JP4652463B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation, and more particularly to a gaming machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation in a gaming area on a gaming board. .

  As a gaming machine, a variable display device having a variable display unit whose display state can be changed is provided, and a big hit game that is advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display unit becomes a predetermined specific display mode Some are configured to transition to a state. The variable display device has a plurality of variable display units, and is usually configured to display the display results of the plurality of variable display units at different times. For example, a plurality of pieces of identification information such as symbols are variably displayed on the variable display section. That the display result of the variable display unit is a combination of specific display modes determined in advance is usually called “big hit”. Note that the game value is the right that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the gaming area of the gaming machine is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a ball, or the advantageous state for a player. It is to generate.

  When the big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state where the hit ball is easy to win. And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. In addition, when a predetermined condition (for example, winning in a V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit game even if the predetermined number of times is not reached The state ends.

  In addition, among the combinations of “out of” display modes other than the “big hit” combination, the display results are already derived and displayed at a stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions have not yet been derived and displayed. A state in which the display mode of the variable display unit satisfies a display condition that is a combination of specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  The game progress in the gaming machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. The identification information, character image, and background image displayed on the variable display device are controlled by display control means that operates according to a control command from the game control means. Accordingly, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game needs to transmit a display control command to the display control means.

  In addition, the game board is provided with light emitters such as lamps and LEDs, and these light emitters are turned on and off as the game progresses in order to enhance the game effect. The lighting and extinguishing of the light emitters are controlled by the game control means or the light emitter control means that receives a control command from the game control means. Further, the game board is provided with a speaker, and various sound effects are emitted from the speaker as the game progresses in order to enhance the game effect. The sound generation is controlled by game control means or by sound control means for receiving a control command from the game control means.

  In general, the switching timing control of the light emitter on / off pattern and the switching control of the sound effect pattern are performed by game control means for controlling the progress of the game. Therefore, when a light emitter control means and a sound control means other than the game control means are provided, the game control means sends control commands to the light emitter control means and the sound control means as the game progresses. Need to send.

  Since the conventional gaming machine is configured as described above, the game control means sends a control command to each of the display control means, the light emitter control means, and the sound control means when performing game control. There is a need. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing time that can be spent for the original game control is limited due to the heavy load required for sending out the control command of the game control means.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the burden required for sending control commands to other control means of the game control means.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a variable display unit having a plurality of display areas whose display states can be changed, and starts to change the identification information displayed in the display area in accordance with the establishment of the change start condition. A game machine that can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the game is in a predetermined specific display mode, and that has a game control means for controlling the progress of the game, and a game effect And a display control board having a display control means for controlling the display of the variable display unit, and the game control means is adapted to the progress of the game. includes a game control side command output means for outputting a specific possible commands the game state Te, game control side command output means, as the specific possible commands the game state, in response to establishment of the condition of start variability, When starting the variation of the different information, a command for specifying the variation time of the identification information in the variable display unit is output to the effect control means, and when the variation time of the identification information has elapsed, all the identification information is stopped. The effect control means outputs the control command to the display control means in response to the command that can specify the game state output from the game control means , and the game control means. The content control means command output means for determining the type of reach notice effect that predicts the possibility that the reach state will occur based on the command that can specify the game state that is output. It is capable of outputting a determination result of the determining means to the display control unit capable of specifying a control command, the display control means, the frame for specifying the change time of the identification information In response to the control command output from the effect control side command output means, the variable start means for starting the change of the identification information in the variable display section, and the identification information change time after the change time of the identification information has passed. Including a stop control means for stopping the fluctuation of the identification information in the variable display unit when a control command corresponding to the command indicating the stop is output from the effect control side command output means, and specifying the determination result of the effect content determining means A type of reach notice effect specified by a possible control command is executed .
Another aspect of the gaming machine according to the present invention includes a variable display unit having a plurality of display areas whose display states can be changed, and starts to change the identification information displayed in the display area in response to establishment of the change start condition. And a main board having a game control means for controlling the progress of the game, wherein the game machine is controllable to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the identification information is in a predetermined specific display mode. And an effect control board having an effect control means for inputting a command output by the game control means, and a display control board having a display control means for controlling the display of the variable display unit. The game control side command output means outputs a command capable of specifying the game state according to the command, and the game control side command output means sets the condition for starting the change as a command capable of specifying the game state. At the same time, when starting the variation of the identification information, a command for specifying the variation time of the identification information in the variable display unit is output to the effect control means, and when the variation time of the identification information has elapsed, all the identification information The effect control means includes an effect control side command output means for outputting a control command to the display control means corresponding to the command that can specify the gaming state output from the game control means, The display control means includes a notice type determining means for determining the type of reach notice effect for notifying the possibility that a reach state will occur, and an effect control side command output means corresponding to a command for specifying the variation time of the identification information. Based on the control command output from the change display means for starting the change of the identification information in the variable display section, When the control command corresponding to the command indicating the stop of all the identification information after the change time of the identification information has passed and output from the effect control side command output means, the variable display is performed. And a stop control means for stopping the fluctuation of the identification information in the section.

According to the present invention, the game control means can be changed to the effect control means when the game control means starts the change of the identification information according to the establishment of the change start condition as a command capable of specifying the game state. A command for specifying the variation time of the identification information on the display unit is output, and when the variation time of the identification information has elapsed, a command indicating the stop of all the identification information is output, and the effect control unit outputs from the game control unit The game control means outputs a command to each of the effect control board and the display control board because it includes an effect control side command output means for outputting a control command to the display control means in response to a command that can specify the played game state. This is effective in reducing the load required for command output .

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is a whole rear view which shows the internal structure of a pachinko gaming machine. It is the rear view which looked at the game board of the pachinko machine from the back. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure in a main board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the control command transmission / reception part in a main board | substrate and a comprehensive production | presentation control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure in a display control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure in a sound control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure in a lamp control board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control command regarding the game control sent out from a main board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the code assignment of a control command. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of a basic circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines that the hit ball won the start winning opening. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the stop symbol of variable display, and the process which determines a reach kind. It is a flowchart which shows the process of jackpot determination. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal symbol process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control command transmitted to a comprehensive production | presentation control board from a main board | substrate. It is a timing chart showing an example of the transmission timing of the effect control command. It is a flowchart which shows the control data output process A. It is a flowchart which shows the control data output process B. 5 is a flowchart showing a control data output process C. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation state which comprises each fluctuation pattern of a symbol. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the symbol at the time of the detachment which is not reach. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the symbol at the time of reach. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the symbol at the time of reach. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the symbol at the time of reach. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the symbol at the time of reach. It is a flowchart which shows the process of waiting for the start of all symbol fluctuations in the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the all symbol stop waiting process in a special symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows the jackpot display process in a special symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows the big winning opening release start process in a special symbol process process. It is a flowchart which shows the special prize process opening process in a special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the jackpot end process in the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of CPU for production control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the random number for a display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the random number for a display, and a reach aspect. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the random number for a display, a reach notice aspect, and a jackpot notice aspect. It is a flowchart which shows the control command reading process which CPU for production control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control command in connection with the game production which CPU for production control determined. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the control command in connection with the game production which CPU for production control determined. It is a flowchart which shows the 2ms timer interruption process which CPU for production control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control command transmitted to each board | substrate from a comprehensive production | presentation control board. It is a timing diagram showing an example of the transmission timing of the control command. It is a flowchart which shows a control command setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a control command output process. It is a flowchart which shows an 800 micro timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a control command reading process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the command data table in a display control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of CPU for display control. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows a sound control command setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a sound control command output process. It is a flowchart which shows the 800 micro timer interruption process which CPU for display control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the sound control command transmitted to a sound control board from a display control board. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of the transmission timing of a sound control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the command data table in a sound control board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the command data table in a lamp control board.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine. It can also be applied to image-type gaming machines and slot machines.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear side of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided in front of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device including a variable display unit (special symbol display unit) 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a variable display unit (ordinary symbol display unit) 10 using 7-segment LEDs. 8 is provided. Further, a passage memory display (ordinary symbol memory display) 41 composed of four LEDs is provided below the variable display 10. In this embodiment, the variable display section 9 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. A passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided on the side of the variable display device 8. In this example, with the upper limit being four, each time there is a ball passing through the passing gate 11, the passing memory indicator 41 increases the number of lit LEDs one by one. Each time variable display of the normal symbol on the variable display 10 is started, the number of LEDs that are lit is reduced by one.

  The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the start winning opening 14 through the ball outlet 13. In the passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball exit 13, there is a gate switch 12 that detects a hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 17. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An open / close plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. In this embodiment, the opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V zone) is detected by the V count switch 22. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the bottom of the variable display device 8, there is provided a start winning memory display (special symbol storage display) 18 having four LEDs for displaying the number of winning balls stored in the starting winning opening 14. . In this example, with a maximum of four, each time there is a start prize, the start prize storage display 18 increases the number of lit LEDs one by one. Each time the variable display of the special symbol on the variable display unit 9 is started, the number of lit LEDs is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 19, 24. Decorative lamps 25 blinking during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c are provided. In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 is provided in the vicinity of one speaker 27 so as to be turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a ball-out lamp 52 that is turned on when the supply ball is cut out is provided in the vicinity of the other speaker 27. Is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables ball lending by inserting a prepaid card.

  The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 changes continuously. Further, when the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, the symbol in the variable display portion 9 starts to rotate if the variation of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the change of the symbol can be started, the start winning memory is increased by one.

  The rotation of the image in the variable display unit 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of the stop is a combination of jackpot symbols, the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the specific winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a right to continue is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of images in the variable display section 9 at the time of stop is a combination of jackpot symbols with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in a high probability state. Further, when the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol in the variable display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a prize ball tank 38 is provided on the top of the mechanism plate 36, and the prize ball is placed from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. It is supplied to the prize ball tank 38. The prize balls in the prize ball tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and reach the ball dispensing device.

  The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the variable display unit 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board (main board) 31 covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, etc. A relay board 33 for relaying a signal between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of prizes is mounted. Yes. Further, on the mechanism plate 36, a ball hitting device 34 that launches a hit ball to the game area 7 by using the rotational force of the motor, and a lamp control for sending signals to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c. A substrate 35 is installed.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. On the back surface of the game board 6, as shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball collective cover 40 is provided for guiding the winning balls that have won the winning holes and the winning ball devices along a predetermined winning path. Among the winning balls led to the winning ball collective cover 40, those that win through the opening / closing plate 20 are controlled so that the ball paying device 97 pays out a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15). What is won through the start winning opening 14 is controlled such that a ball payout device (not shown in FIG. 3) pays out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, 6). And what was won through the other winning opening 24 and the winning ball device is controlled such that the ball payout device pays out a relatively medium number of prize balls (for example, 10). In FIG. 3, the relay board 33 is illustrated.

