-control unit transmits a group of drawing commands for causing the game display on the display to the display control unit via a communication interface.
Based on the drawing command received via the communication interface, the display control unit analyzes and executes the drawing command for each frame of the image to be displayed on the display, thereby performing the game on the display. We adopted a configuration that allows display.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to control the game display using a small or small display with a simple and inexpensive hardware and software configuration.

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure of the game machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal lottery table A to the internal lottery table C of the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. (A) is a state transition diagram of a gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a non-advantageous section and an advantageous section controlled by an advantageous section control means, and an instruction function controlled by the instruction function control means. It is a transition diagram relating to a state. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of the display device provided with the sub-control unit and the display control unit, and the display device by a small LCD or the like in embodiment of this invention. It is a memory map diagram which showed the storage part configuration example of the display control part of the display device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which showed the configuration example around the CPU of the display control part of FIG. 5 in detail.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration shown below is merely an example, and for example, a person skilled in the art can appropriately change the detailed configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, the numerical values taken up in the present embodiment are reference numerical values and do not limit the present invention.

1. 1. Outline of Configuration of Game Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called rotating body type gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine that plays a game using a medal as a gaming medium.

The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a reel unit 310 composed of first reel R1 to third reel R3 as a plurality of reels in a box-shaped housing including a storage box BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD ( (See Fig. 2) is included. Further, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed in the lower part of the reel unit 310 in the housing. Further, in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a control board which is equipped with a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, and the like and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed.

The outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 shown in FIG. 1 are each divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has a plurality of types. Any of the symbols of is arranged.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the upper portions of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are composed of a decorative panel 330 having a design expressing the theme of the model and the like. In the present embodiment, in addition to the following game information display unit DS configured by using a 7-segment display, a single LED, or the like, a display 702 composed of a small liquid crystal display (small LCD) or the like is simply arranged. Therefore, there is no large display device for producing the game. However, when arranging a large display device that performs such a game effect, for example, a large LCD panel or the like can be arranged instead of the decorative panel 330.

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

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, upper, middle, and lower tiers are provided for each reel as display positions for observing the symbol through the display window DW, and the effective line by the combination of the display positions of the respective reels is provided. , The effective line L1 is set. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, that is, the so-called specified number of inserted medals is set to 3 in any game state, and medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals are inserted. Then, the effective line L1 composed of the middle stage of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated.

Then, the game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 in the display window DW, and when the symbol combination on the effective line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined combination, the symbol combination is determined. As a winning combination, medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

The front upper door UD is provided with a game information display unit DS. The game information display unit DS consists of an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, etc., and is the total number of medals credited, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in a bonus state. Various game information such as the total of the above, information on the winning combination in this game, and information suggesting the order of hitting the stop buttons B1 to B3 related to the payout of medals is displayed.

The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 composed of a 7-segment display, and when a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, the game is won in this game. When the notification display, which is a display corresponding to the winning command, which is a control signal created based on the winning information, which is the information of the winning combination, is displayed, and the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped after the notification display is displayed. , The number of medals paid out or won is displayed as the notification display ends. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 is turned on and off in a display mode corresponding to the winning command.

Further, the main control display device 500 is a dot of a 7-segment display, and the advantageous section is started by the advantageous section control means 200A described later, and the winning of a small winning combination is assisted, so that the expected value of winning a medal is 1. An advantageous section notification unit 500A that lights up in the above case is provided (see FIG. 2).

In the present embodiment, a display 702 composed of a small liquid crystal display (small LCD) or the like is arranged in the vicinity of the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 as game operation means. This small display 702 can be used, for example, to display a QR code (registered trademark) required for a user service that links a mobile phone / smartphone, a menu display required for such a service, a slump graph display, and the like. it can. The small display 702 of the present embodiment does not perform a complicated and large-scale game display such that VDP must be arranged in the sub-control unit 20, for example.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of acoustic devices 340 for performing an effect using sound are provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. From the sound device 340, various sounds for assisting the game and enlivening the game are output.

Various operating means are provided on the front lower door DD. As the operation means, as the insertion operation means for inserting the credited (stored) medals, the single bet button BT for inserting one medal and the max bet button MB for inserting the specified number of medals, A start lever SL as a game start operation means for causing a player to perform a start operation that triggers a game to start by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and a first rotation driven by a stepping motor. Stop button B1 as a stop operation means for causing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers each of the reels R1 to 3rd reel R3, and a clearing button BS for clearing a credited medal. Is also provided.

Further, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the lower part of the front lower door DD, and the number of medals according to the result of the game is paid out from the medal payout exit MO to the medal tray MP. ing. In addition, when the clearing button BS is pressed while the credited medals are stored in the game machine, it corresponds to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 320 when the clearing button BS is pressed. The settlement process for paying out the number of medals to be performed is executed, and the medals are paid out from the medal payment exit MO to the medal tray MP.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is controlled by a game control unit 2 having a main control unit 10 and a sub control unit 20, which are independent control boards. The main control unit 10 receives input signals from the input means of the medal insertion switch 210, the bet switch 220, the start switch 230, the stop switch 240, the setting change switch 250, and the reset switch 260 as a plurality of operation detection means, and plays a game. Is performed, and the operation of the output means such as the reel unit 310, the hopper unit 320, and the game information display unit DS is controlled based on the calculation result. The functions of the main control unit 10 are various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), hardware such as RAM, and predetermined storage stored in ROM or the like in advance. It is realized by software consisting of the above programs.

Further, the main control unit 10 includes a setting changing means 100, an input receiving means 105, a random number generating means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, and a gaming state. The transition control means 170, the command transmission means 175A, the main storage means 190, the advantageous section control means 200A, and the instruction function control means 200B are included. Each means constituting the main control unit 10 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the main storage means 190 at the time of executing each control process.

The setting change means 100 controls to change the set value stored in the set value storage means 191 of the main storage means 190 (setting change control). The setting change means 100 receives an input signal from the reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device in the setting change permission state in which the setting change switch 250 is turned on and the setting change is permitted. Each time, the set value stored in the set value storage means 191 is cyclically changed in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 ... setting 6 → setting 1 → .... Further, in the slot machine 1, the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is fixed based on the start signal from the start switch 230 operated by the operation of the start lever SL in the setting change permission state, and the setting change permission state is established. To finish. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the winning probability of a part of the winning areas that can be won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the set value determined in the set value storage means 191. To. That is, the setting changing means 100 is configured so that the setting value, which is a value at which the winning probability of the winning combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 can be changed, can be changed.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state and the advantageous section control means 200A executed by the game state transition control means 170 are executed. The control related to the advantageous section is configured to be initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time (hereinafter, the replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the non-advantageous section is set. It is configured in. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, the instruction function control means 200B is configured so that the control related to the instruction function is also initialized before the setting is changed. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control unit 10 is cut off (power cutoff) and then the power supply is restarted again, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 The control related to the advantageous section executed by the advantageous section control means 200A is configured to be restarted from the state before the power failure. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, the control related to the instruction function executed by the instruction function control means 200B is also maintained in the state before the power interruption when the power supply is restarted after the power interruption occurs. It is configured as follows.

The insertion receiving means 105 performs a process of validating the game start operation for the start lever SL based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions (3 medals) within the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals. Do. Specifically, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see FIG. 1), the insertion receiving means 105 is inserted up to the specified number of insertions as the medal insertion switch 210 operates. Set the medal to the inserted state. Further, when the betting operation in which the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB is pressed is executed while the medal is credited, the insertion receiving means 105 is accompanied by the operation of the bet switch 220 and the specified number of insertions. The credited medal is set to the inserted state up to the limit.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL activated based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions is accepted as the start operation of the game by the player, and the first operation is received. It is an opportunity to start the rotation of the reels R1 to the third reel R3, and the internal lottery means 120 described later is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery.

