JP2021129715A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress a delay between a performance operation controlled by first control means and a performance operation controlled by second control means, even if the amount of commands that instruct a performance content from the first control means to the second control means is varied.SOLUTION: A game machine includes first control means (sub control board) for controlling a performance operation (sub performance operation) of a first performance device and second control means (image sound control board) for controlling a performance operation (image performance operation) of a second performance device. The first control means determines a performance content and transmits a command instructing the performance content to the second control means. The second control means starts the performance operation of the second performance device according to the instructed performance content, when the reception of the command is completed. The first control means can determine one of a plurality of performance contents having different amounts of commands, waits for the elapse of a fixed waiting time, and starts the performance operation of the first performance device, regardless of the determined performance content. The waiting time is set longer than the transmission time when the amount of commands is the minimum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) that plays a game by firing a gaming ball toward a gaming area formed on a gaming board.

A gaming machine that plays a game by firing a gaming ball toward a gaming area formed on a gaming board is equipped with various production devices such as a liquid crystal display, lamps, movable members, and production buttons. Is common, and it is possible to perform various effects in order to enhance the interest of the game as the game progresses.

It is known that such a game machine is provided with an effect control board (so-called sub-control board) that controls the entire effect and a liquid crystal control board that mainly controls the effect by a liquid crystal display under the control of the effect control board. (For example, Patent Document 1). The effect control board determines the overall effect content, controls the effect operation using lamps, movable members, effect buttons, etc., and gives commands to the liquid crystal control board to instruct the effect content of the liquid crystal display. Send. The liquid crystal control board controls the effect operation using the liquid crystal display according to the received command. Further, when synchronizing the effect operation controlled by the effect control board with the effect operation controlled by the liquid crystal control board, a predetermined standby time is taken in advance in consideration of the time required to prepare the effect operation controlled by the liquid crystal control board. After that, the effect operation under the control of the effect control board is started.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-202993

However, as described above, in the gaming machine that transmits the command for instructing the effect content from the effect control board to the liquid crystal control board, the amount of the command to be transmitted varies according to the effect content, and the liquid crystal control board completes the reception of the command. Since the effect operation is controlled after that, if the amount of commands is large and it takes time to transmit, the effect operation controlled by the liquid crystal control board is delayed compared to the effect operation controlled by the effect control board. There was a problem that there was.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if the amount of commands for instructing the effect contents from the effect control board to the liquid crystal control board fluctuates, the effect operation and the liquid crystal display under the control of the effect control board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing a delay between an effect operation controlled by a control board.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine of the present invention adopts the following configuration. That is,
In a gaming machine equipped with a first effect device and a second effect device capable of performing an effect
A first control means that determines the effect content using the first effect device and the second effect device and controls the effect operation of the first effect device according to the effect content.
A second control means for controlling the effect operation of the second effect device according to the effect content determined by the first control means is provided.
When the second control means completes the reception of the command instructing the effect content transmitted from the first control means, the second control means starts the effect operation of the second effect device.
The first control means can determine one of a plurality of the effect contents having a different amount of the command to be transmitted to the second control means, and regardless of the determined effect content, a fixed waiting time. Waiting for the progress of, the production operation of the first production device is started, and
The waiting time is set to be longer than the transmission time when the amount of the command instructing the effect content determined by the first control means is the minimum.

According to the present invention, even if the amount of commands for instructing the effect contents from the first control means to the second control means fluctuates, the effect operation of the first effect device and the second control means under the control of the first control means. It is possible to suppress a delay between the control and the effect operation of the second effect device.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board 20 of this Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the segment display part 50 in an enlarged manner. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates one aspect of the display in the effect display device 41. It is explanatory drawing which showed the moving mode of the movable member 100 of this Example. 6 is a flow chart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as a control related to the progress of the game. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the jackpot probability of performance 1-performance 6. It is a flowchart which showed the rough flow of the effect control process performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 as the control related to the effect of a game. It is explanatory drawing which showed the effect operation performed with respect to the command received from the main control board 200 by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image / audio control process performed by the CPU 231 of the image / audio control board 230 as control related to image display and audio output. It is a time chart which showed the example in which the image effect operation is delayed with respect to the sub effect operation at the time of the synchronous effect in the pachinko machine 1 of the conventional example. It is a flowchart which showed the synchronous effect processing which CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of 1st Example executes. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the relationship between the character appearing in the effect display device 41 in a success effect, and the set performance. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of 1st Example. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the 2nd Example. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the 3rd Example. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of 4th Example. It is a flowchart which showed the synchronous effect processing which CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of 5th Example executes. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the 5th Example. It is a flowchart which showed the synchronous effect processing which CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of 6th Example executes. It is a time chart which showed the example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the sixth embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the image-sound control process which CPU231 of the image-sound control board 230 of 7th Example executes. It is a flowchart which showed the synchronous effect processing which CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of 7th Example executes. It is a time chart which showed the example which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the 7th Example.

In order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a type of pachinko machine (game machine) called "seven machine" or "digipachi" will be described. In the embodiment, "front" and "front" indicate "front with respect to the gaming machine", that is, "direction closer to the player (front side when viewed from the player)", and "rear" and "front". "Back" indicates "backward with respect to the gaming machine", that is, "direction away from the player (back side when viewed from the player)". In addition, "upper" means "upper" when viewed from the player, "lower" indicates "lower" when viewed from the player, and "left" means "lower" when viewed from the player. It indicates that it is "left", and "right" indicates that it is "right" when viewed from the player.

A. Pachinko machine equipment configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 is provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1. One end (left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame 4 is rotatably supported with respect to the middle frame 3. A game board 20 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (opened) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame 3. , The game board 20 is exposed. One end (left side in FIG. 1) of the middle frame 3 is rotatably supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-shaped members, and forms an outer frame of the pachinko machine 1.

A window portion 4a is formed in a substantially central portion of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate is fitted in the window portion 4a. The player can visually recognize the game area described later of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b). A small window portion 4c is formed in the lower right of the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted in the small window portion 4c. The player can visually recognize the segment display portion described later of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the small window portion 4c (transparent plate 4d).

An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right peripheral portion of the window portion 4a, and a left side lamp 5c is provided on the left peripheral portion of the window portion 4a. Is provided. Further, a pair of upper speakers 6a are provided on the left and right above the window portion 4a, and lower speakers 6b are provided on the front side of the lower portion of the main body frame 2. The upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, the left side lamp 5c, the upper speaker 6a, and the lower speaker 6b are driven in order to enhance the effect on the game.

An upper dish portion 7 is provided below the window portion 4a in the front frame 4. The upper plate portion 7 stores game balls rented out via the card unit 242 (see FIG. 3) and game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1. Further, a lower plate portion 8 is provided below the upper plate portion 7, and a game ball rented out in excess of the capacity of the upper plate portion 7 or a game paid out in excess of the capacity of the upper plate portion 7. The sphere is stored.

A firing handle 9 that can be rotated by a player is provided on the right side of the lower plate portion 8 of the front frame 4. The rotation axis of the launch handle 9 is connected to a launcher unit 261 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the back side of the launch handle 9. A game ball stored in the upper plate portion 7 is supplied to the launcher unit 261. When the player rotates the launch handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the launcher unit 261 and the launch motor built in the launcher unit 261 is activated to play the game with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. The ball is fired.

Further, an effect button 10a that can be pressed by the player is provided on the front edge of the upper plate 7, and a pushing operation or a rotation operation by the player is provided on the left side of the lower plate 8. A jog shuttle 10b capable of rotating is provided. Both the effect button 10a and the jog shuttle 10b are effect operation units operated by the player, and when the effect button 10a and the jog shuttle 10b are operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a predetermined game effect is performed.

A-2. Game board composition:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 20 of this embodiment. As described above, the game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular gaming region 21 is formed in the center of the gaming board 20. The game ball launched from the launcher unit 261 (see FIG. 3) is discharged into the game area 21 through between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23, and flows down from above the game area 21. Since the game area 21 is visually recognized by the player through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b) of the front frame 4, the state of the game ball flowing down the game area 21 is naturally visible to the player through the window portion 4a. be.

A central device 40 is provided substantially in the center of the game area 21, and the central device 40 includes an effect display device 41. The effect display device 41 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and various images for effect can be displayed on the display screen thereof. The display content of the effect display device 41 will be described later with reference to another figure.

Further, the central device 40 of this embodiment includes a movable member 100. The movable member 100 of this embodiment is movable in the vertical direction, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the movable member 100 is located above the effect display device 41. The movement mode of the movable member 100 will be described later with reference to another figure.

A normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, it is detected by the built-in gate sensor 27s (see FIG. 3) and flows downward.

A first starting port 24 is provided below the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21. The first starting port 24 is open upward, and the possibility of entering the game ball is constant (constant), so that the game ball can always enter. The game ball that has entered the first start port 24 is guided to the back surface side of the game board 20 through the passage, and is detected by the first start port sensor 24s (see FIG. 3).

Below the first starting port 24 in the game area 21, a second starting port 25 is provided so that the possibility of entering the game ball can be changed. The second starting port 25 of this embodiment is provided with an opening / closing door 26 that is open toward the front and that can rotate with the upper end side tilted forward with the lower end side as an axis. It is possible to change between a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter (or is difficult to enter) while standing upright, and an open state in which the opening / closing door 26 rotates forward to allow the game ball to enter (or easily enter). be. FIG. 2 shows how the second starting port 25 is in the open state. The game ball that has entered the second start port 25 is guided to the back surface side of the game board 20 through the passage and is detected by the second start port sensor 25s (see FIG. 3).

On the right side of the first starting port 24 in the game area 21, a large winning opening 28 having a large opening in a substantially rectangular shape toward the front is provided. The large winning opening 28 is provided with an opening / closing door 29 that can rotate with the upper end side tilted forward with the lower end side as an axis. The door 29 can be rotated forward to change to an open state in which a game ball can enter. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the large winning opening 28 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the large winning opening 28 is guided to the back surface side of the game board 20 through the passage, and is detected by the large winning opening sensor 28s (see FIG. 3).

Two other winning openings 30 are provided on the left side of the first starting opening 24 in the game area 21. In addition, the winning opening 30 is opened upward, and there is no change in the possibility of entering the game ball, and the game ball can be entered at all times. The game ball that has entered the other winning opening 30 is guided to the back surface side of the game board 20 through the passage, and is detected by the other winning opening sensor 30s (see FIG. 3).

