JP2023012189A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of reducing development costs.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: multiple reels 20a to 20c; and control means 31 capable of outputting a test signal to the outside. The test signal includes information regarding a stop operation pertaining to stops of the multiple reels 20a to 20c. The information regarding a stop operation includes: object rotary reel information for showing which of the multiple reels 20a to 20c information indicates; and information regarding a stop execution position of reels. The information regarding a stop execution position of reels is shown by a specific bit of the test signal, and becomes information on the number of steps in stepping motors 19a to 19c corresponding to a specific position when it is recommended that reels are stopped at the specific position, and becomes information for showing a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motors 19a to 19c when it is shown that reels may be stopped at any position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

2. Description of the Related Art A slot machine is known as a gaming machine that includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are arranged, a start lever, a stop button, and the like. Also, it is known that a game machine such as a slot machine is subjected to a model test. In addition, in the model test, it is known to use a prescribed test device, the signal output from the game machine is input to the test device, and the game machine is operated by the signal sent from the test device to the game machine Then, a predetermined test such as a trial firing test is performed. A game machine or the like is known in which a test by such a test device can be appropriately performed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-140634 A

By the way, in gaming machines, it is required to reduce development costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing development costs.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention
a plurality of reels;
and a control means capable of outputting a test signal to the outside,
The reel is rotated by a stepping motor,
The test signal includes information on a stop operation for stopping the plurality of reels,
The information about the stop operation includes target spinning reel information indicating which of the plurality of reels the information is about, and information about the stop execution position of the reel,
The information on the stop execution position of the reel is information indicated by a specific bit of the test signal, and when it is recommended to stop the reel at a specific position, In the case of indicating that the reel may be stopped at any position, the information is information indicating the number of steps of the corresponding stepping motor, and the information indicates a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motor. do.

According to the present invention, a specific bit of the test signal is used to recommend stopping the reel at a specific position and to indicate that the reel may be stopped at any position. can be done by Also, if the information indicated by the specific bit is information indicating a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motor, it is informed that the reel can be stopped at any position. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a specific flag or the like (no need to secure a dedicated bit) to notify that the reel can be stopped at any position. Therefore, the configuration related to the output of the test signal is simplified, and the device can be universally applied to any model, thereby reducing the development cost.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention,
The control means controls, as the test signal, a first test signal used in a test relating to a first gaming method with a higher expected ball payout rate, and an expected ball payout rate higher than that of the first gaming method. can output a second test signal used for testing on a second gaming method with a low
The control means may output both the first test signal and the second test signal at the same timing.

In this configuration, the control means applies the same signal to both the first test signal and the second test signal, regardless of whether the test is performed for the first game method or the second game method. Output on occasion. Therefore, processing for determining which test is to be performed (which test signal is to be output) is not required, and the configuration related to the output of the test signal is simplified, so development costs can be reduced.

According to the present invention, development costs can be reduced.

1 is a front perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern arrangement|sequence of a reel similarly. It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the gaming machine. It is a figure for demonstrating an internal lottery table same. Similarly, it is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the state of the stop operation at the time of winning in each winning area and the winning combination. Similarly, it is a state transition diagram of a game state. Similarly, it is a state transition diagram of a game section and an effect state. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the main control board and the test device through the interface board; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining information included in a high test signal and a low test signal;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine, which is one type of gaming machine, will be described as an example. good too.
As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine (gaming machine) 10 of the present invention includes a box-shaped housing 11 whose front side, which is a surface facing a player, is open, and the front side opening of the housing 11 is opened and closed. It is provided with a front door 12 that opens. The housing 11 includes a reel unit RU (see FIG. 3) in which a rotatable first reel 20a, a second reel 20b, and a third reel 20c are unitized, a hopper device for dispensing medals (game value), and the like. is stored. The front door 12 is divided into an upper door 12a and a lower door 12b.

The upper door 12a is provided with a liquid crystal display (display means) 13, a device for presentation such as a speaker (sound output means) 14, and a display window 16. As shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display 13 displays images (moving images and still images) for various effects. In addition, the speaker 14 outputs sounds for various effects (music, sound effects, voice, etc.). In addition to the liquid crystal display 13 and the speaker 14, the device for presentation may be provided with an illumination device such as a lamp (LED), or a movable accessory operable by an actuator or the like.

Behind the display window 16, a reel unit RU is arranged so that a part thereof can be visually recognized from outside the display window 16. - 特許庁A plurality of types of symbols are arranged in a line on the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 20a to 20c. pattern) is displayed. The display window 16 is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for visually recognizing the symbols on the reels 20a to 20c. It is In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the pay line is composed of the upper stage of the first reel 20a, the middle stage of the second reel 20b, and the lower stage of the third reel 20c. In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game (specified number) is set to three, and when the specified number of medals is inserted, the activated line is activated. be.

As shown in FIG. 2, special symbol A "SPA", grape symbol "GR", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol "BL", special symbol B "SPB", BAR pattern "BAR", black 7 pattern "black 7", special pattern C "SPC" and heart pattern "HE" are arranged. Symbol numbers 0 to 19 are associated with the symbols on the reels 20a to 20c.

The reel unit RU also has stepping motors 19a to 19c provided corresponding to the respective reels 20a to 20c, and index sensors 21a to 21c provided corresponding to the respective reels 20a to 20c. . Each stepping motor 19a-19c rotates each reel 20a-20c. The stepping motors 19a to 19c are four-phase stepping motors. Each of the stepping motors 19a-19c has a rotor and a stator having a first phase coil, a second phase coil, a third phase coil and a fourth phase coil. Each of the stepping motors 19a to 19c alternately supplies a 1-phase excitation pulse that turns on one coil and a 2-phase excitation pulse that turns on the one coil and other adjacent coils. By repeated 1-2 phase excitation, each reel 20a to 20c is displaced by half step angle (1 step angle by 2 step update) by 1 step update of the excitation pulse, and each reel 20a to 20c is moved by 504 step update (displacement of 252 step angle). rotating. The stepping motors 19a to 19c have a step angle of about 1.43° and an interrupt time t of 1.49 ms for updating the excitation pulse by one step. Each of the index sensors 21a-21c detects the edge of the semicircular band-shaped index attached inside each of the reels 20a-20c. Based on the information detected by the index sensors 21a-21c, the reels 20a-20c are controlled to rotate and stop.

In the slot machine 10, the reels 20a to 20c start rotating at the start of the game, and an internal lottery is executed to determine whether one of the winning combinations wins or loses (no win). Next, when the reels 20a to 20c are stopped and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination won in the internal lottery is displayed on the activated line, this winning combination wins, and the processing corresponding to the winning combination (winning process) is executed.

Below the display window 16, a game information display section 17 and an advantageous section display 18 are provided. The game information display unit 17 includes an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, and the like, and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and error information. In addition, the advantageous section indicator 18 has an LED, and by lighting and extinguishing of this LED, it is notified whether or not the player is staying in the advantageous section.

The lower door 12b has a medal insertion slot 22 for inserting medals, a bet button 23 for betting credited medals, a start lever (game start operation means) 24 operated when starting a game, and a rotating There are provided stop buttons (stop operation means) 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the existing reels, a payout port 27 for paying out medals by a hopper device, and a medal tray 28 for receiving the medals paid out from the payout port 27. . A medal sensor 29 (see FIG. 3) for detecting passage of medals inserted from the medal slot 22 is provided at the back of the medal slot 22 .

In the slot machine 10, the operation of the start lever 24 is validated by inserting medals into the medal slot 22 or by operating the bet button 23 to bet a specified number of medals. Also, when the activated start lever 24 is operated, the game is started. When a game is started, the reels 20a-20c start rotating, and when the rotation speed of each reel 20a-20c reaches a constant speed and becomes steady rotation, operation of the stop buttons 26a-26c is enabled. Further, when the activated stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reels 20a to 20c corresponding to the operated stop buttons 26a to 26c are stopped.

As shown in FIG. 3, inside the slot machine 10, a main control board (main control means) 31 and a sub-control board (sub-control means) 32 are provided. The main control board 31 receives input signals from input means such as the bet button 23, the start lever 24, the stop buttons 26a to 26c, the medal sensor 29 and the index sensors 21a to 21c, and performs various calculations for executing the game. and controls output means such as the reel unit RU (stepping motors 19a to 19c) and the hopper device based on the calculation result. Further, the sub-control board 32 receives a signal sent from the main control board 31, performs various calculations for executing effects, and controls the liquid crystal display 13, speaker 14, etc. for effects based on the calculation results. Control the device.