The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. In the present embodiment, the “random number” includes not only a value that randomly occurs in a mathematical sense, but also that even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular, so that the “random number” is substantially It also includes values that can function as random numbers.

The internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or failing of the winning combination based on the start signal output when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation. It is a means to perform, such as a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, and a lottery flag setting process.

In the lottery table selection process, which of the plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main storage means 190 is used for the internal lottery is determined based on the current gaming state. select. In each internal lottery table, each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535) is associated with various roles such as replays, small wins, and bonuses, and unwinned wins (losses). ..

In the following description, the bonus means a role of operating the accessory or the accessory continuous operation device by winning a prize, and the bonus operation means the bonus winning the accessory or the accessory continuous operation device. It means that it operates, and the bonus state means a state in which the accessory or the accessory continuous actuating device is activated.

In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 110 for each game is acquired based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, and the acquired random number is selected in the lottery table selection process. It is compared with the lottery table, and it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won based on the comparison result.

In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from the non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to the established state (second flag state). , ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when two or more types of winning combinations are won in duplicate, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning combinations is set in the established state. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the established state to the next and subsequent games until a prize is won, and the established state is not carried over to the next and subsequent games regardless of the winning. There is a lottery flag (non-carryover flag) that is reset to the non-established state. Further, the lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main storage means 190.

The reel control means 130 drives the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 based on the output of the start signal from the start switch 230 that is operated by the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL. The reel rotation control that starts and controls the rotation mode of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is executed. Further, the reel control means 130 has a stop button B1 corresponding to each reel when the rotation state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 becomes a rotation state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm). ~ When the stop button B3 is pressed, the control for validating the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 is executed. Then, when the reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that has detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 has each reel of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that has detected the stop operation. Control to stop (reel stop control).

In the following description, the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and the player first presses the effective stop buttons B1 to B3. The operation is also described as a first stop operation, a second pressing operation as a second stop operation, and a third pressing operation as a third stop operation.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, a predetermined period is set from the time when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). By the time 190 ms elapses, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined from the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, and the reel stops from the time when the stop button is pressed. It is configured to be rotatable for up to 4 frames before it is done.

Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, a total of five frames from the frame displayed on the effective line L1 at the time of pressing the stop button to the rotation of four frames are performed. , It is a range (pull-in range) in which the symbol can be pulled in on the effective line L1.

When the reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 has a pull-in process for stopping the rotating reel so that a winning combination in which the lottery flag is set can be won as much as possible, and the lottery flag is not set. A logic calculation that finds the stop position of the spinning reel based on a preset priority by a logic calculation that includes a kicking process that stops the spinning reel so that the winning combination set in the established state cannot be won. The processing and the table reference processing for determining the stop position of the rotating reel with reference to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 of the main storage means 190 are performed, and the rotating reel is stopped. The symbol is displayed on the effective line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by the reel stop control and displaying the symbol on the effective line L1 is also described as "stop display").

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the stop position candidate is determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line L1. There are a method of obtaining the priority (number priority control) and a method of obtaining the priority according to the number of medals to be paid out based on the dividend predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when executing the number-of-sheet priority control, if small wins with the same payout are won in duplicate, the priority of the stop position candidates that can win each small win is assumed to be the same. Be treated.

The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won, based on the stopping mode of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the main storage means 190, when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped, the line L1 is on the effective line L1. It is determined whether or not the displayed symbol combinations are in the form of winning a predetermined combination. Then, the winning judgment table is set so that it can be judged whether or not a bonus, a replay, or a small winning combination has been won (hereinafter, referred to as "winning judgment") by the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 when each reel is stopped. It is prepared. In the following description, the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the winning combination is also described as "winning symbol combination".

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140 in the winning determination process. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small winning combination wins, a process of determining the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150 is performed, and when the replay wins a prize. Causes the replay processing means 160 to execute the next game without consuming medals, and when a winning combination such as a bonus that triggers the transition of the game state is won, the game state transition control means 170 is in the game state. Is performed.

The payout control means 150 performs a payout process related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a predetermined payout for each winning combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are used as the payout device. Control is performed so that the hopper unit 320 pays out.

The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals specified by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that operates every time one medal is paid out. The payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on the input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325. If medals are allowed to be credited, the number of credits (credited) stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the main storage means 190 instead of actually paying out the medals by the hopper unit 320. A credit addition process is performed to add the number of medals to be paid out to the number of medals), and a process of virtually paying out medals is performed.

When it is determined by the winning determination means 140 that the symbol combination indicating the winning of any one of the plurality of types of replay combinations described later is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, the replay processing means 160 stops and displays the winning of the replay. Performs a replay process (replay process) that sets the game to a ready state that enables the game to be executed without the need to insert medals for the next game. That is, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the replay wins a prize, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a specified number of medals are automatically inserted without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). We wait for the next start operation for the start lever SL with the same effective line L1 as the previous game set.

The game state transition control means 170 performs a process of shifting the game state between a plurality of game states and a process of operating and ending the bonus. Here, as the transition condition of each gaming state, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are set, the game is based on the fact that any one of the plurality of predetermined conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of predetermined conditions are satisfied. The state can be transferred to another gaming state.

The command transmission means 175A is a command creation process and a command creation process, which is a control process for creating a command to be transmitted to another control unit or output means from the contents of the control process executed by each means constituting the main control unit 10. The command transmission process, which is a control process for transmitting the created command to another control unit or output means, is executed. The command transmission means 175A of the present embodiment is a command created when the bet switch 220 detects that, for example, the player has pressed the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB in the command creation process. , A start command that is a command created when the start switch 230 detects that the player has started the start lever SL, a winning combination command that is a command created when the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is executed, etc. To create.

The command transmission means 175A of the present embodiment performs interrupt processing of the main control unit 10 which is executed by the main control unit 10 in a predetermined cycle (for example, 1.49 ms) regardless of the progress of the game for the command created by the command creation process. Every time it is executed twice (every 2.98 ms), the created command is executed by executing the command transmission process, which is the process included in the interrupt process of the main control unit 10 and is the process of transmitting the created command by one command. It is configured so that it can be transmitted to the sub-control unit 20. When a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 20, the command transmitted by the command receiving means 175B described later is received, and the effect corresponding to the command is executed.

Further, when the winning combination command is created in the command creation process, the command transmission means 175A of the present embodiment can transmit the winning combination command to the main control display device 500 in response to the created winning combination command in the command transmission process. It is configured in. When the main control display device 500 receives the winning combination command transmitted from the command transmitting means 175A, each segment constituting the main control display device 500 is turned on or off in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command, and the inside is turned on or off. It is possible to execute a notification display for notifying the winning information of winning in the internal lottery by the lottery means 120.

In the advantageous section control means 200A, an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which a game capable of executing a winning assistance control that assists the winning of a specific combination is executed, and a game in which the winning assistance control is not executed are executed. Control related to the transition between the non-advantageous section (non-advantageous period, normal section), which is the section (period), is executed using the data stored in the advantageous section control data storage means 198. In the advantageous section control data storage means 198, the advantageous section transition lottery table used in the advantageous section transition lottery for determining whether or not to start the advantageous section in the non-advantageous section, and the advantageous section control means 200A are executed in the advantageous section. Various flags and counters that are set to the ON state or the OFF state by a predetermined control process are stored.