  Signals from the winning ball detection switch 99, the start port switch 17 and the count switch 23 are sent to the main board 31 in order to perform the winning ball payout control. When the ON signal of the winning ball detection switch 99 is sent to the main board 31, a winning ball number signal is sent from the main board 31 to the winning ball board 37. The winning ball detection switch 99 detects that there has been a winning. In this case, a prize ball number signal is given from the main board 31 to the winning ball board 37. For example, when the winning ball detection switch 99 is turned on in response to the start port switch 17 being turned on, “6” is output to the winning ball number signal, and in response to the turning on of the count switch 23 or the V count switch 22, winning ball detection is performed. When the switch 99 is turned on, “15” is output as the prize ball number signal. Then, if the winning ball detection switch 99 is turned on when those switches are not turned on, “10” is output as the winning ball number signal.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 4 also shows a prize ball board 37, a lamp control board (light emitter control board) 35, a sound control board 70, a display control board 80, and a general effect control board 90. On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 that controls the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, and signals from the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning ball detection switch 99 are input to the basic circuit 53. A solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20 according to a command from the basic circuit 53, and the variable display 10 by 7 segment LED. A lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the decorative lamp 25 is included.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the image display of the variable display unit 9, and the fact that the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting the probability variation information and the like to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 that is used as a work memory, a CPU 56 that performs a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. Note that the ROM 54 and RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56.

  Further, an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on is provided on the main board 31, and a reset pulse is given to the basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, every 2 ms) to start a game control program. A reset circuit 66 for re-execution from the start address, and an address for outputting a signal for selecting any I / O port of the I / O port unit 57 by decoding the address signal given from the basic circuit 53 A decoding circuit 67 is provided.

  A hitting ball launching device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor controlled by a circuit on a launch control board. Then, the driving force of the drive motor is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. In other words, the ball on the launch control board is controlled to be launched at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the effect control command sending part on the main board 31, the effect control command receiving part and the control command sending part on the general effect control board 90. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends presentation control command data for instructing a game presentation to the general presentation control board 90 via the output port 571 and the output buffer circuit 63. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends out a prize ball control command for instructing the number of prize balls to the prize ball control board 37 separately from the effect control command.

  In the overall effect control board 90, the effect control command from the main board 31 is input to the effect control CPU 89 (total effect control means) via the input buffer 88 and the input port 98. The input buffer 88 is an irreversible signal transmission means for transmitting a signal only from the main board 31 side to the general effect control board 90 side. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the general effect control board 90 side to the main board 31 side, and even if the circuit in the general effect control board 90 is tampered with, the signal output by the tamper modification is the main board 31 side. It is not transmitted to. Even if an illegal board or the like is connected to the wiring between the main board 31 and the general effect control board 90, an illegal signal from the illegal board or the like is transmitted by the output buffer circuit 63 that transmits a signal only in one direction. There is no transmission to the side.

  The effect control command is sent according to the game progress executed by the CPU 56 of the main board 31. The effect control CPU 89 creates a display control command to be sent to the display control board 80 and a lamp control command to be sent to the lamp control board 35 based on the received effect control command.

  The display control command is sent from the effect control CPU 89 via the output port 91 (output port A) and the output buffer circuit 94. The lamp control command is sent from the effect control CPU 89 via the output port 93 (output port C) and the output buffer circuit 96.

  As will be described later, each control command includes control data and an INT signal indicating the output of the control data. In this embodiment, the control commands sent to the substrates 80 and 35 are exactly the same.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 80 together with a CRT 82 which is an example of realization of the variable display unit 9 and the output buffer 94 of the general effect control board 90. The display control CPU 101 operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102. When a strobe signal (INT signal) is input from the general effect control board 90 via the input buffer 105a in the input buffer circuit 105, the input buffer 105a. The display control command is received via the. The output buffer 94 of the general effect control board 90 transmits a signal only in one direction (the direction from the general effect control board 90 toward the display control board 80).

  In this embodiment, since the variable display unit 9 is exemplified as the special game device, the special game control means is realized by the display control CPU 101 or the like. Hereinafter, the special game control means for controlling the variable display section 9 is referred to as display control means.

  Then, the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the screen displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the display control command received from the general effect control board 90. Specifically, a command corresponding to the display control command is given to the VDP 103. The VDP 103 reads out necessary data from the character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 according to the input data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 87. The image data in the VRAM 87 is converted into R, G, and B signals, converted into analog signals by the DA conversion circuit 104, and output to the CRT 82.

  6 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, and a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the CRT 82.

  The input buffer 105 a in the input buffer circuit 105 can pass signals only in the direction from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the general effect control board 90 side. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the input side of the input buffer circuit 105.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a form in which the display control board 80 and the sound control board 70 are connected. In this embodiment, a sound control command instructing sound generation corresponding to the display on the variable display unit 9 is sent from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sound control command is output from the I / O port unit 108 in the display control board 80. In the sound control board 70, each signal from the display control board 80 is input to the sound control CPU 701 (sound control means) via the input buffer circuit 705. When the sound control CPU 701 does not have an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuit 705 and the sound control CPU 701. Then, for example, a voice synthesis circuit 702 using a digital signal processor generates voice and sound effects according to instructions from the sound control CPU 701 and outputs them to the volume switching circuit 703. The volume switching circuit 703 sets the output level of the sound control CPU 701 to a level corresponding to the set volume and outputs it to the volume amplification circuit 704. The volume amplifier circuit 704 outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 27.

  As the input buffer circuit 705, a noise filter that cuts off a high-frequency signal, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used. Even if the control command causes noise between the boards due to the presence of the noise filter, the influence is eliminated. In the display control board 80, an output buffer circuit 109 is provided outside the output port. As the output buffer circuit 109, for example, a general-purpose CMOS-IC 74HC244 is used. The enable terminal is always given a low level (GND level).

  The input buffer circuit 705 can pass a signal only in the direction from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70. In addition, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 706 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. However, even if noise occurs between the control commands due to the presence of the noise filter 706, the influence is eliminated. The

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the lamp control board 35. In this embodiment, the game effect LED 28a and the game effect lamps 28b and 28c (frame lamps) provided outside the game area 7 are turned on / off, and the award ball lamp 51 and the off-ball lamp 52 are turned on / off. Then, a lamp control command indicating the start winning memory number and the gate passing memory number is output.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a control command related to lamp control is input to a lamp control CPU 351 (lamp control means) via a noise filter 356 and an input buffer circuit 355. When the lamp control CPU 351 does not include an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuit 355 and the lamp control CPU 351.

  In the lamp control board 35, the lamp control CPU 351 follows the game effect LED 28a and the turn-on / off patterns of the game effect lamps 28b and 28c defined in accordance with the lamp control commands from the general effect control board 90. Further, a lighting / extinguishing signal is output to the game effect lamps 28b and 28c. The on / off signal is output to the game effect LED 28a and the game effect lamps 28b and 28c. The on / off pattern is stored in the built-in ROM or external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

  Further, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 outputs a control command for instructing the lighting of a prize ball lamp at the time of a prize ball. An instruction control command to be instructed is output. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 creates a lamp control command corresponding to the effect control command and outputs it to the lamp control board 35. The lamp control CPU 351 on the lamp control board 35 turns on / off the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 in accordance with the lamp control command. Further, the lamp control CPU 351 increases or decreases the number of lighting of the start winning memory display 18 according to the lamp control command indicating the start winning memory number, and the passing memory display 41 according to the lamp control command indicating the gate passing memory number. Increase or decrease the number of lights.

  The input buffer circuit 355 can pass a signal only in the direction from the general effect control board 90 to the lamp control board 35. In addition, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 356 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. However, even if noise occurs between the control commands due to the presence of the noise filter 356, the influence is eliminated. The

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends an effect control command to the general effect control board 90. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 creates a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received effect control command, and sends them to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. The display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 performs display control of the variable display unit 9 according to the received display control command, creates a sound control command according to the received display control command, and sends it to the sound control board 70. .

  The sound control command is information indicating the switching timing of the sound generation pattern. Since the sound generation pattern switching timing of the sound control means and the display control switching timing of the display control means are related, the display control state and the sound are generated by the display control means creating a sound control command as in this embodiment. It becomes easy to synchronize with the generation control state.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the effect control command related to game control sent from the main board 31 to the overall effect control board 90, the condition for sending the effect control command (game state), and the control when receiving the control command. . However, although the command types shown in FIG. 9 indicate the types of effect control commands sent from the main board 31, the control states in the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70 are respectively This is a control state corresponding to the display control command, lamp control command, and sound control command.

  For example, when the gaming machine is turned on, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a demonstration (demonstration) screen command to the general effect control board 90. Then, the display control command and the lamp control command corresponding to the demonstration screen command (effect control command) are sent from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. When receiving the demonstration screen command (display control command), the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 performs control to display the demonstration screen on the variable display unit 9 and creates a sound control command to the sound control board 70. Send it out. Upon receiving the demonstration screen command (lamp control command), the lamp control CPU 351 on the lamp control board 35 controls the lighting of the game effect LED 28a and the game effect lamps 29b and 28c in a pattern predetermined as a lighting pattern at the time of demonstration. To do.

  In FIG. 9, “None” indicates that there is no control corresponding to the control command. Therefore, even if the CPU on each control board receives a control command corresponding to “none”, it ignores it. “No change” indicates that the control state is not changed even when the command is received. Therefore, the display control CPU 101 does not have to supply the demo screen command (sound control command) or the like indicating “none” to the sound control board 70.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means can control light emission with the same light emission pattern for a plurality of types of lamp control commands. For example, since the round start command includes information indicating the number of rounds in the jackpot game, the round start commands sent at the start of each round as the game progresses are substantially different commands. It has become. However, regardless of which round start command is received, the lamp control means performs lighting control with one lighting pattern (lighting pattern during round).

  Further, the round start command, the big prize winning prize command, and the V prize command are commands sent from the game control means via the general effect control means in order to change the display state of the variable display unit 9 during the big hit game. However, the lamp control means that has received these commands does not change the lighting pattern. That is, during the big hit game, the lamp control means does not perform control according to the received command, but performs control based on the previously received command. However, with respect to the round start command, when a round start command for the second and subsequent rounds is received, control is performed so as not to change the lighting pattern.

  Similarly, during the big hit game, the sound control means does not change the sound generation pattern even if the round start command, the big prize opening prize command, and the V prize command are received from the display control board 80. That is, control based on the previously received command is performed without performing control according to the received command. Note that the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 may be configured not to output those sound control commands. This is because these commands do not affect the sound generation control in this embodiment.

  FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of code assignment of the control command (effect control command) shown in FIG. In this embodiment, each effect control command sent from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90 has a 2-byte configuration, but the length of the effect control command may be other than 2 bytes.

  The effect control command whose first byte is 80H is a command indicating the start of change, but the second byte shows information that can specify the change time of the symbol in the variable display section 9. As shown in FIG. 10B, in this example, as information that can specify the fluctuation time, the fluctuation period of fluctuation, the fluctuation period of fluctuation performed at the time of probability change, the fluctuation period of short-term reach fluctuation, and the reach fluctuation of medium period Fluctuation periods and long-term reach fluctuation periods. When the CPU 56 of the main board 31 starts the change of the symbol in the variable display unit 9, the CPU 56 sends information that can specify the change time of the symbol to the general effect control board 90 as an effect control command. In addition, an effect control command indicating a left / right middle fixed symbol is also transmitted. The effect control command in which the first byte is 81H and the second byte is 00H is a confirmation command for designating the symbol on the variable display unit 9. The CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a confirmation command to the general effect control board 90 when the change time designated by the change start effect control command has elapsed.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 56 in the main board 31. The CPU 56 performs game control according to the game control program stored in the ROM 54. The process shown in FIG. 11 is started, for example, every 2 ms by a reset pulse generated by the periodic reset circuit 66.