The main control board 31 and the sub-control board 32 are electrically connected, and various information (signals) such as information indicating the game state can be transmitted from the main control board 31 to the sub-control board 32. However, information cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board 32 to the main control board 31 .
The functions of each board such as the main control board 31 and the sub-control board 32 are preliminarily stored in hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ICs, information storage media such as ROMs and RAMs, and ROMs. It is realized by software consisting of a stored predetermined program.

The main control board 31 includes an input receiving means 40, a random number generating means 41, an internal lottery means 42 that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is appropriate, a reel control means 43 that controls the rotation of the reels, and all the reels. Winning judgment means 44 for judging whether or not a winning combination has won when is stopped, payout control means 45, replay control means 46, setting change means 47, initialization means 48, and game state control means 49, instruction function control means 51, effect main control means 52, and storage means 60. Moreover, the storage means 60 includes a ROM and a RAM.
In addition, the sub-control board 32 includes a performance sub-control means 70 and a sub-side storage means 72 . Also, the sub-side storage means 72 has a ROM and a RAM.

The production main control means 52 and the production sub-control means 70 constitute the production control means 100 . The effect main control means 52 issues an instruction to the effect sub-control means 70 based on the game state, the effect state, and the like. In addition, the effect sub-control means 70 controls the effect stored in the sub-side storage means 72 based on the information on the game state and the effect state transmitted from the effect main control means 52, or the information on whether or not to perform the instruction effect. The data is used to control devices for presentation. The control performed by the effect main control means 52 described in this embodiment may be performed by the effect sub-control means 70 , and the control performed by the effect sub-control means 70 may be performed by the effect main control means 52 . Further, the control performed by the effect control means 100 described in this embodiment may be performed by the instruction function control means 51 , and the control performed by the instruction function control means 51 may be performed by the effect control means 100 .

The input reception means 40 receives insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing for activating the game start operation for the start lever 24 based on the fact that a specified number of medals have been inserted. Specifically, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 22, the medal sensor 29 detects the medals, and the insertion acceptance means 40 inserts the inserted medals up to a specified number into the inserted state ( bet state). Further, when the bet button 23 is pressed while medals are credited, the insertion reception means 40 sets the credited medals to the insertion state within a specified number. In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation on the start lever 24 that is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals is accepted as a game start operation, and the reels 20a to 20c are triggered by this operation. When rotation is started, a lottery such as an internal lottery is conducted.

In addition, the input receiving means 40 controls so that the medals owned by the player are not newly set to the input state in the next game after the game in which the replay was won. Specifically, when a replay wins in the previous game, even if medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 22 in a state in which insertion of medals is accepted, the inserted medals are not set to the inserted state. The inserted medals are credited up to the maximum number of credits (for example, 50). Further, the operation of the bet button 23 is not accepted in the state of accepting the insertion of medals, so that even if the bet button 23 is pressed, the credited medals are not set to the inserted state.

The random number generator 41 generates a random number for lottery. A random value can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to cycle through a predetermined count range). In the present embodiment, "random numbers" include not only values that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values that are generated regularly but are substantially contains values that can act as random numbers.

The internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery using the internal lottery table based on the operation of the activated start lever 24 (that is, game start).
In the internal lottery table, each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535) is associated with various winning combinations including small winnings, replays and bonuses, and losing (not winning). , and a plurality of them are stored in the internal lottery table storage area 61 provided in the ROM of the storage means 60 . In the gaming machine of this embodiment, as will be described later, as the game state, it is possible to set the normal state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB operating state. A value can be set, and the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and the set value and performs an internal lottery.
Incidentally, a small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning small combination can be paid out by winning. A replay is a winning combination that allows the player to play the game again without consuming new medals. When the replay wins, the operation of the start lever 24 is validated without using the player's medals, and the game can be started by operating the start lever 24.例文帳に追加

In the internal lottery, a random number for lottery is obtained from a random number generation means 41, the random number is collated with an internal lottery table to determine whether or not a winning combination has been won, and winning is associated with the random number. A role is won. Specifically, the internal lottery table is provided with a plurality of winning areas as shown in FIG. there is The winning area includes a winning area containing one or more winning combinations (associated with a winning combination) and a winning area containing no winning combination (associated with a losing combination). . In addition, the combination of winning combinations included in each winning area is different. All the winning combinations belonging to the winning area associated with the random number obtained from the random number generating means 41 are won as a result of the internal lottery. In the following, in the internal lottery, winning a combination belonging to the winning area is also referred to as "winning the winning area". In addition, the case where neither winning role is won is also referred to as "winning area 'not winning' wins".

As shown in FIG. 4, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, small wins 1 to 37 are prepared as small wins. In addition, as winning areas including small wins, "small win ALL", "bell ALL", "1 sheet ALL", "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A6", "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6" , "batting order chance combination 1" to "batting order chance combination 3", "common bell", "strong bell 1", "strong bell 2", "second chance", and "single hand". In addition, when the small winning combination 1 to the small winning combination 6 are won, 7 medals are paid out, and when the small winning combination 7 is won, 15 medals are paid out. 8 is a triple combination in which three medals are paid out when winning, and small combination 9 to small combination 37 are single combinations in which one medal is paid out when winning.
In the following, the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A6" and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6" are collectively referred to as batting order bells. Also, the winning areas ``batting order chance role 1'' to ``batting order chance role 3'' are collectively referred to as a batting order chance role.

The winning area "small winning combination ALL" is a winning area in which all the small winning combinations (small winning combination 1 to small winning combination 37) are won in duplicate. In addition, the winning area "Bell ALL" is a winning area in which the small winning combination 1 to the small winning combination 6 and the small winning combination 37 are won in duplicate. In addition, the winning area "1 sheet ALL" is a winning area in which the minor winning combination 9 to small winning combination 32 and the small winning combination 35 to small winning combination 37 are won in duplicate. In addition, the winning areas "Battering order bell A1" to "Battering order bell A6" are winning areas in which any one of the seven-card combinations and the one-card combination are won. In addition, "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6" are winning areas in which any one of the seven-card combinations and one-card combination are won. In addition, the winning areas "batting order chance combination 1" to "batting order chance combination 3" are winning areas in which both 15-card and 1-card combinations are won. In addition, the winning area "common bell" is a winning area in which minor wins 1 to 6 are repeatedly won. In addition, the winning area "strong bell 1" is a winning area in which a 7-card combination (small combination 4) is won alone. In addition, the winning area "strong bell 2" is a winning area in which a single 7-card combination (small combination 5) is won. In addition, the winning area "chance eye" is a winning area in which a 3-card combination (small combination 8) is won alone. In addition, the winning area "1-card combination" is a winning area in which a plurality of types of 1-card combinations are won.

Further, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays 1 to 14 are prepared as replays. In addition, the winning areas that include replays are "Weak Chanrip", "Upper Grape Chanrip", "Middle Grape Chanrip", "Upper Grape Chanrip", "Middle Grape Chanrip", "Heart Fanning Chanlip 1", "Heart Fanning Chanlip 2", "Heart Matching Lip 1", "Heart Matching Lip 2", "Replay 1", "Replay 2" and "Replay 3" are prepared.

Winning area "Weak Chanlip", "Upper Grape Chanlip", "Middle Grape Chanlip", "Upper Grape Chanlip", "Middle Grape Chanlip", "Heart Fanning Chanlip 1", "Heart Fanning Chanlip 2", "Heart Matching Lip 1", "Heart Matching Rep 2", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", and "Replay 3" are winning areas where multiple types of replays are won.

Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus is prepared as a bonus.
In addition, as a winning area associated with a bonus, a winning area "RBB" where a big bonus is won alone is prepared, and a winning area "one piece role" is set so that a big bonus can be won in duplicate. It is In addition, in the winning area "1 piece", when the gaming state is the normal medium state, the big bonus is duplicated, and when the gaming state is the RBB internal medium state, the big bonus is duplicated. It is designed not to win.
In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the bonus is assumed to be an accessory continuous operation device related to a so-called first class special accessory, but other bonuses may be used. Also, other bonuses may be installed together. Also, the loaded bonuses may be set so that they are individually won, or they may be set so that they are won in combination with replays and minor wins.

In addition, "not winning" is prepared as a winning area associated with losing.

