JP2022162212A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a program capacity of a main control board.SOLUTION: In a RAM, parameter variables for controlling specific devices are consecutively allocated in storage units, for the multiple specific devices. A CPU determines whether the parameter variable is 0, repeats determination processing of whether it is 0 if the parameter variable is not 0, and shifts to the next processing if the parameter variable is 0. Reel control means executes excitation release waiting processing to wait for the release of the excitation of a motor during a period until the rotation of the reel is started after a start switch is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to give a game profit to a player.

2. Description of the Related Art In a slot machine as a gaming machine, a lottery for a winning combination is performed and a plurality of reels with various symbols are rotated in response to betting of medals (game value) and operation of a start switch by a player. Then, the reels are sequentially stopped according to the result of the lottery and the operation of the stop switch by the player, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the effective line, which is the line to be paid out, a predetermined number of symbols are displayed. medals are paid out (hereinafter simply referred to as "game profit") is given to the player.

In such a slot machine, it is desired to effectively utilize the limited storage area of the memory in order to enhance the game playability. For example, there is known a technique for reducing the amount of data when executing reel stop control by associating the same number of slide data with a plurality of symbol positions (for example, Patent Literature 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-239010

In a slot machine, a program related to game control processing for controlling the progress of a game must be placed in a use area (control area 4.5 kbytes+data area 3.0 kbytes) in the ROM of the main control board. However, in recent slot machines, since the contents controlled by the main control board are increasing, the program capacity is also increasing. Therefore, it is desired to reduce the program capacity of the main control board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the program capacity of the main control board.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a plurality of devices used for progressing a game, a CPU for controlling the plurality of devices, a ROM storing a program used by the CPU, A RAM that holds variables updated by a program, a reel that is included in the device and on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, a motor that rotates each of the reels, and a winning according to the operation of a start switch. Winning combination lottery means for determining the propriety of a combination, and starting rotation of the plurality of reels, energizing the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch to stop the reels in response to the operation of the stop switch. and reel control means for releasing the excitation when a predetermined time elapses after the excitation, wherein the CPU reads the program from the ROM, updates the variables held in the RAM, and controls the A plurality of specific devices that are part of a plurality of devices are controlled, and in the RAM, parameter variables for controlling the specific devices are continuously assigned in storage units with respect to the plurality of specific devices. , the CPU determines whether the variable of the parameter is 0, repeats the process of determining whether the variable of the parameter is 0 if the variable of the parameter is not 0, and if the variable of the parameter is 0, performs the following In the process, the reel control means executes an excitation release wait process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor after the start switch is operated until the reel starts to rotate.
In order to solve the above problems, another game machine of the present invention includes three reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, a motor for rotating each of the reels, and a start switch. winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate; and three reels are started to rotate, and in accordance with the operation of the stop switch, the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is excited to rotate the reels. and reel control means for releasing the excitation when a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping and energizing the reel, wherein the reel control means controls, for one specific reel, the variable of the parameter relating to the reel to be a specific value. and a process of determining whether the variable of the parameter is the specific value for two reels different from the specific one reel, and the start switch is operated until the rotation of the reel is started, an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor is executed.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another gaming machine of the present invention comprises four reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged respectively, a motor for rotating each of the reels, and according to the operation of a start switch, a winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate; and a winning combination lottery means for starting rotation of the four reels and, in response to the operation of the stop switch, energizing the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch to rotate the reels. and reel control means for releasing the excitation when a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping and energizing the reels, wherein the reel control means controls, for two specific reels, the variables of the parameters relating to the reels to be specific values. and a process of determining whether the variable of the parameter is the specific value for two reels different from the specific two reels, and the start switch is operated until the rotation of the reel is started, an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor is executed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the program capacity of the main control board.

1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door opened, for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining symbol arrays on reels and activated lines; 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. It is a figure which shows a winning combination lottery table. It is the flowchart which showed the main processing of a main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the lottery process of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the due-out processing of the main control board. It is a flow chart showing the medal payout device control processing of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the excitation release waiting process of a main-control board. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of main ROM and main RAM; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a program and a work area for medal payout device control processing; 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a flowchart showing an excitation release waiting process when the number of reels is four, a program for the excitation release waiting process, and a work area; 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door opened, for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining symbol arrays on reels and activated lines; 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. It is a figure which shows a winning combination lottery table. It is the flowchart which showed the main processing of a main control board. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of main ROM and main RAM; 4 is a flowchart showing reel rotation processing in which reel control means controls rotation of three reels. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing during acceleration; 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of excitation pattern update pre-processing. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing during steady rotation; 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of rotation error processing; It is a flow chart for explaining the flow of design information update processing. It is a flow chart for explaining a flow of processing during stop. 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door opened, for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing symbol arrays on reels and activated lines; 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. It is a figure which shows a prize type lottery table. It is a figure which shows a prize type lottery table. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. It is an explanatory view for explaining the transition of the production state. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reel rotation and stop processing; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reel rotation and stop processing; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining reel rotation and stop processing; It is the flowchart which showed the main processing of a main control board. 4 is a flowchart showing reel stop processing of the main control board;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified.

In addition, below, several embodiment is shown. Codes, step numbers, names, etc. used in each embodiment may be the same as codes, step numbers, names, etc. used in other embodiments, but these are applied only within each embodiment. . In each of the embodiments, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings.

Arbitrary configurations can be used in combination within each embodiment, and configurations of the embodiments can also be used in combination.

(First embodiment)
In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of a slot machine (gaming machine) in which a player can play will first be briefly described, and then the specifics of each board of the slot machine will be described. Typical processing (hand structure and transition of game state) and characteristic processing in this embodiment will be described, and a flowchart for realizing these will be described in detail.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 includes a housing 102 which is a substantially rectangular box, and a front upper door attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable. 104, located below the front upper door 104, and similar to the front upper door 104, a front lower door 106 attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable, and located below the front lower door 106. , and a tray portion 108 for storing the medals dispensed from the medal discharge port 108a.

An operation unit installation table 122 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 106, and a medal insertion unit 124, a bet switch 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, and the like are arranged on the operation unit installation table 122.

A medal insertion unit 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation table 122 accepts insertion of medals as game value through a medal insertion port (input port) 124a, and a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back of the lower front door 106. send medals to The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted and non-standard medals to the medal ejection port 108a, and a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted within the insertion period. and an inserted medal detection section 124b for detecting the passage of the . Here, the medals guided to the medal ejection port 108a are ejected to the receiving tray portion 108. As shown in FIG. When a player inserts more than the maximum specified number of medals (for example, 3) out of a plurality of specified numbers of medals required to start one game, the maximum specified number is exceeded. A predetermined number of medals (upper limit, for example, 50) is electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credit) inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c). The number of credited medals is called the number of stored medals.

The bet switch 126 is a push-type button switch for betting the maximum specified number of medals out of credited medals. When the bet switch 126 is pressed in a state in which the maximum prescribed number of medals or more has been credited, the maximum prescribed number of medals is betted and the number of stored medals is reduced by the maximum prescribed number. If the bet switch 126 is pressed while less than the maximum specified number of medals have been credited, all of the stored medals are betted and the number of stored medals is reduced to zero.

A start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 122 is composed of a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a player's start operation of one game. Also, the start switch 128 can be configured by a button switch whose pressing operation can be detected.

A colorless and transparent pattern display window 136 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower portion of the upper front door 104, and a reel A unit 134 is provided. In the reel unit 134, as shown in the pattern arrangement of the reels in FIG. The reels 134a, 134b, and 134c can be viewed through the symbol display window 136 by the player. When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel unit 134 starts rotating the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

A stop switch 130 positioned in the center of the operation unit installation base 122 is a button switch that is provided corresponding to each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c and capable of detecting the pressing operation of the player. A player's stop operation to stop each is detected. The three button switches associated with the stop switch 130 are called stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c in order from the left according to their positions.

Thus, the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are stopped by the stop operation through the stop switches 130a, 130b and 130c. Here, an effective line is provided as shown in FIG. 3(b) so that the player can grasp the stop mode. There is one active line, and specifically, it corresponds to the symbols that stop in the middle of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c among the nine symbols (three reels x three stages of upper, middle, and lower) facing the symbol display window 136. A line connecting the positions of the winning combination is set as an effective line A for judging the winning of the winning combination.

A liquid crystal display section (image display section) 138 for displaying various images associated with the performance is provided at approximately the center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104 . In addition, on the upper part and on the left and right of the front upper door 104, there are provided lamps 142 for effect, which are composed of, for example, high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, speakers for producing auditory effects such as sound effects and musical tones are installed at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display section 138 on the back surface of the upper front door 104 and at the left and right positions on the inner surface of the back surface of the lower front door 106. 140 are provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal dispensing device (medal hopper) 264 for dispensing medals from the medal ejection port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage portion 264a for storing medals, a payout control portion 264b for ejecting the medals stored in the medal storage portion 264a from the medal ejection port 108a, and the medals ejected from the medal ejection port 108a. and a payout medal detection unit 264c for detecting the .

1 and 2, inside the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, among the symbols applied to them, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the symbol display window 136 are provided. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided for independently illuminating the upper, middle, and lower patterns from the back. Also, a reel upper light 146 is provided on the upper part of the rear surface of the symbol display window 136 to directly illuminate the front of all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, on the substantially horizontal surface of the stepped portion 122a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130 in the operation unit installation table 122, a main credit display portion 152 and a main payout display portion are provided. 154 are provided. A sub-credit display section 156 and a sub-payout display section 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operating section installation table 122 . The main credit display portion 152 and the sub-credit display portion 156 display the internally stored number of medals, and the main payout display portion 154 and the sub-payout display portion 158 display the payout number of medals. It should be noted that the sub-credit display section 156 and the sub-payout display section 158 can also display various numerical values associated with the effects.

A power switch 148 is provided at an arbitrary position within the housing 102 . The power switch 148 is composed of a switch such as a rocker switch that can detect a pressing operation, and is operated by the administrator who manages the slot machine 100 to switch between two states, a power-off state and a power-on state. Used.

(Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, a main control board 200 and a sub control board 202 sharing the functions of the control board will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, the main control board 200 executes particularly important processes such as the lottery of the winning combination to be used in the game and the winning of the prize, and the sub control board 202 executes other processes such as effects. running with In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 is one-way from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Limited to direction only. However, if there are no such restrictions, two-way communication is technically possible electrically.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs and the like, a main RAM (RWM) 200c that functions as a work area, and the like. Overall control. However, the main RAM 200c is connected to a backup power supply (not shown), and even if the power is turned off, the data will not be erased unless the settings are changed and the main RAM 200c is initialized. retained.

In addition, the main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on the program stored in the main ROM 200b. 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, command transmission means 316 and other functional units.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in the main control board 200 . The betting means 302 bets medals to be used for games. Here, bets are placed on the basis of inserting credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 126, inserting medals through the medal inserting unit 124, and displaying a replay combination on the activated line A. This includes both cases of automatically inserting medals. A winning combination lottery means 304 selects one of a plurality of types of winning combinations including minor combinations, replay combinations, and bonus combinations, and non-winning combinations by lottery based on medal bets and operation of the start switch 128. decide.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the plurality of reels 134a, 134b, 134c according to the operation of the start switch 128, and operates the plurality of stop switches 130a, 130b corresponding to the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c, respectively. In response to the operation of 130c, the reels 134a, 134b and 134c corresponding to the operated stop switches 130a, 130b and 130c are controlled to stop. In addition, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game according to the operation of the start switch 128, and then the player presses the stop switch 130 to display the lottery result of the winning combination lottery. The time until the operation is validated (invalidated due to the completion of the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game) is extended beyond the specified time (waiting time, for example, 4.1 seconds). In some cases, a reel effect (freeze effect) is performed to control the rotation of 134b and 134c in various modes. In the reel performance, an arbitrary switch that should be enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, processing that should be executed is suspended for a predetermined time, or a signal of an arbitrary switch that should be transmitted and received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized even if there is nothing.

A judging means 308 judges whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination decided by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A. - 特許庁Here, the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A may simply be called winning. A payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery being displayed on the activated line A (winning). . The state transition means 312 transitions the game state based on the winning of the bonus combination and the prize winning.

The command determining means 314 sequentially determines game-related commands accompanying the operations of the betting means 302, winning combination lottery means 304, reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, and the like. The command transmission means 316 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination means 314 to the sub control board 202 .

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection section 124b, the bet switch 126, the start switch 128, and the stop switch 130, and based on the received detection signals, the betting means 302 and the winning combination lottery means. 304, reel control means 306, and determination means 308 execute the various processes described above. A main credit display section 152 and a main payout display section 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 displays the number of accumulated medals and the number of payouts on both the display sections 152 and 154. Control.

A reel driving control section 258 is also connected to the main control board 200 . The reel drive control unit 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128, and also drives the stop switch. 130, the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signals of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c and the detection signal of the rotational position detection circuit 260, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306. FIG.

A medal payout device 264 is also connected to the main control board 200 . The main control board 200 receives a detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 264c, and the payout control means 310 counts the number of payout medals according to the detection signal. Controls the ejection of medals.

Also, the main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops (0 to 65535) within a predetermined total number (eg, 65536), and extracts the count value at a predetermined point in time to generate (obtain) a random number. A random number generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination lottery random number) is used to give a game profit to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 304 determines the winning combination. .

(Sub control board 202)
The sub-control board 202, like the main control board 200, has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202a that is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202b that stores programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 202c that functions as a work area. , based on the command from the main control board 200, particularly controls the performance. The sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power source (not shown) in the same manner as the main RAM 200c, so that data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. The sub control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator 202d, similar to the main control board 200, and the random number generated by the random number generator 202d (hereinafter referred to as the effect lottery random number) mainly reflects the mode of effect. used to determine

In addition, the sub-control board 202 functions by the sub-CPU 202a cooperating with the sub-RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 202b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determination means 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202 . The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200 and processes the commands. The effect control means 334 determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display section 138, the speaker 140, and the effect lamp 142 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 334 controls the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138, the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub-credit display unit 156, the sub-payout display unit 158, and the like. Illumination data for performance through the illumination device is determined, and audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 140 is determined. And the production|presentation control means 334 performs the production|presentation of the determined game.

Effects include effects executed by the main control board 200 such as the reel effects described above and effects executed by the sub control board 202 . The effects executed by the sub-control board 202 are the liquid crystal display portion 138, the speaker 140, the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub-credit display portion 156, and the sub-payout display portion as the game progresses. 158, etc., and can give a story to the game and suggest the result of the winning combination lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting winning of the bonus game is performed over a plurality of games, and the player's sense of expectation can be heightened. In addition, even if none of the winning roles have been won, it is possible to make the player feel the expectation of a high payout through an effect as if the player had won, so that the player does not get bored. It becomes possible. By interlocking the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202, it is possible to construct various game features. Main game modes will be described in detail below.

(Table used in main control board 200)
A plurality of game states are provided in the slot machine 100, and the game state transitions according to the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, a plurality of winning combination lottery tables and the like corresponding to the game states managed by the state transition means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts and extracts the corresponding winning combination lottery table from the main ROM 200b according to the current game state stored in the main RAM 200c (game state based on whether or not a bonus combination is established, which will be described later). Based on the winning combination lottery table and the current set value, it is determined whether the winning combination lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128 corresponds to which winning combination or non-winning in the winning combination lottery table. Here, the set value indicates the ease of obtaining a game profit in stages, and the higher the numerical value of the set value, the easier it is to obtain a game profit. The setting values are generally determined by the hall manager at least at the start of the game, and the player cannot obtain or change the setting values during the game.

Here, the winning combination extracted from the winning combination lottery table includes a replay combination, a small combination, and a bonus combination. Such a state in which the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is arranged on the activated line A is called display or winning, and the state from the winning of the winning combination to the display of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is internal. be elected. The replay combination among the winning combinations is a combination in which, when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the effective line A, one game can be played again without the player betting new medals. , a small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the symbol combination by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the minor combination on the activated line A. The bonus combination is a winning combination that can shift the game state managed by the state transition means 312 to the bonus game state by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the activated line A. . The winning combination and the game profit given to the player will be described below.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning combination, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the game state.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the winning combinations "Replay", "Bell", and "Big Bonus (hereinafter referred to as "BB")" are provided as winning combinations. Of these, the winning combination "Replay" corresponds to the replay combination, the winning combination "Bell" corresponds to the small combination, and the winning combination "BB" corresponds to the bonus combination.

(role of replay)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Replay" is won, the symbols "Replay" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, which are the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" shown in FIG. When it becomes possible to display on the activated line A, and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A, one game is played again (replay) without betting by the player, as described above. ) can be executed.

Here, in this embodiment, when the stop switch 130 is pressed by the player and the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 , stop control is performed so that the symbol is stopped on the activated line A. Further, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are not on the activated line A, but are in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c. When the symbol exists within a range (pull-in range) corresponding to four symbols, the reel control means 306 controls the number of distant symbols to be the number of sliding symbols, and constitutes a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination. Stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to pull the pattern onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Further, if there are a plurality of symbols corresponding to the winning combination in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, and all of them are present within the pull-in range of each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, according to a predetermined priority. Which pattern is drawn onto the effective line A is determined, and stop control is performed to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to draw the prioritized pattern onto the effective line A. - 特許庁When the stop switch 130 is pressed, if a symbol forming a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination other than the winning combination that has been won is on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 controls that symbol. A so-called kicking process is also executed in parallel to prevent the ball from stopping on the effective line A.

In each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" are arranged so that they can always be displayed on the activated line A by the above-described stop control ( 3 and 5). Specifically, since the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" are separated by a maximum of four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, they are always on the effective line A by the stop control. can be displayed in In this way, when the winning combination “Replay” is won, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” is always displayed on the activated line A. Thus, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A, the next game can be started without inserting medals.

(small role)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Bell" is won, the symbol "Bell A" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Bell". can be displayed on the activated line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "bell" is displayed on the activated line A, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination (here, 9) is awarded to the player. paid out to Here, since the symbols "Bell A" constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Bell" are separated from each other only by a maximum of four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c (FIGS. 3 and 5). See), like the winning combination "replay", it can be displayed on the effective line A by the above-described stop control.

(Bonus role)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, if the winning combination "BB" is won, the symbol "red" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" shown in FIG. 7" can be displayed on the effective line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is displayed on the effective line A, the game state is set to the bonus game state, and the next game (hereinafter referred to as After that, the game can be executed in the bonus game state until a predetermined number of medals (for example, 297) are paid out. Note that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are arranged so that the symbol "red 7" may not be displayed on the effective line A even by the stop control described above (see FIGS. 3 and 5). ). Therefore, even if the winning combination “BB” is won, the player is not necessarily displayed on the activated line A the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB”.

When one of the winning combinations described above is won, the internal winning flags corresponding to the respective winning combinations are established (ON), and depending on whether the internal winning flags are established, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are activated. Stop control is performed. At this time, if a minor winning combination is won but the symbol combination corresponding to the minor winning combination cannot be displayed on the effective line A within the one game, an internal winning flag is set after the end of the one game. is turned off. In other words, the right to win a minor winning combination is limited only within one game in which the minor winning combination has been won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. Further, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination "Replay", which is a replay combination, is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" is always displayed on the effective line A, and the next symbol combination is displayed without requiring medals. After the processing necessary for playing the game is performed, the internal winning flag is turned OFF. On the other hand, when the winning combination "BB" is won, the BB internal winning flag is established (ON), and until the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is displayed on the activated line A, The BB internal winning flag is carried over across games.

(Transition of game state)
Here, the BB internal winning flag will be specifically described together with the transition of the game state. When the BB internal winning flag is established, the gaming state managed by the main control board 200 changes to a winning combination "," which is a bonus combination, as shown in (1) of FIG. From the bonus non-establishment game state in which BB' is not won, the bonus establishment game state corresponding to the preparation state of the bonus game state is entered, and the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are respectively stopped and controlled based on the bonus establishment game state. At this time, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" cannot be displayed on the activated line A, the BB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is (the bonus establishment game state is maintained). , it is possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" on the activated line A in the next and subsequent games. Then, when the player causes the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" to be displayed on the activated line A, the game state shifts from the bonus establishment game state to the bonus game state as shown in FIG. 6(2). do. In the bonus game state, when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 297) are paid out, the game state shifts from the bonus game state to the bonus non-established game state, as shown in (3) of FIG. . However, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 6(4), in the game in which the winning combination "BB" is established in the bonus non-established gaming state, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is placed on the activated line A. When displayed, the game state is directly shifted to the bonus game state without going through the bonus establishment game state.

(Winning role lottery table)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a winning combination lottery table used when determining a winning combination lottery random number. In the winning combination lottery table, a plurality of winning areas are defined, and the winning combination targeted for the lottery differs depending on each game state. In FIG. 7, winning areas (winning combinations) assigned to each game state (bonus non-established game state, bonus established game state, bonus game state) are represented by "○". Therefore, a winning area not marked with "o" indicates that it is not assigned to that gaming state. Each compartmentalized winning area is associated with a predetermined number (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating a winning range, and a winning combination. , the total number of winning combination lottery random numbers (65536) is obtained. Therefore, the probability of each winning combination being determined is a value obtained by dividing the set number associated with the winning area by the total number of winning combination lottery random numbers. A winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially obtains set numbers from a plurality of winning areas in the winning combination lottery table in descending order of numbers based on the game state at that time, and uses the set numbers as winning combination lottery random numbers. , and when the subtracted value becomes less than 0, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is taken as the lottery result. The lottery procedure is also applicable to other lotteries.

Also, the winning combination to be selected by lottery differs depending on each game state. For example, in FIG. 7, comparing the bonus non-established gaming state and the bonus established gaming state, the former draws a lottery for the winning combination "BB", while the latter draws a lottery for the winning combination "BB". not This is because, in the latter case, the winning combination “BB” has already been won, so the winning combination “BB” cannot be won again. In addition, in the latter, the winning probability of the winning combination “Replay” is set higher than in the former. Further, according to the bonus game state of FIG. 7, the lottery for the winning combination "BB" is not performed again, and the lottery for the winning combination "Replay" is not performed. In addition, since the winning combination "Bell" is set to be won with a high probability, the expected winning number indicating the average value of the number of sheets that can be obtained in one game is higher than the bonus non-established gaming state and the bonus established gaming state. getting higher. The winning area 0 of the winning combination lottery table is associated with "not winning". is not displayed on the effective line A, and medals are not paid out. However, in the bonus establishment game state (the BB internal winning flag is ON), if the winning combination lottery determines "not winning", the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" can be displayed on the activated line A.

Specific processing in the main control board 200 will be described below based on a flowchart.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the main control board 200. As shown in FIG. Here, first, along with the main processing of the main control board 200, the outline of one game after initialization will be described. Also, although detailed description is omitted, when each process is executed, the switches used in each process (bed switch 126, start switch 128, stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) are effective at the start of the process. and invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on via the power switch 148 and becomes energized, the initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization means 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power failure occurs, the backup data held can be used in this initialization process to restore the state before the power failure. For example, even if an unexpected power failure occurs while the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are rotating, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c start rotating again after the recovery operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, basically the main RAM 200c is not initialized (RAM cleared).

(Step S200)
Further, when the number of bets is changed, the command determination means 314 generates an input command indicating the changed number of bets and the number of stored numbers. Send to

(Step S300)
Next, the winning combination lottery means 304 validates the game start operation for the start switch 128 and shifts to the operation waiting state for the start switch 128 . Here, the winning combination lottery means 304 selects the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 according to the operation of the start switch 128 by the player, and selects the winning combination lottery random number at the time when the start switch 128 is operated. A winning combination lottery random number of 1 is obtained. Then, the winning combination lottery means 304 determines which winning region the acquired winning combination lottery random number corresponds to based on the winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. 7 and the currently set game state. , determines a winning combination or a non-winning combination in the determined winning area as a lottery result. In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 128, the command determining means 314 generates a winning combination command including the lottery result of the winning combination lottery (won or not) and information on the game state. Then, the command transmitting means 316 transmits the generated winning combination command to the sub control board 202 . Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus non-established game state to the bonus established game state based on winning the winning combination "BB" in the bonus non-established game state. The lottery processing S300 will be described later in detail.