Further, around each of the above-mentioned game devices, a windmill type wheel 31 that affects the path through which the game ball flows down and a large number of game nails (not shown in FIG. 2) are provided. Further, an out opening 33 is provided at the lowermost portion of the game area 21, and the ball can be entered in any of the above-mentioned first starting opening 24, second starting opening 25, large winning opening 28, and other winning opening 30. The missing game ball is discharged from the out port 33 to the back surface side of the game board 20.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, due to the arrangement of a plurality of game nails, the left region of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) flows down to the first starting port 24 and the other winning openings 30 described above. A game ball can be entered. On the other hand, a game ball flowing down the area on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) can pass or enter the normal symbol operating gate 27, the second starting port 25, and the large winning opening 28. be. In the following, firing a game ball so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 is also referred to as "left-handed", and launching the game ball so as to flow down the right area of the central device 40. Is also expressed as "right-handed". In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a game ball enters any of the first start port 24, the second start port 25, and the other prize opening 30, three game balls are paid as prize balls. When a game ball is put out and a game ball enters the large winning opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

Further, in the lower right of the game area 21 on the game board 20, a segment display unit 50 that displays information related to the game by combining a plurality of LEDs is provided. The segment display unit 50 is visible to the player through the small window unit 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. The display contents of the segment display unit 50 will be described later with reference to another figure.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of many control boards, various boards, and the like. Focusing on the functions, the main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, the sub control board 220 that controls the control related to the production of the game, and the sub control board 220 control the images. It is composed of an image / audio control board 230 that controls control related to display and audio output, a payout control board 240 that controls control related to rental and payout of game balls, and a launch control board 260 that controls control related to launch of game balls. Has been done. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logical calculations and calculation calculations (CPU 201, 221 and 231 in FIG. 3) and a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU (ROM 202, 222 in FIG. 3). , 232, etc.), RAM (RAM 203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU stores temporary data when executing a program, input / output circuits, and other peripheral LSIs are connected to each other by a bus. Has been done.

The main control board 200 includes a first start port sensor 24s that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 24, and a second start port sensor 25s that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 25. Gate sensor 27s that detects game balls that pass through the normal symbol operating gate 27, large prize opening sensor 28s that detects game balls that have entered the large winning opening 28, and other that detects game balls that have entered the winning opening 30 A winning opening sensor 30s or the like is connected. When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the first starting port sensor 24s, the second starting port sensor 25s, the gate sensor 27s, the large winning opening sensor 28s, the other winning opening sensor 30s, and the like. , The command corresponding to the sensor to which the detection signal is input is transmitted to the sub control board 220, the payout control board 240, and the like.

Further, the main control board 200 switches between the open state and the closed state of the start port solenoid 26m for driving the opening / closing door 26 that can switch between the open state and the closed state of the second start port 25, and the open state and the closed state of the grand prize opening 28. A large winning opening solenoid 29m for driving a possible opening / closing door 29, a segment display unit 50, and the like are connected. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the starting port solenoid 26m, the winning opening solenoid 29m, and the segment display unit 50.

The image / sound control board 230, the lamp board 226, the effect operation board 228, and the like are connected to the sub control board 220. When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the commands and controls the game effect according to the contents. That is, a command for designating a display image or output sound is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230, and the upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, and the left side lamp 5c (hereinafter, also referred to as "various lamps 5a to 5c"). By transmitting a drive signal corresponding to the light emission pattern of the lamp to the lamp substrate 226, the light emission of various lamps 5a to 5c is controlled. The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the present embodiment corresponds to the "first control means" of the present invention, and the various lamps 5a to 5c of the present invention are used as the "first effect device" of the present invention. It is equivalent.

Further, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 detects the player's operation on the effect button 10a or the jog shuttle 10b (hereinafter, also referred to as “effect operation unit 10a, 10b”) via the effect operation board 228, the operation is performed. Perform the corresponding game production. The effect operation units 10a and 10b of this embodiment have built-in LEDs, and it is possible to perform an effect accompanied by light emission (blinking or lighting) of the LEDs. Further, the effect operation units 10a and 10b of the present embodiment correspond to the "first effect device" of the present invention.

Further, a drive motor 100 m for driving the movable member 100 is connected to the sub control board 220 of this embodiment. The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 operates the drive motor 100m to control the vertical movement of the movable member 100 by transmitting a drive signal to the drive motor 100m. The movable member 100 of this embodiment corresponds to the "first effect device" of the present invention.

The image / audio control board 230 includes an image ROM 235 and an audio ROM 236 in addition to the CPU 231 and the ROM 232 and the RAM 233. When the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 receives a command from the sub control board 220, the CPU 231 reads the image data (for example, sprite data, moving image data, etc.) used for displaying the image corresponding to the command from the image ROM 235 and reads the image. It is generated and output to the display screen of the effect display device 41. Further, when the CPU 231 of the image / audio control board 230 receives a command from the sub control board 220, the CPU 231 reads the audio data corresponding to the command from the audio ROM 236 and transmits the signal of the audio data to the amplifier board 224. Sound is output from the upper speaker 6a and the lower speaker 6b (hereinafter, also referred to as "various speakers 6a, 6b"). The CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 of this embodiment corresponds to the "second control means" of the present invention. Further, the effect display device 41 and various speakers 6a and 6b of the present embodiment correspond to the "second effect device" of the present invention.

A ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper plate portion 7, a card unit 242 juxtaposed with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like are connected to the payout control board 240. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, the detection signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 to rent out the game ball while communicating data with the payout control board 240. Further, when the payout control board 240 receives a payout command instructing the payout of the game ball from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 drives the payout motor 243 to pay out the game ball.

Further, the launch control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240, and the launch device unit 261 is connected to the launch control board 260. The launcher unit 261 has a launch motor 262 for launching a game ball, a touch switch 263 for detecting that the player is touching the launch handle 9, and the like. When the touch switch 263 detects that the player is touching the launch handle 9, the launch motor 262 can be operated, and the game ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9.

B. Outline of the game:
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game proceeds as follows. When the player rotates the launch handle 9 with the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7, the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 are supplied to the launcher unit 261 one by one, and FIG. 2 is shown. It is used and fired toward the game area 21 described above. Since the strength with which the game ball is launched corresponds to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9, the player can make the game ball flow down to a desired region by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. For example, a game ball is fired (left-handed) so as to flow down to the left area of the central device 40 (effect display device 41), or a game ball is caused to flow down to the right area of the central device 40. Can be fired (right-handed).

As described above, a left-handed game ball can enter the first starting port 24. When the game ball enters the first starting port 24 and is detected by the first starting port sensor 24s, a predetermined judgment random number (big hit judgment random number, etc.) is acquired, and whether it is a big hit based on the value of the judgment random number. After making a big hit determination to determine whether or not the ball is out of alignment, the segment display unit 50 displays a variation of the first special symbol (hereinafter, also referred to as “first special symbol”). In addition, a right-handed game ball can enter the second starting port 25. When the game ball enters the second starting port 25 and is detected by the second starting port sensor 25s, after acquiring a judgment random number and making a big hit judgment, the segment display unit 50 displays the second special symbol. (Hereinafter, also referred to as "second special figure") is displayed in a variable manner. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first special figure and the second special figure, it may be simply referred to as a "special symbol".

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view showing the segment display unit 50. As described above, the segment display unit 50 is visible to the player through the small window unit 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. As shown in the drawing, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a first special figure display unit 51 for displaying the first special figure and a second special figure display unit 52 for displaying the second special figure, respectively. It is composed of 9 LEDs. The first special figure and the second special figure are displayed in a variable manner by blinking nine LEDs (switching the LED to be turned on) on the corresponding display units 51 and 52, and the predetermined combination of LEDs is turned on. Stop is displayed. At this time, if the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the LED of the combination corresponding to the jackpot symbol is turned on, and if the result is off, the LED of the combination corresponding to the missed symbol is turned on.

Further, even if the game ball enters the first starting port 24 or the second starting port 25, the start condition of the new variation display is not satisfied during the variation display of the first special figure or the second special figure. In this case, the value of the judgment random number acquired by entering the ball into the first starting port 24 is stored as the first special figure hold, and the value of the determination random number acquired by entering the ball into the second starting port 25 is stored in the second special figure. Store as figure hold. After that, when the start condition of the new variation display of the special symbol (1st special figure or 2nd special figure) is satisfied, a big hit judgment is made based on the 1st special figure hold or the 2nd special figure hold, and the corresponding special The variable display of the design is performed. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, up to four such first special figure hold and second special figure hold can be stored.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 includes a first special figure hold display unit 53 for displaying the number of first special figure hold storage (first special figure hold number), and a second special figure hold storage unit 53. A second special figure holding display unit 54 for displaying the number (second special figure holding number) is provided, and each is composed of two LEDs. In these hold display units 53 and 54, if the number of holds is 0, both LEDs are turned off, if the number of holds is 1, one LED is turned on, and if the number of holds is 2, the number of holds is 2. Two LEDs are lit, and if the number of holds is three, one LED blinks, and if the number of holds is four, two LEDs blink.

When the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, the big hit game in which the big winning opening 28 is opened is executed. In the jackpot game, a round game in which a specified number (for example, 9) of game balls enters the opened big winning opening 28 or a predetermined opening time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses is repeated a plurality of times. .. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot symbols are provided, and the number of round games performed in the jackpot game differs depending on the type of the jackpot symbol displayed as stopped (for example, 4 times, 8 times, 16). times). As described above, when a game ball enters the big prize opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out as prize balls. Therefore, the larger the number of round games (the number of rounds), the larger the number of players. It is possible to win the prize ball.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a right-handed display unit 55 composed of three LEDs. As described above, a right-handed game ball can enter the big winning opening 28, and during the big hit game, right-handed is advantageous for the player, so the LED of the right-handed display unit 55 is turned on. By doing so, the player is encouraged to hit right.

Further, as described above, a normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41), and a right-handed game ball can pass through the normal symbol operating gate 27. .. When the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a judgment random number for hitting a normal figure) is acquired, and whether the hit or miss is hit based on the value of the judgment random number. After performing the normal symbol hit determination, the segment display unit 50 displays the fluctuation of the normal symbol.

As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a normal diagram display unit 56 for displaying a normal symbol, and is composed of two left and right LEDs. The normal symbol is fluctuated by blinking two LEDs (switching the LED to be turned on) on the normal figure display unit 56, and is stopped and displayed with one LED turned on. At this time, if the result of the normal figure hit determination is a normal figure hit, the left LED corresponding to the normal figure hit symbol is turned on, and if it is off, the right LED corresponding to the off symbol is turned on. Then, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as the normal symbol, the second starting port 25 is opened for a predetermined time and then returned to the closed state. Therefore, the second starting port 25 is played. The possibility that the game ball will enter the ball (that is, the possibility that the variable display of the second special figure will be performed) will increase.