Each winning area is set to be a winning area or not depending on the game state. In other words, the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and performs an internal lottery, thereby changing the winning combination. In other words, in each game state, an internal lottery is performed using an internal lottery table whose lottery targets include winning areas that can be won in each game state.
In FIG. 4, whether or not each winning area can be won in each game state is indicated by a "O" mark. That is, the winning areas ``non-winning'', ``small win ALL'', ``bell ALL'' and ``one card ALL'' are won when the game state is the RBB operating state, and are won when the game state is the general middle state or the RBB internal middle state. It is designed not to.
In addition, the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A6", "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6", "batting order chance role 1" to "batting order chance role 3", "common bell", "strong bell" 1”, “Strong Bell 2”, “Chance Eye”, “Weak Changlip”, “Upper Grape Changlip”, “Middle Grape Changlip”, “Upper Grape Changlip”, “Middle Grape Changlip”, “Heart Fanning Changlip 1”, “Heart Fanning Chan Lip 2", "Heart Aligning Lip 1", "Heart Aligning Lip 2", "Replay 1", "Replay 2" and "Single Role" are when the game state is in the general medium state or the RBB internal medium state. It is designed so that winning is not possible in a state where the player wins and the RBB is in operation.
Also, the winning area "Replay 3" is designed so that the player wins when the RBB is in the middle state, and does not win when the game state is the normal state or the RBB operating state.
Also, the winning area "RBB" wins when the game state is normal state, and does not win when the game state is RBB internal state or RBB active state.

Each winning area is assigned a different winning area number. Each winning area can be identified by the winning area number.

In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the probability of winning a small combination is the same between the normal medium state and the RBB internal medium state. In addition, the replay is not won while the RBB is in operation. In other words, the probability of winning a replay is higher in the general intermediate state and the RBB internal intermediate state than in the RBB active state.

The internal lottery means 42 sets the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination as a result of the internal lottery from the non-winning state (OFF state) to the winning state (ON state). Also, when a plurality of winning combinations are won in duplicate, the winning flags corresponding to the respective winning combinations in duplicate are set from the non-winning state to the winning state. Also, the winning flag setting information is stored in a winning flag storage area 62 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 .

Winning flags include a winning flag (carry-over possible flag) that allows the winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a non-winning state in which the winning state is not carried over to subsequent games regardless of winning. There is a winning flag (non-carryover flag) that is reset to . There is a big bonus as a combination to which the carryover possible flag is associated. Further, the combination to which the carryover impossible flag is associated includes a small combination and a replay. For example, when a big bonus is won in the internal lottery, the internal lottery means 42 carries over the winning state of the big bonus winning flag until the big bonus is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery to determine the success or failure of a small combination and replay even in a game in which the big bonus winning flag is carried over. That is, in a game in which the winning state of the winning flag of the big bonus is carried over, if a small winning combination or replay is won, the winning flag of the big bonus that has already been won and the small winning combination or replay won in the internal lottery are combined. Winning flags corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations are set in a winning state.

In addition, the slot machine 10 has six setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the odds of winning a combination differ depending on the difference in setting values. Specifically, when the setting changes, the internal lottery table group consisting of a plurality of internal lottery tables selected according to the game state is changed to the internal lottery table group associated with each setting. Depending on the setting, the internal lottery table group changes with different odds of winning small wins, replays, and bonuses.

The setting change means 47 performs control to change the setting values stored in the setting value storage area 63 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 . Specifically, a setting change key is inserted into a setting change key cylinder provided inside the slot machine 10, and the slot is opened in a state in which the setting change key (setting change key cylinder) is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the initial position. When the power of the machine 10 is turned on, the setting change means 47 activates the slot machine 10 in the setting change mode. The setting value can be selected from 6 levels from setting 1 to setting 6, and an internal lottery is conducted so that the expected value of the ball output rate increases in order from setting 1 to setting 6. The winning probability of is fluctuating. In the setting change mode, the setting change means 47 performs setting 1→setting 2→ . When the set value is changed and the start lever 24 is pressed, the set value is determined and the determined set value is stored in the set value storage area 63 . Also, by returning the setting change key inserted in the setting change key cylinder to the initial position, it is possible to shift from the setting change mode to the game mode.
In the present embodiment, the level of the set values is expressed in the order of setting 1<setting 2<setting 3<setting 4<setting 5<setting 6. FIG.

Also, when the power is turned on while the setting change key cylinder is in the initial position, the slot machine 10 is started in the game mode. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a game can be played in the game mode, but the setting values cannot be changed, and in the setting change mode, the setting values can be changed, but the game cannot be played. It is not possible.

The initialization means 48 performs an initialization process for initializing at least part of the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 when the setting value is changed. Specifically, when the setting value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs a process of returning the game state, the game section, and the effect state, which will be described later, to the initial state. That is, when the set value is changed, the game state becomes the normal medium state, the game section becomes the non-advantageous section, and the presentation state becomes the non-advantageous section presentation state. will be in the same state as In the initialization process, the initialization means 48 also initializes information related to effects stored in the RAM of the storage means 60, and the like. The sub-control board 32 also has initialization means (not shown). When the main control board 31 sends a signal notifying that the set value has been changed, the initialization means of the sub-control board 32 The information about the performance stored in the RAM of the sub-side storage means 72 is initialized.
In addition, even if the setting value is changed, the game state, the game section, or the effect state may not return to the initial state.

The reel control means 43 starts the rotation of the reels 20a to 20c in response to the operation of the start lever 24 activated under the control of the main control board 31 (that is, game start), and activates the reels 20a to 20c. When the stopped stop button 26a to 26c is operated, stop control of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button is performed.

That is, each time one of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is operated, the reel control means 43 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the operated button among the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c. , to stop the reel at the determined stop position. In the slot machine 10, when the stop button 26a is operated, the rotation of the first reel 20a is stopped, and when the stop button 26b is operated, the rotation of the second reel 20b is stopped and the stop button 26c is operated. Then, the rotation of the third reel 20c is stopped. Therefore, the stop order of the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c changes depending on the operation order (hitting order) of the stop buttons 26a to 26c.

In the following description, regarding the order of stop operations (order of operation of the stop buttons 26a to 26c), the order of a group of stop operations in which all of the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated will be referred to as "hitting order". Among the stop operations that constitute the batting order, the first stop operation is the "first stop operation", the second stop operation is the "second stop operation", and the third stop operation is the "third stop operation". ”.

Further, hereinafter, the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the second reel 20b, and the third reel 20c is defined as "hitting order 1", and the first reel 20a and the third reel are operated. The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c to stop the rotating reels in the order of 20c and the second reel 20b is set to "batting order 2", and the rotating reels are stopped in the order of the second reel 20b, the first reel 20a, and the third reel 20c. The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c is defined as "batting order 3", and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the third reel 20c, and the first reel 20a is designated as "hitting order 4". ”, and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the first reel 20a, and the second reel 20b is set to “hitting order 5”, and the third reel 20c, the second reel 20b, The operations of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the first reel 20a are referred to as "batting order 6".

In stop control when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reel control means 43 stops the reels 20a to 20c so that the winning combination whose winning flag is set to the winning state wins. Specifically, when the winning flag for one winning combination is set to the winning state, the reels 20a to 20c are controlled to stop so that this winning combination wins. Further, in a state in which the winning flags of a plurality of winning combinations are set in a winning state, the reels 20a to 20c are stopped so that a predetermined winning combination wins according to the priority determined for each combination. Let In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the priority order is determined in the order of "replay>small win>bonus". Then, the reel control means 43 controls the reels 20a so that the symbols forming the winning pattern of the winning combination with the higher priority are displayed on the activated line in preference to the symbols forming the winning pattern of the winning combination with the lower priority. ~20c is stopped.

In addition, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the candidates for the stop position is determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, or in advance for the small wins. There is also a case where the priority is obtained according to the number of medals to be paid out based on the determined payout. When determining the priority of candidates for the stop position according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position that has the greater number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line has higher priority. A priority is obtained for each stop position candidate so that the priority is higher. When determining the priority of candidates for the stop position according to the number of payouts of medals, the stop position in which the number of payouts of medals increases based on the payout of the small win corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the activated line. The priority of each stop position candidate is obtained so that the position (stop position that can win a small winning combination with a large payout) has a higher priority. However, when determining the priority of candidates for the stop position according to the number of medals paid out, if multiple small wins with the same payout are won, each stop position can win a prize. are treated as having the same priority.