(Step S400)
When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the reels 134a, 134b and 134c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the previous game (wait), the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the game When the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c all rotate at a constant speed, the process proceeds to step S500. Also, the reel control means 306 may execute a reel effect.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c, and when receiving the operation of the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c by the player, one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the operation is activated. stop control. Further, when any one of the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is operated, the command determining means 314 provides a stop command (first stop command, second A stop command, a third stop command) is generated for each operation, and the command transmission means 316 sequentially transmits the generated stop commands to the sub control board 202 .

(Step S600)
Next, the determining means 308 determines to which predetermined combination the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A shown in FIG. Performs various operations required for changes and replays. In addition, the command determining means 314 generates a winning command including the number of medals to be paid out when the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A and the symbol combination corresponding to the minor winning combination are displayed on the activated line A. , the command transmission means 316 transmits the generated winning command to the sub-control board 202 . Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus established game state to the bonus game state based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" being displayed on the activated line A in the bonus established game state. .

(Step S700)
Subsequently, based on the determination result in step S600, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the minor combination is displayed on the activated line A, the payout control means 310 executes the medal payout process corresponding to the minor combination. , when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, the processing for betting the next game is automatically executed. Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus game state to the bonus non-established game state when a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the bonus game state. Thus, the payout control means 310 executes various processes corresponding to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A, and ends the game. Further, when the medal payout process is performed, the command determining means 314 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed, and the command transmitting means 316 transmits the generated payout command to the sub control board 202. . The payout processing S700 will be described later in detail.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S700. Thereafter, the main loop from step S200 to step S700 is repeated.

(Lottery processing S300)
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the lottery process in step S300. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S301)
The winning combination lottery means 304 acquires a winning combination lottery random number, and based on the winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. , and executes a winning combination lottery process for determining a winning combination or a non-winning combination in the determined winning area as a lottery result.

(Step S302)
The winning combination lottery means 304 performs symbol code setting processing for determining symbols that can be displayed on the active line A among the symbols arranged on the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c based on the lottery results determined in step S301. to run.

(Step S800)
The reel control means 306 executes an excitation release wait process for waiting until all the phase excitations of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are released. The excitation release waiting process S800 will be described later in detail.

(Step S303)
The reel control means 306 determines whether or not the one-game timer for measuring the wait time between one game is zero. As a result, if the one-game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S304, and if the one-game timer is not 0, the process of step S303 is repeated. In addition, the timer between one game is set in the following step S304, and in the interrupt process (every 5.96 msec) that is executed once every four times of the interrupt every 1.49 msec, which is operating in parallel, each time It is decremented by 1.

(Step S304)
The reel control means 306 sets a value corresponding to the wait time to the one-game timer, and terminates the lottery processing S300.

Thus, in the lottery process S300, all the phase excitations of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are released, and when the wait time for one game elapses, the lottery process S300 ends and the process shifts to the reel rotation process S400, and the reel 134a. , 134b and 134c will start to rotate.

(Payment processing S700)
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the payout process of step S700. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S701)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not there is a payout of medals based on the determination result (winning combination) in step S600. As a result, if medals are paid out, the process proceeds to step S702, and if medals are not paid out, the payout process S700 is terminated.

(Step S702)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not the number of stored medals (credited medals) is 50 (upper limit number). As a result, if the stored number is 50, the process proceeds to step S703, and if the stored number is not 50, that is, if the stored number is 49 or less, the process proceeds to step S704.

(Step S703)
The payout control means 310 executes medal payout device control processing for controlling the medal payout device 264 to pay out one medal from the medal discharge port 108a. The medal payout device control processing S703 will be described later in detail.

(Step S704)
The payout control means 310 adds 1 to the number of stored coins.

(Step S705)
The payout control means 310 adds 1 to the numerical value displayed on the main payout display section 154 .

(Step S706)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not all medals have been paid out. As a result, if all the medals have been paid out, the process proceeds to step S707, and if all the medals have not been paid out, the process returns to step S702.

(Step S707)
The payout control means 310 stops the operation of the medal payout device 264 and ends the payout process S700. It should be noted that if the medal payout device 264 is not in operation, the process of step S707 is omitted.

In this manner, in the payout process S700, when medals are to be paid out, the processes from step S702 to step S706 are repeated in order to pay out medals one by one. Therefore, for example, when there are 15 payouts, the processing from step S702 to step S706 is performed 15 times.

(Medal payout device control process S703)
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the medal payout device control process in step S703. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S800)
When the medal payout device control process S703 is started, the payout control means 310 executes an excitation release wait process for waiting until all phase excitations of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are released. The excitation release waiting process S800 will be described later in detail.

(Step S703-1)
The payout control means 310 operates the medal payout device 264 to pay out one medal from the medal payout device 264 (make it send out).

(Step S703-2)
The payout control means 310 sets an empty timer for detecting when the medals stored in the medal storage section 264a have run out to a predetermined value corresponding to the time during which the medals are determined to be empty. Note that the empty timer is decremented by 1 each time in the interrupt processing (every 5.96 msec) that is executed once every four interrupts that operate in parallel and that are performed every 1.49 msec.

(Step S703-3)
The payout control means 310 determines whether the empty timer is 0, that is, whether an empty error has occurred. As a result, if an empty error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S703-7, and if no empty error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S703-4.

(Step S703-4)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not the payout medal detection section 264c is off, that is, whether or not the payout of medals by the medal payout device 264 is started. As a result, if the payout medal detection unit 264c is off, the process returns to step S703-3, and if the payout medal detection unit 264c is not off, that is, if the payout of medals is started by the medal payout device 264 , the process moves to step S703-5.

(Step S703-5)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not a medal jam error has occurred. Note that a medal jam error is detected when the time during which the paid-out medal detecting section 264c is on is equal to or longer than a prescribed time for a medal jam error. As a result, if a medal clogging error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S703-7, and if no medal clogging error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S703-6.

(Step S703-6)
The payout control means 310 determines whether or not the payout medal detection section 264c is on, that is, whether or not the payout of medals by the medal payout device 264 has been completed. As a result, if the payout medal detection unit 264c is turned on, the process returns to step S703-5. , the medal payout device control processing S703 ends.

(Step S703-7)
The payout control means 310 stops the operation of the medal payout device 264 .

(Step S703-8)
The payout control means 310 displays an error code corresponding to the medal jam error on the main credit display section 152, and executes error wait processing for notifying the secondary control board 202 of the medal jam error. Further, the payout control means 310 waits until the cause of the error is removed and the error cancellation operation is performed, and when the cause of the error is removed and the error cancellation operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S703-1. to move.

Thus, in the medal payout device control processing S703, while the processing from step S702 to step S706 is looped in the payout processing S700, power is supplied to the medal payout device 264 when the processing of step S703-1 is executed for the first time. is supplied to activate the medal dispensing device 264, and then one medal is dispensed from the medal dispensing device 264. If no error occurs, the medal dispensing device 264 is stopped (power supply is stopped). never. After that, when the process of step S703-1 is executed for the second time or later, since power is supplied to the medal dispensing device 264, one medal is dispensed from the medal dispensing device 264 as it is. Then, when the processing from step S702 to step S706 in the payout processing S700 is completed, the medal payout device 264 is stopped (power supply is stopped) at step S707.

(Excitation release waiting process S800)
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the excitation release waiting process in step S800. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted. In the lottery process S300 described above, the reel control means 306 executes the excitation release waiting process S800, and in the medal payout device control process S703, the payout control means 310 executes the excitation release waiting process S800. , the excitation release waiting process S800 executed by the reel control means 306 and the payout control means 310 are executed by the same subroutine (program).

(Step S801)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 acquires the motor phase of the reel 134a (shown as the left reel in the drawing). Here, motor phases are set as the states of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. The motor phase indicates the operation state of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, that is, during acceleration, during steady rotation, during stop, and during standby, as will be described later in detail. Specifically, the 1-byte (storage unit) variable assigned to the motor phase is accelerated = 3, steady rotation = 2, stopped = 1, and waiting = It changes to a value such as 0. In this example, the storage unit is 1 byte, but it may be 2 bytes, for example. The excitation release waiting process S800 is a determination process of waiting for the motor phases of all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c to become 0 (specific value).

(Step S802)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 determines whether the motor phase of the reel 134a acquired in step S801 is 0, that is, whether the reel 134a is on standby. As a result, if the motor phase of the reel 134a is 0, the process proceeds to step S803, and if the motor phase of the reel 134a is not 0, the process returns to step S801. Therefore, the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 repeats the process of determining whether the motor phase is 0 if the motor phase is not 0.

(Step S803)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 acquires the motor phases of the reel 134b (indicated as the middle reel in the figure) and the reel 134c (indicated as the right reel in the figure).

(Step S804)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the motor phases of the reels 134b and 134c obtained in step S803 are zero. As a result, if the motor phases of the reels 134b and 134c are 0, the excitation release waiting process S800 is terminated. If the motor phases of the reels 134b and 134c are not 0, the process returns to step S801. Therefore, the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 repeats the process of determining whether the motor phase is 0 if the motor phase is not 0.

Thus, in the excitation release waiting process S800, first, it is determined whether or not the motor phase of the reel 134a is 0. If the motor phase of the reel 134a is 0, then the motors of the reels 134b and 134c are Determine whether the phase is 0. If the motor phase of the reels 134b, 134c is 0, all the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are on standby, and all phase excitation of the stepping motors 262 corresponding to the reels 134a, 134b, 134c is completed. It is determined that there is, and the excitation release waiting process S800 ends.

(State of reels 134a, 134b, 134c)
In this embodiment, a stepping motor 262 with a total of 252 steps is used to rotate the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. This is because if the number of symbols is 21, 252 is a multiple of 21, so the number of steps for each symbol can be treated equally. In this embodiment, since the stepping motor 262 is operated by 1-2 phase excitation, the resolution can be increased and the number of steps can be counted by 504, which is twice 252. FIG. Therefore, the total number of steps is treated as 504 in the following examples.

Also, the states of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are represented by motor phases (parameters). The motor phase indicates the operating state of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, that is, during acceleration, during steady rotation, during stop, and during standby. Specifically, the 1-byte variable assigned to the motor phase changes to a value such as during acceleration=3, during steady rotation=2, during stop=1, and during standby=0, depending on the operating state of the motor. . Here, the operations such as during acceleration, during steady rotation, during stop, and during standby are mentioned, but the operations may include during deceleration.

When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel control means 306 excites the stepping motors 262 corresponding to the reels 134a, 134b and 134c in 1-2 phases to start rotating the reels 134a, 134b and 134c. At this time, the reel control means 306 shifts the motor phase to 3. Then, when the reels 134a, 134b, 134c reach a predetermined speed (less than 80 rpm/min) after, for example, 167 msec after the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are accelerated, the reel control means 306 continues the 1-2 phase excitation, transition to state. At this time, the reel control means 306 shifts the motor phase to 2.

After that, for example, when the stop switch 130a is operated, the reel control means 306 determines the symbol existing within the pull-in range at the time of operation as the stopped symbol (determines the number of sliding frames), and activates the stopped symbol. Maintain the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to pull it on line A. Subsequently, when the reel 134a reaches a stop position where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 excites all the phases of the stepping motor 262 corresponding to the reel 134a, and the phase to be excited is Stop processing of the reel 134a is started so as not to switch. At this time, the reel control means 306 shifts the motor phase to 1. In this way, the reel 134a decreases its rotational speed, stops after about 13 msec from the start of the stopping process, and maintains the stopped state. Such all-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 200 msec) and then released, and the reel control means 306 shifts the motor phase to zero.

(Excitation release waiting process S800 in lottery process S300)
Here, while the stepping motor 262 corresponding to one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c to be stopped last among the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is energized in all phases, (there is no payout of medals) Assume that the next game is started and the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are started to rotate. In that case, the operation of one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the stepping motor 262 that is all-phase excited may become unstable. Specifically, any one of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c corresponding to the stepping motor 262 that is all-phase excited may be vibrating while being all-phase excited. Thus, if any one of the vibrating reels 134a, 134b, and 134c starts to rotate, the initial operation of that reel will be affected.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the lottery process S300, after the winning combination lottery process S301 and the symbol code setting process S302 are executed and before the reel rotation process S400 is executed, the excitation release wait is performed. Process S800 is executed. That is, before the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c start rotating, the stepping motors 262 corresponding to all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are awaited for all-phase excitation to be released.

As a result, for example, in the previous game, if the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is not aligned on the activated line A, resulting in a loss, the number of symbols required to start the game is equal to or greater than the specified number. When the start switch 128 can be operated in the next game while all-phase excitation of the stepping motor 262 performed in the previous game continues, as in the case where the credit is stored in the next game. It is possible to prevent the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c from starting to rotate in the game, and stabilize the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. This is a predetermined period of time from when one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is stopped until the next one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c can be stopped. (For example, 200 ms) or the time until the stop of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c that have been stopped may occur even with specifications that wait, but more conspicuously, specifications that do not wait for these times, that is, one reel This is the case of the specification in which it is possible to stop the reels 134a, 134b and 134c immediately after stopping the reels 134a, 134b and 134c.

Further, the excitation release waiting process S800 is executed after the winning combination lottery process S301 and the symbol code setting process S302 are executed. As a result, the time during which all phase excitation of the stepping motor 262 is continued can be passed by the time during which the winning combination lottery process S301 and the symbol code setting process S302 are executed, and the time required for the excitation release waiting process S800 can be increased. can be reduced.

(Excitation release waiting process S800 in payout process S700)
In the payout process S700, when the medal payout device 264 pays out medals, the excitation release wait process S800 is executed in the medal payout device control process S703. Therefore, when medals can be electrically stored inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c), the excitation release waiting process S800 is not executed. As a result, when the medals are electrically stored inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c), the medals are stored immediately, so that the game progresses quickly and the stress of the player is reduced. be able to.

On the other hand, when medals cannot be electrically stored inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c), that is, when the number of stored medals reaches 50, the payout control means 310 executes the medal payout device control process S703.

Here, it is necessary to supply a large current to drive the token payout device 264 . If the excitation timing (all-phase excitation) of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c overlaps with the timing at which the medal payout device 264 is driven (activated), the amount of current allowed for the entire device managed by the main control board 200 may exceed

Therefore, when paying out medals from the medal payout device 264, before power is supplied to the medal payout device 264 to operate it (step S703-1), the payout control means 310 executes the excitation release waiting process S800.

As a result, the excitation (all-phase excitation) timing of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c and the timing at which the medal payout device 264 is driven can be made different. will not be exceeded. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a power supply with a large current capacity for driving the token payout device 264 while exciting the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, and the cost can be reduced.

Also, the medal payout device control process S703 is executed each time one medal is paid out. Therefore, the excitation release waiting process S800 is also executed each time one medal is paid out. Once the excitation release waiting process S800 is executed, the excitation of the stepping motor 262 is released, so it seems unnecessary to execute it multiple times. However, if it is determined whether or not the excitation release waiting process S800 has been executed each time one medal is paid out, the program capacity (memory capacity) will increase accordingly. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the program capacity is reduced by executing the excitation release waiting process S800 each time one medal is paid out without determining whether or not the excitation release waiting process S800 has been executed. can be done.

In the lottery process S300 and the payout process S700, the same subroutine (program) executes the excitation release waiting process S800. Capacity can be reduced.

(Memory management by main CPU 200a)
By the way, as described above, in the main control board 200, the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on the programs stored in the main ROM 200b to perform the initialization means 300, the betting means 302, and the winning combination lottery means 304. , reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, command transmission means 316, etc., and controls the progress of the game. Programs for executing these functional units are arranged in predetermined areas (used areas) of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing memory maps of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c. A memory space of 0000h to 2FFFh (12 kbytes) is allocated to the main ROM 200b, and memory spaces of F000h to F1FFh (512 bytes) and F200h to F3FFh (512 bytes) are allocated to the main RAM 200c. In addition, areas to be used are defined in both the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

A memory space from 0000h to 1DF3h of the main ROM 200b is allocated a usable area. Specifically, initialization means 300, betting means 302, winning combination lottery means 304, reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control 1200h to 1DF3h (3.0 kbytes) for storing the instruction code of the program for executing the main process for controlling the progress of the game by making the means 310, the state transition means 312, the command determination means 314, and the command transmission means 316 function. The data used for the game control processing program is stored in the limited memory space (data area). A comment area is allocated to the memory space of 1E00h to 1EFFh, and a program management area is allocated to the memory space of 2FC0h to 2FFFh. Also, the instruction code of the program is written in assembler language. Here, the program is composed of instruction codes, is read by a computer, and can realize predetermined processing in cooperation with data and a work area.

In addition, the memory space of F000h to F1FFh of the main RAM 200c is allocated with a use area. Specifically, the memory space F000h to F13Fh is assigned a work area for the main processing, and is used for variable management such as timers, counters, and flags. A stack area for the main process is allocated to the memory space of F1C0h to F1FFh. Further, the main CPU 200a is provided with an internal register. The internal registers include, for example, 8-bit general-purpose registers A to H, which constitute 16-bit pair registers AF, BC, DE, and HL, respectively.

Under such an environment, the main CPU 200a follows the instruction code of the program in the used area, refers to the program data in the used area, and uses each internal register, the work area and the stack area in the used area to perform the initialization. Main processing is executed to cause the functioning means 300, betting means 302, winning combination lottery means 304, reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, and command transmission means 316 to function. .

Here, commands prepared for LEM50A-P (product name) sold by LETech are used as instruction codes. The LEM50A-P is a microprocessor equipped with a Z80 series CPU called NC80EX, which is widely used in the gaming machine industry (has a high market share).

Thus, in the main CPU 200a, the storage capacity of the used area is predetermined. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the control area is limited to 4.5 kbytes and the data area is limited to 3.0 kbytes. there is Therefore, when the main CPU 200a manages the AT effect state and the so-called reel effect that rotates the reel unit 134 in various modes, there is a possibility that the memory capacity of the game control process will be further limited in the control area. Here, by devising the array of variables, the capacity of the control area for performing the game control process is ensured.

In the following description, a part of the slot machine 100, such as the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, which are physically independently recognizable, may be referred to as a device, and may be referred to as a motor phase. A value for controlling a device is sometimes referred to as a parameter.

Here, variables corresponding to parameters such as motor phases are placed in the work area for each of the three reels 134a, 134b, 134c (a plurality of devices).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the program and work area of the excitation release waiting process S800. Motor phases of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are successively arranged in the work area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14B, the motor phase (_SMC_PHS+0) of the reel 134a is assigned to F010H of the work area, the motor phase (_SMC_PHS+1) of the reel 134b is assigned to F011H, and the motor phase (_SMC_PHS+1) of the reel 134c is assigned to F012H. A motor phase (_SMC_PHS+2) is assigned. Further, in motor phase (_SMC_PHS+0) to motor phase (_SMC_PHS+2), as shown in FIG. 14(c), any one of 0 to 3 is stored as a variable as the motor phase of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. .

The flowchart of the excitation release waiting process S800 is realized by, for example, the program of FIG. 14(a). "EXCFREE" on the first line of FIG. 14(a) indicates the start address of the subroutine. "JTQ NZ, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0), EXCFREE" on the second line is a command unique to the NC80EX to which "Q" is added. ) is subtracted (zero flag set to 1 when all bits are 0) is not 0, it indicates to move to EXCFREE. The commands on the second line correspond to steps S801 and S802 in FIG. "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)" on the third line indicates that the contents of the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+1) of the reel 134b and the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+2) of the reel 134c are set in the HL register. Even if the value is simply called into the register, if the called value is 0, the second zero flag (a specific bit flag of extended specifications for gaming machines that is set to 1 when all bits are 0) becomes 0. The command on the third line corresponds to step S803 in FIG. "JR NTZ, EXCFREE" on the fourth line indicates that if the second zero flag is not 0, it moves to EXCFREE. The command on the fourth line corresponds to step S804 in FIG. Then, "RET" on the fifth line returns to the main routine.

In the example of FIG. 14A, the command length when the command is in machine language is 4 bytes for "JTQ NZ, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0), EXCFREE", 2 bytes for "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)", "JR NTZ, EXCFREE" is 2 bytes, and "RET" is 1 byte. Therefore, the total command length of the program in FIG. 14(a) is 9 bytes. The total command length of the program of FIG. 14(a) is the JTQ instruction for each reel 134a, 134b, 134c when determining whether the motor phase of each reel 134a, 134b, 134c is 0. This is 4 bytes shorter than the case of performing 3 times and performing the RET instruction once (4 bytes x 3 + 1 = 13 bytes).

In the case of FIG. 14(a), the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 outputs one instruction command (“LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)”) or a plurality of continuous instruction commands (“JTQ NZ, ( LOW_SMC_PHS+0), EXCFREE” and “LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)”) access variables of different devices (reels 134a, 134b, 134c) corresponding to the same parameter (_SMC_PHS). , thereby reducing the number of commands and shortening the command length. More specifically, by reading out the values of the motor phases of the two reels 134b and 134c with one command using an instruction command (“LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)”), the reels 134b and 134c are read out and determined. This is because the total number of bytes can be reduced by executing an LDQ instruction and a JR instruction, each of which totals 4 bytes, once rather than executing a 4-byte JTQ instruction twice. In this way, it becomes possible to secure the capacity of the control area (program capacity) for performing the main processing.

Also, as can be understood with reference to FIG. 14(b), by arranging the parameter variables such as the motor phase continuously in storage units, when referring to the variables for the motor phase or when checking the value thereof, This makes it easy to understand the changes, and avoids problems such as forgetting to rewrite some variables.

In this example, the number of reels is 3, and the total command length is shortened by 2 bytes by arranging variables. The total will increase further.

FIG. 15 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the number of reels and the number of stop switches are increased by one from the slot machine 100 of FIG. Therefore, in the slot machine 100 of FIG. 15, a reel 134d and a stop switch 130d are added as compared with the slot machine 100 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the excitation release waiting process S1800 when the number of reels is four (reels 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d), and a diagram for explaining the program and work area of the excitation release waiting process S1800.

(Step S1801)
As shown in FIG. 16(a), when the excitation release waiting process S1800 is started, the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 controls the reels 134a and 134b (shown as first and second reels in the figure). Get the motor phase.

(Step S1802)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the motor phases of the reels 134a and 134b obtained in step S1801 are zero. As a result, if the motor phases of the reels 134a and 134b are 0, the process moves to step S1803, and if the motor phases of the reels 134a and 134b are not 0, the process returns to step S1801. Therefore, the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 repeats the process of determining whether the motor phase is 0 if the motor phase is not 0.

(Step S1803)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 acquires the motor phases of the reels 134c and 134d (shown as the third and fourth reels in the figure).

(Step S1804)
The reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 determines whether or not the motor phases of the reels 134c and 134d acquired in step S1803 are zero. As a result, if the motor phases of the reels 134c and 134d are 0, the excitation release waiting process S1800 is terminated. Therefore, the reel control means 306 or the payout control means 310 repeats the process of determining whether the motor phase is 0 if the motor phase is not 0.

The flowchart of the excitation release waiting process S1800 is implemented by, for example, the program of FIG. 16(b). In the work area, as shown in FIG. 16(c), motor phases of reels 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d are successively arranged.

In the program of FIG. 16(b), compared with FIG. 14(a), "JTQ NZ, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0), EXCFREE" on the second line of FIG. 14(a) is "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0)" is replaced by "JR NTZ, EXCFREE" on the third line of FIG. 16(b), and "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+1)" on the third line of FIG. 14(a) is changed to "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+2)" as in the fourth line of FIG. 16(b). "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0)" on the second line in FIG. 16(b) sets the contents of the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+0) of the reel 134a and the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+1) of the reel 134b to the HL register. indicate that Note that even when a value is simply called into a register, if the called value is 0, the second zero flag becomes 0. "JR NTZ, EXCFREE" on the third line in FIG. 16(b) indicates that if the second zero flag is not 0, it moves to EXCFREE. "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+2)" in the fourth line of FIG. 16(b) sets the contents of the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+2) of the reel 134c and the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS+3) of the reel 134d to the HL register. indicate that Also, "JR NTZ, EXCFREE" on the fifth line in FIG. Here, the commands on the second and third lines determine whether the motor phase of the reel 134a and the motor phase of the reel 134b are both 0, and the commands on the fourth and fifth lines determine whether the motor phase of the reel 134c is zero. It is determined whether the motor phase and the motor phase of the reel 134d are 0 or not.