When the condition for ending the advantageous section is satisfied, the advantageous section control means 200A ends the advantageous section, starts the non-advantageous section from the next game, and initializes various flags, numerical values, etc. set in the advantageous section. Execute the termination process, which is the process. Further, the advantageous section control means 200A lights the advantageous section notification unit 500A when the expected value of winning a medal becomes 1 or more by starting the advantageous section and executing the winning assistance control. Therefore, even when the advantageous section control means 200A has started the advantageous section, the advantageous section notification unit is in the instruction function state in which the winning assistance control is not executed by the instruction function control means 200B described later. It is configured so that 500A can be turned off.

The non-advantageous section is a period during which control related to the instruction function by the instruction function control means 200B based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed, and the advantageous section is an instruction based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. This is a period during which control related to the instruction function by the function control means 200B can be executed.

The advantageous section control means 200A adds a value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, to the advantageous section game number counter (not shown) every time one game is executed from the game that started the advantageous section. , Executes the game number update process for cumulatively incrementing and updating the value (stored value) stored in the advantageous section game number counter. Further, the advantageous section control means 200A cumulatively records a value (difference number) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the game starting the advantageous section by the number of inserted medals in the advantageous section difference number counter (not shown). Execute the number update process.

Here, the advantageous section game number counter is a counter included in the advantageous section control data storage means 198, and is a counter that stores a value (number of games) updated by the advantageous section control means 200A. Further, the advantageous section difference number counter is a counter included in the advantageous section control data storage means 198, and as a value updated by the advantageous section control means 200A, a value corresponding to the number of inserted medals is subtracted. However, when medals are paid out, it is a counter that stores the difference number by adding a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out.

The advantageous section control means 200A of the present embodiment has a value "1" which is a value corresponding to one game each time one game is executed even in a game state when the advantageous section is controlled. The number of games update process that cumulatively adds (updates) to the stored value of the advantageous section game number counter, and the difference number update that cumulatively updates the value corresponding to the difference number of medals to the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter. Process and execute.

Here, the advantageous section control means 200A stores the advantageous section difference number counter because the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of inserted in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter. If the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter is less than the value "0" when the value is subtracted, the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter is set to the value "0". As a result, the advantageous section control means 200A can fix the value when the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter becomes the lowest point to the value "0", so that the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter can be stored. In the control process used, it is not necessary to change the value that is the threshold value for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter can be reduced. it can.

The advantageous section control means 200A has 2400 medals from the time when 1500 games are executed, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous section game number counter reaches the value "1500" or when the most medals are consumed in the advantageous section. Is acquired by the player, that is, when the value becomes "2400" from the time when the stored value of the advantageous section difference number counter is the lowest value (lowest point), the specific end is specified as a condition for ending the advantageous section. It is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the end process of ending the advantageous section and starting the non-advantageous section from the next game is executed.

In the end process, the advantageous section control means 200A initializes all the information used in various control processes in the advantageous section, such as each flag set in the ON state in the advantageous section and the value set in the advantageous section. The advantageous section control means 200A can end the advantageous section even when a preset condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is satisfied, and the end process is performed even when the normal end condition is satisfied. To execute.

When the advantageous section is started by the advantageous section control means 200A, the instruction function control means 200B can execute a process related to the operation of the instruction function (winning assistance control) for assisting the winning of a specific combination and the winning assistance control. Processing related to the transition of the instruction function state between a plurality of instruction function states including the assist time state (hereinafter, the assist time is also referred to as "AT"), and control related to the instruction function (assist time). Control). In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the instruction function control data storage of the main storage means 190 is performed for the program data used in the assist time control by the instruction function control means 200B, the data table, the counter, and various flags set in the ON state or the OFF state. It is stored in means 199.

In the present embodiment, when the instruction function state is a state in which the winning assistance control can be executed, the instruction function control means 200B wins differently depending on the winning area in which the internal lottery means 120 is won as the instruction function operation process. By creating a command and transmitting the created winning command to the main control display device 500, it is notified which winning area is the winning area won in the internal lottery, and the player is notified of the stop button B1 to the stop button. The notification display, which is a function (instruction function) for instructing the operation method of B3, is configured to be able to execute the winning auxiliary control, which is the control executed by the main control display device 500. The game in the AT state in which the winning assistance control is executed and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 is notified constitutes the notification game in the present embodiment.

The sub-control unit 20 performs various calculations for executing the effect based on various signals (commands) transmitted from the main control unit 10, and the display device 700 (FIGS. 2 and 5) described later is based on the calculation results. ), Controls the operation of output means such as the effect device 300 including the sound device 340. The functions of the sub-control unit 20 are stored in advance in various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), hardware such as RWM, ROM, or the like. It is realized by software consisting of a predetermined program. The sub-control unit 20 of the present embodiment has a CPU (sometimes called a sub-CPU or the like) as a processor. Further, the sub-control unit 20 provides a command receiving means 175B, an effect control means 180A, and a sub-storage means 180B on the ROM of the sub-control unit 20. Each means constituting the sub-control unit 20 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the sub-storage means 180B at the time of executing each control process.

The command receiving means 175B performs a polling process for monitoring the presence or absence of a signal (command) transmitted from the command transmitting means 175A of the main control unit 10 in a period shorter than the cycle in which the command is transmitted from the main control unit 10 (for example, 512 μs). The command reception process, which is a control process for receiving the transmitted command when it is determined by the command transmission means 175A that the command is transmitted from the command transmission means 175A, is executed.

The effect control means 180A can execute an effect related to the game, that is, an effect based on various commands transmitted from the main control unit 10 and an effect based on the result of calculation using the effect data stored in the sub storage means 180B. It is configured in. The effect control means 180 is used for effects related to games, such as various game displays performed by using a movable object 341 and a display device 700, an acoustic effect performed by using an acoustic device 340, and a light emitting effect performed by using a lamp 342. Perform such control. Specifically, when the player operates each configuration of the slot machine 1 for inserting medals, operating the single bet button BT, the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3, etc., or the game. By controlling the lighting or blinking of the lamp 342 (consisting of arbitrary light emitting elements such as LEDs, incandescent lamps, fluorescent tubes, etc.) and the output of sound from the speaker when a game event such as a change in state occurs. , Performs execution control of the production that excites the game. Further, when the AT state is executed by the instruction function control means 200B, the effect control means 180A performs a prize assist effect which is an effect of assisting the winning of a specific combination based on the winning command transmitted from the internal lottery means 120. Execute.

2. Configurations Provided by Game Machines in the Present Embodiment Next, details of each configuration included in the slot machine 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

<Internal lottery means>
FIG. 3 shows an internal lottery table A to an internal lottery table C, which are internal lottery tables selected in each gaming state in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. The internal lottery table A is selected when the gaming state is the non-RT state. In the internal lottery table A, random numbers correspond to the winning area where the small role is won, the winning area where the small role and the bonus are duplicated, the winning area where the bonus is won, and the winning area where the replay is won. It is attached and is configured to win either a small role, a replay or a bonus. Further, in the internal lottery table A, the winning probability of the replay is set to about 1 / 7.3.

The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a bonus continuous operation device for the first-class special bonus, and the winning area " By winning either "RBB & 1-card combination" or the winning area "RBB", the RBB is set to the established state.

The internal lottery table B is selected when the bonus is established, which is the gaming state that is transferred by setting the RBB to the established state in the non-RT state. In the internal lottery table B, the random numbers associated with the small winning combination in the internal lottery table A and the random numbers associated with the winning area where the small winning combination and the bonus are duplicated are associated with the small winning combination. The random numbers associated with the replay in the internal lottery table A and the random numbers associated only with the bonus are associated with the replay.