  When the CPU 56 is activated, the CPU 56 first sets the built-in clock monitor register to the clock monitor enable state in order to enable the clock monitor control (step S1). Note that the clock monitor control is a control that automatically generates a reset within the CPU 56 when a drop or stop of the input clock signal is detected.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a stack setting process for setting the designated address of the stack pointer (step S2). In this example, 00FFH is set in the stack pointer. Then, a system check process is performed (step S3). In the system check process, the CPU 56 determines whether or not an error is included in the RAM 55. If the error is included, the CPU 56 performs a process such as initializing the RAM 55.

  If the power is turned on, for example, in step S3, control for sending a demonstration screen command to the general effect control board 90 is performed. Specifically, a request for sending a demo screen command is set.

  Next, if the control command sending request is set, after performing the process of setting the effect control command sent to the general effect control board 90 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 (control data setting process: step S4). Then, a part of the process of outputting the effect control command is executed (control data output process A: step S5A). The details of the control data output process A will be described later.

  Next, a process of outputting the contents of the storage area for various output data to each output port is performed (data output process: step S6). Further, an output data setting process for setting output data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information, etc., output to the hall management computer in the storage area is performed (step S8). Further, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S9).

Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each determination random number such as a jackpot determination random number used for game control is performed (step S10). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows.
(1) Random 1: Decide whether or not to generate a jackpot (for jackpot determination = special symbol determination)
(2) Random 2-1-2-3: For left / right centered symbol determination (3) Random 3: Determines the symbol combination at the time of jackpot (for jackpot symbol determination = for special symbol determination)
(4) Random 4: Decide whether or not to reach when falling off (for reach determination)
(5) Random 5: Determine reach period (for reach period determination)

In order to enhance the game effect, random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (5) are also used.
In step S10, the CPU 56 counts up (adds 1) a counter for generating the jackpot determining random number (1) and the jackpot symbol determining random number (3). That is, they are determination random numbers.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S11). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Here, a part of the process of outputting the control command is executed (control data output process B: step S5B). The details of the control data output process B will be described later.

  Also, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S12). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with the normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Further, the CPU 56 inputs the states of the gate sensor 12, the start port sensor 17 and the count sensor 23 via the switch circuit 58, and determines whether or not each winning port or winning device has been won (switch processing: step S13). ).

  The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the display random number (step S15). That is, the counter for generating random numbers 2, 4, and 5 is incremented (added by 1).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs signal processing with the prize ball control board 37 (step S16). That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a prize ball control command is output to the prize ball control board 37. The prize ball control CPU mounted on the prize ball control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the prize ball control command.

Here, a part of the process of outputting the control command is executed (control data output process B: step S5C). The details of the control data output process C will be described later.
Thereafter, the CPU 56 repeats the display random number updating process in step S17 until a reset pulse is next supplied from the periodic reset circuit 66.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 56 executes main processing in accordance with a periodic reset signal periodically generated from the periodic reset circuit 66. However, the CPU 56 periodically performs the processing inside the CPU 56 as a configuration in which the periodic reset circuit 66 does not exist. A timer interrupt may be generated, and the main process may be executed by the timer interrupt process.

  Next, a method for determining a symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on a winning at the start winning opening 14 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 13 shows a process for determining that the hit ball has won the start winning opening 14, and FIG. 14 shows a process for determining a variable display stop symbol of the variable display unit 9. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not to win.

  When the hit ball wins the start winning opening 14 provided in the game board 6, the start opening sensor 17 is turned on. In the switch process of step S10, when the CPU 56 determines that the start port sensor 17 is turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S41), it confirms whether or not the start winning memorized number has reached the maximum value of 4 ( Step S42). If the starting winning memory number has not reached 4, the starting winning memory number is increased by 1 (step S43), and the value of the big hit determination random number is extracted. Then, it is stored in a random value storage area corresponding to the value of the number of stored start winning prizes (step S44). Then, a request for sending a special drawing start prize command (effect control command) is set (step S45). If the start prize memory number has reached 4, the process of increasing the start prize memory number is not performed. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to store the number of hit balls that have been won in a maximum of four start winning holes 17.

  The CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of start winning prizes stored in the special symbol process processing in step S11 (step S50). If the starting winning memory number is not 0, the value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = 1 is read (step S51), the value of the starting winning memory number is decreased by 1, and each The value in the random value storage area is shifted (step S52). That is, the value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is stored in the random number value storing area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n−1. .

  Then, the CPU 56 determines the winning / losing based on the value read in step S51, that is, the extracted value of the jackpot determination random number (step S53). Here, the jackpot determining random number takes a value in the range of 0 to 249. As shown in FIG. 15, at the time of low probability, for example, when the value is “3”, it is determined as “big hit”, and when it is any other value, it is determined as “out of”. When the probability is high, for example, when the value is any one of “3”, “7”, “79”, “103”, “107”, “big hit” is determined. It is determined that it is out of place.

  When the big hit is determined, the big hit symbol determining random number (random 3) is extracted and the big hit symbol is determined based on the value (step S62). If the jackpot symbol is a probability variable symbol for generating a high probability state (step S64), a probability variation flag is set (step S65). Further, the reach period determining random number (random 5) is extracted, and the reach period is determined based on the extracted value (step S57).

  If it is determined that there is a loss, the CPU 56 determines whether or not to reach (step S58). For example, when the value of random 4, which is a random number for reach determination, is any one of “105” to “1530”, it is determined not to reach. If the value of the reach determination random number is any one of “0” to “104”, it is determined to reach. When determining to reach, the CPU 56 determines the reach symbol.

  In this embodiment, the left and right symbols are determined according to the value of random 2-1 (step S59). Further, the medium symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-2 (step S60). That is, any symbol corresponding to 0 to 15 of random 2-1 and random 2-2 is determined as a stop symbol. Here, when the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the random number value corresponding to the middle symbol is set as the determined symbol of the middle symbol so as not to match the jackpot symbol To do. Further, the CPU 56 also extracts a reach period determining random number (random 5) and determines a reach period based on the value (step S57).

If it is decided not to reach in step S58, the left and right middle symbols are decided according to the random values 2-1 to 2-3 (step S61).
As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol variation based on the start winning is the big hit, the reach mode, or the off mode, and the combination of the respective stop symbols is determined.

  In the high probability state, the probability of the next big hit increases, the time until the variable display of the variable display 10 is confirmed by the 7-segment LED is shortened, and based on the variable display result of the variable display 10. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may be configured to increase the number of times and the opening time of the variable winning ball apparatus 15 at the time of winning, and the probability of winning based on the variable display result of the variable display 10 is increased. It may be configured. In addition, the present invention is also applicable to the pachinko gaming machine 1 in which only one or a plurality of the states occur.

For example, when the combination of the stop symbols of the variable display unit 9 becomes a specific symbol, the probability of winning a big hit does not increase, but the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is released based on the variable display result of the variable indicator 10 and Even in a gaming machine whose opening time is increased, if it is decided to reach, a predetermined random number is used to determine whether the left and right stop symbols match the display mode of the specific symbol, that is, in which symbol the reach state is generated. The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine determined by such means.
Further, the random number and the range of the random value used in this embodiment are merely examples, and any random number may be used, and the range setting is also arbitrary.

  As described above, when the hit ball is won at the start winning opening 14, the CPU 56 determines whether to win or not in the special symbol process in step S11 (see FIG. 11), and the stop symbol. An effect control command according to the determination is given to the overall effect control board 90.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 16 is a specific process of step S11 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 shown in FIG. 16 according to the internal state. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Special symbol variation waiting process (step S300): Waiting for the start opening sensor 17 to be turned on after hitting the start winning opening 14 (the winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 15 in this embodiment). When the start opening sensor 17 is turned on, if the start winning memory number is not full, the starting win memory number is incremented by one. Then, a big hit determination random number is extracted.

  Special symbol determination process (step S301): When variable symbol special display can be started, the number of start winning memories is confirmed. If the start winning memorized number is not 0, it is determined whether to win or not according to the extracted value of the big hit determination random number. That is, the first half of the process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbol of the middle left and right symbols is determined. That is, the middle half of the process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  Reach operation setting process (step S303): It is determined whether or not a reach operation is performed according to the value of the reach determination random number, and a reach operation variation time is determined according to the reach period determination random number value. That is, the second half of the process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. However, the reach period determined here is a rough one indicating only the fluctuation time.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S304): Control is performed so that the variation display unit 9 starts variation of all symbols. At this time, an effect control command (commands 90H, XXH, 91H, XXH and 92H, XXH) for instructing the left / right middle final stop symbol and an effect control command (command 80H, for instructing a variation mode) to the overall effect control board 90 XXH). “X” indicates an arbitrary number. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received effect control command to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70. Note that the command for instructing the right / left middle final stop symbol does not affect the sound generation control, and therefore the display control CPU 101 does not need to send these commands to the sound control board 70.

  All symbols stop waiting process (step S305): When a predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display unit 9 are stopped. Also, control is performed so that the left and right symbols are stopped at a predetermined timing until the timing of all symbols stop. That is, a confirmation command (81H, 00H) is sent to the general effect control board 90. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received confirmation command (effect control command) to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70.

  Big hit display processing (step S306): When the stop symbol is a combination of big hit symbols, control is performed so that the control command (81H, 01H) for generating a big hit is sent to the general effect control board 90 and the internal state (process Flag) is updated to shift to step S307. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309. The combination of jackpot symbols is a combination of left and right middle symbols. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received jackpot occurrence control command (effect control command) to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70.

  Big winning opening opening process (step S307): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening. In addition, control for sending a round start control command (82H, XXH) to the general effect control board 90 is performed. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received round start control command (effect control command) to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70.

  Large winning opening open process (step S308): When a round ending condition (for example, the number of winning balls to the large winning opening reaches a predetermined number) is satisfied, a round end control command (81H, 03H) is executed as a general effect control. Control to send out to the substrate 90 is performed. If the jackpot game end condition is not satisfied, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to step S307. If the big hit game ending condition is satisfied, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to step S309. If a winning in the V zone is detected by the V count switch 22 before the round end condition is satisfied, a control for sending a V winning control command (81H, 02H) to the general effect control board 90 is performed. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 displays the display control command and the lamp control command in accordance with the received round end control command and V winning control command (effect control command). 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70. In this embodiment, since the V winning does not affect the sound generation control, the display control CPU 101 does not have to send the sound control command to the sound control board 70.

  Big hit end processing (step S309): Control to send the big hit end control command (81H, 04H) to the general effect control board 90 is performed. If the probability change flag is set, control for sending a probability change start control command (B0H, 01H) to the general effect control board 90 is performed. Further, if the state is a high probability state and a condition for ending the state (for example, a specified number of fluctuations has been made) is satisfied, a control command (B0H, 02H) for ending the probability change is sent to the general effect control board 90. Control. Thereafter, the special symbol process flag is set to a value corresponding to step S300. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends display control commands and lamp control commands corresponding to the received effect control commands to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70. In this embodiment, since the probability change start and the probability change end do not affect the sound generation control, the display control CPU 101 does not have to send these sound control commands to the sound control board 70.

  The module (steps S5A, 5B, and 5C in FIG. 11) that performs the process of sending the effect control command in the game control program according to the process of each step outputs the corresponding effect control command to the output port 571. At the same time, the strobe signal is output to the corresponding output port.