As shown in FIG. 5, a correct hitting order and an incorrect hitting order are set for each batting order bell. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the mode of the stop operation and the winning combination when each winning area is won in the middle state of the RBB.
In each winning area of the batting order bell, when winning in the RBB internal medium state, if operated in the correct batting order, 7 wins can be won, and if operated in the incorrect batting order, 1 bell can be won. Roles are made available to win prizes. In other words, when one of the batting order bells is won in the RBB internal medium state, when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the correct batting order, priority is given to stop position candidates that can win small wins 1 to 6. The priority is determined so that the order is the highest, and when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the order of incorrect hitting, the priority of the stop position candidate that can win the 9th to 32nd small win is given the highest priority. A higher priority is required.

Each batting order bell has one correct batting order, and the other five batting orders are incorrect batting orders. In addition, "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A6" are set to have different batting orders in correct batting order, and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6" are set to have different batting orders in correct batting order. .

Note that the content in parentheses in FIG. 5 indicates the winning rate of the one-card combination when the stop operation is performed in the batting order. For example, the notation "1 card (1/2)" means that there is a probability of 1/2 that a role of 1 card will be won, and a role of 1 card will be missed with a probability of 1/2 (1 card will not win a prize). showing. Also, the notation "1 card (1/4)" means that there is a probability of 1/4 that a role of 1 card will be won, and a role of 1 card will be missed with a probability of 3/4 (1 card will not win a prize). showing.

The winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A6" and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B6" are designed to win a 7-card combination when operated in the correct batting order. In addition, when the batting order bell A1 to batting order bell A6 and the batting order bell B1 to batting order bell B6 are operated in the incorrect batting order, one hand or any hand wins. It is designed not to.

In the winning area "batting order chance combination 1", if a winning operation is made in the middle state of the RBB, if the stop operation is performed in any of the batting order of batting order 3, batting order 4, batting order 5, or batting order 6, a 15-couple wins. When the stop operation is performed in either the batting order 1 or the batting order 2, two types of one-card combinations are won (simultaneous winning).
In the winning area "batting order chance combination 2", if a winning operation is performed in the middle state of the RBB, if the stop operation is performed in any of the batting order 1, batting order 2, batting order 5, or batting order 6, a 15-coin combination is won. When the stop operation is performed in either the batting order 3 or the batting order 4, two types of one-card combinations are won (simultaneous winning).
In the winning area "batting order chance combination 3", if a winning operation is performed in the middle state of the RBB, if a stop operation is performed in any of the batting order 1, batting order 2, batting order 3, or batting order 4, a 15-couple wins. When a stop operation is performed in either the 5th or 6th batting order, two types of one-card combinations are won (simultaneous winnings).
In addition, in each winning area of the batting order chance combination, when winning in the normal medium state, even if the stop operation is performed in the batting order in which a 15-piece combination wins in the RBB internal medium state, two kinds of single-hands are overlapped. and win a prize (simultaneous win).

The winning judgment means 44 is activated when the reels 20a to 20c stop rotating, and judges whether or not a winning combination has been won based on how the reels 20a to 20c are stopped. Specifically, the symbol combination displayed (stopped display) on the active line by stopping the reels 20a to 20c is collated with the prize determination table stored in the ROM of the storage means 60. FIG. The winning determination table stores the winning form of each winning combination (symbol combination that wins when stopped), and through the collation described above, the presence or absence of a winning combination and the type of winning combination that has won can be determined. do. When a winning combination is won, the main control board 31 executes a winning process corresponding to the winning combination. Specifically, as the winning process, payout processing is performed when a small win is won, replay processing (replay processing) is performed when a replay wins (operates), and a bonus wins (operates). In that case, a process for shifting the game state (game state transition control process) is performed.

Here, the payout process is a process of paying out the number of medals determined based on the payout determined for each combination when a small winning combination is won, and is performed by the payout control means 45 . The payout control means 45 determines the payout number of medals based on the payout determined for each win when a small winning combination is won, and causes the determined payout number of medals to be paid out to the hopper device. When credits are permitted, the number of credits (the number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 is used instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper device. ), credit addition processing is performed to add the number of payouts, and medals are virtually paid out.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, 7 medals are paid out when winning a small winning combination 1 to 6, 15 medals are paid out when winning a small winning combination 7, and 3 medals are paid out when winning a small winning combination 8. medals are paid out, and one medal is paid out when winning 9 to 37 small wins.

Further, the replay process is a process of setting the same game start standby state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game when the replay wins. does. If the replay wins, the same number of medals as the number set in the input state in the previous game (the game in which the replay won) will be replaced with the medals in the player's hand (including credited medals). An automatic insertion process for automatically inserting medals without using them is performed, and the next game start operation for the start lever 24 is awaited in a state in which an effective line corresponding to the number of medals inserted by the automatic insertion process is set. Also, when the automatic insertion process is performed, additional medals cannot be inserted.

The game state control means 49, as shown in FIG. 6, performs a game state transition control process for transitioning the game state among the normal state, the RBB internal state (bonus established state) and the RBB operating state (bonus state). conduct. As for the game state transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are defined, the game state may be shifted based on the establishment of one condition among the plurality of predetermined conditions, or a plurality of the predetermined conditions or The game state may be shifted based on the establishment of all.

Further, as described above, the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and performs an internal lottery. Specifically, in the general intermediate state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which a big bonus is set as a lottery target. Further, in the RBB internal medium state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which the big bonus is excluded from lottery targets. Further, in the RBB operating state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which the big bonus is excluded from lottery targets.

In the initial state, the game state is in a normal middle state. In the general middle state, an internal lottery table in which all the winning areas except for the winning areas "not winning", "minor win ALL", "bell ALL", "1 card ALL" and "replay 3" are set for the lottery. An internal lottery will be held with reference to. Further, it is possible to shift from the general medium state to the RBB internal medium state. The game state control means 49 shifts the game state to the RBB internal medium state when the big bonus is won in the general medium state.

The RBB internal middle state is a game state that shifts to when a big bonus is won in an internal lottery. In the RBB internal middle state, an internal lottery table in which all the winning areas except for the winning area "not winning", "minor win ALL", "bell ALL", "one card ALL" and "RBB" is set for the lottery is displayed. An internal lottery will be conducted with reference. Further, in the RBB internal middle state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus is displayed on the effective line, the game state is controlled. The means 49 shifts the game state from the RBB internal state to the RBB operating state.

The RBB in-operation state is a game state that shifts when a symbol combination indicating a winning form of a big bonus is displayed on an activated line. In the RBB operating state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which the lottery areas "non-win", "minor win ALL", "bell ALL" and "one card ALL" are set as lottery targets. In addition, in the RBB operating state, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out in the RBB operating state, and medals exceeding a predetermined number (for example, 22) are paid out. Then, the game state control means 49 terminates the RBB operating state and shifts the game state to the normal state.
In this embodiment, the termination condition of the RBB operating state is determined by the total number of medals paid out. may Also, the RBB in-operation state may be one in which the termination condition is set so that the game is terminated in one game.

As shown in FIG. 3, the instruction function control means 51 includes a game section control means 80, an effect state control means 81, and a privilege provision means 82. The instruction function control means 51 performs processing related to the operation of the instruction function that assists the winning of the specific combination in the advantageous section. Specifically, when a predetermined winning combination is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction effect for assisting the winning of this winning combination. More specifically, for example, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction effect (batting order navigation effect) for announcing the correct batting order and assisting the winning of the 7-card combination. do. When the instruction function control means 51 determines to perform the batting order navigation effect, the effect control means 100 causes the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 13 and the speaker 14 to execute the batting order navigation effect. When the batting order navigation effect is performed, the 7-segment display of the game information display section 17 also displays information indicating the correct batting order.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game zone control means 80 performs a game zone shift control process for shifting the game zone between a non-advantageous zone and an advantageous zone according to the progress of the game. The non-advantageous section is a game section corresponding to the initial state among the plurality of types of game sections. In the non-advantageous section, the privilege providing means 82 performs an advantageous section transition lottery, and when the advantageous section transition lottery is won, the game section control means 80 shifts the game section to the advantageous section. Also, the advantageous section is a game section in which an upper limit (here, 1500 times) is set for the number of times the game can be played. Further, when the game section is set as the non-advantageous section, the instruction performance cannot be performed, and only when the game section is set as the advantageous section, the instruction performance can be performed. The game zone control means 80 ends the advantageous zone when the number of times the game is played in the advantageous zone reaches 1500, which is the upper limit, and shifts the game zone to the non-advantageous zone.