The internal lottery table C is selected in the RBB operating state, which is the gaming state that is shifted when the RBB is activated. The internal lottery table C is set so that the winning probability of the small winning combination is higher than the winning probability of the small winning combination set in either the internal lottery table A or the internal lottery table B.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, bell A, bell B, one-card combination A to one-sheet combination F, and rare as small winning combination (hereinafter referred to as "winning combination") that can be won when winning in the internal lottery. The winning areas are the winning areas "Batting order bell 1" to "Batting order bell 12" and the winning area "RBB & 1 card role" as the winning area (winning mode) of the small winning combination in which multiple types of winning roles are won in duplicate. , The winning area "one-card combination", the winning area "JAC1", and the winning area "JAC2" are set. Here, the "batting order" means the order in which the pressing operations are executed for the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3. Further, in the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed is also described as "pressing timing".

Winning area "Batting order bell 1" -Winning area "Batting order bell 6" is a winning area where you win at least one of Bell A and 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F. The roles are different. In the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the batting order (correct answer batting order) that enables the winning of Bell A is set. When the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" are won, in the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the bell A wins and the answer is correct. The stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed in a batting order different from the batting order (incorrect batting order), and the pressing timing is the timing at which one of the winning 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F can be won. In this case, one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F wins, and one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F cannot be won in the wrong batting order and the pressing timing is won. If it is the timing, none of the roles will be won and the prize will be missed (non-winning).

Winning area "Batting order bell 7" -Winning area "Batting order bell 12" is a winning area where bell B and at least one of 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F are duplicated. The roles are different. In the winning area "batting order bell 7" to the winning area "batting order bell 12", a batting order (correct answer batting order) is set so that the bell B can be won. When the winning area "Batting Order Bell 7" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" are won, in the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the bell B wins and the answer is correct. The stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed in a batting order different from the batting order (incorrect batting order), and the pressing timing is the timing at which one of the winning 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F can be won. In this case, one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F wins, and one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F cannot be won in the wrong batting order and the pressing timing is won. If it is the timing, none of the roles will be won and the prize will be missed (non-winning).

The winning area "RBB & 1-card combination" is an area where the RBB, 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F are duplicated and won. At the time of winning the winning area "RBB & 1-card combination", in the slot machine 1, the pressing timing of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is the timing at which any of the winning 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F can be won. In a certain case, one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F wins, and one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F is won in the wrong batting order and the pressing timing is won. If the timing is not possible, none of the roles will be won and the prize will be missed (non-winning).

The winning area "1 piece combination" is duplicated in the same small role as the winning area "RBB & 1 piece combination", and the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed at the same time. When any of the winning cards F can be won, one of the winning 1-card winning combination A to 1-card winning combination F has won, and the winning batting order and the pressing timing have been won. If any of the winning combination A to 1 winning combination F cannot be won, the winning combination will not be won (non-winning). It is a winning area and has a difference in whether or not the RBB is included in the lottery.

The winning area "rare role" is configured so that a rare role can be won when the rare role is won and the timing of pressing the stop button B3 is appropriate, and the timing of pressing the stop button B3 can win the rare role. If the timing is not possible, none of the roles will be won and the prize will be missed (non-winning). In the internal lottery means 120 of the present embodiment, with respect to the winning probability of each winning mode including the small winning combination, the probability of winning the winning area "rare winning combination" is one of the winning modes including other small winning combinations. It is configured as a so-called rare role, which has a lower probability than the probability.

Next, the winning area including the replay will be described. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a winning area "normal replay" and a winning area "rare replay" are set as winning areas including only replays.

The winning area "normal replay" is a winning area set in each of the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, and is configured so that the normal replay can be won and the normal replay can be won regardless of the batting order and the pressing timing. ing.

The winning area "rare replay" is a winning area set in each of the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, and is configured to win the rare replay and win the rare replay regardless of the batting order and the pressing timing. ing. In the internal lottery means 120 of the present embodiment, regarding the winning probability of each winning mode including the replay, the probability of winning the winning area "rare replay" is lower than the probability of winning the winning area "normal replay". It is configured as a so-called rare replay.

Here, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the combination to which the carry-over possible flag is associated is RBB, and the small combination and the replay are associated with the carry-over impossible flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when the winning area including the RBB is won in the internal lottery, the state in which the lottery flag of the winning RBB is established is carried over until the RBB wins. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small winning combination and the replay are successful even in the game in which the establishment state of the RBB lottery flag is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in the game in which the establishment state of the RBB lottery flag is carried over, if a small winning combination or replay is won, the already won RBB lottery flag and the small winning in the internal lottery. A lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of combinations including a combination and a lottery flag for replay is set in the established state.

<Reel control means>
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in any gaming state, the priority order of the winning combination to be stopped on the effective line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay> small winning combination>bonus". Has been done.

<Dividend for small roles>
In the present embodiment, the payouts of Bell A and Bell B are set to the number of payouts (for example, 10) that is larger than the specified number of payouts (3). In addition, the payouts for the 1-card combination A to 1-card combination F and the rare combination are set to the number of payouts (for example, 1 card) that is smaller than the specified number of input.

<Game state transition control means>
FIG. 4A is a state transition diagram showing a game state that can be transferred from each game state in the control related to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of gaming states, and the bonus is not activated or established. It is in a non-bonus state. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of the replay is set to about 1 / 7.3.

The bonus establishment state is a gaming state in which the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1-card combination" is won by an internal lottery in the non-RT state, and the RBB is set to the established state. In the bonus establishment state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of the replay is set to about 1 / 7.3.

The RBB operating state is a gaming state (bonus state) that is transferred when the RBB wins a prize. In the RBB operating state, the gaming state transition control means 170 determines whether the ending condition of the operating RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and determines a predetermined number of medals to be paid out (for example, 200). When more than one medal is paid out, the bonus state is terminated by ending the operation of the RBB, and the gaming state is shifted to the non-bonus state. In the RBB operating state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. As shown in FIG. 3, in the internal lottery table C, the winning area "JAC1" in which all the small roles of the bell A, the bell B, the 1-card combination A to the 1-card combination F, and the rare role are won, and the 1-card combination A A random number is associated with the winning area "JAC2" that wins all the 1-card winning combinations F and the rare winning combination.

The RBB operating state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability of winning the winning area "JAC1" or the winning area "JAC2" in the RBB operating state in which the internal lottery table C is selected is a small winning combination in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. Higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including, that is, the probability of winning a small winning combination in the RBB operating state is higher than the probability of winning any small winning combination in the gaming state when the RBB is not operating other than the RBB operating state. Is also set to a high probability. In addition, the probability of winning the winning area "JAC1" in the internal lottery table C is the probability of winning each of the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. It is set to a higher probability than.

Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the RBB operating state, the winning probabilities of all the small winning combinations are higher than in the non-RT state and the bonus established state when the bonus is not activated. As it rises, the probability of winning one of the small wins also rises.

Further, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the winning area "JAC1" in the RBB operating state is the probability of winning in any of the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 6" (winning area "batting order"). Winning probability of the sum of the winning probabilities of the winning area "Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6") and the probability of winning any of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 7" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" (Winning Area "Batting Order Bell" The probability of winning in any of the winning area "Batting order bell 1" to the winning area "Batting order bell 12" (winning), which is higher than the winning probability of the sum of the winning probabilities of each winning area "Batting order bell 12". It is configured to be lower than the winning probability of the sum of the winning probabilities of the area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12").