Compared to FIG. 14(a), the number of instruction code lines has been added, but the command length of "JTQ NZ, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0), EXCFREE" in the second line of FIG. 14(a) is 4 bytes. On the other hand, since the command length of "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0)" on the second line in FIG. However, the command length only increases by 1 byte. Also, changing the description to "LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+2)" on the 4th line in FIG. 16(b) does not affect the command length (the command length does not change). Therefore, the total command length of the program is 9 bytes.

Therefore, by reading the values of the motor phases of the two reels 134a and 134b with one command using the instruction command (“LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+0)”), a 4-byte JTQ for each of the reels 134a and 134b is read and determined. The total number of bytes can be reduced by executing the LDQ instruction and the JR instruction, which are 4 bytes in total, once each, rather than executing the instruction twice. In addition, by reading the values of the motor phases of the two reels 134c and 134d with one command using the instruction command (“LDQ HL, (LOW_SMC_PHS+2)”), a 4-byte JTQ for each of the reels 134c and 134d is read and determined. The total number of bytes can be reduced by executing the LDQ instruction and the JR instruction, which are 4 bytes in total, once each, rather than executing the instruction twice.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 are arranged so as to share the function part for progressing the game, but the function part of the main control board 200 is transferred to the sub control board 202. Alternatively, the functional units of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional units may be collectively arranged on one control board.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the bonus game was explained as the game profit, but this is not the only case. An RT (replay time) game or an ART game in which the above-mentioned AT and RT games are played at the same time may be provided to increase the lottery chances of the winning combination for the consumption of medals by suppressing the consumption of medals.

Further, the excitation release waiting process S800 in the lottery process S300 may be executed before the winning combination lottery process S301, may be executed before the symbol code setting process S302, or the one-game timer may become zero. It may be executed after (YES in S303), or may be executed after setting the 1-game timer. That is, the excitation release waiting process S800 may be executed at any timing after the start switch 128 is operated and before the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c start rotating.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are used as devices, but the devices are not limited to these.

In the above-described embodiment, the motor phases are during acceleration=3, during steady rotation=2, during stop=1, and during standby=0, but for example during acceleration=2, during steady rotation=1, The state corresponding to 0 may be any state, such as stopping=0 and waiting=3.

In the above-described embodiment, the motor phase is used as an example of the device parameters, but the parameters are the step counter value, the currently appearing symbol number, the stop request flag, the previous value of the index, the sequence counter, and the rotation error. A detection counter, first detected edge type, or the like may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped by energizing the stepping motor 262 in all phases. 134b and 134c may be stopped.

(Second embodiment)
In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of a slot machine (gaming machine) in which a player can play will first be briefly described, and then specifics of each board of the slot machine will be described. Typical processing (hand structure and transition of game state) and characteristic processing in this embodiment will be described, and a flowchart for realizing these will be described in detail.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 17 and 18, the slot machine 100 includes a housing 102 which is a substantially rectangular box, and a front upper door attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable. 104, located below the front upper door 104, and similar to the front upper door 104, a front lower door 106 attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable, and located below the front lower door 106. , and a tray portion 108 for storing the medals dispensed from the medal discharge port 108a.

An operation unit installation table 122 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 106, and a medal insertion unit 124, a bet switch 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, and the like are arranged on the operation unit installation table 122.

A medal insertion unit 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 122 accepts insertion of medals as game media through a medal insertion port (insertion port) 124a. send medals to The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted and non-standard medals to the medal ejection port 108a, and a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted within the insertion period. and an inserted medal detection section 124b for detecting the passage of the . Here, the medals guided to the medal ejection port 108a are ejected to the receiving tray portion 108. As shown in FIG. When a player inserts more than the maximum specified number of medals (for example, 3) out of a plurality of specified numbers of medals required to start one game, the maximum specified number is exceeded. A predetermined number of medals (for example, 50) is electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credit) inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c).

The bet switch 126 is a push-type button switch for betting the maximum specified number of medals out of credited medals. When the bet switch 126 is pressed in a state in which the maximum prescribed number of medals or more has been credited, the maximum prescribed number of medals is betted and the number of stored medals is reduced by the maximum prescribed number. If the bet switch 126 is pressed while less than the maximum specified number of medals have been credited, all of the stored medals are betted and the number of stored medals is reduced to zero.

A start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation unit installation table 122 is composed of a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a player's start operation of one game. Also, the start switch 128 can be configured by a button switch whose pressing operation can be detected.

A colorless and transparent pattern display window 136 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower portion of the upper front door 104, and a reel A unit 134 is provided. The reel unit 134 has three independent reels 134a, 134b, and 134c on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each area divided into 20, as shown in the pattern arrangement of the reels in FIG. 19(a). The reels 134a, 134b, and 134c can be viewed through the symbol display window 136 by the player. When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel unit 134 starts rotating the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

A stop switch 130 positioned in the center of the operation unit installation table 122 is a button switch capable of detecting a player's pressing operation, which is provided corresponding to each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. A player's stop operation to stop each is detected. The three button switches associated with the stop switch 130 are called stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c in order from the left according to their positions.

Thus, the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are stopped by the stop operation through the stop switches 130a, 130b and 130c. Here, an effective line is provided as shown in FIG. 19(b) so that the player can grasp the stop mode. There is one effective line, and specifically, it corresponds to the symbols stopped in the middle of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c among the nine symbols (three reels x three stages of upper, middle, and lower) facing the symbol display window 136. A line connecting the positions of the winning combination is set as an effective line A for judging the winning of the winning combination.

A liquid crystal display section (image display section) 138 for displaying various images associated with the performance is provided at approximately the center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104 . In addition, on the upper part and on the left and right of the front upper door 104, there are provided lamps 142 for effect, which are composed of, for example, high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, speakers for producing auditory effects such as sound effects and musical tones are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display section 138 on the back surface of the upper front door 104 and at the left and right positions on the inner surface of the back surface of the lower front door 106. 140 are provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal dispensing device (medal hopper) 264 for dispensing medals from the medal ejection port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage portion 264a for storing medals, a payout control portion 264b for ejecting the medals stored in the medal storage portion 264a from the medal ejection port 108a, and the medals ejected from the medal ejection port 108a. and a payout medal detection unit 264c for detecting the .

Although not shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, inside the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, among the symbols applied to them, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the symbol display window 136 are provided. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 20) is provided for independently illuminating the upper, middle, and lower patterns from the back. Also, a reel upper light 146 is provided on the upper part of the rear surface of the symbol display window 136 to directly illuminate the front of all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, on the substantially horizontal surface of the stepped portion 122a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130 in the operation unit installation table 122, a main credit display portion 152 and a main payout display portion are provided. 154 are provided. A sub-credit display section 156 and a sub-payout display section 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operating section installation table 122 . The main credit display portion 152 and the sub-credit display portion 156 display the internally stored number of medals, and the main payout display portion 154 and the sub-payout display portion 158 display the payout number of medals. It should be noted that the sub-credit display section 156 and the sub-payout display section 158 can also display various numerical values associated with the effects.

A power switch 148 is provided at an arbitrary position within the housing 102 . The power switch 148 is composed of a switch such as a rocker switch that can detect a pressing operation, and is operated by the administrator side who manages the slot machine 100 to switch between two states, a power-off state and a power-on state. Used.

(Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, the slot machine 100 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, a main control board 200 and a sub control board 202 sharing the functions of the control board will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, the main control board 200 executes particularly important processes such as the lottery of the winning combination to be used in the game and the winning of the prize, and the sub control board 202 executes other processes such as effects. running with In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 is one-way from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Limited to direction only. However, if there are no such restrictions, two-way communication is technically possible electrically.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs and the like, and a main RAM (RWM) 200c that functions as a work area. Overall control. However, the main RAM 200c is connected to a backup power supply (not shown), and even if the power is turned off, the data will not be erased unless the settings are changed and the main RAM 200c is initialized. retained.

The main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on the program stored in the main ROM 200b. 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, command transmission means 316 and other functional units.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in the main control board 200 . The betting means 302 bets medals to be used for games. Here, bets are placed on the basis of inserting credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 126, inserting medals through the medal inserting unit 124, and displaying a replay combination on the activated line A. This includes both cases of automatically inserting medals. A winning combination lottery means 304 selects one of a plurality of types of winning combinations including minor combinations, replay combinations, and bonus combinations, and non-winning combinations by lottery based on medal bets and operation of the start switch 128. decide.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the plurality of reels 134a, 134b, 134c according to the operation of the start switch 128, and operates the plurality of stop switches 130a, 130b corresponding to the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c, respectively. In response to the operation of 130c, the reels 134a, 134b and 134c corresponding to the operated stop switches 130a, 130b and 130c are controlled to stop. In addition, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game in response to the operation of the start switch 128, and then activates the stop switch 130 by the player in order to display the lottery result of the winning combination lottery. The time until the operation is validated (invalidated due to the completion of the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game) is extended from the specified time (wait time, for example, 4.1 seconds), during which the reel 134a, In some cases, a reel effect (freeze effect) is performed to control the rotation of 134b and 134c in various modes. In the reel performance, an arbitrary switch that should be enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, processing that should be executed is suspended for a predetermined time, or a switch signal that should be transmitted or received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized even if there is nothing.

A judging means 308 judges whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A. - 特許庁Here, the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A may simply be called winning. A payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery being displayed on the activated line A (winning). . The state transition means 312 transitions the game state based on the winning of the bonus combination and the prize winning.

The command determining means 314 sequentially determines commands related to the game associated with the operations of the betting means 302, the winning combination lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the state transition means 312, and the like. The command transmission means 316 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination means 314 to the sub control board 202 .

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection section 124b, the bet switch 126, the start switch 128, and the stop switch 130, and based on the received detection signals, the betting means 302 and the winning combination lottery means. 304, reel control means 306, and determination means 308 execute the various processes described above. A main credit display section 152 and a main payout display section 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 displays the number of accumulated medals and the number of payouts on both the display sections 152 and 154. Control.

A reel driving control section 258 is also connected to the main control board 200 . The reel drive control unit 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128, and also drives the stop switch. 130, the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signals of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c and the detection signal of the rotational position detection circuit 260, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306. FIG.

A medal payout device 264 is also connected to the main control board 200 . The main control board 200 receives a detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 264c, and the payout control means 310 counts the number of payout medals according to the detection signal. Controls the ejection of medals.

Also, the main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops (0 to 65535) within a predetermined total number (eg, 65536), and extracts the count value at a predetermined point in time to generate (obtain) a random number. A random number generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination lottery random number) is used to give a game profit to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 304 determines the winning combination. .

(Sub control board 202)
The sub-control board 202, like the main control board 200, has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202a as a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202b storing programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 202c functioning as a work area. , based on the command from the main control board 200, especially controls the performance. A backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the sub-RAM 202c as well as the main RAM 200c, so that data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. The secondary control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator 202d, similar to the main control board 200. The random number generated by the random number generator 202d (hereinafter referred to as the effect lottery random number) mainly reflects the mode of effect. used to determine

In addition, the sub-control board 202 functions by the sub-CPU 202a cooperating with the sub-RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 202b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determining means 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202 . The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200 and processes the commands. The effect control means 334 determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display section 138, the speaker 140, and the effect lamp 142 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 334 controls the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138, the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub-credit display unit 156, the sub-payout display unit 158, and the like. Illumination data for performance through the illumination device is determined, and audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 140 is determined. And the production|presentation control means 334 performs the production|presentation of the determined game.

Effects include effects executed by the main control board 200 such as the reel effects described above and effects executed by the sub control board 202 . The effects executed by the sub-control board 202 are the liquid crystal display portion 138, the speaker 140, the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub-credit display portion 156, and the sub-payout display portion as the game progresses. 158, etc., and can give a story to the game and suggest the result of the winning combination lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting winning of the bonus game is performed over a plurality of games, and the player's sense of expectation can be heightened. In addition, even if none of the winning roles have been won, it is possible to make the player feel the expectation of a high payout through an effect as if the player had won, so that the player does not get bored. It becomes possible. By interlocking the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202, it is possible to construct various game features. Main game modes will be described in detail below.

(Table used in main control board 200)
A plurality of game states are provided in the slot machine 100, and the game state transitions according to the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, a plurality of winning combination lottery tables and the like corresponding to the game states managed by the state transition means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts and extracts the corresponding winning combination lottery table from the main ROM 200b according to the current game state stored in the main RAM 200c (game state based on whether or not a bonus combination is established, which will be described later). Based on the winning combination lottery table and the current set value, it is determined whether the winning combination lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128 corresponds to which winning combination or non-winning in the winning combination lottery table. Here, the set value indicates the ease of obtaining a game profit in stages, and the higher the numerical value of the set value, the easier it is to obtain a game profit. The setting values are generally determined by the hall manager at least at the start of the game, and the player cannot obtain or change the setting values during the game.

Here, the winning combination extracted from the winning combination lottery table includes a replay combination, a minor combination, and a bonus combination. Such a state in which the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is arranged on the activated line A is called display or winning, and the state from the winning of the winning combination to the display of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is internal. be elected. The replay combination among the winning combinations is a combination in which, when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the effective line A, one game can be played again without the player betting new medals. , a small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the symbol combination by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the minor combination on the activated line A. The bonus combination is a winning combination that can shift the game state managed by the state transition means 312 to the bonus game state by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the activated line A. . The winning combination and the game profit given to the player will be described below.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning combination, and FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the game state.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the winning combinations "Replay", "Bell", and "Big Bonus (hereinafter referred to as "BB")" are provided as winning combinations. Of these, the winning combination "Replay" corresponds to the replay combination, the winning combination "Bell" corresponds to the small combination, and the winning combination "BB" corresponds to the bonus combination.

(role of replay)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Replay" is won, the symbol "Replay" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" shown in FIG. When it becomes possible to display on the activated line A, and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A, one game is played again (replay) without betting by the player, as described above. ) can be executed.

Here, in this embodiment, when the stop switch 130 is pressed by the player and the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 , stop control is performed so that the symbol is stopped on the activated line A. Further, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are not on the activated line A, but are in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c. When the symbol exists within a range (pull-in range) corresponding to four symbols, the reel control means 306 controls the number of symbols that are separated from each other to be the number of sliding symbols, and constitutes a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination. Stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to pull the pattern onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Further, when there are a plurality of symbols corresponding to the winning combination in each of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, and all of them exist within the pull-in range of each of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c, according to a predetermined priority. Which pattern is drawn onto the effective line A is determined, and stop control is performed to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to draw the prioritized pattern onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Incidentally, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, if a symbol forming a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination other than the winning combination that has been won is on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 controls that symbol. A so-called kicking process is also executed in parallel to prevent the ball from stopping on the effective line A.

In each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" are arranged so that they can be displayed on the activated line A without fail by the above-described stop control ( 19 and 21). Specifically, the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" are separated by a maximum of four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c. can be displayed in In this way, when the winning combination “Replay” is won, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” is always displayed on the activated line A. Thus, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A, it is possible to start the next game without inserting medals.

(small role)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Bell" is won, the symbol "Bell A" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Bell". can be displayed on the activated line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "bell" is displayed on the activated line A, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination (here, 9) is awarded to the player. paid out to Here, since the symbols "Bell A" constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Bell" are separated from each other only by a maximum of four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c (FIGS. 19 and 21). See), like the winning combination "replay", it can be displayed on the effective line A by the above-described stop control.

(Bonus role)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, if the winning combination "BB" is won, the symbol "red" written on each of the reels 134a, 134b and 134c, which is the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination "BB" shown in FIG. 7" can be displayed on the effective line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is displayed on the effective line A, the game state is set to the bonus game state, and the next game (hereinafter referred to as After that, the game can be executed in the bonus game state until a predetermined number of medals (for example, 297) are paid out. The reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are arranged so that the symbol "red 7" may not be displayed on the effective line A even by the stop control described above (see FIGS. 19 and 21). ). Therefore, even if the winning combination “BB” is won, the player is not necessarily displayed on the activated line A the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB”.

When one of the winning combinations described above is won, the internal winning flags corresponding to the respective winning combinations are established (ON), and depending on whether the internal winning flags are established, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are activated. Stop control is performed. At this time, if a minor winning combination is won but the symbol combination corresponding to the minor winning combination cannot be displayed on the effective line A within the one game, an internal winning flag is set after the end of the one game. is turned off. In other words, the right to win a minor winning combination is limited only within one game in which the minor winning combination has been won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. Further, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination "Replay", which is a replay combination, is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" is always displayed on the effective line A, and the next symbol combination is displayed without requiring medals. After the processing necessary for playing the game is performed, the internal winning flag is turned OFF. On the other hand, when the winning combination "BB" is won, the BB internal winning flag is established (ON), and until the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is displayed on the activated line A, The BB internal winning flag is carried over across games.

(Transition of game state)
Here, the BB internal winning flag will be specifically described together with the transition of the game state. When the BB internal winning flag is established, the game state managed by the main control board 200 changes to the winning combination ", which is a bonus combination," as shown in (1) of FIG. From the bonus non-establishment game state in which BB' is not won, the bonus establishment game state corresponding to the preparation state of the bonus game state is entered, and the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are respectively stopped and controlled based on the bonus establishment game state. At this time, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" cannot be displayed on the activated line A, the BB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is (the bonus establishment game state is maintained). , it is possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" on the activated line A in the next and subsequent games. Then, when the player causes the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" to be displayed on the activated line A, the game state shifts from the bonus established game state to the bonus game state as shown in (2) of FIG. do. Also, in the bonus game state, when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 297) are paid out, the game state shifts from the bonus game state to the bonus non-established game state, as shown in (3) of FIG. . However, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 22(4), in the game in which the winning combination "BB" is established in the bonus non-established gaming state, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" is placed on the activated line A. When displayed, the game state is directly shifted to the bonus game state without going through the bonus establishment game state.

(Winning role lottery table)
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a winning combination lottery table used when determining a winning combination lottery random number. In the winning combination lottery table, a plurality of winning areas are defined, and the winning combination targeted for the lottery differs depending on each game state. In FIG. 23, winning regions (winning combinations) assigned to each game state (bonus non-established game state, bonus established game state, bonus game state) are indicated by "○". Therefore, a winning area not marked with "o" indicates that it is not assigned to that gaming state. Each compartmentalized winning area is associated with a predetermined number (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating a winning range, and a winning combination. , the total number of winning combination lottery random numbers (65536) is obtained. Therefore, the probability of each winning combination being determined is a value obtained by dividing the set number associated with the winning area by the total number of winning combination lottery random numbers. A winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially obtains set numbers from a plurality of winning areas in the winning combination lottery table in descending order of numbers based on the game state at that time, and uses the set numbers as winning combination lottery random numbers. , and when the subtracted value becomes less than 0, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is taken as the lottery result. The lottery procedure is also applicable to other lotteries.

Also, the winning combination to be selected by lottery differs depending on each game state. For example, in FIG. 23, comparing the bonus non-established gaming state and the bonus established gaming state, the former draws a lottery for the winning combination "BB", while the latter draws a lottery for the winning combination "BB". not This is because, in the latter case, the winning combination “BB” has already been won, so the winning combination “BB” cannot be won again. In addition, in the latter, the winning probability of the winning combination “Replay” is set higher than in the former. Further, according to the bonus game state of FIG. 23, the lottery for the winning combination "BB" is not performed again, and the lottery for the winning combination "Replay" is not performed. In addition, since the winning combination "Bell" is set to be won with a high probability, the expected winning number indicating the average value of the number of sheets that can be obtained in one game is higher than the bonus non-established gaming state and the bonus established gaming state. getting higher. The winning area 0 of the winning combination lottery table is associated with "not winning". is not displayed on the effective line A, and medals are not paid out. However, in the bonus establishment game state (the BB internal winning flag is ON), if the winning combination lottery determines "not winning", the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" can be displayed on the activated line A.

Specific processing in the main control board 200 will be described below based on a flowchart.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the main control board 200. As shown in FIG. Here, first, along with the main processing of the main control board 200, the outline of one game after initialization will be described. Further, although detailed description is omitted, when each process is performed, the switches used in each process (bed switch 126, start switch 128, stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c) are activated at the start of the process. , is invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on via the power switch 148 and becomes energized, the initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization means 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power failure occurs, the backup data held can be used in this initialization process to restore the state before the power failure. For example, even if an unexpected power failure occurs while the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are rotating, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c start rotating again after the recovery operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, basically the main RAM 200c is not initialized (RAM cleared).

(Step S200)
Further, when the number of bets is changed, the command determination means 314 generates an input command indicating the changed number of bets and the number of stored numbers. Send to

(Step S300)
Next, the winning combination lottery means 304 validates the game start operation for the start switch 128 and shifts to the operation waiting state for the start switch 128 . Here, the winning combination lottery means 304 selects the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 according to the operation of the start switch 128 by the player, and selects the winning combination lottery random number at the time when the start switch 128 is operated. A winning combination lottery random number of 1 is acquired. Then, the winning combination lottery means 304 determines which winning region the acquired winning combination lottery random number corresponds to based on the winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. 23 and the currently set game state. , determines a winning combination or a non-winning combination in the determined winning area as a lottery result. In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 128, the command determining means 314 generates a winning combination command including the lottery result of the winning combination lottery (won or not) and information on the game state. Then, the command transmitting means 316 transmits the generated winning combination command to the sub control board 202 . Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus non-established game state to the bonus established game state based on winning the winning combination "BB" in the bonus non-established game state.

(Step S400)
When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the reels 134a, 134b and 134c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the previous game (wait), the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the game Start spinning and accelerate spinning. Then, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c when all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c have reached a predetermined speed and are in steady rotation (a state of rotating at a constant speed). , when the operation of the stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c by the player is accepted, one of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c corresponding to the operation is controlled to be stopped. Further, when any one of the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is operated, the command determination means 314 outputs a stop operation command (first stop operation command, A second stop operation command, a third stop operation command) are generated for each operation, and the command transmission means 316 sequentially transmits the generated stop operation commands to the sub control board 202 . A processing example of the reel rotation processing S400 will be described in detail later.

(Step S500)
Next, the determining means 308 determines to which predetermined combination the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A shown in FIG. Performs various operations required for modification and replay. In addition, the command determining means 314 generates a winning command including the number of medals to be paid out when the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A and the symbol combination corresponding to the minor winning combination are displayed on the activated line A. , the command transmission means 316 transmits the generated winning command to the sub control board 202 . Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus established game state to the bonus game state based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" being displayed on the activated line A in the bonus established game state. .

(Step S600)
Subsequently, based on the determination result in step S500, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the minor combination is displayed on the activated line A, the payout control means 310 executes the medal payout process corresponding to the minor combination. , when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, processing for betting the next game is automatically executed. Further, the state transition means 312 shifts the game state from the bonus game state to the bonus non-established game state when a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the bonus game state. Thus, the payout control means 310 performs various processes corresponding to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A, and ends the game. Further, when the medal payout process is performed, the command determination means 314 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed, and the command transmission means 316 transmits the generated payout command to the sub control board 202. .

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S600. Thereafter, the main loop from step S200 to step S600 is repeated.

By the way, in the slot machine 100, in order to position the reels 134a, 134b and 134c, light shielding plates are fixed to the reels 134a, 134b and 134c so as to have the same axes as the reels 134a, 134b and 134c. The light shielding plate has a donut-shaped plate with a semicircular portion left, and rotates with the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. It is configured to shield the photosensor from light in an arbitrary half circumference area. Therefore, in the other half circumference, the photosensor receives light without being blocked by the light shielding plate. Therefore, the index sensor repeatedly detects ON and OFF every half rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

The index sensor uses the edge of the light shielding plate as a reference position (index) for one round of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. Specifically, if the index sensor is turned on at the time when the operation signal of the start switch 128 is acquired, the reel control means 306 sets the edge from on to off as the reference position for one round of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. An index signal is output each time an on-to-off edge is detected. On the other hand, if the index sensor is off at the time when the operation signal of the start switch 128 is acquired, the reel control means 306 sets the off-to-on edge as the reference position for one round of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. An index signal is output each time an ON edge is detected. Therefore, the index signal is always output from the start of rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c to the half-circle position. The reason why only one edge of the light shielding plate is used as the reference position is that if both edges are used and each half circumference (252 steps) is set as the reference position, if there is a dimensional error in the light shielding plate, This is because an event occurs that does not form a half circle exactly. Here, the index (index signal) is detected by detecting the edge. Therefore, the expression of detecting an edge shown below can be read as detecting an index.