  Regarding the symbol variation control, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 can identify the information (control command that can identify the variation mode) and the definite symbol that can identify the variation time at the time related to the variation start (in this example, when the variation starts). Specific symbol variation control is realized by the control of the effect control CPU 89 and the display control CPU 101. Further, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a confirmation command to the general effect control board 90 when the fluctuation time has elapsed. The effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 sends a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the received confirmation command to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 sends a sound control command corresponding to the received display control command to the sound control board 70. However, as described above, the display control CPU 101 sends commands that do not affect sound generation control (commands corresponding to “none” or “no change” in FIG. 9) to the sound control board 70. It does not have to be sent out.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the normal symbol process (step S12 in FIG. 11). In the normal process symbol process, after executing the gate switch process in step S61, the CPU 56 executes any one of the processes in steps S62 to S65 according to the value of the normal symbol process flag.

  In the gate switch processing, it is detected that the gate switch 12 is turned on based on the passing of the hit ball of the passing gate 11 which is a condition for starting the normal symbol variation. If the gate switch 12 is on, it is confirmed whether or not the gate passage storage counter has reached the maximum value (in this example, “4”). If not reached, the value of the gate passage storage counter is incremented by one. It should be noted that the CPU 56 sets a request to send the ordinary start winning effect control command (A0H, XXH) in accordance with the value of the gate passage storage counter. Then, the CPU 56 extracts the value of the hit determination random number and stores the value.

  In the normal symbol variation waiting process in step S62, the CPU 56 updates the value of the normal symbol process flag if the value of the normal symbol passage storage counter is other than zero. If the value of the normal symbol passage storage counter is 0, nothing is done.

  In the normal symbol determination process in step S63, the CPU 56 reads the value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the gate passing memory number = 1, decrements the value of the gate passing memory counter by 1, and sets each random value. Shift the value in the storage area. That is, the value stored in the random value storage area corresponding to the gate passing storage counter = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is stored in the random value storing area corresponding to the gate passing storage counter = n−1. .

  Then, the CPU 56 determines hit / miss based on the value of the extracted random number for hit determination. When the winning is determined, for example, the winning symbol is determined according to the value of the normal symbol determining random number. Then, the normal symbol process timer is started. In addition, a request for sending a production control command (A1H, XXH) for starting a normal fluctuation is set. Further, the normal symbol process flag is updated to a value corresponding to step S64.

  For example, when the probability is high, a value corresponding to 5.1 seconds is set in the normal symbol process timer. When the probability is low, a value corresponding to 29.2 seconds is set in the normal symbol process timer. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated. The normal symbol fluctuates for the time set in the normal symbol process timer. Therefore, in the variable display 10, the normal symbol fluctuates for 5.1 seconds at a high probability, and fluctuates for 29.2 seconds at a low probability. In the normal symbol variation process of step S64, the CPU 56 updates the normal symbol display counter every time the normal symbol variation timer expires (for example, 100 ms). Then, the updated value of the normal symbol display counter is displayed on the variable display 10. Therefore, in this example, the normal symbol changes every 100 ms.

  In the normal symbol variation process, when the normal symbol process timer expires, the CPU 56 performs control to stop and display the symbol determined according to the value of the normal symbol determination random number on the variable display 10.

  In the normal symbol stop process in step S65, the CPU 56 sets the opening pattern of the variable winning ball device 15 in the normal electric accessory buffer when it is determined that the winning is made. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated to a value corresponding to the normal symbol variation waiting state.

  The opening pattern is, for example, a pattern in which the variable winning ball device 15 is opened only once for 0.2 seconds at a low probability. Further, when the probability is high, the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is opened for 1.15 seconds and then opened again for 1.15 seconds after a closing period of 4.4 seconds. The variable winning ball device 15 is controlled to open and close according to an opening pattern. In this embodiment, the variable winning ball apparatus 15 is also used as the start winning opening 14.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an effect control command transmitted from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90. As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, the effect control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90 through eight data lines of control data CD0 to CD7. An INT signal signal line for transmitting an INT signal is also wired between the main board 31 and the general effect control board 90.

  FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing the transmission timing of the control command given from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90. As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, one effect control command is sent out at a regular reset signal generation interval (2 ms). After each byte of the effect control command is output, the INT signal is turned on (low level) for 800 μs. When the effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 detects that the INT signal is turned on, it performs a process of fetching the effect control command.

  In this embodiment, since the effect control command has a 2-byte configuration, the INT signal is output twice when one effect control command is output. The production control command is not limited to the 2-byte configuration, and may be 2 bytes or more according to the amount of information.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends an effect control command so that the general effect control board 90 can receive only once at a predetermined control change point. Accordingly, the load related to the control command transmission of the game control means is reduced.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the control data output process A (step S5A) in the main process shown in FIG. In the control data output process A, the CPU 56 determines whether or not a port output request is set (step S421). If the port output request is set, the port output request is reset (step S422), and the contents of the port storage area (first byte of the effect control command) are output to the output port 571 (step S423).

  Then, the INT signal is set to the low level (on state) (step S424), the 800 μs timer is started (step S425), and the data sending flag is turned on (step S426). The port output request is set in the control data setting process (step S4) in the main process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the control data output process B (step S5B) in the main process shown in FIG. In the control data output process B, the CPU 56 first checks whether or not the data sending flag is on (step S431). If it is on, it waits for the 800 μs timer set in the control data output process A to time out (step S432).

  When the 800 μs timer times out, the INT signal is set to the high level (off state) (step S433), a delay time of a predetermined period is set (step S434), and the contents of the port storage area (second byte of the control command) are output. It outputs to 571 (step S435). The delay time is a time for creating an off period between the on period of the first INT signal and the on period of the second INT signal at the output timing of the INT signal shown in FIG.

  Then, the INT signal is set to the low level (ON state) (step S424), and the 800 μs timer is started (step S425).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the control data output process C (step S5C) in the main process shown in FIG. In the control data output process C, the CPU 56 first checks whether or not the data sending flag is turned on (step S441). If it is on, it waits for the 800 μs timer set in the control data output process B to time out (step S442).

When the 800 μs timer times out, the INT signal is set to the high level (off state) (step S443), and the data sending flag is turned off (step S444).
As described above, the effect control command is sent from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90 at the timing as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the method of executing the control data output processes A, B, and C everywhere in the main process is an example, and other methods may be used. For example, the ON / OFF control of the INT signal may be performed by a timer interrupt. In any case, the same control command may be sent from the main board 31 to the general effect control board 90 at the timing as shown in FIG. Note that 800 μs, which is the ON period of the INT signal, is also an example, and can be arbitrarily set according to the model.

Next, an example of symbol variation will be described.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing patterns (variation states) constituting each variation mode used in this embodiment. FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing an example of a change in symbol when the reach is not reached. FIG. 25 to FIG. 28 are timing charts showing an example of changes in symbols at the time of reach (in the case of big hit and not in big hit). The changes in symbols shown in FIGS. 24 to 28 are realized by the display control CPU 101 that has received the display control command sent from the general effect control board 90.

  In this embodiment, at the time of detachment, as shown in FIG. 24 (A), in the “left” symbol display area in the variable display section 9, the symbols are first changed according to the pattern a. As shown in FIG. 23, the pattern a is a pattern in which the fluctuation speed gradually increases. Thereafter, the pattern b is changed at a constant speed, and after the control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, the variation of the pattern c and the three symbols is performed. As shown in FIG. 23, the pattern c is a pattern that gradually becomes slower and stops. Note that the command A0 shown in FIG. 24 is for instructing a variation mode (out-of-phase mode) from the start to the determination of variation.

  Further, in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display section 9, symbols are changed according to the pattern a. Thereafter, after the constant speed fluctuation, the control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, and then the symbol is varied according to the pattern c. Also in the “medium” symbol display area, the symbols are first changed according to the pattern a. Thereafter, after the constant speed fluctuation, the control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, and then the symbol is varied according to the pattern c.

  The display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 repeatedly fluctuates the left and right symbols in the direction opposite to the normal direction of the variation direction until the middle symbol is determined. That is, display control is performed on the left and right symbols in a so-called fluctuation fluctuation state. The fluctuation of shaking means that the symbol is displayed to shake up and down. Further, the fluctuation fluctuation is performed until the final stop symbol (determined symbol) is displayed. And when the display control command which instruct | indicates all symbol stop is received from the comprehensive production | presentation control board 90, it will be in the definite state where the left-right middle symbol will be moved by ending the fluctuation fluctuation state of the left-right symbol. Note that the middle symbol may also be swayed after variation due to the pattern c, and then be in a definite state. Moreover, it is good also as an aspect which shakes a fluctuation to the right and left instead of the aspect which shakes a symbol up and down.

  While the symbols are changing, the display control CPU 101 performs display control so that “Dojo” is displayed as the background, and display control is performed so that the character A is displayed on the screen and the character A is appropriately moved. I do. Specifically, the background and the character are notified to the VDP 103. Then, the VDP 103 creates the designated background image data. Also, image data of the instructed character is created and combined with the background image. Furthermore, the VDP 103 synthesizes left and right middle symbol image data with the synthesized image. The VDP 103 also performs display control for moving the character and display control for changing the design. That is, the shape and display position of the character are changed according to a predetermined exercise pattern. Further, the symbol display position is changed according to the fluctuation speed notified from the display control CPU 101.

  Note that the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the symbols three symbols before the stop symbol at a predetermined timing so that the symbol variation stops at the designated stop symbol in the left and right middle symbol display areas. Since the left and right stop symbols are notified at the start of the change, and the change mode at the time of the deviation is determined in advance, the display control CPU 101 switches from the pattern a to the pattern b and from the pattern b to the pattern c. The switching timing can be recognized, and the symbol three symbols before the symbol to be replaced can also be determined. The determined replacement symbol is notified to the VDP 103, and the VDP 103 displays the notified symbol regardless of the symbol displayed at that time.

  FIG. 24B shows an example of a variation mode at the time of deviation in the probability variation state. In this variation mode, as shown in the figure, the left and right middle symbols are stopped simultaneously after the left and right middle symbols are varied according to the pattern a, the pattern b, and the pattern c. Even when this variation mode is used, the display control CPU 101 performs display control so that “Dojo” is displayed as the background, and also performs display control so that the character A is displayed on the screen and the character A is appropriately moved. To do.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 receives a display control command designating “out of” from the general effect control board 90, the character A appears and the “Dojo” background screen is displayed. Decide to use.

  FIG. 25 shows an example of the variation mode displayed when 19.5 seconds (reach short period) is notified from the general effect control board 90 as the variation time. FIG. 25 illustrates three patterns (A) to (C) as a plurality of variation modes.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 25A, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. The display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols when the left and right symbols are stopped during the middle symbol variation. The pattern d is a pattern in which the fluctuation speed is gradually decreased and thereafter the fluctuation is performed at a constant speed. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the patterns b and c. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set.

  Further, the display control CPU 101 performs symbol replacement (design skipping control) before the start of the reach operation so that the symbol is determined by the stop symbol notified from the general effect control board 90. Since the variation mode is determined in advance, the display control CPU 101 can recognize the switching timing from the pattern d to the pattern b and the switching timing from the pattern b to the pattern c, and the symbol three symbols before the symbol to be replaced. Can also be determined. It should be noted that the background and the character type do not change during the change of the middle symbol.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 25B, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the patterns a and c. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set. Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 25B, when the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 101 performs display control so that the character A kicks the right symbol. Therefore, the player feels as if the reach has been established as the character A kicks the right symbol.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 25C, the middle symbol of the pattern d is varied after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the patterns b, c, and h. The pattern h is a pattern in which 0.9 symbols change in order and 0.9 symbols reversely change after a pause. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set.

  Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 25C, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “Aura” and switches the character appearing on the screen to the character B.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 decides to use the variation mode (A) or (B), the character A and the character A and the left and right symbols are stopped and the reach state is reached. Decide to continue using the “Dojo” background screen. When it is decided to use the variation mode of (C), it is decided to switch to the background screen of the character B and “Aura” when reaching the reach state.

  Note that, even in the variation mode of the variation time of 19.5 seconds shown in FIGS. 25A to 25C, the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. Further, the symbol replacement control for the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops. The display control CPU 101 displays the middle stop symbol notified from the general effect control board 90 at the start of variation and the symbol in the reach variation period (for example, the variation period of pattern d, pattern b, and pattern c in FIG. 25A). The replacement symbol is determined according to the number of fluctuations.

  Furthermore, when the display control CPU 101 is notified of the reach notice by the display control command from the general effect control board 90, the character A is displayed on the variable display unit 9 in the form of reach notice 1 or reach notice 2. If the VDP 103 is controlled to be displayed and notification that a big hit announcement is to be made, the character displayed at that time is variably displayed in the form of the big hit announcement 1 or the big hit announcement 2 during the reach operation. The VDP 103 is controlled to be displayed on the unit 9. The mode of the jackpot notice 2 is a development of the jackpot notice 1. Whether or not to make a reach notice and a big hit notice and the kind of notice are determined by the effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 and notified to the display control CPU 101 by a display control command.

  FIG. 26 shows an example of the variation mode displayed when 24.5 seconds (during reach) is notified from the general effect control board 90 as the variation time. FIG. 26 illustrates three patterns (A) to (C) as a plurality of variation modes.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26A, the middle symbol of the pattern d is varied after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the pattern b and the pattern f. The pattern f is a high-speed fluctuation, and a pause period is set before the fluctuation by the pattern f starts. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set.

  Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26A, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “flash”. Further, when the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 101 performs display control so that the character A kicks the right symbol.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26B, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the patterns b, c, and h. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set. Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26B, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “flash”.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26C, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbols are changed according to the patterns b and c. When a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the general effect control board 90, the fluctuation variation state of the left and right symbols is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set. Further, the display control CPU 101 performs symbol replacement (design skipping control) before the start of the reach operation so that the symbol is determined by the stop symbol notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 26C, when the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “Aura” and switches the character appearing on the screen to the character B.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 decides to use the variation mode (A) or (B), when the left and right symbols are stopped and the reach state is reached, the background screen is displayed. Decide to switch to “flash”. If it is decided to use the variation mode (C), it is decided to switch the background screen to “Aura” when reaching the reach state.

  Even in the variation mode with the variation time of 24.5 seconds shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. Further, the symbol skip control for the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops.

  Furthermore, when the display control CPU 101 is notified of the reach notice by the display control command from the general effect control board 90, the character A is displayed on the variable display unit 9 in the form of reach notice 1 or reach notice 2. If the VDP 103 is controlled to be displayed and notification that a big hit announcement is to be made, the character displayed at that time is variably displayed in the form of the big hit announcement 1 or the big hit announcement 2 during the reach operation. The VDP 103 is controlled to be displayed on the unit 9. The mode of the jackpot notice 2 is a development of the jackpot notice 1. Whether or not to make a reach notice and a big hit notice and the kind of notice are determined by the effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 and notified to the display control CPU 101 by a display control command.

  FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show examples of variation modes displayed when 29.5 seconds (reach long term) is notified from the general effect control board 90 as the variation time. 27 and 28 illustrate three patterns as a plurality of variation modes. The variation modes of (C1) and (C2) are examples showing different aspects of one variation mode. Therefore, hereinafter, the variation mode illustrated in FIGS. 28C1 and C2 may be referred to as the variation mode illustrated in FIG.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 27A, the middle symbol of the pattern d is varied after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and after the fluctuation due to the pattern b and the pattern c, the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern f after a pause. Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 27A, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “flash”.

  Further, in the variation mode shown in FIG. 27 (A), when the middle symbol fluctuates at high speed with the pattern f, the left and right symbols also fluctuate at high speed. When the final stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbols, the pause symbol at the time of pause is also a combination of jackpot symbols, although the types of symbols are different. Therefore, the player feels that a big hit has occurred at the time of the suspension, and is provided with the big hit symbol again after re-variation, and is intrigued again. The temporary stop symbol is a symbol uniquely determined by the display control CPU 101 by calculating backward from the stop symbol. Since the variation speed and the variation period of the pattern f are determined in advance, the display control CPU 101 can easily reversely calculate the temporary stop symbol from the final stop symbol.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 27B, the middle symbol of the pattern d is varied after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and after the fluctuation due to the pattern b and the pattern h, the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern f after a pause period. Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 27B, when the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “Aura” and switches the character appearing on the screen to the character B.

  In the variation mode shown in FIG. 28C, after the left and right symbols are stopped, the middle symbol is varied according to the pattern c. Thereafter, the middle symbols are changed according to the pattern g. Pattern g is a frame advance pattern. Further, the display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the general effect control board 90. In the variation mode shown in FIG. 28C, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “smoke” and switches the character appearing on the screen to the character C.

  Even in the variation mode with the variation time of 29.5 seconds shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. Further, the symbol skip control for the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops.

  In the variation mode including the frame advance shown in FIG. 28C, it is assumed that the left and right display symbols are aligned at the start of the reach operation regardless of whether or not the big hit is made. Then, since the stop symbols of the left and right middle symbols are transmitted from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80 at the start of the fluctuation, the stop symbols and the symbols at the start of the reach operation (the ones in which the left and right middles are aligned) are used. The number of frames when sending is determined.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 28 (C1), the confirmed symbols are “seven” (left symbol), “five” (middle symbol), and “seven” (right symbol). Since the symbols at the start of the reach operation are “seven”, “seven” and “seven”, it is necessary to change 10 symbols at the time of frame advance. The example shown in FIG. 28C2 is an example in which the confirmed symbols are “seven” (left symbol), “two” (middle symbol), and “seven” (right symbol). Since the symbols at the start of the reach operation are “seven”, “seven”, and “seven”, it is necessary to change seven symbols at the time of frame advance.

  Then, if the period of frame advance is always constant, the fluctuation time will deviate from 29.5 seconds. In order to avoid shifting, it is necessary to change the fluctuating speed of frame advance according to the number of frames to be advanced. It is unnatural to do such display control. That is, it gives distrust to the player. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 decides to use the variation mode shown in FIG. 28C, the display control CPU 101 reaches so that the variation speed at the time of frame advance variation is always constant. Adjust the timing at the start of operation.

  That is, when the number of frames to be sent is small, the timing for starting the reach operation is delayed, and when the number of frames to be sent is large, the timing for starting the reach operation is relatively advanced. By performing such display control, the fluctuation speed at the time of frame feed fluctuation can always be made constant while the whole fluctuation time is kept at 29.5 seconds.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 decides to use the variation mode (A), when the left and right symbols are stopped and the reach state is reached, the background screen is changed to “flash”. Decide to switch. If it is decided to use the variation mode (B), it is decided to switch the background screen to “Aura” when the left and right symbols stop and reach a reach state. If it is decided to use the variation mode of (C), it is decided to switch the background screen to “smoke” when reaching the reach state.

Hereinafter, the control of the game control means, the general effect control means, and the display control means for realizing the display example described above will be described.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the process of waiting for the start of all symbol changes (step S304) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. When the variation time and the stop symbol are determined in the stop symbol setting process and the reach operation setting process in steps S302 and S303, transmission control of the effect control command for instructing them to the general effect control board 90 is performed. In step S304, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 first waits for completion of command transmission (step S304a). The command transmission completion is notified from the control data output process (step S5) in the main process (see FIG. 11).

  In this embodiment, when starting the variation of the symbol, the CPU 56 uses any of the production control commands A0, A2, B1, B2, and B3 that can specify the fluctuation time shown in FIG. 90. In addition, an effect control command indicating the left and right stop symbols that have already been determined is sent to the overall effect control board 90. Therefore, in the command transmission completion process in step S304a, it is confirmed whether or not transmission of all the commands has been completed. Note that the CPU 56 may send one of the commands A0, A2, B1, B2, and B3 after sending the effect control command indicating the left and right stop symbols.

  When the transmission of the effect control command is completed, the CPU 56 starts a variable time timer for measuring the variable time notified to the general effect control board 90 (step S304b). Then, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to step S305 (all symbol stop waiting process) (step S304c).

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (step S305) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. In step S305, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the variable time timer has expired (step S305a). When the time is up, an effect control command for instructing all symbols to stop is set (step S305b). Then, a control command data transmission request is set (step S305c), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S306 (big hit display process) (step S305d). The control command data transmission request is referred to in the control data setting process (step S4) in the main process (see FIG. 11). If it is not a big hit, in step S305d, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S300.

  As described above, in the special symbol process, the CPU 56 sends the information for specifying the variation time at the start of variation and the information for designating the stop symbol to the general effect control board 90, and the variation time timer is up. In other words, when the instructed variation time is over, information (definite command) for instructing all symbols to stop is sent to the general effect control board 90. During that time, the CPU 56 does not send out an effect control command. Therefore, the load required for command transmission control of the CPU 56 of the main board 31 is greatly reduced.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the jackpot display process (step S306) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. In step S306, the CPU 56 sets an effect control command for instructing the occurrence of a big hit (step S306b). Then, a control command data transmission request is set (step S306c), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S307 (big winning opening release start processing) (step S306d).

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the special winning opening opening process (step S307) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. In step S307, the CPU 56 sets an effect control command for instructing start of a round (step S307a). Then, a control command data transmission request is set (step S307b). The number of rounds is set in the second byte of the effect control command for instructing the start of the round. Next, the solenoid 21 for opening the special winning opening is turned on (step S307c), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S308 (processing during the special winning opening opening) (step S307d).

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the special winning opening opening process (step S308) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. In step S308, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the V count switch 22 is turned on (step S308a). When turned on, an effect control command for instructing V winning is set (step S308b), and a control command data transmission request is set (step S308c).

  Further, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the round end condition is satisfied (step S308d). The round end condition is when a predetermined number of game balls have won the big winning opening or when a predetermined time has passed. When the round end condition is satisfied, the solenoid 21 is turned off (step S308e), an effect control command for instructing the end of the round is set (step S308f), and a control command data transmission request is set (step S308g).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the big hit game should be continued (step S308h). When it is determined that the big hit game should be continued, after a delay time of a predetermined period (step S308i), step S307 (a big prize opening opening process) ), The special symbol process flag is updated (step S308j). It should be noted that, in the process for opening the big prize opening, when the count switch 22 for detecting the winning in the big prize opening is detected, an effect control command indicating the prize winning prize is sent to the general effect control board 90.

  When determining that the big hit game has ended, the CPU 56 updates the special symbol process flag so as to proceed to step S309 (a big hit end process) (step S308k). When the number of rounds reaches a predetermined number, or when there is no winning up to the designated lake during the round, it is determined that the big hit game is over.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the jackpot end process (step S309) in the special symbol process shown in FIG. In step S309, the CPU 56 sets an effect control command for instructing the end of the big hit (step S309a). Then, a control command data transmission request is set (step S309b), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to proceed to step S300 (step S309c).