As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of types of first small winning orders (bell A, bell B) set to payouts larger than the number of input of game value required at the start of the game. Multiple types of first winning modes (winning area "batting order bell 1" to winning area "batting order bell 12") and multiple types of first small winning combination are duplicated. It has a second winning mode (winning area "JAC1") to be won, and the internal lottery means 120 has a plurality of types of first winning modes in a normal gaming state (non-RT state) and a bonus establishment state. In addition to the internal lottery, the internal lottery is configured so that the second winning mode exists in the bonus state (RBB operating state). Further, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the bonus state is higher than the probability of winning in any of a plurality of types of the first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal gaming state and the bonus established state. It is low, and the winning probability of each small winning combination in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each small winning combination in the internal lottery in the normal gaming state and the bonus established state.

Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate is less than 100% in the RBB operating state.

Here, in a gaming state other than the RBB operating state, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won, the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 must be pressed in the correct batting order to perform the bell A, Since the structure is such that the bell B cannot be won, the probability that either the bell A or the bell B will be won is when the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 can be pressed in the correct batting order from the six batting orders. Limited. On the other hand, when the AT game in which the winning assistance control is executed by the instruction function control means 200B described later is executed, the correct batting order is notified when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won. Therefore, the probability that either Bell A or Bell B will win can be increased up to 6 times as much as when the winning assistance control is not executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, two types of bell A and bell B are set as prize-winning roles (specific roles) for paying out more medals than the specified number of medals to be won when the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order. ing. Then, the probability that the winning mode including the specific combination is obtained in the RBB operating state is compressed to about 1/2 of the probability that the winning mode including the specific combination is obtained in the gaming state other than the RBB operating state. With this configuration, an internal lottery is performed with a mode in which N types of specific winning combinations are won without overlapping each other in a gaming state other than the RBB operating state, and N types of specific winning combinations are duplicated in the RBB operating state. By providing an internal lottery with a mode for winning, the probability that a winning mode including a specific combination will be obtained in the RBB operating state is about the probability that a winning mode including a specific combination will be obtained in a gaming state other than the RBB operating state. It can be compressed to 1 / N. As a result, the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100%, and then the medal acquisition performance related to the AT game can be designed. The degree of freedom in design can be dramatically improved.

<Advantageous section control means and instruction function control means>
FIG. 4B is a state transition diagram showing details of a section (period) controlled by the advantageous section control means 200A and the instruction function state controlled by the instruction function control means 200B of the present embodiment. ..

As shown in FIG. 4B, the non-advantageous section is a period during which the control related to the instruction function by the instruction function control means 200B based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The advantageous section control means 200A ends the non-advantageous section and is advantageous based on the winning area won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 and the game state when the game is started in the game in the non-advantageous section. Execute an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether or not to start a section.

In the advantageous section lottery, the advantageous section control means 200A first, from the advantageous section control data storage means 198 that stores the data related to the advantageous section among the main storage means 190, "advantageous section" for each of the plurality of random numbers. Acquires an advantageous section transition lottery table, which is a data table associated with "start of" and "loss (unwinning)". Then, the advantageous section control means 200A acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result. The advantageous section control data storage means 198 also stores various flags that are set to the ON state or the OFF state by a predetermined control process executed by the advantageous section control means 200A in the advantageous section. The advantageous section control means 200A has a probability of multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won in the internal lottery by the winning probability of "start of the advantageous section" in the advantageous section lottery so as to be 1/17500 or more. Execute the advantageous section lottery.

In the advantageous section, the instruction function control means 200B is in a non-AT state in which the winning assistance control is not executed when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" is won as a state related to the instruction function (instruction function state). It has an AT state in which the winning assistance control is executed at the time of winning in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12". The instruction function control means 200B refers to various lottery tables stored in the instruction function control data storage means 199, and executes a process related to the lottery according to each instruction function state.

In the advantageous section, the instruction function control means 200B has a normal non-AT state, a chance zone (CZ) state, and an AT state as states related to the instruction function (instruction function state). The instruction function control means 200B refers to various lottery tables stored in the instruction function control data storage means 199, and executes a process related to the lottery according to each instruction function state.

The normal non-AT state is an instruction corresponding to the normal state among a plurality of types of instruction function states, which is set when the advantageous section is started by the advantageous section control means 200A and has not shifted to another instruction function state. It is a functional state (normal instruction functional state). Normally, in the non-AT state, the instruction function control means 200B executes a CZ lottery for determining whether or not to shift the instruction function state to the CZ state when the winning area "rare combination" is won in the internal lottery. Further, in the normal non-AT state, the instruction function control means 200B performs a normal AT lottery for determining whether or not to shift the instruction function state to the AT state when the winning area "rare replay" is won by the internal lottery. Execute.

The instruction function control means 200B is a CZ lottery so that the probability of multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won by the internal lottery and the winning probability of "transition to the CZ state" in the CZ lottery is 1/17500 or more. To execute. Further, the instruction function control means 200B has a probability of 1/17500 or more obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won by the internal lottery and the winning probability of "transition to the AT state" in the normal AT lottery. As a normal AT lottery is executed.

Further, in the normal non-AT state, the instruction function control means 200B has 2000 medals when the game of 1200 games is executed after starting the advantageous section and after consuming the most medals after starting the advantageous section. Is acquired by the player, and the instruction function state is changed from the normal non-AT state to the CZ state.

The CZ state is an instruction function state that can be shifted from the normal non-AT state. In the CZ state, the instruction function control means 200B sets a value (for example, 10 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the CZ end determination counter (not shown) of the instruction function control data storage means 199 at the start of the CZ state. , Each time the game is executed, the decrement update is executed by subtracting the stored value of the CZ end determination counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game. The instruction function control means 200B is configured to execute an AT lottery for determining whether or not to determine the execution of each game AT state until the game of 10 games is executed in the CZ state, and the winning is achieved. It is in a state where it is easier to shift to the AT state than in the normal non-AT state in which the normal AT lottery is executed only when the area "rare replay" is won.

In the CZ state, the instruction function control means 200B is executed when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, when the winning area "rare replay" is won, and when another winning area is won. A special AT lottery with a higher probability of winning the "transition to AT state" than the AT lottery to be performed is executed.

If the "transition to the AT state" is won in the AT lottery or the special AT lottery by the time the game of 10 games is executed in the CZ state, the instruction function control means 200B executes the game of 10 games from the start of the CZ state. After that, the instruction function state is changed from the CZ state to the AT state. On the other hand, if the "transition to the AT state" is not won in the AT lottery or the special AT lottery by the time the game of 10 games is executed in the CZ state, the instruction function control means 200B will perform 10 games from the start of the CZ state. After the game of is executed, the instruction function state is changed from the CZ state to the non-AT state. The instruction function control means 200B is configured to shift the instruction function state from the CZ state to the AT state in the game in which the "transition to the AT state" is won in the AT lottery in the CZ state or the special AT lottery. May be good. Further, in the CZ state, the instruction function control means 200B plays 2010 medals when the game of 1210 games is executed after starting the advantageous section and after consuming the most medals after starting the advantageous section. The instruction function state is changed from the CZ state to the AT state when the person acquires it.

The AT state is an instruction function state that shifts when the transition condition to the AT state is satisfied in the normal non-AT state or the CZ state. In the AT state, the instruction function control means 200B can execute the winning assistance control based on winning the winning area in which the winning combination changes depending on the batting order of the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. It is configured. Here, the winning combination (specific role) whose winning probability is increased by the winning auxiliary control is the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" at the time of winning, and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 7". ~ Bell B at the time of winning in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12".