In addition, even if the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, if the start condition of the new fluctuation display is not satisfied, such as during the fluctuation display of the normal symbol, the value of the acquired determination random number is put on hold. It is possible to store up to four as. After that, when the start condition of the new variation display of the normal symbol is satisfied, the normal symbol hit determination and the variation display of the normal symbol are performed based on the normal symbol hold. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a normal figure hold display unit 57 composed of two LEDs, and the storage number of the normal figure hold (the number of normal figure hold) is the normal figure hold. It is displayed on the display unit 57.

The opening time of the second starting port 25 in the game per normal figure differs depending on whether it is in the “electric support state” or the “non-electric support state”. In the electric support state, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer than in the non-electric support state. Further, in the electric support state, the probability that the result of the normal symbol hit determination will be the normal figure hit (probability of hitting the normal figure) is higher than in the non-electric support state, and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is set shorter. Therefore, in the electric support state, the possibility that the game ball enters the second starting port 25 (that is, the possibility that the variation display of the second special figure is performed) is higher than in the non-electric support state, and the electric support state. Since right-handed hitting is advantageous for the player inside, the player is urged to hit right-handed by turning on the LED of the right-handed hit display unit 55 as in the case of the big hit game.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot symbols provided are roughly classified into a "normal hit symbol" and a "probability variation hit symbol", and even if the special symbol is stopped and displayed at any jackpot symbol. After the jackpot game is over, the electric support state is set. Then, in the case of a normal hit symbol, after the jackpot game is completed, the probability that the jackpot determination result will be a jackpot (big hit probability) is set to a predetermined normal probability (low probability), and the number of fluctuations of the special symbol is a predetermined number of times. When it reaches (for example, 100 times), it is set to the non-electric support state. On the other hand, in the case of a probability variation hit symbol, the jackpot probability is set to a high probability higher than the normal probability after the end of the jackpot game, and is continued until the next jackpot game together with the electric support state. In the following, a state in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability may be referred to as a “probability change state”. Further, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is shorter and easier to set than in the non-electric support state. Therefore, the state in which the electric support state and the jackpot probability is set to the normal probability is referred to as the "time reduction state". Sometimes referred to.

Further, in conjunction with the variable display of the above-mentioned special symbols (first special figure and second special figure), the effect display device 41 displays various images for effect. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one aspect of display in the effect display device 41. On the display screen of the effect display device 41, three decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c and a background image 41d as a background thereof can be displayed as the symbols for the effect. When the variable display of the special symbol is started on the first special symbol display unit 51 or the second special symbol display unit 52 of the segment display unit 50, the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c also have a plurality of numbers on the effect display device 41. (For example, nine numbers from "1" to "9") are switched one after another to display a variable display (hereinafter, also referred to as "design variable effect"). In addition to the numbers, the decorative design may be a design of characters, figures, symbols, etc., and may be in a form in which the player can identify the type.

FIG. 5A conceptually shows how the three decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed in a variable manner all at once. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left decorative symbol 41a is first stopped and displayed at any of "1" to "9", then the right decorative symbol 41c is stopped and displayed, and finally the middle. The decorative symbol 41b is stopped and displayed. Then, when the special symbols (1st special symbol or 2nd special symbol) are out of alignment and the special symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are stopped and displayed, the three decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed in a combination (doublet) that does not have the same numbers. On the other hand, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big hit symbol, it is stopped and displayed in a combination (doublet) with the same number. In particular, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with a probability variation hit symbol that is more advantageous to the player than the normal hit symbol, the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are all stopped and displayed with the same odd number.

By associating the display contents of the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c in the effect display device 41 with the display contents of the special symbols in this way, two of the three decorative symbols are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (b). If the numbers are the same at the time, the player will pay close attention to the variable display of the decorative symbols (design variation effect), as if the decorative symbols that are stopped and displayed at the end are also the same numbers. In this way, the effect performed while the last decorative symbol is variablely displayed while the two decorative symbols are stopped and displayed with the same symbol is called "reach effect", and by generating the reach effect, the game is enjoyed. It is possible to increase. In addition, such a reach production includes a normal reach production (normal reach production) and a reach production that lasts longer than the normal reach production (super reach production), and is decorated by developing into a super reach production. It is suggested that there is a high possibility that the symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are stopped and displayed in doublets (big hit reliability).

Further, at the lower part of the display screen of the effect display device 41, a hold display area 42 (indicated by a broken line in the figure) for displaying a hold symbol corresponding to the special figure hold (first special figure hold or second special figure hold) is displayed. The enclosed part) is provided. In the hold display area 42 of this embodiment, as hold symbols (small circles in the figure), the unexecuted symbol 43 corresponding to the special figure hold in which the change display of the special symbol has not been executed, and the special symbol 43 in which the change display has already started. The running symbol 44 corresponding to the special figure hold that triggered the execution of the symbol is displayed, and if it is in the non-electric support state (when left-handed), the hold symbol corresponding to the first special figure hold Is displayed, and if it is in the electric support state (when hitting right), the hold symbol corresponding to the second special figure hold is displayed. As described above, a maximum of four unexecuted symbols 43 can be stored in the hold display area 42 as in the example of FIG. 5, in response to the fact that up to four first special figure hold and second special figure hold can be stored. Up to 4 can be displayed.

Further, as described above, the movable member 100 is installed in the central device 40 of the present embodiment so as to be movable in the vertical direction. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a movement mode of the movable member 100 of this embodiment. As shown by the broken line in the figure, the movable member 100 of this embodiment is basically arranged above the effect display device 41.

However, the effect display device 41 is arranged behind the movable member 100, and when the movable member 100 is moved downward by the drive of the drive motor 100 m, it is located in front of the effect display device 41 as shown in FIG. It will be placed downward. By the movable member 100 appearing on the front surface of the effect display device 41 in this way, it is possible to attract the attention of the player and obtain a large effect. Then, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, an effect of synchronizing the display of the image on the effect display device 41 with the light emission of the various lamps 5a to 5c and the appearance of the movable member 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "synchronous effect"). It is possible to execute. The movable member 100 that appears on the front surface of the effect display device 41 then moves upward again by being driven by the drive motor 100 m, and returns to the original upward arrangement.

C. Control contents of the pachinko machine of this embodiment:
C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as a control related to the progress of the game. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 executes the game control process of FIG. 7 based on a timer interrupt generated at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 4 msec). In the following description, the description of well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 201, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt enable process will be omitted.

When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the game control process, it first performs the output process (S10). In the main control board 200 of this embodiment, various commands to be transmitted to various control boards including the sub control board 220 in each process described later are temporarily stored in the output buffer secured in the RAM 203. In the output process (S10), various commands stored in the output buffer are transmitted to various control boards. By doing so, for example, the sub control board 220 controls the effect according to the progress of the game, and the payout control board 240 pays out the game ball.

The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs an input process (S20) following the output process (S10). As described above, when a game ball enters any of the first starting port 24, the second starting port 25, the large winning opening 28, and the other winning opening 30, the game ball is paid out as a winning ball. .. Therefore, in the input process (S20), the game ball is detected for various sensors (first starting port sensor 24s, second starting port sensor 25s, large winning opening sensor 28s, other winning opening sensor 30s, etc.) that detect the entry of the ball. Determine if you did. Then, when the game ball is detected, the payout command instructing the payout of the game ball is stored in the output buffer described above. The payout command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the payout control board 240 in the next output process (S10). Upon receiving the command, the payout control board 240 pays out three game balls if the game ball enters any of the first start port 24, the second start port 25, and the other winning opening 30 as described above. , If it is the big winning opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

When the input process (S20) is completed, the random number update process (S30) is then performed. As described above, the normal symbol hit determination and the special symbol jackpot determination are performed based on the value of a predetermined determination random number. In addition to this, various decisions described later are made based on the value of a dedicated random number. In the random number update process (S30), these random numbers are updated. The random number is updated not only in the random number update process (S30) in the game control process, but also from the end of the game control process to the start of the next game control process (timer interrupt occurs). It may be done in the meantime. Further, a dedicated circuit for updating the random number may be provided, and the random number may be updated by this dedicated circuit.

After completing the random number update process (S30), the gate sensor detection process (S40) is performed. In the gate sensor detection process (S40), when the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved figures has reached the upper limit (“4” in this embodiment). If it is determined and not reached, a random number for determining the normal figure is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as a normal figure hold.

Following the gate sensor detection process (S40), the start port sensor detection process (S50) is performed. In the start port sensor detection process (S50), when the game ball that has entered the first start port 24 is detected by the first start port sensor 24s, the number of reserved first special figures is the upper limit value (“4” in this embodiment). Is determined, and if it is not reached, a predetermined determination random number is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as the first special figure hold. Further, when the game ball that has entered the second starting port 25 is detected by the second starting port sensor 25s, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved second special figures has reached the upper limit value (“4” in this embodiment). Then, if it has not reached, a predetermined determination random number is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as the second special figure hold. Here, as the judgment random number, a big hit judgment random number for performing a big hit judgment, a symbol determination random number for determining the type of the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed with a special symbol in the case of a big hit, and a start of variable display of the special symbol. The fluctuation pattern determination random number for determining the fluctuation pattern from to the stop display is acquired.

When the start port sensor detection process (S50) is completed, the normal operation process (S60) is then performed. In the normal operation processing (S60), the following processing is mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not the variable display of the normal symbol or the game per normal symbol is being executed. If neither the fluctuation display of the normal symbol nor the execution of the game per normal symbol is in progress, the number of reserved normal symbols is "0" after confirming that the predetermined fixed time has passed from the stop display of the normal symbol. Judge whether or not. If the number of normal figure holds is not "0" (if the normal figure hold is stored), the first stored normal figure hold is read, and the read normal figure hold (value of the random number determined per normal figure). Judgment is made based on. In this normal figure hit judgment, if the value of the normal figure hit judgment random number read out as the normal figure hold is a predetermined hit value, it is determined to be a normal figure hit, and if it is an outlier other than the hit value, it is determined to be an outlier. .. As described above, in the electric support state, the probability of hitting a normal figure is set higher (more hit values) than in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the probability of hitting a normal figure is set to 1/100. On the other hand, in the electric support state, the probability of hitting a normal figure is set to 99/100.