  In the big hit ending process, when the probability change flag is set, control for sending the effect control command (B0H, 01H) for starting the probability change to the general effect control board 90 is performed. Further, if the high-probability state is satisfied and an end condition for the state (for example, a specified number of times of fluctuation has been satisfied) is satisfied, an effect control command (B0H, 02H) for the probability change end is sent to the general effect control board 90. Control.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the game control means, that is, the CPU 56 of the main board 31, provides rough information on the operation of the special game device (in this example, the variable display unit 9) and the game state during the big hit game. Is sent to the general effect control board 90 as an effect control command. In this embodiment, the information related to the operation of the special gaming device is information indicating the variable display variable time and information indicating the operation result (in this example, a fixed symbol). The information indicating the game state during the big hit game is an effect control command such as a big hit occurrence, a big hit end, a round start, a round end, a V prize, a big prize opening prize, a probability change start and a probability change end.

  The effect control CPU 89 on the general effect control board 90 uniquely determines one effect control from among a plurality of types of predetermined effect control prepared based on the information regarding the operation of the special gaming device received from the main board 31. To do. Then, a display control command and a lamp control command indicating the determined effect control are sent to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. As will be described below, in this embodiment, there are a reach type and a notice as predetermined presentation control. In other words, the effect control CPU 89 determines a specific reach type upon receiving an effect control command that can specify the variation time. For example, when an effect control command for a reach short period is received, it is determined which variation mode of patterns A to C shown in FIG. Further, when it is recognized that the reach is made based on the received effect control command, it is determined whether the reach notice is to be made or whether the jackpot notice is to be made. If you recognize that you will not reach, decide whether to make a reach notice.

  The display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 executes variable display of symbols in accordance with the display control command received from the general effect control board 90. At that time, it is decided to use a background and a character corresponding to the variation mode.

  In this embodiment, the background and character to be used are determined in advance according to each variation mode (see FIGS. 25 to 28). Therefore, the fact that the effect control CPU 89 determines the variation mode (specific reach type) according to the effect control command received from the main board 31 means that the displayed background and the character are respectively selected from a plurality of types. The process of selecting is also performed. That is, the background and the character in the effect control are also determined by the effect control CPU 89. However, the effect control CPU 89 or the display control CPU 101 may determine the background and the character independently of the variation mode. In this embodiment, the character is displayed in any variation mode, but the character may not appear in a certain variation mode, or may appear in the middle.

  In this embodiment, the production control CPU 89 determines a specific reach type, but the display control CPU 101 may determine the reach type. Furthermore, although it is determined whether or not the presentation control CPU 89 performs the advance notice, the display control CPU 101 may determine whether or not to make the advance notice.

Hereinafter, the operation of the effect control CPU 89 will be described.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing main processing of the effect control CPU 89. In the main process, the effect control CPU 89 first initializes the RAM, the I / O port, and the like (step S701). Thereafter, the display random number update process (update process of the counter that generates the display random number) in step S703 is repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing display random numbers handled by the effect control CPU 89. As shown in FIG. 36, in this embodiment, there are a reach type determining random number, a reach notice random number, and a jackpot notice random number as display random numbers. The reach type determination random number is used to determine the variation mode (reach type). The reach notice random number is for determining whether or not to make a reach notice, and the jackpot notice random number is for determining whether or not to make a jackpot notice.

  FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the extracted reach type determination random number and the reach type. In FIG. 37, A, B, and C correspond to (A), (B), and (C) in FIGS. That is, if the extracted reach type determination random number is the value shown in the upper stage, the effect control CPU 89 determines to change the symbol in the change mode shown in the lower stage. For example, in the case where 29.5 seconds (reach long term) is notified from the main board 31 as the variation time, and the extracted reach type determination random number value is 21, which is a big hit, it is shown in FIG. It is determined that the fluctuation is performed in the changed fluctuation mode. Whether or not to win is determined based on the effect control command indicating the stop symbol of the left and right middle symbols sent together with the display control command for designating the variation time.

  FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the extracted reach notice random number and the reach notice (FIG. 38A), and the relationship between the extracted jackpot notice random number and the jackpot notice (FIG. 38B). is there. In this embodiment, when an effect control command indicating reach is received, the effect control CPU 89 extracts a reach notice random number, and if the value is between 0 and 3, the reach notice is given. If the extracted value is 4 or 5, it is decided to perform the reach notice in the form of reach notice 1, and if the extract value is 6 or 7, the reach notice is given in the form of reach notice 2. Decide to do.

  In addition, when receiving an effect control command indicating that it is out of place, the effect control CPU 89 has one of the extracted values of the random number for reach notice when the left and right symbols for establishing reach are shifted by one symbol. If this is the case, it is decided not to conduct the reach notice, and if the extracted value is 6, it is decided to carry out the reach notice in the form of reach notice 1, and if the extracted value is 7, the reach is made in the form of reach notice 2. Decide to make a notice. When the number of symbol shifts is 2 symbols or more, it is determined that the reach notification is not performed if the extracted value of the random number for reach notification is 0 to 6, and if the extracted value is 7, Decide to make a reach notice in a manner.

  Furthermore, when receiving an effect control command indicating reach, the effect control CPU 89 extracts a random number for jackpot warning, and if it is a jackpot, if the value is 0, the jackpot warning is performed. If the extracted value is 1, it is determined that the jackpot notice is performed in the form of jackpot notice 1 and if the extracted value is 2, the jackpot notice is determined in the form of jackpot notice 2.

  In addition, if the right and left symbols and the middle symbol are shifted by one symbol when the jackpot is not set, if the random number for jackpot warning is 0, it is determined that the jackpot warning is not performed. It is decided to make a jackpot notice in the mode of the notice 1, and if the extracted value is 2, it is decided to make a jackpot notice in the form of the jackpot notice 2. When the number of deviations between the left and right symbols and the middle symbol is 2 or more, if the extracted value of the random number for jackpot warning is 0 or 1, it is determined that the jackpot warning will not be performed. Decide to make a jackpot notice in one mode.

  Note that whether or not one symbol is shifted can be determined by an effect indication control command indicating a stop symbol (determined symbol) received from the main board 31. Thus, in this embodiment, the general effect control means also determines to execute “notice” as the display effect. Then, when the execution of the display effect of “notice” is determined, it is determined whether or not “notice” is to be performed based on the effect control command indicating the confirmed symbol. A notice execution decision can be made accordingly. For example, as shown in FIG. 38, when the combination of the confirmed symbols is shifted by one symbol, “notice” is likely to occur.

  In this embodiment, the effect control command from the main board 31 is received by the effect control CPU 89 by interrupt processing. That is, the INT signal from the main board 31 is introduced into the interrupt terminal of the CPU 89 for effect control. FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing of the effect control CPU 89. In the interrupt process, the effect control CPU 89 first checks whether or not the data receiving flag is set (step S601). If not set, this interrupt is an interrupt caused by sending the effect control data of the first byte in the effect control command data. Therefore, the pointer is cleared (step S602), and a data receiving flag is set (step S603). Then, the process proceeds to step S604. The pointer indicates at which byte in the effect control command data storage area in the RAM built in the effect control CPU 89 the received data is stored.

  When the data receiving flag is set, when the strobe signal (INT signal) is turned off (step S604), the effect control CPU 89 inputs data from the input port and uses the pointer in the effect control command data storage area. The input data is stored at the indicated address (step S605).

  Then, the effect control CPU 89 increments the value of the pointer by 1 (step S606). If the pointer value becomes 2 (step S607), it means that the reception of the effect control command data composed of 2 bytes is completed, so the data reception completion flag is set and the data is being received. The flag is reset (steps S608 and S609). The effect control data CMD1 and CMD2 are received by the overall effect control board 90 through the processing as described above. In this embodiment, the effect control CPU 89 receives the effect control command by the interrupt process, but the effect control command is monitored by monitoring the input port for inputting the INT signal (strobe signal) from the main board 31. May be received.

  As described above, when the effect control CPU 89 receives an effect control command capable of specifying the change time from the main board 31, it determines a specific change mode. Further, it is determined whether or not to make a reach notice and whether or not to make a jackpot notice. That is, the effect control CPU 89 determines the effect contents. Then, a control command corresponding to the determination result of the production content is sent to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing the control commands sent by the effect control CPU 89 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 and related to the game effect determined by the effect control CPU 89. In this embodiment, there is only one type of deviation variation, and there is also one type of variation variation at the time of probability variation. Therefore, the production control CPU 89 does not select from among a plurality of types, but it relates to them. Control commands are also included in those related to the game effects determined by the effect control CPU 89.

  For control commands other than those shown in FIG. 40, it is assumed that the effect control command received from main board 31 is used as a control command to be sent to display control board 80 and lamp control board 35 as it is. That is, when the effect control CPU 89 receives effect control commands other than [80H, 00H] shown in FIG. 10, these commands are used as control commands for the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 corresponding thereto. Send it out. Of course, the effect control command and the corresponding control commands for the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 may have different bit configurations.

  Information regarding the fluctuation mode and information indicating that there is no warning may be included in one control command. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. The presence / absence of this is specified by one control command. However, FIG. 41 illustrates only a part of the control commands related to the variation mode and the notice.

  In this embodiment, the effect control CPU 89 sends out control commands for the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 by timer interruption processing. The timer interrupt is set so as to be repeated every 2 ms, for example. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt process, a control command setting process (step S711) for storing control commands for the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 in a buffer area formed in the RAM, and a control command stored in the buffer area are sent out. A control command output process (step S712) is executed.

  FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing control commands transmitted from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. As shown in FIG. 43, in this embodiment, the control command is transmitted from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 through eight data lines of control data CD0 to CD7. An INT signal signal line for transmitting an INT signal is also wired between the general effect control board 90, the display control board 80, and the lamp control board 35.

  FIG. 44 is a timing chart showing the transmission timing of control commands given from the general effect control board 90 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. As shown in FIG. 44, if the occurrence interval of the timer interrupt is 2 ms, one control command is transmitted at 2 ms. The INT signal is turned on (low level) for 800 μs after each byte of the control command is output. When the display control CPU 101 and the lamp control CPU 351 detect that the INT signal is turned on, the display control CPU 101 and the lamp control CPU 351 perform a process of fetching a control command.

  In this embodiment, since the control command has a 2-byte configuration, the INT signal is output twice when one control command is output. The control command is not limited to a 2-byte configuration, and may be 2 bytes or more according to the amount of information.

  FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a control command setting process (step S711) started by a timer interrupt process every 2 ms, for example. In the control command setting process, the effect control CPU 89 first checks whether or not an effect control command has been received from the main board 31 (step S721). If received, it is confirmed whether the first byte is any one of 90H to 92H (step S722). The effect control command whose first byte is 90H to 92H is a command indicating a fixed symbol of the left and right middle symbols (see FIG. 10). When the presentation control command whose first byte is 90H to 92H is received, the received command is stored in the symbol storage area (step S723). The received command is set in the port storage area (step S724), and a port output request is set (step S733).

  If the first byte of the received effect control command is 80H, that is, if a command is received indicating whether or not the variation time can be specified, the effect control CPU 89 has already received a command indicating the fixed symbol of the left and right middle symbols. It is confirmed whether or not (step S726). If it has been received, the variation mode is determined (step S727). That is, when an effect control command indicating a reach variation (a command that can specify a reach period) is received, the reach type is determined according to the contents of the table shown in FIG. Then, a control command corresponding to the determined variation mode is set in the port storage area (step S728).

  Further, it is determined whether or not to make a reach notice according to the contents of the table shown in FIG. 38 and the kind of notice (step S729). Then, a control command corresponding to the determined reach notice type is set in the port storage area (step S730). Further, it is determined whether or not to make a jackpot notice according to the contents of the table shown in FIG. Then, a control command corresponding to the determined jackpot notice type is set in the port storage area (step S732). Further, a port output request is set (step S733).