The instruction function control means 200B corresponds to the number of games that can be executed in the AT state in the AT state game count counter (not shown), which is a counter that counts the number of games executed in the AT state when the AT state is started. The initial value to be set is set, and the decrement update is executed by subtracting the stored value of the AT state game count counter with the value "1" corresponding to one game each time one game is executed. In the present embodiment, the instruction function control means 200B sets the value "50" as the initial value in the AT state game count counter when the advantageous section is started in the state where the game state is the non-RT state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the instruction function control means 200B has an instruction function depending on whether the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 or the winning area "rare replay" is won. As a control related to, by determining whether or not to add the value determined by the lottery to the stored value of the AT state game count counter, it is determined whether or not to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues. Execute an additional lottery.

When the stored value of the AT state game count counter becomes a value "0" in the AT state, that is, when the AT state ends, the advantageous section control means 200A determines that the normal end condition is satisfied, and determines the advantageous section. It ends and controls the non-advantageous section, and also executes the end process. By executing the end processing, in the slot machine 1, the data updated during the advantageous section included in the advantageous section control data storage means 198 (for example, the stored value of the advantageous section game number counter) and the instruction function control data. The data updated during the advantageous section included in the storage means 199 (for example, the stored value of the AT state game count counter) and the data are initialized.

<Sub-control unit and display device>
FIG. 5 shows the control system constituting the sub-control unit 20, the display control unit 701, and the display device 700 including the display device 702 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the display 702 is configured by a small LCD arranged in the vicinity of the stop buttons B1 to B3 operated by the player, as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, a display device for displaying a large-scale effect is not provided, and only a display device 700 equipped with a small display 702 is arranged, and a display control means such as VDP is not provided. Therefore, the sub-control unit 20 can be configured by an inexpensive LSI chip having no VDP, including at least the CPU 601.

In addition, in FIG. 5, a sound control unit 620 composed of a sound I / F 621 for outputting sound to a speaker constituting the sound device 340 (FIG. 2) of the effect device 300 (FIG. 2), and an accessory can be used. Each block of the movable object / sensor control unit 630 having ASIB I / F631 used for controlling the motor and solenoid of the animal drive system and capturing the detection signal of the sensors is arranged outside the sub-control unit 20. In FIG. 5, a motor / sensor / lamp block 632 is illustrated as a typical controlled block controlled by ASIB I / F631. These voice control units 620 and movable object / sensor control units 630 may be integrated into a single chip in a custom LSI that constitutes the sub control unit 20 together with the CPU 601.

Hereinafter, first, the configuration of the sub-control unit 20 of FIG. 5 will be described. The CPU 601 is an I / O port array for communicating with peripheral circuits (651 to 656, voice control unit 620, movable object / sensor control unit 630, and display device 700) shown on the left and right sides of the CPU core 602 and the sub control unit 20. A built-in eDRAM (Embedd DRAM) 604 that is mainly used as an I / O cache or the like is provided.

The I / O port array 603 includes a main control unit 10, a main control unit I / O 651 for mainly performing command input / output, and an RTC652 (Real Time Clock) used for timekeeping control, for example, a substrate of a sub control unit 20. It is used to back up the state of the DIP switch 653 arranged above, the control ROM 654 arranged on the sub-control unit board used for storing the firmware of the sub-control unit 20, and the sub-control unit 20 as needed. It is connected to the backup SRAM 655, the debug UART 656, the voice control unit 620, the movable object / sensor control unit 630, and the like, and is used for signal input / output with each of these units. The DIP switch 653 is used for mode setting and the like for debugging, verification operation and the like.

In the present embodiment, communication with the display device 700 is performed by sending and receiving drawing commands as described later. Therefore, the interface 743 of the display device 700 and the I / O port array 603 of the sub-control unit 20 are connected by the communication interface 703. The communication standard used in this communication interface 703 is arbitrary as long as it can send and receive drawing commands necessary for controlling the display device 700 as described later, and it is conceivable to use a serial interface such as RS422 / RS232. .. However, the communication standard of the communication interface 703 is arbitrary and may be a serial bus such as another USB, or a parallel interface such as SCSI may be used. Alternatively, the communication interface 703 may be a network interface (whether wired or wireless) such as IEEE 802.3 or IEEE 802.11.

In the configuration of FIG. 5, the display device 700 includes a display control unit 701 and a display 702 including a small LCD or the like. The display control unit 701 is a CPU 710, a CGROM 711 (image ROM) that stores image materials such as a background or character of an effect image, and a still image used for displaying a simple moving image, a ROM that stores a CPU control program, and a display 702. A storage unit 740 including a RAM or the like having an area including a frame buffer (FB) area used for display control is provided. Further, the display control unit 701 includes an interface 743 for communicating with the sub-control unit 20 via the communication interface 703, and an interface 744 for communicating with the display 702 made of a small LCD or the like.

The CPU 710 of the display device 700 may process a simple drawing command as described later to expand the display image in the frame buffer, and can be easily and inexpensively configured by, for example, a general-purpose CPU. However, the present invention does not limit the use of a high-speed processor specialized for display image processing such as GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) in the CPU 710 depending on the specifications of the drawing command processing system and the like.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the arrangement configuration of the storage area of the storage unit 740 of the display control unit 701. The area of the RAM 741 (CPU RAM) is used as a work area or the like used for the program processing of the CPU 710, and can be configured by a general-purpose storage element such as a DRAM. The frame buffer 7421 (FB) used for display control of the display 702 is arranged in a part of the VRAM 742 composed of a relatively high-speed memory element.

The frame buffer 7421 (FB) can have a two-buffer configuration such as frame buffers A and B that are alternately used for writing and transferring to the display 702. The area of the VRAM 742 other than the frame buffer 7421 (FB) is used as an arbitrary area 7423. For example, when the CPU 710 performs texture display control, layer display control, and the like, this arbitrary area 7423 can be used. Further, a control program executed by the CPU 710 is stored in the area of the control ROM 745. The control program of the CPU 710 includes, for example, software that constitutes the following drawing command processing means. Further, although not shown in FIG. 6, the area of the CGROM 711 (FIG. 5) may be mapped in the storage unit 740. Alternatively, the CGROM 711 may be mounted as various flash memory devices or the like and may be accessed via a flash memory interface or the like.

The CPU 710 of the display control unit 701 interprets the drawing command transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 via the communication interface 703, and expands (renders) the image to be displayed on the display 702 to the frame buffer 7421 (FB). It is equipped with a drawing command processing means. This drawing command processing means can be implemented by software executed by the CPU 710. Note that this type of drawing command processing means may be called, for example, a display analyzer or the like.