Then, based on the result of the normal symbol hit determination, it is determined whether to stop and display the normal symbol with the normal symbol or the off symbol. Further, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is set, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is started, and "1" is subtracted from the number of reserved symbols. As described above, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is set shorter than in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the fluctuation time is set to 20 seconds, whereas in the electric support state, the fluctuation time is set to 20 seconds. The fluctuation time is set to 1 second.

When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is in progress, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed, and when the fluctuation time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined normal symbol per symbol or out-of-print symbol. Then, after waiting for the elapse of the fixed time, if the stopped-displayed normal symbol is an out-of-order symbol, the process of starting the variable display of the normal symbol again is performed. On the other hand, if the stopped-displayed normal symbol is a normal symbol, the game per normal symbol is started.

During the game, the start port solenoid 26m is driven to open the second start port 25, and then the process returns to the closed state after the opening time elapses. As described above, in the electric support state, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer than in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the opening time is 0.3 seconds (0.1 seconds x 3 times). While it is set to open), the open time is set to 4.5 seconds (1.5 seconds x 3 times open) in the electric support state.

After completing the normal operation process (S60), the special operation process (S70) is subsequently performed. In the special operation process (S70), the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) is in the variable display, the special symbol is in the final display, or in the big hit game. If neither of these is true, it is determined whether or not the number of 1st special figure hold and 2nd special figure hold is "0", and the number of 1st special figure hold or 2nd special figure hold is "0". If not, the values of the various determination random numbers (big hit determination random number, symbol determination random number, fluctuation pattern determination random number) stored as the special figure hold are read out. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, if the second special figure hold is first stored, the second special figure hold stored first is read, and if the second special figure hold is not stored, the first is the first. The first special figure hold stored in is read out (the second special figure hold is preferentially digested).

In this way, the jackpot determination is performed based on the value of the jackpot determination random number read out as the second special figure hold or the first special figure hold. In the big hit judgment, if the value of the read big hit judgment random number is a value corresponding to "big hit" (big hit value), it is judged as a big hit, and if it is a value corresponding to "outlier" (outlier value), it is judged as a miss. do. As described above, in the probabilistic state, the jackpot probability is set higher (more jackpot values) than in the non-probability change state. Further, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment has a performance setting function (so-called setting change) for setting any of performances 1 to 6 based on the operation of the performance setting button (not shown) by the manager of the game hall. It has a function), and performances 1 to 6 have different jackpot probabilities.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the jackpot probabilities of performances 1 to 6. As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the jackpot probability is set to the normal probability (low probability) (hereinafter, also referred to as “low probability”), the jackpot probability becomes high as in the probability variation state. There are cases where it is set (hereinafter also referred to as "high probability"). Therefore, the jackpot probability at the low probability and the jackpot probability at the high probability are predetermined for each of the performances 1 to 6, and are stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

According to the illustrated example, the jackpot probability of performance 1 is 1/160 when the probability is low and 1/50 when the probability is high. The jackpot probability of performance 2 is 1/155 when the probability is low and 1/47 when the probability is high, which is higher than that of performance 1. Furthermore, the jackpot probability of performance 3 is 1/150 at low probability and 1/144 at high probability, and the jackpot probability of performance 4 is 1/145 at low probability and 41 at high probability. The jackpot probability of performance 5 is 1/130 when the probability is low and 1/138 when the probability is high, and the jackpot probability of performance 6 is 1/120 when the probability is low and high. The probability time is 1/35. As the performance value increases in this way, the jackpot probability increases, which is advantageous for the player.

When the manager of the game hall operates the performance setting button, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 stores any of performances 1 to 6 in the performance setting area secured in the RAM 203 based on the operation. By doing so, the performance is set. Further, the set performance is also transmitted to the sub control board 220 and stored in the RAM 223. Then, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 makes a big hit determination according to the big hit probability (big hit value) according to the set performance, and advances the game.

The jackpot determination is performed as described above, and if the result is a jackpot, the jackpot symbol to be stopped and displayed is determined. As described above, a plurality of big hit symbols are provided, and they are roughly classified into a normal hit symbol and a probabilistic hit symbol, and either one is based on the value of the symbol determination random number read out as the first special symbol hold or the second special symbol hold. Determine the jackpot design of. On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot determination is off, the off symbol is determined as the stop display symbol (stop symbol).

After determining the stop symbol of the special symbol in this way, the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol is determined. The fluctuation pattern is for identifying the time (fluctuation time) from the start of the fluctuation display to the stop display of the special symbol (first special figure or the second special figure), and is provided for a plurality of fluctuations. The patterns have different fluctuation times set for each other. The fluctuation pattern is determined based on the value of the fluctuation pattern determination random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold, and the fluctuation time is shorter in the electric support state than in the non-electric support state. The pattern is easy to determine.

When the fluctuation pattern is determined, the fluctuation display of the special symbol is started, and if it is the second special figure, "1" is subtracted from the second special figure hold number, and if it is the first special figure, the first special figure hold number. Subtract "1" from. Further, the variation pattern specification command for specifying the variation pattern of the special symbol and the stop symbol specification command for specifying the stop symbol are stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. These commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). By receiving these commands, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 41 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol.

If the fluctuation display of the special symbol is being displayed, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed. As described above, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is set to the fluctuation pattern, and when the fluctuation time elapses, the special symbol is stopped and displayed at the determined stop symbol (big hit symbol or off symbol). In addition, the time (fixed time) for confirming and displaying the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed is set. Further, the variable stop command indicating the stop display of the special symbol is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub control board 220 in the next output process (S10). When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the fluctuation stop command, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 ends the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 41.

During the confirmation display of the special symbol, it is determined whether or not the confirmation time has elapsed, and when the confirmation time has elapsed, it is determined whether the confirmed display special symbol is a jackpot symbol or a missed symbol. As a result, if it is an out-of-time symbol, it is determined whether or not it is in the time-saving state, and if it is in the time-saving state, the number of fluctuations of the special symbol in the time-saving state is counted. Then, when the counted number of fluctuations reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), the electric support state is terminated and the normal state, which is the non-electric support state, is set. Further, with the change of the game state, the game state designation command indicating the game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

On the other hand, when the special symbol that is confirmed and displayed is the jackpot symbol, the opening pattern (number of rounds, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the jackpot 28 in the jackpot game is set, and the jackpot game is started. As described above, the number of rounds differs depending on the type of jackpot symbol displayed as a stop display (confirmed display). Further, the jackpot game start command indicating the start of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

During the big hit game, the round game is started by driving the big winning opening solenoid 29m to open the big winning opening 28. After that, when a specified number of game balls enter the large winning opening 28 or the opening time elapses, the large winning opening 28 is closed and the round game is ended, and the next round game is waited for the closing time to elapse. To start. Then, when all the set number of rounds have been exhausted, the jackpot game ends. Further, the jackpot game end command indicating the end of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

Further, the game state after the end of the big hit game is set according to the type of the big hit symbol displayed as a stop display (confirmed display). That is, if the jackpot symbol is a probability variation hit symbol, it is set to a probability variation state (electric support state in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability), and if the jackpot symbol is a normal hit symbol, it is set to a time saving state (the jackpot probability is a normal probability). Set to the electric support state set to). Further, the game state designation command indicating the game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and is transmitted to the sub control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

When the special operation process (S70) is completed in this way, the game control process of FIG. 7 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt is generated every 4 msec, the game control process of FIG. 7 is executed again. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 advances the game in the pachinko machine 1 by repeatedly performing the game control process as described above. Further, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits various commands to the sub control board 220 while executing the game control process. Then, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the specific effect content based on the received command, and the effect display device 41, various speakers 6a, 6b, various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, and the effect operation unit 10a. , 10b is used to control various game effects. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 will be described.

C-2. Production control processing:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the effect control process performed by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 as the control related to the effect of the game. This effect control process is performed based on a timer interrupt that occurs in a predetermined cycle (for example, every 10 msec). In the following description, the description of well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 221, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt enable process will be omitted.

When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the effect control process, it first performs a command reception process (S100). As described above, various commands are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220, and in the command reception process (S100), it is determined whether or not the commands have been transmitted from the main control board 200. Then, when the command is transmitted, the received command is stored in the received command storage area secured in the RAM 223.

Following the command reception process (S100), the effect content determination process (S110) is performed. In this effect content determination process (S110), the command stored in the received command storage area is analyzed, and the specific effect content is determined according to the command. That is, the image displayed on the effect display device 41, the sound output from the various speakers 6a and 6b, the light emission patterns of the various lamps 5a to 5c, the presence / absence of driving of the movable member 100, and the effect built into the effect operation units 10a and 10c. The light emission pattern of the LED is determined. Further, it is determined whether or not the operation of the effect operation units 10a and 10b is detected when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and if the operation is detected, the effect content corresponding to the operation is determined.

When the effect content determination process (S110) is completed, the effect operation process (S120) is then performed. In the effect operation process (S120), the effect display device 41, various speakers 6a, 6b, various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, and the effect operation unit 10a, 10b are set according to the effect content determined in the effect content determination process (S110). Perform the effect operation used. As described above, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 controls the light emission of the various lamps 5a to 5c, the drive of the movable member 100, the detection of the operation of the effect operation units 10a and 10b, and the light emission of the built-in LED. The CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 controls the image display on the effect display device 41 and the sound output from the various speakers 6a and 6b.

Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 transmits drive signals of various lamps 5a to 5c, a movable member 100 (drive motor 100 m), and effect operation units 10a and 10b (built-in LEDs) in the effect operation process (S120). As a result, the effect operation using these is controlled. Further, a command for instructing the display image of the effect display device 41 and the output sound of the various speakers 6a and 6b is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230. When the effect content is determined by the effect content determination process (S110), the command to be transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 according to the determined effect content is temporarily stored in the output buffer secured in the RAM 223. ing. When the effect operation process (S120) is completed in this way, the effect control process of FIG. 9 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt every 10 msec occurs, the effect control process of FIG. 9 is executed again.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an effect operation performed by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 in response to a command received from the main control board 200. As shown in the figure, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the variation pattern designation command from the main control board 200, the effect display device 41 starts the symbol variation effect of displaying the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c in a variable manner. As described above, the variation pattern designation command is a command for designating the variation pattern of the special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) whose variation display is started on the segment display unit 50, and is the command for specifying the variation pattern of the sub-control board 220 CPU221. Determines (selects) any of the symbol variation effects corresponding to the variation time of the designated variation pattern from a large number of symbol variation effects prepared in advance.