In the non-advantageous section, the privilege granting means 82 performs a lottery (advantageous section transition lottery) for determining whether or not to allow a transition to the advantageous section at a predetermined opportunity. Specifically, the privilege granting means 82 performs a lottery (advantageous zone shift lottery) to determine whether or not to move to an advantageous zone based on the result of the internal lottery (won a predetermined combination (winning area)). Then, when winning the advantageous zone shift lottery, the game zone control means 80 shifts the game zone from the non-advantageous zone to the advantageous zone.

In addition, the game interval control means 80 stores the advantageous interval game number counter 65 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60, triggered by the game start operation on the start lever 24, every time a game is played in the advantageous interval. Increment processing is performed to add "1" to the value as a value corresponding to one game. The game section control means 80 does not add to the advantageous section game number counter 65 in the non-advantageous section. Further, at the time when the non-advantageous section is shifted to the advantageous section, the stored value of the advantageous section game number counter 65 is "0". Then, when the value stored in the advantageous interval game number counter 65 reaches the threshold value (upper limit value) “1500”, the game interval control means 80 deems that the condition for ending the advantageous interval is satisfied, and removes the game interval from the advantageous interval. Move to an advantageous section. That is, the upper limit of the number of games played in the advantageous section is set to 1500, so that the number of games exceeding 1500 is not played continuously in the advantageous section.

In addition, the game interval control means 80 updates the stored value of the difference number counter 64 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 with the difference number of medals in the advantageous interval, and sets a value corresponding to the number of payout medals (for example, 7). It corresponds to the number of inserted medals used in the game from "7" when there is a payout of medals, and "0" when there is no payout without winning any combination). A value (for example, "3" when three cards are inserted) is subtracted to obtain the calculation result of the difference number in the game, and this calculation result is added to the stored value of the difference number counter 64. Perform update processing. Incidentally, the game section control means 80 does not perform addition to the difference number counter 64 in the non-advantageous section. Further, at the point of time when the non-advantageous section shifts to the advantageous section, the stored value of the difference number counter 64 is "0". Then, when the stored value of the difference number counter 64 exceeds a threshold value (for example, "2400"), the game interval control means 80 determines that the condition for ending the advantageous interval is satisfied, and shifts the game interval from the advantageous interval to the non-advantageous interval. Move to section. The stored value of the difference number counter 64 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". If no combination is won and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference number in the game becomes "-3", and the calculation result of the difference number is added to the stored value of the difference number counter 64 to the initial value. Although it falls below "0", the stored value of the difference number counter 64 after updating is designed to stop counting with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. In other words, an upper limit is set for the number of medals that can be obtained in the advantageous section, and the maximum number of medals in the advantageous section is set to "0", and the number of medals increased from the reference exceeds 2400. The advantageous section ends when In addition, if there is a winning replay in a game, it will be treated as if there was a payout of medals equivalent to the prescribed number of inputs in the game in which the replay was won, and the difference number will be calculated, and the replay winning will be free of charge. For the next game to be provided, even if actual medals are not inserted, it may be treated as if medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals for the game have been inserted, and the difference may be obtained.

In addition, the advantageous section indicator 18 is turned off during non-advantageous sections and lit during advantageous sections.
It should be noted that the advantageous section indicator 18 does not have to be lit at the same time as the transition to the advantageous section, but may be made to be lit before the first instruction effect is performed. In addition, once the light is turned on, it will not be turned off until the end of the advantageous section.

As shown in FIG. 7, the production state control means 81 shifts the production state among a plurality of types of production states including a non-advantageous section production state, a normal production state, a CZ production state, and an AT production state (instruction production state). Effect state transition control processing is performed. One condition may be defined as the transition condition of the effect state, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are defined, the production state may be shifted when one condition out of the plurality of predetermined conditions is satisfied, and some or all of the plurality of predetermined conditions The production state may be shifted based on the establishment.

(Non-advantageous section production state)
The non-advantageous section rendering state is a rendering state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of rendering states. In the non-advantageous section, the effect state control means 81 sets the effect state to the non-advantageous section effect state. In the non-advantageous section effect state (non-advantageous section), as described above, the privilege granting means 82 performs the advantageous section transition lottery. The state control means 81 shifts the production state to the normal production state.

(Normal production state)
The normal production state is a production state that basically shifts when the advantageous section starts, and at the start of the advantageous section, the probability of shifting to the normal production state is higher than the probability of shifting to another production state. is set. In the normal effect state, the frequency with which the batting order navigation effect is executed is lower than in the CZ effect state and the AT effect state (the expected value regarding the increase in medals is low). In other words, in the normal effect state, the batting order navigation effect is hardly performed, or is not performed at all.

The effect state control means 81 shifts the effect state to the CZ effect state at a predetermined opportunity in the normal effect state. For example, in the normal effect state, the privilege granting means 82 performs a lottery (CZ lottery ), and when the CZ lottery is won, the effect state control means 81 may shift the effect state to the CZ effect state. Further, for example, an upper limit (a so-called ceiling) is set for the number of games played in the normal effect state. may be shifted to the CZ effect state.

(CZ production state)
The CZ presentation state is a presentation state in which the degree of expectation for transition to the AT presentation state is higher than that in the normal presentation state. In other words, the CZ effect state is a more advantageous effect state for the player than the normal effect state. In addition, in the CZ effect state, the batting order navigation effect is executed less frequently than in the AT effect state (the expected value for the increase in medals is low).

In the CZ effect state, when a predetermined condition is achieved, the privilege granting means 82 grants the right to shift to the AT effect state. Then, when the right to shift to the AT effect state is granted, the effect state control means 81 shifts the effect state to the AT effect state. That is, the effect state control means 81 shifts the effect state to the AT effect state at a predetermined trigger in the CZ effect state. Specifically, for example, in the CZ effect state, the privilege granting means 82 determines whether or not to move to the AT effect state according to the result of the internal lottery (for example, based on the winning of a predetermined role (winning area)). A determination lottery (AT lottery) may be conducted, and if the AT lottery is won, the right to shift to the AT effect state may be granted.

(AT production state)
In the AT effect state, when the batting order bell is won, the effect control means 100 provides an instruction effect (batting order navigation effect) for notifying the correct batting order and assisting the winning of the 7-card hand by displaying the liquid crystal display 13, the speaker 14, and other such effect devices. control the execution of When the batting order bell is won and the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in accordance with the correct batting order notified by the batting order navigation effect, the 7-card winning combination can be guaranteed and 7 medals can be obtained. there is

In this embodiment, the continuation of the AT effect state is managed by the number of medals obtained in the AT effect state. When the AT effect state is started, the privilege imparting means 82 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined difference number to the stored value of the AT end determination counter 66 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 . Note that the value set in the AT end determination counter 66 at this time is not limited to a fixed value, and may be determined by lottery or the like. Also, the game for determining the value to be set in the AT end determination counter 66 at this time may be performed a plurality of times.

The effect state control means 81 performs a process of subtracting a value corresponding to the difference number of sheets of the game from the stored value of the AT end determination counter 66 every time a game is played in the AT effect state. The difference number of the game (one game) is a value corresponding to the number of payouts of medals (for example, if 7 medals are paid out, it is set to "7", and the payout is made without winning any combination). If there are no medals, it will be "0"), the value corresponding to the number of inserted medals used in the game (for example, if there are 3 inserted, it will be "3") Desired. When the stored value of the AT end determination counter 66 reaches the threshold "0", the effect state control means 81 shifts the effect state to the non-advantageous section effect state, and the game section control means 80 shifts the game section from the advantageous section. Move to a non-advantageous section. It should be noted that, if the end condition of the advantageous section is not satisfied at the end of the AT production state, the production state is shifted to the normal production state without shifting to the non-advantageous section production state, and the advantageous section is continued (non-advantageous section production state) It may not be allowed to move to the advantageous section).

In this embodiment, the continuation of the AT effect state is managed by the difference in the number of medals acquired in the AT effect state. number of sets), the number of medals obtained in the AT effect state, or the number of batting order navigation effects, or the like.

The instruction function control means 51 initializes the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 as the information relating to the instruction function when the advantageous section ends and the game section shifts to the non-advantageous section. conversion processing. Specifically, the instruction function control means 51 initializes the stored values of the difference number counter 64, the advantageous section game number counter 65, the AT end determination counter 66, etc., and the flag (lottery result) related to the lottery related to the instruction function. do. That is, the information relating to the instruction function is prevented from being carried over over a plurality of advantageous sections. Further, when the initialization means 48 performs the above-described initialization processing that is performed when the setting value is changed, the information related to the instruction effect shown here is also initialized.