When the index sensor does not detect the edge of the shielding plate that should have been detected for a predetermined period of time, ie, a timeout occurs, the reel control means 306 determines that a rotation error has occurred in the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. Therefore, the slot machine 100 is provided with a rotation error detection counter for judging a so-called timeout when a predetermined time elapses without an edge being detected while the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are rotating. The rotation error detection counter is a counter that determines whether or not the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is normal. That is, if the count value is less than 6 (corresponding to the lower limit time) or 131 (corresponding to the upper limit time) or more (when a predetermined error condition is reached), it is determined that there is a rotation error. Then, the reel control means 306 clears the rotation error detection counter every time the index sensor detects an edge associated with the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. Thus, no rotation error (timeout) occurs while the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are rotating normally. However, as described above, if the rotation error detection counter exceeds the predetermined upper limit time, ie, if the index sensor does not detect an edge, the reel control means 306 determines that there is a rotation error.

Therefore, in order not to cause an unintended rotation error, the rotation error detection counter must be cleared before a predetermined time elapses after the previous edge detection. For example, it is conceivable to clear the rotation error detection counter at various timings, such as when an edge is detected during steady rotation of the reels after the end of one game in which all the reels are stopped.

However, frequent execution of the rotation error detection counter clearing process may cause the following problems. That is, in the slot machine, the program for the game control process for controlling the progress of the game must be arranged within the range of the available area (control area 4.5 kbytes+data area 3.0 kbytes) in the ROM of the main control board. However, if the rotation error detection counter clearing process is executed frequently, the control area for performing the game control process becomes uselessly large, and the program area cannot be allocated to other processes.

Specifically, in the main control board 200, the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on the programs stored in the main ROM 200b to perform initialization means 300, betting means 302, winning combination lottery means 304, and reel control. It functions as means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, command transmission means 316, etc., and controls progress of the game. Programs for executing these functional units are arranged in predetermined areas (used areas) of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing memory maps of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c. A memory space of 0000h to 2FFFh (12 kbytes) is allocated to the main ROM 200b, and memory spaces of F000h to F1FFh (512 bytes) and F200h to F3FFh (512 bytes) are allocated to the main RAM 200c. In addition, areas to be used are defined in both the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

A memory space from 0000h to 1DF3h of the main ROM 200b is allocated a usable area. Specifically, initialization means 300, betting means 302, winning combination lottery means 304, reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control The instruction code of the program for executing the game control process that controls the progress of the game by making the means 310, the state transition means 312, the command determination means 314, and the command transmission means 316 function is stored, 1200h to 1DF3h (3.0 kbytes) ), the data used for the game control processing program is stored in the limited memory space (data area). A comment area is allocated to the memory space of 1E00h to 1EFFh, and a program management area is allocated to the memory space of 2FC0h to 2FFFh. Also, the instruction code of the program is written in assembler language. Here, the program is composed of instruction codes, is read by a computer, and can realize predetermined processing in cooperation with data and a work area.

In addition, the memory space of F000h to F1FFh of the main RAM 200c is allocated with a use area. Specifically, the memory space of F000h to F13Fh is assigned a work area for the game control process, and is used for variable management such as timers, counters, and flags. A stack area for the game control process is assigned to the memory space of F1C0h to F1FFh. Further, the main CPU 200a is provided with an internal register.

Thus, in the main ROM 200b, the storage capacity of the used area is predetermined. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the control area is limited to 4.5 kbytes and the data area is limited to 3.0 kbytes. there is Therefore, even if an attempt is made to increase the variation of the game control process in order to enhance the game playability, there is a possibility that the storage capacity of the game control process is limited within the control area and cannot be added. In addition, when a winning type including a winning combination (selective winning combination) with a large gaming profit is won, the operating mode of the stop switch, which is a winning condition for the selected winning combination, is notified, thereby corresponding to the selected winning combination. A so-called AT effect state in which the player can easily display the combination of symbols on the effective line, and a so-called AT effect state in which the AT (assist time) is executed, and a so-called reel effect in which the reel unit 134 is rotated in various modes. , When the main CPU 200a manages, there is a possibility that the storage capacity of the game control process may be further restricted in the control area.

Here, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are properly controlled while preventing an increase in the control area for game control processing by executing the rotation error detection counter clearing processing at an appropriate timing.

(Reel rotation processing S400)
As a processing example of the reel rotation processing S400 described above, a program in which the reel control means 306 controls the rotation (acceleration, steady rotation, stop, standby) of the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is given. The reel rotation processing S400 functions as a subroutine. Therefore, the value of each register is saved before executing the reel rotation process S400, and after the process is executed, the value is restored to the register. In the reel rotation process S400, as described above, in accordance with the operation of the start switch 128, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 262 to accelerate the reels 134a, 134b, 134c (during acceleration). Then, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c when all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c reach a predetermined speed and rotate steadily (during steady rotation). At this time, when receiving the operation of the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c by the player, the reel control means 306 activates the stepping motor 262 through all-phase excitation (simultaneously exciting all the phases to apply the brake). any one of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to is stopped (stopped). When all the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are completely stopped, the stepping motor 262 is energized and released to wait for medals to be bet and the start switch 128 to be operated (waiting).

Here, the states of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are represented by three parameters for controlling the reels 134a, 134b, 134 of the motor phase, the number of steps, and the currently appearing symbol number (symbol number). Of these, the motor phase is a variable that indicates the rotating state of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, that is, during acceleration, during steady rotation, during stop, and during standby. Here, during acceleration, the stepping motor 262 accelerates from when the start switch 128 is operated and the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c start to rotate until the speed of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c reaches a predetermined speed. It means the state of being. During regular rotation, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c rotate at a constant speed from when the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c reach a predetermined speed to when the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c are operated. During stop refers to a state in which the stepping motor 262 decelerates from the time the stop switches 130a, 130b and 130c are operated and the stepping motor 262 is excited in all phases until the reels 134a, 134b and 134c stop. . During standby, after all the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are completely stopped and the excitation of the stepping motor 262 is released, the start switch 128 is effectively operated and the reels 134a, 134b, 134c start rotating. A state in which the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped. Here, the variable assigned to the motor phase changes to values such as during acceleration=3, during steady rotation=2, during stop=1, and during standby=0, depending on the rotation state of the motor. In addition, although operations such as during acceleration, during steady rotation, during stop, and during standby are mentioned here, operations during deceleration may also be included.

Also, the number of steps indicates the number of steps in the unit pattern. A unit pattern indicates one pattern among a plurality of patterns. For example, when the number of symbols is 21, the maximum number of steps in a unit symbol is 504/21=24, so counting 24 updates the symbols and initializes the number of steps. However, since the number of symbols is 20 in this embodiment, the value obtained by dividing 504 is not an integer. In this case, the maximum number of steps is 26 for 12 out of 20 frames, and 24 for 8 frames. Specifically, the maximum number of steps is shifted in order of 26→24→26→24→26 for each of the five symbols, and the combination is repeated four times. Thus, out of 20 frames, the maximum number of steps can be 26 for 3×4 times=12 frames, and the maximum number of steps can be 24 for 2×4 times=8 frames. Therefore, depending on the symbol (symbol number), the symbol is updated by counting 24 or 26, and the number of steps is initialized.

The currently appearing pattern number is a number assigned to each pattern in order to specify the pattern currently appearing at the reference position (for example, on the effective line A), and the position of each pattern can be specified. The reel rotation process will be specifically described below.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing reel rotation processing in which the reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

The reel control means 306 first acquires the motor phase (S410). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the motor phase indicates waiting (S411). As a result, if the motor phase is on standby (YES in S411), the reel control means 306 returns from the reel rotation process S400, and if not on standby (NO in S411), the reel control means 306 It is determined whether or not the motor phase indicates steady rotation (S412). As a result, if the motor phase is in steady rotation (YES in S412), the reel control means 306 executes a process during steady rotation, which is a process corresponding to steady rotation (S413). (NO in S412), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the motor phase indicates that the motor is stopped (S414). As a result, if the motor phase is stopped (YES in S414), the reel control means 306 executes stop processing, which is processing for stopping the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (S415). (NO in S414), the reel control means 306 executes a process during acceleration, which is a process for accelerating the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (S416). Hereinafter, the processing during acceleration S416, the processing during normal rotation S413, and the processing during stop S415 will be described in detail in that order.

(Processing during acceleration S416)
FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the during-acceleration process S416. First, the reel control means 306 decrements and updates the sequence counter (S420). Here, the sequence counter is a counter that counts the time related to the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. clock. For example, while the stepping motor 262 is accelerating, a predetermined upper limit time is set in the sequence counter, and when the sequence counter becomes 0 by decrementing, the process advances by one step and a new upper limit time is set. The speed is increased by gradually decreasing the upper limit time to count. Thus, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the sequence counter has become 0 as a result of updating the sequence counter (S421). As a result, if the sequence counter is 0 (YES in S421), the reel control means 306 again sets the next time (value smaller than the previous time) in the sequence counter (S422), and the sequence counter is still 0. If not (NO in S421), the reel control means 306 returns from the reel rotation process S400.

When the sequence counter is set, the reel control means 306 acquires the rotational speeds of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, and determines whether or not the acceleration has ended. It is determined whether or not (S423). As a result, if it is determined that the acceleration has ended (YES in S423), the reel control means 306 clears the rotation error detection counter (S424). Here, the motor phases of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c change from accelerating to steady rotation, and the rotation error detection counter is ready to count. to avoid timeouts. For example, when the rotation error detection counter does not detect an edge before a predetermined time elapses during steady rotation, a time-out occurs, and the acceleration process is performed again after moving to the acceleration state. Even if the rotation error detection counter is not updated during the re-acceleration, if the rotation error detection counter is not cleared at the timing from acceleration to steady rotation, the value of the rotation error detection counter is maintained and immediately , is determined as a rotation error (deemed as a timeout), and the acceleration process is repeated. Here, since the rotation error detection counter is cleared at the timing from acceleration to steady rotation, it is not determined that there is a rotation error after the acceleration process is resumed.

For example, the rotation error detection counter can be cleared at various timings, such as after one game in which all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped. The rotation error detection counter is not counted during operation, and the rotation error detection counter is cleared at times other than during normal rotation, at the timing of switching from acceleration to normal rotation (end timing during acceleration). For example, even if the rotation error detection counter is cleared after the end of one game, if the rotation error detection counter is not cleared at the timing from acceleration to steady rotation, timeout will occur during steady rotation of the next game, as described above. Thus, the value of the rotation error detection counter is maintained after the acceleration process is restarted, and a rotation error is determined (deemed to be time-out), causing the problem of repeating the acceleration process. Here, irrespective of whether or not the rotation error detection counter is cleared after the end of one game, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are cleared by clearing the rotation error detection counter at the timing from acceleration to steady rotation. can be controlled appropriately. Here, the rotation error detection counter clearing process is executed at the timing of switching from acceleration to steady rotation other than during steady rotation, thereby preventing an increase in the control area for performing game control processing, Appropriate control of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c. In this case, it is allowed to clear the rotation error detection counter at times other than the timing of switching from acceleration to steady rotation, but the rotation error is detected only at the timing of switching from acceleration to steady rotation. A counter clearing process may be executed.

Next, the reel control means 306 sets a stop prohibition timer (S425). The stop prohibition timer is set until the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c can be stopped, that is, after the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are accelerated and the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are unstable in operation. It is provided to time the elapse of time that the operation of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c will stabilize so as not to validate the operation of 130a, 130b, 130c. Subsequently, the reel control means 306 acquires the detection result of the index sensor and updates the state of the index sensor (S426). Thus, it is possible to hold the current state of the index sensor and identify the reference position early during steady rotation. Then, the reel control means 306 updates the motor phase from acceleration to steady rotation (S427). Subsequently, the reel control means 306 executes excitation pattern update pre-processing (S428). The excitation pattern update pre-processing S428 will be described in detail later.

As can be understood by comparing FIG. 27 and FIGS. 29 and 32, which will be described later, the rotation error detection counter is updated (decremented) in the steady rotation processing S413, but the acceleration processing S416 and FIG. In the stop processing S415, the rotation error detection counter is not updated. It should be noted that, while the rotation error detection counter is not updated, the determination of the rotation error is not performed either.

(Excitation pattern update pre-processing S428)
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the excitation pattern update pre-processing S428. The reel control means 306 first updates the excitation pointer in order to acquire an excitation pattern (a pattern indicating which phase is to be excited) (S430). Then, the reel control means 306 acquires the excitation pattern (S431), sets (overwrites) the excitation pattern in the main RAM 200c (S432), and returns from the reel rotation processing S400. The excitation pattern overwritten in the main RAM 200c is read by another module and output from the output port.

Part of the excitation pattern update pre-processing S428 is also used as an excitation pattern update process S496, which does not require a predetermined process (excitation pointer update process S430), which will be described later. As for the configuration of the program, in the excitation pattern update process S496, the process of step S431 and the process of step S432 are executed as one module. The configuration may be such that the pattern update processing S496 is executed.

(Processing during steady rotation S413)
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the steady rotation process S413. The reel control means 306 first determines whether or not the 1-phase excitation of the 1-2 phase excitation is to be output as the next excitation of the stepping motor 262 (S440). This is because the number of times of processing can be halved by advancing the processing only in one of the 1-2 phase excitations. As a result, if it is planned to output one-phase excitation (YES in S440), reel control means 306 determines whether or not an index signal has been detected (S441). Such an index signal is output at any predetermined timing when the index sensor turns from off to on or from on to off, as described above. As a result, if the index signal is detected (YES in S441), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index flag is ON (S442). Here, the index flag is a flag that is turned ON when an index signal is obtained after the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c reach a steady rotation speed. As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S442), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time (S443). As a result, if the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time (YES in S443), rotation error processing is executed (S444). Such rotation error processing S444 will be described in detail later. If the index flag is OFF (NO in S442), or if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or greater than the lower limit time (NO in S443), the reel control means 306 processes without executing the rotation error processing S444. proceed.

Here, the reason why the lower limit time is determined is as follows. Normally, when the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped, the time counted by the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the upper limit time, and times out. However, when the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are vibrating near the index sensor, the index sensor repeats the operation from OFF to ON, then from ON to OFF, and the index signal is frequently generated in a short period of time. The counter may not count properly. Here, if the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time, it is determined that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped or oscillating near the index sensor, and a rotation error has occurred.

Next, the reel control means 306 clears the rotation error detection counter (S445). Here, since the index signal is detected, the rotation error detection counter is cleared (reset to 0) to avoid timeout. During steady rotation, the rotation error detection counter is constantly updated as will be described later. Therefore, during steady rotation, the rotation error detection counter must be cleared each time an index signal (edge) is detected.

Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index flag is ON (S446). As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S446), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the stop request flag is ON (S447). Here, the stop request flag is a flag for requesting the stop of the pattern, and if the bit 7 is 1, it indicates that the stop is requested, and the pattern number that is the object of the stop request is indicated by the bits 6 to 0. , are flags that are turned ON when stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c are appropriately operated during steady-state rotation. As a result, if the stop request flag is not ON (NO in S447) and if the index flag is not ON (NO in S446), the reel control means 306 sets the initial value of the step counter (unit symbol step number). is set (S448), the initial value (upper limit number of symbols) of the symbol number counter is set (S449), and the excitation pattern update pre-processing S428 described above is executed. The number of unit symbol steps is the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 corresponding to the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c for the unit symbol. It is the number of corresponding unit symbols.

Here, the step counter is a counter that counts the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 (increments or decrements by 1 according to the change of the step), and the symbol number counter counts the currently appearing symbol number (1 each time the symbol changes). increment or decrement). As will be described later, the reel control means 306 causes the step counter to count the number of steps, and causes the symbol number counter to count the symbol number each time the number of steps counted by the step counter reaches the number of unit symbol steps, and When the step counter is reset and the symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches a predetermined upper limit number of symbols, the reels 134a, 134b and 134c are assumed to have rotated once, and the symbol number counter is reset.

If no index signal is detected in step S441 (NO in S441), the reel control means 306 increments and updates the rotation error detection counter in order to identify an error due to timeout (S450). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the rotation error detection counter has reached a predetermined error condition, that is, whether or not the upper limit time is exceeded (S451). As a result, if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or greater than the upper limit time (YES at S451), rotation error processing is executed (S444), and if the rotation error detection counter is less than the upper limit time (NO at S451), reel control means 306 proceeds without executing the rotation error processing S444.

Here, the reason why the upper limit time is determined is as follows. If the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c have stopped or are out of step, the time counted by the rotation error detection counter will be greater than the upper limit time and time out. Here, if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the upper limit time, it is determined that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped or out of step, and a rotation error is determined.

If it is determined in step S440 that one-phase excitation is not scheduled to be output (NO in S440), or if it is determined in step S447 that the stop request flag is ON (YES in S447), the reel The control means 306 performs symbol information update processing for updating symbol information on the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (S452). Such pattern information update processing S452 will be described in detail later.

Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the stop request flag is ON (S453). As a result, if the stop request flag is ON (YES in S453), the reel control means 306 compares the symbol number to be stopped indicated by bits 6 to 0 of the stop request flag with the currently appearing symbol number. (S454). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the pattern number requested to be stopped is equal to the currently appearing pattern number (S455). As a result, if the pattern number requested to stop is equal to the currently appearing pattern number (YES in S455), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index flag is ON (S456). As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S456), the reel control means 306 resets the stop request flag (S457), updates the motor phase from steady rotation to stop (S458), and sets the sequence counter. is set to the initial value (S459), and the excitation pattern update pre-processing S428 described above is executed. Also, if the stop request flag is not turned ON in step S453 (NO in S453), or if the pattern number requested to stop in step S455 is equal to the currently appearing pattern number (NO in S455), or step If the index flag is OFF in S456 (NO in S456), the excitation pattern update pre-processing S428 described above is executed.

(Rotation error processing S444)
FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of rotation error processing S444. The reel control means 306 first clears the index flag to invalidate the index flag (S470). Then, the reel control means 306 sets the sequence counter to the initial value (S471), updates the motor phase from normal rotation to acceleration (S472), and returns from the reel rotation processing S400. Thus, when a rotation error is detected, the motor phase is returned to acceleration again, and the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are controlled to accelerate again.

(Design information update process S452)
Before describing the design information update processing S452, the technology that is the premise thereof will be described. In this embodiment, a stepping motor 262 is used in which the total number of steps (total number of steps) is 252 for each rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. This is because, if the number of symbols is 21, 252 is a multiple of 21, so the number of steps of unit symbols can be handled equally. In this embodiment, since the stepping motor 262 is operated by 1-2 phase excitation, the resolution is improved and the number of steps can be counted by 504, which is twice 252. FIG. Therefore, the total number of steps is treated as 504 in the following examples.

If the total number of steps per rotation of the reels 134a, 134b and 134c is 504 and the number of symbols on the reels 134a, 134b and 134c is 21, the number of unit symbol steps is 504/21=24. The control means 306 causes the step counter to count 24, thereby updating the pattern number counter and initializing the step counter. Further, the reel control means 306 resets the symbol number counter when the current appearing symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches 21, which is the upper limit number of symbols.

Note that the number of symbols is set to 20 in this embodiment. Therefore, the value obtained by dividing 504, which is the total number of steps, by 20, which is the number of symbols, does not become an integer. Therefore, in this embodiment, 12 out of 20 frames have a unit design step number of 26, and 8 frames have a unit design step number of 24, and the number of steps is proportionally divided for each design. Specifically, the number of unit pattern steps is shifted in order of 26->24->26->24->26 for each of five consecutive patterns, and the combination is repeated four times. Thus, out of 20 frames, the number of unit design steps is 26 for 3×4 times=12 frames, and 24 times for 2×4 times=8 frames. Therefore, the reel control means 306 updates the currently appearing symbol number by counting 26 or 24 according to the symbol (symbol number), and initializes the number of steps. Further, the reel control means 306 resets the symbol number counter when the current appearing symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches 20, which is the upper limit number of symbols.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the pattern information update process S452. The reel control means 306 acquires the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 from the step counter (S480), and updates the number of steps (S481). Specifically, the reel control means 306 decrements the number of steps by 1, determines whether the number of steps has become negative, that is, determines whether the number of steps has been counted by the number of unit symbol steps. If it is counted, the number of steps is updated to "25" by subtracting "1" for convenience of calculation from the unit pattern step number "26", and if the unit pattern step number is not counted, the decremented step number is used. Update the step counter.

Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not it is necessary to update the currently appearing symbol number, that is, whether or not the number of steps has been counted by the number of unit symbol steps (S482). As a result, if it is necessary to update the currently appearing symbol number (YES in S482), the reel control means 306 acquires the currently appearing symbol number from the symbol number counter (S483), and updates the currently appearing symbol number ( S484). Specifically, the reel control means 306 decrements the currently appearing symbol number by 1, determines whether the currently appearing symbol number has become negative, that is, determines whether the currently appearing symbol number has been counted by the upper limit number of currently appearing symbols. If the number has been counted by the upper limit number of symbols, the current appearing pattern number is set to "19" by subtracting "1" from the upper limit number of symbols "20". Then, the reel control means 306 sets the updated currently appearing symbol number in the symbol number counter (S485).

Subsequently, the reel control means 306 renews the number of steps according to the currently appearing symbol number. Specifically, the reel control means 306 divides the currently appearing symbol number by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 (S486), and whether or not the value of bit 0 of the division remainder (remainder) is 0, That is, it is determined whether or not the number is even (S487). As a result, if the value of bit 0 is not 0, that is, if it is 1 (NO in S487), reel control means 306 changes the number of steps from unit symbol step number "24" to "1" for convenience of calculation. It is updated again to the decremented "23" (S488). On the other hand, if bit 0 is 0 (YES in S487), the number of steps is maintained without being updated. Then, the reel control means 306 sets the updated number of steps in the step counter (S489).

The reason for renewing the number of steps in this way is as follows. That is, the step number 504 of the stepping motor 262 is not divisible by 20, as described above. Therefore, out of the 20 frames, the number of unit design steps is set to "26" for 12 frames, and the number of unit design steps is set to "24" for 8 frames. Then, the ratio of the symbol with the unit symbol step number of "26" and the symbol with the unit symbol step number of "24" is 3:2. Proportional division of "26" and "24" can be realized by setting "24" in the case of an odd number. Therefore, in this embodiment, first, "26" is set as the number of steps, and if the remainder obtained by dividing the currently appearing pattern number by 5 is an odd number, it is replaced with "24". In this way, while maintaining the regularity of the change in the unit pattern step number for each pattern, the unit pattern step number is set to "26" in 12 out of 20 frames, and the unit design step number is set to "24" in 8 frames. becomes possible. In this example, "26" is set as the number of steps, and if the remainder obtained by dividing the currently appearing symbol number by 5 is an odd number, it is replaced with "24". That is, it goes without saying that "24" is set as the number of steps, and if the remainder obtained by dividing the currently appearing pattern number by 5 is an even number, it can be replaced with "26".

(Stopping process S415)
FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the stopping process S415. The reel control means 306 first sets a value (for example, 1) for exciting all the phases of the stepping motor 262 (S490), and decrements the sequence counter by 1 to update it (S491). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not all-phase excitation for stopping the stepping motor 262 continues, depending on whether or not the sequence counter has reached 0 (whether or not the upper limit time has been reached). (S492). As a result, if the all-phase excitation does not continue, that is, if the all-phase excitation ends (NO in S492), the reel control means 306 updates the motor phase from stop to standby (S493). . Also, the reel control means 306 adjusts the excitation pointer (S494). Here, the excitation pointer indicates whether the current excitation pattern of the stepping motor 262 is 1-phase or 2-phase. In this embodiment, the rotation of the stepping motor 262 is started with two-phase excitation. Therefore, here, the stepping motor 262 whose excitation pointer is 1-phase is forcibly adjusted to 2-phase, and if it is 2-phase, no adjustment is made. Thus, the rotation of the stepping motor 262 can be reliably started with two-phase excitation. Next, the reel control means 306 sets a value (for example, 0) for releasing the excitation, and releases the excitation of all phases (S495). Then, in step S492, if all-phase excitation continues (YES in S492), or after setting a value for releasing excitation, the above-described excitation pattern update process S496 is executed.