In addition, the result of the jackpot determination (whether it is a jackpot or a miss) is reflected in the determination of the symbol variation effect. As described above, the main control board 200 transmits a stop symbol designation command for designating the stop symbol of the special symbol together with the variation pattern designation command, and the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 is based on the received stop symbol designation command. It is possible to grasp the result of the jackpot judgment. A large number of symbol variation effects include the reach effect described above, and if the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot, it is common to perform a reach effect, and from a normal reach effect to a super reach compared to when the ball is off. There is a high possibility that it will develop into a production. On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot judgment is incorrect, a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time is often specified, and of course, the production execution time of the symbol fluctuation production is also short, so when there is no room for reach production or the like. Is a symbol variation effect that only momentarily displays the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c in a variable manner.

Further, in the symbol variation effect, the decorative symbols 41a, by lighting the various lamps 5a to 5c in a specific color, driving the movable member 100, and operating the effect operation units 10a and 10b by the player. It is possible to suggest that there is a high possibility that the jackpot display (doublet) will be reached before the 41b and 41c are stopped and displayed.

Then, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the fluctuation stop command from the main control board 200, the symbol variation effect is ended and the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41b are stopped and displayed. The stop mode of the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c at this time is determined according to the result of the jackpot determination, and if the result of the jackpot determination is wrong, the numbers are not the same. If it is a big hit, it is doublet with the same number.

Further, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the big hit game start command from the main control board 200, the CPU 221 starts the big hit game effect that impresses the player with the big hit game. For example, a fanfare effect indicating the start of a jackpot game is executed, or a dedicated video indicating that a jackpot game is in progress is played.

Further, in the big hit game effect, various lamps 5a to 5c are lit in a specific color, the movable member 100 is driven, and the effect operation units 10a and 10b are operated by the player during the big hit game. It is possible to suggest the number of round games to be performed and the game state set after the jackpot game is completed. Then, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the jackpot game end command from 200, the jackpot game effect ends.

Further, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives the game state designation command from the main control board 200, the effect mode is changed according to the game state. For example, the background image 41d in the effect display device 41 is changed to one corresponding to the gaming state, and the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are changed to the colors and shapes corresponding to the gaming state.

As described above, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the specific effect content based on the command received from the main control board 200, and uses various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, and the effect operation units 10a and 10b. In addition to controlling the effect operation, commands for instructing the display image of the effect display device 41 and the output sound of the various speakers 6a and 6b are transmitted to the image / sound control board 230. Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 controls the effect operation using the effect display device 41 and various speakers 6a and 6b according to the received command. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 will be described.

C-3. Image / sound control processing:
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an image / audio control process performed by the CPU 231 of the image / audio control board 230 as control related to image display and audio output. This image / sound control process is performed based on a timer interrupt that occurs at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 33.3 msec). In the following description, the description of well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 231 and the interrupt prohibition process and the interrupt enable process will be omitted.

When the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 starts the image / sound control process, it first determines whether or not it is the timing when the reception of the command transmitted from the sub control board 220 is started (S200). When it is the timing when the reception of the command is started (S200: yes), the storage of the received command is started (S202). A reception command storage area for storing received commands is secured in the RAM 233 of the image / sound control board 230.

On the other hand, if it is not the timing when the command reception is started (S200: no), then it is determined whether or not the command is being received (S204). If the command is not being received (S204: no), the sub-control board 220 has not yet instructed the content of the effect. Therefore, if the image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is temporarily terminated and a timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, The image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the command is being received (S204: yes), the process of S202 is omitted, and then it is determined whether or not the command reception is completed (S206). The amount of commands transmitted from the sub-control board 220 to the image / sound control board 230 varies depending on the effect content determined by the sub-control board 220. Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 starts controlling the effect operation using the effect display device 41 and various speakers 6a and 6b when the command reception is completed. Therefore, if the command reception is not completed (S206: no), the image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is temporarily terminated without starting the control of the effect operation, and when the timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, it is again. The image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is executed.

After that, when the reception of the command is completed (S206: yes), the effect preparation process (S208) is performed. In this effect preparation process (S208), image data is read from the image ROM 235 to generate an image, or audio data is read from the audio ROM 236 according to a command stored in the reception command storage area of the RAM 233.

When the effect preparation process (S208) is completed, the effect operation is executed (S210). That is, the generated image is output to the display screen of the effect display device 41, or the sound is output from the various speakers 6a and 6b by transmitting the sound data signal to the amplifier board 224. When the effect operation is executed in this way, the image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the image / sound control process of FIG. 11 is executed again.

As described above, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 controls the effect operation using the effect display device 41 and various speakers 6a and 6b according to the command received from the sub control board 220. However, in the pachinko machine 1 that transmits a command for instructing the effect content from the sub control board 220 to the image / sound control board 230, conventionally, various lamps 5a to 5c, movable members 100, and effect operations controlled by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220. The effect operation using the parts 10a and 10b (hereinafter, also referred to as "sub effect operation"), the effect display device 41 controlled by the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230, and the effect operation using various speakers 6a, 6b (hereinafter, "image"). In the case of synchronous production that synchronizes with (also referred to as "effect operation"), the image production operation may be delayed with respect to the sub-effect operation.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing an example in which the image effect operation is delayed with respect to the sub effect operation during the synchronous effect in the pachinko machine 1 of the conventional example. As described above, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the effect content, it transmits a command instructing the effect content to the image / sound control board 230 and executes the sub effect operation according to the effect content. Then, in the case of the synchronous effect in the conventional pachinko machine 1, a fixed standby time is set on the sub-control board 220 side in consideration of the time required for preparation on the image / sound control board 230 side that receives the command. Is being performed, and the sub-effect operation is executed after the elapse of this waiting time.

FIG. 12A shows an example in which the waiting time is set based on the transmission time of the command instructing the effect A as the synchronous effect. When the transmission of the command is completed, the waiting time elapses and the sub-effect is performed. The operation will start. Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the effect content instructed by the command when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 12A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

However, as described above, the amount of commands transmitted from the sub-control board 220 to the image / sound control board 230 varies according to the effect content determined by the sub-control board 220, and the command transmission time also varies accordingly. do. The fixed waiting time described above is set according to the case where the amount of commands is the minimum.

FIG. 12B shows an example in which the effect B is determined as the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands for instructing the effect B is larger than that of the effect A. Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 starts the sub effect operation when the fixed standby time elapses before the command transmission is completed. After that, when the transmission of the command is completed, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation with the completion of the reception of the command as a trigger. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 12B, the image effect operation is delayed with respect to the sub effect operation. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the delay in such a synchronous effect is suppressed as follows.

D. Suppression of delay in synchronous production:
D-1. First Example:
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a synchronization effect process executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the first embodiment. This synchronous effect processing is a process performed as a part of the effect control process of FIG. 9 described above. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the synchronization effect processing, it first determines whether or not it is a specific operation timing (S130). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a specific operation timing for accepting the operation of the effect button 10a may be set in the symbol variation effect or the jackpot game effect, and the effect of suggesting the specific operation timing to the player is performed. .. For example, the LED built into the effect button 10a is made to emit light at a specific operation timing, or a display instructing the operation of the effect button 10a is displayed on the effect display device 41.

Then, when the specific operation timing is reached (S130: yes), it is then determined whether or not the operation of the effect button 10a is detected (S131). If the operation of the effect button 10a is not detected (S131: no), the transmission of a command instructing the failure effect to the effect that the operation of the effect button 10a has failed is started (S132). Upon receiving this command, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 performs a disappointing display on the effect display device 41. It should be noted that the failure effect does not involve the light emission of the various lamps 5a to 5c, the drive of the movable member 100, the light emission of the LED built in the effect button 10a, and the like. When the transmission of the command to the image / sound control board 230 is started in this way, the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 13 is temporarily terminated, and when the timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 13 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the operation of the effect button 10a is detected in the judgment of S131 (S131: yes), the content of the success effect indicating that the operation of the effect button 10a is successful is determined (S133). In the successful production performed as a synchronous production, the player is impressed with the success by emitting light of various lamps 5a to 5c, driving the movable member 100, and emitting the LED built in the effect button 10a, and the performance setting function described above. The effect display device 41 suggests the performance set in (Which of the performances 1 to 6). The set performance is useful information for the player, and in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, one of a plurality of characters appears in the effect display device 41 in the successful effect, and the appearing character of the character appears. The type suggests the set performance.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the character appearing in the effect display device 41 in the successful effect and the set performance. In the illustrated example, three types of characters X, Y, and Z are prepared as characters that can appear in the success effect. Further, as for the amount of commands for instructing the content of the success effect, the success effect in which the character X appears is the minimum, the success effect in which the character Y appears is in the middle, and the success effect in which the character Z appears is the largest.

When the set performance is low performance of performance 1 or performance 2, character X appears with a probability of 80%, character Y appears with a probability of 10%, and character Z appears with a probability of 10%. Determine the success production so that will appear. If the set performance is medium performance of performance 3 or performance 4, character X appears with a probability of 10%, character Y appears with a probability of 80%, and character Z appears with a probability of 10%. Determine the success production so that will appear. Furthermore, if the set performance is high performance of performance 5 or performance 6, character X appears with a probability of 10%, character Y appears with a probability of 10%, and character Z appears with a probability of 80%. Determine the success production so that will appear.

Therefore, in the successful production, when the character X appears, it is highly likely that the performance is low (performances 1 and 2), and when the character Y appears, the performance is likely to be medium (performances 3 and 4). It is suggested that the character Z is high, and when the character Z appears, it is highly likely that the character Z has high performance (performances 5 and 6). As a result, the player who is more advantageous as the performance value is higher can be expected to have the character Y appear rather than the character X, and the character Z can be expected to appear rather than the character Y.

In S133 of FIG. 13, when the content of the success effect is determined in this way, the command transmission time adjustment process (S134) is next performed. As described above, the amount of commands that instruct the content of the success effect varies depending on the type of character that appears. In the command transmission time adjustment process (S134), regardless of the type of character appearing in the success effect, the time until the command transmission is completed toward the image / sound control board 230 is adjusted to be a predetermined uniform time. .. In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, a uniform time is set according to the time until the transmission of the command instructing the success effect of the character Z, which has the largest amount of commands, is completed. Then, when instructing the success effect of the character X or the success effect of the character Y, since the amount of commands is not enough for the success effect of the character Z, the shortage is a dummy that has nothing to do with the content of the success effect. It is designed to be supplemented with data. As a result, the amount of data transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 can be made constant by adding the command for instructing the success effect and the dummy data. The dummy data to be supplemented here may be prepared in advance in association with the effect content (type of successful effect).