  Since a plurality of control commands are set in the port storage area in each process of steps S728, S730, and S732, an area for storing a plurality of control commands is secured as the port storage area. In a control command output process to be described later, when a plurality of control commands are stored in the port storage area, a control for sequentially sending them is performed.

  In this embodiment, the control command indicating the variation mode and the control command indicating the notification are sent separately. As illustrated in FIG. 41, the information regarding the variation mode and the absence of notification are indicated. Information may be sent with one control command.

  If the first byte of the received effect control command is not 80H, the effect control CPU 89 sets the received effect control command as it is in the port storage area (step S734), and sets a port output request (step S733). ).

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a control command output process (step S712) started by a timer interrupt process every 2 ms, for example. In the control command setting output, the effect control CPU 89 determines whether or not a port output request is set (step S771). If the port output request is set, the port output request is reset (step S772), and the contents of the port storage area (the first byte of the control command) are output to the output ports 91 and 93 (step S773). The control command output from the output port 91 is a display control command, and the control command output from the output port 93 is a lamp control command (see FIG. 5).

  Then, the INT signal reaching each of the boards 80 and 35 is set to the low level (ON state) (step S774), the 800 μs timer is started (step S775), and CMD1 is transmitted indicating that the first byte of the control command is being transmitted. The middle flag is turned on (step S776).

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the 800 μ timer interrupt process. The 800 μm timer interrupt process is started by the timeout of the 800 μs timer set in step S775 described above or step S788 described later. In the 800 μ timer interrupt process, the effect control CPU 89 first checks whether the CMD1 sending flag is on (step S781). If ON, the CMD1 sending flag is reset (step S782), the INT signal is set to high level (off state) (step S783), a delay time of a predetermined period is set (step S784), and the port storage area The contents (second byte of the control command) are output to the output ports 91 and 93 (step S785).

  Note that the delay time is a time for creating an OFF period between the ON period of the first INT signal and the ON period of the second INT signal at the output timing of the INT signal shown in FIG.

  Then, the INT signal is set to the low level (ON state) (step S786), the CMD2 sending flag indicating the second byte sending of the control command is set (step S787), and the 800 μs timer is started (step S788).

If the CMD1 sending flag is not set in step S781, the effect control CPU 89 checks whether or not the CMD2 sending flag is on (step S791). If it is on, the CMD2 sending flag is reset (step S792), and the INT signal is set to the high level (off state) (step S793).
As described above, the control command is sent to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 at the timing as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the method for executing the ON / OFF control of the INT signal by the 800 μs timer interrupt is an example, and another method may be used. For example, the ON / OFF control of the INT signal may be performed everywhere in the main process regardless of the interrupt. In any case, the same control command may be sent from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 at the timing shown in FIG. Note that 800 μs, which is the ON period of the INT signal, is also an example, and can be arbitrarily set according to the model.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a control command reading operation executed by each of the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 and the lamp control CPU 351 on the lamp control board 35. In the control command reading process, each of the CPUs 101 and 351 reads 1-byte data from an input port assigned to input of control command data (step S121). Next, the state of the INT signal is read from the input port assigned to the input of the INT signal (step S122). As described above, the INT signal is set to a low level when the effect control CPU 89 of the general effect control board 90 outputs new control command data.

  If the INT signal is off, the communication counter is cleared (step S126). The communication counter is used to count the number of times of receiving control command data when the INT signal is on.

  If the INT signal is on, it is checked whether the received control command data is the same as the command data received immediately before (100 μs before) (step S123). If they are not the same, the communication counter is cleared (step S126). If they are the same, it is confirmed whether or not the communication counter has reached a predetermined maximum value (MAX) (step S124).

  If the maximum value has not been reached, the value of the communication counter is incremented by 1 (step S125). Here, the maximum value is a value that is larger than a value (3 in this example) that determines that control command data has been reliably received, and is used for the purpose of, for example, counting the number of receptions within 800 μs. .

  Next, each of the CPUs 101 and 351 confirms whether or not the communication counter has reached “3” (step S127). If it is “3”, it is confirmed whether the received data is the first byte (CMD1) or the second byte (CMD2) of the control command (step S128). If it is the first byte, the received data is stored in the received command storage area (first byte) (step S129), and a command receiving flag is set (step S130). Then, the received data is stored in the work area (step S134).

  If the received data is the second byte of the control command, the received data is stored in the received command storage area (second byte) (step S131), and the command receiving flag is reset (step S132). Then, a communication end flag is set (step S133). The received data is stored in the work area (step S134). If it is not “3”, the read data is stored in the work area without setting the communication end flag (step S134). The data stored in the work area is used in step S123 in the next interrupt process.

  Through the above processing, the control command sent from the general effect control board 90 is read into the display control CPU 101 and the lamp control CPU 351.

  In this embodiment, if the same command can be received a plurality of times in succession, it is determined that the correct command has been received, thereby preventing the influence of noise and limiting the command reception period to a short period after the control command data is changed. Thus, the influence of noise is more effectively prevented. In this embodiment, if the same command can be received three times in succession, it is determined that the correct command has been received. However, the number of times may be two or four or more as required. In this embodiment, the control command is confirmed by monitoring the INT signal. However, it is also possible to introduce the INT signal to the interrupt terminal and receive the control command by interrupt processing.

  FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command data table stored in a ROM or the like in the display control board 80. The command data table is a table in which command definitions received by the display control means from the general effect control means are described. However, in the command data table, data indicating “no change” is described for a command that does not affect control even when the command is received. In this example, the universal figure start winning command (A0H, XXH), the universal figure starting change command (A1, XXH), and the special figure starting winning command (C0H, XXH) correspond to “no change”. Note that 80XX and the like in the command data table mean 80H and XXH.

  When the first byte of the display control command received from the general effect control board 90 is A0H or C0H, the display control CPU 101 continues the display control performed at that time. If the first byte of the received display control command is 90H, 91H, or 92H, information specifying the symbol corresponding to the received command is stored. When other display control commands are received, display control determined according to each command is started.

Next, the operation of the display control CPU 101 will be described.
FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing main processing of the display control CPU 101. In the main process, the display control CPU 101 first initializes the RAM, the I / O port, the VDP 103, and the like (step S801). Then it loops. In this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 executes display control on the variable display unit 9 and sound control command transmission control to the sound control board 70 with a timer interrupt that is generated periodically (for example, every 2 ms).

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt processing, the display control CPU 101 performs display control process processing for display control of the variable display unit 9 (step S811), and sound control command setting processing for creating a sound control command for the sound control board 70 ( Step S812) and a sound control command output process (step S813) for sending a sound control command are performed.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S811) in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. In the display control process process, any one of steps S720 to S870 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Display control command reception waiting process (step S720): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command capable of specifying the variation mode has been received.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S780): Control is performed so that variation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S810): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed, background, character) constituting the variation mode, and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

  All symbol stop waiting setting process (step S840): When a display control command for instructing all symbols to stop is received at the end of the variation time, control for stopping the symbol variation and displaying the final stop symbol (determined symbol) is performed. Do.

Big hit display process (step S870): After the end of the variation time, the control of probability variable big hit display or normal big hit display is performed. Further, during the big hit game, a round display, a winning prize winning number display, a V winning display and the like are performed based on the received display control command.
In each process in the display control process described above, display control is performed according to the display control command received from the general effect control board 90, and the specific processing content is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a sound control command setting process (step S812) in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. In the sound control command setting process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not a display control command has been received from the general effect control board 90 (step S821). As described above, when the display control CPU 101 receives a display control command, the display control CPU 101 performs display control according to the received command in display control process processing. At the same time, sound control corresponding to the received display control command is performed. Create a command. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the bit configuration of the sound control command is the same as the bit configuration of the received display control command.

  If the display control CPU 101 has received the display control command, the display control CPU 101 stores the received command in the port storage area (RAM area) for sending the sound control command (step S822). Then, a port output request is set (step S823).

  FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a sound control command output process (step S813) in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. In the sound control command output process, the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not a port output request is set (step S871). If the port output request is set, the port output request is reset (step S872), and the contents of the port storage area (the first byte of the control command) are output to the output port 108 (see FIG. 7) (step S872). S873).

  Then, the INT signal reaching the sound control board 70 is set to the low level (ON state) (step S874), the 800 μs timer is started (step S875), and CMD1 is being transmitted indicating that the first byte of the control command is being transmitted. The flag is turned on (step S876).

  FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing the 800 μ timer interrupt process. The 800 μm timer interrupt process is activated by the timeout of the 800 μs timer set in step S875 described above or step S888 described later. In the 800 μ timer interrupt process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether the CMD1 sending flag is on (step S881). If ON, the CMD1 sending flag is reset (step S882), the INT signal is set to high level (OFF state) (step S883), a delay time of a predetermined period is set (step S884), and the port storage area The contents (second byte of the control command) are output to the output port 108 (step S885).

  The delay time is a time for creating an off period between the on period of the first INT signal and the on period of the second INT signal for one sound control command having a 2-byte configuration.

  Then, the INT signal is set to the low level (ON state) (step S886), the CMD2 sending flag indicating the sending of the second byte of the control command is set (step S887), and the 800 μs timer is started (step S888).

  If the CMD1 sending flag is not set in step S881, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the CMD2 sending flag is on (step S891). If it is on, the CMD2 sending flag is reset (step S892), and the INT signal is set to the high level (off state) (step S893).

  FIG. 56 is an explanatory diagram showing a sound control command transmitted from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70. As shown in FIG. 56, in this embodiment, the sound control command is transmitted from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70 through eight data lines of control data CD0 to CD7. An INT signal signal line for transmitting an INT signal is also provided between the display control board 80 and the sound control board 70.

  FIG. 57 is a timing chart showing the transmission timing of the sound control command given from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70. According to the processing shown in FIGS. 53 to 55, in this embodiment, one sound control command is transmitted at a timer interruption occurrence interval of 2 ms. When the sound control CPU 701 of the sound effect control board 70 detects that the INT signal is turned on, it performs a process of fetching a sound control command. The capturing method may be the same as that shown in FIG. 46, for example.

  FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command data table stored in a ROM or the like in the sound control board 70. The command data table on the sound control board 70 describes commands that the sound control means receives from the display control means. However, commands that do not affect the control even if the commands are received are described in the command data table. Indicates data indicating “no change”. In this example, a command related to a definite symbol (first byte is 90H, 91H or 92H), a universal figure start winning command (A0H, XXH), a universal figure variation start command (A1, XXH), and a command related to demo / accuracy (1 byte) Eye B0H) corresponds to “no change”.

  Therefore, if the first byte of the received sound control command is 90H, 91H, 92H, A0H, A1H or B0H, the sound control CPU 701 continues the sound display control performed at that time. When other sound control commands are received, sound generation control of a pattern determined according to each command is started.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the display control means creates a sound control command based on the received display control command and sends it to the sound control board 70. Therefore, it is not necessary for the game control means to send a command to each of the display control board 80 and the sound control board 70, and the load required for sending the command is reduced.

  In this embodiment, the display control means sends the same command as the effect control command received from the general effect control means to the sound control means as a sound control command. Then, when receiving a command that does not affect the sound generation control, the sound control means ignores the received command and continues the sound control performed at that time. However, the display control means may send only the commands required by the sound control means.