In the stopping process S415, excitation is released after all phases are excited, and the start switch 128 is operated to wait until the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c begin to rotate (accelerate). When the excitation is released, the current to the stepping motor 262 is cut off and the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are allowed to rotate freely, but they are well-balanced and do not rotate due to their own weight. At this time, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c may be fixed with a weak force by continuously applying a small amount of current to the stepping motor 262, or may be firmly fixed by continuing all-phase excitation.

Further, here, after stopping, the excitation is released and the motor phase is changed to "waiting".

Here, the rotation error detection counter clearing process, which is performed outside of steady rotation, is performed at the timing of switching from acceleration to steady rotation (after acceleration), and one game in which all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped. By reducing the number of program codes, it is possible to appropriately control the reels while preventing an increase in the control area for game control processing.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reel control means 306 outputs an index signal each time it detects an edge from off to on or an edge from on to off of the index sensor, that is, every rotation. However, the angle is not limited to 360 degrees (one rotation), and may be a predetermined angle less than 360 degrees, such as 180 degrees. Also, here, as the light shielding plates fixed to the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, a donut-shaped plate with a half-circle left has been described. An index signal may be output each time an off-to-on edge of the index sensor is detected as an acute angle.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotation error detection counter counts the time, and if the rotation error detection counter exceeds the predetermined upper limit time without detecting the index, it is determined that there is a rotation error. , but not limited to this case, various parameters corresponding to "time" can be employed. For example, the rotation error detection counter counts (accumulates) the number of steps in the drive command for driving the stepping motor 262, and the rotation error detection counter is a predetermined upper limit number of steps corresponding to one rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. If the above predetermined value (or more than the predetermined value) is reached, that is, if the command to rotate the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c one or more times is sent, but the index is not detected, it is determined that there is a rotation error. good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 are arranged so as to share the function part for progressing the game, but the function part of the main control board 200 is transferred to the sub control board 202. Alternatively, the functional units of the sub control substrate 202 may be arranged on the main control substrate 200, or all the functional units may be collectively arranged on one control substrate.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the bonus game was explained as the game profit, but this is not the only case. An RT (replay time) game or an ART game in which the above-mentioned AT and RT games are played at the same time may be provided to increase the lottery chances of the winning combination for the consumption of medals by suppressing the consumption of medals.

(Third embodiment)
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings. do.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 33 and 34, a slot machine 100 as a game machine includes a housing 102 with an open front surface and a front surface arranged vertically at one end of the front surface of the housing 102 so as to be rotatable. An upper door 104 and a lower front door 106 are provided. A colorless and transparent pattern display window 108 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower portion of the upper front door 104. At a position corresponding to the pattern display window 108 in the housing 102 , three reels 110 (a left reel 110a, a middle reel 110b, and a right reel 110c) are independently rotatable. As shown in the pattern arrangement of FIG. 35(a), a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each region divided into 20 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c. Through the symbol display window 108, the player can visually recognize a total of nine symbols, which are three consecutive symbols of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b and the right reel 110c located in the upper, middle and lower stages.

An operation unit installation table 112 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 106, and the operation unit installation table 112 is provided with a medal insertion unit 114, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, a production switch 122, and the like. there is The medal insertion unit 114 receives insertion of medals as game value through a medal insertion slot 114a. The bet switch 116 inserts (bets) a prescribed number of medals required for one game among the medals electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credits) inside the slot machine 100 .

The start switch 118 is composed of, for example, a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a game start operation by the player. The stop switches 120 (stop switch 120a, stop switch 120b, stop switch 120c) are provided corresponding to the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively, and detect a player's stop operation. In addition, when the stop switch 120 can be stopped, the player first stops any one of the stop switch 120a, the stop switch 120b, and the stop switch 120c, which is called a first stop. After that, stopping one of the two stop switches 120 that have not been stopped is called a second stop, and stopping the last remaining stop switch 120 after the second stop is called a third stop. . The effect switch 122 is composed of, for example, a press switch and a jog dial switch rotatably arranged around it, and detects a player's press operation or rotation operation.

A liquid crystal display section 124 for displaying various images associated with the performance is provided at approximately the center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104 . In addition, on the upper part and on the left and right of the front upper door 104, there are provided lamps 126 for effect, which are composed of, for example, high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Speakers 128 are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display section 124 on the rear surface of the front upper door 104 and at the left and right positions on the rear surface of the front lower door 106 to produce auditory effects such as sound effects and musical tones.

A main credit display section 130 and a main payout display section 132 are provided on the operating section installation table 112 . A sub-credit display section 134 and a sub-payout display section 136 are provided between the symbol display window 108 and the operation section installation table 112 . The main credit display portion 130 and the sub-credit display portion 134 display the number of credited medals (the number of credits), and the main payout display portion 132 and the sub-payout display portion 136 display the number of payout medals. .

Below the reel 110 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 142 for paying out medals from the medal outlet 140a is provided. In addition, a receiving tray portion 140 for storing medals dispensed from the medal ejection port 140a is provided at the lower front portion of the lower front door 106. As shown in FIG. A power switch 144 is also provided in the housing 102 . The power switch 144 is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100 and is used to switch between two states, a power-off state and a power-on state.

In the housing 102, a main control board 200, which will be described later, is provided with setting keys and setting change switches (not shown) (collectively referred to as setting value setting means). In the slot machine 100, when a predetermined key (operation key) is inserted into the setting key and turned from the OFF position to the ON position, when the power is turned on through the power switch 144, the setting change mode is entered. , the setting value can be changed (simply referred to as setting change). The set value indicates the player's degree of advantage (machine ratio) in stages, and is represented, for example, in six stages from 1 to 6. In general, the higher the value of the set value, the more advantageous the game as a whole. It is set to be high (expected acquisition number is high). Each time the setting change switch is pressed in a state in which the setting can be changed, the set value is incremented by one. Then, the setting value is determined, and the setting change mode is terminated by returning the setting key to the original position (OFF position), and the game becomes possible. It should be noted that the setting can be changed only for a certain period after the power switch 144 is operated and the power is turned on.

In the slot machine 100, when a game can be started and a prescribed number of medals are bet, the activated line A is activated and the operation of the start switch 118 is activated. Here, bets are made by inserting credited medals through operation of the bet switch 116, inserting medals through the medal inserting unit 114, and replay combinations, which will be described later in detail, are displayed on the activated line A. This includes any case where medals are automatically inserted based on Also, the active line A is a line for judging the winning of a winning combination, and there is one in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 35(b), the activated line A has nine symbols (three reels×three rows of upper, middle, and lower) facing the symbol display window 108, the middle row of the left reel 110a, the middle row of the middle reel 110b, and the middle row of the middle reel 110b. The line is set to connect the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped on the upper stage of the right reel 110c. The invalid line is used to determine the winning combination by displaying other symbol combinations that make it easier to grasp the winning combination when it is difficult to grasp the winning combination only from the combination of symbols displayed on the valid line A. In this embodiment, five invalid lines B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 35(b) are assumed. Here, the winning determination is to determine whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning type lottery is displayed on the activated line A.

Then, when the player operates the start switch 118, the game is started, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are rotated, and the winning type lottery and the like are executed. After that, according to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b and right reel 110c are stopped respectively. Then, when a winning combination that can receive medals wins according to the combination of the lottery results of the winning type lottery and the symbols displayed on the activated line A, the medals are paid out, and the winning type that can receive the medals is paid out. , or if the player wins but does not win, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are all stopped, and the game ends.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned one game, a medal is inserted through the medal insertion section 114, a credited medal is inserted through operation of the bet switch 116, or a replay combination is displayed on the activated line A. After one of the medals is automatically inserted based on the above, the rotation of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c is controlled according to the player's operation of the start switch 118, and the winning type lottery is executed. The left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel corresponding to the operated stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c according to the lottery result of the lottery type lottery and the operation of the plurality of stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c by the player. 110c are respectively controlled to be stopped, and when a winning combination capable of receiving medals is won, the game is played until the medals are paid out. In addition, when the winning type for which medals can be paid out is not won, or when the player wins but does not win, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all stop, and one game ends. However, the start of one game may be read as the operation of the start switch 118 by the player instead of the insertion of medals or the winning of a replay combination. Also, the number of times such one game is repeated is the number of games.

(Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, the slot machine 100 includes a main control board 200 (main control section) for controlling the progress of the game, and a sub-control board 202 (sub-control section) for controlling the effects according to the progress of the game. A control board is provided that includes. In addition, electrical signal transmission between the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 is limited to one direction only from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has a semiconductor integrated circuit including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs and the like, a main RAM 200c that functions as a work area, and the like, and controls the entire slot machine 100. . The data in the main RAM 200c is retained without being erased, even when the power is turned off, unless the setting is changed and the RAM is cleared.

In addition, the main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on the program stored in the main ROM 200b. 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, game state control means 312, effect state control means 314, command transmission means 316 and other functional units.

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from an inserted medal detection section 114b for detecting insertion of medals into the medal slot 114a, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, and stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. The main CPU 200a executes various processes based on the received detection signal.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in the main control board 200 . The betting means 302 bets medals to be used for games. Based on the operation of the start switch 118, the winning type lottery means 304 performs a winning type lottery for determining the suitability of the winning combination, more specifically, the suitability of the winning combination including the winning combination, as will be described in detail later.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b and the right reel 110c according to the operation of the start switch 118, and corresponds to the rotating left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b and the right reel 110c. Depending on the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to stop. In addition, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c in the previous game in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and then displays the lottery result of the winning type lottery. The time until the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is validated (invalidated by the completion of the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c in the previous game) is extended beyond the specified time, and during that time, the reel 110a. , 110b, and 110c are rotated in various manners (freeze effect). In the reel performance, an arbitrary switch that should be enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, processing that should be executed is suspended for a predetermined time, or a signal of an arbitrary switch that should be transmitted and received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized by doing or not.

A reel drive control section 150 is also connected to the main control board 200 . The reel drive control unit 150 drives a stepping motor 152 based on a rotation start signal for the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, which is transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118. do. In addition, the reel drive control unit 150 detects the respective stop signals of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306, and the rotation position detection circuit 154 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 120. Drive of the stepping motor 152 is stopped based on the signal.

The determining means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the active line A. Here, the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated line A may simply be called winning. A payout control means 310 pays out medals in the number (amount of value) corresponding to the winning combination based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination being displayed on the activated line A (winning). A medal payout device 142 is connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 discharges medals while counting the number of payout medals.

The game state control means 312 refers to the result of the winning type lottery and the determination result of the determination means 308, and shifts the game state to one of a plurality of types of game states. In addition, the effect state control means 314 refers to the result of the winning type lottery, the determination result of the determination means 308, and the transition information of the game state, and shifts the effect state to one of a plurality of types of effect states.

The command transmission means 316 is a game-related command associated with the operation of the betting means 302, the winning type lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the game state control means 312, the effect state control means 314, and the like. are sequentially determined, and the determined commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub control board 202 .

The main control board 200 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined numerical range, and extracts the count value at a predetermined point in time to obtain a random number. A random number generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as a winning type lottery random number) is used for the game profit given to the player, for example, for the winning type lottery means 304 to determine the winning type. .

(Sub control board 202)
The sub-control board 202, like the main control board 200, has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202a that is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202b that stores programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 202c that functions as a work area. , based on the command from the main control board 200, particularly controls the performance. The sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power source (not shown) in the same manner as the main RAM 200c, so that data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. The sub control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 202d, similar to the main control board 200, and the random number generated by the random number generator 202d It is used to determine the mode of production.

Also, in the sub-control board 202, the sub-CPU 202a functions by cooperating with the sub-RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 202b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determination means 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202 . The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200 and processes the commands. The effect control means 334 receives the detection signal from the effect switch 122, and determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 124, the speaker 128, and the effect lamp 126 based on the received command. Specifically, the effect control means 334 controls the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 124, the effect lamp 126, the sub-credit display unit 134, the sub-payout display unit 136, and other illumination equipment for effects. Along with determining the decoration data, the audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 128 is also determined. And the production|presentation control means 334 performs the production|presentation of the determined game. Note that the production includes an auxiliary production. In the winning type lottery, when winning a selected winning type in which a correct combination (a specific combination) and an incorrect combination are duplicated, the correct operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which is the winning condition for the correct combination, is performed. This is an effect for notifying the operation mode. With such an auxiliary effect, the player can easily display the symbol combination corresponding to the correct combination on the activated line A. An effect state in which such an assist effect is executed is called an AT (assist time) effect state. Also, a so-called ART game state may be used in which an AT effect state and an RT (replay time) game state with a high probability of winning a replay combination progress in parallel.

In the following, information managed by a board other than the main control board 200, including the sub control board 202, such as the liquid crystal display section 124, the effect lamp 126, the speaker 128, the sub credit display section 134, and the sub payout display section 136 The means may be called other notification means. On the other hand, the notification means managed by the main control board 200, such as the main credit display section 130 and the main payout display section 132, may be called main notification means (instruction monitor). Also, the main notification means and other notification means capable of executing the auxiliary effect may be collectively referred to as the auxiliary effect executing means. The effect state control means 314 causes the auxiliary effect executing means to execute the auxiliary effect in the AT effect state.

(Table used in main control board 200)
FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining winning combinations, and FIGS. 38 and 39 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a winning type lottery table.

As will be described later in detail, the slot machine 100 is provided with a plurality of types of game states and effect states, and the game states and effect states are changed in accordance with the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, the main ROM 200b stores a plurality of winning type lottery tables corresponding to the game states managed and controlled by the game state control means 312. FIG. The winning type lottery means 304 stores the corresponding winning type lottery table in the main ROM 200b according to the current set value (indicating the easiness of obtaining a game profit in stages) stored in the main RAM 200c and the current gaming state. Based on the extracted winning type lottery table, it is determined which winning type in the winning type lottery table the winning type lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118 corresponds to.

Here, the winning combination constituting the winning type extracted from the winning type lottery table includes a replay combination, a minor combination, and a bonus combination. The replay combination is a combination in which, when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, the game can be played again without the player betting new medals. A small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the symbol combination by displaying a symbol combination corresponding to the minor combination on the activated line A. In addition, the bonus combination is changed to a bonus game state (a game state during RBB operation to be described later), which is managed by the game state control means 312, by displaying a symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the activated line A. It is a role that can be transferred to

As shown in FIG. 37, the winning combination according to the present embodiment includes winning combinations "replay 1" to "replay 7" as replay combinations. In addition, as the small winning combination, winning combinations "small winning combination 1" to "small winning combination 39" are provided. In addition, a winning combination “RBB” is provided as a bonus combination. In FIG. 37, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are associated with one or a plurality of symbols forming each winning combination.

Here, in the present embodiment, when the stop switch 120 is operated by the player, if the symbols forming the symbol combination corresponding to the possible winning combination are on the effective line A, the reel control means By 306, stop control is performed so that the symbol is stopped on the activated line A. Further, when the stop switch 120 is operated, there are 4 symbols in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reel 110, although the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that can be won are not on the activated line A. If it exists within the range corresponding to the minute (pull-in range), the reel control means 306 controls the number of symbols away from each other to be the number of sliding symbols, and the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are valid. Stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to draw onto the line A. In addition, when there are a plurality of symbols corresponding to winning combinations that can be won on the reel 110, and all of them exist within the pull-in range of the reel 110, which symbol is placed on the effective line A according to a predetermined priority. It is determined whether to pull it upward, and stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to pull the prioritized symbol onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Incidentally, when the stop switch 120 is pressed, if a symbol constituting a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination other than a winable winning combination is present on the effective line A, the reel control means 306 controls the symbol. is not stopped on the effective line A, a so-called kicking process is also executed in parallel. In addition, as will be described later, when an operation mode (operation order or operation timing) is set as a winning condition for a winning combination included in the winning type, the reel control means 306 controls the winning combination according to the player's operation mode. The symbol combination corresponding to is controlled to be displayed on the activated line A.

Then, for example, symbols constituting symbol combinations corresponding to winning hands "replay 1" to "replay 4", winning hands "small hand 1" to "small hand 6", and "small hand 35" to "small hand 39". are arranged so that they can always be displayed on the activated line A by the stop control described above on each reel 110 . Such a winning combination may be expressed as PB=1. On the other hand, for example, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay 5” to “Replay 7”, the winning combination “Small combination 7” to “Small combination 34”, and the winning combination “RBB” are displayed on each reel 110. , the above-mentioned stop control does not always allow the arrangement to be displayed on the effective line A, so that a so-called dropout may occur. Such a winning combination may be expressed as PB≠1.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, in the winning type lottery table, a plurality of winning areas are divided, and the winning type to be the target of the lottery differs depending on each game state, and the presence or absence of non-winning (losing) differs. or In FIGS. 38 and 39, the winning areas ( Winning type lottery tables are actually stored in the main ROM 200b, corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming states. In addition, "◎" indicates that it is possible to draw a lottery to move to an advantageous section, and "○" indicates that it is not possible to draw a lottery to move to an advantageous section. It shows that it is a winning type.

In the winning type lottery table, each partitioned winning area is associated with a predetermined number (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating a winning range, and a winning type. The total number of winning type lottery random numbers (65536) is obtained by totaling the numbers set in the winning areas. Therefore, the probability that each winning type is determined is a value obtained by dividing the number associated with the winning area by the total number of winning type lottery random numbers. A winning-type lottery means 304 sequentially obtains set numbers from a plurality of winning areas in the winning-type lottery table in descending order of numbers based on the game state at that time, and converts the set numbers to winning-type lottery random numbers. When the value after subtraction becomes less than 0, the winning type associated with the winning area at that time is taken as the lottery result of the winning type lottery. Also, the set numbers of all the winning areas of 1 or more winning areas are subtracted from the winning type lottery random number, and if the value after subtraction is 0 or more, the winning type "losing" of the winning area 0 is the winning type lottery. lottery result.

Here, the winning combination "RBB" constituting the winning type "RBB" will be supplemented. Predetermined Type 1 Special Accessory RB is an accessory that increases the number of combinations of symbols related to winning for each specified number, or increases the probability of operating the conditional device related to winning for each specified number. It is activated when the game is played, and can continue to operate until the result of the game is obtained not more than 12 times. Here, the conditional device is a device whose operation is a necessary condition for displaying a combination of symbols related to winning, replay, the operation of the accessory or the operation of the accessory continuous operation device, and the winning type lottery ( It means a winning flag that operates when winning a lottery by an electronic computer performed in a game machine. And the role product continuous operating device (winning role "RBB") related to the first type special role product constituting the winning type "RBB" is a device capable of continuously operating the first type special role product RB. It is activated when a specific combination of symbols is displayed, and ends when it is determined in advance.

According to the winning type lottery table of FIG. 38, for example, the winning area 0 is associated with the winning type "lost". No combination is displayed on the activated line A, and medals are not paid out. However, as will be described later, if the RBB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" can be displayed on the activated line A by winning the winning type "lost". It becomes possible.

In addition, the winning area 1 is associated with the winning type "small winning combination ALL" in which the winning combinations "small winning combination 1" to "small winning combination 39" are duplicated, and the winning area 2 corresponds to the winning combination " The winning type "1 piece ALLA" in which the "small winning combination 11" to "small winning combination 39" are included in duplicate is associated with the winning area 3, and the winning combination "small winning combination 12" to "small winning combination 27" are associated with the winning area 3. The winning type "one card ALLB", which is redundantly included, is associated with it. In addition, the winning area 4 is associated with the winning type "choice 1 sheet 1" in which the winning combination "small combination 12" and "small combination 20" are duplicated, and the winning area 5 is associated with the winning combination "small combination Winning type "Choice 1 sheet 2" in which "Hand 13" and "Small win 21" are overlapped is associated, and winning area 6 is associated with winning combination "Small win 14" and "Small win 22". The winning type "choice 1 3" included in the winning area 7 is associated with the winning type "choice 1 4" in which the winning combination "small combination 15" and "small combination 23" are duplicated. are mapped. The winning area 8 is associated with the winning type "weak cherry" in which the winning combination "small combination 35" and "small combination 36" are duplicated, and the winning area 9 is associated with the winning combination "small combination 37". to "small win 39" are associated with the winning type "strong cherry", and the winning area 10 contains the winning wins "small win 7", "small win 8", and "small win 11". The winning type "watermelon A" that overlaps is associated, and the winning area 11 is associated with the winning type "watermelon B" that overlaps the winning combination "small combination 7" to "small combination 10". The winning area 12 is associated with the winning type "strong bell" in which the winning combinations "small combination 1", "small combination 3", and "small combination 5" are overlapped. In addition, the winning area 13 is associated with the winning type "common bell A" in which the winning hands "small hand 1" to "small hand 6" are overlapped, and the winning area 14 is associated with the winning hand "small hand 1” to “small winning combination 6” and “small winning combination 11” are included in duplicate, and are associated with the winning type “common bell B”.

In addition, in the winning areas 15 to 26, the correct combination (winning combination "small combination 1" to "small combination 6") with the number of payouts of 11 and the incorrect combination (winning combination "small combination") with the number of payouts of 1 Selected winning types (winning types "batting order bell 1A" to "batting order bell 6A", "batting order bell 1B" to "batting order bell 6B") that overlap with "hand 12" to "small win 34") are associated with each other. It is

Further, according to the winning type lottery table of FIG. 39, the winning areas 27 to 39 include the winning combinations "Replay 1" to "Replay 7" in duplicate. ”, and “symbol replay B1” to “symbol replay B6” are associated with each other. In addition, the winning area 40 is associated with the winning type "normal replay" in which the winning combination "replay 1" and "replay 2" are included in duplicate.

Further, the winning areas 41 to 46 are associated with the winning types "RBB1" to "RBB6" in which the winning combination "RBB" is included singly or overlapped with other minor combinations.

Then, when a winning type in which a plurality of winning hands are overlapped is won, a winning condition, such as stop The order in which the switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated is set.

In the following description, the operations of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are referred to as "batting order 1". The operations of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that sequentially stop the reels are referred to as "batting order 2", and the operations of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of the middle reel 110b, the left reel 110a, and the right reel 110c are referred to as the "batting order." 3", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c for stopping the reels in the order of the middle reel 110b, the right reel 110c, and the left reel 110a is set to "hitting order 4", and the right reel 110c, the left reel 110a, and the middle reel 110b are operated in this order. The operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c for stopping the reels is referred to as "batting order 5", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c for stopping the reels in the order of the right reel 110c, middle reel 110b, and left reel 110a is referred to as "batting order 6". ”.

For example, in the non-internal game state, if the winning type "batting order bell 1A" in the winning area 15 is won and an operation is performed according to the correct operation mode (batting order 1), the payout number is 11, which is the correct winning combination. Stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the "small win 1" is preferentially displayed on the activated line A. - 特許庁Further, when the operation of the batting order 2 is performed, the stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "small combination 28" which is the incorrect combination with the number of payouts of 1 is preferentially displayed on the activated line A. is performed, and when the operation according to the batting order 3, 4 is performed, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "small combination 12", which is an incorrect combination of the number of payouts of 1, is preferentially placed on the activated line A by 1/4. Stop control is performed so as to be displayed with a probability, and when operations are performed according to the batting order of 5 and 6, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "small combination 16", which is an incorrect combination of the number of payouts of 1, is on the valid line A. Stop control is performed so that it is preferentially displayed on the top with a probability of 1/4.

It should be noted that the winning probability (set number) of each winning type in the winning areas 15 to 26 is set to be equal. Since the player usually cannot know which type of winning has been won, by providing the above-described winning areas 15 to 26, it is made difficult for the correct combination to win. Further, as described above, even if the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated in the batting order in which the incorrect combination is preferentially displayed, the symbol combination corresponding to the incorrect combination is necessarily displayed on the activated line A. However, depending on the mode of operation, there are cases where a failure occurs (PB≠1).