After completing the command transmission time adjustment process (S134), the waiting time for the sub-effect operation (light emission of various lamps 5a to 5c, drive of the movable member 100, light emission of the LED built in the effect button 10a, etc.) is subsequently set. Set (S135). This waiting time is fixed regardless of the content of the success effect (the type of character that appears), is set based on the above-mentioned uniform time, and is slightly longer than the uniform time.

When the fixed standby time is set in this way, the transmission of the command instructing the success effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S136). When instructing the success effect of the character X or the success effect of the character Y, the command supplemented with the dummy data in the command transmission time adjustment process of S134 described above is transmitted.

On the other hand, in the determination of S130, if it is not the specific operation timing (S130: no), then it is determined whether or not the waiting time set in the process of S135 is in progress (S137). Then, when it is not during the standby time (S137: no), the synchronous effect processing of FIG. 13 is temporarily terminated without performing either the failure effect or the success effect, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the figure again shows. 13 Synchronous effect processing is executed.

On the other hand, when the waiting time is in progress (S137: yes), the processing of S131 to S136 is omitted, and it is determined whether or not the waiting time has elapsed (S138). Then, if the standby time has not yet elapsed (S138: no), the synchronous effect processing of FIG. 13 is temporarily terminated without executing the sub-effect operation, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, FIG. 13 is again performed. Executes the synchronous effect processing of.

After that, when the waiting time elapses (S138: yes), the sub-effect operation is executed as the synchronous effect (S139). That is, various lamps 5a to 5c are made to emit light, the movable member 100 is driven, and the LED built in the effect button 10a is made to emit light. When the sub-effect operation is executed in this way, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 13 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 13 is executed again.

FIG. 15 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 15, the description is contrasted with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 15A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and since the amount of commands is the minimum, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 is a dummy. By making up for the shortage with data, the time required to complete the command transmission is adjusted to a predetermined uniform time. Further, the fixed waiting time is set based on the uniform time, and when the transmission of the command is completed, the waiting time elapses and the sub-effect operation is started. It should be noted that the time until the command transmission is completed does not necessarily completely coincide with the uniform time, and there may be a deviation to the extent that the player cannot recognize it.

Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the reception of the command including the dummy data from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 15A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 15B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and since the amount of commands is the largest, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 uses dummy data. The command is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 without any adjustment. Then, when the transmission of the command is completed, the fixed waiting time elapses and the sub-effect operation is started. Further, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 15B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, the time until the command transmission to the image / sound control board 230 is completed is set regardless of the content of the synchronization effect determined by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220. It is designed to be adjusted to a predetermined uniform time. In this way, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronous effect, the start timing of the image effect operation triggered by the completion of command reception is constant, so wait accordingly. By fixing the time, it is possible to suppress the delay between the sub-effect operation triggered by the passage of the standby time and the image effect operation, and improve the synchronization accuracy.

In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, a uniform time is set according to the time until the transmission of the command instructing the effect content (successful effect of character Z) in which the amount of commands is the largest in the synchronous effect is completed. Is set. Therefore, the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronous effect, and even if the content of the effect with a small amount of commands (successful effect of character X or successful effect of character Y) is determined, the amount of commands By adjusting the transmission of the command so that the maximum number of effects is determined, the start timing of the image effect operation triggered by the completion of the reception of the command can be uniformly aligned. If the uniform time is set to be equal to or longer than the time required to complete the transmission when the amount of commands is the largest, the command is transmitted according to the elapse of the uniform time regardless of which effect content is determined. Can be completed.

Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, if the amount of commands for instructing the content of the synchronization effect determined by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 is less than the largest number of the synchronization effects, the shortage Is supplemented with dummy data that has nothing to do with the content of the synchronization effect and is transmitted. In this way, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronization effect, the amount of data transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is constant by supplementing the difference with respect to the largest number with dummy data. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the time until the transmission is completed to a uniform time while making the timing to start the transmission the same.

D-2. Second Example:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment described above, in the command transmission time adjustment process (S134 in FIG. 13), the amount of commands for instructing the content of the synchronous effect (successful effect) is insufficient for the largest amount. By supplementing with dummy data, the time until the command transmission is completed is adjusted to a uniform time. However, the mode of adjustment is not limited to this, and in the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment, the command transmission is completed according to the elapse of a uniform time by adjusting the transmission start timing according to the amount of commands. It is designed to do.

FIG. 16 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the description is contrasted with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 16A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and since the amount of commands is the minimum, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 uses commands. Set the transmission grace period to postpone the transmission of.

This transmission grace period is set to a length corresponding to the shortage for the largest amount of commands, and the smaller the amount of commands to be transmitted, the longer the transmission grace period. Then, by starting the transmission of the command after the transmission grace period has elapsed, the length of the transmission grace period and the time during which the command is actually transmitted can be totaled to match a predetermined uniform time. Further, the fixed waiting time is set based on the uniform time, and when the transmission of the command is completed, the waiting time elapses and the sub-effect operation is started. The total of the length of the transmission grace period and the transmission time of the command does not necessarily have to completely match the uniform time, and there may be a deviation to the extent that the player cannot recognize it.

Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the reception of the command transmitted from the sub control board 220 is completed after the grace period of transmission has elapsed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 16A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 16B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and since the amount of commands is the largest, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 has a transmission grace period. The command is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 without setting. Then, when the transmission of the command is completed, the fixed waiting time elapses and the sub-effect operation is started. Further, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 16B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment, the amount of commands for instructing the content of the synchronization effect determined by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 must be satisfied with respect to the largest number of synchronization effects. For example, a transmission grace period corresponding to the shortage is set, and the command transmission is started after the transmission grace period has elapsed. In this way, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronization effect, the command transmission start timing is appropriately changed (adjusted) so that the commands can be adjusted when the uniform time elapses. Can be completed. As a result, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress the delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation and improve the synchronization accuracy.

D-3. Third Example:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment described above, in the command transmission time adjustment process (S134 in FIG. 13), the time until the command transmission is completed toward the image / sound control board 230 regardless of the content of the synchronization effect is set. It was designed to be adjusted to a predetermined uniform time. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, a command instructing the content of the synchronization effect is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 without performing the command transmission time adjustment process, and the fixed standby time is fixed. Is set longer than the transmission time when the amount of commands is the minimum in the synchronous effect, and shorter than the transmission time when the amount of commands is the largest.

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment. In FIG. 17, the description is contrasted with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 17A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is included in the synchronous effect. Is the smallest. Further, in the example of FIG. 17, a fixed waiting time is set based on the transmission time of the command instructing the success effect of the character Y whose command amount is intermediate in the synchronous effect. Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 completes the command transmission before the waiting time elapses.

Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. After that, when the standby time elapses, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 17A, the sub-effect operation is delayed with respect to the image effect operation.

FIG. 17B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is the largest in the synchronous effect. Is. Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation when the fixed standby time elapses before the command transmission is completed. After that, when the transmission of the command is completed, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation with the completion of the reception of the command as a trigger. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 17B, the image effect operation is delayed with respect to the sub effect operation.

In the conventional pachinko machine 1 described with reference to FIG. 12, when the amount of commands for instructing the contents of the synchronous effect is the minimum, there is no delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation, but the command At the highest amount, there was a large delay. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, the fixed standby time is set, the transmission time when the amount of commands instructing the content of the synchronization effect is the minimum, and the transmission time when the amount of commands is the largest. By setting it in the middle of the transmission time, in both the case where the amount of commands is the minimum and the case where the amount of commands is the maximum, one of the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation is delayed by the other, but the fluctuation width of the delay is generated. Can be made smaller than in the conventional example and averaged.

D-4. Fourth Example:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment described above, in the command transmission time adjustment process (S134 in FIG. 13), the time until the command transmission is completed toward the image / sound control board 230 regardless of the content of the synchronization effect is set. It was designed to be adjusted to a predetermined uniform time. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment, a command instructing the content of the synchronization effect is transmitted from the sub control board 220 to the image / sound control board 230 without performing the command transmission time adjustment process. , The fixed standby time common to the sub control board 220 and the image / sound control board 230 is set.

FIG. 18 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 18, the description is contrasted with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 18A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is included in the synchronous effect. Is the smallest. Further, in the example of FIG. 18, the fixed standby time in the sub control board 220 is set based on the transmission time of the command instructing the success effect of the character Z, which has the largest amount of commands in the synchronous effect. .. Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 completes the command transmission before the waiting time elapses. After that, after the waiting time has elapsed, the sub-effect operation is executed.

On the other hand, also in the image / sound control board 230, when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is started, the fixed standby time common to the sub control board 220 is set. Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the waiting time elapses after the command reception is not completed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 18A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 18B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is the largest in the synchronous effect. Is. Therefore, when the transmission of the command is completed, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation after a fixed waiting time elapses. Further, when the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 completes the reception of the command from the sub control board 220, the fixed standby time elapses and the image effect operation is executed. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 18B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment, a fixed standby time common to the sub control board 220 and the image / sound control board 230 is set. Therefore, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronous effect, the delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation triggered by the passage of a common standby time is suppressed for synchronization. It is possible to improve the accuracy. Further, since the fixed standby time is set based on the transmission time when the amount of commands is the largest in the synchronization effect, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 receives the commands regardless of the amount of commands. After the completion, the image effect operation can be executed with the elapse of the waiting time as an opportunity.

D-5. Fifth Example:
In the pachinko machines 1 of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation with the lapse of a fixed standby time. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment, the sub-effect operation is executed when the transmission of the command is completed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a synchronization effect process executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the fifth embodiment. It should be noted that FIG. 19 mainly describes points different from those of the first embodiment of FIG. 13 described above. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the fifth embodiment starts the synchronous effect processing, it first determines whether or not it is a specific operation timing for accepting the operation of the effect button 10a in the symbol variation effect or the jackpot game effect ( S140). If it is a specific operation timing (S140: yes), then it is determined whether or not the operation of the effect button 10a is detected (S141). If the operation of the effect button 10a is not detected (S141: no), the transmission of a command instructing the failure effect to the effect that the operation of the effect button 10a has failed is started toward the image / sound control board 230 (S142). .. Then, when the transmission of the command is started, the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 19 is temporarily terminated, and when the timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 19 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the operation of the effect button 10a is detected in the determination of S141 (S141: yes), the content of the success effect indicating that the operation of the effect button 10a is successful is determined (S143). That is, the effect operation using the various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, the effect button 10a and the built-in LED, etc. is determined, and as shown in FIG. 14, according to the performance set by the performance setting function. , The character that appears in the effect display device 41 in the success effect is determined.