The drawing command transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 via the communication interface 703 has a format as illustrated below, for example.
// Start command construction
CLcdDriver :: LcdSetCmdStat (LCD_CMD_STAT_START);
// Delete all in the layer
LCD_CMD_SET_LAYER (* pstBuf, LCD_CMD_LAYER_NUM_0, LCD_CMD_LAYER_CTRL_DEL);
// Add image (normal)
LCD_CMD_SET_LAYER (* pstBuf, LCD_CMD_LAYER_NUM_0, LCD_CMD_LAYER_CTRL_SEL);
LCD_CMD_SET_PIC (* pstBuf, ES_Dwin01_New, 0, 0, LCD_CMD_PIC_CTRL_ADD);
LCD_CMD_SET_LEFT_UP (* pstBuf, 0, 0);
LCD_CMD_SET_RIGHT_DW (* pstBuf, 480, 272);
LCD_CMD_SET_EFFECT (* pstBuf, LCD_CMD_BLEND_NORMAL, LCD_CMD_FLIP_OFF, LCD_CMD_FLIP_OFF);
// Add image (addition)
LCD_CMD_SET_LAYER (* pstBuf, LCD_CMD_LAYER_NUM_0, LCD_CMD_LAYER_CTRL_SEL);
LCD_CMD_SET_PIC (* pstBuf, ES_Bunny_Under, 0, 1, LCD_CMD_PIC_CTRL_ADD);
LCD_CMD_SET_LEFT_UP (* pstBuf, 0, 0);
LCD_CMD_SET_RIGHT_DW (* pstBuf, 480, 272);
LCD_CMD_SET_EFFECT (* pstBuf, LCD_CMD_BLEND_ADD, LCD_CMD_FLIP_ON, LCD_CMD_FLIP_ON);
// Exit command
LCD_CMD_SET_EOC (* pstBuf);
// Command construction finished
CLcdDriver :: LcdSetCmdStat (LCD_CMD_STAT_END);

In the above group of drawing commands, first, the inside of the layer is cleared (all deleted), and the first image (normal) is added to one screen of the frame buffer 7421. Here, first, the start of construction of the drawing command is specified by the command CLcdDriver :: LcdSetCmdStat (LCD_CMD_STAT_START). After that, the layer on which the image is placed is specified by the procedure LCD_CMD_SET_LAYER, and the specific image to be used in the subsequent procedure LCD_CMD_SET_LAYER is specified. At this time, ES_Dwin01_New corresponds to the buffer address in the storage unit 740 of the specific image copied on or from the CGROM 711 of the specific image. In addition, the procedure LCD_CMD_SET_LEFT_UP and LCD_CMD_SET_RIGHT_DW specify the position and size of the image in one screen, and the necessary effects (blend, transparency, presence / absence of flipping up / down / left / right, etc.) are specified by the procedure LCD_CMD_SET_EFFECT. Subsequently, the second image (addition) is added to the same layer (or the same for another layer) in the same procedure flow. The end of adding this image is declared by the command LCD_CMD_SET_EOC (* pstBuf). Finally, the end command CLcdDriver :: LcdSetCmdStat (LCD_CMD_STAT_END) declares the end of command construction.

Upon receiving the group of drawing commands as described above, the display control unit 701 analyzes and executes the drawing commands for each frame of the image to be displayed on the display 702. For example, an image in which a character (second image) is superimposed and displayed at an appropriate position on the texture of the background (first image) is drawn for one screen of the frame buffer 7421. With such drawing control, the display 702 can display a QR code (registered trademark) required for a user service that links a mobile phone / smartphone, a menu display required for such a service, a slump graph display, and the like. Any game display can be performed.

The above drawing command is an example in the form of, for example, a C ++ pseudo program code, and the above notation does not limit the form of the drawing command. For example, the drawing command actually transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 via the communication interface 703 may be expressed in the form of a binary code described by a table data structure or a packet structure or a byte-compiled intermediate code. Further, in the above drawing command example, the screen rewriting is divided into a plurality of commands such as a deletion command, an image addition command, or a control command for specifying the position and size of the image to be added. It is supposed to be described. However, for example, a command specification that allows the rewriting of the screen to be specified by one command may be adopted. In that case, it is possible to adopt a command specification in which an option that can specify whether to clear the current display image or to superimpose the display without clearing the current display image can be specified by an argument of a drawing command or the like. Also, in the case of drawing such as screen rewriting, a full set drawing command consisting of multiple commands such as a delete command, an image addition command, or a control command for specifying the position and size of the image to be added is executed every time. When transmitted to the display control unit 701, the efficiency of the display process may decrease and problems such as dropped frames may occur when the communication speed of the interface is not sufficient. Therefore, in the case of partial rewriting of the screen, it is possible to prepare a command that can send only the difference from the previous screen.

Further, the above-mentioned group of drawing commands substantially corresponds to, for example, a format in which a macroized drawing command is expanded into the display list format used for the VDP command in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 and the like. If the drawing command sent to the display control unit 701 is macroized in the format of the display list, the display control unit 701 needs to perform a relatively complicated analyzer processing such as that performed by the VDP.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the CPU 601 on the sub-control unit 20 side may transmit the drawing command in a format expanded in a list of commands in advance. For example, the CPU 601 on the sub-control unit 20 side can sequentially transmit drawing commands to the display control unit 701 at the display time of a specific image. As a result, the display control unit 701 draws (renders) an image of one screen to be displayed by the display 702 in one screen of the frame buffer 7421 without performing a relatively complicated analyzer processing such as that performed by VDP. can do.

Due to the division of roles between the CPU 601 on the sub-control unit 20 side and the CPU 710 on the display control unit 701 as described above, no complicated and expensive hardware is required, and any CPU is simple and relatively easy to use with inexpensive hardware. It is possible to control an image display, for example, which is performed by a small display 702, only by performing program control that can be executed at high speed.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, the display control unit 701 can be implemented with a simple, inexpensive, compact and lightweight hardware configuration, and for example, the display control unit 701 and the display 702 are shown by, for example, the broken line in FIG. The portion of the display device 700 can be easily configured as an integrated display unit. Moreover, the display device 700 configured as this display unit can be easily connected to the sub-control unit 20 via a simple communication interface such as a serial interface.

Therefore, on the sub-control unit 20 side, it is not necessary to perform a large-scale software modification including a display list operation depending on the presence or absence of a small display 702 for each model, and if the small display 702 displays the display If necessary, it is possible to control a model having a display 702 simply by incorporating the above-mentioned simple drawing command generation and transmission processing. Conversely, the display unit of the present embodiment is configured such that the display control unit 701 and the display unit 702 are integrated, can be connected to the sub control unit 20 via a communication interface, and a simple drawing command group can be interpreted. Is highly versatile and does not require a large-scale hardware or software repair on the sub-control unit 20 side, and can be easily used for expansion or repair.

Here, with reference to FIG. 7, a configuration example around the CPU 710 of the display control unit 701 of FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 7 shows in detail a configuration example around the CPU 710 of the display control unit 701 of FIG. In FIG. 7, the CPU 710 is a single CPU chip or a part of a CPU unit integrated with some peripherals in the form of, for example, a CPU board. FIG. 7 mainly shows a specific configuration example of an interface that performs input / output between the CPU 710, the sub-control unit 20, and the display 702 composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display).

In FIG. 7, the interface 743 can be configured with a serial interface such as RS422 / RS232 as described above. Transmission from the sub-control unit 20 to the CPU 710 is performed by a serial data RXD and a signal line such as a clock RXCLK. The serial data RXD and the clock RXCLK shown on the upper side of FIG. 7 are connected to, for example, the serial port of the CPU 710 (or its peripheral circuit).

On the other hand, transmission from the CPU 710 to the sub-control unit 20 is performed via the serial data TXD shown on the lower side of FIG. 7 and each signal line of the clock TXCLK. In this example, since the CPU 710 (or its peripheral circuit) does not have a serial I / O port, the interface 743 is provided with a parallel / serial converter 7431. When transmitting serial data to the sub-control unit 20, when the CPU 710 inputs transmission data to the parallel / serial converter 7431 from, for example, an 8-bit I / O port, the parallel / serial converter 7431 converts the serial data into serial data. As a result, a serial signal composed of the serial data TXD transmitted to the sub control unit 20 and the clock TXCLK is generated.

Note that FIG. 7 shows a configuration when the CPU 710 or its peripheral circuits have a serial port, and the serial data RXD transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 shown on the upper side and the clock RXCLK are directly connected to the CPU 710. Connected to the block. However, when it is desired to receive the data transmitted from the sub-control unit 20 via the parallel I / O port of the CPU 710 for some reason, for example, the CPU 710 or its peripheral circuit does not have a serial port. A serial / parallel converter (not shown) that performs conversion opposite to that of the parallel / serial converter 7431 may be provided to receive serial data RXD and clock RXCLK.