When one of the winning types described above is won, an internal winning flag corresponding to each winning type is established (ON), and each reel 110 is controlled to stop according to the state of establishment of this internal winning flag. The Rukoto. At this time, if a winning type including a minor winning combination is won, but the symbol combination corresponding to these winning combinations cannot be displayed on the activated line A in the game, after the end of the game. The internal winning flag is turned OFF. In other words, the right to win a minor winning combination is limited only within the game in which the winning type including the minor winning combination has been won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. On the other hand, if the winning type including the winning combination "RBB" is won, the RBB internal winning flag is established (ON) and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" is displayed on the activated line A. The RBB internal winning flag is carried over across games until it is displayed. In addition, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning type including the replay combination is established, the symbol combination corresponding to any of the replay combinations included in the winning type is always on the activated line A. After the display is performed and the processing required to play the next game without medals is performed, the internal winning flag is turned OFF.

(Transition of game state)
Here, with reference to FIG. 40, the game state transition will be described. Here, a plurality of game states such as a non-internal game state, an RBB internal game state, and an RBB active game state are prepared. Each game state is changed according to winning of a bonus combination, winning (activation), and termination, as described later.

The non-internal game state is a game state corresponding to an initial state in a plurality of game states. In such a non-internal game state, the winning probability of the replay combination is set to about 1/7.3. In addition, in the non-internal game state, the winning combination "RBB" is determined with a predetermined probability (for example, about 1/30).

The game state control means 312 changes the game state according to winning of the winning combination “RBB”. For example, in a game in which the winning combination "RBB" is won, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" is displayed on the activated line A, the game state control means 312 changes the game state to the RBB active game state. Migrate (1).

The winning probability of the replay combination is set to 0 in the RBB active gaming state. In the gaming state during the RBB operation, the winning types that can be won are the winning type "small hand ALL" in the winning area 1, and the winning types "1 card ALLA" and "1 card ALLB" in the winning areas 2 and 3. is set. When the winning type ``small hand ALL'' is won, the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning hand ``small hand 1'' to ``small hand 39'' is displayed on the effective line A, and the winning type ``1 card ALL'' is won. Then, stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to any one of the winning combination “small combination 11” to “small combination 39” is displayed on the activated line A. Here, the expected winning number per unit game in the RBB-activated game state is lowered by such a configuration of the small combination.

When the conditions for ending the RBB-activated gaming state are met, that is, when the acquired number reaches a predetermined number, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state to the non-internal gaming state (2).

On the other hand, in the game in which the winning combination "RBB" is won, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" cannot be displayed on the activated line A, the game state control means 312 changes the game state to the inside of the RBB. Transition to a middle game state (special game state) (3).

In the RBB internal gaming state, the winning probability of the replay combination is set to about 1/5.9. In addition, in the RBB internal gaming state, the winning type "loss" is not won. In other words, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning hand "RBB" cannot be displayed on the activated line A in the winning game of the winning hand "RBB", after that, the winning hand "RBB" is replaced by a smaller combination or a smaller combination. Since the replay combination is preferentially stopped on the activated line A, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" cannot be displayed on the activated line A. - 特許庁Therefore, once the gaming state shifts to the RBB inside gaming state, the RBB inside gaming state is maintained without transition of the gaming state thereafter. Here, while maintaining the RBB inside game state, the AT effect state is realized in the RBB inside game state.

Here, in the RBB internal middle game state, since a plurality of types of correct hands are won without overlapping each other, it is possible to increase the chances of winning the correct hands. By performing the auxiliary effect in the AT effect state in the state, it is possible to easily obtain medals. On the other hand, in the game state during RBB operation, since a plurality of kinds of correct hands are won in duplicate, there is little opportunity to win the correct hands, so the correct hands are awarded more than in the AT performance state in other game states. This reduces the number of chances that players can play, making it difficult for players to increase the number of medals they own. Therefore, while providing the function of the RBB operating game state that the probability of winning a winning combination is higher than that of the RBB inside game state, the RBB operating game state is equivalent to the RBB inside game state in terms of medal acquisition performance. A specification (acceleration RBB) of being inferior can be realized.

(Transition of production state)
FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the effect state. Hereinafter, the effect state (non-AT effect state, AT effect state) to be changed by the effect state control means 314 in the main control board 200 will be described in detail. In addition, below, the case where the game state is the RBB inside game state will be described.

Here, in order to comprehensively and uniformly determine whether or not the game state with high medal acquisition performance is biased, the game section having the performance related to the instruction function, that is, the auxiliary performance (instruction function) is executed. A game section that is advantageous to the player, including a game section, is defined as an advantageous section (specific section). In the advantageous section, as a result of performing a lottery related to the operation of the auxiliary effect on the main control board 200, when the auxiliary effect is activated, the main control board 200 can identify the content of the instruction, for example, the main notification This is a game section in which instruction information may be transmitted to peripheral boards such as the sub-control board 202 only when it is displayed on the means. A game section different from the advantageous section is defined as a non-advantageous section. Therefore, a plurality of production states (non-AT production state, AT production state) belong to either the advantageous section or the non-advantageous section which are game sections. In this embodiment, almost all production states belong to the advantageous section, and the non-advantageous section is realized in a part of the non-AT production state (here, the non-advantageous production state).

In the advantageous section, among the winning modes in which the correct role is missed if there is no assistance effect, in the selection winning type in which the correct answer role has the maximum payout (here, 11 coins), an assistance that assists the correct answer role to win a prize When an effect (auxiliary effect for obtaining the maximum number of coins to be paid out) is performed, for example, the section indicator 160 must be turned on to notify that fact.

In addition, in the non-advantageous section, it is possible to change the winning probability of the winning type for each set value, but the probability of determining the transition to the effect state (AT effect state) accompanied by the auxiliary effect in the same winning type must not be different for each set value. On the other hand, in the advantageous section, the winning probability of the winning type and the probability of determining the transition (or addition) to the production state (AT production state) with the auxiliary production in the same winning type are different for each set value. It is possible to

Therefore, the production state control means 314 manages the transition between the non-advantageous section and the advantageous section in addition to managing the transition of the production state. In addition, regardless of such management, the advantageous section is forcibly terminated by satisfying the following termination conditions. For example, the value counted in the advantageous section reaches a predetermined value (for example, the number of staying games (the number of game executions) reaches 1500 games, or the number of acquired sheets (net increase number) exceeds 2400) to force quit. In either case, the effect state control means 314 resets all the information updated in the advantageous section (all variables affecting the performance related to the instruction function) by shifting from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section. .

(Non-AT production state, AT production state)
In the non-AT production state, the execution frequency of the auxiliary production is much lower than in the AT production state, and the auxiliary production is almost not performed, so the number of medals that can be obtained is limited. Here, six performance states such as a normal performance state, a non-advantageous performance state, a preparation performance state, a first interval performance state, a continuous lottery performance state, and a second interval performance state are provided as non-AT performance states.

In the AT performance state, it is possible to obtain a large number of medals while suppressing the consumption of medals by causing the assistance performance executing means to execute the assistance performance when all the selected winning types are won. Therefore, by shifting to the AT effect state, the player can progress the game more advantageously than in the non-AT effect state. Here, a pseudo bonus effect state is provided as the AT effect state. Each effect state (normal effect state, pseudo-bonus effect state, non-advantageous effect state, preparation effect state, first interval effect state, continuous lottery effect state, second interval effect state) will be individually described below.

(Each production state)
The normal rendering state is a rendering state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of rendering states. The performance state control means 314 performs AT lottery in the normal performance state. The AT lottery is a lottery for determining transition to the AT performance state, and the performance state control means 314 performs the AT lottery with different probabilities for each winning type determined by the winning type lottery. Then, when the AT lottery is won, the performance state control means 314 shifts the performance state to the pseudo bonus performance state which is the AT performance state after the predetermined number of precursor games has passed (1). Further, when a predetermined ceiling condition (for example, a predetermined number of games are played continuously in the normal production state) is satisfied in the normal production state without transitioning to the pseudo-bonus production state (so-called ceiling reached), the production state control means 314 shifts the production state to a pseudo-bonus production state (1). The transition to the pseudo-bonus effect state due to reaching the ceiling will be described in detail later.

In the pseudo-bonus effect state, an auxiliary effect is executed until a predetermined end condition (for example, the number of games played reaches a predetermined number of games) is satisfied, and the player can, for example, expect to win in the pseudo-bonus effect state. A number of 3.5 sheets can be obtained. Incidentally, in the pseudo bonus effect state, mainly two end conditions are prepared. For example, if the end condition is that the number of games played reaches the predetermined number of games, two levels of 30 and 80 are provided as the predetermined number of games, and either one is determined by lottery. In the pseudo-bonus effect state, the player naturally obtains more game profits as the number of games played increases. Therefore, the player would want the predetermined number of games to be 80, not 30. However, even if 30 is determined as the predetermined number of games, a promotion lottery is also performed to increase the predetermined number of games of the auxiliary effect from 30 to 80 during the completion of the predetermined number of games. The conditions for terminating the pseudo-bonus effect state will be described in detail later. Here, as an example of the termination condition of the pseudo-bonus effect state, the number of games played has reached the predetermined number of games. Reaching a certain number or reaching a predetermined number of acquired sheets (net increased number of sheets) may be employed.

Then, in the pseudo-bonus effect state, when a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the effect state control means 314 may shift the effect state to a non-advantageous effect state (2). At this time, the effect state control means 314 temporarily shifts the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section, and resets all the information updated in the advantageous section. For example, if the preceding pseudo-bonus effect state is the initial pseudo-bonus effect state, that is, if it is the pseudo-bonus effect state immediately after shifting from the normal effect state, the effect state control means 314 changes the effect state to a non-advantageous state. While shifting to the performance state, the advantageous section is temporarily shifted to the non-advantageous section. In addition, even if the pseudo-bonus effect state in the previous stage is the pseudo-bonus effect state of the multiples of 3 (3, 6, . . . ) that does not go through the normal effect state, , shifts to a non-advantageous section, and temporarily shifts the advantageous section to a non-advantageous section.

Then, the effect state control means 314 draws a lottery for the transition to the advantageous section with a high probability (for example, 1/2), returns to the advantageous section after completing a few games, and shifts the effect state to the preparation effect state ( 3). This is to avoid the pseudo-bonus effect state from being forcibly terminated when the value counted in the advantageous section reaches a predetermined value.

On the other hand, if the pseudo-bonus effect state in the preceding stage is not the first time, or if it is not the pseudo-bonus effect state of the multiple times of 3 that does not pass through the normal effect state, the effect state control means 314 shifts the effect state to the non-advantageous effect state. (4). This is to prevent the pseudo-bonus effect state from being forcibly terminated when the value counted in the advantageous interval reaches a predetermined value, and to prevent the advantageous interval from ending unnecessarily.

In the preparation production state, the production state control means 314 draws a lottery for transition to the first interval production state with a high probability (for example, 1/2), and based on the determination of the transition to the first interval production state, the production state is changed. to the first interval effect state (5).

The first interval effect state continues until a predetermined end condition (for example, completion of 40 games) is satisfied, during which a continuation lottery for the pseudo-bonus effect state is executed. Unlike the pseudo-bonus effect state, the first interval effect state is different from the pseudo-bonus effect state in that the number of expected wins per unit game is small and may have a negative value. In addition, in the present embodiment, the effect state is set to always be the first interval effect state when the advantageous section is won in the non-advantageous section. Therefore, after the pseudo-bonus effect state ends, even if the advantageous section continues, or if the transition to the non-advantageous section is made once as described above, the transition to the first interval effect state is made. becomes. Then, when a predetermined termination condition in the first interval effect state is satisfied, the effect state control means 314 shifts the effect state to the continuous lottery effect state (6).

The continuous lottery effect state continues until a predetermined termination condition (for example, completion of 5 games) is satisfied, and finally, the result of the continuous lottery of the pseudo-bonus effect state in the first interval effect state is reported. Unlike the pseudo-bonus effect state, the expected winning number per unit game is small in such a continuous lottery effect state, and the value may be negative. In the first interval effect state, if the transition (continuation) to the pseudo-bonus effect state is determined, the effect state control means 314 shifts the effect state to the pseudo-bonus effect state (7), and the pseudo-bonus effect state. , the production state control means 314 returns the production state to the normal production state (8).

As described above, in the present embodiment, once the pseudo bonus effect state is entered, the pseudo bonus effect state→preparation effect state→first interval effect state→continuous lottery effect state, unless the continuous lottery of the continuous lottery effect state is missed. By repeating the transition of , the player can accumulate medals.

In addition, in the preparation production state, the production state control means 314 performs a lottery for the transition to the second interval production state in addition to the lottery for the transition to the first interval production state. However, the probability of transition to the second interval effect state (eg, 1/20) is set smaller than the probability of transition to the first interval effect state (eg, 1/2). In the preparation production state, when the transition to the second interval production state is determined before the transition to the first interval production state is determined, the production state control means 314 determines the transition to the second interval production state. Based on (9), the production state is shifted to the second interval production state. Here, an example is given in which the lottery for transition to the second interval effect state is performed in the preparatory effect state, but similarly, the lottery for transition to the second interval effect state may be performed in the non-advantageous effect state.

Like the first interval effect state, the second interval effect state continues until a predetermined end condition (for example, completion of 40 games) is satisfied, during which a continuation lottery for the pseudo-bonus effect state is executed. Like the first interval effect state, the second interval effect state differs from the pseudo bonus effect state in that the number of expected wins per unit game is small and may have a negative value.

However, in the second interval effect state, the pseudo bonus effect state is determined with a higher probability than in the first interval effect state. For example, in the first interval effect state, the pseudo-bonus effect state is determined at 1/58 every game for 40 games (winning probability 50%), and in the second interval effect state, the pseudo-bonus effect state is determined for 40 games. is determined at every game 1/25 (winning probability 80%). Then, when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied, the effect state control means 314 shifts the effect state to the continuous lottery effect state (10). Once the transition to the second interval effect state is determined, after that, there is no transition to the non-advantageous effect state, the preparation effect state, or the first interval effect state until the continuous lottery effect state is entered. From the pseudo-bonus effect state, only the second interval effect state is entered (11). Therefore, the player can always receive a continuous lottery with a high probability. Further, once the transition to the second interval effect state is determined, even if the transition to the pseudo bonus effect state is not determined in the continuous lottery effect state, the effect state control means 314 immediately changes the effect state. The state is shifted to a non-advantageous performance state without returning to the normal performance state (12). Therefore, when the transition to the pseudo-bonus effect state is not determined in the continuous lottery effect state, the pseudo-bonus effect state→preparation effect state→first interval effect state→continuation until the continuous lottery of the continuous lottery effect state fails again. The transition of the lottery effect state can be repeated. In this way, once the state is shifted to the second interval effect state, the transition from the pseudo bonus effect state→the second interval effect state→continuous lottery effect state can be repeated with high probability, and furthermore, the pseudo bonus effect state→the second interval effect state→continuous lottery effect state can be repeated with a high probability. Even if the transition to the bonus performance state is not determined, at least, the transition from the pseudo bonus performance state→preparation performance state→first interval performance state→continuous lottery performance state can be repeated again, so that the player can play more games. medals can be accumulated. That is, it can be said that the second interval effect state is more advantageous than the first interval effect state.

Further, as described above, the effect state control means 314, when shifting from the pseudo-bonus effect state to the second interval effect state, can shift to the non-advantageous section, unlike the transition to the first interval effect state. do not have. In the present embodiment, when the pseudo-bonus effect state is the first-time pseudo-bonus effect state, the effect state control means 314 does not shift to the second interval effect state, and temporarily replaces the advantageous section with the non-advantageous section. , and be sure to shift to the first interval performance state. Then, the advantageous section is reset once. Therefore, even if the advantageous section is not reset when shifting to the second interval presentation state, the pseudo-bonus presentation state passing through the second interval presentation state will not be terminated in a short period of time due to the limitation of the advantageous section, and the player will be able to A lot of medals can be obtained by a loop of pseudo bonus effect state→second interval effect state→continuous lottery effect state.

(Reel rotation and stop processing)
As described above, in the slot machine 100, each reel 110a, 110b, 110c is rotated and stopped through operation of each switch such as the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, the stop switch 120, etc. You can earn medals accordingly. Here, the rotation and stop processing of the reels 110a, 110b and 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118 and the stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c will be described in detail.

When the player operates the start switch 118, the reel control means 306 starts rotating the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c (hereinafter, starting the rotation of the reel 110 is referred to as starting rotation). Then, the reel control means 306 causes the rotational speeds of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c to increase (hereinafter, the state in which the rotational speeds are increasing is referred to as an acceleration state), and reaches a predetermined speed (less than 80 rpm/min). Then, the predetermined speed is maintained (hereinafter, the state in which the speed is maintained and rotated is referred to as a constant speed state). Then, when all the indexes specifying the respective positions of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are detected, the reel control means 306 validates the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c. The player can determine whether the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is valid or invalid by the color of the backlight emitted from each of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c. For example, if the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is valid, the backlight of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c emits blue light, and if the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is invalid, the stop switch The backlights of 120a, 120b, and 120c are made to emit red light. Such emission colors and emission timings will be described later in detail with reference to flowcharts.

However, the reel control means 306 validates the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c not only when the index is detected but also when a predetermined permission condition is satisfied. Permission conditions are described below.

As described above, the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switch 120 are exposed to the slot machine 100 for easy operation, and can be touched by the player at any time. However, even if the player operates each switch, if the operation of the switch is not validated, the operation will not be effectively processed. For example, when one game ends, the operation of the bet switch 116 is validated, and when medals are betted, the operation of the start switch 118 is validated, and when the start switch 118 is operated, the reels 110a and 110b. , 110c start rotating and the reels 110a, 110b and 110c can be stopped, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c is enabled, and the reels 110a, 110b and 110c are stopped.

Therefore, after operating the start switch 118, the player waits for the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c to be validated, operates the validated stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and reels 110a, Stop 110b and 110c. Since the stop switch 120 can be operated at any time, after the operation of the start switch 118 is validated, the player operates (holds) any of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that have not yet been validated. , the start switch 118 can be operated. However, if the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is not validated, the operation is not effectively processed, only the operation of the start switch 118 is effectively processed, and the reel control means 306 The reels 110a, 110b, and 110c start rotating according to the operation. Then, when all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b and 110c are detected and the timing for validating the operation of the stop switch 120 in one game is reached, the reel control means 306 validates the operation of the stop switch 120a, 120b and 120c. do. However, if the stop switch 120 has already been operated at this timing and the operation has not been canceled (if the ON state is maintained), as soon as the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is validated, the The operation is effectively accepted, and the reel 110 starts to stop.

In this way, if the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is accepted immediately after the operation is validated, the following problems may occur. That is, the stop positions of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are determined based on the rotation start positions of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. The reels 110a, 110b, and 110c can be stopped at desired positions without any adjustment, so-called spot pressing assistance.

In addition, even if the stop switch 120 is fixed in the operated state (ON state) and has a failure, the stop switch 120a is turned off as soon as the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is validated. , 120b and 120c are effectively accepted, the game progresses with the stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c malfunctioning.

Furthermore, even if the player accidentally operates the start switch 118 while holding down the stop switch 120 for some reason, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c can be effectively accepted. The reel 110 corresponding to the erroneously operated stop switch 120 which is different from the stop switch 120 to be operated or the stop switch 120 to be operated is stopped. As a result, for example, when the effect state is a pseudo-bonus effect state (AT effect state), a stop operation different from the correct operation mode may occur, and the original game profit may not be obtained.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c in one game in a state in which the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated (the pressing operation is maintained). When all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected, and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is not released, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is not validated. do. Then, the reel control means 306 detects all indexes of the reels 110a, 110b and 110c while the stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c are operated, and releases the operation of the operated stop switches 120a, 120b and 120c. Then, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is validated. Therefore, the permission condition described above is that the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is canceled (not operated).

42 to 44 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the rotation and stop processing of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. FIG. 42 shows the operation timings of the stop switch 120 and reel 110, and FIGS. represents an aspect. The arrows in FIGS. 43 and 44 indicate that each reel 110 is rotating, the stop switches 120 whose operation is invalid are indicated by cross hatching, and the stop switches 120 whose operation is valid are indicated by outline. Here, for convenience of explanation, the case where the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c for stopping the reels in the order of the reel 110a, the reel 110b, and the reel 110c are operated in the order of hitting, that is, in the order of hitting in a forward order will be described. Needless to say, it can be applied to any of the batting orders of all (six in this case).

At time (a) in FIG. 42, the player operates (depresses) the stop switch 120a, and as shown in FIG. ), the start switch 118 is operated. When the start switch 118 is operated, the reel control means 306 excites the stepping motors 152 corresponding to the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in 1-2 phases as shown in FIG. Start rotating each. Then, when the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c pass through the acceleration state and reach a predetermined speed (less than 80 rpm/min) at time (c) after 167 msec, for example, 1-2 phase excitation continue to shift to the constant speed state.

Here, after the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached a constant speed state, it is assumed that all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected at time (d) in FIG. When all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are detected, the reel control means 306 essentially activates the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c as indicated by the dashed lines. However, at the time point (d), the stop switch 120a is held down (because the permission condition is not satisfied), so the reel control means 306 operates the stop switch 120a as shown in FIG. 43(c). is maintained, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is not validated. Therefore, the player cannot stop the reels 110a, 110b, 110c through the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c.

At time (e) in FIG. 42, when the player releases the stop switch 120a, the reel control means 306 detects all the indices of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and sets the permission condition. By satisfying the requirements, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is validated as shown in FIG. 43(d). Thus, the player can stop the reels 110a, 110b, 110c through the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c. Here, the stop switch 120a is mentioned, and when the stop switch 120a is operated, all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected, and when the operation of the operated stop switch 120a is released, the stop switch 120a is operated. Although an example of validating the operation of the switches 120a, 120b, and 120c has been described, it goes without saying that the same processing is performed not only for this case but also for the other stop switches 120b and 120c.

In this way, due to the configuration in which the operation of the stop switch 120 is not validated until the permission condition is satisfied, the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c (120a, 120b, 120c ( Here, the operation of the stop switch 120a) is effectively accepted, and the stop of the reel 110a is not started. Therefore, the player cannot perform so-called eye-pushing assistance. Further, if any one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c breaks down, the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c cannot be operated effectively. can be avoided. Furthermore, even if the player erroneously operates the stop switch 120 which is different from the stop switch 120 to be operated or the stop switch 120 to be operated, the operation is not accepted, and the game can be properly played. can proceed.

Here, the reel control means 306 detects all the indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c with the stop switch 120 being operated, and the permission condition (operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is canceled). ) is satisfied, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is validated. However, if the end of the acceleration state or the start of the constant speed state can be grasped without detecting the index, for example, by measuring the time required for at least the completion of acceleration from the start of the acceleration state, the acceleration If the end of the state or the start of the constant speed state can be grasped, the end of the acceleration state or the start of the constant speed state can be adopted instead of detecting the index. Here, the reel control means 306, when the acceleration state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c is terminated while the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated, the permission condition (the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is is canceled) is not satisfied, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is not validated, and if the permission condition is satisfied, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is validated. Alternatively, if the reel control means 306 starts the constant speed state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c with the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c being operated, the permission condition (the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is is canceled) is not satisfied, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is not validated, and if the permission condition is satisfied, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is validated.

The same process can also be realized by preventing all indexes from being detected when the stop switch 120 is operated. Specifically, when the stop switch 120 is operated, the reel control means 306 does not detect the index, or invalidates the detection of the index even if it detects the index. In this way, regardless of whether the permission condition is satisfied or not, it is possible to avoid validating the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c when the stop switch 120 is operated.

When the player operates the stop switch 120a at time (f) in FIG. 42 in response to the activation of the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel control means 306 controls the operated stop switch 120a. , and operations of the stop switches 120b, 120c corresponding to the reels 110b, 110c for which the stop processing has not yet been performed (that is, operations of all the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c) are invalidated. Then, the reel control means 306 determines a symbol that exists within the drawing range at the time of operation as a stop symbol (determines the number of sliding symbols), and draws the stopped symbol onto the effective line A by the number of sliding symbols. Maintain minute rotation. Therefore, it takes 0 to 189 msec (predetermined time within 190 msec), including reaction time for operation detection and interrupt processing, to rotate for the number of sliding frames from the operation of the stop switch 120a.