When the content of the success effect performed as the synchronous effect is determined, the transmission of the command instructing the success effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S144). As described above, the amount of commands for instructing the content of the success effect differs depending on the type of characters that appear. Further, the command for instructing the success effect is temporarily stored in the output buffer secured in the RAM 223, and in the process of S144, the transmission of the command stored in the output buffer is started.

On the other hand, in the determination of S140, if it is not the specific operation timing (S140: no), then it is determined whether or not the transmission of the command instructing the success effect has already been started and is being transmitted (S145). Then, when the command is not being transmitted (S145: no), the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 19 is temporarily terminated as it is, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 19 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the command is being transmitted (S145: yes), the processing of S141 to S144 is omitted, and it is determined whether or not the transmission of the command instructing the success effect is completed (S146). The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the fifth embodiment can grasp the transmission status based on the command in the output buffer of the RAM 223. Then, if the command remains in the output buffer and the transmission of the command has not been completed (S146: no), the synchronous effect process of FIG. 19 is temporarily terminated without executing the sub-effect operation, and a predetermined value is provided. When a timer interrupt occurs in a cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 19 is executed again.

After that, when the command in the output buffer disappears and the transmission is completed (S146: yes), the sub-effect operation is executed as the synchronous effect (S147). That is, various lamps 5a to 5c are made to emit light, the movable member 100 is driven, and the LED built in the effect button 10a is made to emit light. Then, when the sub-effect operation is executed, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 19 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 19 is executed again.

FIG. 20 is a time chart showing an example in which a synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 20, the description is compared with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 20A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is included in the synchronous effect. Is the smallest. Further, the fixed standby time is not set, and when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 starts the transmission of the command, the transmission status is grasped by referring to the output buffer of the RAM 223, and the completion of the transmission is confirmed. Taking this as an opportunity, the sub-effect operation is executed.

Then, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 20A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 20B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is the largest in the synchronous effect. Is. Similar to the example of FIG. 20A described above, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 grasps the command transmission status, and confirms that the transmission of more commands than the example of FIG. 20A has been completed. After that, the sub-effect operation is executed. Further, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 20B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment, instead of setting a fixed standby time, wait for the command transmission from the main control board 200 to the image / sound control board 230 to be completed. , The sub-effect operation is executed. As a result, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the content of the determined synchronous effect, the sub-effect operation is not started by flying before the command transmission is completed. It is possible to suppress a large delay in the image effect operation to be performed with respect to the sub effect operation.

In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 refers to the output buffer of the RAM 223 to grasp the command transmission status, and actually confirms the completion of the command transmission. It is possible to reliably avoid flying movements, suppress delays between sub-effect movements and image production movements, and improve synchronization accuracy.

D-6. Sixth Example:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment described above, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 grasps the command transmission status, confirms the completion of the transmission, and then executes the sub-effect operation. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the sixth embodiment, the required time until the transmission is completed is calculated in advance based on the amount of commands, and when the required time elapses, the sub-effect operation is executed. There is.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a synchronization effect process executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the sixth embodiment. It should be noted that FIG. 21 mainly describes the points different from the fifth embodiment of FIG. 19 described above. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the sixth embodiment starts the synchronization effect processing, it first determines whether or not it is a specific operation timing (S150). If it is a specific operation timing (S150: yes), then it is determined whether or not the operation of the effect button 10a is detected (S151). If the operation of the effect button 10a is not detected (S151: no), transmission of a command instructing the failure effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S152). Then, when the transmission of the command is started, the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 21 is temporarily terminated, and when the timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 21 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the operation of the effect button 10a is detected in the determination of S151 (S151: yes), the content of the success effect is determined (S153). That is, the effect operation using the various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, the effect button 10a and the built-in LED, etc. is determined, and as shown in FIG. 14, according to the performance set by the performance setting function. , The character that appears in the effect display device 41 in the success effect is determined.

When the content of the success effect performed as the synchronous effect is determined, the time required until the transmission of the command instructing the content of the success effect is completed is calculated (S154). As described above, the amount of commands that instruct the content of the success effect differs depending on the type of character that appears. Then, as the amount of commands to be transmitted increases, the time required for transmission becomes longer. Therefore, the time required for command transmission in the example of FIG. 14 is the shortest success effect in which the character X appears, and the success in which the character Y appears. The production is in the middle, and the successful production in which the character Z appears is the longest.

After calculating the time required for command transmission, transmission of a command instructing success effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S155). Then, the time counting of the calculated required time is started (S156).

On the other hand, in the determination of S150, if it is not the specific operation timing (S150: no), then it is determined whether or not the required time calculated in the process of S154 is being clocked (S157). Then, when the required time is not during timekeeping (S157: no), the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 21 is temporarily terminated as it is, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 21 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the required time is being clocked (S157: yes), the processing of S151 to S156 is omitted, and it is determined whether or not the required time for command transmission has elapsed (S158). Then, if the required time has not yet elapsed (S158: no), the synchronous effect processing of FIG. 21 is temporarily terminated without executing the sub-effect operation, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, FIG. 21 is performed again. Executes the synchronous effect processing of.

After that, when the time required for command transmission has elapsed (S158: yes), the sub-effect operation is executed as a synchronous effect (S159). That is, various lamps 5a to 5c are made to emit light, the movable member 100 is driven, and the LED built in the effect button 10a is made to emit light. When the sub-effect operation is executed in this way, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 21 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 21 is executed again.

FIG. 22 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 22, the description is compared with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 22A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is included in the synchronous effect. Is the smallest. The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 calculates the required time for transmission based on the amount of commands instructing the content of the success effect, starts transmitting the command, and starts timing the required time. Then, when the required time has elapsed, the sub-effect operation is executed.

Further, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation according to the command when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 22A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 22B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is the largest in the synchronous effect. Is. Therefore, the time required for transmission calculated by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 based on the amount of commands is longer than that in the example of FIG. 22A, and when the required time elapses after the start of command transmission. , Execute the sub-effect operation. Further, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 executes the image effect operation when the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 is completed. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 22B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the sixth embodiment, the time required for the transmission to be completed is calculated based on the amount of commands instructing the content of the synchronization effect, and the time required has elapsed. In addition, the sub-effect operation is executed. As a result, even if the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 does not accurately grasp the command transmission status, it is possible to easily avoid the flying of the sub-effect operation based on the elapsed time calculated in advance. As a result, as in the fifth embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress the delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation and improve the synchronization accuracy.

D-7. Seventh Example:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment described above, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation when the command transmission is completed. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the seventh embodiment, when the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 completes the reception of the command, the reception completion notification is transmitted to the sub control board 220, and the reception completion notification is received. The CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub effect operation.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the image / sound control process executed by the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 of the seventh embodiment. The image / sound control process of FIG. 23 is basically the same as that of FIG. 11 described above, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 11 and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the determination of S206, when the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 of the seventh embodiment completes the reception of the command from the sub control board 220 (S206: yes), the CPU 231 performs the effect preparation process (S208), and then the command is issued. A reception completion notification indicating that reception has been completed is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S209).

As described above, various commands instructing the effect contents are transmitted from the sub control board 220, and the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 does not need to send a reception completion notification to all of the various commands. , At least, it suffices if the reception completion notification is transmitted to the command instructing the synchronization effect (success effect).

Further, when the reception completion notification is transmitted, the effect operation is executed (S210). That is, the image generated in the effect preparation process (S208) is output to the display screen of the effect display device 41, or the sound is output from the various speakers 6a and 6b by transmitting the audio data signal to the amplifier board 224. ..

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a synchronization effect process executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the seventh embodiment. It should be noted that FIG. 24 mainly describes the points different from the fifth embodiment of FIG. 19 described above. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 of the seventh embodiment starts the synchronization effect processing, it first determines whether or not it is a specific operation timing (S160). If it is a specific operation timing (S160: yes), then it is determined whether or not the operation of the effect button 10a is detected (S161). If the operation of the effect button 10a is not detected (S161: no), transmission of a command instructing the failure effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S162). Then, when the transmission of the command is started, the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 24 is temporarily terminated, and when the timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 24 is executed again.

On the other hand, when the operation of the effect button 10a is detected in the determination of S161 (S161: yes), the content of the success effect is determined (S163). That is, the effect operation using the various lamps 5a to 5c, the movable member 100, the effect button 10a and the built-in LED, etc. is determined, and as shown in FIG. 14, according to the performance set by the performance setting function. , The character that appears in the effect display device 41 in the success effect is determined.

When the content of the success effect performed as the synchronous effect is determined, the transmission of the command instructing the success effect to the image / sound control board 230 is started (S164). Then, it is set to the standby state in which the sub-effect operation is not performed and the standby state is set (S165).

On the other hand, in the determination of S160, if it is not the specific operation timing (S160: no), it is subsequently determined whether or not the standby state set in the process of S165 is in effect (S166). Then, if it is not in the standby state (S166: no), the synchronization effect processing of FIG. 24 is temporarily terminated as it is, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization effect process of FIG. 24 is executed again.

On the other hand, in the standby state (S166: yes), the processing of S161 to S165 is omitted, and it is determined whether or not the reception completion notification is received from the image / sound control board 230 (S167). If the reception completion notification has not yet been received (S167: no), the synchronization effect process of FIG. 24 is temporarily terminated while maintaining the standby state, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronization of FIG. 24 is resumed. Execute the production process.

After that, when the reception completion notification is received from the image / sound control board 230 (S167: yes), the standby state is released and the sub-effect operation is executed as the synchronization effect (S168). That is, various lamps 5a to 5c are made to emit light, the movable member 100 is driven, and the LED built in the effect button 10a is made to emit light. When the sub-effect operation is executed in this way, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 24 is temporarily terminated, and when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the synchronous effect process of FIG. 24 is executed again.

FIG. 25 is a time chart showing an example in which the synchronous effect is performed in the pachinko machine 1 of the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 25, the description is contrasted with the conventional example shown in FIG. First, FIG. 25A shows an example in which the success effect of the character X is determined as the effect A which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is included in the synchronous effect. Is the smallest. When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 starts transmitting a command, the CPU 221 is set to a standby state in which the sub-effect operation is on standby.