In this embodiment, when the gaming state is the RBB internal medium state, the instruction function control means 51 (the effect control means 100) draws a lottery related to the instruction function (for example, the CZ effect state or the AT effect state). Lottery related to transition), giving benefits related to instruction effects (for example, benefits that increase the probability of transition to CZ effect state or AT effect state), and processing related to instruction functions such as batting order navigation effects. In the normal state or the RBB operating state, the lottery related to the command function, the provision of benefits related to the command effect, and the process related to the command function such as the batting order navigation effect are not performed. Further, in this embodiment, the player basically plays the game in the middle state of the RBB.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main control means (main control board) 31 can be connected to a prescribed test apparatus 300 via a first interface board 301 used during the trial firing test. In addition, the main control means 31 can be connected to a prescribed test apparatus 300 via a second interface board 302 used during test firing tests. In other words, the main control means 31 has a connector that enables connection with the first interface board 301 and the second interface board 302, and the first interface board 301 and the second interface board are connected via the connector. 302 can transmit or receive signals.

The first interface board 301 transmits to the testing apparatus 300 signals relating to the rotation and stopping of the reels 20a to 20c output from the main control means 31. FIG. Specifically, reel index signals from the index sensors 21a to 21c, signals that enable identification of winning hands in the internal lottery (signals corresponding to condition device numbers determined by lottery or winning area numbers, etc.), game Various signals detected or determined by the main control means 31, such as signals that enable status identification and excitation pulse signals for the stepping motors 19a to 19c, are sent from the main control means 31 via the first interface board 301 to the test circuit. It is sent to the device 300 . Here, the reel index signal is a detection signal of the index sensors 21a to 21c, and is a signal that makes it possible to identify passage of each of the reference positions of the first reel 20a, the second reel 20b and the third reel 20c. Further, the excitation pulse signal is a drive signal for the stepping motors 19a to 19c, and is a signal that makes it possible to specify the drive status of each of the reels 20a to 20c. Based on the reel index signal, the excitation pulse signal, etc. sent via the first interface board 301, the test apparatus 300 calculates the current number of steps of each rotating stepping motor 19a to 19c (each reel 20a to 20c). etc., can be grasped.

In addition, the first interface board 301 transmits to the main control means 31 signals output from the testing apparatus 300 for rotating and stopping the reels 20a to 20c. Specifically, it corresponds to an insertion switch signal that substitutes for a medal insertion operation, a reel start switch signal that substitutes for a game start operation for the start lever 24, and left, middle, and right for each stop button 26a to 26c that substitutes for a stop operation. Various signals related to the operation of the game machine, such as each stop switch signal, are sent from the testing device 300 to the main control means 31 via the first interface board 301 . The transmission of the insertion switch signal from the testing device 300 to the main control means 31 corresponds to the medal insertion operation, like the insertion of medals into the medal insertion slot 22 and the pressing operation of the bet button 23 . Also, the transmission of the reel start switch signal from the test device 300 to the main control means 31 corresponds to the game start operation, like the pressing operation on the start lever 24 . Also, transmission of each stop switch signal from the test apparatus 300 to the main control means 31 corresponds to a stop operation, like pressing of each of the stop buttons 26a to 26c.

In the present embodiment, "a signal is sent from a predetermined device (means) to a predetermined device (means) via a predetermined substrate" means that a signal output from a transmission source device (means) is When the signal is input to the destination device (means) in its original format, or when part or all of the signal output from the transmission source device (means) is converted in a substrate or the like and sent to the destination device (means) Including both when it is entered and when it is entered. In other words, the content (information) to be transmitted by the signal output from the device (means) of the transmission source should be transmitted to the device (means) of the transmission destination.

The second interface board 302 also transmits a test signal for performing a predetermined test output from the main control means 31 to the test apparatus 300 . In other words, the test signal output from the main control means 31 as the test signal control means is sent to the test apparatus 300 via the second interface board 302 .

The main control means 31 can output a high test signal and a low test signal as test signals. Here, the high test signal is a signal for performing a high test as a test on a game method with a high expected value of the payout rate. Also, the low test signal is a signal for performing a low test as a test on a game method with a low expected value of the payout rate. That is, the gaming method according to the high test has a higher expected value of the payout rate than the gaming method according to the low test. Also, the test signal is output from the main control means 31 triggered by the game start operation.

For example, the game method for the high test and the game method for the low test may be as follows. That is, in the game method related to the high test and the game method related to the low test, for example, in a game in which the batting order navigation effect is executed, the game is played in the batting order according to the batting order navigation effect. In addition, depending on the game machine, when an operation is performed in a specific batting order (for example, batting order 1 and batting order 2), predetermined processing (lottery related to the instruction function such as AT lottery) is performed, and other than that If the operation is performed in the order of batting, a situation is provided in which a predetermined process related to the instruction function is not performed (a situation in which the game section, game state, or effect state, etc. is in a predetermined state: a situation in which a so-called penalty occurs). However, in the game method for the high test and the game method for the low test, the specific batting order is used in the situation. In addition, in the game method related to the high test and the game method related to the low test, a situation in which the player cannot determine in which order the stop operation should be performed (the batting order navigation effect is not performed and no penalty is incurred (information related to the penalty is In (predetermined situations) not provided to the player, the game is played in a predetermined batting order. In addition, in the gaming method related to the high test, the expected value of the ball output rate is calculated by performing a predetermined stop operation at a predetermined timing (when a predetermined symbol on a predetermined reel is positioned at a predetermined display position). In a situation where the situation is enhanced (and a situation in which the player can recognize this), the game is played so that a predetermined stop operation is performed at the predetermined timing. On the other hand, in the game method related to the low test, even in a situation where the expected value of the payout rate can be increased by performing a predetermined stop operation at a predetermined timing, it is possible to perform a predetermined stop operation at an arbitrary (random) timing. to play games. In other words, the gaming method according to the low test in the present embodiment is designed so as not to perform a predetermined stop operation (aiming at a specific pattern (number of steps)) at a specific timing. (aiming at a specific pattern) may be performed.

In this embodiment, the high test signal is a signal that informs the player of the stop order (hitting order) and the stop execution position (stop operation timing) of the reels 20a to 20c that allow the player to obtain the maximum ball payout rate. there is In other words, the high test signal is a game (a game started by a game start operation that triggers the output of the high test signal) as a mode of a stop operation that is a gaming method that can maximize the expected value of the payout rate. It is a signal that informs the recommended stopping operation mode (batting order and timing of stopping operation).

In addition, in this embodiment, the low test signal is a signal that informs the player of the stop order (hitting order) and stop execution position (stop operation timing) of the reels 20a to 20c, which is the most disadvantageous gaming method for the player. . In other words, the low test signal is the mode of the stop operation recommended in the game (the game started by the game start operation that triggers the output of the low test signal) as the mode of the stop operation that is the most disadvantageous gaming method. It is a signal that informs (timing of batting order and stop operation).

Then, the test device 300 transmits each stop switch signal via the first interface board 301 based on the signal for the high test, so that the game can be executed in the game method according to the high test. . In other words, when performing the high test, the test apparatus 300 transmits various signals via the first interface board 301 so that the game is performed in the mode of stop operation recommended by the high test signal. . In addition, the test device 300 transmits each stop switch signal via the first interface board 301 based on the low test signal, so that the game can be played in the low test game method. . In other words, when performing the low test, the test apparatus 300 transmits various signals via the first interface board 301 so that the game is played in the mode of stop operation recommended by the low test signal. . That is, in the high test and the low test, the test device 300 grasps the state of the gaming machine based on various signals transmitted from the main control means 31 to the test device 300 via the first interface board 301, Based on the test signal transmitted from the control means 31 to the test device 300 via the second interface board 302, the mode of the stop operation for realizing the high test or low test is grasped, and the grasped state of the gaming machine and A signal is transmitted to the main control means 31 based on the mode of the stop operation, thereby realizing high and low tests. In other words, the high test or low test is realized by the test apparatus 300 performing a stop operation or the like based on an instruction by the test signal.

Details of the high test signal and the low test signal are described with reference to FIG.
The high test signal includes information related to the high test first stop operation, information related to the high test second stop operation, and information related to the high test third stop operation. Further, the low test signal includes information related to the low test first stop operation, information related to the low test second stop operation, and information related to the low test third stop operation. Further, the information related to each stop operation of the high test and low test is 3-byte information. In other words, the information related to each stop operation of the high test and low test is always 3-byte information regardless of the content of the game (result of internal lottery, game state, effect state, etc.). The 3-byte information is hereinafter also referred to as a "command".