Subsequently, when the reel 110a reaches a stop position where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the activated line A at time (g) in FIG. are excited in all phases, and stop processing of the reel 110a is started so that the phases to be excited are not switched (hereinafter, starting the stop processing by all-phase excitation is referred to as start of stop). In this way, the rotational speed of the reel 110a is reduced (hereinafter, the state in which the rotational speed is reduced is referred to as a deceleration state), and as shown in FIG. h) to stop (hereinafter, the fact that the reel 110 has stopped due to a decrease in rotation speed as a result of the start of stop is referred to as stop completion), and the stopped state is maintained (hereinafter, the state in which the stop is maintained is stopped state). Such all-phase excitation is continued for 200 msec and then released at time (i). With the release of the all-phase excitation, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switches 120b, 120c corresponding to the rotating reels 110b, 110c that have not yet been stopped. Note that the rotation state indicating the operation state of the reel 110 is represented by any of the above-described acceleration state, constant speed state, deceleration state, and stop state.

Subsequently, when the player operates the stop switch 120b at time (j) in FIG. The operation of the stop switch 120c corresponding to the reel 110c that is not set is invalidated. Then, the reel control means 306 determines a symbol existing within the draw-in range at the time of operation as a stopped symbol, and maintains rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to draw the stopped symbol onto the effective line A. - 特許庁

Subsequently, when the reel 110b reaches a stop position where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the activated line A at time (k) in FIG. are excited, and stop processing of the reel 110b is started so that the phases to be excited are not switched. Thus, the reel 110b stops at time (l) in FIG. 42 after about 13 msec from the start of the stopping process, as shown in FIG. 44(b). However, all-phase excitation continues for 200 msec and is released at time (m). With the release of all-phase excitation, the reel control means 306 validates the operation of the stop switch 120c corresponding to the reel 110c for which stop processing has not yet been performed.

Here, as the stop completion condition, it is determined whether or not all phase excitations are released for all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c. If a so-called slide push that can be operated by pressing is not adopted, the first stopped reel 110 and the second stopped reel 110 will always be at the time when the third stop of the stop switch 120 becomes possible. Stop completed. Therefore, as the stop completion condition, instead of determining whether or not all the phase excitations are released for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, the reel corresponding to the stop switch 120 that stopped the third (finally operated to stop) 110 may be determined whether or not all-phase excitation has been released. Also, here, 200 msec is counted after all-phase excitation is started, and after 200 msec the excitation is released, and along with the release of excitation, the operation of the stop switch 120c corresponding to the reel 110c for which stop processing has not been performed is enabled. It gives an example of conversion. However, as a stop completion condition, instead of determining whether or not all phase excitation has been released for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, it is determined whether or not 200 msec has elapsed since all phase excitation, and the stop processing is performed accordingly. The operation of the stop switch 120c corresponding to the reel 110c for which the operation is not performed may be validated. Such replacement of the stop completion condition can also be applied to all the processes described below.

Next, when the player operates the stop switch 120c at time (n) in FIG. 42, the reel control means 306 nullifies the operation of the operated stop switch 120c in the same manner as when the stop switch 120b was operated. Then, the reel control means 306 determines a symbol existing within the draw-in range at the time of operation as a stopped symbol, and maintains rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to draw the stopped symbol onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Subsequently, when the reel 110c reaches a stop position where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the activated line A at time (o) in FIG. are excited, and stop processing of the reel 110c is started so that the phases to be excited are not switched. Thus, the reel 110c stops at time (p) in FIG. 42 after about 13 msec from the start of the stopping process, as shown in FIG. 44(c). Such all-phase excitation continues for 200 msec and is released at time (q).

Then, when all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are stopped and a predetermined stop completion condition is satisfied at time (q) in FIG. When the condition that the phase excitation is released and the operation of the last operated (third stop) stop switch 120 (stop switch 120c in this case) is released is satisfied, It is determined which predetermined combination the symbol combination corresponds to (the winning combination).

Subsequently, the effect control means 334 notifies information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A. For example, when the winning type "common bell A" is determined by the winning type lottery and the stop completion condition is satisfied, the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A indicates the winning combination "small combination 1". If so, the effect control means 334 notifies that the winning combination "small combination 1" has been won through the liquid crystal display section 124, as shown in FIG. 44(d). Further, the notification of information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is not limited to notification through the liquid crystal display section 124. In addition or alternatively, information corresponding to the winning combination is displayed through the reel backlight. An effect corresponding to the symbol combination may be performed, or a payout sound may be output from the speaker 128 in accordance with (in conjunction with) the payout of medals.

In this way, in response to the release of all-phase excitation for all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and the operation of the last operated stop switch 120 (here, stop switch 120c) being released, , executing a determination process, or announcing an image (image corresponding to the symbol "Bell") indicating that the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is the winning combination "small combination 1". The user can surely recognize the pattern combination, and does not feel distrust or discomfort. The image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 124 to indicate that the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is the winning combination "small combination 1" is as described above from the viewpoint of preventing misrecognition of the game result. , the image corresponding to the symbol "bell" displayed on the activated line A.

In addition, the payout control means 310, like the effect control means 334, for example, after the winning type "common bell A" is determined by the winning type lottery and the stop completion condition is satisfied, it is displayed on the effective line A If the drawn symbol combination indicates the winning combination 'small combination 1', 11 medals corresponding to the winning combination 'small combination 1' are paid out.

In this way, in response to the release of all-phase excitation for all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and the operation of the last operated stop switch 120 (here, stop switch 120c) being released, By paying out the medals, the medals will not be paid out before one game is finished. Therefore, the player will not feel distrust or discomfort.

Moreover, as described above, the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 perform their respective processes in response to the completion of the stop condition being satisfied. Here, the determination means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning type lottery is displayed on the effective line A, and the effect control means 334 displays on the effective line A. Informing the player of information about the winning combination displayed, and paying out the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning combination displayed on the activated line A by the payout control means 310 are collectively referred to as post-stop processing. There is In addition, the performance control means 334 and the payout control means 310 may collectively be referred to as determination execution means in terms of executing processing based on the winning determination of the determination means 308 . The processing based on the winning determination includes the processing of automatically inserting medals for the next game based on the fact that the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, and the bonus game state (game state during RBB operation) based on the winning of the bonus combination. Transition processing to RT game state, transition processing of RT game state based on winning of replay combination for transitioning RT game state, transition to AT effect state based on display of lottery result of winning type lottery for transition of AT effect state It also includes processing. Therefore, the player can grasp the game result by at least one of the post-stop processing. Specifically, by operating (depressing) the last stop switch 120 , the reel control means 306 starts stopping the corresponding reel 110 . Since the reels 110 are stopped within 190 msec by all-phase excitation, all of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped at least 200 msec after the start of stopping by the timer, and the player visually recognizes the game result. do. However, at that time, if the player has not yet released the operation of the stop switch 120 (if the player continues to hold it down), the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 complete the stop. Do not perform post-processing. Here, only the player can grasp the game result through the symbol display window 108 . Then, when the player releases the operation of the stop switch 120, the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 perform post-stop processing for the first time. Originally, if all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have been stopped, the game result is recognized inside the slot machine 100 based on the result of the winning type lottery and the order and operation timing of the stop operation. be able to. However, before all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are completely stopped, or in a state where the operation of the last stop switch 120 is not released, the player cannot grasp (visually recognize) the game result, or the player cannot Since there is a possibility that the game operation of the game has not been completed, if the post-stop processing is performed under such a situation, the player will feel distrust and discomfort. Here, by setting the stop completion condition that all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped and the operation of all the stop switches 120 is canceled, it is possible to eliminate the player's sense of distrust and discomfort. . Also, other people who can see the entire slot machine 100 and other people who can hear the payout sound of the medals can grasp the game result. Therefore, the player can grasp the game result only by himself/herself and feel a sense of superiority before the post-stop processing is executed.

In the above description, as the stop completion condition, all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are completely stopped, and the operation of the operated stop switch 120 is released. Alternatively, the stop completion condition may be that all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are completely stopped and the operation of all the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is released.

In this case, the player can perform the following operations. That is, as described above, the player operates (depresses) the last stop switch 120, and by maintaining the depressing state, It is possible to delay the execution of post-stop processing. Further, here, as the stop completion condition, the cancellation of the operation of all the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is included. Therefore, the player presses the other stop switch 120 while maintaining the pressed state of the last stop switch 120, and presses the last stop switch 120 while maintaining the pressed state of the other stop switch 120. Even if the restrained state is released, since the operation of one of the stop switches 120 has not been released before (because the operation of all the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c has not been released), after the completion of the stop No action is taken. In addition, not only the last stop switch 120 but also the stopped state of the stop switch 120 that is the first stop or the second stop is not executed. For example, if the stop switch 120 is stopped in the first stop or the second stop, the operation of the other stop switches 120 is enabled regardless of whether or not the depressed state is maintained. Here, while maintaining the depressing state of the stop switch 120 that is the first stop or the second stop, another enabled stop switch 120 is operated, and the stop switch 120 that is the first stop or the second stop is released. Assume that the third stop is completed in a state where the At this time, the player holds down the other stop switch 120 while maintaining the first stopped and/or second stopped state of the stop switch 120, and maintains the held state of the other stop switch 120. However, even if the first stop or second stop switch 120 is released from the pressed state, the operation of any of the stop switches 120 has not been released before (all the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c has not been released), the post-stop processing is not executed. In this way, if any one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is maintained in the pressed state, the post-stop processing is not executed, and the player can press the stop switches 120a, 120a, 120c to be in the pressed state. By switching between 120b and 120c, the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 can delay the execution of post-stop completion processing.

With such a configuration, it is possible to wipe away the player's sense of distrust and discomfort. In addition, the player still grasps the game result only by himself before the post-stop processing is executed, and enjoys the action of switching the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c which are in the pressed state, while feeling superiority. can be immersed in

Further, here, the payout control means 310 pays out medals after all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are released from all-phase excitation. Therefore, since the excitation timing (all-phase excitation) of the reel 110 and the timing at which the token payout device 142 is driven can be made different, the amount of current allowed for the entire device managed by the main control board 200 cannot be exceeded. Gone. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a power supply with a large current capacity for driving the token payout device 142 while the reel 110 is being excited, and the cost can be reduced.

Also, even if all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are not released from all-phase excitation, the payout of medals may be started before that, depending on the current capacity allowed by the power supply. For example, if the power supply allows the excitation timing of one reel 110 and the timing of driving the medal payout device 142 to overlap, the timing of excitation of the remaining two reels 110 and the timing of driving the medal payout device 142 overlap. Since it is not necessary to do so, payout of medals is started after all-phase excitation is released for the reel 110 corresponding to the stop switch 120 operated second. Similarly, when the power supply allows the excitation timing of a plurality (for example, 2) of reels 110 and the timing at which the medal payout device 142 is driven to overlap, the number obtained by subtracting the number of allowable reels from the total number of reels (for example, 3-2=1) Since the excitation timing of the reel 110 and the timing of driving the token payout device 142 should not overlap, all the reels 110 (for example, the first reel 110 that has stopped completely) are counted by the subtracted number. After the phase excitation is released, the payout of medals is started.

Also, the payout start timing may be switched depending on whether or not the medal payout device 142 needs to be driven. For example, when the medal payout device 142 needs to be driven, after all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are released from all-phase excitation, or at a predetermined timing after that, payout is started, and the medal payout device 142 is driven. If it is not necessary, for example, if all paid out medals can be credited (not accompanied by actual payout of medals), even if the payout is started at an arbitrary timing after the determination means 308 has determined the game result. good.

Here, the payout control means 310 operates in response to the release of all-phase excitation for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and the release of the last-operated stop switch 120. , Medals were paid out, but after confirming that all phase excitations were released for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and that the operation of the stop switch 120 that was operated last was canceled Medals may be paid out at a predetermined timing (for example, after 10 msec).

Further, here, the reel control means 306 energizes the stepping motors 152 corresponding to the respective reels 110a, 110b and 110c in all phases to start the stop processing of the respective reels 110a, 110b and 110c. However, the stop processing is not limited to all-phase excitation, and excitation is sufficient, and the stop processing may be started by one-phase excitation. When the rotation control is performed by 1-phase excitation or 1-2 phase excitation, when the final stop position is set to a specific 1-phase position, 1-phase excitation is applied to the specific 1-phase. You may make it stop. In addition, when rotation control is performed by 1-phase excitation or 1-2 phase excitation, when the final stop position is the position of a specific 1 phase, the specific 1 phase and the phases before and after that are included. You may make it stop by applying three-phase excitation. When the rotation control is performed by 2-phase excitation or 1-2 phase excitation, when the final stop position is set to a specific 2-phase position, 2-phase excitation is applied to the specific 2 phases. You may make it stop.

Also, here, as the completion of stopping of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, the release of all-phase excitation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and the passage of 200 msec from the start of all-phase excitation will be explained. However, not limited to this case, for example, the result of the winning type lottery is displayed on the active line A so that the player can grasp (visually recognize), or the determined stop symbol is displayed on the active line. Various states in which it can be considered that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have stopped, such as entering a range of a predetermined number of steps from the number of steps of the stepping motor 152 corresponding to when stopped on A, are regarded as completion of stopping. be able to.

Also, here, an example in which the reel control means 306 controls the three reels 110a, 110b, and 110c has been described, but the number of reels 110 is not limited to such a case, and even if it is two or less, four reels may be used. or more. Regardless of the number of reels 110, if the stop switch 120 corresponding to the other spinning reel 110 cannot be operated until an arbitrary reel 110 stops, the game time may become longer as follows. There is For example, in order to grasp the winning combination at an early stage and to avoid missing the winning combination grasped after the winning combination is grasped, the game is played so that a predetermined symbol on a predetermined reel stops on the activated line A. This is the case where the players carefully check the winning combination, or the case where a winning combination with a high payout wins and, for example, 11 medals are paid out in sequence. As a result, the game time in one game becomes longer than the wait time (4.1 seconds), and the progress of the game itself may be delayed. Here, after the operation of the stop switch 120 becomes valid, the operation state (operation/non-operation) of the other stop switches 120 and the corresponding reel rotation state (acceleration state, constant speed state, deceleration state, stop state) ), any stop switch 120 can be operated, regardless of the number of reels 110, the game can be played without the game time exceeding the wait time (4.1 seconds). becomes higher (you can play with full weight).

Further, here, the determination means 308 is activated in response to the release of all-phase excitation for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and the release of the last-operated stop switch 120. The combination of symbols displayed on the line A is determined, and according to the result of the determination, the performance control means 334 informs the information on the combination of symbols displayed on the effective line A, and the payout control means 310 wins. An example of paying out the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning combination has been described. However, regardless of such a case, the determining means 308 can determine the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A at the time when the stop switch 120 is operated for the last time. In response to the release of the phase excitation and the release of the operation of the last operated stop switch 120, the effect control means 334 displays information on the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A. The payout control means 310 may pay out the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning combination. In this way, the player's sense of distrust and discomfort can be wiped away.

Also, here, the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 release all the phase excitations for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and the operation of the last operated stop switch 120 is released. Although the explanation has been made by giving an example in which the post-stop processing is performed on the condition that the stop completion post-processing is performed on the condition that the operation Even if the operation of the stop switch 120 has not been released, the post-stop processing may be performed. With such a configuration, regardless of the operation time from the start of the operation of the stop switch 120 to the release of the operation by the player, the game result can be notified early.

Specific processing in the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 will be described below based on flowcharts.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 45 is a flow chart showing main processing of the main control board 200 . Here, first, the outline of one game after initialization will be described along with the main processing of the main control board 200, and then the details of each processing will be described. Further, here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted. Further, although detailed description is omitted, when each process is performed, the switches used in each process (bed switch 116, start switch 118, stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c) are activated at the start of the process. , is invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on via the power switch 144 and becomes energized, the initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization means 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power failure occurs, the backup data held can be used in this initialization process to restore the state before the power failure. For example, even if an unexpected power failure occurs while the reels 110 are rotating, the reels 110 are started again after the recovery operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, basically the main RAM 200c is not initialized (RAM cleared).

(Step S200)
Subsequently, the betting means 302 bets medals through the player's operation of the bet switch 116 or insertion of medals into the medal inserting section 114 . Also, the command transmitting means 316 generates an input command indicating that the operation has been performed, and transmits the generated input command to the sub control board 202 .

(Step S300)
Next, the winning type lottery means 304 validates the game start operation for the start switch 118 and shifts to the state of waiting for the operation of the start switch 118 . Here, the winning type lottery means 304 selects the winning type lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 in response to the operation of the start switch 118 by the player, and selects the 1 winning type lottery random number is acquired. Then, the winning type lottery means 304 determines one winning type lottery table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from the winning type lottery tables shown in FIGS. determines which winning area in the determined winning type lottery table corresponds, and determines the winning type or non-winning of the determined winning area as the lottery result. Further, the game state control means 312 shifts the game state from the non-internal game state to the RBB internal game state when the winning combination "RBB" is determined in the winning type lottery.

In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 118, the command transmission means 316 generates a winning type command including the lottery result of the winning type lottery (winning type or not winning) and information on the game state. and transmits the generated winning type command to the sub control board 202 .

(Step S400)
When the start switch 118 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 152 to rotate the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b and right reel 110c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c in the previous game (wait), the left reel in the game 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c start to rotate, and when all of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c rotate at a constant speed (steady speed), the process proceeds to step S500.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and when the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c by the player is received, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110b corresponding to the operation are received. One of the reels 110c is controlled to stop. Further, when any one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is operated, the command transmission means 316 sends a stop command (first stop command, second A stop command, a third stop command) is generated each time an operation is performed, and the generated stop commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub control board 202 . The reel stop processing S500 will be described in detail later.

(Step S600)
Next, the judging means 308 judges to which predetermined combination the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A shown in FIG. , according to the symbol combination, the net increase number counter is updated if it is in the advantageous period and if a small winning combination has been won. Further, the game state control means 312 changes the game state from the RBB inside game state if the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A corresponds to the winning combination "RBB" in the RBB inside game state. Shift to a game state while RBB is in operation. In addition, the command transmission means 316 generates a winning command including the number of medals to be paid out when the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A and the symbol combination corresponding to the minor winning combination are displayed on the activated line A. , and transmits the generated winning command to the sub-control board 202 .

(Step S700)
Further, based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line A (stop mode of the reels 110), for example, when a symbol combination corresponding to a small win is displayed on the pay line A, the payout control means 310 When the medal payout process corresponding to the combination is executed and the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, the process for betting the next game is automatically executed. Further, when the medal payout process is completed, the command transmission means 316 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been completed, and transmits the generated payout command to the sub control board 202 .

(Step S800)
The game state control means 312 shifts the game state from the RBB active game state to the non-internal game state when the prescribed number of medals is paid out in the RBB active game state. In addition, the effect state control means 314 changes the effect state and changes between the advantageous section and the non-advantageous section. In addition, when the game state or the effect state is changed, the command transmission means 316 generates a game transition command including the changed game state or effect state, etc., and transmits the generated game transition command to the sub control board 202. do. As described above, the one game ends when the transition process S800 ends.

Here, when the transition to the pseudo-bonus effect state is determined, the effect state control means 314 causes the reel control means 306 to execute the first reel effect indicating the transition to the above-described pseudo-bonus effect state. From the next game, the pseudo bonus effect state is started.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S800. Thereafter, steps S200 to S800 are repeated.

(Reel stop processing S500)
FIG. 46 is a flow chart showing the reel stop processing in step S500. Here, the processing related to the features of this embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S501)
First, the reel control means 306 initializes temporary switch light emission flags (predetermined flags) for judging whether the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is valid or invalid. Here, the temporary switch light emission flag is composed of a 3-bit bit string, and each bit is associated with one of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, valid=1 (ON), invalid=0. (OFF). Therefore, the reel control means 306 sets all the bits of the temporary switch light emission flag to 0 as initialization of the temporary switch light emission flag. In this example, valid=1 (ON) and invalid=0 (OFF), but valid=0 (ON) and invalid=1 (OFF).

(Step S502)
Next, the reel control means 306 refers to the temporary switch light emission flags of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and updates the switch light emission flags based on the content of the temporary switch light emission flags (the contents of the switch light emission flags are changed to the temporary switch light emission flags). overwrite with the contents of the light emission flag). Here, the switch emission flag is composed of a 3-bit bit string, and each bit is associated with one of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, valid=1 (ON), invalid=0 ( OFF). The switch light emission flag operates according to the temporary switch light emission flag. Then, the reel control means 306 refers to the updated switch light emission flag in the interrupt processing every 1.49 msec, which operates in parallel, and if the switch light emission flag is 1 through the output port, that is, If the operation of the stop switch 120 is valid, the backlight of the stop switch 120 is illuminated in blue, and if the switch light emission flag is 0, that is, if the operation of the stop switch 120 is invalid, the stop switch The backlight of 120 is made to emit red light. By visually recognizing the backlight of the stop switch 120, the player can determine whether the operation of the stop switch 120 is valid or invalid. Here, the reason why the switch light emission flag is updated with the content of the temporary switch light emission flag is that the temporary switch light emission flag is once set in the interrupt of the relevant reel stop processing S500, and the backlight of the stop switch 120 is changed to light emission in the next interrupt. This is for the purpose of reflecting the change, and also as a countermeasure against the case where the stop switch 120 is kept being operated before the rotation of the reel 110 is started, as described above.

(Step S503)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 confirms whether or not an error has occurred. For example, the reel control means 306 confirms the abnormal states "discharge abnormality error", "reverse flow error", "insertion abnormality error", and "retention error". Here, the abnormal state "discharge abnormality error" occurs when the passage sensor of the dispensed medal detection unit (not shown) continues for a predetermined time (eg, 6 msec) or more, except for the dispensation of medals. The abnormal state "backflow error" occurs when the medal passing order is incorrect in the two passing sensors of the inserted medal detecting section 114b while the medal insertion is being accepted. The abnormal state "insertion abnormality error" occurs when the passing sensor of the inserted medal detection unit 114b is in the ON state after a predetermined time (for example, 269 msec) has passed since the blocker (not shown) was closed, or when the insertion of medals is accepted. This occurs when the difference between the number of medals passed in the correct order by the two passing sensors of the inserted medal detection unit 114b and the number of medals passing the R shoot sensor (not shown) exceeds a certain level. The abnormal state "retention error" occurs when the passing sensor of the inserted medal detection unit 114b has been in the ON state for a predetermined period of time (eg, 132 msec) or the insertion detection sensor of the medal slot 114a has been in the ON state for a predetermined period of time (eg, 533 msec). ) occurs when it continues for more than

(Step S504)
Next, the reel control means 306 refers to the index flags and obtains the indices of the spinning reels 110a, 110b and 110c. Note that the index flag is set only after the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached the constant rotation speed. It also indicates that the speed has been reached.

(Step S505)
As a result of step S504, the reel control means 306 shifts the process to step S506 if indexes are detected for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and if there are reels 110 whose indexes are not detected, step S501. Repeat the process from

(Step S506)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 refers to the stop reel information, and specifies the reels 110a, 110b, 110c for which stop processing has already been completed or started in accordance with the operation of the stop switch 120 by the player.

(Step S507)
Next, the reel control means 306 identifies the spinning reels 110a, 110b, and 110c that are not stopped from the result of step S506, and sets the spinning flag. Here, the spinning drum flag is composed of a 3-bit bit string, each bit corresponding to one of the three reels 110a, 110b, 110c, constant speed state=1, acceleration state, deceleration state. It is represented by state or stop state=0. The reel control means 306 also specifies the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c corresponding to the spinning reels 110a, 110b, 110c, that is, the operable stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c.

(Step S508)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 sets the temporary switch light emission flags corresponding to the operable stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c identified in step S507 to 1 (ON).

(Step S509)
Next, reel control means 306 refers to a predetermined input port (for example, port number "0") and acquires the current state value of the input port. The value of such an input port functions as an operation flag. Here, the operation flag is composed of a 3-bit bit string, and each bit is associated with one of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. 0).

(Step S510)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 calculates a logical product of the spinning drum flag and the operation flag. Here, if the reel is rotating and the stop switch 120 corresponding to the reel is operated, that is, if the operated stop switch 120 corresponds to the effectively rotating reel 110, The logical product is 1.