Then, when the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 completes the reception of the command from the sub control board 220, the CPU 231 transmits a reception completion notification to the sub control board 220, and executes the image effect operation according to the command. Further, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 releases the standby state and executes the sub effect operation when the reception completion notification is received from the image / sound control board 230. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 25A, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

FIG. 25B shows an example in which the success effect of the character Z is determined as the effect B which is the synchronous effect, and the amount of commands transmitted to the image / sound control board 230 is the largest in the synchronous effect. Is. Similar to the example of FIG. 25A described above, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 is set to the standby state when the command transmission is started. However, the time until the command transmission is completed is longer than that in the example of FIG. 25 (a), and the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 heads toward the sub control board 220 when the command reception is completed. Sends a reception completion notification and executes an image effect operation. Then, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 that has received the reception completion notification releases the standby state and executes the sub-effect operation. Therefore, even in the example of FIG. 25B, there is no large delay between the sub-effect operation and the image effect operation.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the seventh embodiment, when the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 completes the reception of the command from the sub control board 220, the reception completion notification is transmitted to the sub control board 220. Waiting for the reception completion notification to be received, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the sub-effect operation. In this way, it is possible to start the sub-effect operation after confirming by the reception completion notification that the image effect operation triggered by the completion of command reception is ready, so that the sub-effect operation and the image effect can be started. It is possible to suppress the delay between operations and improve the accuracy of synchronization.

Although various examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording described in each claim as long as it does not deviate from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced from them, and improvements based on the knowledge usually possessed by those skilled in the art can be added as appropriate.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the operation of the effect button 10a is detected at a specific operation timing, a success effect is performed as a synchronous effect. In this success effect, various lamps 5a to 5c are emitted and the movable member 100 is driven. In addition to impressing the player with success by emitting light from the LED built into the effect button 10a, the performance set by the performance setting function is suggested by the type of character appearing in the effect display device 41. rice field. However, the synchronous effect is not limited to this as long as the sub effect operation controlled by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 and the image effect operation controlled by the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 are synchronized. For example, when the effect button 10a (built-in LED) emits light, the player is notified in advance that the effect button 10a will be operated by displaying on the effect display device 41 in advance, and the effect LED 10a emits light. Information useful to the player may be displayed on the effect display device 41 in synchronization with the above. In this case, although the information is displayed on the effect display device 41 regardless of whether or not the effect button 10a is operated by the player, for the player who operates the effect button 10a aiming at the timing when the effect button 10a emits light. It is possible to give the impression that useful information is displayed on the effect display device 41 due to the success of its own operation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 that gives the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out the game ball supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. An example was explained. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a game benefit in a form different from that of “paining a gaming ball”. For example, when a game ball enters various entrances, data indicating the amount of profit (magnitude of game value) corresponding to the entry is stored, thereby providing a profit (game) in the game. The present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine of a type that imparts a value) to a player, and in this case as well, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. As a type of pachinko machine that converts game benefits (game value) into data and gives it to the player, a game machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls built in the pachinko machine, specifically An example is a pachinko machine (so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return a game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various entrances or out ports and fire it again.

<Game machines A1 to A3 that can be extracted from the various examples described above>
The pachinko machines 1 of the various examples described above can be regarded as the following game machines A1 to A3.

<Game machine A1>
In a gaming machine equipped with a first effect device and a second effect device capable of performing an effect
A first control means that determines the effect content using the first effect device and the second effect device and controls the effect operation of the first effect device according to the effect content.
A second control means for controlling the effect operation of the second effect device according to the effect content determined by the first control means is provided.
When the second control means completes the reception of the command instructing the effect content transmitted from the first control means, the second control means starts the effect operation of the second effect device.
The first control means completes the transmission of the command to the second control means at the elapse of a predetermined uniform time regardless of the determined effect content, and is fixed based on the uniform time. A gaming machine characterized in that the effect operation of the first effect device is started after the elapse of the standby time of the first effect device.

According to such a gaming machine A1, the start timing of the effect operation of the second effect device triggered by the completion of command reception is constant regardless of the effect content determined by the first control means. By fixing the standby time at the same time, it is possible to suppress the delay between the effect operation of the first effect device and the effect operation of the second effect device triggered by the elapse of the standby time and improve the synchronization accuracy. It will be possible. It should be noted that when the command transmission is completed, it does not necessarily have to be exactly the same as when the uniform time has elapsed, and there may be a deviation to the extent that the player cannot recognize it.

<Game machine A2>
In the gaming machine A1
The first control means can determine any of the plurality of effect contents having different amounts of the commands to be transmitted to the second control means.
The game machine is characterized in that the uniform time is set to be equal to or longer than the time required to complete transmission when the amount of the command for instructing the effect content determined by the first control means is the largest.

In such a gaming machine A2, the amount of commands fluctuates according to the effect content determined by the first control means, and even when the effect content with a small amount of commands is determined, the effect content with the largest amount of commands By adjusting the transmission of the command so as to be the same as the case where is determined, the start timing of the effect operation of the second effect device triggered by the completion of the reception of the command can be uniformly aligned.

<Game machine A3>
In the gaming machine A2
The first control means is characterized in that, when the amount of the command for instructing the determined effect content is less than the maximum, the insufficient amount is supplemented with dummy data unrelated to the effect content and transmitted. A game machine to play.

In such a gaming machine A3, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the effect content determined by the first control means, data to the second control means is obtained by supplementing the difference with respect to the largest number with dummy data. Since the transmission amount can be kept constant, it is possible to adjust the time until the transmission is completed to a uniform time while making the timing to start the transmission the same.

<Game machines B1 to B4 that can be extracted from the various examples described above>
Further, the pachinko machines 1 of the various examples described above can be regarded as the following gaming machines B1 to B4.

<Game machine B1>
In a gaming machine equipped with a first effect device and a second effect device capable of performing an effect
A first control means that determines the effect content using the first effect device and the second effect device and controls the effect operation of the first effect device according to the effect content.
A second control means for controlling the effect operation of the second effect device according to the effect content determined by the first control means is provided.
When the second control means completes the reception of the command instructing the effect content transmitted from the first control means, the second control means starts the effect operation of the second effect device.
The first control means is a gaming machine characterized in that the effect operation of the first effect device is started after the transmission of the command to the second control means is completed.

According to such a gaming machine B1, even if the amount of commands fluctuates according to the effect contents determined by the first control means, the effect operation of the first effect device is performed by flying before the command transmission is completed. Since it does not start, it is possible to prevent the effect operation of the second effect device triggered by the completion of command reception from being significantly delayed with respect to the effect operation of the first effect device.

<Game machine B2>
In the gaming machine B1
The first control means is characterized in that it grasps the transmission status of the command to the second control means, confirms the completion of transmission of the command, and then starts the effect operation of the first effect device. Gaming machine.

In such a gaming machine B2, since the first control means grasps the command transmission status and actually confirms the completion of the command transmission, it is necessary to reliably avoid flying the effect operation of the first effect device. This makes it possible to suppress the delay between the effect operation of the first effect device and the effect operation of the second effect device and improve the accuracy of synchronization.

<Game machine B3>
In the gaming machine B1
The first control means calculates the time required until the transmission of the command to the second control means is completed based on the amount of the command instructing the determined effect content, and the required time elapses. A gaming machine characterized in that the effect operation of the first effect device is started after waiting for the command to be performed.

In such a gaming machine B3, even if the first control means does not accurately grasp the command transmission status, the effect operation of the first effect device is performed based on the elapsed time calculated in advance from the amount of commands. Flying can be easily avoided, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a delay between the effect operation of the first effect device and the effect operation of the second effect device and improve the synchronization accuracy.

<Game machine B4>
In the gaming machine B1
When the second control means completes the reception of the command transmitted from the first control means, the second control means transmits a reception completion notification to the first control means.
The first control means is a gaming machine characterized in that it waits for receiving the reception completion notification from the second control means to start the effect operation of the first effect device.

In such a gaming machine B4, the effect operation of the first effect device is started after confirming by the reception completion notification that the effect operation of the second effect device is ready when the command reception is completed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the delay between the effect operation of the first effect device and the effect operation of the second effect device and improve the accuracy of synchronization.

<Game machine C1 that can be extracted from the various examples described above>
Further, the pachinko machine 1 of the various examples described above can be regarded as the following gaming machine C1.

<Game machine C1>
In a gaming machine equipped with a first effect device and a second effect device capable of performing an effect
A first control means that determines the effect content using the first effect device and the second effect device and controls the effect operation of the first effect device according to the effect content.
A second control means for controlling the effect operation of the second effect device according to the effect content determined by the first control means is provided.
When the second control means completes the reception of the command instructing the effect content transmitted from the first control means, the second control means starts the effect operation of the second effect device.
The first control means can determine one of a plurality of the effect contents having a different amount of the command to be transmitted to the second control means, and regardless of the determined effect content, a fixed waiting time. Waiting for the progress of, the production operation of the first production device is started, and
The gaming machine is characterized in that the standby time is set longer than the transmission time when the amount of the command for instructing the effect content determined by the first control means is the minimum.

When the fixed standby time is set to the transmission time when the amount of commands is the minimum, if the amount of commands instructing the determined effect content is the minimum, the effect operation of the first effect device and the second effect Although there is no delay between the effect and the effect operation of the effect device, if the amount of commands is the largest, a large delay will occur. On the other hand, in the gaming machine C1, the fixed standby time is set longer than the transmission time when the amount of commands is the minimum, so that the amount of commands for instructing the determined effect content is the minimum and the maximum. In either case, although one of the effect operation of the first effect device and the effect operation of the second effect device is delayed by the other, the fluctuation width of the delay can be reduced and averaged.

The present invention can be used for a gaming machine used in a gaming hall.

1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 5a ... Upper lamp (first production device),
5b ... Right side lamp (first production device),
5c ... Left side lamp (first production device),
6a ... Upper speaker (second production device),
6b ... Lower speaker (second production device),
10a ... Production button (first production device),
10b ... Jog shuttle (first production device),
20 ... Game board, 21 ... Game area,
41 ... Production display device (second production device),
100 ... Movable member (first production device), 100m ... Drive motor,
200 ... Main control board, 201 ... CPU,
220 ... Sub control board, 221 ... CPU (first control means),
230 ... Image / sound control board, 231 ... CPU (second control means).

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine equipped with a first effect device and a second effect device capable of performing an effect
A first control means that determines the effect content using the first effect device and the second effect device and controls the effect operation of the first effect device according to the effect content.
A second control means for controlling the effect operation of the second effect device according to the effect content determined by the first control means is provided.
When the second control means completes the reception of the command instructing the effect content transmitted from the first control means, the second control means starts the effect operation of the second effect device.
The first control means can determine one of a plurality of the effect contents having a different amount of the command to be transmitted to the second control means, and regardless of the determined effect content, a fixed waiting time. Waiting for the progress of, the production operation of the first production device is started, and
The gaming machine is characterized in that the standby time is set longer than the transmission time when the amount of the command for instructing the effect content determined by the first control means is the minimum.

Images