  In this embodiment, a specific variation mode is determined based on the effect control command received by the general effect control means. However, the general effect control means may be configured such that the display control means determines a specific variation mode by giving a command that can specify the received variation period to the display control means. Further, the display control means may determine whether or not to execute the notice effect or the like and the kind of notice. As such, when the display control means determines the display effect, the display control means determines the display effect and creates a sound control command corresponding to the determined display effect.

  Further, the contents such as the variation mode, the presence / absence of the notice, and the kind of notice may be determined by the general effect control means and the display control means. For example, the general effect control means may determine the variation mode, and the display control means may determine the presence / absence of the notice and the kind of notice.

  FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command data table stored in a ROM or the like in the lamp control board 35. The command data table on the lamp control board 35 also describes commands that the lamp control means receives from the general effect control means, but the command data table does not affect the control even if the command is received. For “”, data indicating “no change” is described. For example, regarding the lamp control command related to the notice (first byte is E0H) and the lamp control command related to the confirmed symbol (first byte is 90H, 91H or 92H), data indicating “no change” is described.

  Therefore, if the first byte of the received control command is 90H, 91H, 92H or E0H, the lamp control CPU 351 continues the lamp display control that was being performed at that time. When other lamp control commands are received, the lamp display control of the pattern determined according to each command is started.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the integrated effect control means sends the same control command to a plurality of control boards other than the sound control board on which the sound control means is mounted according to the progress of the game. . In that case, it is allowed that a surplus control command that does not change the control state of a certain control means is included in the transmitted control command. Each control unit selects only a necessary command from the received control commands, and performs control according to the selected command. Therefore, it is not necessary for the game control means to determine whether or not it is necessary to send a control command to a certain control board, and the load required for sending the control command of the general effect control means is reduced.

  Further, when a necessary command is selected from among the control commands received by each control means, it is possible to determine whether or not the command is necessary by determining only a part of the control command. Therefore, the received command determination process of each control means is also simplified.

  In this embodiment, for those described as “no change” in the command data table, even if the control command is received, the control performed at that time is continued. Although it is easy to handle commands, unnecessary commands may not be described in the command data table, and received commands may be ignored for those that do not exist in the command data table.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the above embodiment, the general effect control board 90 is sent to the output port 91 for the control command sent to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. A separate output port 93 for control commands is provided. However, when the exact same control command is sent to each board, the number of output ports may be one.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments, a predetermined game value can be given to a player when a special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the start winning combination is a combination of a predetermined symbol The second type pachinko gaming machine that becomes a predetermined game value can be given to the player when there is a winning in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start winning Or a third type pachinko gaming machine in which a predetermined right is generated or continued when a winning is given to a predetermined electric accessory that is released when the symbol of the symbol variably displayed based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbols Even so, the present invention can be applied.

  In that case, the operating time of the electric accessory when applied to the second type pachinko gaming machine, the operating time and the stop pattern of the electric accessory when applied to the third type pachinko gaming machine are determined by the game control means. It is determined. The variably displayed pattern variation pattern or the like is determined by the general effect control means or the special game apparatus control means.

  As described above, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game sends an effect control command to the general effect control board 90 when the game control is switched. Based on the received effect control command, the integrated effect control means mounted on the integrated effect control board 90 uniquely determines one effect content from the plurality of effect contents. Then, a display control command and a lamp control command corresponding to the determined production content are created and sent to the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35. Therefore, it is not necessary for the game control means to determine one production content from a plurality of production contents and create a control command according to the decided content, so that the load on the game control means is reduced.

  In addition, the operation mode and the operation result of the special game apparatus (in the above example, the symbol change time and the fixed symbol in the variable display unit 9) are determined by the game control means. Therefore, the part related to the core in the control related to the device that brings an advantageous state to the player in the gaming machine is performed by the game control means for controlling the overall progress of the game, and appropriate control in the progress of the game is realized. Has been.

  Note that, with respect to what has only one effect content, the overall effect control means creates a display control command and a lamp control command according to the received effect control command. That is, such contents are determined by the game control means. For example, the information regarding the change time of the symbol, the fixed symbol, and the state change during the jackpot game (during the specific game state) (for example, the number of rounds, the number of winning prizes, the V winning) is determined and determined by the game control means. An effect control command corresponding to the information is sent to the general effect control board 90. Then, the general effect control means creates a display control command and a lamp control command according to the received effect control command.

  Moreover, the special game apparatus control means may perform the process of uniquely determining one effect content from among a plurality of effect contents. When such processing is illustrated for the above-described example, the general effect control means does not determine the notice effect, and the display control means, which is an example of the special game device control means, plays the game state information instructing the start of symbol variation, that is, the effect When a display control command corresponding to the control command is received from the general effect control means, it is determined whether or not a notice effect is to be performed and a notice type, display control is performed according to the determination result, and the sound control board 70 is supported. Sound control command to send. When the display control means determines whether or not to perform the notice effect and the kind of notice, for example, a table as shown in FIG. 38 may be used. Therefore, even when the display control means uniquely determines the notice content, the notice effect determining control corresponding to the display result can be performed.

  Even if the display control means uniquely determines one effect content, the game control means does not need to determine one effect content from a plurality of effect contents and create a control command according to the determined content. Therefore, the load on the game control means is reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, the following gaming machines are also disclosed.

  The special gaming device control means uniquely determines one effect content from a plurality of effect contents predetermined for predetermined effect control according to the control command received from the general effect control means, and sets the determined effect content. A gaming machine configured to output a corresponding control command to a sound control board. In the case of such a configuration, since the total effect control means also takes part of the display effect, it is possible to enrich the game effects without increasing the burden on the game control means.

  Further, the comprehensive effect control means uniquely determines one effect content from among a plurality of effect contents for the predetermined effect control according to the game state information received from the game control means, and controls according to the determined effect content A gaming machine configured to output a command. In the case of such a configuration, since the total effect control means also takes part of the display effect, it is possible to enrich the game effects without increasing the burden on the game control means.

  The content of the effect uniquely determined by the special game device control means or the general effect control means includes at least a notice effect for notifying that the possibility of occurrence of a predetermined gaming state is high. Machine. In such a case, since the execution of the advance notice such as the jackpot notice or the reach notice is controlled by the general effect control means, the game effect should be enriched without increasing the burden of the game control means. Can do.

  A game in which the game control means determines an operation mode of the special game device that causes a game state advantageous to the player, and the game state information includes at least information related to the operation mode of the special game device. Machine. In the case of such a configuration, the game control means that governs the progress of the game can determine the portion in the game control that causes a game state advantageous to the player.

  A gaming machine in which the game control means determines an operation result of the special game device, and the game state information includes at least information related to the operation result of the special game device. In the case of such a configuration, the part related to the operation result of the special game apparatus that causes a game state advantageous to the player in the game control can be determined by the game control means that manages the progress of the game.

  A gaming machine in which the game control means determines an operating period as an operating mode of the special gaming device, and information related to the operating mode includes information that can specify the operating period. In the case of such a configuration, the part related to the operation time of the special game apparatus that causes a game state advantageous to the player in the game control can be determined by the game control means that manages the progress of the game.

  A gaming machine configured so that the gaming state information includes information related to a state change during a specific gaming state generated in response to an operation result of the special gaming device. In the case of such a configuration, the part related to the game control in the special game state which is a game state advantageous to the player can be determined by the game control means which manages the progress of the game.

  A game in which the game control means is configured to send out game state information capable of specifying an operation time of a special game device and game state information capable of specifying an operation result at a time related to the start of operation of the special game device. Machine. In such a case, it is only necessary to send the game state information only at the timing related to the start and end of the operation of the special gaming device, so that the load on the special gaming device control of the game control means can be reduced. it can.

  Whether or not the special gaming device control means or the general effect control means gives a notice for notifying that a predetermined gaming state is highly likely to occur based on the gaming state information that can specify the operation result of the special gaming device. A gaming machine that is configured to determine what. In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to perform the advance notice control in accordance with the game result.

  The game control means is configured to output information only once to the general effect control means so that the general effect control means can detect it. In such a configuration, the game control means only needs to send the game state information once, and the control load required for information transmission by the game control means can be reduced.

  The general effect control board is provided with irreversible input means capable of transmitting information only in one direction, and the general effect control means receives game state information from the game control means via the irreversible input means. A configured gaming machine. In the case of such a configuration, there is an effect that it is possible to effectively prevent fraud and make it difficult to receive fraud.

9 Variable display 31 Game control board (main board)
35 Lamp control board 53 Basic circuit 56 CPU
70 Sound control board 80 Display control board 89 Production control CPU
90 general effect control board 101 display control CPU
351 CPU for lamp control
91, 92, 93 Output port 701 Voice control CPU

Claims (2)

Including a variable display section having a plurality of display areas whose display states can be changed, starting to change the identification information displayed in the display area in accordance with the establishment of the change start condition, and the display result of the identification information is predetermined A gaming machine that can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the specified display mode is achieved,
A main board having game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
An effect control board having an effect control means for determining effect contents using a device for game effects;
A display control board having display control means for performing display control of the variable display unit,
The game control means includes a game control side command output means for outputting a command capable of specifying a game state according to game progress ,
The game control side command output means, as a command capable of specifying the game state, causes the effect control means to identify the variable display unit when starting the change of the identification information in response to establishment of the change start condition. Outputs a command to specify the information change time, and outputs a command to stop all identification information when the change time of the identification information has passed.
The production control means includes
Effect control side command output means for outputting a control command to the display control means in response to a command that can specify the gaming state output from the game control means;
Effect content determining means for determining the type of reach notice effect for notifying the possibility that a reach state will occur based on a command that can specify the game state output from the game control means ,
The effect control side command output means can output an identifiable control command determination result of the effect contents determination means to said display control means,
The display control means includes
Based on a control command output from the effect control side command output means in response to a command for specifying a change time of the identification information, a change start means for starting change of the identification information in the variable display unit;
When the control information corresponding to the command indicating the stop of all the identification information has been output from the effect control side command output means after the variation time of the identification information has elapsed, the variation of the identification information is stopped in the variable display unit Stop control means for causing
A gaming machine that executes the reach notice effect of a type specified by a control command capable of specifying a determination result of the effect content determination means . Including a variable display section having a plurality of display areas whose display states can be changed, starting to change the identification information displayed in the display area in accordance with the establishment of the change start condition, and the display result of the identification information is predetermined A gaming machine that can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to the player when the specified display mode is achieved,
A main board having game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
An effect control board having effect control means for inputting a command output by the game control means;
A display control board having display control means for performing display control of the variable display unit,
The game control means includes a game control side command output means for outputting a command capable of specifying a game state according to game progress,
The game control side command output means, as a command capable of specifying the game state, causes the effect control means to identify the variable display unit when starting the change of the identification information in response to establishment of the change start condition. Outputs a command to specify the information change time, and outputs a command to stop all identification information when the change time of the identification information has passed.
The production control means includes
Including an effect control side command output means for outputting a control command to the display control means in response to a command capable of specifying the gaming state outputted from the game control means,
The display control means includes
A notice type determining means for determining the type of reach notice effect for notifying the possibility of the reach condition,
Based on a control command output from the effect control side command output means in response to a command for specifying a change time of the identification information, a change start means for starting change of the identification information in the variable display unit;
Notice effect execution means for executing the reach notice effect of the type determined by the notice type determination means;
When the control information corresponding to the command indicating the stop of all the identification information has been output from the effect control side command output means after the variation time of the identification information has elapsed, the variation of the identification information is stopped in the variable display unit Including stop control means
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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