The information (command) related to each stop operation of the high test includes first identification information indicating the type of the command, and second identification information indicating what number of the stop operation (what number of the reel to stop) the information relates to. , target reel information indicating which of the reels 20a to 20c the information is about, third identification information indicating to send information about the stop execution position of the reels 20a to 20c, and reels 20a to 20c and stop execution position information as information on the stop execution position.

In addition, the information (command) related to each stop operation of the low test includes first identification information indicating the type of command, and second information indicating what stop operation (what reel to stop). Identification information, target spinning reel information indicating which of the reels 20a to 20c the information is about, third identification information indicating to send information about the stop execution position of the reels 20a to 20c, reels 20a to and stop execution position information as information on the stop execution position of 20c. That is, the information regarding each stop operation in the high test and the information regarding each stop operation in the low test have the same signal format.

The first identification information is 1-byte information. When the first identification information is "80H", it indicates that the command including the first identification information is a command regarding the high test stop operation. Further, when the first identification information is "81H", it indicates that the command including the first identification information is a command relating to the low test stop operation. Also, the first identification information can be said to be information that makes it possible to identify which part of the test signal corresponds to the first byte of the command composed of 3 bytes. In other words, when the predetermined 1-byte information in the signal (command) output from the main control means 31 is "80H" or "81H", the information sent together with the 1-byte information (the 1-byte Information following the information) can be identified as information relating to a high-test stop operation or information relating to a low-test stop operation.
Note that, in this embodiment, basically, with respect to information related to test signals, a suffix "H" to a numerical value indicates that it is in hexadecimal notation; Indicates that it is in decimal notation.

The second identification information is 4-bit information. When the second identification information is "BH", it indicates that the command including the second identification information is a command regarding the first stop operation (reel to be stopped first). Further, when the second identification information is "CH", it indicates that the command including the second identification information is a command regarding the second stop operation (reel to be stopped second). When the second identification information is "DH", it indicates that the command including the second identification information is a command regarding the third stop operation (reel to be stopped third). The second identification information can also be said to be information that makes it possible to identify which part of the test signal corresponds to the second byte of the command composed of three bytes.

The target reel information is 2-bit information. When the target reel information is "0", it indicates that the command including the target reel information is a command related to the first reel 20a. Further, when the target reel information is "1", it indicates that the command including the target reel information is a command related to the second reel 20b. When the target reel information is "2", it indicates that the command including the target reel information is a command related to the third reel 20c.

The stop execution position information is 9-bit information. The stop execution position information indicates a recommended stop execution position (timing of stop operation). Specifically, when the stop execution position information is any value of "0" to "503", when the number of steps of the stepping motors 19a to 19c (reels 20a to 20c) is the value indicated by the stop execution position information to indicate that a stop operation should be performed. Further, when the stop execution position information is a predetermined value other than "0" to "503", the number of steps of the stepping motors 19a to 19c (reels 20a to 20c) is any value to stop the reels 20a to 20c. Indicates that it is okay to go. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is "511" (a specific value exceeding "503").

The third identification information is 1-bit information. Further, the third identification information is information that makes it possible to determine which portion of the test signal (command) is related to the stop execution position information. When the third identification information is "0", it indicates that the 1-byte information starting with the third identification information is information related to the stop execution position information. In other words, when the leading bit of 1-byte information is "0", it indicates that the 1-byte information is information related to stop execution position information. Also, the third identification information can be said to be information that makes it possible to identify that the command corresponds to the 3rd byte of the 3-byte command.

In this embodiment, the leading 1 byte of the 3-byte command is the first identification information. Also, of the following 1 byte, the leading 4 bits are the second identification information, the following 2 bits are the target reel information, and the following 2 bits are the leading 2-bit information of the 9-bit stop execution position information. It's becoming Further, of the following 1 byte, the leading 1 bit is the third identification information, and the following 7 bits are the remaining 7-bit information of the 9-bit stop execution position information.

Further, in this embodiment, the high test signal and the low test signal are continuously output from the main control means 31 . Specifically, when the game start operation is performed, information related to the first stop operation of the high test, information related to the second stop operation of the high test, information related to the third stop operation of the high test, and information related to the third stop operation of the low test These pieces of information are sent in succession in the order of the information on the first stop operation, the information on the second stop operation of the low test, and the information on the third stop operation of the low test. As a specific example, for example, when the game start operation is performed, "80H", "B0H", "05H", "80H", "C4H", "1EH", "80H", "D8H", "38H" , ``81H'', ``B3H'', ``3FH'', ``81H'', ``C7H'', ``3FH'', ``81H'', ``DBH'', and ``3FH''. be. In this case, for the high test, as the first stop operation, the first reel 20a is stopped when the number of steps of the stepping motor 19a is 5 ("80H", "B0H", "05H"). As a second stop operation, a stop operation is performed to stop the second reel 20b when the number of steps of the stepping motor 19b is 30 (“80H”, “C4H”, “1EH”). It is recommended (instructed) to perform a stop operation (“80H”, “D8H”, “38H”) to stop the third reel 20c when the number of steps of 19c is 56. Further, in this case, for the low test, as the first stop operation, a stop operation is performed to stop the first reel 20a at an arbitrary (random) timing (“81H”, “B3H”, “3FH”). As the second stop operation, a stop operation is performed to stop the second reel 20b at an arbitrary (random) timing ("81H", "C7H", "3FH"), and as the third stop operation, an arbitrary (random) It is recommended (instructed) to perform a stop operation (“81H”, “DBH”, “3FH”) to stop the third reel 20c at the timing.

In the present embodiment, the stop execution position information of the low test signal (information related to each stop operation of the low test) is always "511", and the stop execution position information of the low test signal is "0". to "503" are never used, but values from "0" to "503" may be used.

As described above, the high test signal and low test signal output from the main control means 31 are sent to the test apparatus 300 via the second interface board 302 .

The second interface board 302 of this embodiment converts the test signal received from the main control means 31 into a format recognizable by the test apparatus 300 and transmits the converted signal to the test apparatus 300 . In other words, the second interface board 302 has a CPU (control unit) not shown, and the CPU performs the conversion. For example, if the 9-bit stop execution position information included in the test signal (high test signal or low test signal) is "511", that is, indicating that the stop operation may be performed at any timing, The second interface board 302 converts the stop execution position information into a numerical value of “1023 (3FFH)” and transmits a test signal including the stop execution position information thus converted to the test apparatus 300 . In other words, the second interface board 302 converts the 9-bit stop execution position information into 10-bit stop execution position information and transmits the 10-bit stop execution position information to the test apparatus 300 . That is, in this embodiment, the number of steps of each of the stepping motors 19a to 19c is "0" to "503", and the number of steps (stop execution position) can be specified with 9 bits. On the other hand, when the test apparatus 300 notifies the stop execution position (for example, that the stop operation can be performed at any timing), 10 bits (more than the number of bits required to specify the maximum number of steps) Assume a case where information with a large number of bits) is requested. In such a case, if the stop execution position information is not converted by the second interface board 302, the stop execution position information output from the main control means 31 must be 10-bit information. In transmitting information, it becomes necessary to secure a large storage area in the main control means 31 . In this embodiment, while the second interface board 302 sends the stop execution position information (information indicating that the stop operation may be performed at any time) to the test apparatus 300 as 10-bit information, the main control means 31 to the second interface board 302, 9 bits of stop execution position information (information indicating that the stop operation may be performed at any time) (expressed in binary number to specify the maximum number of steps) However, the minimum required number of bits) is sent as information, so that the storage area to be secured in the main control means 31 can be reduced in transmitting the test signal.

The second interface board 302 also has a switch 310 as shown in FIG. Also, the switch 310 can switch between a first state and a second state. When the switch 310 is in the first state, the second interface board 302 transmits the high test signal to the test apparatus 300, out of the high test signal and the low test signal output from the main control means 31. However, the low test signal is not transmitted to the test apparatus 300 . Further, when the switch 310 is in the second state, the second interface board 302 outputs the low test signal out of the high test signal and the low test signal output from the main control means 31 to the test apparatus 300 . , and the high test signal is not transmitted to the test apparatus 300 . That is, the switch 310 is a switch that enables setting (switching) of which of the high test signal and the low test signal is transmitted to the test apparatus 300 .