In the display control, the pixel data drawn by the CPU 710 in the frame buffer assigned to, for example, the SDRAM 7402 is transmitted from the interface 744 to the display 702 (LCD) as, for example, 16-bit color RGB image data.

Further, in FIG. 7, the ROM 7403 includes an area corresponding to the above-mentioned CGROM711 (image ROM), and the ROM7403 may have a bank configuration, for example. The number of banks of the ROM 7403 is arbitrary, and in the present embodiment, it has a 4-bank configuration of B0 to B3, or a configuration in which a larger number of banks is prepared and bank switching is performed may be performed.

For bank switching of ROM 7403, for example, an address decoder 7433 that decodes an address line of about 2 to 4 bits on the upper side of the address bus of the CPU 710 is prepared as a bank switch. With such a configuration, four banks B0 to B3 can be arranged in a memory space accessible by the CPU 710 in the form of a linear address. According to such a configuration, the CPU 710 can automatically access the target banks B0 to B3 of the ROM 7403 simply by outputting the address mapped by the address decoder 7433 in the form of a linear address to the address bus.

The form of bank allocation of ROM 7403, that is, the proper use of what kind of data is stored in each bank is arbitrary. For example, the control program and the image data at the time of initialization are stored in the bank 0. Bank 1 is, for example, an image ROM area corresponding to the above-mentioned CGROM711, and in this image ROM area, image data such as characters, icons, and fonts to be displayed on the display 702, and a QR code (registered trademark) required for user service are used. Image data such as can be stored. Further, in the following banks 1 and 2, other control data such as the above menu display, image material necessary for displaying the slump graph, control data, and the like can be stored.

3. 3. Summary of the present embodiment As described above, the gaming machine (1) of the present embodiment is
A main control unit (10) that controls the game, a display device (700) that displays the game related to the game, and a sub-control unit (20) that controls the game production based on the game control of the main control unit. In a game machine equipped with
The display device (700) includes a display (702) and a display control unit (701) that controls the display of the display.
The sub-control unit (20) transmits a group of drawing commands for causing the game display on the display (702) to the display control unit (701) via the communication interface (703). ,
The display control unit (701) analyzes and executes the drawing command for each frame of the image to be displayed on the display based on the drawing command received via the communication interface (703). The display (702) is configured to display the game.

Further, the group of drawing commands may be configured to include a start command for declaring the start of construction of the drawing command and an end command for declaring the end of construction of the drawing command.

According to the above configuration, the display device (700) is unitized by the display device (702) and the display control unit (701), and the connection between the sub control unit (20) and the display device (700) is established. Is connected via a communication interface (703) such as a serial interface. The display control unit (701) analyzes, executes, and displays the drawing command for each frame of the image to be displayed on the display according to the form of the game display performed on the display (702) such as a small LCD. It suffices to have a function to generate an image. With such a configuration, the display device (700) can be configured as a highly versatile display unit. Further, the group of drawing commands is compact and easy to interpret by having a configuration including a start command for declaring the start of construction of the drawing command and an end command for declaring the end of construction of the drawing command. It is possible to provide a drawing command that can be described in.

The sub-control unit (20) does not need to carry all the hardware and software for display control related to the display device (700), and can issue drawing commands suitable for the display device (700) to be used by the communication interface (703). It may be configured so that it can be transmitted via. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange a VDP or the like in the sub-control unit (20) for display control of the display (702), and the configuration related to the hardware and software of the sub-control unit (20) can be easily and inexpensively developed. The cost can be greatly reduced. That is, according to the present embodiment, there is an excellent effect that the game display using a small or small display can be controlled with a simple and inexpensive hardware and software configuration.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the communication interface (703) can be configured by a parallel interface or a serial interface for transmitting and receiving the drawing command, a network interface, or the like. For example, the communication interface (703) can be configured by a simple interface cable such as a control signal line + power supply line and a communication circuit, and the sub-control unit (20) and the display device (700) are simpler than the case of a bus connection or the like. Can be connected inexpensively.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the display control unit (701) interprets the drawing command and generates drawing command processing means (710) for generating image data to be displayed on the display (702) such as a small LCD. And a storage unit (740) including a frame buffer (7421) for storing the image data generated by the drawing command processing means (710).

Such a configuration only provides a storage unit (740) provided with a drawing command processing means (710) and a frame buffer (7421) necessary and sufficient for displaying a game on a display (702) such as a small LCD. The display device (700) can be easily and inexpensively configured.

Alternatively, the image data material displayed by the display control unit (701) on the display (702) can be stored in a CGROM (711) or the like. In that case, the CGROM (711) can be connected to the bus to which the drawing command processing means (710) and the storage unit (740) are connected, and when the CGROM (711) is mounted by a flash memory or the like, a flash memory interface or the like is used. It can be attached and detached via the above, and for example, it is possible to easily respond to a specification change or version upgrade of the display device (700) simply by exchanging the CGROM (711).

The drawing command used in the present embodiment substantially corresponds to a format in which the drawing command stored in the display list (DL) is expanded into individual commands when, for example, a display list (DL) is used. If the drawing command sent to the display control unit (701) is macroized to the display list format, the display control unit (701) performs relatively complicated analyzer processing such as that performed by VDP. There is a need. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the CPU (601) on the sub-control unit (20) side may transmit the drawing command in a format expanded in a list of commands in advance. For example, the CPU (601) can sequentially transmit drawing commands to the display control unit (701) at the display time of a specific image. As a result, the display control unit (701) displays one screen on the display (702) in one screen of the frame buffer (7421) without performing relatively complicated analyzer processing such as that performed by VDP. Image can be drawn (rendered).

4. Modification Example In the present embodiment described above, a medal (game value) can be increased by performing a stop operation in the batting order instructed by the player in the AT state in the state related to the instruction function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a so-called simple bonus machine that increases medals in a bonus state, for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, the AT state is mainly executed when the game state is the bonus established state, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a shift operation bonus is provided to provide a shift role. It may be a game machine that executes the AT state in the state where the winning shift is established.

Further, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has been described as an example of a game machine, but a pachinko machine (ball game machine) that uses a game ball as a game value to play a game may be used, and particularly a large liquid crystal display or the like. It is conceivable that a second-class gaming machine (so-called blade machine) that does not have the above-mentioned small LCD is provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, a display device that performs a large-scale game effect and a game machine that does not have a VDP to control the display device are illustrated, but when a display device controlled by a VDP of such a scale is arranged. Also, a display device including a small LCD and a display control unit that can be controlled by transmitting a drawing command via a communication interface can be provided as described above.

1 ... Slot machine (game machine)
10 ... Main control unit 20 ... Sub-control unit 700 ... Display device 701 ... Display control unit 702 ... Display 703 ... Communication interface

Claims (2)

In a game machine including a main control unit that controls a game, a display device that displays a game related to a game, and a sub-control unit that controls a game effect based on the game control of the main control unit.
The display device includes a display device and a display control unit that controls the display of the display device.
The sub-control unit transmits a group of drawing commands for causing the game display on the display to the display control unit via a communication interface.
Based on the drawing command received via the communication interface, the display control unit analyzes and executes the drawing command for each frame of the image to be displayed on the display, thereby performing the game on the display. A game machine characterized by displaying. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the group of drawing commands includes a start command for declaring the start of construction of the drawing command and an end command for declaring the end of construction of the drawing command.

Images