(Step S511)
As a result of step S510, if there is even one bit whose AND is 1, that is, if the reel 110 is rotating and the stop switch 120 corresponding to the reel 110 is operated, step S512 , and if there is no bit whose logical product is 1, the processing from step S502 is repeated.

(Step S512)
Next, the reel control means 306 computes the AND of the switch light emission flag and the operation flag. Here, if the stop switch 120 is valid and the stop switch 120 is operated, the logical product is 1.

(Step S513)
As a result of step S512, if there is only one bit whose AND is 1, that is, if the stop switch 120 is valid and only one stop switch 120 is being operated, step S514 , and if there is no bit with a logical product of 1 or there are two or more bits with a logical product of 1, the process from step S501 is repeated.

Here, the reason why step S513 is provided in addition to step S511 is to validate the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c only when the permission conditions are satisfied, as described above. That is, if step S513 is not provided and the state in which the stop switch 120 is being operated is maintained before the reel 110 starts rotating, as soon as the index is detected (YES in S505), This is because the AND of the rotating drum flag and the operation flag becomes 1 (YES in S511), and the stop processing is immediately started.

Here, by providing step S513, the switch light emission flag does not become 1, so immediate start of stop processing can be avoided. Specifically, if the stop switch 120 is operated before the start switch 118 is operated, the operation flag becomes 1, and whether it is before or after the rotation of the reel 110 is started, all the reels If indexes are detected for 110a, 110b, and 110c, the AND of the spinning flag and the operation flag becomes 1 in step S510 (YES in S511). However, if the stop switch 120 is operated before the rotation of the reel 110 is started, although the temporary switch light emission flag is set to 1, the NO path in step S513 is not passed and the NO path in step S511 is not passed. is repeated, the temporary switch light emission flag is reset to 0 (OFF) in step S501, and the switch light emission flag never becomes 1 (ON). Then, in step S513, the AND of the switch light emission flag and the operation flag will not become 1, and the stop processing will not be started immediately.

On the other hand, if indexes are detected for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c while the stop switch 120 is not operated, the logical product of the spinning drum flag and the operation flag becomes 0 in step S510 (NO in S511). ), the process from step S502 is repeated without going through step S501. Then, the temporary switch light emission flag of 1 is updated to the switch light emission flag in step S502 without being reset in step S501. Therefore, the backlight of stop switch 120 emits blue light in step S502. After that, when the stop switch 120 is operated, the logical product of the rotating drum flag and the operation flag becomes 1 in step S510, and the logical product of the switch light emission flag and the operation flag becomes 1 in step S512 (S513). YES), the shutdown process is initiated appropriately. In this way, even if the stop switch 120 is maintained to be operated before the rotation of the reels 110 is started, stop processing is not performed, and the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped after the indices are detected for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. If the switch 120 is operated, it becomes possible to appropriately perform the stop processing.

Looking at the above configuration from another point of view, it is as follows. First, at the timing of step S508 when the indices of all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected, the temporary switch light emission flag (predetermined flag) is turned ON. At this time, if the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is not released, NO will be returned in step S511, and the temporary switch light emission flag will be reset to 0 in step S501 through NO in step S513. Since the switch light emission flag is updated in step S502, the switch light emission flag never becomes 1 while the stop switch 120 is being operated. After all, step S501→step S502→step S508→step S513 are repeated, and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is not validated.

On the other hand, when the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is released, the following operations are performed. That is, in step S508, the temporary switch light emission flags corresponding to the operable stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are set to 1 (ON). If the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are rotating but the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are not operated even once, the process proceeds to step S502 through NO in step S511. Since the switch light emission flag can be updated with the provisional switch light emission flag of 1 without performing the process of S501, the state where the switch light emission flag is 1 (ON) can be created appropriately. Therefore, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c can be validated through the route of step S508→step S511→step S502.

Also, here, it is assumed that there is only one bit whose logical product is 1, and if there are two or more bits, that is, two or more of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are simultaneously operated. If so, the process from step S501 is repeated without performing the subsequent stop process. In this way, when a plurality of stop switches 120 are operated at the same time, the reel 110 corresponding to the stop switch 120 is not stopped at the same time, and if there is no difference of at least one interruption time (1.49 msec), it is effective operation will not be accepted. Here, by simultaneously stopping a plurality of reels 110, it is possible to avoid an event in which, for example, the process is not completed within the interrupt time and the interrupt process that should be executed is skipped.

Here, if any two or more of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are simultaneously operated, the processing from step S501 is repeated without performing subsequent stop processing, and any operation is invalidated. made it However, this is not the only case, and a plurality of simultaneously operated stop switches 120 may be stopped according to a predetermined rule. As a predetermined rule, for example, in the order of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel 110 corresponding to the stop switch 120 on the left side is preferentially stopped, or a so-called AT (assist time), which will be described later. , it is conceivable to preferentially stop the reel 110 corresponding to the stop switch 120 operated in the order in which it should be operated.

(Step S514)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines the number of sliding frames of the reel 110 as a stop process for the reel 110 corresponding to the bit whose logical product is 1.

(Step S515)
Next, the reel control means 306 acquires the stop symbol number, which is the symbol number of the symbol to be stopped (see the symbol number in FIG. 35(a)) among the 20 symbols, and stores it in a predetermined storage area.

(Step S516)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 sets the stop request flag to 1. The stop request flag is a flag for requesting the stop processing of the target reel 110 to the programs that operate in parallel. By setting the stop request flag to 1, the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol number is enabled. It becomes possible to stop on line A. The stop request flag and the above stop symbol number are read out by a program that operates in parallel, and stop processing is performed. When the stop processing is completed, the program resets the stop request flag to 0 (OFF).

(Step S517)
Next, the reel control means 306 sets the temporary switch light emission flag corresponding to the stop switch 120 that has undergone the stop processing to 0 (OFF), and updates the switch light emission flag to 0 (OFF) according to the contents of the temporary switch light emission flag.

(Step S518)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 refers to the switch light emission flags of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and causes the backlight of the stop switch 120 whose bit is 0 in step S517 to emit red light.

(Step S519)
Next, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not all-phase excitation of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 is open. As a result, if all-phase excitation is released, the process proceeds to step S520, and if all-phase excitation is not released, step S519 is repeated. Thus, here, the reel control means 306 disables the operation of all the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c in accordance with the operation of the stop switch 120, and all of the reels 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120. Do not enable operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c until the phase energization is released. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a difference between the pressing order of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c and the stopping order of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c.

(Step S520)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the stop processing (steps S514 to S519) of all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c has been completed. As a result, if the stopping process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S521, and if the stopping process has not been completed, the process from step S501 is repeated. Here, if there is a reel 110 that has not been stopped yet, the processing is shifted to step S501 so that the stop processing of the other reels 110 can be immediately executed, thereby shortening the playing time.

(Step S521)
Next, reel control means 306 determines whether or not all phase excitations of all reels 110a, 110b, 110c are open. As a result, if all-phase excitation is released, the process proceeds to step S522, and if all-phase excitation is not released, step S521 is repeated.

(Step S522)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 confirms whether or not an error has occurred. For example, the reel control means 306 confirms the abnormal states "discharge abnormality error", "reverse flow error", "input abnormality error", and "retention error".

(Step S523)
Next, the reel control means 306 refers to a predetermined input port (for example, port number "0") and determines whether or not the current state values of the input ports are all zero. As a result, if all are 0, the reel stop processing S500 is terminated, and if any of them is 1, that is, if the stop switch 120 operated by the player has not been released, the processing of step S522 is repeated, wait for release. In this way, it is possible to wait until the stop switch 120 is released before starting the determination process S600.

After the reel stop processing S500 is completed, the determination processing S600 is performed, and then the payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning combination. Further, when the determination process S600 is performed, a command indicating the result of the winning determination is transmitted to the sub-control board 202, and the effect control means 334 transmits information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A to the liquid crystal display unit. 124 or through a reel backlight. In addition, the effect control means 334 may output a payout sound from the speaker 128 in accordance with (in conjunction with) the payout of medals by the payout control means 310 .

In this way, the stop completion post-processing is performed in response to release of all-phase excitation for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and release of the operation of the last operated stop switch 120. Therefore, the player can surely recognize the symbol combination without feeling distrust or discomfort.

Also, here, the payout of medals is performed after all phase excitations are released for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Therefore, since the excitation timing (all-phase excitation) of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c and the timing at which the token payout device 142 is driven can be made different, the amount of current allowed for the entire device managed by the main control board 200 can be changed. will not exceed. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a power supply with a large current capacity for driving the token payout device 142 while the reel 110 is being excited, and the cost can be reduced.

Also, here, the player pays out medals by canceling the operation of the stop switch 120 . Such processing can eliminate the player's sense of distrust and discomfort. In addition, other persons who can see the entire slot machine 100 and other persons who can hear the payout sound can grasp the game result. Therefore, the player can grasp the game result by himself/herself before the process is executed, and can feel a sense of superiority.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the other stop switch 120 only after all-phase excitation of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 is released. mentioned and explained. However, the reel control means 306 may enable the operation of other stop switches 120 after all-phase excitation of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 is started. In this case, it can be dealt with by setting all-phase excitation start as the determination target in steps S519 and S521 in FIG. When the medals are paid out from the medal payout device 142 or when the reels 110a, 110b, 110c of the next game start rotating (starting the acceleration state), waiting for the release of the excitation of all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c (determination) processing , step S521 in FIG. 46 can be omitted.

Also, here, an example will be given in which the reel control means 306 validates the operation of the other stop switch 120 only after all-phase excitation of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 is released. did. However, not limited to this case, the operation of another stop switch 120 may be validated before the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 stops. For example, operation of any stop switch (eg, stop switch 120a) may not affect the enablement or disablement of other stop switches (eg, stop switches 120b, 120c). That is, regardless of whether another stop switch 120 has already been operated (whether another reel is rotating or stopped), and without waiting for the start of stop or completion of stop, it is still operated. All of the stop switches 120 that are not in the state are maintained in a valid operation state, and the operation of the stop switches 120 is permitted. Then, the player can continuously operate the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c (so-called slide push). In this case, the reel control means 306 does not need to wait until all the phase excitations of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 are released, so that step S519 in FIG. 46 can be omitted. . Moreover, not only step S519 in FIG. 46 but also step S521 can be omitted. In this case, as described above, when the medals are paid out from the medal payout device 142 or when the reels 110a, 110b, 110c of the next game start rotating, the excitation release of all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c is waited. is preferable.

Therefore, if all the indexes specifying the positions of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected, regardless of whether the stop switch 120a has been operated or whether the rotation state of the reel 110a is the constant speed state. First, since the operation of the stop switches 120b and 120c is enabled, the player can operate the stop switches 120b and 120c to stop the reels 110b and 110c.

In this case, the following events may occur. For example, at the timing when the stop switch 120 is operated, the pattern existing within the draw-in range is determined as the stop pattern, and the rotation is maintained for the number of sliding frames so as to draw the stop pattern onto the effective line A. - 特許庁Therefore, when the number of sliding frames is different, the time from the operation of the stop switch 120 to the start of the stop processing of the reel 110 is 0 to 189 msec (predetermined time within 190 msec). 110b and 110c are different. For example, the player operates the start switch 118, the indexes of all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are detected, and the player pushes the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c forward as shown in FIG. Suppose you operate in batting order. Then, if the number of sliding symbols is the same, the reel 110a→reel 110b→reel 110c is stopped and completed in this order. For example, the reel 110a may be stopped first, the reel 110c with a smaller number of sliding symbols may be stopped next, and the reel 110b with a larger number of sliding symbols may be stopped after the reel 110c. Thus, here, the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are not necessarily stopped and completed in the same order as the operation order of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. Therefore, the stop completion condition in the slide push is that all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are released from all-phase excitation, and all-phase excitation is applied to the reel 110 corresponding to the third stopped (finally stopped) stop switch 120. is released, and the last operated stop switch 120 is released. Then, the determination means 308, the effect control means 334, and the payout control means 310 execute post-stop completion processing when the stop completion condition is satisfied.

Further, as a stop completion condition in the slide push, it is possible to omit the determination of whether or not all-phase excitation is released for the third stopped reel 110 . As described above, as the stop completion condition, instead of determining whether or not all phase excitation has been released for all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c and the third stopped reel 110, whether or not 200 msec has elapsed since all phase excitation is determined. It may be determined whether In this case, it is possible to cope with this case by setting the timing of the timer as the determination target in steps S519 and S521 in FIG. Further, as the stop completion condition, it is determined whether or not all phase excitation is released for all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c while omitting the determination whether or not all phase excitation is released for the third stopped reel 110. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not 200 msec has elapsed since all-phase excitation.

44(d), when all the reels 110a, 110b and 110c are stopped, the symbol combination displayed on the effective line A is the winning combination "small combination 1". is displayed, the effect control means 334 notifies, through the liquid crystal display section 124, the result of the game, that is, the winning combination "small combination 1" has been won. It is not limited to such a case, and a device other than the liquid crystal display unit 124 can be used. For example, the medal payout device 142 as a result informing means discharges the medals corresponding to the winning combination in accordance with the winning of the winning combination. Information related to the symbol combination is notified. In addition, the main payout display unit 132 and the sub payout display unit 136, which serve as result notification means, display the number of medals to be paid out as the result of the game, thereby reporting information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A. do. In addition, a reel backlight (not shown) as a result notification means illuminates (lights up, blinks, turns off, lights up, blinks, lights out, or lights up in a predetermined pattern) the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the symbol display window 108 as a result of the game. By flashing, information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is notified. In addition, the speaker 128 as a result notification means outputs a winning sound (a mere sound effect, a sound corresponding to a winning combination, etc.) as a result of the game, thereby matching the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A. Notify relevant information. In addition, the effect lamp 126 as a result notification means emits light (simple light emission, light emission in a color corresponding to the winning combination, and blinking pattern corresponding to the winning combination) as a result of the game. etc.), information relating to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is notified.

Further, here, as the stop completion condition, the release of the specific stop switch 120 has been described, but the specific stop switch 120 is not limited to the last operated (third stop) stop switch 120, and all or, as described above, it is not the stop switch 120 that was operated last, but at the time the stop switch 120 that was operated last is released, it maintains the pressed state, and the stop switch 120 that was operated last is maintained. Also included is the stop switch 120 that was released after the stop switch 120 that was released.

Further, here, an example is given in which the information related to the symbol combination displayed on the active line A is notified as the result of the game after all the reels have stopped. However, the information related to the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A is not limited to the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination shown in FIG. Symbol combinations indicating that the winning combination has not been won are also included.

In addition, here, when the stop switch 120 is operated by the player, the symbols existing within the pull-in range are determined as the stop symbols, and the rotation is maintained for the number of sliding frames so as to simply draw the stop symbols onto the effective line A. However, the effect control means 334 may execute an arbitrary effect while the rotation for the number of sliding frames is maintained. However, as described above, the number of sliding symbols changes according to the timing at which the stop switch 120 is operated by the player. Therefore, the effect control means 334 changes the effect according to the number of sliding frames, for example, performs a relatively long effect when the number of sliding frames is large, and performs a relatively short effect when the number of sliding frames is small. You may let Also, depending on the number of sliding frames, the timing of effecting may be changed. For example, it is assumed that the effect control means 334 planned a predetermined effect at the time of the first operation of the stop switch 120 (at the time of the first stop). However, the number of sliding frames of the stop switch 120 is small, and the scheduled time for the performance cannot be sufficiently secured, or the time is short, so even if the performance is executed, the details of the performance cannot be sufficiently communicated to the player. If it is not possible, such an effect may be performed when another stop switch 120 is operated, for example, when the last stop switch 120 is operated (during the third stop). In this way, it is possible to secure the time for the performance and sufficiently convey the content of the performance to the player.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 are arranged so as to share the function part for progressing the game, but the function part of the main control board 200 is transferred to the sub control board 202. Alternatively, the functional units of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional units may be collectively arranged on one control board.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, only one type of AT effect state is provided. good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the game is played using medals as game value, but the game value may be electrical information (so-called medalless). In this case, when the winning combination wins, the amount of value corresponding to the winning combination may be given to the player as electrical information.

In addition, as described above, the configurations of the embodiments (the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment) can be combined and used.

For example, in the first embodiment, the main CPU 200a reads a program from the main ROM 200b, updates variables held in the main RAM 200c, controls a plurality of specific devices that are part of a plurality of devices, and controls the main RAM 200c. , with respect to a plurality of specific devices, parameter variables for controlling the specific devices are allocated consecutively in memory units, and the main CPU 200a stores two consecutive parameter variables in memory units among the parameter variables. A configuration for collectively determining whether the variables are 0, repeating the process of determining whether the variables are 0 if the determination result is not 0, and moving to the next process if the determination result is 0, storage means (main In the RAM 200c), parameter variables relating to the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are continuously allocated in storage units, and the reel control means 306 controls the parameter variable to be a specific value for one specific reel. and a process of collectively determining whether variables of two consecutive parameters in a storage unit are specific values for two reels different from one specific reel. In the configuration or storage means (main RAM 200c), parameter variables relating to the four reels 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d are continuously assigned in storage units, and the reel control means 306 controls the operation of the specific two reels. , a process for collectively determining whether the variables of two consecutive parameters in the storage unit are specific values, and two reels different from the specific two reels, two consecutive parameters in the storage unit. In the second embodiment, the reel control means 306 clears the rotation error detection counter when the acceleration ends. , and a configuration in which it is determined that a rotation error has occurred when the rotation error detection counter reaches a predetermined error condition.

Further, in the first embodiment, the main CPU 200a reads a program from the main ROM 200b, updates variables held in the main RAM 200c, controls a plurality of specific devices that are part of a plurality of devices, and controls the main RAM 200c. , with respect to a plurality of specific devices, parameter variables for controlling the specific devices are allocated consecutively in memory units, and the main CPU 200a determines whether the parameter variables are 0 with one instruction. , If the parameter variable is not 0, the process of determining whether it is 0 is repeated, and if the parameter variable is 0, the next process is performed. A process of determining whether or not a parameter variable related to a reel is a specific value, and a process of collectively determining whether or not a parameter variable is a specific value for two reels different from one specific reel. or a process in which the reel control means 306 collectively determines whether or not the variable of the parameter related to the reel is a specific value for two specific reels, and two different from the specific two reels A configuration for collectively determining whether or not a parameter variable is a specific value for two reels, and a reel control means 306 in the second embodiment, when acceleration ends, rotation An error detection counter may be cleared, and a rotation error may be determined when the rotation error detection counter reaches a predetermined error condition.

Further, in the first embodiment, the main CPU 200a reads a program from the main ROM 200b, updates variables held in the main RAM 200c, controls a plurality of specific devices that are part of a plurality of devices, and controls the main RAM 200c. has parameter variables for controlling a plurality of specific devices consecutively assigned in storage units, and the main CPU 200a determines whether the parameter variables are 0, and determines whether the parameter variables is not 0, the process of determining whether it is 0 is repeated, and if the parameter variable is 0, the process proceeds to the next process. A configuration that executes a process of determining whether a variable is a specific value and a process of determining whether a parameter variable is a specific value for two reels different from one specific reel, or , the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the parameter variables related to the reels are specific values for two specific reels; Each of the configurations for executing the process of determining whether or not it is a specific value, and the reel control means 306 in the third embodiment operates all the reels 110a, 110b, When the index of 110c is detected, if the operation of any stop switch is not released, the operation of all stop switches is not validated, and if the operation of any stop switch is released, all stop switches The reel control means 306 has a configuration that enables the operation, and when the acceleration state of all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c is completed while any stop switch is operated, the operation of any stop switch is released. If not, the operation of all stop switches is not validated, and when the operation of an arbitrary stop switch is canceled, the operation of all stop switches is validated, or the reel control means 306 is an arbitrary stop When the constant speed state of all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c is started with the switches being operated, if the operation of any stop switch is not released, the operation of all the stop switches is not validated, Each configuration enables operation of all stop switches when operation of any stop switch is released. may be combined.

Further, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 described above does not necessarily have to be processed in time series according to the order described as the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

Further, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 described above does not necessarily have to be processed in time series according to the order described as the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

100 slot machine (gaming machine)
200 Main control board 202 Sub control board 200a Main CPU (CPU)
200b Main ROM
200c Main RAM
262 stepping motor (motor)
304 winning combination lottery means 306 reel control means 308 determination means 310 payout control means 312 game state control means 314 effect state control means 334 effect control means

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, motors for rotating the reels, and whether or not a winning combination is determined according to the operation of a start switch. winning combination lottery means for determining a winning combination lottery means for starting the rotation of the plurality of reels, energizing the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch in response to the operation of the stop switch, stopping the reel, and energizing the reel; reel control means for releasing excitation when a predetermined time elapses after the reel is turned on; and storage means , wherein parameter variables relating to the reels are continuously allocated in storage units to the storage means , The reel control means determines whether the parameter variable is 0, repeats the process of determining whether the parameter variable is 0 if the parameter variable is 0, and if the parameter variable is 0, the following After the start switch is operated until the reel starts to rotate, an excitation release waiting process is executed to wait for the release of the excitation of the motor.
In order to solve the above problems, another game machine of the present invention includes three reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, a motor for rotating each of the reels, and a start switch. winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate; and three reels are started to rotate, and in accordance with the operation of the stop switch, the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is excited to rotate the reels. and reel control means for releasing the excitation when a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping and energizing the reel, wherein the reel control means controls, for one specific reel, the variable of the parameter relating to the reel to be a specific value. and a process of determining whether the variable of the parameter is the specific value for two reels different from the specific one reel, and the start switch is operated until the rotation of the reel is started, an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor is executed.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another gaming machine of the present invention comprises four reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged respectively, a motor for rotating each of the reels, and according to the operation of a start switch, a winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate; and a winning combination lottery means for starting rotation of the four reels and, in response to the operation of the stop switch, energizing the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch to rotate the reels. and reel control means for releasing the excitation when a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping and energizing the reels, wherein the reel control means controls, for two specific reels, the variables of the parameters relating to the reels to be specific values. and a process of determining whether the variable of the parameter is the specific value for two reels different from the specific two reels, and the start switch is operated until the rotation of the reel is started, an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor is executed.

Claims (3)

a plurality of devices used to progress the game;
a CPU that controls the plurality of devices;
a ROM in which a program used by the CPU is stored;
a RAM holding variables updated by the program;
a reel included in the device and on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged;
a motor for rotating each of the reels;
winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate or not according to the operation of the start switch;
When the rotation of the plurality of reels is started, the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is excited in response to the operation of the stop switch, the reel is stopped, and a predetermined time has passed since the excitation. reel control means for releasing excitation to
with
The CPU reads the program from the ROM, updates variables held in the RAM, and controls a plurality of specific devices that are part of the plurality of devices,
In the RAM, parameter variables for controlling the specific devices are continuously allocated in storage units with respect to the plurality of specific devices,
The CPU determines whether the parameter variable is 0, repeats the process of determining whether the parameter variable is 0 if the parameter variable is not 0, and proceeds to the next process if the parameter variable is 0. to
The reel control means executes an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of the excitation of the motor after the start switch is operated until the reels start rotating. Three reels on which multiple types of patterns are arranged,
a motor for rotating each of the reels;
winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate or not according to the operation of the start switch;
When the rotation of the three reels is started, and in response to the operation of the stop switch, the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is excited to stop the reel, and when a predetermined time has passed since the excitation. reel control means for releasing excitation to
with
The reel control means is
A process of determining whether a parameter variable related to the reel is a specific value for a specific one reel, and a process for determining whether the parameter variable is a specific value for two reels different from the specific one reel. and performing a process of determining whether it is a value,
A gaming machine that executes an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of excitation of the motor after the start switch is operated until the reels start rotating. Four reels on which multiple types of patterns are arranged,
a motor for rotating each of the reels;
winning combination lottery means for determining whether a winning combination is appropriate or not according to the operation of the start switch;
When the rotation of the four reels is started, the motor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is excited in response to the operation of the stop switch to stop the reel, and a predetermined time has passed since the excitation. reel control means for releasing excitation to
with
The reel control means is
a process of determining whether a parameter variable related to the reels is a specific value for two specific reels; and performing a process of determining whether or not it is a value,
A gaming machine that executes an excitation release waiting process for waiting for release of excitation of the motor after the start switch is operated until the reels start rotating.

Images