In other words, the second interface board 302 sends either information based on the high test signal received from the main control means 31 or information based on the low test signal received from the main control means 31 to the test apparatus 300. is changed according to the state of the switch 310 (according to the setting state of the second interface board 302). For example, as in the above-described specific example, the test signals "80H", "B0H", "05H", "80H", "C4H", "1EH", "80H", " D8H", "38H", "81H", "B3H", "3FH", "81H", "C7H", "3FH", "81H", "DBH", and "3FH". Suppose that it is output from the means 31 . At this time, when the switch 310 is in the first state, the second interface board 302 determines that the mode of stop operation recommended in the game is to stop the first reel 20a when the number of steps of the stepping motor 19a is five. When the stepping motor 19b has 30 steps, the second reel 20b is stopped. Information (high test signal) indicating that the third stop operation to stop is to be performed is sent to the test apparatus 300 . In other words, the second interface board 302 sends a signal to the test apparatus 300 instructing the stopping operation to be performed according to the recommended stopping operation mode. Further, when the switch 310 is in the second state, the second interface board 302 performs the first stop operation to stop the first reel 20a at an arbitrary timing as the mode of stop operation recommended in the game. , information (low test signal) indicating that a second stop operation to stop the second reel 20b is performed at an arbitrary timing, and a third stop operation to stop the third reel 20c is performed at an arbitrary timing. Send to the test device 300 . In other words, the second interface board 302 sends a signal to the test apparatus 300 instructing the stopping operation to be performed according to the recommended stopping operation mode.

The gaming machine of this embodiment comprises a plurality of reels 20a-20c and a control means 31 capable of outputting a test signal to the outside, and the reels 20a-20c are rotated by stepping motors 19a-19c. , the test signal includes information on a stop operation for stopping the plurality of reels 20a to 20c, and the information on the stop operation includes information on any one of the plurality of reels 20a to 20c. and information about the stop execution position of the reel, and the information about the stop execution position of the reel is a plurality of bits indicated by a specific part of the test signal When it is recommended to stop the reel at a specific position, the information is the number of steps of the stepping motor corresponding to the specific position. In the case of indicating that it is good, it becomes information indicating a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motor.
According to this configuration, a specific bit of the test signal is used to recommend stopping the reel at a specific position and to notify that the reel may be stopped at any position. can be done by Also, if the information indicated by the specific bit is information indicating a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motor, it is informed that the reel can be stopped at any position. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a specific flag or the like (no need to secure a dedicated bit) to notify that the reel can be stopped at any position. Therefore, the configuration related to the output of the test signal is simplified, and the device can be universally applied to any model, thereby reducing the development cost.

In addition, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the control means 31, as the test signal, the first test signal (high a test signal) and a second test signal (low test signal) used for a test (low test) relating to a second game method having a lower expected value of the payout rate than the first game method. It is possible to output the test signal, and which of the information based on the first test signal and the information based on the second test signal to be transmitted to the test apparatus 300 changes depending on the setting state. It is sent to the second interface board 302, and the control means 31 controls both the first test signal and the second test signal regardless of the setting state of the second interface board 302. is output at the same opportunity (with the game start operation as the trigger).
In this configuration, the control means 31 controls both the first test signal and the second test signal to be the same regardless of whether the test is performed for the first game method or the second game method. output on the occasion of Therefore, processing for determining which test is to be performed (which test signal is to be output) is not required, and the configuration related to the output of the test signal is simplified, so development costs can be reduced.

In addition to the high test signal and the low test signal, there may be a signal sent from the main control means 31 to the test apparatus 300 via the second interface board 302 . For example, a game interruption signal may be transmitted as a signal recommending (instructing) interruption of the game. Conventionally, in a specific game, based on the player's operation, a predetermined expected value (for example, the expected value of the ball output rate in a predetermined period, the expected value regarding the continuation of the AT effect state (so-called expected value of the number of additions) ) are known in which a mode can be selected from a plurality of modes. In such a gaming machine, a game interruption signal may be transmitted from the main control means 31 to the test device 300 in the specific game. Then, the test device 300 interrupts the progress of the game based on the game interrupt signal (prevents transmission of each stop switch signal until an operation related to mode selection is performed), thereby enabling the test can be enabled for mode selection in

Here, the game interruption signal includes information indicating that it is a game interruption signal and information indicating instruction content related to interruption of the game, and these pieces of information are sent continuously. The information indicating the game interruption signal can be, for example, 1-byte information (eg, "93H"). In this case, if the signal output from the main control means 31 contains 1-byte information "93H", it can be recognized that the signal is a game interruption signal. That is, when the predetermined 1-byte information in the signal (command) output from the main control means 31 is "93H", information sent together with the 1-byte information (information following the 1-byte information) can be identified as information relating to the interruption of the game (information indicating instruction content relating to interruption of the game). In addition, the information indicating the content of the instruction to interrupt the game can be, for example, 1-byte information. In the case of "02H", it may be instructed to interrupt the game when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Regarding the predetermined condition, the predetermined condition is satisfied when a predetermined switch provided on the second interface board 302 is in the first state, and the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the switch is in the second state. may be
The game interruption signal may be output every game together with the high test signal and the low test signal, or may be output only in the aforementioned specific game. Further, the game interruption signal may be output together with the high test signal and the low test signal with the game start operation as a trigger. Further, when the game interruption signal is output only in a specific game or the like, the high test signal and the low test signal may not be output at the timing when the game interruption signal is sent. Also, the game interruption signal may be 3-byte information or 2-byte information, like the information relating to the stop operations of the high test and low test.

In this embodiment, the gaming machine has three reels, but the number of reels is not limited to three. For example, the gaming machine may have four or more reels. For example, if the gaming machine has four reels, and the second identification information is "EH", the command including the second identification information is the fourth stop operation (fourth reel to be stopped). may be used to indicate that the command is related to Further, when the target reel information is "3", it may be indicated that the command including the target reel information is a command related to the fourth reel. Then, when the game start operation is performed, the information related to the high test first stop operation, the information related to the high test second stop operation, the information related to the high test third stop operation, and the high test fourth stop operation. Information related to low test first stop operation Information related to low test second stop operation Information related to low test third stop operation Information related to low test fourth stop operation , these pieces of information may be sent continuously.

The third identification information may not be included in the information on each stop operation in the high test and the information on each stop operation in the low test. Also, in this case, the stop execution position information may be 10-bit information. Also, the third byte of the 3-byte command may contain 8-bit information of the 10-bit stop execution position information. When deleting the third identification information, the third byte of the command composed of 3 bytes is identified (which portion of the test signal (command) is related to the stop execution position information). ), the third byte information (the 1-byte information) is the first identification information (1-byte information including the first identification information), the second identification information, the target drum information (the 2 identification information, 1-byte information including target reel information)) may be identified based on the fact that it is subsequently sent. In other words, when the first identification information, the second identification information, and the target reel information are sent, the information sent following these information may be determined as the stop execution position information. Thus, by making the stop execution position information 10-bit information, the 10-bit stop execution position information is set to "1023 (3FFH)" to indicate that the stop operation may be performed at any timing. A test signal (high test signal or low test signal) can be output from the main control means 31 . According to such a configuration, conversion of the stop execution position information (conversion from "511" to "1023 (3FFH)") in the second interface board 302 can be made unnecessary.

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.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the game control form and configuration of the slot machine are not limited to those of the above-described embodiments. Further, the control operation described above can be applied not only to the slot machine but also to other game machines such as a pachinko game machine and a medalless game machine. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to gaming machines, including slot machines, pachinko gaming machines, medalless gaming machines, and the like.

In addition, within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, modify arbitrary constituent elements of each embodiment, or omit arbitrary constituent elements in each embodiment. .

19a, 19b, 19c stepping motors 20a, 20b, 20c reel 31 control means 300 test device 302 second interface board

Claims (2)

a plurality of reels;
and a control means capable of outputting a test signal to the outside,
The reel is rotated by a stepping motor,
The test signal includes information on a stop operation for stopping the plurality of reels,
The information about the stop operation includes target spinning reel information indicating which of the plurality of reels the information is about, and information about the stop execution position of the reel,
The information on the stop execution position of the reel is information indicated by a specific bit of the test signal, and when it is recommended to stop the reel at a specific position, In the case of indicating that the reel may be stopped at any position, the information is information indicating the number of steps of the corresponding stepping motor, and the information indicates a numerical value that cannot be taken as the number of steps of the stepping motor. game machine. The control means controls, as the test signal, a first test signal used in a test relating to a first gaming method with a higher expected ball payout rate, and an expected ball payout rate higher than that of the first gaming method. can output a second test signal used for testing on a second gaming method with a low
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means outputs both said first test signal and said second test signal at the same timing.

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